Love a Duck!

See, I told you I've been a good girl!

2011-12-26T19:10:00.000+11:00

Tomorrow is B Day! - I've unpacked her from the box, watched the most informative instructional DVD, swooned every time I've looked at her in the last 48 hours....
Time to start her up!

Teacher's gifts

2011-12-20T13:28:00.000+11:00

I'm half way through. Still got the Rocky Road to cut up and bag, Peanut Butter, White Choc and Sea Salt Biccies to make and one more Fabric basket to make.

Now we're off to see Santa!!!

Sunday Snippets

2011-12-18T19:26:00.000+11:00

For my Dad, for Christmas - finally finished after starting it in 2007! Hope it's worth the wait. Couldn't resist the windy photos on this blustery day in Old Melbourne Town!

I've been a very good girl....

2011-12-09T07:26:00.000+11:00

...so Santa, will you please bring me one of these little beauties?!

Foolishly, I went into the Sewing centre for some white thread. I was thinking of an upgrade to a machine that so I could do my larger size quilts instead of having to send them off to be quilted. I was looking at a larger Janome but I was lured by her Swiss charms (and the Stitch Regulator) She costs an awful lot of money, even on sale. Sigh.

Sunday Snippets

2011-12-04T22:38:00.001+11:00

via Tinniegirl!

What did Sunday bring for me? I nice lie in with the little lads, watching silly movies in bed, eggs, bacon, avo and chorizo for breaky, plus a great big cappuccino, then...

...did a bit more quilting on the cot quilt I started a few months back,...

...then realized I needed to make these 8 placemats in a hurry...,

...had trouble choosing the binding

...was required to view the lads playing Xbox, so did a bit of hand-quilting...

...made these for Meg in the Beehive bee.

I then went to Target to get the NZ Christmas pressies. I also got a few items of the undie variety, and a most (un)attractive "foundation" undergarment. As I was called forth from the queue, I realized, to my horror, that the young man on the till was my friend Lisa's teenage son. I hope that he will remember me for the lovely cake he ate last week that I baked, not my granny undies!!

Is it any wonder that I had to buy these at the supermarket to placate myself?

A bit of Tangy Bliss is all you need sometimes!

Things for little folk.

2011-12-01T12:47:00.002+11:00

I have a friend with a little newborn son, and have been busy trying to finish the quilt started for him 9 months or so ago!! I finished it and delivered it yesterday afternoon, but the weather was so horrid that I couldn't take a photo!

Dom's favourite toy from babyhood has been "Pigly". We bought it when we found I was pregnant - one of those lovely soft things you can't resist when the hormones are rushing about.

Charlie's favourite is "Snugs", a square of soft chenille with satin and grosgrain ribbon tags attached to the sides. I bought it when he was a baby from ELC in Chadstone and it cost around $40.

Now, to be fair, the ribbons are all custom made and there is appliqué and they are actually called "Taggies"

I decided to have a burl at making some "Snugs" of my own

This is my first take on it. She wanted a New Zealand theme seeing the poor little bugger will be inundated with all things Ocker all his life (sorry, lovely Australian friends, we love you and your beautiful country, but there is so much green and gold)

This one has a Rainbow Theme

They make pretty nice gifts for a baby and are dead simple and cheap to make.

When you wish you'd just handed over the money.

2011-11-29T12:49:00.000+11:00

Some of the girls, namely Kath, Lisa , Sniff and myself, along with the lovely Mr. Charlie, took a lovely road trip on Friday just gone to the Mornington Peninsula to frequent a fantastic event called Christmas at the Studio.

Great hilarity ensued on the journey there, so much so that we were told, "Be quiet, please, I can't hear my movie!" from the smallest traveller, even with headphones on head!

There were lots of lovely things to buy.

There was lovely food and drink to buy too!

And balloons!!!

One lovely thing to buy was a Handmade Advent Calendar.

It was $75.

"Too much!", says I, when I can easily whip a couple up myself!!

I went to task on my project that very night.

By the next day I was about ready to stab myself in the eye.

What a bloody faff!

Cutting out all those ruddy numbers, pulling off all the iron-on sticky paper, pressing them onto all the pockets then sewing around the little buggers almost did my head in.

So this is it.

They're getting one calendar and I'm putting two chocs in each pocket!

Next time I shall be mindful of how long "handmade" actually takes.

And fork over the money!!

Sunday Snippets

2011-11-27T19:07:00.000+11:00

via Tinniegirl

A certain 5 year old.

2011-11-13T11:42:00.000+11:00

Well, the little man has turned 5 after what seemed like months of waiting!

The birthday celebrations went on for 2 weeks, as he had a big party with a friend 2 weeks before the actual event, for all the kinder buddies.

Check out those Cake Pops!!!

Then came the actual day...Halloween!

There was trick or treating...

...at spooky looking abodes....

...well, actually, only our abode looked spooky...

and a second cake this time, one for the actual day, which was just as much fun!

Our little boy is five. But he still gives us a cuddle in bed in the mornings, and lots throughout the day too, just like his big brother. That's my favorite part of being a Mum.

Nothing more needs to be said!

2011-10-24T12:03:00.000+11:00

Sunshiny day Blogtoberfest Day 18

2011-10-18T14:19:00.000+11:00

I'm getting a bit slack on this blogging every day business! Oh well.
It's a gorgeous day, too nice to be inside sewing (as I sit inside at the computer, blogging...) so I thought I'd post a sunshiny pic of what i SHOULD be sewing.

A cot quilt for the new little cousin in Vancouver. It's been started and won't take long to finish, but I've been dragging my heels. Best get it done before she gets to school age!

Poppies are my favourite flowers so I planted a slew of them this year, and they are just blooming fantastically!!

Charlie and I have had a lovely morning, taking Dom to school on the tram, having coffee with the girls, Dymocks story time, Lunch at a cafe, home on the tram via the supermarket to change the lightbulbs for a record THIRD time!

Must remember that it's time to put the sunscreen back in my bag again though. It's lovely and warm today but supposed to be 29 degrees on Thursday!

XX

Vintage Jug love! Blogtoberfest Day 15

2011-10-15T08:05:00.000+11:00

I've recently developed a love of certain vintage "objets". It has quite a lot to do with this very talented and lovely friend . And look what she presented me with yesterday, having requested that she ferret some out for me some weeks earlier!

Two beautiful French (?) enamel jugs!

I risked life and limb to climb on the garden shed, armed with secataurs, to secure the very choicest Bottlebrush blooms to put into one of them. Will fill the other with some gorgeousness from the market today.

SO much better than a glass vase! Thanks Lisa! And remember, No Mates Rates!

If you are in the market for anything Vintage, look no further. She is a marvel! She can source things, make you a fabulous themed chair or ottoman from vintage tea towels, and has a storage locker full of fabulousness. And she is one of the kindest, coolest people you will have ever met!

Must like kids

2011-10-14T22:49:00.000+11:00

I like kids. They make me laugh. I used to be a teacher. Most of them like kids!

I love my own kids with a fierceness that is sometimes overwhelming and I am constantly amazed by their uttering and antics. I'm so very proud of whatever little achievement they...well..achieve.

I always feel that I don't spend enough time really playing with them, though. Classic Mother's guilt.

Today, I had the pleasure of witnessing one of my friends, a new friend, playing with my five year old son for an hour or two. They built Lego - the Ninjago he got at his birthday party yesterday. Then he sat on her knee with the iPad and showed her his games. She was right into it with him, on his level. He had an absolute blast!

We were at sewing group, at Sniff's house. Well, it used to be sewing group, but we've diversified into, let's say, an activity group! There are bloggers, laminators and a good bit of sewing goes on too. It's good fun!

It was beautiful to watch. He had the best time, I think, that he's ever had there. I go there to sew and chat to the girls. I have a great time every time I go. He doesn't mind it, but I always fob off his attempts to join in the sewing. In fact, I pretty much expect him to entertain himself. We all chat to him, suggest activities. But this week he was the centre of someone's attention! And Tori bought chocolate!

I'm going to get some hessian this week, a big blunt needle, some wool and buttons. I'm going to let him sit beside us and sew too if he wants to.

Thanks, lovely Kath! You made his day, and mine too. It was so kind of you to take the time to connect with him on his level for all that time. Looking forward to the big Halloween/ birthday celebrations including aforementioned Lego, with your young Lego master. Oh, and there may be a few drinks involved too!!

At last, she sews! Day 11

2011-10-11T14:23:00.000+11:00

I finally got the binding done on Charlie's Quilt! Feels like I haven't touched the machine in ages, but it's good to be back!

I'm really happy with how it turned out!!

It's bought the room together beautifully. Have now dumped (in the wardrobe) the blue and green Ikea mat that never used to stay flat!

And on a slightly different note, here's a taste of another little somethin' I'm working on for the littlest Rock Star...

Back to School/Kinder - Blogtoberfest Day 10

2011-10-10T19:01:00.000+11:00

God, it's hard yakka on the first day back after the holidays! Kids and self to get organized and out the door, lunches to make, Charlie did the usual and slept in, so had to wake him up just after 8 and shovel food in, arguments with Dom about getting dressed before the telly goes on and taking thine own crap upstairs, not leaving it for Mummy to do later. And all while my significant other slumbers in bed! The Joy! You can imagine my mood by 8.40! Very tweezer-lipped!!

But I've been having some lovely lie-ins and some very lazy days. The boys and I had a very relaxing holiday on the whole.

But it's kind of nice to back into the old routine again. Less time to sit about and eat!

Kids are eating their dinner now and soon will be in bed. I plan to take a nice long bath and sew the binding (finally) on Charlie's new quilt.

Went into the city today to Cake Deco to get prepared for the Cake Pops I'm making for Charlie and his buddy Lou's Kew Traffic School party on Thursday.

I'm making them fairly simple - you can get some pretty amazing results if you know how, but this is my first time. Will post numerous photos, post party.

Happy Monday ! X

Rugby mania - Blogtoberfest Days 8 & 9

2011-10-09T18:34:00.001+11:00

Go the Mighty Black!

Blogtoberfest day 7

2011-10-07T20:51:00.000+11:00

Out for dinner with my buddies. Cocktails, wine, thai food and Dolly Diamond at 10.30. Tried to take photo but buggered if I know how to do that by iPhone!

Hangover expected tomorrow.

Day 6 blogtoberfest

2011-10-06T23:08:00.000+11:00

My littlest man is having his first sleepover.

I miss him.

I know these things need to be done, and he's at one of my great friend's houses with her little boy, whom he adores, and he's had an absolute blast, but it's doesn't feel right not to have him here.

On the upside, big bro has had the best time. He got to sit in the front seat with me on the way to Aikido ( bad mummy), had some of my coke ( as in cola, not powdery stuff which I would be far too scared to touch), had fish and chips in the park with me and Dad, watched Transformers (an M. - bad Daddy) till 9.30 and had Tim tams. Very happy boy!

Still miss my little one though. Can't wait to see him tomorrow.

Better get used to it though, I suppose. Doesn't mean I have to like it.

Day 5 Blogtoberfest -What's cookin'?

2011-10-05T22:01:00.000+11:00

Cooked up a storm this last night and this arvo.

Love you, Thermomix! Love you, Donna Hay!

Pumpkin and Sage Risotto, with Chicken.
Lemon and Passionfruit Yogurt Cake.
Lemon curd Tart!

Wanna recipe?

I'm thinking of doing a dinner prize as my celebratory Blogtoberfest giveaway.

You'd have to live in Melbourne though.

Thoughts?

My morning - Day 4, Blogtoberfest

2011-10-04T10:22:00.000+11:00

I forgot to add fighting kids.

Day 3 Blogtoberfest - Kid's Choice

2011-10-03T09:26:00.000+11:00

Daylight Saving is here!! Love those long summer nights spent outside (unless it's too stinking hot and you're forced inside with the air conditioner on full blast and the curtains drawn, Aussie style.)

It's the beginning of the second week of the school hols. The sun is shining but they were promised an outing to The Smurfs, so that is what we are doing today. Donning our attractive 3D specs and heading down to the Rivoli at midday. Maybe an afternoon in the park.

The Mustang is back from the garage, having had its innards replaced. I asked the man to make it quieter, but I fear that my wish has not come true.

Fruits of my labours yesterday. There is a floor in here! Let the sewing begin..

Still not perfect, but much better.

Every night in my dreams.... Day 2: Blogtoberfest

2011-10-02T11:18:00.000+11:00

OK, OK, I know it's technically cheating but 2 posts in one day is making top for not starting yesterday!

We have a Titanic obsession going down in Chez Williams at present. We watched the movie yesterday (heavily edited by me with the remote, fast forwarding all horrible or slightly sexy bits).

Here is what was made while mummy slumbered in bed ('til 9.30 - result!)

The Band Aid packet is the iceberg, in case that needed explanation! I tried to encourage a slightly longer ship, but was told that the propellers were already attached therefore, impossible. They are now making a poster to adorn their walls.

And Mr Sun is trying to shine today! Happy Day!

Blogtoberfest, Day 1- a series of confessions!

2011-10-02T11:15:00.000+11:00

First of all, I'm a day late starting Blogtoberfest as it is indeed the 2nd of October today. I looked at entering last night, but hate blogging from the iPad, and although the movie I was watching was average at best (Tomorrow, When the War Began) I couldn't be arsed getting up and going to "the pit of despair".

Which brings me to my second confession.

This is the worst half of the pit of despair - the sewing part. The office part is pretty messy too, but this is the reason I am not motivated to sew at the mo'.

It really beggars belief! There is crap everywhere.

I am resolved to spending a good part of my day trying to get this beast into some semblance of order.

Remembering 9/11

2011-09-11T14:56:00.000+10:00

We got a text message from one of Jason's work colleagues to say, "Turn on the television, CNN". It was just before 9pm. We were living in Kuching, a small city on the island of Borneo.

Before us unfolded something that looked other worldly. A smoking skyscraper, with oft-repeated footage of a plane flying into it, live on our screen. We sat, transfixed as we saw, to our horror, another plane fly into the next tower, live on our screens. Now, we realized, it couldn't have been an accident.

We lived in a large 19 floor hotel with apartments on the top ten floors. I remember thinking, "What if a plane flies into this building next?" Seems a bizarre thought now.

I'm pretty sure I spent the next three days glued to that television set. I wept when I saw the people jumping out of the towers, and when those same towers collapsed but when I saw the people holding up pictures of their lost loved ones, I wept the most, as they stood there bereft, amongst the smoke, dust and tiny pieces of paper.

RIP

The Birds

2011-09-05T16:55:00.000+10:00

I was beetling about on the computer this arvo, listening half heartedly to the building going on in the units behind us. Heard a couple of funny noises, though I'd go for an inspection...

Cheeky bugger had flown into the house. I cowered, held my hands over my head hoping there would not be any Alfred Hitchcock moments..

Then, after a couple of fly overs, he flew out the sliding door. Hallelujah!

Thank God he didn't poo. I'll tell you what though...I nigh on shat myself! (substitute nigh on for nearly, just in case you were thinking otherwise!)

Fantastic Tan

2011-09-01T14:50:00.000+10:00

No, not talkin' about some spray on thingummy. Talkin' 'bout "The Tan".

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Melbourne, "The Tan" is the quintessentially Aussie style nickname for The Botanical Gardens. It has a 5km walking/running/cycle track around it that is well used, to say the least.

Helpful that you're walking by beautiful gardens and the Yarra river. Plus there's a great cafe, a children's garden and a beautiful walk through to please the doutiest anti-gardener.

We went to a fabulous production by the Australian Shakespeare Company of Wind in the Willows by the lakeside there at the end of summer. Had a ball. We all ran around like banshees as part of the production and they even utilized the lake as part of it all. Sensational.

We oft go to the children's garden in the warmer holidays as they have a little trickily stream running through it and the kids wear their bathers and splash around for hours.

Went for a walk there yesterday with my three amigos. Much hilarity echoed thorough the foliage.

Rainbows and Poppies

2011-08-29T17:03:00.000+10:00

Bought this little book 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton from Spotlight the other day because...(whispers)...I'm not really enjoying my Granny Squares crochet class. The ladies and the teacher are very nice but it's too much about how to hold the hook and not enough just get in there and do it)

Just to let you know, When I did that link to the bookstore I discovered it was more than twice the price at Spotlight! Ripped off! Hate that.

I've made a few out of it already. Great, clear instructions. Lovin' the book.

Fruits of my labors. I'm into Poppy mode at the moment, hence the color scheme and the flower blocks.

My husband can't seem to get his head around the fact that I'm crocheting blankets like his great grandmother used to do. Watch less sport then, buddy.

Here's the one I'm doing at the moment. Tres fiddly, but good for working on when not wanting to watch that bloody awful Underbelly Razor (too much blood and violence for me, oh yes, indeed!) as I can't take my eyes of the wool!

And here is my Freeform scarf so far. Looks like a bit of a dog's breakfast in attractive co-ordinating colours. It's a bit nicer in real life and I love working on it, so if I don't like it when it's finished, I'll just gift it to some artsy type I know that will appreciate it!

(don't worry, Tori, it won't be you)

When Irish Eyes are Smiling.

2011-08-19T09:18:00.001+10:00

Seven years ago today at Holles Street Maternity hospital in Dublin, Ireland, we became parents for the first time.

It was love at first sight. I lay beside him that first night, gazing at him through my mild morphine haze, not quite believing how beautiful and tiny he was, texting long poetic messages to Jas about him, that he kept on his phone for ages.

He's growing up to be a kind and beautiful, bubbly and animated boy with an enthusiasm for life and a ready smile. He loves science - he got a telescope, spy gear,vehicle building and crystal growing sets this morning, plus a Pooh bear soft toy from his little brother. He loves his soft toys, does Dom. He lost Pooh a few months back and now he has another.

So Happy 7th birthday, my little Irish Kiwi (he insists on supporting the Irish over the All Blacks in rugby, much to his father's dismay!) You make us smile and laugh every day with your never-ending questions and scenarios. You love a good cuddle. You're a fantastic reader. You're kind and generous, and love being with people.

Lá breithe sona, mo prionsa beag.

The Old Red, White and Blue

2011-08-17T19:33:00.000+10:00

If you have been taking any notice whatsoever of my little progress bars on the side, you will have seen that one of the quilts has recently seen some action!

For the last couple of days of my in-laws stay, I've been making new curtains for Charlie's room.
Yes, we live in a rental.
Yes, it may be a waste of money to make new curtains you may never use again.
But the old ones were;
a) the shittiest faded salmon pink color you can imagine
b) come summer they may as well be open as are virtually see thorough. I need something better to con him that it's night time!
c) they were on rods and the gap had been sewn too narrow and they wouldn't slide. Tiebacks do my head in.
d) until we leave these isles and return to The Homeland, I refuse to live with any more "other people's crap" than I have to. I have been doing this for 11 long years of rental properties in 8 countries. The pink Austrian blinds in the lounge are bad enough!

Anyhoo...I have had this project on the back burner for a while and thought it the perfect time to complete one of the infamous WIP's that I have vowed to wipe out by 2012.

I'd like to say I'll get it done tomorrow but I'm dreaming.

Biggie Smalls has a 7th birthday on Friday and I have to knock out 2 dozen iced and sprinkled cupcakes (school), and ice cream party cake and party food (family, little friends party, Friday Night), Beyblade cake (Sunday, Laserstrike party) .

Plus go to the gym and Costco tomorrow.
They all have to be home made according to his lordship, as "your things taste perfect, Mum"
How can I argue with such wanton bias?!

The joys of Grandparents.

2011-08-11T20:19:00.000+10:00

My in-laws are staying with us at the moment. They've settled into the swing of our lives, like they always do, which makes them such a joy to have here.

The kids were uber-excited to be picked up from school and kinder. So lovely to see the beaming little faces when they saw their beloved Grandma and Grandad! They've joined in the school drop off and pick ups and all the ensuing activities in between, plus all the at home ones - stories, doing the reader, bath etc. It's sooooo nice to have an extra couple of pairs of hands around the place at dinner time, when there are dishes in the sink and washing to fold. And it's really nice to have someone to talk to when the kids aren't about too, for a change!

I feel very lucky to get on with my in-laws, I know many (or is it most?) people don't. I wonder why that is. Who knows? I'm off to sit by the fire (that I didn't have to light) and chat!!
X

I love this skirt...

2011-08-07T09:54:00.000+10:00

on the beautiful Emma Watson (aka Hermione, my future daughter-in-law according to Charlie)

I reckon, with a pile of Anna Maria Horner fabrics, I could probably knock off similar one fairly easily. It will undoubtedly be shorter and (a lot) wider than that one. I may not look like Emma Watson when I put it on, in fact, I am fairly certain of it, but I am still inclined to try.

But..
a) will I start off with a hiss and a roar and then lose interest?
b) I have a pile of unfinished projects I have vowed to finish by the end of the year (see the progress thingummys)
c) I have too much fabric and shouldn't really buy any more...

I shall hereby muse about it today and make my decision tomorrow.

Wool is the new Fabric!

2011-08-03T14:44:00.000+10:00

Just to mix things up a bit, I decided to break out of my knitting comfort zone (basically knit and purl, preferably only scarves), and start a couple of classes at The Open Drawer.

Within this beautiful hedgehog case made for me by Tori (and so much more perfectly finished than I could ever hope to achieve) are.....

....some of my Freeform Knitting / Crochet creations. You use different textured fibres and wool to create small pieces that will be added to each other and embellished with things I am yet to learn how to do, like bullions and spirals and balls.

Don't know about the yellow... might have to be in the next project.

This is the Flickr website of the mistress of Freeform, Prudence Mapstone to get the gist of what I'm doing. Mine will be a scarf as I think a wall hanging may be slightly to ambitious and I can't see myself toting one of the bags, to be honest!

I'm also rocking some old school Granny Squares at a different course at the same venue

I am not much good at these but I like the colourway I chose based on Red Poppies. 'Twill be a struggle to finish a blanket, methinks, at the rate I crochet the little buggers!

Purple is as purple does.

2011-08-02T14:06:00.001+10:00

I have two lovely friends. We train together (some much harder than others), we have coffee often, lunch and dinner sometimes too.

We shopped together the other night. Elwood in Glenferrie rd was closing. We've all bought the same purple sweater. We also have matching pink sweaters from Country Rd.

It's all getting very Terrible triplets! And the most bizarre thing is we don't care if we match, even going so far as to send messages requesting the wearing of said sweaters on the same day!

So here's to friends who believe that the comfort of a nice, soft, comfortable piece of clothing is a gift to be shared, not cloistered within the confines of individuality!

To Russia, with love...

2011-07-28T13:43:00.000+10:00

One down, three to go.

Liberty love.

2011-07-28T10:02:00.000+10:00

I hate hemming trousers or jeans. Pain in the butt. So now I just use bias binding on mine if I can. I bought this gorgeous Liberty binding at Patchwork on Central Park not long ago and have used it on my new jeans (Lee, $27 from Costco, bar-gain!)

Now I'm sewing Russian fur hats for the Trivia night on Saturday. Our theme is Moscow. There will be lots of vodka consumed, methinks!

The weather that was...

2011-07-25T10:45:00.000+10:00

Got lots of sewing done this weekend as have chesty cough and sound like I'm on 40 fags a day. Getting better...I'll be back at the gym tomorrow, hopefully, Tori!

Dr Seuss placemats for the lads. Have had them quilted for a few weeks now and they just needed binding.

Little man getting a dose of Vitamin D on Friday. He wanted to stay home from his soccer lessons and look after me, bless his little heart!

Kinder Quilt finito! Praise be!! This one dragged a bit but I'm happy with the result.

Stoopid shadow!

Back (Thank you, Ikea!)

Look at our veges!!! Lots of leafy things, not much root veg action yet.

Three little boats for Annabel in The Beehive. Her little boy's "The Busy Sea at Night" Quilt is going to be very cute!

I'm back at the machine now, putting gorgeous Liberty binding on a pair of jeans. Much better than hemming!! And I know all about hemming being only 5 ' 1" !! Will post a pic later for those of you that don't have a clue what I'm banging on about.

RIP Amy

2011-07-24T11:49:00.000+10:00

Great talent, gone too soon. Hope she's finally found some peace.

Little boxes, little boxes...

2011-07-13T17:05:00.000+10:00

Theme for the kinder quilt to be auctioned at the annual Trivia Night this year is Little Houses.

I have decided I have enough fabric (understatement of the year!!!) to make it without buying more, for once. Background of Kona Medium Grey (?) punctuated with a green Kaffe Fassett and Purple Echino for the border

All the Frogs class drew themselves on white homespun from Spotlight. I added their name and a little roof to each one from a fabric in my scrap container (didn't even make a dent in the ruddy thing!)

I then ironed the houses onto Fusible Web and cut around each one.

Placement is not easy! I added a few little trees to the gaps that were evident. Nice Echino fabric with birds and bugs on it. There is Charlie's one by the bird, Big mop of curly blonde hair and Harry Potter glasses! Excellent!

Finally ironed each one into place, Now am ready to make backing, the quilt sandwich and raw-edge applique each house. Will be ready to display Monday, all going well!

Off the St Katherines for dinner tonight before HARRY POTTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just a little bit excited!!!!!!!

Baking Day at Casa Los Williams

2011-07-11T11:54:00.000+10:00

In the oven as we speak are...

Raspberry and White Chocolate Friands

125g Raspberries (frozen are fine)
185g melted Butter
6 egg whites (or 4 eggs if you cant be bothered)
100g Almond meal
.5 cup Plain Flour
1.5 cup Icing Sugar Mixture
100g White Choc Chips

Crush the raspberries then mix everything together.
Pour into greased friand or muffin tins.
Bake for 25mins at 180 degrees.
Stand for 5 mins before cooling on wore rack then sut with icing sugar when cool.

Chocolate Muffins

1.75 cups Plain Flour
1 cup Sugar
.5 cup Cocoa
2 tsp Baking Powder
.25 tsp Baking Soda
.25 tsp Salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
.5 cup melted Butter
.5 cup Chocolate Chips

Mix all ingredients together until well combined.
Bake in greased or lined muffin tins at 180 degrees for 18 to 20 minutes.
Cool on wire rack and ice if desired.

Hope you're having a happy day wherever you are!

Have Mercy!

2011-07-04T13:51:00.001+10:00

It's the first day of the school holidays here in windy Melbourne.

Normally we would don the PJ's for the day and have a stay at home bonanza, but the kids were booked in for a Lego Create and Learn session at 9, so it was much like any other school day, really, minus the lunches to make.

We started a new tradition. The kids had never eaten Coco Pops before we came home from Samoa on the plane. They ADORED them, sugary bits of chocolate love, that they are. Rather than have an issue at the supermarket we decided to make it a first and last day of the school holidays treat. So today was the day.

They are as 'high' as kites.
I'm blaming the bloody Coco Pops.
It's not as if they don't get lots of junk - they have too much, really, but always a healthy breakfast.
They are Doing. My. F**k**'. Head. In already and we are only just over half way through the day.
It's blowing it's knads off outside and I've sent them out to play. At least it's not raining!

Maybe I can tame them with Brocolli?

Talofa lava!

2011-06-28T13:35:00.000+10:00

We've just returned from a 10 day family holiday in Samoa.

We attended a friends wedding and had an all round fabulous time. I ate more fish than I thought possible, mostly Oka, but also lots of with Samoan Chop Suey and Taro cooked in coconut cream..Palusami. The food was delicious, the temperature in the high twenties to thirties, and the people, lovely.

Too many Pina Coladas have expanded my waistline, however. Back to the gym today and it was hard yakka!

Now I need to make a gift for the lovely couple who made us so welcome. Thank God the hols are nearly upon us and I can get down 'n dirty in the sewing room for a bit. I'm thinking of a quilt but am having a mental block with ideas. Any suggestions?!

This afternoons great achievement...

2011-06-09T14:51:00.002+10:00

...was not sewing...

...or knitting his Gryffindor scarf..

...or cooking dinner...

...or baking biscuits...

...or doing the housework...

...or shopping...

Nothing like a spot of boatbuilding and decorating to wile away the afternoon.

Rapunzel

2011-06-03T12:00:00.001+10:00

I've always fancied myself as a bit of an artist...but perhaps I'm deluded. I used to do a bit while I was teaching and really enjoyed it.

We have bought a fair bit of art since we've been here in Australia in preparation for filling the walls of the house in NZ, when it gets built. Now it's getting a bit crowded on the walls here, to be honest. But there will be a lot of wall space to fill when Le Manoir is built!

Two of my favourite pieces are by a local Camberwell artist and illustrator called Anna Walker. She exhibited at the Canterbury Primary School Art Exhibition for the last couple of years and we commissioned her to do "Into the Woods" last year and "The Princess and the Frog" this year. Ours are similar to these but Red Riding Hood has a wolf too! The leaves and dresses are made from tiny bits of fabric.

Anyhoo, I was inspired to try to emulate Anna's work when I saw Heather Ross' Far Far Away Collection of fabric. Here is a very bad photo of the Rapunzel fabric (sorry!)

I started this about a month ago so not much progress made yet, I'm afraid. Bear in mind, this won't be the finished product as it would just be a copy of the Fabric design (or what I think passes as a copy!) I'm just trying to get a feel for the watercolours and how they go at this stage.

God knows if I'll ever actually finish anything worth framing. And I have the frame all ready too (ever the optimist!) Shame the paper I bought is the wrong bloody size!

Bulbous

2011-06-02T09:07:00.000+10:00

The biggest little boy is still sick. Sounds like he's got a 40 a day habit. He's been off school all week but we were going to send him today as the fevers have stopped.

That was until the tears welled up in those little eyes and a little, whispery voice proceeded to tell us that he didn't think he should go to school as he would cough all over his friends and give them germs and it still hurt his chest and head when he coughed.

I'm glad I didn't send him now. He's sitting on the couch, playing a game on the iPad in PJs, coughing ...and coughing.

I haven't been to the gym since Saturday. But I did manage to get into the garden on the first day of winter, which was cold in the morn but gloriously sunny for the rest.

With the help of my smaller gardening companion, I planted some of these, hoping that...

these will emerge in the spring!

I also planted some of these by the front door. They don't look like this yet, sadly!

Now I'm going to sew, but will go out and plant my vege seedlings later.

And before you ask - no, I haven't done the dishes yet!

Etsy, Etsy, Etsy, Etsy... I wanna be craaaafty! (think Rocky Horror if you're confused!)

2011-05-31T15:47:00.000+10:00

Me and a few sewing buddies gather at Sniffy's house on Friday arvo's for a bit of a Chat, Sew (and eat) session. Little Man comes along, mooches about with the dog and the iPad, batts his eyelashes at the girls, who bring him lollipops and gingerbread biccies as payback.

Sniff's had to buy a new table to fit us all around. Some of us mend, some sew, some google dirty ditties on the iPad and sing them to the group (to those of you in the know, you'll guess who they are!)

The laminator has been in hot demand recently from the lovely Lisa, who makes the most fabulous themed Chairs upholstered in tea towels and is participating in this gorgeous event on Friday.

Lisa saw the placemats I was making on Friday and declared I should be selling on Etsy. I pooh-poohed the idea at first, but it lolled about in the back of my mind until I thought, bugger it, why not?

So you saw it here first, compadres. Partito Y Monito's Etsy shop.... nothing listed yet...(bit of a faff to get the wording right and all that, to be honest) but but watch this space.

Yello!

2011-05-30T10:37:00.001+10:00

Prints Charming linen panel

An idea from Lynne at Lily's Quilts

A few little somethin' somethin's I've been working on....

...plus the pretty pink presents for Pretty Chloe were gifted on Sunday.

Hot feet

2011-05-28T08:16:00.000+10:00

Saturday morning in our house does not yet mean getting up with the sparrows to stand around a cold (and usually wet) sports field cheering on a team.

The boys are still young and there is no mini-midgets rugby readily available - that is what you do in NZ when you have boys and a rugby-mad husband.

However, we go to dancing. This is what you do when your mother was a music teacher and wants you to be confident performing (this is what she tells herself)

Far be it for anyone to accuse me of not encouraging the boys to embrace their inner Broadway star! They both have singing and dancing lessons, and Dom does Tap on Saturday mornings as an extra.

He's the only boy in both the tap and song/dance classes, and at the moment he doesn't care, so until he does, I'm going with it. He often gets to be the centrepiece (read STAR!) of the dance they do because of the 'only boy' factor. This fact does not escape him!

There are a couple of little boys in Charlie's group, and lots of little girlies in tutus! He is always first to put his hand up to sing into the microphone (just like his mummy!)

They can both sing beautifully in tune and have the confidence to stand up in front of friends and family to give an impromptu concert, so mission accomplished.

Even better is the fact that my darling husband is more than happy to take them and sit around with the other parents on a Saturday morn (the other parents being mostly Mums, a lot of whom constantly bang on about how well little Penelope is doing at school, so much more focused and talented than everyone else!)

He has his iPad, and his favourite coffee shop just down the road, and a bit of bonding time with the boys to alleviate the Golf Guilt that descends upon him most Sundays!

Thermomix love...

2011-05-25T20:14:00.000+10:00

I have a Thermomix.

When some people hear that, a curiously mocking grin lurks around their mouths (thinking, I suspect, "suburban housewife, too much time, too much money"). When some people hear, they look at me as if to say WTF is that?! It is a talking point, that's for sure.

Well it's a whizz bang, in your face, beautifully masterminded little bundle of awesomeness as far as I'm concerned! I LOVE it. I use it every day.

Knackers to your bloody store bought pesto, mayo, hollandaise sauce, salad dressing, jam, custard.....I make them all and they taste like proper! I'd never made any of those things from scratch before (because, quite frankly, they sounded like too much of a Bucking Fitch to be contemplated.)

No more caster or icing sugar for me! I mill my own. I could even mill whole wheat into flour. (but truly cannot be bothered going that far!) I made a cake in it last night for school lunches. It was mixed and in the oven in 5 minutes.

I hate kneading stuff. All that crapola about feeling the love in the dough... I hate the stuff sticking to my fingers!! Bread dough, including kneading, 2 minutes. Pasta dough, including kneading, 3 minutes.

Anyhoo....one of my faves is

Mushroom and Prawn Quinoa Risotto. Here's the recipe with or without TM.

Grate 50g Parmesan ((10 secs on Speed 9) - set aside

Chop 1/2 an onion and 2 cloves garlic ( 3 secs speed 7)

Add 25g Olive Oil, saute (2 mins, Speed 1, MC off)

add 1/4 cup of Arborio Rice and 3/4 cup Quinoa (whole cup of either if you prefer) and 100g Verjuice (or White Wine) Saute 2 mins (100 degrees, Reverse Speed 2)

Add 200g Swiss brown (or any) Mushrooms
*Add 2.5 cups Chicken Stock to Thermomix and cook 17mins 100 degrees, reverse Speed 1)

**heat 2.5 cups of Chicken Stock in microwave or saucepan till nearly boiling, add a half cup at a time to risotto, stirring constantly till absorbed.

Add 20 Frozen Raw Prawns in the last 2 mins of cooking. 1 min for Fresh/Thawed.

Season with Salt and Pepper, add the parmesan, rest for at least 5 mins before serving.

I add a bit of Goats Cheese into the serving dish at resting time, just dotting it into the top of the risotto. Also stir in Basil or Spinach leaves in the 5 mins resting time. Whatever you like really.

Pretty healthy, especially as it's mostly Quinoa, and delicioso!

x

Not the terrible twos but...

2011-05-24T09:24:00.000+10:00

My youngest child is undoubtedly charming and cute as a button. Shopkeepers give him free samples (one memorable moment at Queen Vic market with an oyster springs to mind ) and people smile indulgently at him.

The other day in Spotlight the lady at the fabric counter made some comment about what a nice little boy he was. "Do you think I'm beautiful?" he asks her while gazing into her eyes. "Yes, your very beautiful!", she exclaimed. "Is it my curls?", he asks winsomely with a little curved smile on his face, prompted cooing from all the ladies in the line. I roll my eyes but am secretly proud!

However, turning four bought a change in behaviour that I never experienced with my eldest darling. He can turn from angel to feral in the drop of a hat. I had heard there is a testostorone surge at four and by god, it's surging in him!

Last night he was an angel until the last 15 minutes before bed when he turned into the antichrist. It's like he's got no control over what he's doing! Bedlam, then peace when he calmed down, having decided he'd better behave if he wanted any story at all, and sat in for the last 5 minutes.

The "Terrible Twos" were a little bit of an issue but the "F*&#$n Fours" are doing my head in!

Inferno Starblast Attack!

2011-05-20T09:18:00.000+10:00

The biggest little boy is not 100%. Big vom in bed about 11.30pm. Neaty. Just when I'd caught up with all the washing I have a vomiter and a piddler in one night.

Day home from school today as has wicked cough as well. Now ensconced on couch with little brother, enraptured in Beyblade Metal Fusion, Beyblade in hand, ready to battle when the mood takes him.

Beyblades are the bane of my life. Basically a spinning top with interchangeable parts, they are the merchandise from a Japanese Anime TV series. God knows how many they've lost, ruddy things are small and adept at hiding under the fridge and suchlike. You collect them, then swap the parts around, if you fancy, to supposedly make your bey more powerful.

My children are not quiet ones that read and colour in. They are enthusiastic and animated action men! I have to banish the beyblades outside when battle commences (they have a plastic stadium to battle in - the bey that spins the longest wins) as the noise of them declaring their intent to Inferno Starblast Attack! or Upside Down Awesomeness! is enough to make me consume an entire bottle of vodka at one sitting.

There is a character on the show called Benkei who has the most annoying voice known to man (even more annoying than Dora The Explorer, and that's saying something)

But there's something strangely compelling about them. I quite like knowing all their strange little zodiac-based names and the show is all about values and morals so it's not a bad watch for the smalls.

Better than Ben 10 (had to stop them watching it as they kept fighting each other) but not as good as Shaun the Sheep (classic viewing for all!)

progress report...

2011-05-18T12:33:00.001+10:00

dress - pass

dishes - fail

Too much to do.....

2011-05-18T07:23:00.001+10:00

After wondering earlier this week ~~what sewing project I was going start~~ which of the fifty unfinished projects I was going to complete, I am suddenly innnondated with things to do...with deadlines.

Charlie's little friend, whom I call Pretty Chloe, is having her birthday party on Saturday week. When I saw her Mum in the toy shop, I offered to make her a dress instead of opting for the My Little Pony. (Swift self-kick in the shin)

Kinder quilt for the trivia night. 24 little pictures to be drawn by 24 little kinder kiddies, printed onto printable fabric, choose, purchase remaining quilt fabric, cut, piece, baste, quilt, bind. (Big job, dreading it)

I've just signed up for Placemat Quilt Swap Round 6 which I adore doing and am looking forward to. I am going to have to make myself not start these until I've finished the dress though.

So, the plan of attack is...

1) make dress today after the gym (no fruiting around the cafes and shops afterwards wasting time)

2) placemats on the weekend

3) start kinder quilt drawings next week. Delegate the fabric buying.

Oh God! Have just remembered I have to plant the vege garden (only a little one) before the seedlings I bought 3 weeks ago have to be binned. This actually means I also have to pull up all the weeds and spread 3 bags of compost too... (strangled "gah!" sound emerges from mouth)

Maybe all this activity will help me stop thinking about all the food I'm not supposed to be eating as my ~~evil torturer~~ trainer, Miranda is making me do a detox, starting today.

Hope Jason and the kids survive!

Comfort food

2011-05-17T12:56:00.001+10:00

It's been getting cold in Melbourne so when my friend Tori gave me this recipe she ripped out of one of the weekend papers, it seemed the perfect thing to enjoy on a chilly evening, so I, once again, put off folding the washing and got down to the business of cooking!

LAMB AND MACARONI BAKE adapted from Neil Perry

75 ml EV Olive Oil (I probably used half of that)
2 large Onions, finely chopped
Sea salt / Black Pepper
500g Minced Lamb
can of Diced Tomatoes
Bay Leaf
500g cooked Macaroni
100g grated Gruyere
1/2 cup grated Parmesan

Heat Oil over a low heat and cook onions, with a good pinch of salt, for 15 mins or so.

Add 500g Minced Lamb and turn up the heat 'til browned.

Add a can of Diced Tomatoes and a Bay Leaf, and enough water to cover it and cook for 30 mins. Liquid should be evaporated.

Meanwhile make the Bechamel Sauce.

40g Butter
1/2 cup Plain Flour
3 cups warm Milk
3 beaten Eggs
100g grated Gruyere
grated nutmeg
salt / pepper

Melt butter, stir in flour, gradually add warm milk, stirring constantly 'til thickened. Remove from heat and stir in rest of ingredients.

In a bowl, mix the macaroni with a third of the bechamel.

Place half the macaroni in an ovenproof dish, add lamb sauce, then top with the rest of the macaroni. mix half the remaining cheeses with the bechamel, pour over the top, then sprinkle remaining cheese on top.

Bake for 20-30 mins, rest for 10.

It was Sen-bleedin'-sational!!

We all loved it. I even had it heated up for lunch today and it was just as good! Huge though...don't know how it will freeze but am going to try it. Would be great for a early dinner party with friends who have kids as they'd have to be pretty bloody fussy not to like it!

Control

2011-05-16T13:00:00.001+10:00

Hello, my name is Tanya and I am addicted to buying fabric....and cookbooks.

Every time I see some beautiful design or new collection on a blog or in a sewing book (ok, maybe it's all books, not just cookbooks) I buy I immediately have to go online and find it. I put it in my shopping basket and then have the agony of forcing myself to close the browser uttering..." you have enough at the moment....you have enough at the moment!"

I've just made a block for the Beehive sewing bee, for Katrina, in Anna Maria Horner voile. Do you know how many times I have been to Etsy, sourced the designs and solids that I like and then made myself not buy them? Now I've seen them in real life and actually TOUCHED them, I want them even badder!! (excuse the bad English)

I've already bought Donna Hay's new cookbook this morning.

I've been recording "Fast, Fresh, Simple" on the telly and writing (ok, scribbling illegibly) anything that takes my fancy down, which is turning out to be most of her recipes, so I thought it would save a) my hand; b) paper c) myself from insanity when I realize I can't read what I've written and have deleted the programme.

I recorded a Nigella marathon on the weekend....

God help me!

Extended Holiday over!

2011-05-15T14:16:00.000+10:00

God, it's been ages since I blogged! Now I have one in Grade 1 and one in 4 yr old Kinder, 2 full days to myself and thought it was about time I did a bit more crafting and a bit more Blogging.

Here's what I've been up to in the mean time...

Dom turned 6 in August - party at Sofia restaurant, his favourite. Very grown up!

Star Wars ice-cream cake.

We took a week out to go skiing in Wanaka, New Zealand. Kids both in ski school, Charlie for the first time. Great holiday!!

Charlie turned 4 in October - Harry Potter Party

Harry Potter himself came along! As it was made quite clear that I was required to dress up, I made McGonagall robes for myself that involved 4m of Green crushed velvet!

Quilt for Dom's Prep English teacher in December.

Placemats for Dom's Prep French teacher in December.

Back to NZ for my cousin Anna's wedding in January. Here are my parents!

Fun in the apres-pool spa at Sarndra's, Auckland

In the jaws of the Great White! Kelly Tarlton's Underwater World, Auckland

Catch up with Cousin Ladene

Kinder quilt for Charlie's rest time. All the kinder groups had to be represented, not just his own Frogs group!

Cot quilt for baby Lexi. When Dom found out Roxy was pregnant he gasped and said, "Roxy! Three kids! It's a dream come true!", hence the caption!

Back into the Beehive again.

We've now moved house too. Great spot, very safe and sewing area downstairs!

Playing catch up.

2010-08-23T14:57:00.000+10:00

After a lot of this...

...and a little bit of this...

...I came home and did a lot of this...

...and truckloads of this...

...and when that was all over we celebrated this...

...and then peace reigned throughout the land until....

...next week.

The End.

Paradise beckons.....

2010-07-02T23:01:00.000+10:00

Back in a week! Adios, amigos!

School Hols

2010-06-28T11:52:00.000+10:00

We're swimming every day this week - well, when I say "we", I mean the boysies. I am just the driver and cheerleader. Swimming intensives are part of our holiday activity schedule now. They get us out of the house and out of our pj's. We would pretty much spend the whole week lazing about if it wasn't for the swimming. Then I'd get the guilts about not taking them to the Aquarium, or the Museum, or Scienceworks because I can't be arsed with the school holiday crowds. I can now let myself off the hook by getting them out of the house, at least!!

Next week we're off to Cairns! Oh, happy day! Warm weather! Pools! My lovely friend, Lucimar who has two wonderful daughters who will want to play with the boys all week!

Mum's birthday present

2010-06-09T09:51:00.001+10:00

It is the year of the quilt when it comes to presents from me, it seems! Having made a quilt for my MIL, I thought it best to make one for my mum too, as her birthday is on Friday.

She's a big fan of red and black and I had bought at my first ever Australian Quilt Convention in Melbourne (2008) a quilt kit featuring vintage kimono silk in a beautiful, vibrant red and black- (it is, co-incidentally, the strip of the local rugby team her and Dad support) I didn't have time to piece it according to the pattern, which wasn't really to my taste anymore, anyway, so just sewed the strips, added a border to the sides and Voila!

It is wonky. The seams are less than straight. And there are puckers in the quilting.

The silk was hard to stop slipping even though I used lots of pins in the basting.

I don't think she'll mind.

Backed it with black quilter's flannel (never again - picks up every bit of thread and lint possible) and Amy Butler Lotus that I'd been saving but was the only thing even close to the right colour and size in my stash. All to a good cause! Appliqued in red silk.

I really like the way it turned out, even though it is not as perfect as it could be. Bit like me, really!

When only the best will do...

2010-06-05T17:37:00.001+10:00

Only the finest vintage Japanese kimono silk for Madamoiselle Nina's lounging pleasure, if you please...

"That lazy minx of a seamstress is making me a little trifle to rest my beautiful self upon."

(Actually, annoying, middle of the night meowing, always hungry, prone to dreadlocks, not that friendly except to me, furball - the silk trifle if for my gorgeous mother's birthday on Friday - so GEDDOORRRRRFF!!!)

Pincushion Parade

2010-06-01T14:22:00.006+10:00

I've made a few pincushions in the past few weeks.

I quite like them, which surprises me...
.. I always thought they were a bit pointless!!

They're quick to do, cute and I love working with felt.

Great way to use up your scraps.

This one was supposed to be for my little niece in NZ but in the last minute leaving confusion, the Drake thought both the pear and the elephant were pincushions and the elephant was for my MIL.
Pretty bloody big and way too cute to be a pincushion, methinks!
And she only sews a few buttons on and fixes a hem here and there so a bit wasted on her to be honest!
Luckily she's lovely and the niece has soft toys, aplenty.

It's Eli Elephant from Two Little Banshees.

Now I've entered a pincushion swap and we had to do a flickr mosaic of the ones we like. My god! It's opened up a whole new pincushiony world to me!!!

1. Toadstool Cottage and Mushroom House #2,
2. Green Apple Pincushion,
3. Wizard Home Pincushion,

4. ChocoVanilla Cupcake Pincushion,

5. coloriffic pincushion,
6. Mushroom Fairy House,
7. [ alfineteira n.3 ],

8. little garden pin cushion,
9. Bottle Cap Pincushion #263,
10. Caddy Pincushion,

11. Little school of goldfish pincushions,
12. Apple, 13. Strawberry Cottage Pincushion Front,

14. Pear preserves., 15. Little tree with red beads,
16. Acorn Pincushion,

17. Mushroom pincushion,
18. Wool felt green apple

As inspired as I was I decided to create
Ludwig the Ladybird!

He's not quite (translation: millions of miles away from being)
to the Mushroom House standard...but I like 'im!

Goat's Cheese is the new Chocolate!

2010-05-28T13:40:00.002+10:00

I made a Chorizo and Vegetable Lasagne last night. I had it for dinner and again for lunch today. My god, it was divine! (If I may say so myself)

I have henceforth decided that Goat's Cheese is my new Chocolate. It's zesty earthy taste sends shivers into my tastebuds.

I know it's not everyone's cup of tea, but I hate tea, and I LOVE Goat's Cheese.

I most definitely would dance for it!

Recipe here, if you're innerested... You can easily leave out the Chorizo if you want.

Chorizo and Vegetable Lasagne

1 onion

1 tsp Garlic

1 (large) bottle Passata

Salt and pepper

1 pkt Philadelphia Light

1 small Goat's Cheese

Milk

Pesto

Thinly sliced Chorizo Sausage (as good as you can get)

Thinly sliced Pumpkin, Zucchini, Eggplant

Lasagne sheets - Fresh or Dried

Sweat the onion and garlic then add 3/4 of the bottle of Passata and cook for 5 minutes or so. Season well.

Process the Philly and Goats cheese, then add milk 'til it is a saucy consistency.

Layer the Lasagne - tomato sauce first, lasagne, pumpkin, GC sauce, pesto, lasagne, tom sauce, zucchini, GC sauce, pesto, lasagne, tom sauce, eggplant, GC sauce, pesto, lasagne, chorizo, GC sauce, pesto, rest of Tom sauce - add the last 1/4 of the bottle to the top.

Make sure it's nice and saucy or it will dry out.

Cook at 180 degrees for about 30 or 40 minutes.

maaaaa!

2010-05-25T12:25:00.000+10:00

Just a quickie post to show the end product of the Around the World Quilt that was started this time last year.

I quilted it in one night. A record! It's by no means perfect, but good enough for me! My darning foot that I use for free-motion quilting got damaged just before the end and it was a bit of a mission to complete. I wanted to get it all done to send of to my MIL today.

It's a rainy day here in Melbourne so the photos aren't the best. I'm not much of a photographer anyway, so I shouldn't think it makes that much difference!!!!

Swap-a-Rama

2010-05-23T14:19:00.002+10:00

I actually started my blog because of a swap.

SummerSadie started the Around the World Quilting Bee nearly this time last year and I must have been surfing the net for ideas when I came across her post. You needed a blog to join in, ideally, so, hesitant as I was (I was always a bit of a hit and miss diary keeper), I thought I'd give it a go.

We made a starter block (mine is the Prints Charming Dove, 2nd row, 3rd place) and sent it on to our designated person, who added their block and sent it on, etc, etc.

I have enjoyed that swap so much, learned lots and met up with lots of lovely bloggers from all over the world. It really opened up the beauty of blog world to me.

I sewed my ATWQB quilt top together this morning. It's travelled a lot of miles!
There are some gorgeous blocks in there - a lot of very talented people contributed.
I'm trying to finish it today so I can send it off to my lovely mother -in -law who has a birthday next Sunday.

More swaps...

Around the World Christmas Block Swap - same theory as above, my Placemat starter block (thought placemats would be of more use to me at Christmas than a quilt!)

Placemat Quilt swap - my lovely placemat from Caryn. It's an straight swap and I blogged about the placemat I made for Caryn a few posts back.
I can't tell you how much I love this colour combo, which will reign supreme in my new kitchen one day - she must have ESP or something! Now I just have to add to them...

The Beehive God knows how you describe it succinctly...When your designated month arrives, you send your fabric off to the other swappers, they produce fabulosity and send them back to you. Well, the blocks I have received are the HEIGHT of fabulosity.

Here are my contributions to Katrina's quilt. Let's hope she sees some fabulosity!

Happy Sunday everyone! It's an absolutely spectacular day here in Melbourne and I'm inside, blogging and sewing a quilt top! The joys of crafting...

Yawn....

2010-05-22T08:05:00.000+10:00

I dragged my littlest duck out of his cozy nest this morn so we could journey to the airport as Mr. Luv-a-Duck and big duckling are going on a soujourn to NZ for 4 days. I tried to persuade him that taking a taxi was better for all concerned (well, me...) but the guilt (and the thought of little duck's performance when he found out he's missed seeing the planes) overwhelmed me - the thought of a spiced chai latte at Villa and Hut may have helped too...

We are about to build a house over there. Our Dream House. On a hill, overlooking the sea and islands. We are having issues with the architect, though, hence the visit.

I don't really know if I want to leave Melbourne - whenever that day may be. I've made lots of friends here and I love this place. Kids seem to have so many opportunities here that are harder to come by in NZ. It's a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city. So many reasons to stay.

But man, I want that house. And that view. Every day.

(Did I mention that there is a crafting room? It's pretty big. And it's all tucked away so it doesn't matter how much shite I leave lying all over the floor. All for me.)

Sew it Together

2010-05-20T15:59:00.000+10:00

Foolish creature that I am, I have almost missed the boat on posting about my amazing time at Sew It Together on the weekend! The lovely Sheridan was an organiser extraordinaire and suffice to say, a fantastic time was had by all.

I took narry a photo, so have photographed the sum total of craft work I got done -

50 or so French Knots were all I managed to achieve! Andi made a whole quilt, for pity's sake and this was all I could eke out!!! I think my Form 4 Geography teacher may have got it right when he said in my end of year report...

"This is a surprising result due to the amount of talking that Tanya does. She must learn to control her tongue."

These lovely things were in our goodie bag...such gorgeousness!

Thanks so much to everyone involved - It was fantastic to meet you all and I had a most excellent time both at the crafting session and the dinner. Definitely be in for next year!

Stitches and Craft Loot and Pics

2010-05-19T15:24:00.000+10:00

Went Wednesday with Little Man and two of my Crafty Gym Buddies, Tori and Sniff

Thanks for providing the best entertainment ever, Tania. He spent ages making the sandwiches then "eating" them (so if you had any dribbly, manky ones at the end, you know who to blame).

Bought the Ink and Spindle fabric for this...

and the trim for this...

Admired this...

On Saturday I had booked into the Ink and Spindle screen printing course, so went a bit earlier, of course, and bought this from Earthgirl....

and this from Pear Tree yarns....

and this from Crayon Chick.

and this was one of the tea towels I printed at the most excellent course! The other one was raindrops and an umbrella that I gave away to a friend that night at a baby shower.

Had such a good time! Thanks to all the team at Ink and Spindle and Lara from Harvest Textiles, who taught us.

The Fame

2010-05-18T14:54:00.000+10:00

We have a slightly famous neighbour - that's if you follow the AFL, which we don't, really, that is until the little big man took up Auskick. He has become an ardent Hawks supporter. He even knows what "barack" means, previously a foreign and slightly sneered at Australian term.

We are from New Zealand, after all, where rugby is King and shall remain so for all eternity. Go, the Mighty Blacks! (I might add here that I am not a sports fan, as such. My husband is a huge sports fan, however. I tolerate this. He tolerates my overspending)

Anyway, back to said neighbour...I am in the bath, the doorbell rings. Dom says it is him from next door!
Alas, Alack, I must greet him in my dressing gown and Ugg boots!
He wants to borrow the kids to take photos for his new cooking with kids show.

Many photos were taken. Shirt was signed. Cooking utensils were wielded. Little Big Man got to cuddle up to his new hero - I'm surprised he didn't plant a kiss on his cheek! Littlest Man made himself at home on his couch.

Tv stardom beckons! I will become a "Stage Mom"! Let me know if autographs are required. I have Pay Pal (snort!)

Skirt fever!

2010-05-13T15:01:00.000+10:00

I've madly been making winter skirts, having seen some gorgeous fabrics around and feeling that, since I can sew in a zip (sort of) , I could actually make a simple pattern into something fantastic.

First one was made with Ink and Spindle Birch fabric in two colourways, Black on Charcoal and Red on Cream.

I kept the selvedge on instead of making a hem at the front.

Second was from Prints Charming fabric. I saw a great photo of a similar one on their blog and felt that, seeing imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, that I would do my best to imitate it!

Lots of lovely trim on the bottom.

Bonne Fete, Maman!

2010-05-11T22:06:00.000+10:00

This is the greeting I awoke to on Mother's Day from my little Francophile!

Had a great day - started with the Mother's Day Classic 4 km walk around the Botanical Gardens (aka "The Tan") in Melbourne, with all the boys, them back home on the train and off for a spot of lunch at Giorgio's in Malvern. The afternoon was spent buying a freezer from The Good Guys and finally relaxing the evening away with Masterchef on the telly and me not having to cook!

Here is my big pressie. Love it. Bought at Canterbury Art Exhibition a couple of weeks ago. Thanks darling!

Flowers from the boysies. I'm trying not to count the freezer....

PQS3

2010-04-22T17:21:00.001+10:00

PQS3 placemat for Caryn, originally uploaded by partitoymonito.

Here's the latest creation - a placemat for Caryn in the US.

I love the way it's turned out and have decided Placemats are the new Quilts! ...Quick and easy to finish and no guilt about it sitting there for months untouched.

Nice to do in this hot weather we've been having. Hand quilting is a nice winter TV watching activity for me as it warms me up as well as stop me eating! Too hot in the summer though!

Embroidery used to be my thing before the lure of the machine overtook, so it was nice to get back into that again after a short break.

I bought the binding ready made from Spotlight ages ago and like the way it looks. I just machine sewed it on, no hand sewing this time which was a nice change.

It's snoozin' in the sun with my Pretty One. I tried to get her to look up and show off the baby blues, but she was having none of it!

Lucas and Barnaby Bunny

2010-04-14T13:24:00.001+10:00

Lucas and Barnaby Bunny, originally uploaded by partitoymonito.

I've never felt the inclination to make a softie before, which is surprising considering the boys are both big soft toy fans.

These were and impromptu Easter pressie for them - Dom adores Lucas - Charlie is ambievelant about Barnaby..maybe it's the name!

They chose their own tummy adornments - Dom was hell-pressed on having the leaf despite my protestations about it not being very Easter-y. Ho hum!

Flickr

2010-04-14T13:13:00.001+10:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Un film très drôle français

2010-04-08T21:37:00.000+10:00

MicMacs

Funniest film I've seen since Bienvenue c'est les Ch'tis.

There's a lot to be said for french humour.
I'm a fan!
(It helps that I don't mind subtitles.)

Wiz-a-licious!

2010-04-08T17:25:00.000+10:00

Me and the boysies are watching the Wizard of Oz.

Well, Dom and I are trying to watch it while Charlie is punctuating it with bouts of "how much of a pain in the butt can I possibly be??"

I've never seen it before so it's a great afternoon for all, baking Afghans, Meat Pies and watching DVD's.

It fits with our current favourite theme song from the Glee soundtrack, Defying Gravity.

We're a big singalong family!! Well, me and the boysies are, anyway. Dad's an avid listener! You should see us rockin' along in Little Blue belting out Tik Tok. I don't know if the words are completely appropriate for a 5 and 3 yr old but I'm hoping that it's a while before they know what "brush my teeth with a bottle of Jack" really means!

Interview with a 5.7 year old

2010-03-22T16:48:00.001+11:00

Interviewed Dom a la Chaletgirl

Here are his answers:

1. What is something mum always says to you?
I love you

2. What makes mum happy?
Us being good

3. What makes mum sad?
Not listening to her

4. How does your mum make you laugh?
Making funny faces

5. What did your mum like to do as a child?
Play rugby (?!)

6. How old is your mum?
41 (I like!)

7. How tall is your mum?
Tall (I also like as I'm 5'1"!!)

8. What is her favourite thing to watch on TV?
her programs

9. What does your mum do when you’re not around?
She goes shopping

10. If your mom becomes famous, what will it be for?
Painting (?!)

11. What is your mum really good at?
Loving people

12. What is your mum not very good at?
Playing rugby

13. What does your mum do for her job?
Look after people

14. What is your mum’s favorite food?
Carbonara ( actually that's HIS favourite food!)

15. What makes you proud of your mum?
Taking me to Sofia (where said carbonara comes from!)

16. If your mum were a cartoon character, who would she be?
Gwen Tennyson

17. What do you and your mum do together?
We go shopping

18. How are you and your mum the same?
We have the same eye colour

19. How are you and your mum different?
Were taller than each other and Mum has boobs

20. How do you know your mum loves you?
Because she says"I Love you"

21. What does your mum like most about your dad?
They're nearly the same age (He'll be gutted over that!)

22. Where is your mum’s favourite place to go?

Home (Ah, nice...! I quite like Paris too)

Tree hugger

2010-03-01T18:16:00.001+11:00

So much for not starting anything else 'til I've finished the blue and red quilt I started almost 2 years ago! Here it lies, downtrodden and rejected, once again.

Moving swiftly onward!!! (she says brightly, trying to ignore the unsightly pile of fabric beside her!)

I was going to make a quilt for the Silent Auction at the French Fete that is the big fundraiser at Dom's school, and started it. I then fell a little bit in love with it and had thought of keeping it all to myself...as a wall hanging. My husband's reaction was less than complimentary to it's awesome-ness.

Picture, if you will the following short but succinct conversation...

" You're not going to put that bloody thing on the wall are you?!"
" Yes, I am! If I can put up with your bloody golf trophy for a year in the family room, then you can put up with my work of textile artistry!"

or words to that effect, anyway. You get my drift!

One of the other school mum's put it in my head to personalize it to the class, a la the kinder quilts, so I had a think and came up with this...

I'll keep posting photos of the progress made.

Kids are starving. Better go

WIP it!

2010-02-08T13:54:00.000+11:00

I have been working on this quilt for a good 18 months or so now.

It is similar to the first quilt I completed, for Dom's kinder rest time, but this one is bigger. Still that same Crazy Quilt, improvised placement thing going on though. It uses beautiful Prints Charming fabric and hand-printed linen panels - and Velvet to add extra texture.

I must have been crazy to include the Velvet, which is absolutely heinous to sew and fraught with slip danger unless you use 1000 pins!

I just want to finish the ruddy thing now. I'm not starting another 'til I do!!!

Have also been working on Beehive and Around the World blocks...

These for Rebecca, who is making a quilt for her Mother in law.

These for three of the Around the World Quilting Bee girls.

I seem to have gotten the sewing mojo back after a bit of a sabbatical where it was really hard to get motivated -around the time christmas came and my machine decided it didn't like me for a while!

I played tennis this morning in 30 degree heat. Sheer madness!!!
Charlie and I are going to Mums and Tots lessons at a local club. It's great! We both had a blast despite the heat, but it has finally hit home that I REALLY need to get myself on a treadmill, like, yesterday!!! I actually surprised myself with how well I could hit the ball, albeit inconsistently, but need to seriously work on fitness if I ever want to be able to move around the court effectively.

I'm having a lovely time here faffing about on the computer - Charlie is upstairs with Jarrah, the lovely Spanish tutor, learning Spanish, funnily enough!

I'm taking the kids to the pool after school pick up. Only place to be when it's 34 degrees in Melbourne city!

kinder kid

2010-02-02T21:01:00.000+11:00

it's a week of firsts

first day of kinder for my baby boy

he knows the place like the back of his hand, so no dramas

got the big running hug at pick up though

loved it

Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It's off to school we go...

2010-02-02T13:28:00.000+11:00

The Bomb has hit Camberwell Primary.

He even looks like he is listening to the teacher!

An exciting week for the little men.

Summer holidays

2010-01-25T08:28:00.000+11:00

It's nearly over - only one more week before I officially have 1 at school and 1 at kinder. We've made the most of our holidays - I've even got a bit of sewing done but only in the last few days as it was all about the littlies!!

Pre- Christmas we did lots of beaching and took a trip to Ballarat to get the Mustang renovated. Sovereign Hill, a historic gold rush town that has been re-created, complete with settlers in costume is in Ballarat, so we took the kids. We all had a great time! I thought it might be a bit old for them but they were well into it all, chatting to the old ladies in the cottages, having photos with the soldiers and panning for gold with all the proper tourists!

With Christmas and the present deluge over, we went camping on Boxing day to Wilson's Promontory. We went in the ballot back in June and luckily got allocated a spot for a week. Good times! Swimming, sand sculpting, playing games, not TV for a week (apart from when it got too hot one day and Mummy got so flustered that her very cool in a hot situation husband had to take her for a ride in the car with the air conditioning turned on full blast and feed her ice cream - the kids got to watch a DVD in the car)

Came back a day early on New Years Day - my birthday! I got a gorgeous Candy Apple Red KitchenAid mixer. Love at first sight!! So shiny that I waited 3 weeks to dirty her. Christened with a batch of Chocolate Afghans. They were inhaled hurriedly!

Two weeks of more beaching, Museum visits (Scienceworks was a huge hit, as usual) mooching with mates, etc.

Now we're down in the Mornington Peninsula at Balnarring Beach for 2 weeks in a beach house we've rented.

Time has flown by. Soon it will be all about uniforms and packing lunchboxes.

I have to exercise more, eat less and get more sewing done!

(No photos till later as the connection here is slow and it takes forever to upload)

Merry Christmas everyone!

2009-12-24T12:57:00.002+11:00

Hope you all have a fantastic day!! XX

Harry

2009-11-20T23:05:00.000+11:00

I love Harry Potter. Love the books, love the movies. I'm watching Order of the Phoenix at the mo, the sad bit where Sirius dies and the evil Voldemort appears. He has no nose and is nasty. I shall call henceforth call him Tom, just like Dumbledore.

Birthday Boy

2009-11-08T08:24:00.001+11:00

Carlito, mi partito, turned 3 on the 31st of October. I have only just got time to blog about it as my in laws came over for the party and we have been busy, busy, busy!

He had a fab day - it was a scorcher here in Melbourne. Superhero costume party in the park turned full-on Buzz Lightyear get-up into shorts and t-shirt - luckily i have a soft spot for super hero clothing!

His little face was smiling all day - he is so cute I just want to eat him up - and yes, I know that I'm biased!

He loved having his little mates around him - Hughie, Myles and big Charlie were all there and they sat, chatted and cuddled up 'round the cheezels, mince pies and lolly cake.

Big bro won the musical statues with his happenin' moves! Victory dance was a sight to behold!

Halloween that night, a change of costume, more junk food - what more does the proverbial 3 year old need on the biggest day in his year?!

Happy Birthday, beautiful, delightful boy! Your curly top and cheeky grin never fail to bring a smile to my face.

Vote for Katy!! (I'm a Ginger Monkey)

2009-10-20T13:11:00.000+11:00

She's got fab ideas, is lots of fun and her blog is always a good read!

I'm back!

2009-10-15T16:21:00.000+11:00

I've been neglecting the blog lately - not the reading of other people's but the writing of said blog.

It gives me the snake eye every time I open it to read the blog -a- rama list and pulsates "September 11th" at me to remind me that I am woefully neglectful. It had to be September the 11th didn't it?! A double whammy.

What have I been doing with my sad self?

Apart from the usual plethora of house-ey jobs that I hate - tidying up kids stuff, making beds, doing dishes, cooking (well, actually, I quite like cooking) etc, etc....

Sewing

Around the World Quilting Bee - latest offerings

Bags a-plenty for the shop...go check them out at de nimes in Camberwell! The girls are great and have fabulous taste in everything, including bags!

Little girl's dresses
This one is for Daisy grace - found the fabric at Amitie, had to be done.

I've also been making Goggle / Sunglasses cases and swimming bags for the boys. Photos to come!

XX

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do...

2009-09-11T20:52:00.002+10:00

A special bag for my friend Lucimar whose birthday is tomorrow.

Fabric is vintage, from the sale at Patchwork House a couple of months ago. It was pretty musty smelling so had to soak it in vinegar then wash a couple of times.

Red and white lining - mobile phone pocket, red ric-rac and button clasp.

Fourth bag in 3 days - I'M ON FIRE!!!

Went out to our favourite kid-friendly restaurant for dinner tonight. I bought 3/4 of my seafood and avocado salad home. The portions are huge! We can usually order one Spaghetti Carbonara to feed all four of us - and the kids eat loads of it. I'm on the weight reduction bandwagon though, hence the slightly healthier option.

In and out in an hour..., home for 7pm bedtime..., me not having to cook..., Beautiful...!

Bag-a-licious!

2009-09-09T21:13:00.000+10:00

Once upon a time (yesterday) I made a bag. It wasn't actually this bag, but another one.

I took it to Kinder and showed some of the gals. They really liked it!

Then Charlie and I went shopping. I went into a favourite clothes shop of mine. The owner saw my bag. She loved it! She asked me if I would make some bags for her shop.

I came home and started drafting patterns. I bought some fabric and used some that I had in my stash. I cut into my Heather Ross! Glory be!

I finished up all the bits and bobs tonight, including the label, which I love.

Will the discerning women of the inner-east of Melbourne fall in love with my creations, of which there will initally be five???

Watch this space!

Japanese blocks

2009-09-02T14:28:00.003+10:00

I'm having a bit of trouble with my brain today. Can't seem to get simple measurements right and have had to unpick this ruddy thing 3 times so far as it's too small. So much for simple Log Cabin! Arghhhhh!

Mind you, look at this minefield. I particularly like the Clone Wars cards that mysteriously find there way to where I'm working!

DQS7

2009-09-01T14:10:00.005+10:00

I finished my mini quilt!

It was very hard to give it away as I fell more and more in love with each stitch.

Now I am going to make a replica for the centre of my Beehive blocks which will hopefully be a quilt for our bed.

Dance off your assets!

2009-08-26T13:25:00.002+10:00

I'm a huge fan of cheesy pop music. Unashamedly!!!!! Everyone who knows me well knows about my sometimes questionable taste in music and movies.

I love this song!! Go Guy!

Makes me smile!

Makes me get up and dance madly around the room with the kids singing into the imaginary microphone!!

Happy Birthday, my baby!

2009-08-25T14:39:00.004+10:00

It's official - we have a five year old!

It seems like only a heartbeat ago we had a bundle of fuzzy nuzzling and gorgeous new baby smell, wrapped up in a blue and white blanket...now he's on the first real step to Big Boy. I know now what all those other mother's who said to make the most of it, as time will fly by, mean now. I miss that baby but I adore the big boy.

I adore his quirky little facial expressions, his morning cuddles in bed, his infectious giggle, his "Mummy - i love you" 's that can fill the gap at any lull in conversation and most of all his innate sense of kindness and empathy. He is truly a beautiful person, inside and out.

I wish all the best things in the world for you, Dom - Fun, Laughter, Love.

Lovely Sunday

2009-08-16T16:18:00.004+10:00

Tried to go to Collingwood Children's Farm for breakfast this morning - started persisting down about 5 mins into our short drive so we flagged it and went to Olmecs on Bridge Rd, Richmond instead. Sensational! Kids had a fine nutritious breakfast of pancakes with maple syrup and ice cream, baby cino with marshmallows and an OJ (oh well, at least it was freshly squeezed!)

We are now convinced that Charlie has an angel on one shoulder and a devil on the other telling him what to do from one moment to the next. Those cute blonde curls and cheeky grin help him get away with murder!

Hi Hip Hurray! Have finished my 24 Halloween blocks for the Halloween Spooktacular Swap. 12 9 patch blocks were finished ages ago but i was dragging the anchor trying to get the 12 themed block Creepy critters done - here they are! I used an embroidery pattern off the net by Fern Treacy at craftblog.com.au
So now to the Dolls quilt for DQS 7! A sneak peek...

1 Creepy Critter down...

2009-08-06T10:24:00.003+10:00

...12 more to go...

Halloween Spooktacular Block Swap - say no more...

My Creative Space and I need motivation!

2009-08-03T09:43:00.004+10:00

I read lots of lovely blogs every day and often see "My Creative Space" entries...this is mine. It is a bit of a tip at the moment. It was even worse before the lovely cleaner came on Saturday and vacuumed up all the tiny bits of fabric, iron- on thingummy and thread. Raw edge applique does not lend itself very well to tidiness, I have discovered, well, not anywhere in my universe, anyway.

I am trying to get this finished for a little girl who's is a special family friend. It was her birthday yesterday but instead of finishing it I just sat around the house all day eating chocolate and watching movies with the kids! Well, to be honest, Dom played games on the computer in his pyjamas, Charlie watched TV and played with toys and I watched Baby Mama and a French movie called The Dinner Guest. I ate two whole packets of lollies!

We went to the Kinder trivia night on Saturday night and had a great time, but I drank loads of Cosmopolitans. I had a great time but was really well behaved. Woke up Sunday morning, no hangover! No dry horrors! Bloody miracle! But I felt really lethargic all day and couldn't stop eating for the life of me. I knew there had to be payback somewhere! The quilt got sold. Could've done better. Enough said.

Today I have to get going on this! And the Halloween blocks need doing and the Dolls quilt too. And Dom's Star Wars birthday invites. No more Cosmos for me.

Finito!

2009-07-18T11:03:00.005+10:00

The Kinder quilt is finally finished! I am so happy with it, I'm tempted to buy it myself! Sadly, big daddy has put his foot down so some other lucky bidder at the Trivia Night may walk away with it. I might have to ply him with lots of alcohol to get my way!

After a lot of deliberation as to how much more work it would be, I decided to free-motion quilt around the kid's drawings. I'm so glad I did. They were looking a bit bereft as I'd ditch quilted (or tried to keep to the ditch as much as I could, anyway!) the pieced log-cabin borders.

Here is Dom's block - he drew himself in a Rainbow t-shirt. He was a rainbow butterfly at the dress-up day last year, so this seems to be a bit of a recurring theme!
I love the back - I had orange in mind for the sashing but when I went to Patchwork House, Kathy and I decided that the stripes made everything pop a bit more so I decided to use this gorgeousness from the Shanghai Edition Collection by art gallery quilts for the back instead. I bound it in a cute green shaded fabric called Chloe by Janet Braxon for P and B Textiles that reminds me of Murano glass beads.

I took it in on Thursday and the kids were major-ly excited to find themselves on there. I encouraged them to insist forcefully (in a 4 yr old manner) that their parents buy it for them, so no one will be thanking me!

little people

2009-07-13T14:04:00.006+10:00

Lots of little people are featured on the Kinder quilt I have been working on for the last couple of days! Quilts from each group get auctioned off at the trivia night on August 1st.

I got the 25 strong Frog posse to draw themselves with fabric pens and pieced a kind of scrappy log cabin around each drawing. It's sashed in black and white stripes and backed in orange. I pieced some of the fabrics from the front onto the back too.

I'm quilting it at the moment. Kids are home from activities due to more coughs and colds - will they never end??? Poor old Dom sounds like he's been on 20 a day for 50 years! I mean, it's the first day back from the hols and we're at home AGAIN!

Still, a little outing later on to post the latest ATWQB block to Glaucia in Brazil. These are the latest offerings.

MJ

2009-07-08T15:07:00.003+10:00

I haven't written this in ages - who knows if anyone reads it, but I don't care!

First things first, just watched the Michael Jackson memorial, weeping periodically throughout at how human the people who loved him made him seem to me. Especially Brooke Shields, who must have known how hard life was for him in many ways that others wouldn't have known.

I love his music, especially the early Motown stuff, Off the Wall, Bad, Thriller and a few songs from when he started to look REALLY weird -as opposed to pretty weird. My favourite songs are Black or White, The Way You Make Me Feel, Man In the Mirror, She's Out of My Life and Human Nature.

I remember watching the Motown 25 celebration on TV when I was at University - all the old greats that I love were on - Diana, the Four Tops, The Temptations, Martha and the Vandellas - and then Michael came out with his brothers, did a fantastic medley of their best songs, and then performed Billie Jean with that hat and the moonwalk. Thank God I recorded it and got to watch it over and over 'til the tape was knackered.

I saw him in concert for the HIStory tour in NZ back in the day. Still the best concert I've ever been to. He was simply electrifying.

He made some horrendous decisions sometimes and we'll never know what really went on but he had three little children that he loved and they loved him. He was their Dad and that's the bottom line really - all the rest is just static.

To paraphrase Pip from meetmeatmikes, RIP Michael Jackson, talented, fragile nutter. Thanks for being the backing vocalist in so many of my memories. X

Giveaway closed...prizewinner here!

2009-06-08T19:54:00.002+10:00

Hi all

With a little help from my friend, the Random Number generator, the winner of the Prints Charming fabric is......sandyandcosmo, Number 67!! Congratulations! Emailing now to get sending details. Thanks to all for entering -- hope you enjoyed cruising blogland.

Great giveaway

2009-06-08T10:15:00.000+10:00

Ravenhill has a fantastic giveaway happening - get on over there to check it out!