Tuesday

I am home, with the worst head cold/flu I can remember.  Maggie has been having a long sleep, which of course would have been the perfect opportunity to go to bed myself.  It is what my body told me to do.  Instead I was able to tidy up, make beds, pick things up from various rooms and put them where they belong.  I have made dinner for tonight and chocolate chip biscuits for after school(having some dough in the freezer has really been a bonus.)  I feel productive anyway. And so now I can write.

This morning saw Audrey defiantly stay a good distance behind me walking to school.  She didn't want to go.  "But school takes a long time..."

I looked behind to make sure she was close enough and able to cross the roads safely.  As we approached the school she ran to me and hugged me from behind.  She gave me a flower she had picked and cried that she didn't want me to leave.  So begins the term.

Admittedly, I wasn't keen for school to commence.  Even in spite of the occasional sibling squabble, it was nice just to make our way out of the house at leisure.  Or not if we chose.  Unusually for us we had a few things during the holidays.  We saw movies, went to Monkey Mania, the new trampoline park, play dates with friends, bowling and my favourites, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve and also driving the Pajero over the Brindabella Mountains to visit my cousin in Tumut. 

At my cousins I saw a framed quote.  "Take note of the little things, because one day you will realise they were the big things".  This spoke so clearly to me.

 

My mind is spinning with the things I'd like to sew... I am conscious that in only a matter of weeks I will be back at work, and initially at 4 days per week, I imagine my time for anything of my own pleasure will be less than it is now.

I am inspired to sew so many things.  I think I need to make "the list".   A priority is Audrey's swimming bag.  I want to make Nicholas a quilt.  Something that is his, made by me, that always reminds him I love him.  I can't believe he will be nine this year.  Time marches on.  In my minds eye he is this little boy. 

I am proud of him. 

For Maggie, a little pillow for her cot.  Should she ever choose to sleep in it... and some clothes.

And I have finally joined the masses who seem to be watching this.  My former Director sent me an email the other day and said she thinks I'll love it.  Season 1 is on its way.  Looks like the perfect winter, stay inside viewing.

Tuesday

I have been enjoying a little bit of sewing... I love my new machine.  It is so lovely to use - quiet and smooth.  The other day we were going out for both lunch and dinner, so after breakfast I whipped up a cute little drawstring bag so we could easily carry half a dozen small toys for Maggie, along with her play mat I made her for Christmas last year.

Last night I made Nicholas a tote bag for his piano books.  He chose the fabric from my stash, and I was glad he selected some I had bought when he was a toddler.

I saw a photograph on instagram of a family having a picnic, with bunting hanging in the trees above them.  I decided that's what we needed to add to our picnic supplies, so made one after morning tea this morning.  I took a French General charm pack from the fabric cupboard.  I was going to do triangles, but thought it wouldn't leave much fabric for the bunting, so thought maybe I'd just round the bottom corners.  Then I wondered why I'd make more work for myself, so just used the charm pack squares, joining two back to back before sewing it together with bias binding.

Tuesday

I mentioned the other day the urge to do something creative.  I look at all the inspiring books and patterns and want to start something.  Maybe I should finish something first! 

About a week before Maggie was born I went to Lincraft and bought some small floral print fabric, some ivory fabric and some beautifully soft natural bamboo wadding.  I wanted to make a play mat for Maggie to lie on, inspired by photographs from this blog.  When she is sitting she can play in the middle of the floor on it with her toys, and we can easily take it with us when we go visiting or on holiday.  I plan to make it in the next week, ready for her Christmas present.  I also couldn't resist getting her a couple more of these books, after Kelli bought her a Jane Eyre counting book! An elegant first Christmas for her I think.   

I love fabric, and I love quilts.  I particularly like quilts that are of no particular pattern, but are just pieced together in a way that makes them beautiful to look at.  Quilters who inspire me are Leslie Keating (quilt below)







And Maggie & Sparrow below.

Wednesday

I desperately want to do some crafting.  Of any kind, but particularly the needle and thread variety.  I tried to find a cross stitch I started a while ago, as I thought this would be something easy to keep in a basket in the corner.  I can then pull it out whenever I have a few spare moments.  but really, I don't see that happening... the logical choice would be the Princess and the Pea stitchery I started last year for Audrey.  maybe if I do a bit each night it can be ready for Christmas.  But I won't put myself under that pressure.  :)

I have Maggie's mat to sew, as well as a Christmas Stocking that I have started gathering the fabric for.

Here is a quilt a friend of David's mothers' did for Maggie.  I have never met the woman - I am touched by the kindness of strangers.  I am not one to usually like bright, bold colours, but this quilt is lovely.

 

Maggie is 3 months old today!

 

and just so I can keep a record of it, something beautiful here.  (I so wish I was in Spain though!!)

  



Saturday

Public holidays, a Hungarian stew on the fire and more s'mores!

 

And I have fabric and baby quilts on the brain!

 

 

Only I am thinking soft colours and vintage florals. :)

 

On Thursday I met the student midwife who will accompany me to all my remaining antenatal appointments, and be present at the birth of this baby.  I am actually looking forward to giving birth.  I need to get a few things ready, but there are still 9 weeks and 3 days to go... ;)



Saturday/Sunday

I never caught on to reality tv.  Big brother, My Kitchen Rules, Masterchef...

But does this count?

I am really enjoying The Great British Sewing Bee.  I am not really ambitious enough to make clothes for myself, but this is still a lot of fun to watch.  Before I found out I was pregnant I did buy a book with clothing in mind for myself and also have patterns for one skirt, a dress and a blouse that I've not yet attempted.  Maybe post-pregnancy I'll be ready!

Episode 1 (and all the others) can be found here. 

When Audrey was little I posted somewhere here that I was going to give her "Pea" as her nickname as she was quite sensitive and made me think of the Princess and the Pea.  Then I started collecting pictures, patterns and books of the Princess and the Pea.  I now have a dilemma - I have two lovely doll patterns, but don't know which one to make... I think probably the Tilda one.  I should really finish my stitchery first.

 On Friday Audrey's childcare preschool room had a Mother's Day lunch.  We had sandwiches and cupcakes.  The class sang two gorgeous songs including Catch A Falling Star.  When all the mum came into the room I could see Audrey anxiously scanning the room for me, and gave a huge smile when we made eye contact. 

Before I left she showed me (after asking if she could come with me) where they have a little play table set up for "High Tea".  Gorgeous sugar bowls and spoons, fairy plates and cups.  There is a little cookbook on a stand with petit fours and Audrey showed me her favourite ones.  I thought of the kids cubby house at home and while the kids have a kitchen and play food they don't play in there as much as I thought they would.  Yesterday I made her a table cloth (hemmed and all) and said we would set the little table up inside.  She asked for a bowl of soapy water and a cloth and she spent an hour sweeping dirt and cobwebs, washing down the stove and the food and then I brought the little table and chairs out.  She selected one of her tea sets and set it all up beautifully.  This morning I heard her go outside and went out after a while to find her in her pyjamas playing.  Porridge was had out there before the kids came inside for my "cooked" Mother's Day breakfast.  :)

Wednesday

A few weeks ago I found myself thinking of a couple of things I would like to buy.  One is a MacBook.  With my head turning towards full time work and completing my Masters (now back on hold) I had a good excuse.  The other item to covet was a new sewing machine.  I've been looking at a basic Bernina.  I borrowed mum's sewing machine to bind my quilt a little while ago, and borrowed it again to whip up Christmas sacks for the kids.  I need to return it, but I was thinking that I might hold on to it, just a little while as now might be the time to get some serious sewing done - mum?

I'd like to make a dent in the pile of Oliver + S and Melanie emailed me the link to a lovely blog which has got me all inspired.  but it will mean a trip to Spotlight  in order to stock up as my stash of French General fabric doesn't seem right for many of the kids patterns I have.

I also have a couple of patterns for myself which I am yet to make.  And there are some cute baby things that might be fun to make, once I have my head around this new space we are finding ourselves in...

Friday

Saturday

Some miscellaneous photos from the school holidays this week.

We made our own potato chips following these instructions.

Audrey had her first sewing lesson. I've had these little doll sewing kits put away for a while and she has been desperate to do one.  I told her we would in the holidays.  She didn't forget.

 

She helped me bake as well.  If people didn't know any better they'd think we were the perfect 1950's mother and daughter team! ;)

And my young paleantologist.  Thrilled with this shirt.  he told me he wishes clothes could grow so he could keep wearing it forever.  He says it is just like Nigel Marven's.

 

 

And for me, I am so excited to be close to completing my quilt.  This fabric arrived in the mail, reading for the binding.  I so wish that I had used this particular one for the backing of my quilt, but at the time I couldn't fnd any in Australia.  I used a fabric from another French general range instead (I think Pom Pom de Paris).  Now I have found a stockist with (what I think) are good prices I'd like to order a metre every fortnight just to stash it away while I can!  I told david the other week that receiving a bundle of fabric gives me the same feeling as receiving a bunch of flowers.  I feel like I am smiling from the inside and just want to look at it all day.  :)  David has often brought home a surprise bundle.  My favourite of his stories is when he went on a church men's fishing trip and he stopped at a fabric shop on the coast and asked them if they carried the French General range.  A particular friend of ours who was with him apparently did not look all that comfortable in a fabric shop.

 



 

And no, I will not be sewing it on this machine.