this weeks library book

Again, A Walk In the Woods by Liz Jones has gorgeous illustrations and a fun story.  It is about a girl who goes for a walk in the woods with her dad.  The sketches of their home in the woods and their sheds, vegetable gardens and the trees that surround them are a joy to look at with the kids.  The little girl is scared of seeing a fox.  Her father reassures her, while teaching about where foxes live, what they eat and how they hunt.  meanwhile, her toy rabbit falls from her bag without her knowing.  Each page that follows shows the fox following close behind, with the toy rabbit in his mouth. He quietly delivers it right back home, where the rabbit waits for the girl to arrive back from her walk in the woods.
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A favourite, regular outing: story time at the local library.  This week, lots of dragon stories and activities.  And the class monkey came along too!

 

 

sew inspirational

Over the past few months I have been very conscious not to write about the "blah" things in my life.  Most of them stem from work and probably climaxed this week.  It really showed me that I can't keep going on with the way things are, so I guess if it has brought things to a head, and made me move towards a big decision in my life, then it is a good thing.
What has been good though, is that I have had a burst of inspiration and desire to sew.  I have been busy at night hand quilting.  Meanwhile I have also been cutting squares of various fabric to make Audrey a simple quilt for her bed... I am expecting she will be in her own "big" bed pretty soon.  She now climbs out of her cot and trots down to our bed in the night, her "babies" (teddy, baby giraffe and bunny) with her.  I have been so exhausted sometimes I wake in the night to find her snuggled up beside me fast asleep!  The problem is that around 3am Nicholas is usually on his way down to our bed.  Anyway, I digress...

So I have been hand quilting cutting squares and looking at the list of things to sew that has been around for a while now.

I want to make one of these each for Nicholas' preschool teachers.  I can't believe he is coming to the end of an exciting, lovely and enjoyable preschool year  We could not have asked for better teachers than the two he has had.
For a long  time now I have read the blog Tree Fall.  I have always coveted her Princess and the Pea set.  I love her quilts as well, and one of hers has always been my inspiration for Audrey's bed quilt.  I was thrilled when Melanie lent me her copy of the latest Homespun magazine, because there was an article with Amanda in it AND she generously submitted a pattern for the Princess and the Pea set!!  So, add that one to the list.  There is so much else in the magazine - a gorgeous pair of mice, a beach bag and a baby sampler... I had to buy my own copy.
A couple of friends have recently had babies, so I am taking more inspiration from another favourite blog and making some drawstring bags to fill with goodies. 

last year I bought a pattern for a little bag of dolls - I also want to make it for Audrey. I have a couple of charm packs of some of my favourite fabrics that will be perfect to use.

I am hoping David will have time to make a dolls cradle for Audrey for Christmas, in which case I want to sew up some bedding - similar again to one I saw on Tree Fall...  

Other things I have been enjoying are checking SouleMama for the latest on her house move.  A 200 year old farmhouse?  I can only imagine how exciting that would be.  And I see that Ali Edwards has started preparing for her December Daily album... reminding me that I had planned on doing one page a year

in my Christmas scrapbook....

So when things get a bit rough there is always fabric for some inspiration!

sunshine and play

In spite of the sickness that has been hovering around our house this past week, the weather looks promising.  With only the sandpit to finish and a couple of spots of paint the cubby house will be complete. 
I am looking forward to David finishing the next term to free up some time for him to make our outdoor table - to seat 10.  Then we'll be all set for long days outside, bbq's and Nicholas and Audrey (hopefully) spending lots of time with trouble-free play.
And of course I am excited about making a couple of Spring/Summer fresh tablecloths.
Maybe Anna Maria Horner?
Or Amy Butler

I saw on NieNie's blog that she had a similar look that I like.

a record

phew... no less than three entries today!

We made it to the library, borrowed some great books and after a bit of ruckus which I am sure the pensioners reading their newspapers did not appreciate, we came home.
I have joined the book club at Meet me At Mikes.  I'm going to read Anne of Green Gables, because October is almost finished and I know I will get it read in a couple of weeks, and I am also currently reading The Bookseller of Kabul.  Less of a bubbly read, so Anne will counter it nicely!  Besides, did anyone see the raspberry cordial that Annabel Langbein made the other week?

Why not join too??

random thoughts, again

Well, I just logged off and went to get the kids ready for a trip to the library when I found this.  Audrey has been sick for most of the past week - temperatures, cough, runny nose, watery eyes and pretty miserable.  :(

I bought a teddy bear cookie cutter and planned to make some honey biscuits for the kids.  Then the latest Donna Hay issue arrived in my mail box with lots of honey sweet recipes.  [note to Australia Post: can I have the old mail man who would put my magazines at my door step and not fold them in half to shove through the mailbox??]

 That is Audrey's smile at the moment.  She insists on saying this really painful, long, "cheeeeeeeesssse" when you take a photograph of her.

*  Is it just me or are people starting to think about Christmas - decorations, gifts, food?  We are hosting Boxing Day lunch with my family this year, so I will have to get planning early. 

And I have to say - I do not like the new and "improved" blogspot...

one day at a time

A friend at work emailed this to me a while ago.  I read it again yesterday.  I think I can only manage to tackle one of theese a day though...

Just for today, I'll enjoy each moment to the fullest and try not to tackle my whole life's problems at once.

Just for today, I'll try to improve my mind by learning more than I know; I'll read God's Word faithfully for it's my source of wisdom and strength. I'll be particularly sensitive to those Scriptures that require personal obedience, corrective action, and greater commitment.
Just for today, I'll be agreeable, try to look my best and make sure my words are "seasoned with grace."
Just for today, I won't find fault or try to change or improve anyone - except myself.
Just for today, I'll have a plan and a goal. I might not follow them exactly but I'll have them nonetheless. By doing that I'll save myself from two enemies - hurry and indecision!
Just for today, I'll develop my character. I'll do someone a good turn and keep it secret; if anyone finds out it won't count.
Just for today, I'll do something I don't naturally want to do, thereby train my spirit to rule my flesh and my will to rule my emotions.
Just for today, I won't be afraid to love or to risk; I'll take steps of faith that stretch me beyond my present comfort level, try to enjoy all God's blessings, and believe that every seed I sow in His Kingdom will be multiplied back to me many times over.
This is how I'll live - just for today!

- word for today (10/02/2006), Bob Gass

Links and Loves

The primary school newsletter that we receive from Nicholas' preschool reminded parents to check their child's school stationary for next term.  Sharpen pencils, replace any missing items.  How much fun will that be?  I love stationary.  This has me inspired for when Nicholas starts school next year.  

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I made these biscuits today.  I am not really a peanut butter fan, other than smooth peanut butter on well browned toast.  But these taste great - and look good.  I followed her recipe by word (that always annoys David) including using tablespoonfuls of dough and NOT pressing the balls of dough down.

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Saw news today that Notebook magazine is folding next month.  A shame as it is the one woman's magazine that has good articles on a variety of topics, without the trash.  Timely though as I have been debating for a while whether to tear favourite pages from my magazines rather than store the whole mag.  There are 3 magazines I buy regularly, if not every month, and I have been deciding whether or not to reduce the number.  the decision has been made for me!

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 Belle & Boo and Sarah Jane Studios purchases that I love.

I finally bought frames for these prints:

And any birthday party Nicholas or Audrey go to in the next few months is likely to be graced with one of these books.  Gorgeous stories and beautiful illustrations.  I want to buy them for all the kids I know!