Sunshine and Lollipops

Heart Day

2012-02-14T19:21:00.000-08:00

Hope you all had a fantastic day! Despite the festive goodies my weight loss is going FANTASTIC! I'm down to 77kg (169lbs) and only 2kg away from my main weight loss goal! I'm fitting back into size 12 clothes some of the time too! Woot!

I'll do a full post on the weekend showing my weight loss and birthday tattoo session! 29 on Monday eeeek!

Lala Love

2012-02-11T19:32:00.000-08:00

I'd be the first one to admit I've gone alittle over board with the Lalaloopsy collecting... but I don't care :P These dolls give me so much joy for some unknown reason and I'm going to ride that wave as far as I can.

I've done a few Valentines day inspired photo shoots with them so I though I might share a few with you guys. I'm very excited to be getting Suzette La Sweet from my mother for my birthday next week, been at least 20 years since she gave me a doll for my birthday!

I love having a hobby I can share with my children, both Lala and Ez enjoy them as much as I do <3

Sunshine Sunday #1

2012-02-04T15:52:00.000-08:00

Hi part of my blog change over is to spend alteast one Sunday a month bring awareness to my Sons special needs.

For those who don't know my son was formally diagnosed with severe Autism at age 2.5 but I was well aware of his "differentness" from about six months. Right now we are waiting for his genetic tests to come back proving he in fact has Angelman syndrome.

So what is Angelman Syndrome (AS)? Well glad you asked, Basically people with this have either a defect or deletion of chromosome 15 inherited from their mother (bit more complicated then that lol). The children present with an intellectual and developmental delay, sleep disturbance, seizures, jerky movements (especially hand-flapping), frequent laughter or smiling, and usually a happy demeanor. (thanks wiki)

Although the exact incidence of AS is unknown, an estimate of between 1 in 15,000 to 1 in 30,000 have AS.

At first we disregarded AS because Bi clearly didn't have the deletion as he didn't present with alot of physical characteristics. But as time went on and research continued it has been brought to our attention that children more like Bi can happen with a malfunctioning or mutilated gene. SO we're four months in to waiting for the test to come back both his pead and genetics guys are very sure we'll find the 'problem' and get the diag.

So what does this mean?

Having a child so reliant on you, to be honest, is very hard. Tobias can't speak, he's always moving and ALWAYS seeking out food and water. Not everyday is the same, but most are very hard. But what I love the most about him is how happy he is, you can't help but to fall in love with him everyday despite what hes gotten up to.

Would I change him? Hell yeh, in a second. But we can't so I hope to great each day/week/month/year with an ounce of his energy.

So this Post is on what AS is and next time I'll share alittle bit about what my Tobias is like, in the mean time if you'd like to read more about it click the link and it will take you to the AS foundation page.

Thrifty score

2012-02-03T21:54:00.001-08:00

Thrifty score
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama
Thrifty score for the weekend! I'm LOVING this vase to bits! Not bad for $5

Loss and gain

2012-02-02T20:02:00.000-08:00

Because of a series of unfortunate events last year I feel I no longer have the energy or head space to be able to sew for others. My life and the very thing that makes me me has been altered to a point where I need to take time out and rediscover who I am and reassess the people I allow into my life. I hope one day to return to Sunshine and Lollipops, I'd like to thank my customers and Facebook fans for their love and support.

SO what does this mean for my blog? Well this is where it gets exciting for me! I plan on making this more about my Tobias and his Angelman Syndrome/ Autism (long story there), posts on my tattoos, house renos, weightloss (25kg to date!) and my growing addiction to teacups, teapots and Lalaloopsys.

I hope to keep you guys interested, I will be doing the odd sewing project here and there when the need arises.

Inkie xxx

Before and After

2012-01-29T17:18:00.000-08:00

I'll do a full post on the bathroom when it's completely done (when my taps have arrived and everythings dry, cleaned etc) But this is what Mr has been up to for the last two weeks. It sucks that the taps and a few other things didn't arrive in time, but it will do for now. Not bad for under 2 grand!

Our HORRIBLE Bathroom, not cleaned for shock value

Our pretty new one

Celebrate!

2012-01-23T19:33:00.000-08:00

I always make sure I stop at those big 5kg mile stones and celebrate (100, 95, 90, 85, 80 etc) Well Today I'm 80kg :) I hope THIS time is is the last time I see the scales have anything in the 80's again! Woot! It's looking more like I'll be in the 70's by my birthday next month, yay me!

Tea for me

2012-01-19T17:33:00.001-08:00

Tea for me
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama

Tea for me

Everythings fine

2012-01-15T18:45:00.000-08:00

Huge mile steps for me this January.

Most summer school holidays I'm left pretty much to fend for my self with three children 24/7 (bar a splatter of help from my mother/ MIL) But this Jan Mr has taken of, partly demanded partly because hes in a higher position to be able to take it of. Either way he's here.

But what does that mean? In the world of Tobias' brand of Autism, just Mr being there settles him down, have no idea what the calming effect he has on him but its real. Bi just seems more like a normal (as much as a non verbal child can be) 6 year old. Plus anyone knows having an extra pair of adult hands around makes everything easier.

Yes there has been moments of back slides, toileting on the floor, in the pool and eating everything in the house. There was a week after Christmas when he'd eaten the wrong food and he didn't sleep more than two hours a night. But for the better part he's good.

So Mr is here for the bathroom reno, which for the most part is coming along well. I'll do a before after post at the end of this week... fingers crossed.

And there's me... I'm now 81kg :D getting closer to that goal is GOLDEN! It's amazing how much more my family functions when we're working together for the same goal.

Sold shoes... Got a wallet!

2012-01-10T21:57:00.001-08:00

Sold shoes... Got a wallet!
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama
Sold shoes... Got a wallet! How could I go wrong! Now to fill it

Progress

2012-01-08T20:59:00.001-08:00

Progress
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama

My little wall gallery is being added to, most of the frames are either thrifted, from Target or Ikea. I love that I was able to take the Deer painted I had done for Lala when she was 6, now she's out grown it I'm happy to have it with me. And yes that is Optimus Prime riding a bike lol

Speaking of progress, as of today I'm now 82kg, even after that yummy high tea :D

High hopes!

2012-01-06T15:34:00.000-08:00

So yesterday my friend and my self had a little high tea at Charmers, such a friendly and cute place! I couldn't help but take a zillion photos. There was soooo much food and the sweets were so, so, so gooooood. So I thought I'd share a couple... okay a few. lol

Yummy food and great company, what more can a gal ask for! Check out my Tumblr for lots of pictures of tea, tattoos, craft and interior design. Oooo and I pin too... very often

Callum Peeps

2012-01-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

Thanks all for the lovely responses to my weight loss goal blog :) I'm still going strong and managed to lose a kg (2.2 lbs) over the holiday period! Yay!

Anyhow I managed to finish off a quilt set for my friends baby boy, who is now over a month old! Yikes that went fast. I did my normal basic strip quilt as I find it shows off the fabrics so well, plus its fairly simple to put together too.

I used Castle Peeps by Lizzy House, who is one of my most favourite designers!

Tomorrow I'm off to a hightea in one of my favourite places in the world right now. I plan on taking a few snaps and including you in the fun!

2012

2011-12-26T18:22:00.000-08:00

Big year! Big, BIG year!

So far this year I've managed to lose 20kg (44lbs) after putting on some the year before. I'm quite the emotional eater and this year I've had a HUGE change, I've managed to take control of those eating habits partly stress and part better eating it has come off. None the less I sit at 84kg (184lbs) about how much I weighed when we went to Hong Kong in 2010. So this year I'm looking to lose about 10kg (22lbs) more or less which I hope to do by October.....

So basically I turn 29 this year and I want to enter my 30's at my goal weight, I've over half way there with a year to go... here's hoping. 1kg a month isn't too much to ask I think?

Me April 2011 104kg

Me December 2011 84kg

Just wanted to add! I lost a kg over Christmas :D only 9 to go now!

Changes

2011-12-26T00:35:00.001-08:00

Changes
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama
Change, Christmas tree down and new picture, coat rack and swallows up! starting to love my lounge room.

Save the drama for your Mama

2011-12-02T21:06:00.001-08:00

Well I the middle for all my drama I forgot to do a post about the sweet blanket I made for my friends baby Zara! I loved having the chance to make a set in my favourite colour combo red and aqua.

Her mother is a Disney girl to the bone so I added some cute Japanese prints of Peter Pan and on the pillow Cinderella too. It turned in to quite the fairy tale quilt! Back in a soft flannel with clouds on it, perfect for a little dreamer.

My other best friend was blessed with another boy last week so fabrics have been ordered and a quilt will be made before Christmas! I will be back on top soon

Summer grass

2011-11-23T00:20:00.001-08:00

Summer grass
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama
Summer grass

Probably time to do a little catch up. I'll stick to my tattoos for this post and come back sometime soon for a life/sewing update.

As you can see my left arm is coming along, I've had a button corsage added with purple tea splashing around it. Which will make plenty more sense when the teapot is added. My flamingos are half finished, eyes and touch ups are needed. After all the healing drama I had with Alice she smooth and no damage has been done... thank god.

and my pocket watch, oh how much I love it, only out line for now but she is soooo pretty and much better than I could have hoped for. Totally in love with my new Artists work that's for sure!

Check for ink up dates in my Flickr pool here

sorry I haven't been around, words, updates and sewing have been far too hard with this bout of depression. But I'm trying super hard to get on top of things.

2011 tree

2011-11-11T22:20:00.001-08:00

2011 tree
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama

2011 tree

Daz an Inkie

2011-08-25T01:42:00.001-07:00

Daz an Inkie
Originally uploaded by Inkie mama

Daz an Inkie

Time away to heal

2011-08-01T23:54:00.000-07:00

Those who have been following me on Twitter and Tumblr know lots have been going on in my life during these past six weeks. There has been alot of shock and betrayal and I have tried very hard to keep my head up and to keep traveling forward. I would be lying if I told you I was doing well.

But to everything there is a season and for now, my head is up above water and I feel I will be fine in a time. Right now though I need to surround my self with the people who love me, let people in who care and put on my armor when I am around those who like to prey on me while I am weak.

The sunshine will return, I am going to do everything in my power to make sure this DOES NOT define me as a person. I will not let them stop me from living a joy filled life.

I won't be gone for too much longer, lots more sewing to do and with every stitch I know I will feel more like me again.

Inkie xxx

lego apron

2011-07-10T18:01:00.001-07:00

Don't think I included a good picture of the Apron I wore to Ezzie's Lego party. Such a cutie thing, a little too big, it always shocks me how much length is used in a ruffle.

Lego Party!

2011-06-19T04:15:00.000-07:00

Those of you who follow me on Flickr and twitter may have seen sneak peeks into Ezzies 3rd birthday party. It was Lego theme and we had loads of fun trying to capture it.

The dessert table (before they made it out) was very cute with it's balloon banner made by Mr Geek. His lego sorter also made an impressive feature to the table, as were the Lego banners.

I used a glass bowl from Ikea and filled it with layers of coloured Lego, all of which were kept by my mother. Lego entertained my brother for years, probably still would now given half a chance.

Thank You notes and cupcake toppers (as well as invites) were gotten off of Etsy from Simone made it. So easy to do and so effective. The loot bags were filled with natural jubes, a milky way and a toy for each of the guests.

Ezzies old change table from ikea was cut into play tables, they worked so well for the littler ones, very sturdy.

My Lego man chocolate army was a HUGE hit! They did take ages and a self induced sugar coma to make, but were well worth it. I think I'm a chocolate mold convert now.

Mr Geek made a very impressive lego brick cake (from scratch!) using all Natural food colourings and Flavours, just so Bi could join in the party fun, in fact all of the food was lacking in the artificial colours and flavours. It was so nice to have Bi at a party he didn't have to be watched and restricted.

And the birthday boy had so much fun!

cupcakie

2011-06-10T21:07:00.001-07:00

Another custom apron from the shop for a cupcake loving roller derby Gal! Very cute with extra long ties for cute bows. Now back to the machine to make googies for Ezzies Lego Party!

Catch up

2011-05-29T23:21:00.000-07:00

been lots-o sewing going on a around here!

First off the quilt top to pink Elephant lemonade was finished, I love,love, love this quilt! Which is funny cause normally I wouldn't like a yellow and pink combo but there is something about it that is so fresh and crisp.

Next was a cute pair of grey and black cushions. I really enjoyed using these fabrics, mostly gotten from Fabric worm but I managed to squeeze a little ikea joy in there too!

Then my lucky winner of my 50 likers on Facebook asked for a cupcake cushion. Truth be told I've been in love with this fabric for quite a while and jumped at the chance to buy it and use it. This Vampire cupcake or neapolitan scream cushion was finished up last week and hand delivered, excuse the horrible picture it was bucketing down with rain all last week.

Last was the mammoth job of Cassies quilt and matching pillows, I picked out alot of my favourites from the Nicey Jane range, but there are heaps of Heather Bailey fabrics in there with just a splattering of Dolce and Amy Butler full moon dot. The Blanket will have it's own blog post tomorrow when the sun is up.

Lots has been happening around here with Bi's ASD and maybe new diagnosis, all very scary and very time consuming but I've almost got our selves out of the fog with a doctors visit on Wednesday to tie up the loose ends. Be back with more sewing very, very soon!

Pink Elephant Lemonade

2011-05-02T21:50:00.000-07:00

This weekend I made a couple of throw cushions of my friends baby shower! Shes about five weeks away from giving birth to her second child, who happens to be a baby girl! Tell you what her Daddy is about bursting at the seems with excitment!

So here is a snap shot of the cushions and a sneaky peek at what I'm soming with some of the left over fabric!

I heart Modcloth!

2011-04-21T21:17:00.000-07:00

Ever since seeing a post on one of the blogs I read, I've been dying to buy something from Modcloth. One day I will but untill renos are finished I'll drool over their cute stuff!

1. Brew kid, super cute cup, tin and tea infuser come in red, green or blue
2. Teapot, this teapot comes in a match range of folk law prints, I love them!
3. Floral teaset, usually I like my tea set vintage but this one is sweet and comes with a stand
4. Mushrooms, I love mushies! These baby blue ones are super cute and come in a few other colours.
5. Penguin mug, umm how could you not like this lol
6. Sisterriffic momiji doll, loving her teapot1 I have two of these dolls I'd love to add to my collection.
7. Tea cup, this kind kitchen teacup reminds me of my stay in Sweden, lots come in this range, there is even a very nice canister.
8. Tiffin box, I've always had a real thing for these, probably come from my love of Japan. Anyhow I'd love to have this filled with sweet treats <3
9. Cat measuring cups, I neeeeeed to get these for my mad cat loving sister in law! I miss you Ally!

But enough dreaming! Have a wonderful SAFE Easter!

New in store

2011-04-19T00:36:00.000-07:00

Finally! For what seems like an age I've had sick kids or sick me! So I was long over due for a shop up date. These little cuties are 15"x15" perfect for adding a little cuteness to a crib or a chair in a nursery.

I love working with linen! I can't get enough of it, I love the feel and the way it looks at the end! So head on over to Facebook or the store tonight.

Spoiled!

2011-03-11T17:23:00.000-08:00

All the planets have aligned perfectly and I am getting my dream bike! Squee! For an awesome price ;) She won't be at home for three months but when she is I'll take my own pictures!

Imagin a cute wicker basket on the front too take a look at www.electrabike.com and fall in love with me, there are so many extreamly cool bikes! It took me a few day and a few hours in store to decide on which beauty to own.

Dreaming of New things

2011-02-26T18:32:00.000-08:00

seeing the bathroom can't be started till after tax time (June) I've been dreaming and planing more of my new bedroom, which I hope can be started a little before that.

First off the walls will be a robins egg blue, I fell in love with this colour ages ago, I even painted Bi's room a darker version of this colour back before Ez arrived. I was inspired by 'a quilt is nice' quilt the moment I saw it! On a side note I loved her work sooo much that I got her to make a quilt for Wezzie see here

Behind the awesome four poster ikea bed (it WILL be mine) will most probably be a red and white candy stripe and the black ikea frame I've already got above my bed will fit in nicely.

It's no secret that I LOVE my bergsbo cupboards I have in the lounge/sewing room. These LINNARP door will be a perfect way to replicate them in the bedroom as wardrobe doors.

I've had to make somewhat of a compromise with the birch tree wall paper (swoon) It would cost me a small fortune and I can seem to find anywhere that will ship it here in the first place. So the Ikea birch tree picture will do nicely above my dresser.

Me being me I've GOT to have alot of cushions, apparently it's a chick thing? An ampersand cushion and the fox one from here will be perfect additions.

Still lots to plan and I already have a lot of the bits and pieces to finish the room. I have a small apothecary jar collection, one sits on my dresser filled with red mushrooms. Next to that is a bright red lantern and a green moss covered bunny. SO the most expensive part of the make over will be of course making the room and covering the floors.

Shoe Love

2011-02-25T21:23:00.000-08:00

Some of you may remember my Christmas wish mosaic back in December? Well my WONDERFUL mother got me the kitty shoes for my birthday! I've been in love with these TUK shoes since I was 16! I'm like a giddy school girl! Bring on he cool weather so me and my kittys can run about!

Back next week with some SEWING!

Alice

2011-02-20T19:44:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was my 28th Birthday (eeeeeeek) So for the third time I treated my self to some Birthday ink. This Alice doll marks the start of a sleeve I've had, in parts, in my head for well over 4 years. In fact I think I wanted it before I started my first sleeve. Lots to do before she is done, but it was a great starting point and I'm itching for more!

She'll be finished completely before I go on to the rest of the outline, Wonderland would be nothing with out her <3

Sugar and Spice

2011-02-11T23:02:00.000-08:00

Well the mojo is returning as I though it would once the first CRAZY week of school was done and dusted. La has settled into year 3 (eeek) and Bi is technically in year 1. So before School started I was commissioned to make a couple of aprons, today seemed like the perfect day to get on to it.

This pretty on was made using my fav line Sugar Flower 2, it's amazing the colours really pop! This apron is to be used for a cup cake fundraising afternoon. The gal it's meant for loves girly things.

And there's me. This is my last week of being a 27 year old,though I don't like the age going up I do really look forward to and enjoy my birthday! And better still carrying on with my tradition more of my blank skin will be inked!

I hope to take a few pictures of The Garden Of Unearthly Delights which is where we'll be spending sometime for this years celebrations!

Always on my mind.....

2011-02-06T19:07:00.001-08:00

Whole bunch of things happening around here so I thought I'd fill you in. apart from waiting for Disability SA to ring me back, after two phone calls from the WRONG person... *insert rolleye here*

1. Teapot How cute is this teapot from Modcloth! When times get stressful I'm always drinking a pot of tea and this one would be sure to make me smile lol

2. Alice In my spare time I'm reading Alice in wonderland again, things do seem VERY contrary around here.

3. Mr red I love, love, love this coffee table! I dream of having one. When we do a room re shuffle I hope to paint one up just like this one.

4. bed My bed is dying and I've been dreaming of a four poster since forever, as soon as this Enland one ends up in Asis at my local Ikea he will be mine.

5. Bathroom It's about time, my poor neglected bathroom is going to get a complet over haul! SO excited, however I doubt Mr Geek would allow me to have wall paper in it!

6. Tattoo My next tattoo will be on the 20th, not this one but you'll have to wait till then for more details.

7. presents My birthday <3 I'll be 28 on the 20th and I'm very excited! I usually dislike creaping closer to 30, but I'm feeling really good about the things I have planed.

8. I love this birch wall paper! During the reshuffle I'll be getting a new room to decorate and I plan on papering the wall behind my bed in this paper... but at $150 per roll you might find me getting a stencil off etsy and giving it a g my self.

9. Lucky last from this etsy seller here . This print makes me smile with Valentines day coming up I'm planing some baking with my favourite people.

So as you can guess with school back I'm starting to get my head above water. It's looking hopeful that Bi might get some more help and possibly me too. I guess it's the total lack of freedom and control during the school holidays that makes me feel snowed under. I'll be resting up for another week and then I'll be back into things.

My Sunshine

2011-01-31T19:45:00.000-08:00

Sorry guys, life has been thrown off because of Autism once again. When I feel motivated and have more energy I'll sew. But right now, things are hard and I am very tired.

I'll be back in a few weeks when things are less dark.

Inkie xxx

Zalia

2010-12-27T16:16:00.000-08:00

Remember this quilt I started ages ago for my brothers baby? Well the little one is finally here so it HAD to be finished. Between begin very sick, Christmas and school holidays Zalia is a week older than the finished blanket!

The front was made using some of my favourite orange and pink prints from the Dolce and Nicey Jane fabric ranges, with a dash of Amy Butlers full moon dot. I decided long ago it would be back in flannel and because the front is filled with so many prints I went with mainly cream flannel with a strip of the super soft folksy flannel.

Now if I could just get better so I can give it to her and have a snuggle <3

All I want...

2010-12-08T16:21:00.000-08:00

Okay 'tis the season and all that Jazz. So I have a mini list of loves and favs for this season giving... and my birthday (shudder) is coming up soon too.

1. toadstool tinket box
2. I love my cup of tea print
3. lotus bowls
4. Ship wench bow
5. Fox screen print pillow
6.Candy stripe clutch
7. Samsung Galaxy Tab
8. TUK kitty shoes
9. Fox embroidery set

I'd be super happy with any of these Santa...

Well I tried

2010-11-30T23:50:00.000-08:00

Well then they quick easy winner to the pay it forward give away is.....

Jackie AKA IkeaQueen!

you'll be getting a remix hostess apron <3 AND because you were the only one who entered you'll be getting a bunch of Remix fat quarters so you can use it to pay it forward or to drool over.

Please contact me and we'll get your fabric choices sorted

Pay it forward GIVE AWAY!

2010-11-15T02:18:00.000-08:00

Like an age ago One flew over had a little game playing on her blog. I was lucky enough to win one of her pin cushions <3>

For two lucky winners I will have the pleasure of making a hostess apron for you in your favourite colour/theme. If you have a particular fabric you love, tell me and I may be able to find in and use it.

How do you win? It's really quite easy! Just commet on my blog, tell me your favourite colour/theme/fabric of the year! So whats the catch? I need you to keep they game going! Post on your blog a pay if forward give away! If you don't have a blog thats cool too, just send an email to me telling me how YOU paid if forward :)

The lucky winners will be drawn next Thursday the 25th of November! You'll get extra entries if you blog or retweet me! Just let me know ;)

Progress

2010-11-08T21:31:00.000-08:00

I've had a rush on a few orders in the shop over the last few weeks, they all seem to be coming together. We've had broken hands, cat allergies, hens nights and airport trips thrown in just to keep things interesting. Just when I start to feel like I'm getting bored, WHAM, everything comes at once.

So far I've got three quilt tops done, two mini's for Ikea duktag beds (my personal favourites) one is with bright aquas, greens and oranges and the other cutie is with golds, reds and greys. The hardest things has been waiting for the fabrics to come in, it's a love hate thing. I love ordering off the net and getting packages, I hate having to wait for said packages.

The next quilt top was a huge task, all those 10 inch squares! 56 in fact! Lots of great fabrics thrown in and spliced together, it will be back with super soft Folksy flannels sometime this week. Busy times ^_^

Things are getting busy round here

2010-10-24T15:11:00.000-07:00

This are full speed a head now that the kids are back at school, I've had a few orders through my artfire shop and I have a few project I need to get done before the summer holidays. Aprons, quilts and cushions are all in various stages of completion. I've even taken over man land to get some more space to sew.

And the best thing of all is my Tattooist is back from his holiday! So on the 5th of November get ready to see some finished ink! My cupcake will be finished off and we can start planning my next sleeve <3

Lalaloopsy

2010-10-16T21:31:00.000-07:00

Lala and I've fallen in love with a range of dollies, they kinda remind me of a sugar coated Coraline. One of them comes in her PJ's and I thought it was time to resurrect Lala's old ikea Duktig bed that Bi destroyed earlier in the year.

After a few coats of pretty aqua paint I set about making a mattress and pillows for it. I cut into a pillow slip from a super cheap quilt cover (also from Ikea) filled it up with some stuffing. It was the perfect size! Lala requested lots of cushions from popping up Feathers very heavy head. I hunted through my scrap heap and just pulled out randoms that I liked.

Last of all I sewed a blanket with a few of my favourites. The merry-go-round horses is one of my all time favourites! When I first saw it I bought a yard, now I wish I had gotten six. I spliced in some Ann Kelle fabrics, some polka dots and mushroom and right at the very top there is a strip of one of Dolce.

I had so much fun making the doll blanket I might have to make dozens more and list them in the shop! Wish me luck!

Holidays

2010-09-30T18:06:00.000-07:00

So sorry I've been away and doing nothing much at all! The kids are on their third term holidays and I'm seriously snowed under keeping Mr Tobias under control, seems every time my back is turned he's in the shower again or running around naked! So I'm a little strung out to say the least!

I have managed to sew a few tiny cushions for Elara's doll and I've started a new Russian doll stitch for Lala, but everything is moving extra slowly. I'm managed to get my new over locker out the box but I haven't managed to even sew a stitch! I do plan on making Elara a Halloween bat skirt and my self a sailor one as it's first projects. I've also used this time to dabble with a tiny bit of painting to make four mushrooms using the old draw knobs from my bed side table! They are very cute.

But right now it's time to enjoy the Spring sunshine :) Hope everyone is well.

russian doll

2010-09-20T23:51:00.000-07:00

she's finally finished and I love her!

Woodland

2010-08-31T01:12:00.000-07:00

I've been busy making woodland things for me this week. I'm enjoying getting used to cross stitch and have since finished a secret prezzie for Mr Geek for fathers day and a tiny mushroom for the sewing room. It's super cute with it's little aqua hoop, which I spray painted after I down sized hoops.

Next was another hoop art project, this one was a extra cute bunting one. I have loads of ideas for the next time round but it was a good start. also I added one flag from my HR fabric collection.

I've have a HUGE love for foxes and squirrels after my small stint of living in Europe as a child. since I've been trying to think of a new design for my cushions and had yet to try out quilting one, it seemed like a good idea to combine them all. I just about rolled all my favs into the one, wood grain, squirrels, mushroom, hedgies and deer!! I will never part with this cutie.

And last of all my cute momiji Snuggles! She's so very perfect for me and will fit in the sewing room with no problems at all.

bunting it around

2010-08-24T01:14:00.000-07:00

Over the past couple of weeks I'm been up to all sorts of home reno and crafting stuff. Miss Lala turned 8 and was craving a 'grown up' desk. So we put up shelves, spray painted all sorts of things and her work space was created, thanks to ikea, hong kong and target!

It was great to get her goodies all in together, I made a bunting to hang from the shelf using Ann Kelle's remix fabrics and another one for above the window. Still have loads to do in there, I'll come back when it's finished and do a blog just on it.

Also keeping up with the bunting love I decided to get a head start on Christmas and make on to go above the sewing room window. It's massive! I love Christmas!

Mr Bapple

2010-08-15T20:40:00.000-07:00

So this is my year to step out of my comfort zone and try new things, I love embroidery but I'm not too good at stitch regulation.... at all. So I thought trying something like cross stitch would help me get a little more confident at needle work.

He's a super cute pattern that I got from this etsy store and with my friends help he was fairly simple too! Now off to start another one I'm planing for a gift!

Busy!

2010-08-12T19:50:00.000-07:00

Sooooo much to do in soooooo little time!

Here is a cute little custom stack I made for the sweetest customer! She is welcoming two new grand daughters in to her family so she wanted to give them a gift they would love! I haven't used much licenced fabric but I'm quite happy with how these turned out, a little Dora and My Little Pony goodness.

Christmas Gnome

2010-08-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

Got this awesome panel of Happy Zombie's christmas fabric from fresh squeezed fabrics on etsy the other day. Could hardly wait to cut into it and make a cute softie! Isn't he the cutest, better still there are smaller ones on the same panel so I have more to make and they'll look like cute russian dolls when they're finished!

the things you can do

2010-07-29T05:00:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I spied an awesome tea towel pack as I literally stood in line to pay for my things at Spotlight. I scooped it up and knew I'd have a project in mind very soon for it, as if I'd use it to dry dishes.

I got the kidlets off to bed and began cutting into it, the scissor fabric had only arrived that morning! The back is made from a fabric I picked up last year or the year before on clearance for $1 for a whole meter!

Love it! Please excuse the weeds! I've finally got around to ordering the fabrics I was after to be able to do my pay it forward post :) Soon as they get here I'll have the post up!

Japanese Fairytale

2010-07-18T01:55:00.000-07:00

Every year for my daughters birthday I like to spoil her and her friends by making pretty awesome loot bags and gifts for them. She's very good about her parties by only having two guests as she like to spend most of her time with her best friends. I really feel for my daughter, having a brother like Bi is very difficult and has made her grow up super fast. This is my turn to make a fuss over her and treat her like every other little girl.

Last year it was chibi dolls this year is was little draw strings bags full of goodies and matching cushions for their rooms. At 8 everything is about making their room more about them and less like a little girls.

The bags were big enough to fit a Hello Kitty towel (picked up on our trip to Hong Kong) two bracelets, a squishy splat toy, fairy floss and some lip gloss. I love the fabrics I used for each of the girls, each in their favourite colours all ordered from beautiful work off Etsy.

cows and lions

2010-07-04T15:19:00.000-07:00

I've been fairly busy over the last few weeks making custom orders :) These three were load of fun to make! The first two were made mainly with meadowsweet by Sandi Henderson one strip of polka dots from Michale Miller and the last one from the Nicey Jane mix. The middle square is a Japanese print that the customer found, it's super cute with the little Farm animals.

The next cushion is massive! The biggest one I've made so far! it won't be the last I love how big a squishy it is. Plus the Echino lion print is so super soft, it's perfect for snuggling up in winter and reading a good book! The best thing is, we get to go deliver the cushions to their farm and the kids get to meet the kids get to meet the animals.

Bapples and Hoot

2010-06-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

My little Wez is starting to talk, after having one son who can not communicate on this level I can not even being to express the joy I feel when I hear little words forming. Ez is going through the normal stage of learning each of the names for fruit and veg, everything right now is a banana or starts off that way! So he's trying hard to get new word out, apples will always be known as bapples <3

His other great joy is owls, especially giggle and hoot type owls, everytime he spies one he calls out 'Hooooooot, hooooot' and dives for said object. So when creating wall art for his new room with his sister I couldn't look past 'bapple and hoots'. I used a massive burch 22 inch embroidery hoop and sewed together fabric, appliqued a patch to got from this awesome etsy store

I'm very happy with it! and so is he

loving Alice

2010-06-25T16:04:00.000-07:00

I enjoyed making a couple more custom Alice cushion for an order I received. I have a huge soft spot for Alice and the black, white and red theme is soooooo easy to work with.

They'll be off and in the hands of their new owner this week :)

Tea and Tattoos

2010-06-19T17:49:00.000-07:00

These are my Sunday flickr favs, my mind is stuck on last weeks tea party. As many know I'm in the planing stages of a few new tattoos. Starting my left sleeve is something I flip flop over almost everyday, I have loads of ideas for it, it will be an Alice/tea theme but I'm not 100% on if I should do it. I guess thats why it will stay in the planing stage for the foreseeable future. Being that heavily tattooed is something I don't take lightly at all. Yes a realise I have one sleeve which makes my quite covered, but both..... I don't know if I should.

I have many, many awesome ideas planed out in my head, I'm just worried that I'll keep covering my self till there is nothing left. I do realise the crisp clean lines I have now and the bright vibrant colours won't last, I'll look horrible when I'm 60. I'm not stupid I do know this and take it on board every time that needle/needles hits my skin. I have no regrets on the ink I have now and I doubt I will.

So just thought I'd share how I feel before each ink, I don't rush into anything at all. I plan and think, draw and re draw. I know it's forever and I do take it very seriously.

do pop over to my flickr and check out the mosaics links, they are all from amazing streams

Sneaky

2010-06-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

Been having some happy mail lately, go these two charm packs from Quilt taffy and Starlitnest in the mail this morning and couldn't help me self. So many people are having babies I'll probably make four cushions but it's fun to see it as one big fairy tale quilt top. Just a peak for now, you never know who will read this ;) oh and I'll be doing another give away real soon!

Chocolate rain

2010-06-13T21:28:00.000-07:00

While in Hong Kong I stumbled on a display by an awesome designer Chocolate Rain in a small shop. I instantly fell in love with her work, then I began to see it everywhere! On a trip to the Space Museum with Lala and Ez we came across this window in the underpass.

Then we went to a shopping mall Sago and she had these two huge dolls outside for her happiness week! Lala wanted to take them home but settled for a picture. After this encounter I decided to go back to the little shop and pick up a patch of her work and turn it into something back at some stage. This patch was meant to turn into a doll but I felt this suited her more.

I'm 100% in love with this one and keeping it for me!! It happily sits next to my red panda I got in Ocean Park during the holiday too.

Viva La teaparty!

2010-06-13T00:10:00.000-07:00

Sucess! the teaparty went off fantastically! All bar one of the cushions sold and that one is now for sale in my Artfire shop here. Nothing better than eating cake and sipping on tea with good friends.

neglect

2010-06-04T04:16:00.000-07:00

so our trip to Hong Kong is over and we're all back safe and sound. I'll be doing a few catch up posts over the next couple of days. First off I'm going to post my sewing tattoo up date.

Yesterday I had a three hour session with Andy on my leg, man does it hurt today! I'm Really happy with how it looks so far and can't wait to watch the colours come out over the next few days. The yellow pin heads are lime green, believe it or not, but because of the yellow based inks mixed with my blood (yuk lol) it looks completly different. I learned this lesson with my bow swallow on my sleeve. She started out looking a very mouldie yellow with sprinkles of green. Today she's a very healthy limie green :) Took a little while to lift and there were a few worried days.

how amazing is that blue!

next session is on the 24th ^^

five more

2010-05-15T17:37:00.000-07:00

Well I have been busy with tea party cushions! I've made five more, those following my on flickr would have seen the progress daily. I rarely do anything daily so it's quite an effort lol Lets see, we'll start with Wednesday....

This cushion is made from Michale Miller sweets fabrics, which I got from the dizzy daizy waaaaaay back in October last year! Along with my favourite blue fabric from the Katie jump Rope line and another random. It's backed with a sweet lime gingham and a strip of the front fabrics. Very cute and very up my ally with the tea pots.

Thursday found me making another strip cover, my favourite style by far. This one was made from a fat eights set I got from the fabric closet well over a year ago. Been waiting for the right project but I stalled for so long that I forgot I even had them lol! Made from Amy Butlers Daisy Chain fabrics and backed with a cute pink polka dot.

Friday I used another pack from the fabric closet, this time it was a scrap pack. On a side note those who buy fabrics for smaller projects really should looking into these. This cushion top only cost me $7.50 to make with 6 different fabrics. This one is made with Erin McMorris' Wildwood range and backed with a grey Ikea Cecilia fabric. This pillow will be hard to part with, I really love this one.

On wards to Saturdays pillow, made completly from Patty Youngs Flora and Fauna fabrics. I loooooooove the hexie honey comb prints. The lime/ blue combo has always been a soft spot for me, one of the first quilts I made (over my knees right now) is in this colour combo. Not 100% in love with this one but I'm sure someone will love her.

Which brings me to Sunday, this cushion is made almost entirely out of scraps along with the Heather Ross Spoonflower fabrics I just had to have. It's good to see them put to use in something. Lala has order something with the purple mushrooms and gnomes sometime in the near future. The cushion took alot of brain power but I'm really happy with how it turned out. The back is fairly plain with just cupcake fabric on the back, but with sooooo much going on in front it was best to keep it simple.

Lots of work to go, with at least another four to make! These ones will steer clear of pinks lol. Instead I'll dive into my blues and boy fabric collection to see what I can whip up. Better go Start Mondays now!

For the Love of Alice

2010-05-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

So far it's been full steam a head for the tea party in June and it's creeping up fast! I can't believe I'm going on holidays in two weeks today! eeep whose idea was it to take two small children on a plane?

Anyhow at my party to raise a bit more cash for the cancer foundation I'm making a few throw cushions to sell. Of course I'm making them at a loss selling them at $5-$10 each, but I'd be donating anyhow and this is a fun way of doing it!

I have quite a lot of Alice in wonderland fabrics so I though this might be a good start, not all of the cushions will be Alice inspired and they won't all match. This Tuesday pillow is made from mainly Japanese prints, the one on the top left hand corner is such a light weight fabric. Much like the little folks fabrics going around. My favourite is the long linen strip with the antique keys on it, i love working with linens, hardly any pull or slip on those darlings lol.

Tonight I'll be making one with teapots on it!

more ideas

2010-05-07T22:50:00.000-07:00

Well today I finally made a bunting, I've been putting it off for ages for god know what reason. it came together so easily I could have kicked my self, I'm even more glad I never went out an bought one!

The motivation that finally kicked me over the line was little Tyson, the same boy I made a pillow and stripe quilt for last year is being dedicated tomorrow. His parents are in the process of building a new home so I knew I wanted to make something for his room. Bunting seem to be popping up everywhere it look so it seemed a logical choice.

I used mainly Bot Camp fabrics, which I might add are so funny and I threw in a green and blue stripe from Lizzy house's Red Letter Day and a dot from Sandi Henderson's Meadowsweet. Now all I have to do it wrap it and write a card, too bad I'm not being this productive in other things I should be doing today!

busy times

2010-04-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

Lot of craftie things have been happening around my house but I have yet to blog about it. Partly because I haven't had much time and partly because I doubt it's good enough to even be bothered to talk about.

First off I was prompted by Lala to make a tea cup plushie, I think I've been spoon feeding her Alice in wonderland a little too much for too long. Anyhow, I made my own pattern and it only took my about a half hour to do! I like how it turned out and I may even make some more with a few tweaks here and there.

Besides making tea cups for the party, I've been finishing up two quilt/blanket tops for the photo wall for Junes tea party! They look really good and just how I imagined! Perfect teaparty back drop, if I do say so my self, each fabric is a favourite for what ever reason. I enjoyed discovering other designers and fabric ranges to cut into and put together. To make two quilt tops I used 35 fat quarters and 2 white sheets from target to make 70 square blocks. I can't wait to line up my friends in front of it and click away!

Last of all, today I started to draw up and plan a library bag I'm making for a friends 5 year old daughter. Lala is doing a wonderful job of modeling the one I made this morning using some spotlight owl fabric. She loves it and will be keeping my first go, which I might add is fully lined and with handles I made! Go me! Most of the things made as first this year are for the 12 months 12 challenges group I've been meaning to mention.

I have so much to do this weekend, I still have to make that stack of pillows I've been lusting over and two buntings! Better get cracking!

quilts, ink and tea

2010-04-22T02:18:00.000-07:00

These are just some of my favourite things... which I've all jammed into the same week! took me 7 weeks to do the 70 blocks for the quilt tops but last week they were done and I decided last night to put them allllllll together. I love it.

I would be sewing the second one together tonight BUT my leg got some more work done on it and I am in heaps of pain :( My inner thy has swollen up at least two inches and right now I'm icing it. I love the purple ribbon so much! Andy is going on a working holiday in July so I've crammed the last session on my leg in June, so between now and then I have choose the colours for the rest of it. I'm so hopeless with colours, I umm and ah and in the end i get out Lala's texas and colour it in. I'll post clearer ones when it's all healed up.

So on to the tea, I'm super excited as tomorrow I'm spending most of the day thrifting with my mum! I'll post what I find on flickr on Saturday, yay!

weightloss

2010-04-15T21:52:00.000-07:00

Okay for those playing at home I've been losing weight this year in the desperate hope of returning to my old size 12 self. Not wanting to pass the buck but I put on around 20kg when I was pregnant with Wezzie and dealing with the whole rollercoaster ride that is early intervention with Bi. I know how I did it, I know why I did it, end of story.

So Wednesday I hit that magical 15kg loss (33 pounds for our American friends) and I decided to tempt fate and slid on those fateful size 12 jeans. Well... they FIT! Probably a little too snug for go prancing around in, but the button did up and wasn't going to fly across the room if I decided to breath. I also tried on my most fav shirt (one with 0 stretch) and it fit also, according to Mr tape measure I've lost over 4 inches (10cm) off my bust!

New ink next Thursday! I'll leave you with my weight loss friend, a mini tub of green apple sorbet... mmmmmmm

blog awards!

2010-04-11T18:20:00.000-07:00

Excuse me for being captain obvious lol But I got a couple of blog awards this week from two very sweet followers of mine :D

First off I got a Beautiful blogger award from Satisfy my Soul, she has one of the prettiest blogs I've seen and always makes my chuckle :D

Also I got a Kreativ blogger award from the equally amazing Jen at jemikaan! Thanks girls you've made my week!

now for the rules 7 thing about me... well

1, I had an amazing childhood, my mother was a family daycare lady and my brother and my self grew up with at least 10 or so other kids. It was amazing but probably the reason I hate being alone. My teens were however nowhere near as happy :(

2, I'm an over thinker... it's quite often painful I talk my self in and out of the most amazing things in minutes. But mostly I stew over things for years before I tell anyone about it.

3, I love shopping, even window shopping. A great day for me involves friends, shopping and a cup of tea.

4, Breakfast is my most favourite food, nothing beats bacon and eggs.

5, Most of the things I love, treasure and are into are directly because of my grandmother. She passed almost 7 years ago and I miss her every second. Her love of teacups, flowers and baking passed on to me for sure. I'm getting at tattoo to symbolise this very soon.

6, I love every step in the process of being tattooed, from the idea to the design, right down to getting it and seeing the design come to life during the healing process. I'm hooked.

7, I am possibly the most restless person you'll ever meet, it probably goes hand and hand with the ASD running through my family.

so now I must pass them along

Piper and Lily a follower from way back. Shes amazing and her talent and love for her kids really shines through on her blog.

Kittyrobot, Jodie has awesome tatts and an equally awesome etsy shop and flickr stream

Blinkingflights, Bec has the cutest plush toys out!

Samantha from Jettas Nest, Sure a pretty blog and are very unique style

Becky from Becky at al, such amazing photos and a very talented sewer

Thanks guys, I'll be back later on with a post on my on going house reno

Good day Ray

2010-04-07T23:00:00.000-07:00

Today has been an awesome day, after weeks of hell from my darling golden haired boy, joy has returned. he's had a shift thats for sure! What I've noticed about my Tobias and HIS autism is he has the darkest days before a milestone is hit. I spend weeks on edge and sobbing and then like a pheonix he rises in morning a changed child. I knew very well from what others had warned me that the first term of school would be unsettled. That was a understatement of the century! Most of his 3 year old behaviour had returned and I found my self scrubbing floors, stripping beds (including my own) and removing all his toys from his room.

This week hes my old Bi but with alittle more mental remodeling. I ventured out with the boys and he was the most well behaved little boy I've ever met. He sat and ate in a crowded food court with out so much of a peep! He didn't try and run away, he didn't squish he food, all he did was smile and eat! O_o

Yes today he's spent most of the day naked while at home, I've lost that battle. However he realises he can't do it when we are out or when we have company... thats progress. Poo has been confined to the shower, not touched! He listens to stop and does stop! He gets down when asked and he puts things away!

I have even manage to put a coat of paint on my bedside table with out him running in the shed and going though Mr Geeks tools! So far I'm liking Bi 2.0, might even go out with him again.

Ezzie is now talking, parroting away like a NT child should, every word is like a mini happy explosion in my heart, he is doing fantastically! I'll leave you with a happy snap of my and my smallest... my chatty kathy Wezzie

He's such a dork! And for those playing at home, I'm about a 1/2 inch away from being a size 12 again :)

Easter rises

2010-04-03T16:31:00.000-07:00

Happy Easter to all the lovely people who read my little blog!

Easter is possibly my favourite holiday of them all, here is SA we have a hideous level of public holidays but I still love it. We have very few traditions, in fact we are starting off a few new ones in the Moyse Guild this year. Normally Mr Geek takes Lala camping down the river with his family, leaving me with the boys or in the early days, alone :( . So I would spend my four day holidays getting tattooed, drinking with friends and going to church- wonderful combo that.

Now that my father in law has past the river has lost it's sparkle to Mr Geek so finally new tradition can be formed. Before the only one we Lala and I wear rabbits ears from good Friday to Easter Monday and we have an Egg hunt on which ever day we end up all together.

This year we went for a bike ride with the kidlets on the Friday down to the beach, we played at an awesome little playground while Mr Geek and I downed our 100th coffee. The Mr Geek did a wonderful job of cutting his finger top off with a v-slicer so he spent 3 hours in Emergency. While he was there the kids and I played with Bi's bubble machine, videos of that can been seen here.

Yesterday Lala and I baked :D Possibly my favourite new tradition. We made scones, muffins and an awesome pizza which was quickly gobbled up. We had some of our closest friends over for a BBQ and board game night, which was mainly spent drinking, eating cheese and chocolate and laughing.

Today we did the same Easter egg hunt that we're done every year Lala's been around for, as usual Bi spent the whole time trying to steal Lala's eggs and put them in his basket. This year Ezzie helped with the stealing lol Poor Lala. Mr Geek gave me my prezzies early this year, I got a birds nest stand and a beautiful Queen Anna teacup Trio which can be viewed on my flickr.

With one day left I'm sure we can start the new tradition of an Ikea breakfast and fabric shopping on Etsy? Think my chances are slim. Have an awesome day everyone!

inkie Mc ink

2010-03-28T16:05:00.000-07:00

Here's a little up date on my leg piece, I had a short session today mainly because of money restraints :( So we added in some more lace work, trying to describe to Andy what fishnet looks like up close was possibly the funniest thing I've ever done and watching his face when I said honey comb!

The end result is perfect :D I can't wait to go back on the 21st to get both ribbons done! I still have to decide what colour to have the one connected to the Strawberry... to choose to choose. I'll post more pictures on my leg on my Flickr when it's all healed next week, you can get there but clicking my Flickr over in right hand column.

spinning wheel

2010-03-27T16:43:00.000-07:00

Apart from my usual 10 blocks this week I've started on a few project for Lala's room. As I've mentioned before she likes purple and I like pinwheels, so this is the perfect match in heaven. I'm going to add some sashing and go from there, I have no idea what I'm making but I'm having fun :)

This week has been filled with looking for a new house, putting up the Easter tree and thrift stores, not too shabby. Unfortunately we lost my Nana this week, which has been quite a painful passing, she had been so frail for so long it was just a matter of time. She had bounced back from the brink so many times before I half expected her to do so this time. It wasn't to be and now shes gone home.

More ink on my leg today, I find it to be very therapeutic. Be kind to each other this week.

blocks and yet still more blocks

2010-03-20T18:46:00.000-07:00

I've now past the magical half way point in my photo wall quilt making, five more and I'll have enough for two quilt tops :D Thank god, it feels like it's taking forever and I'm going no where. But it's nice looking at the pretty stack of fabrics that I've used. However I still have to pick and buy another 20 or so fat quarters to join the quilt.... such a hard task.

Also as I cut and sew I've been planning two other quilts, one is a Spring quilt made using vintage pillow cases in purples, blues and lime greens. Just simple 12inch squares for this one I think, but I want it huge and light. So pretty, I'm really loving the process for finding the pillowcases. Mind, I did go to one place where I thought the stacks of Fabric might fall on me at anytime and I would be buried forever. I do look forward to going back, there is so much there for very little, I'm sure I'll find some more pretties.

The next project is cutting into my little folks stash my mother got me for my birthday, I'm thinking pinwheels, but who knows. If I could just keep out of Ikea and the Tattoo parlor I might just have the money to finish all these projects lol. I have another session planned on my leg for next Sunday.

What are you guys up to?

Golden haired boy

2010-03-07T14:23:00.000-08:00

Today is my Tobias' fifth birthday, as usual he couldn't care less. Each passing year you are filled with more awareness of what he is missing. I still to this day remember my fifth birthday party and the excitement of sharing it with my new school friends. I remember the awesome pink tape player I got, the white sneakers with pink springy laces and the grey and pink fisher price watch. So many good memories to draw from.

Tobias will miss out on what I think are major milestones in life, the beauty of Tobias' Autism is he won't even realise it, to him, he hasn't missed a thing. His life, not matter how much I think it would be confusing, he doesn't seem phased. He wakes each morning, mostly, with a smile and a laugh. He finishes the day somewhat the same too.

He does look for his brother and sister and shares an incredible bond with his Nana. Every carer he's had at kindy and School has fallen in love with him and would walk over hot coals for him with out batting an eyelid. He has the sweetest nature and the most amazing problem solving skills you'll ever see.

But with all his light, Autism has a very dark side, his sensory issues are a mile long, he's five and still not toilet trained with no end in sight. His ability to destroy things has to be seen to believed and he is an escape artist with a knack for timing. We've lost him on more than one occasion and our backyard is beginning to resemble a jailers yard. The fact that it could go one forever can knock the wind out of my sails.

I hope one day he will speak, more than anything. I would so love to know what goes on behind his beautiful blue eyes, what he wants, what he likes even what is wrong. I know he has made me into a much different woman than I would have been if he had been neurotypical. I am so strong because of it, I have a much different idea of life thats for sure.

Happy birthday my beautiful golden haired boy, we love you very much.

robots 'r' us

2010-03-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

The boys bot pillows are finished in time for Monday, I'm really happy with how they came out. It's was fun picking out all the different fabrics and trying to think of which ones the boys would like best. I love that my stash is getting big enough that I can do project like this, not too long ago the thought of pulling out 18 different boys fabrics was laughable.

I am trying out the ikea 20" pillow inserts, I don't really like how flat they are but I know from the ones I have in the lounge they last a lot longer than the Spotlight ones and hold their shape really well.

I think I could make cushions alllllll day. Check out my flickr for more picks of them.

from Blinking Flights with love :D

2010-02-24T21:31:00.000-08:00

As I said in my last post I wanted to make Bug a toy for Bi's birthday using Blinking Flights free pattern, which you can get here. So I dragged out some fabrics featuring purple, pink and red, which happen to be Bugs favourite colours right now.

The pattern was fairly easy like all Beccas' others, I did have a few scarf issues mind due and I'm trying to teach my self how to do awake eyes, lol her look alittle... ummm uneven but Bug won't mind.

Made using my fav Good folks fabric and an awesome Heather Ross one too :D her name is Mishka and she likes purple things, unicorns and glitter she dislikes crickets, dirt and early mornings... who doesn't lol

For the boys

2010-02-23T15:23:00.000-08:00

Tobias is turning five on the 8th! I can hardly believe it! So I decided I'd make him something, he has very few care factors in his life, he has no obsessions bar swimming and my mother either. So the list of things is very short, extremely short. He likes food, robots to a degree, gnomes to a slight degree and pillows, thats about it. Oh and theme songs, if he hears a show starting he'll run to the t.v listen gleefully to the music and then bail when the show starts, then he'll bound back for the credits......

Anyhow, the pillow making started off last night, I had fun with it now that I have alot more fabrics to pull from. I added to my boy stash a while back and have been meaning to do a post on it. The kick ass robot squares in the middle are from Hanies etsy store. I fell in love with her robot fabric when she made a mini quilt a while back. I scooped it up once a read on flickr that she was selling it, I have three other squares to use but I think I'll be hording them for a while.

The other AMAZING robot fabric is design from another etsy seller Luckx4, I love the retro robots and the rayguns... I mean who wouldn't? Tobias' pillow is orange and black, I love this colour mix and it will look great with his bright blue walls.

In this house hold siblings get prezzies when the other has a birthday, so I couldn't help but to make a red and blue version for Wezzie. Once again with the robot fabrics and the Red letter Day fabric lol. I'm really loving the boldness of this one, it's very much Wez all over. He has a quilt on his cot made by the talented Nettie that has the Katie Jump Rope fabric on it that will tie it all in.

Now all I have to do is make a Russian doll for Bug using this tute at Blinking fights :D

wishing it was a block of chocolate......

2010-02-22T18:32:00.000-08:00

Everything is going well on my photo wall quilts, I've picked a really simple design purely for the time factor/ repetitive nature of it all. I'm really loving the colours all mixed in together, plus the bonus of using up some of my birthday stash.

So far I've used a little Nicey Jane, Dolce, Girly Girl, Meadow Sweet, Love and Red letter day. They really seem to mesh in together and pop next to each other. Last week I made my 10 blocks and so far this week I've completed 8, if I can keep my cold at bay I might just get it done.

But I am very much enjoying hacking into my stash and trying very hard not to run on line and replace it once it's been used. As for what I'm going to do with these quilts after the party, who knows? Maybe Bug will want a picnic party this year, can you imagine little girls sitting on them eating cakes? Maybe I can use them as table cloths? lol

Oh dear... I had to

2010-02-19T19:45:00.000-08:00

I couldn't help my self, Heather Ross re-realised her Gnome fabric through Spoonflower and I just had to order some, I mean look at those Gnomes and spots! Eeek tooo cute, way too cute... so I ordered a bit... alot in fact.... oh he's going to KILL me lol.... but it's done now, he might hold it till mothers day.... but it's done and It's mine..... allllll mine

I mean just look at them... how could I say no and I will be using the purple ones for Elaras room, even maybe a little for Ez too.

:D I order some fat quarters of the Gnome fabrics... four different colour types and then some mushrooms... oh my I'm dizzy... But it is my birthday today and spoiling does come into it lol... I think I have a problem, might ask Mr to change the password to Paypal to keep me from more trouble. Oh and just a disclaimer... Mr Geek won't kill me lol he'll just be mad for like two seconds.

*all pictures from Heather Ross' blog :D

tattoo time

2010-02-18T17:59:00.000-08:00

I don't do too many tattoo posts, I'm not too sure if people are interested or not but I'm excited so I'm posting lol. Plus it's just an out line and it's hard to see the bigger picture and imagin it finished. But what the hey.

This coming Saturday is my birthday and a special present to me I though I'd finially get my sewing garter started. A tonne of work still has to be done on it but Andy and I have made a real dent into it. The cotton reel looks amazing and I'm so excited for the scissors to be coloured in late next month.

In the making

2010-02-14T18:58:00.001-08:00

So I mentioned before that this year instead of doing relay for life for the cancer foundation, we are partaking in the biggest morning tea. I have a million ideas running through my head but the one that sticks is a photo wall, the back drop will be made of patchwork :D

I've seen on flickr many weddings who use vintage sheets as a background and they all look so amazing. So between now and the long weekend in June I have to make around 10 blocks a week the the above fabrics, plus a few more I have on the way. Quite a big task to tackle, but I'm up for it.

I hope this will take the edge off my fabric buying addiction and keep my hands busy for I won't be shoving food in my mouth. So far the weight loss is doing great! I've dropped 10kg in 6 weeks :D

Dana the gnomie

2010-02-09T19:43:00.000-08:00

Bored once again, trying to avoid house work at all costs I decided to make another Gnomie like my Rufus first attempt which I made mid last year. Inspired by blinking fights bug and Warm sugar (formally project grab bag) I made him/her a little shorter this time and a little fatter :D

This gnomies favourite thing to do is sleep under trees while his (I think it's a him) deer keeps an eye our for their boss. This type of gnomie is in charge of water, as you can tell by my dry back yard, Mr Dana is a little slack hehe.

Made with Lizzy Houses awesome Red Letter Day fabric and a super cute aqua dumb dot on the back. He'll most probably be a bed friend for my Ezzie, he seems to love Rufus and my left over bug dash very much. I often find them thrown in his cot for later.

Joining Mr Dana in this photo is my awesome custom deer from Follow the White Rabbit.

and the winner is.......

2010-02-07T23:58:00.000-08:00

Yay thanks for all of your comments, I was sooooo worried no one would lol. So with out further due the winner is

Jen from jemikaan

If you could please contact me and give me your postal address they'll be on their way to you :D

Thank you all for joining in! I'll be having another giveaway real sooooon :D And for those playing at home so far I've lost another 4kg and gained another 5 yards of fabric and a new tattoo lol

New babies :D

2010-02-03T12:59:00.001-08:00

Well the kids are back at school and everything has slowly settled in to a routine. Bi appears to be liking school, there have been not protests or tears thus far. So the sewing machine has been dragged out again after my short break.

A very close friend found out she was expecting about six months ago, in my gut I just knew she was having a girl. I got all excited and bought the fabric for a blanket for her and had been looking for a backing ever since lol.

Little baby Whitney was born yesterday and I hadn't even looked at it since day one lol. So last night I was back to peak form and sewed up this little cutie. The top has some of the classic girly prints from Sandi Henderson, Patty young and the likes, not to mention the bit of Darla thrown in the for good measure.

The back was a great find! I had been trawling through Taget looking at this sheet set all of the winter before, but there was no way I was going to pay $79 for a sheet set I was going to hack into, no matter how high the thread count lol. So I played the waiting game and it paid off, I scooped it up for $10! Such a cute print, if Lala hadn't decided that pink was out then it may have ended up on her bed.

I'm going to go visit the new baby tomorrow, so I might just have time to whip up a softie tonight.

Oh and don't forget my giveaway of Hope Valley fabrics, it will be drawn Monday!

Lizzy

2010-02-02T13:20:00.000-08:00

A while back I fell in love with a fabric range called Red Letter Day by Lizzy house. I just had to have it, the duckies were so super cute. So I bought a whole colour range plus some from a wonderful etsy shop called afabricoutlet amazing stuff and it got here in record time too. I then used it to make a back for my quilt for Tyson and a pillow. Like always I blogged about it and shoved it in my flickr steam. Two weeks ago Lizzy contacted me through Flickr and wanted my picture (along with other people too) in her new up coming book!

Well it's out as an e-book now and my photo made the cut! I am so totally stoked! Plus it really helps that it's an amazingly helpful book which is incredibly easy to read, her humor and passion really jumps off the page. You can pick up a copy of it here, it takes you on a crash course about how to get in to the textile producing world!

being a small tiny part of it makes my heart really sing :D

Share the Fabric love (give away)

2010-01-31T17:50:00.000-08:00

As promised things will be alittle different around here this year, so today I am announcing my first ever giveaway to celebrate my 100 blog post! I have a bundle of 5 Hope Valley fat quarters to give away to one lucky commenter (well 4 fat quarters, the stripe fabric is a 1/4 strip).

I just love Denyse Schmidt fabrics and this is my favourite colour way from this range!

So to be in the running all you have to do is make a comment and tell me your favourite fabric range and become a follower of my blog. If you'd really like extra entries will be given for people who tweet the giveaway too :)

I'll be drawing it on Monday the 8th so you have a full week to enter. Good luck and international comment welcome too!

A very merry unbirthday

2010-01-28T21:41:00.000-08:00

As long as I could remember my Grandmother collected tea cups, they were always brought out for the very best company. To this day I think I've only drunk out of one once lol. I've always had a strong love for tea cups and teapots. So it seem natural while thrifting that when I spied this lovely she had to come home with me.

She makes me want to eat short bread and sip tea all afternoon :D This June my friends and I will be hosting a morning tea for the Cancer Foundation and I hope to collect a few more sets to go with my grandmothers for the occasion. It won't be the biggest raiser of funds for the event but we will have a blast.

Now the next very exciting thing is I am coming up on my 100th blog post next post :D I have a tiny band of followers and I'd like to take time out to thank you guys. Your comments always make me smile. So my next post will include a 4 or 5 fat quarters give away :D So look out Monday for it and have a super weekend!

Oh me oh My.... I think I may have over done it

2010-01-14T18:25:00.000-08:00

Most people who know me well know that I have a food problem, it's quite the addiction really. When my second child (Bi) was born I went into weight loss over drive. With out going into too many details, I became very depressed after the birth of Lala and gained ALOT of weight. In fact I lost 63kg after I had Bi... in nine months!

But life being life I got pregnant with Ez and Let go.... and dealing with Bi's Autism I struggled to put the right food in my mouth. Mainly because I am extremely lazy and I am sooooo tired. But excuses won't get you thin, so this year it's back to Weight Watches to loose the 15kg I gained with Mr Ezzie.

So whats this got to do with craft you ask? Well I'll tell you.

I am a person that will always have one addiction, food-especially sweets, are my main addiction. I've come to terms with it, the last time I lost weight I gained a clothes shopping addiction. But no more sweets, so I've swapped addictions........ Fabric. My god I've had quite the binge!

Here is my new addition to my addiction... 44 delish fat quarters which have to be stored away till my birthday :( But I have another 88 on their way too lol

on the up side I've lost 3.4kg since the 1st ;)

Yes I like Ikea

2010-01-10T14:02:00.000-08:00

Just a quick little update as it's been far too hot to think about doing anything other than sit around! My mother gave me an Ikea coupon for Christmas, so I did a small update to the sewing room (lounge room hehe). I love it! It add quite a punch to the room and I can put my cage cushion on it with out it looking out of place ;)

Spending!

2010-01-06T15:33:00.000-08:00

Over the last few days I've been on a serious fabric spending bender! I think (I'm scared to add it up for real) I have around 100 fat quarters all making their way here for my birthday! Post has been sooooooooooooo slow lately so i ordered them all giving them five weeks to get here.

So what do I have planed for these beauties you ask? Well I've signed up to do a blog challenge this year. Each month there is a new challenge, January's being make something for your self. Which seems easy enough, but really I have NO idea what to make. Not even a small idea, so I was thinking a small Kokeshi mini quilt for the sewing (lounge hehe) room.

We'll see how I go.

Also I have planed two huge pillows for my bed room, I'm planning for a cold winter (the only thing that gets me through summer). I plan on snuggling down under my quilts propped up by some beautiful pillows watching a hell of a lot of tv :D Of course I'll have to make a matching throw for my bed as well.

Nothing much else has been happening around here. I am holding on by a thread this month. Bi has been getting into some foods, with a little help, that he shouldn't be eating. He's been bouncing off the wall for weeks!

New year and all that Jazz

2009-12-31T19:37:00.000-08:00

Well the last couple of weeks for me haven't been filled with much sewing at all. I have been adding to my stash with fat quarters of Nicey Jane, Dolce, a bit of Michale miller and 1/2 yards of little folks. Plus the usual family Christmas stuff have left me with little energy.

December has mainly been filled with jamming as many tattoo sessions in as possible to get my arm finished by it's 2010 deadline. I think I may have been inked every week! But for now I think I'm done with my right sleeve, I may add a little more colour when things settle down but I am very happy with how it turned out.

For 2010 I have a new piece on my left leg planed. I am very excited to be getting it done. I've seen it in my head now for well over a year. Because of the strong symbolism on my arm I have been wanting to get something a little lighter.

It will be amazing I can't wait :D

Also this year I will be planing to do a couple fat quarter give aways, the first to be next month to help celebrate my birthday :D Also a couple more give aways of another nature. So stay tuned!

Cushions a-go-go

2009-12-16T15:30:00.000-08:00

Over the last week I've been busy finishing off three Christmas prezzies. Each cushion has been a joy to make, each is very different from the other but still belong to the same family.

The first one off the blocks was for a funky little miss who LOVES blue, it was great to have the chance to uses these fabrics. I love the bright fuschia with the blues, it really pops! The Huge bonus with this one is our Local spotlight had just started stocking the Bids of Norway fabrics, so I was able to make the back of it quilt cheaply with some left over too.

The second cushion was a bit of a personal challenge, I've never really taken the time to get out the grid paper a make up a cushion/ quilt top. But I decided I wanted a scrappy look and I couldn't be bothered looking for a tute. I can not believe it worked! It really worked, every bit of it! I was a bit shocked lol. Plus the added bonus of being able to shove a bit of rickrack on the back did it for me lol. I hope it is loved by it's new owner, Lala is so upset it's not going to be hers

The fabrics are quite a mix from all over Etsy, I love the diamond patterned one fro Holland Fabric house, it's sooooooo bright and it really gave me a lot of colours to pull from. Plus a chance to hack into my cute little red riding hood fabric.

which brings us to number three, this combo has one of my most favouritest prints (I know I say this alot) but April showers is just so cute, the little people holding umbrellas just makes my heart sing. Plus the wonderful apple print from Farmers market is so vibrant, a touch of park slope and a sprinkle of Amy Butler and there we go. All of these fabrics were used in the quilt I have in the living room. Part of me wants to keep this one for my self because of it, but I'm afraid that might make the lounge room look to matchy-matchy.

I love each fabric combos, on each of the cushions for different reasons.

On a More personal front I have been getting my sleeve tattoo touched up ready for it's final session on the 30th. So I've been sore all over every other week this month getting all the little details smoothed over. I'm buzzing with the thought of having it finished!

Sewing and a cooking time

2009-12-07T19:04:00.000-08:00

There has been alittle activity at my house in the sewing department, alot of the time has been spent Christmas cooking, I feel like I've been endlessly making ginger bread to keep the children happy. So it was probably time to hack into my ever growing Christmas sewing

I have a few more to go, two more for me, one for Lala and a green on to go with the blue. Which brings me to the blue lol I love, love, LOVE Park slope! It's fresh and funky and make a perfect brightener to a kids room. I hope she loves it very, very much.

The next is a little Christmas pillow for the sewing room (lounge room hehe) I love these deers so much, there just something about them that makes me smile. Plus I'm a huge polka dot fan!

And last of all Lala collected up a few scraps and made this, I'll help her finish it off with alittle rick rack and turn it into a christmas pillow

So over the next few days I have more sewing and next Wednesday I have my last touch up session with Andy before my sleeve is finished two weeks later on the 30th. I am VERY excited to have it finished and to move onto my next on too :D

trials and tests

2009-11-25T14:34:00.000-08:00

Ages ago I got a custom quilt kit made up by Starlitnest for a quilt for my bestest friends baby! I've slowly plugged away at it for around five months and now I'm finished! Thank God as little Tyson was born two weeks ago! Once I knew his name I whipped up a little pillow for him (yes I am aware he can't use pillows till he's 2 but they look pretty in the cot when they aren't)

I Absoultly LOVE Izzy house's fabrics.. all of them lol I have about five fat quarters left, I feel the need to source and stash. Oh and I desperatly need more Katie Jump rope and anything by Heather Ross too, umm the list could go on and on :D

too

A little splattering of festivities

2009-11-15T19:44:00.000-08:00

Ikea has been over flowing with awesome new fabric and designs with a very Alice in Wonderlandie heart on them. I have fallen totally 100% in love. To be honest, I've gone a little crazy lol But Mr Geek and the kids tapped into this and gave me my Christmas prezzie a little early before I bought it. They got me the rug, material and two throw cushions :D I'm in heaven! Well crazy obsessed Ikea heaven anyhow lol.

Speaking of which more Ikea stuff has been crammed into my sewing come lounge room. The Christmas tree is up and covered with Ikea decorations. Sweet little wooden black birds with black and white paper wings, white baubles with red hearts on them, very Alice in wonderland, red icicles with hearts and red and clear glass trees! Very cool! I still need to get a little something red for the tree then it will be perfect :D

I'll leave you with the Christmas teapot given to me by my mum! Isn't she sweet! I can't wait to fill her up and eat some biscuits Lala and I make tonight. Purrrrrfection!
!

Lula and Mira Bell

2009-11-06T16:32:00.000-08:00

I had a tonne of fun making these two for two cousins for Christmas! Mira has electric blue hair which matches the blue spots on her Japanesse fabric dress. Her purple polka dot socks match the petals and mushroom on the dress too! I am however waiting for a charm to hang off her dress but it's been so long since I've ordered it I might have to go find some in town next week.

Lula has an awesome linen dress with cute little Russian dolls on it, bought from Kelani :D I love this shop, I love it even more cause I usually get the fabrics with in two days of ordering it too! which is a HUGE plus. Like Mira she is waiting for the last finishing touches, I think they need something in the hair perhaps?

Oh well it's a few more weeks till Christmas :D

I broke my promiss to my self and went out last night, so tonight I will have to stay in and baste a quilt and make a bunting for my Chrismas deco's. The Christmas Pagent is next week and we always drag the tree out after it's finished.

caged up love

2009-11-01T21:57:00.000-08:00

Hello all! I haven't been doing much crafting as such this last week. I have been watching my stash grow as my Etsy spending comes in, I managed to get well over 50 fat quarters in the last two weeks and I have four more fat quarters and a half yard coming still! Soooooo much fun, so much to choose from! I even got my Christmas fabrics in on Friday so I hope to start cutting in to them Friday night when it's my turn to stay home with the kidlets. I've added a bit more since this picture was taken last Wednesday.

I got these gorgeous pinwheels made for me as part of my etsy buying bender. They are super cute! I really wanted to make my self some but I spent weeks trying to find red papers that I liked so I gave up! I wanted them in time to help decorate the sewing room for Xmas. They are from this awesome shop here, I was her second ever customer. She is lovely and really went out of her way to make sure I got what I was after! I can't believe they made it here in one piece!

This weeks Kid Free Friday was spent in the chair while Andy added colour to my cage. I often joke now that I've spent more time on my arm then I have in labour- all three combined! It's really coming together now, I haven't Flickred the cage yet as I have bruised up really bad! Under my arm there I know I often have bruised really easily, so two hours under there really took a bit of a battering, I'll post pics when she's a little less green and purple.

So thats the week that was I hope to have lots to show you over the next couple of days

Cupboard lovin'

2009-10-23T15:29:00.000-07:00

As most already know, I've been holding a slow take over of our lounge room into a sewing room. So slow and steady that Mr Geek even agreed to buy me the cupboard I had been lusting over for my sewing stuff, that had been getting loaded into the corner. Funny fact: Mr Geeks ASD makes him HATE clutter, I knew if I kept piling it into the corner he'd soon see it my way.

So now I have a place for everything, my small stash can breath out side it's cramped plastic boxes. I've been adding to it over the last couple of weeks too, I still have a 10 or so packages of fabric coming. It feel like it's taking FOREVER! But it's only the usual two weeks lol

Anyhow the cupboard is up at home and I still LOVE it! I was amazing crafting last night with out having to go through boxes to find my things.

Which brings me one to my next happy mistake. I was trying to make a Christmas dress for one of my dolls but made it too short, like WAY too short. Thankfully I remembered Lala had been at me to make a dress for one of her dolls which only came in a T-shirt. luckily it fit Baby alive perfectly. Now Lala thinks I am amazing once again :D

Mira and Lula Bell

2009-10-20T02:26:00.000-07:00

So I have been sewing something in the last week, my two little Chibis Mirabel and Lulabel they are just waiting for their trims, charms and hair ribbons to arrive so I can finish them off :D Lula's dress is made of a super cute russian doll fabric and finished off with some Good Folks fabric, Mira's is an awesome mushroom print I have been babysitting for a while now.

Love both were a joy to make as always

Prints

2009-10-12T22:43:00.000-07:00

I am slowly planning my take over of the lounge room, ever so slowly it is becoming my craft room. So it was about time that I put up some prints that go with my over all vibe, I found these two lovely prints by an etsy seller called Juriu they are amazing!

It was so hard to pick one so I picked two lol I can not recommend them enough, they even came with a bonus postcard! Which is super cute and will go in Miss Bugs room.

Ink

2009-10-11T23:31:00.000-07:00

So I haven't blogged in at little while, lots of things have been happening on a personal level and with school holidays I've just plain run out of energy and time to sew.

Having said that I have been majorly stash building over the last couple of weeks and can not wait for all my packages to arrive. about 11 yards worth :D

So yesterday I spent almost 7 hours getting tattooed, my swallows are all coloured in as are my four keys. I am extreamly happy with them and can not wait for them to heal so I can watch some more of the detail shine through. Check out my flickr steam for more ink goodness :D

time out

2009-09-27T20:40:00.000-07:00

I'm lost and I hate it. I hate what the last two years has done to me, I hate autism, I hate talking about it, I hate knowing about it, I hate what it's doing to my confidence, I hate that I can't look at Ez with out worrying, I hate that I look at Bi and all I do is worry. I hate that every time I tell someone I am worried, they tell me I am giving up or that I don't have any hope for the future.

I never asked for this and I have never pretended that I know what I am doing. I want a time out, I don't want it to be me or my family anymore. I am tried and really there is no end in sight.

the funny thing is... it's not even a bad day today

Brought to you by the letter I

2009-09-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Yes yesterday was Kid free Friday (almost as Elara wasn't at school), in a desperate bid to have an hour slice to myself, Miss Bug and I trundled off to Ikea. She was palmed off into the kids area and I was free to wonder around the store.

It wasn't long before I reached the fabric section, where sitting there was a NEW selection of fabrics :D At my local (the only one in the state lol) Ikea, if you don't snap up the fabric when you see it chances are it will NEVER be back in. So when I spied Annamoa, it had to be mine! It has a patchwork pattern with big squares of the cage and the squirrel, then a smaller patch in green and yellow of deers and a log cabin, also a patch of hot pink (almost watermelon) gingham with another bid on it. A large patch with a blue and green dandelion, a yellow patch with a crane umm oh and a rectangular strip with bunnies and turtles!! EEEK too cool.

Yay found a pick of it finally! :)

I also grabbed my favourite Gunilla fabric the one with the smaller blossoms and birds pattern to compliment it.. if thats even possible lol.

So of course I had to make a pillow out of it! Looks cool and I impressed Mr geek by whipping it up in ten minutes lol. I have more ideas but I am soooo time poor this weekend.