too bloomin' cute

Today I spent the morning chasing my sweet little Sage around the yard trying to photograph her with her handmade Chrissy presents, but she didn't want a bar of it. No way Mumma, I wanna go and eat that yummy tanbark instead! Of course this is her #1 fav thing to do at present and why not?

So there I was chasing the munchkin around, bringing her back from the bark, picking the grass off the dress..I wasn't winning. So here are the less than perfect shots. Firstly the escapee and the sad little toys she left behind. The gorgeous miss is wearing her gift from her clever aunt Tikki, a beautiful little bloom dress. This is one of tik's own designs and you can purchase it over here if your keen on the knitting craft. I have been waiting to get my hands on this little number for quite some time but now I have it's a wee bit hard for the little crawler to get about in so away it goes until she gets the walking thing sorted which, *damn*, won't be long, she's furniture cruising and has even taken a step! It seems little Toby has been teaching her tricks while my back was turned!

Sage didn't get alot for Chrissy (from us) with having a couple of siblings we already have our fair share of toys. So I decided to get her some special little handmade pieces, something a bit more you know ...well special.



Two very talented and kind ladies agreed to do a couple of customs for me. Holly Bunny, featuring Holly hobbie fabric *sqeeeee* came from Beck from dandelion and the sweet skittle girl came from sam at Jetta's nest Sage totally loves them and gleefully chews the bunny's ears any chance she gets. More to the point I totally love them, they are super awesome and I'm very very pleased to have been able to gift these to my sweet Sage. Today however, they were left behind in the pursuit of bark, now really! ooo and lookee there's a great write up on Sam over here and that's Sage's little super- fly softie.



Now I haven't given you a really great shot of the bloom but here it is with the bubba showing off her strong little legs



And her cute big melt my heart eyes.



A very wonderful thing about bloom and something I haven't mentioned cause I'm sort of presuming you know, is the reason for the knits name. Bloom "blooms" with your child, so whilst even though the knit was gifted to Sage, it also fits Tully. See... same knit different child. One 11 month and one 5.5 year old. It's obviously not a dress on Tully but a top but I haven't shown the full view as Tully wasn't being a super model today. Not like she was for tikki in these shots where she shows of her gift from the lovely aunt that she is.



My shots aren't nearly as good but here's Tully in her very own Rainbow dress along with one for her new friend Emily. I know, how sweet is that! Today we went down the street with Tully and Emily and received lots and lots of compliments. Super special hey.



I did sew up quite a few gifts for Chrissy, a few pixies, a little astronaut softie and a my very newest and fav at the moment design, the long-legged polly dolly. I started this design about a year ago and got it all sorted to gift to little Lily for chrissy. Silly me erased the pics I did have so I'll share those shots when I get them *nudge nudge* tikki;) I also sewd up some bits and bobs for the kids and will share those too when I can talk them into modelling for me again. Oh and as for the shop, it will be reopening shortly with a small to biggish stocking of the new fav, long-legged polly dolly. Keep posted I promise I won't be gone for so long this time.

sage's rainbow

Sage had a day out in her rainbow dress today and doesn't she look sweet, sweet, sweet! I love the pastel rainbow, the sweet style, picot edging but most of all I love that gurgling, giggling, ball of squealling and screeching scrumminess that is my little Sage.



She's a big 4 months old now, gosh where did that go? And she's easy! She doesn't sleep through and I'm not really sure that she ever has, she loves to be with me ALL the time and I love to be with her too. Life is certainly busier but I prefer to call it fuller:) Anyway, back to the rainbow dress that this post is about!

Did I mention I love the tones? Well they are plant dyes but I'm not sure of any of the other spec's except that it came from NZ. I love how the sleeves sit, a little bit different to the original pattern; a bit more like a cap sleeve. And the fit is just perfect on sage. It's a size 6 months and my chubby little 4 month will be in it for a long long time, I see her wearing it as a top in a years time. Thanks tik, we love love love it!

Tully's Tropical Lily

Gee we've been keeping the postie busy here lately. Nearly every morning we get a delivery at about 7.30, it's like he's our alarm clock. It's a most uncivilised hour though and very much a rude awakening when we moved in here but now we're used to it.



Today's delivery was very exciting for Tully as it was for her! Every time there's a parcel she's so hopeful that it will be for her but lately it's been stuff for the baby. Today Tully's very talented and generous Aunty Tikki sent Tully a very special top, an Tropical Lily. If you haven't checked out tik's patterns go do so. She's very generous and shares these fab designs for free on her blog. She tells me they are easy to knit but I'm soooo not a knitter:D We have a Oriental Lily which is so super pretty and now a tropical Lily and will be getting a newborn Rainbow Lily if bub is a girl (please be a girl lol). Spoilt aren't we:D and very very appreciative, thank you a squillion Tik:D




I was also a very lucky recipient of a couple of dishcloths. The ones I had are falling apart and desperately needed some more. Was I going to attempt to knit them??? Hell no! I just nagged Tik to make me some, and when they were just a bit too soft and spesh for the dishes I nagged for some more. And look, it worked:D But these are a bit too spesh too me thinks lol:D

tins

Lately I have aquired a couple of beaut old tins from my brother the collector/hoarder/garage sale nut, so thought I might show them off. My favourite is this fantastic one with the deer on it. It has a lovely folk feel to it and is now the home of many colourful threads. It seems natural that a box of such brilliant colour should contain a rainbow. I did have to fight Tully for it though, thankfully she was happy with a quality streets tin.



The hatbox tins were also pinched from the bro. They are just awesome and once given a bit of tlc will take pride of place in my sewing room. I love hatboxes but these are just that bit more special being tin. I'm a bit unsure on what colour to paint the red one. Maybe cream....what do you think?

And my last little tidbit isn't a tin, but I realised today that I hadn't shown this one off so thought I'd share it. I wish I could say that I made it but nope, my clever Mum did. She's a slight bag enthusiast (she's made more bags than i've had hotmeals lol) and gifted me the pattern and fabric for my birthday but I never got around to making it so she did for me. It's from a Melly and Me pattern and I love it.

totally spoilt

Tully is that's who. She received heaps of wondrful presents for her birthday but this little number just takes the cake!



I was so in love when I saw Lily's oriental lily dress on Tikki's blog but knew i would never be able to knit it. Tik promised I would be able to but hey me and knitting just aren't the best of mates. I was so stoked when I found out Tully was getting her very own. It suits her beautifully and is so warm and snug AND Tully can even be persuaded to where a pair of jeans with it. Unheard of!



Thanks tik! Can you make even bigger sizes now? I want a version too!

Oh yeah and Asher also got some woolies from Tik too! Some new and much needed longies AND some old ones got a revamp and extension. spoilt I tell ya!!!!

all ready for bed

Today I finished off this nighty for Tully. She's super stoked and so keen to pop it on. She wanted to leave it on when I tried it on her to check the arm and hem length. Me.....ahhhh well I sort of like the style of it but those princesses. Here's hoping she gets over them pretty quick!

I was good and followed the pattern mostly. I didn't bother with the ties around the kneck or the elastic casing around the arms and didn't finish my seams properly. My mum would be horrified! Following the pattern though it doesn't tell you to finish seams. I would normally but oh well if it falls apart so be it.

The afghan in the pic was made by my clever little Mum. She used to make heaps of these to go on our beds in winter. It's double sided and so heavy and warm.



And this is what I found in my mailbox today. A very generous friend sent this to me and I was so surprised and stoked to find a package for me! Not for the kids, but for me!!! Such a beautiful bag made from very special vintage fabric. Love love love it