creative space day again

Gee I've become a slack blogger. Seems like I'm only sharing creative spaces of late, opps.... Gotta love a meme to keep you in touch, hey!

Well today has been all about Gocco. I haven't actually pulled it out and dusted it off just yet, but I have been getting my little chrissy card all ready to print. This years chrissy card is a light adaption from last years with a little addition of a cheeky toothy cherub. Tully and Asher are wanting to make their own as well so this weekend is shaping up to be a bit of a goccofest. yay! Wonder if the big fella will be inspired to?

Along with gocco I'm also sewing away at some angels, pixies, dresses for my girls and an apron. I'm crossing off my list just like Santa. Slowly I'm seeig the end of the tunnel, but then a UFO crops up like this little basket of granny's. hmmmm well she does seem to like them as they are though! Might just leave them on the backburner for a while.


ooo and lookie what we were super lucky to win! A giveaway from Claire from littletweetheart gorgeous, yes!



For more creativity checkout Kirsty's

today's creative space

I really, really wanted to tackle this pile of fun this week, but nah I got a tummy bug instead didn't i! Once recovered there was much swimming to be done with this unseasonal heatwave and then the kids have just been ...hmmm ....well not very conducive to crafting. So the pile is still calling me. However, it will be bundled up for a little roadtrip over the border to the land of tikki where it will get some attention and hopefully some lovely results for some lovely peeps.

More crafting over here

Ohhh and go and check out the stocking over at Gossamer Dreams on Sunday night and see what little else I achieved this week, yep I stuffed three wee little angels and heatset a tee. wooohooo!

my creative space

A bright little bunch of grannies.

More spaces over here

party prep

Got a party on the cards this week. Little miss Tully turns 5 in two more sleeps, and OH my Lordy it's sooooo exciting! Well can you remember being 5? This birthday has been talked about and planned since Christmas, damn the miss is excited.

So, anyway we're having a teaparty to celebrate. The invites have been sent, the presents bought, the baking planned and now I'm up to the finishing off the little pressies for the kiddies. I've made about 20 odd little brooches and have to admit I've enjoyed making these very much. They're simple and lots of fun and I get to indulge in playing with fabric and buttons, win win:D

my creative space

Intensely pink,isn't it! My creative space today consists of invite's for Miss Tully's 5th birthday and a bit of clip making. Of course Tully's favourite colour is pink and the more intense the better, whose isn't at that age?

I had planned on making the invite's with the gocco but after wasting 3 screens and 3 sets of bulbs, I realised the image wasn't carbon based and thus would not work, so I just printed them on the printer. The same printer that I've bought with the intention of using for gocco! derrrrr. Oh well, Tully doesn't care and I'm sure the invitee's won't care either....but i do!

The clips are for the local love stocking over on ozebaby. There's a few others up and going up today or tomorrow (depends if the baby who is attached to me and refuses to sleep by herself, will actually settle). Auctions that are up will be finishing today. Crazily there are a pair of tikki's awesome pants that have not even had a bid! Do you know how awesome these are!!! Quick go and bid on them now!



And this is my big soon to be 5 year old. She finished kindy yesterday and starts school after the holidays (weirdo SA schooling). Oh my goodnes they just grow way too fast! And yes, she does believe she's a princess, although she does want to grow up to be a fairy or a mermaid and thinks she should be going to mermaid school.

sweet

I'm not sure which is sweeter. The gorgeous little knot doll or that tiny little fist. awww I love em both. The knot doll was made by Donna from bits for bots. After seeing Toby with his I had to get one for Sage. I'm sure Sage will love it in a couple more weeks, she's growing so quickly! We now get the most heart warming smiles and gurgles. Haven't captured a smile on film yet but I'm trying. We do get lots of sleeping shots though. Here is the chubby faced little one hanging with me and the little artist boy. Asher was caught red handed, literally! His hands are thick with red paint.



Crafting has been a bit slow of late. I think I mentioned that in my previous post hey. I did make some crowns for the kids to wear to Lily's princess party but Lach was struck down by a bug or food poisoning, either way it was yucky and we couldn't go to the party.



We did catch up with Lily and she loved her crown as does Tully, Asher lovedit for about 5 mins and Sage, well she doesn't give a .... Silly me didn't get any shots of the kids wearing them though. I used this tutorial along with the instructions from the creative family.



You know how I promised pint pixie Florrie would be up for sale soon a while ago, well finally she's just about ready. You see I really want to buy this nappy and I don't really need it but it's cute and all that and we're moving house and have to save money for bond, so I can't really be spending money on sweet little nappies....but I really want it! So I'm getting my butt into gear and finishing off Florrie so I can justify buying. cool?



And here's a sneak peek at the next big thing tik and I are working on. See that ace fabric??? uh huh....local love.... keep tuned and hopefully they won't take to long to make a proper appearance. Lots of great local designers on cool tikki and pint stuff. Awesome +++

Oh and I'm a bit curious about stocking preferences. After seeing Lesley's poll I thought I'd ask, do you prefer random stockings or a set stocking time?

summer lovin'

Finally a little bit of summer the last few days. It's been way too mild around here and although I'm not cherishing the thought of heatwaves or anything, it's so nice to have some real summer weather for a change.

We went for a quick visit to Warrny this weekend and Lach took the kids for a quick spin in the little boats down at Lake Pertobe. A huge hit for Asher, although Tully was lost in dreams of wedding boats and castles on the water.

I've also started thinking it's about time I get some stuff ready for the newest little member of our household. I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has flown by and am a bit sorry to say I have made pretty much nothing for this little bubba. So I've been pulling out patterns and fabric from the stash and planning away. Pixies are in the plans of course, along with some printed tee's. But there are also plans for little quilts from these charm squares. I've never made a quilt before, I'm very lucky to have a clever mumma who makes them for my kiddies and myself. I have bought fabric so many times with the intention of making quilts though. This little charm pack has the perfect amount for a little quilt for the hammock or pram and are perfectly gender neutral. I've had a go at laying them out and getting the colour flow right so now just to sew them together.




I've also been adding to the stash. Found some great yellows finally via Kelani fabric store. Why are good yellows so hard to find?




I've also been very lucky that my clever mum is also a great knitter. These soakers are for the new bubba and are from wool from my stash which has been knitted and frogged a couple of times (I'm so not a knitter). Finally they have a new life and are just perfect. They're everlasting wonder soakers which is a definite fav pattern here for great fit and longevity.



And the last little number is from the ever talented and generous Tikki. Two little fish washcloths and some great washers for the bubba. The cloths for the bub were meant to be dishcloths but the cotton is too soft and lovely to be used to wash dishes and will be great for the bub. Tik whipped up another for Lily whilst they were staying before they kids bathed in no time flat, bloody amazing that girl....



3 weeks until D-day, although I know it will be more likely to be 5 weeks.....I'm a slow cooker

life's a beach

Well it was for one day of our holiday. South west vic sure knows how to dish up some crazy summer weather some times.

Having just started a new job lach managed to scrape together a week of leave so we could have a little holiday. So a camping we went over to Port Fairy home of freezing winds, rain and noisy noisy shearwaters aka mutton birds. I've had many wonderful camping trips in Port Fairy but this one was definitley marred by the weather. Don't get me wrong it was stil a great holiday but only one day of summer and time at the beach the whole week and only on the day we were leaving just sucked. Oh well...one must learn not to mess with the weather especially in the great south west.

The kids loved camping though, they're great little campers. Once the strange noises of mutton birds returning to their nests in the middle of the night were sorted and Tully had deciced they were ok and could actually come to her birthday party (even though the only ones we actually saw were carcasses)we did enjoy ourselves to a degree. Lots of kite flying, sand digging, horse and carriage rides and visits over to Granny Annie and a new little cousin brought many smiles to little faces. The next camping trip before bub arrives and whilst the sun is shining is in the plans. Here's hoping for some sun:D



Apart from wet and windy camping trips i have also finished off a great batch of trades but was a bit of a silly duffa and accidentally erased all the pics from my camera. i'd even done some t-shirt painting which is a uber rarity nowdays. Now my plate is pretty much clear so on to some making for my kiddies and a bit of prep for the bub. Sweet Granny Annie gave me Amy Butler's new book for Chrissy and I have quite a few projects added to my list. Together with some gift making for two little additons to the family, it's all go go here.

on my desk.....

Today's desk was the lounge room floor which Tully and I covered with lots of fabric scraps, wool, little pom poms,pegs and other crafting bits in the great pursuit of making peg dolls. Oh such fun! Tully's are all princesses and mine aren't! Can you pick the princesses?

More desks to check out over at kootoyoo

on my desk ....

Lots of stuff on my desk today but I decided to focus on the contents of this little bowl. I like bowls and piles. I need bowls to put "stuff" in and books and paperwork go into piles, to be organised and put away at a much later date. This is pretty much what my desk ( a massive old dining table) is full of. Well no not full, there is room to work on.

In the bowl is ...a scrap of cute little Japanese fabric, peg doll awaiting inspiration, people hole punch, fantastic owl trim from gorgeous friend, bee brooch, beautiful handmade lace bookmark given tome by wonderful lacemaker and elastic and other bits and bobs. Basically stuff I use a bit or is too nice to hide away.

Check out what is on other people's desk via kootooyoo

thrifting goodness

Today was an almighty day of thrifty goodness. I checked out quite a few oppies I had never been to and came away with some great finds. A few times I nearly wet my pants with excitement! Truly!! Firtsly was because of the little yellow sewing box. I'm so in love with it's sunniness. Then I also found a little girl's one for Tully. Score:)

I also found this great pillow slip. It's flannel so I'm not really sure what I'll do with it. May just keep it as a slip.



Lots of patterns. These are what I was really searching for as I need to make Tully some new dresses for winter. Now to find the right fabrics. They all look pretty simple so hopefully I'll be able to whip them up quickly.



This pattern was such a great find. It's in such great condition for such an oldie (it's from 1965). The only thing is that as much as I love it, I don't think I'll actually make it. So here's my first blog giveaway. The patterns a size 4 and apparently it's suitable for chubbies:) If you would like it just leave me a message and I'll get my little princess to select a random number.



I also found some absolute pearler's in the way of crafting books. Scrap Savers Stitchery Book is just brilliant. There are so many things I'm really looking forward to making and I love the idea behind the book, using scraps you have.



My favourite :)



This is to be my crafting offer for chrissy.



And the most fabulous child's apron I have ever seen!



The matryoshka mama and babies is also on my new list of "to do"



So much to do..... too much inspiration..... Oh and I got some old kids videos so I can actually get some of it done. Naughty?:)

on my desk ....

Not much going on at my desk today but there is always lots of "stuff" on it.

I spy.... a cute little strawberry tikki made for my kids. Damn I wish I knitted as I want more of these. A great badge from Sherrin that I still haven't taken off it's gorgeous packaging. Now the weather is cooler it may just need to find a scarf to jazz up. A pincushion and a bowl full of more stuff.

I'm a bit sluggish today. Asher is still breastfeed, which i love, but not all through the night!!!! shesh!

i heart tunics

i really do:) i wear them way too often but still find myself looking for more.
Today whilst in spotlight i spotted this beautiful japanese fabric. I had seen the lighter versions of this and but never the black! I'm pretty excited about this find any nearly ran home to rummage through my pile of patterns for the perfect one.
I have a heap of Mum's old pattern's that i just love. I have narrowed the choice down to these two. I will probably go with the style of the pink one in the pattern at the top as I'm still breastfeeding and the idea of a zip at the front rather than the back appeals. I also like the little pockets and the darts that rise up from them. That being said, if i wasn't breastfeeding I would probably go with the brown spotted on at the bottom but with a zip up the back that makes it a bit more difficult for asher to gain access on demand. I guess i could try to alter the pattern but i will need to draft them in a bit as it is and that's enough mucking around with a pattern for my liking:) anyway wish mne luck and bit of time to devote to a project for me for a change

whilst rummaging through my patterns I came across this beauty. Talk about stylish swimwear. I actually really love the dark floral ones but there is no way i'm making myself bathers! And would you look at the length of the legs on these lasses! Jeepers!!

Today was also crafting day, which was actually the reason for the trip to spotlight. Tully and i were going to make our Christmas cards today inspired by some we had seen on kids craft weekly a while ago. Tully decided to make Mrs. claus and doesn't she look just perfect. I think Mrs.claus got into the Christmas Brandy a bit too early :D Sadly this was the only card tully made which left to finish off the rest of them :$ They weren't nearly as special as Tully's.

it's beginning to feel a lot like....

christmas :) i barely snuck it in but have finished our advent calendar and strung it up tonight all ready for tully and asher in the morning. I go the idea for these little envelopes from here.
Mine are quite a bit brighter and varied but i don't think i would have gotten all 25 done if they were all the same. I'm thinking i might separate each one with a bit of ribbon to stop them from sliding around but otherwise I'm pretty happy with them. I've made a couple of stars to go in them instead of chocolates whcih will go straight on the tree. Still got to get one of those though.

I think the kids are going tolove it:)

another thing both my kids love to do is paint. No surprise there. However, i was surprised by tully's aspirations to be a hair colourist. Gee i though Asher's hair was vivid enough without the added colour:)

cheeky monkey

It's been a while since i made a tee for the asher basher boy so i pulled my finger out last week and whipped up this little number. It really suits the little fella. The daks he has on are a pair tikki made him when he was very little. I think they might be a 00. He wears them as long shorts now and will probably be in them next year as proper length shorts. Talk about getting maximum life out of clothing:)

I love this second shot. See how the ball is captured mid air. Asher had thrown it and Lach took the shot. Genius.

And this is what has been keeping my hands busy whilst i have a little break from the tee's. I don't know what it is with me and felt and buttons, but i can't stop playing with them. These are a couple of chrissy decorations I've been having fun with and some more hairclips. Today i started our advent calendar as December is looming ever closer and guess what it's made from? You guessed it...spotty felt and buttons. just can't get enough...

ohhhh the concentration.....

threading a needle sure is hard work, especially when your only 3 :D Tully recieved a little sewing activity in the mail from her fabulous aunty georgina the other day and couldn't wait to get started "knitting" (she gets a bit confused). I found her concentrating very hard trying to thread the needle. oh soooooo cute!

Today was a great day. For one the sun is shining and it is lovley and warm but the other good thing was the ever thoughtful lachmonster took some time off work today to allow me to go to the craft and quilt fair for 3 hours by myself!!!! Gee i felt sorry for all the other mum's there pushing prams and battling with their bubs amongst the hordes of grannies. So this is a bit of my haul. The rest is pressies for my little mum so i can't post pics just in case. Can you see a colour theme happening:D I was sooooo stoked to find the baby chibi dolls pattern by the talented Jhoanna from one red robin at a great store quilt fabric delights. I also got a very cute giraffe pattern by Melly and me and some fabulous fat quaters. Now i need so squeeze some time in to make some stuff.

what's been going on?

Things have been a bit quiet on the t-shirt front of late. Tully's is the only tee I've painted for ages. That's because i've been busy on another project using the above type of paints for a change. I used to be an oil painter but haven't used them since i've had kids as #1, i don't have the space and #2 the fumes are really full on and not safe for kids to be around in my opinion. So now i use acrylics when i do paint.

The other things i have just been doing is washing a bucketload of tees ready to be painted. The ever helpful tikki found a heap of tees for me and today they arrived in the post. Lots and lots of different types of Bonds numbers there. I was so excited i had to wash them immediately. I'm particularly excited about the little yellow, white and pink one as they are so hard to find now. I already have a sketch ready to go up on this little number.

i'm obsessed!!

with making hairclips!!! I'm having so much fun with all the pretty buttons, ribbon and felt. Tully got this spesh little strawberry one the other day which suits her so well. There are heaps up at tikki's justwaiting for a little girl to love them, or if your like lily decide they're birds and pop them in a nest lol. Lucky i have lots of neices to make xmas pressies for:D

clips, clips and more clips

tikki, andy and lily have been to visit this week. It is so fantastic to catch up with them as we don't see each enough living interstate and the girls get along so well. So i've had a bit of a break from all things painting but have been furiously wiping up these little hairclips while tik was knitting away. They are so simple and quick to make and the instant gratification in a cute little piece is very addictive. I got the idea from a blog somewhere but haven't been able to find it...so thankyou to whomever the clever blogger was and sorry for not giving credit. Would love to know who it was though as it was an awesome blog.

the girls were alseep so asher kindly agreed to model. he loved them so much he wanted to wear them all!