Bunting.....

James has just turned 5. Layla is now one and a half. We have been thinking what we can do about the bedroom situation when it is time for Layla to go into a big bed. Personally I am hoping to get at least another year out of her sleeping in the cot. She sleeps really well in a cot and I just don't want to risk having the sleeping problems that we had with James when he was moved into a big bed.

So far, our solution is to wait until James is 6 and then buy him a semi-loft style bed - not as tall as a normal bunk, but with a pull out desk and drawers underneath for extra storage. And of course Layla will get James' old bed (with trundle for any accidental falls out of bed).

I figured that I would give myself a nice long amount of time to make them both some new quilts for their beds. I ordered this fabric from - Lizzy House Castle Peeps. It arrived quickly and as James is extremely impatient, I thought I should whip up something to keep him going until the quilt is finished (hmmm, in a year???).

Bunting is now in place and he is happy..... although he can't understand why I am not letting him pull it down to use as a "Finish Line" for races...boys....

I do sew....

First up, James asked me to make him a new hat as his old one (that I made) is getting too small. It is true. However he does have another 6 or so caps to choose from, I am not sure just how necessary it was...... oh well, it is always nice to think your children value the sewing you do.

This hat was made using the Make it Perfect pattern.
Please excuse the face....


As a contrast, this is the cap that Layla is fond of at the moment (preferably worn backwards).


And finally, some PJ pants for James. Did he really need them? No. Did he ask for them? No. I was just keen to use the Michael Miller flannelette fabric before he was too tall for the 0.5m piece of fabric I had in my stash.



There has been plenty more going on here, but I think I will spread it out over a few posts. Coming up, The Craft Room meet, a scarf, some bunting, the start of a single bed quilt, clothes for me (multiples)...... stay tuned.

Sock Monkey

So I managed to get to the Craft and Quilt Fair in Sydney yesterday (was it yesterday, my weekend is a blur). THe kids were off at the Powerhouse Museum with their Daddy, so I had a good 2 hours to roam). I was surprised that I could have done with another half hour or so. Some of the work in the quilts on display were absolutely amazing...... some of those women noted how long they were working on them for...... 4 years!!! But truly amazing.

The only thing that disappoints me is that the quilting styles were still very traditional. I think they need a bit of young blood in there. Not that I don't appreciate the work that goes in to ANY quilt.

Anyway, while I was there I managed to spend some $$, not too much though. I picked up a kit to make 2 sock monkeys. One is almost complete (needs a pompom for his hat), but he had his photo taken anyway. I think he might need some pants too......

Eeeekkkkkk...... feeling a little bit special

My Mother-in-Law just returned from a trip to Europe. It was a whirlwind tour, but she made the most of it.
On her return, she presented me with this.....

She said it was for my birthday, Christmas, etc etc. I was getting a little bit excited.

So I opened up the protective bag and found this....


Pictures are bad, but it is a Christian Dior Black Patent New Lock bag. Not something I would ever buy for myself (well $$$ may have been an issue) but for some reason I love it. I have no idea when I will use it. But I will use it. My Sister-in-Law was given another bag from the range - equally as nice.

A lot of thoughts have been running through my head since my Mother-in-Law gave me the bag. It might sound strange, but I feel as though I am truly accepted into the family. I have been feeling this more and more over the past couple of years. It is hard to marry into any family I am sure, but is especially hard to marry into a Chinese family. Although my Mother-in-Law has never said so, I am sure she would have preferred that her son marry a Chinese girl, rather than a loud-ish Australian. She only has one daughter, so it is often difficult as the Daughter-in-Law to feel as valued as the daughter of the family. But I have been noticing the last few years that my sister-in-law and I are always given very similar presents. We are really treated equally.

Expensive gifts are not important to me, but I guess it is what is symbolises that is important to me.

She also gave me a Longchamp bag (which I did use today)..... I love it.

Something I Acquired....

This is not something I was ever looking for. As much as I love sewing, I am trying really hard not to add the already huge amount of 'stuff' we have in this house.

But about 2 years ago, while my husband and I were in the process of swapping houses with my mother-in-law, I came across this......




I have absolutely no idea of the history of it. I believe my ex-stepfather-in-law picked it up from a garage sale of some sort.... he was a massive hoarder. My mother-in-law had no use for it and was going to donate it to the Salvation Army. I just couldn't let her give it away.

So until last week it stood in a corner in the study. My husband insisted that we finally put it on display. So, for the most part it will be covered. But when special guests come over, we will whip the cover off....... haha, aren't they lucky!!

Wordless Weekend

Just over a week ago.....

From our favourite noodle house in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.

We are off.....

It has been 3 years since we last travelled to Hong Kong, and it was such a nightmare I thought I would never travel with children again. Obviously my memory fails me at the most important times (like when booking flights over the internet....)
I actually think James will be fine this time (he is a TV/DVD addict). Layla is a PRETTY good girl, but she is only 16 months, so who knows.
We only live about 15 minutes drive from the airport, which is normally great for travel. However our flight leaves at 7.30am...... hmmm... somehow I don't think living close to the airport is really going to help that much.

Just thought I would post a pic (make that 3) from our last trip to Hong Kong. My gosh he was already a devil, but so cute looking....

Erica B's Question.....

I am a little embarrassed that a question I posed to Erica Bunker ended up becoming the topic for her latest blog post. I have been following Erica's blog for a few years now. She makes amazing clothes using commercial patterns and adjusting them to fit herself perfectly. Very stylish indeed.

I asked Erica what she wore day to day, and of course she wears all the lovely clothes she makes. But I guess my lifestyle at the moment (stay at home Mum to 2 little ones) just wouldn't 'pull-off' the style of clothes Erica is making. Not to say that I don't have nice clothes, because I do. Some purchased and some made. As much as I haven't been blogging the clothes that I have been making lately, I have been sewing a bit over this past Summer. These last few months I have made a maxi dress, another short 'going out' dress, a Shearwater Kaftan, another loose top. And all of them are in high rotation in my wardrobe (which is very satisfying).

My motivation for sewing my own clothes recently has been a lack of $$ since having Layla. And since I don't think I will be returning to work in the near future, I will continue to sew where I can.

If only I could source 'decent' dress fabrics for womenswear for a reasonable price. There are a couple of places that I like to shop in Sydney, but sometimes it is impossible to find fabric that is 'just right', that won't break the bank. And I do one day aspire to exhibit some style on a daily basis, rather than just on special occasions. Thank you Erica for giving me something to work towards.

And just a pic of the 'focus' of my life at the moment..... normally there are some grubby hands to mess up my clothes, but they are looking their best here.....


Photos courtesy of Tindale Images

Baby Girl and her Big Brother....

Layla is 15 months old now. Been walking since she turned 12 months. But she still only has 2 teeth...... so because of that I can still call her my Baby Girl.

A few weeks ago I was in the kitchen and noticed Layla looking in the book case. She proceeded to pull out 2 books, carried them over to James' craft table, climb up onto a chair and started 'reading'. I just thought it was delightful.


Of course then James walked in and wanted to read to her.....


As much as he is a handful, he is a great big brother. I wish I had a big brother like James when I was little...

Chinese New Year wrap up....

James and I walked through a Chinese New Year event on our way to see Wicked. My boy has a love of Drama, and had been talking about Wicked since we were in Melbourne 18 months ago and he picked up a brochure. When the production came to Sydney, I thought I should give in to his persistence and take him to see the show. He really did enjoy it and sat still through the entire show. On our way back to the train, we saw these lovely Chinese lanterns.



Then last week we headed into the city to check out some of the Dragon Boat races. Considering they were held on the same day as Mardi Gras, the city was buzzing.....