A Girls Day

A completely unexpected opportunity.

Having twin boys who are 3.5 years old means that I don't have a queue of people lining up to voluntarily baby sit. So usually we just say no to any event  that has not got a paddock for the boys to run around it.  This means we don't go out much.  Because  we have two boys the same age it means that it is usually very hard to get long term day care as they never have two spots spare.  But that was not the case yesterday.

So with the chance to put the boys in Childcare I jumped at it and took E on a girls day adventure.  We started off at the AQC in the city in Carlton gardens (I forgot my camera in all the excitement).  It was a very beautiful and sunny day so we spent some time at the Hochgurtel fountain  getting wet with the water spray.

We spent about 2 hours at AQC.  Thats a long time for a 4 year old and she did really well. There were only two emergency toilet trips (both occurring when we were no where near the toilet). 
I bought some fabric for the boys to make them the dinosaur that I have been promising

...and E saw the famous Melly and Me's Little Ninjas, which she just had to have  (more on Ninjas later).

I bumped into so many people that I know.  The girls from sewing,  my very old and dear school friend  and  Karen and Paul  from Somerset Patchwork.

I picked up some more  of Rosalie Quinlans Sweet Broderie fabric

and some great jacket patterns from Make It Perfect.  Did I mention how hard it is to find good winter coats for three kids.  So now I will make them.

In the afternoon I caught up with another of my long time dear school friend with her three children and we have cake and coffee.  We spent the afternoon together and as always it felt like only 5 minutes. 

A great day!

Things that I have been doing

                                             

Sewing:

Quilts:

 

The famous Hexagons

More...



 

 

Bags:

from the book Sew by Cath Kidston

Sneak Preview of things to come that I've been sewing:

Something for me

Something for the kids : 

              

 

Things non sewing:

Crochet:

 more blankets (for me)

  



See Attic 24 for this great pattern

Knitting:

A bit boring..all going to be blankets for my boys

Playing with my new machine

And plenty of things non crafty:





Block of the Month

How many of you are in Block Of The Month clubs?  Well I am in three.  I love them.  I would get into more but I find them a bit hard to find.  Well ones that suit my tastes.  Maybe I should create one of my own.  Though suspect I might only be the only member of the club.

The Adelaide Collection

The New Floral Sampler

Once Upon a Time

I need another challenge!  Well if you know me then you would know that needle turn applique is not my favourite.  But I just love William Morris and Michelle Hill quilts.  And the fantastic people at Patchwork by the sea and Honeysuckle Stained Glass and Patchwork are running these two blocks of the month.  The third one is from Honeysuckle as well and I love embroidery so I have to stitch all the Nursery Rhyme for Miss E.  This pattern is by Melly and Me (and she is another favourite of mine).

Hexagon update:

I have successfully sewn all the white hexagons to all the blocks (just the edge blocks to go) YIPPEEEE!!!!............... so now I am sewing diamonds on to the blocks.  Then I will iron them all...going to love that job!  They are very hard to iron.  Then the fun bit begins sewing them all together and watching it grow.  Will show some pictures soon

I went shopping

Well I know I had this new years resolution that I would only use material from my stash and I have been true to that.  Well this weekend I went shopping and I sort of bought some new material.  I don't think I have truly broken my resolution as these materials are being used for specific purposes (well that's my story and I am sticking to it).

We went to Warrnambool this weekend.  I have only ever driven through there.  This time we stayed.  It was a great place.  There was so much to do.  It is really pretty and I am in love with all the architecture there.  A lot of art deco homes.  I have a new found appreciation of this style now. 

 I didn't take any photos this time but we will be going back so I will then.

I visited the Fragrant Cottage Quilt shop.  Here is what I left with:

I fell in love with French General range of fabrics.  I bought these two to make myself a monogrammed cushion   (I did say I had something special on mind for this?)

I also bought this fabric for E's library bag

But then I saw this one as well so she might have two bags for her library books

So now that I have discovered French General fabrics I have some big ideas for quilts and embroidery.  I have been wanting to use some ideas from my "Made in France" book I recently bought ...now I have so many ideas...so little time

A Quilt for Ever

Last Saturday I went sewing with the girls and they had a big surprise for me.

They had made me a quilt for my birthday (belated).

It is gorgeous. I feel very special.  I came home and showed the family.  I think my opening words were: "How many gifts will you get like this in a life time"  That's what makes it special.  All the girls put in lots of time and effort and I feel very loved.  Thank-you to them all.  In fact check out Meredithe's blog (the Chief Conspirator behind this gorgeous quilt)

Well what have I been working on: hexagons and hexagons and more hexagons.  I am even tired of typing it.  But its the last push now.  (BTW this is when I usually give up and go work on another project...but I am determined to get this finished).  Only about five more diamonds are needing white hexagons.  Then the fun bit begins - sewing it all together.

Inspiration from Santiago

I have been lucky enough to visit Chile and in some of my spare time whilst there I walked the city.  Such a beautiful city.  All these wonderful things of inspiration.

The colourful buildings that line the streets (a bit like the islands of Venice)

And I admit it I'm a bit of a saddo..I see tiles and I think how can I make a quilt like this. 

So recently on my meanderings through "blog land" I found this great site and this wonderful talented textile designer Karen Barbe.  I fell in love with her work and her site.  And yes you guessed it she is from Santiago.  Hence the link.  Don't you just love the fact that google translates sites for you (though this one is in English..but more on great international blogs later). 

She has been designing these great bags.  I really want to get myself one of these (and I really need another bag!!). 

see her web site for more but here is the link to the bags

Back from Brisbane

After having spent the last three days in Brisbane I am glad to be home.  It was three days without the Manic Munchins.  You would think I feel rested and on top of the world?  Nope I am exhausted.  I tried to get some hexagons done while I was away.  Didn't even pick one up.

Daddy had to handle everything on his own this week.  I had children going everywhere.  My fantastic neighbour dropped Eloise off to Kinder.  Grandma picked her up.  Got extra days at Childcare and Grandma looked after the boys on one day.  Meals were the interesting bit.  I had a schedule and I  had lots of meals prepared.  Heat and eat or defrost, heat and eat.  Haven't looked to see if they were all eaten.  I suspect there were a few extra takeaways.  I had prepared kinder lunches ahead of time and all Daddy had to do was add water to the drink bottle. 

One of the Heat and Eat Meals - Zucchini Slice

This weekend I plan to do nothing, well that is outside of catching up with the girls from my sewing group, and movies on Sunday for the whole family.