Thursday, October 21, 2010

Top 5 Music.

Ada May, with banjo.

image from here

As prompted by Pip over at Meet me at Mike's, my current 5 favourite albums to play at home:

Anais Mitchell & others- Hadestown (gorgeous folk opera)

Paolo Nutini- Sunny Side Up (young guy sings like an old guy)

Steve Martin- The Crow (yes that Steve Martin, a banjo album!)

Florence and the Machine- Lungs (stunning voice)

Justine Clarke- Songs to Make You Smile (good kiddie songs- Mr F loves it)

All are great!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Quick Fix

babushka softie

I was wanting the thrill of a one night project, so made this babushka (pattern and face from the Red Thread).  Another item for Strawberry's big girl bed!  Love the beautiful face and a great way to use some quilt leftovers.  And I'm definitely keen for more fast projects now...

Sunday, October 10, 2010

Done!

little girl quilt folded

Finished last night.  Full shots to come (when I get a fine day).  Can't wait to move Strawberry into her big bed to use it!

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

My latest excuse!

IMG_6565

The new baby of the family and an absolute joy.  Seriously, I am going to get back to more frequent blogging now that this little guy is approaching six weeks!  I have been trying not to beat myself up about not getting things done- my only goal for the first six weeks was to keep all three kids alive.  Which I have done rather well.  On top of this, there is a nearly finished quilt which should be ready for showing any day now!  So glad to be back to stay at home life!

Sunday, June 27, 2010

Getting back into it!

After way too long an absence, I'm relieved to be finally posting something.  The last two months have been so hectic, I have barely been able to keep myself in clean clothes (actually, I am still struggling on that front).  But, things are now winding down at work, with me going on maternity leave in four weeks!  Can't wait.


Danika jacket in progress

I have managed a little craft lately, currently knitting this cardigan for Strawberry in the hope she will get some wear out of it while it's still winter.  Only have the sleeves to go after this piece, then the dreaded sewing up!

I have to thank Sandra at The Surly Seamstress for helping to pull me out of my non-blogging funk, by setting me some homework with these questions:

Which pattern/vintage style have you been thinking about lately?
My next pattern to make up is this little Oliver+ S dress for Strawberry- aiming to do it for end of winter/spring.  I love the yoke and piping detail, and hope to make use of some old buttons I have stashed.  And I do love vintage patterns and have a bit of a collection of hand-me-downs and Vogue reprints, but they are all completely impractical for me as I have been either pregnant, breastfeeding or both for years now!


Oliver+S playdate dress pattern



What is one place that you really want to visit that you haven't been to before?
Japan- would love to experience the totally different culture, scenery and hunt down fantastic craft supplies!  This is in addition to plans to return to many great places I have already visited!

What are your favourite/least favourite words?  These can be connected to sewing or not!
Favourite word:  awry- I seem to use this a lot at work.
Least favourite word:  gonna- I use this way too much!

If you had to spend 3 consecutive days on the same train, who would you want with you and why?
Not a very creative answer, but my husband.  After having to spend several days away from him and the kids recently, I realised just how much he helps me keep my cool, and shares my interests like no one else.  It was very healthy for me to be reminded what a great choice I have made!


What's your sewing threshold?  As in, what will you let go, and what must you absolutely fix?
I tend to complete my projects, but this does result in the odd item that I would never wear which gets given to a family member or charity shop.  As for correcting mistakes, I will unpick to a certain extent, but if after several attempts I don't get a perfect result, I settle for less than perfect and move on.  And once it's complete, I never seem to notice the imperfections that once seemed such a big deal anyway.  


What's your desert island book/movie and why could you read/watch it over and over?
Love books, but can't commit to a favourite to be reread.  My movie would be Cabaret because: a) I love musicals, b) in addition to being a great musical, the plot is also great, and c) Liza just breaks my heart.  Here she is on an old t-shirt I can't bring myself to throw out...

Liza t-shirt


What garment/accessory do you wear the most?
Not the above t-shirt.  Stretchy wrap dresses with black opaque stockings- none of my current wardrobe is homemade sadly, but it serves a working pregnant lady rather well.


What wouldn't you be caught dead in?
Shoes with ankle straps- no matter how fabulous the shoes, my (otherwise perfectly healthy and strong) legs just cannot carry them off.

So, there you go.  I think I should now be setting this as homework for someone else, but I am that far out of the blogging loop, I have no one in mind- feel free to pick it up if you are stopping by as I 'd love to hear your responses.

Sunday, April 18, 2010

Lately I...

... have been quite preoccupied with preparing for what I hope will be my last exams ever, which will all be over in about a month.



for little girl's quilt
... am having fun cutting out a quilt for Strawberry, to (sort of ) match this one I made for Mr F, as they will be sharing a room later this year after the arrival of baby number 3!




magazine and bump
... am admiring this beautiful family home (that I first spotted here on the lovely homelove blog)  in Inside Out, as well as my growing belly.



mermaid doll kit
... am quite excited over this mermaid doll kit by Louise Elliot, handed down from a friend of Mum's- such cute design and great loud colours!



... feel determined to get back into making lots of things soon!

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Autumn love

Hooray for cooler weather!  Despite feeling bogged down with long hours at work and study, and viruses passing back and forth through the family, I managed to get the needles out for some simple, satisfying knitting.

stripy scarf in progress

This scarf was a request from my husband, who wanted a multi-coloured stripy scarf with a bit of a 'Paul Smith' look.  I don't think this is anywhere near as cool as that sounds- it seems more 'clown' or 'Doctor Who' than Paul Smith, but he tells me he likes it.  At least it can be used by the kids if not him.  I'm using up yarn (Cleckheaton Country 8ply) from a frogged blanket for Mr F which just was torture to knit.  There is actually about $200 worth of brightly coloured wool to be used, so this will make only a small dent in that.  I believe there will be more colourful stripy items to come!