New year, new me, new blog!

I'm back!

I am not sure if anyone actually follows this blog anymore as I have not kept it up to date for so long. This year though I am going to try really hard to do that. I would like a to use it more like a journal of my life and my family's life. This year is going to be a challenging one for our family and I think it would be helpful to write stuff down, record the highs and lows, and just to have a place that is just for me and my stuff.

This year I will be returning to work (teaching) 2 days a week, this in turn means that the boys will be going to childcare 2 days a week (sob, sob). I am realy struggling with my emotions surrounding my return to work. On one hand I am looking forward to the challenge, to getting my brain going again, and to get my skills up to scratch. On the other hand I am dreadfully sad that the boys (but Lewis mostly) will be going to childcare. I know it is only 2 days a week, and I would have probably sent Ashton for at least one day this year anyway as he only misses pre prep by 22 days, but I just feel so terribly guilty. Lewis is only 10 months old :( I know he will be ok, funnily enough the other 2 went to child care at exactly the same age; Ellyse to a family day care mum and Ash to a (terrible) child care centre. BUT they only went for one day a week....poor Lewis has double that time! I need to focus on the days I have at home and know it will all be ok. If I didn't enjoy being at home it may be different, but I just love being home with the kids. At least I have been blessed with placements at a fantastic community child care centre that is on the same premisis as Ellyse's Kindy was. Being on the committee for the Kindy gave me a fantastic insight into the workings of the child care centre and I feel very confident that they will recieve fantastic care. Ash will be in the 3-5 room and there are only 13 other children, and 2 staff - wonderful ratios!

Anyway enough of that sad talk. There are big things to come this year as well. My darling little girl starts year one and I just cannot wait to see all of her pre literacy skills come together as she learns to read and write. She already knows a lot of words and all of her sounds which absolutely amazes me. It will certainly be interesting to be teaching year one at one school and have a year one child at another school.

I have many personal goals this year also. There is weight to lose, friendships to be restored, muscle to tone, fun to be had and Keiran and I would like to get ourselves set up for camping.

Another big goal for myself and my family this year is to live more frugally. We are not over spenders, never have been, but it is the little things that we don't really need, and the amount of gifts our children recieve. I am mainly returning to work for professional reasons, as well as having an opportunity to share a class with an amazing teacher who I have had the pleasure of teaching with before, but the money is a nice bonus. But the way I see it, if I am going to put the boys in child care then then money I am earning will work for me! I am not going to fall into the trap of spending what we earn....just because we are earning more doesn't mean I have to spend more.

Ok, I think that is a long enough entry for today. I am not going to read back over it as I am going to rest while the boys are sleeping and Ellyse is having quiet rest time in her room. If anyone is readingm thank you and sorry for the rambling first entry back!

One down

I am very happy to be back here so quickly with the skirt made. It was really easy and I think it has come together nicely. I made it a touch wider for Ellyse but I still think it may be too small. I just have to trim the belt down as it is way too long, which was lucky because I ran out of fabric to make the loops and was just going to have to sew it down.

This fabric is from a swap I recieved from Natalie a few years ago and I think it is just perfect for this skirt.

As soon as the skirt was finished Ashton put it on and was dancing around in it. I couldn't resist totally dressing him (shoes and all - actually they were his idea!) to see what it would look like as an outfit.

When Ellyse got home she was very excited to see her new skirt and has been wearing it all afternoon and it has now had its first wash after some tomato sauce landed on it at dinner.

I love this photo, he is such a cheeky monkey
give me a twirl Ash!

I am not totally happy with the pleats, or how it sits at the top but a good iron might fix that.

The start of a list..

I found this blog recently and am in love. I love many of the ideas on here but here are a few on my to do list.

The paper bag skirt
Boys tees
Satin flower headband (great Christmas gift for young and not so young)

That is all for now but I am sure I could find many more projects on there. I just hope my sew jo returns, I am forever surfing bloglines looking at all of the wonderful creations but never get organised to do any of them.

Once you try this......

...you will NEVER be without it again!

A good friend of mine visited from London recently and as she knows how I love to bake she bought me a lovely gift. She always comes with a few of these for her mum and decided to treat me this time too.

I have never really given cocoa powder a second thought......but OH.MY.GOODNESS. My chocolate self saucing puddings will never be the same again, nor will the basic chocolate slice recipe I have been using, or my Mum's rum ball recipe that everyone raves about at Christams time...they won't know what has hit them this Christmas.

I was excited to realise that we have a shop in our Shire called "Britan on the Bayside" and that the owners are parents of a little boy in Ellyse's prep class. I asked the mum about it but sadly they don't stock it. I just knew I had to get some more so got online and found that many organic websites sell it. I ordered it and some other stuff from Organics Australia Online. I had a visitor coming for lunch yesterday and couldn't wait to make some more Chocolate Slice and see if she noticed the difference....she did.

Now this is no good for the diet I am on but just thought I would spread the word for all of the other bakers out there. If you see it around buy it, you will not be disappointed!

Oh and I am hoping this is the start of some more regular blogging. The fog of 6 months of interrupted sleep is hopefully beginning to clear and I am making lists of creative things to do for Christmas.

And just because it has been a while here are some pics of my gorgeous kiddies!

Some sewing and a birthday!

Can you believe my little Ashton has turned 3! I can't that's for sure. It really feels like jsut yesterday that we were bringing him home from the hospital...and here we are 3 years later and although I didn't believe it at the time, we have all survived - and even gone on to add to the family!



Ashton is just a beautiful boy. I still think that he is more girl than boy - well just in the way he plays and behaves. He has had THE BEST role model in Ellyse his big sister. He is so very thoughtful, caring, loving, funny, cheeky, all the things you want in a child.



I haven't been able to finish his quilt as the pattern I used makes a very small quilt so I had to add 2 rows to it which meant that I ran out of the sashing fabric. I have been waiting for that to arrive and thought Iwould make some bunting for the party and to be used in his room also.



Here are some pics of my boy turning three, as well and a gorgeous 5 year old and a pretty cute baby too!

not the best family pic, but the only one we got, I am hoping hte one my mother in law took is nicer!

Some more recent pics

A very belated birth announcement

....and then there were 5!

On Wednesday 3rd March, 2010, we welcomed a new a much wanted memeber to our family. Lewis Ross Arthur King arrived in spectacular fashion after a very short final stage. Let's just say after a wonderful naturla delivery with Ellyse, a caesar with Ashton and a forceps delivery (5cm to delivery in 20 minutes) we have seen it all.

It seems as though Lewis has always been part of our family and I am happy to report that for me the transition form 2 to 3 children has not been an issue. For those who have been reading my blog since Ashton was born might remember a few battles I had when he was born.

Life with 3 children is busy and tiring but I know now that my heart is full and that our family is complete.

Lewis is now nearly 8 weeks old and an absolute delight. I can see the light now, the newborn cloud is lifting and I can see me getting some time and motivations to sew soon.

Here are some pics of Lewis' first 8 weeks!

The next phase....

..Ellyse started Prep today. She will be going 5 days a week 8:45-2:45. We didn't have the most pleasent of starts, the fragile, sensitive thing she is shed a few tears, but had a great day and is excited about going tomorrow. I know that within a week she will be the number one teacher 'helper' and be quoting Mrs Pascoe in her play.

Here are some pics of my big girl.

Graduating Mother's Group

Hoping my lack of sewing will take a turn soon - I think I am kidding myself with 3 kids though - will see how I go.

Wordless Weekend

A train ride at Santa Land at Myer in the City

The very Versatile Wrap!

I remember when I made this skirt a year ago reading on the pattern that it was suitable for pregnant bellies.


Well today I was hormonal, emotional - I'm so fat kindof mornings, trying to choose something to wear when I saw this skirt in the drawer. I thought I would give it a go and I was quite impressed. I can see me getting a lot of wear out of this over summer. It is a shame I put buttons in my other one, I don't think it would fit!


Here are some not so flattering shots from today. Ellyse took the shot of Ashton and I - as if you couldn't tell!




In other news I have volunteered to be a pattern tester for TikiBoo Kids. I thought it would be something different to try. I am looking forward to recieving the pattern and fabric in the mail soon.


I have cut Ellyse's Christmas skirt out and hope to get it all sewn up ready for the lighting of the Christmas tree in the city tomorrow night. I could not find a nice t-shirt for Ashton (they were all big and didn't fit nicely) so he has ended up with a yellow singlet, I will applique a red and white Christmas tree onto it. I searched hi and low for a chesty bonds type singlet but couldn't find one anywhere.

Finally, some sewing!

My poor, neglected blog. My poor neglected sewing life! I read about sewing alot, I look at beautiful fabrics a lot, I drool over what other people have sewn a lot, I dream about what I would like to do ......a lot.

Well finally I have done something about that. Today I turned the computer off while Ashton was asleep and got into some Christmas sewing. The pattern has been sitting on my kitchen bench for abut 5 days now, waiting to be traced and cut out.

I had traced it before 6 am and have now completed two hats. From the trusty Make It Perfect Lazy Days pattern. Awesome pattern and an awesome hat. This is the first adult size one I have made and I am really happy with it.

And this dress I made Ellyse about a month ago. It didn't really pass the twirl, party dress factor but she does like it and has worn it a few times now, including to the Mathilda's Market.

My next project is a playmat for some really good friends. Their first baby has been a long time coming (you would think I would be more organised!) and I just know how much this mat will be appreciated.

And just because I can, here is a belly shot. 25 week and 3 days now. Mentally I am already for this bub, it is going to be a long, hot summer!

Going to learn something new

When I saw this post of Chaletgirl's I instantly fell in love. It was the first time I had heard about The Quilt Project. If you haven't alredy check out the Flickr Group, there are some amazing designs there.

Any back to Chaletgirl. I saw her design and instantly thought how great it would look in a series, framed and hung on one of my new walls. I really want to have a modern, yet homely feel to my home and would love to have some handmade items around the place. K wasn't as sure as I would as to how they would look, but I think they would be fabulous.

I was so excited at the hairdressers last night to pick up the latest issue of Better Homes and Gardens and see my exact idea featured in there. I can't wait to get to the shops this afternoon and pick up a copy. I am not completely sold on their designs yet so if any one knows of good modern designs I would love to know. I plan on going to the library at soe stage to check out their books, and of course a quick google should get me somewhere.

I am looking forward to trying something new.

Oh and look what just landed on my doorstep -

fabric for Ashton's quilt

some pretties for Ellyse

and some Christmas fabric

Blogger not playing along at all with pics, wil try again later.

On a roll

I just loved this little ruffle sleeve top I saw on Sparkle Power's blog. I just knew I wanted to sew some of those gorgeous ruffles.

I have had this fabric for a long time and actually had it earmarked for a dress but I thought the little flowers would be perfect for a top instead. I have actually made two of these today. One for Ellyse, and one for her little friend. Her friend's mum helps me out a lot, she is only a new friend this year but one I think I might have for a long time even though the girls will be going to different schools next year.

Anyway here is my gorgeous girl modelling the top and checking the twirl factor - of which there isn't any.

Now what to sew next? Just so happens that Ellyse bought out a pair of shorts I made Ashton last year and wanted to know if they would still fit him. Well they didn't and that gave me my next sewing project. I have some similar fabric I picked up from Spotlight on sale so I will have to get the pattern from my girlfriend and get sewing.

Our house renovation

We are not quite finished yet, and we are still not set up in our new room, but you can get an idea of the progress here.

We are absolutely loving the changes and looking forward to it all being done.

Don't fall over, but...

I have actually been sewing.

After wanting to try a pillow case dress for a few years now and then seeing a few of them around I thought I would have a go.

My first effort was way too narrow for Ellyse and has been lovingly passed on. My next effort was much better but still needs some tweaking under the arms. I love the colours.

This is the too small version

I also made Ellyse a top using the Miss Madeline dress pattern. I love this as a top and will be making more.

Stay tuned, it won't be as long between posts as I already have two little tops cut out and ready for sewing. Not sure I will get there tonight, but definitely tomorrow.

Wordless Weekend

11 weeks 3 days

Oliver + S Sunday Brunch Jacket

I have been looking for a jacket to buy Ellyse for this winter but just could not find the perfect one. I was browsing a sewing forum when I saw this gorgeous Sunday Brunch Jacket. I just knew it was going to be THE jacket for winter.

I tried Spotlight for fabric, that was a joke. I ended up at our local Bargain Box and their range of cord wasn't the best either. I settled on some ghastly pink that really only a little girl could wear.

I am in love with the jacket. The pattern was so easy to follow and the jacket came together in a matter of hours. I am not happy with my button choice at all, I am after something a bit more classy so will go on a search in the coming days. This jacket cost $15 to make including thread and buttons (as bad as they are) so I think I will be making a few more.

Here it is with my reluctant model.

Here she is all dressed for kindy wearing her Flipsy skirt - this is my wrong side and her right side of the skirt. I will have to get another shot of the good side!

Don't you just love the 'ballet tights' under the skirt! It is her favourite look.

Turning 4

..really is very exciting when you are Ellyse. I think she has told everyone we have met since her birthday that she is four now. That fact certainly outweighed any gifts she got, or things we did...the most exciting thing is that she is four!

All of a sudden she feels four to me, she can do all of these amazing tricks on the rings of her swing set that she couldn't do last week, she is working out the difference between the th and f sounds, she has finally mastered the k sound (she was using t) and we had this conversation tonight at bedtime.

E 'Mummy can you put my blanket there just next to me?"

M 'I can put it on you if you like.'

E 'No it's ok, Daddy will put it on me in the middle of the night when he goes to bed. You and Daddy can have a race and if daddy runs and you walk then he will be the first one here and he will beat you.'

M 'That is good thinking Ellyse, he will beat me, he will be moving faster than I am so he will get to you first.'

E 'I am clever Mummy, because I am four!'

So being four is pretty cool, especially when you get to celebrate it at least four times!

Celebration One - Wednesday 1st of April (actual birthday)

Daddy stayed home in the morning to see the present opening. Ellyse recieved a CD player, snakes and ladders game, some socks and glitter pens from us.

Ellyse and Ashton enjoying the sounds of Hi 5 on the new CD player

Ellyse went to Kindy as usual and took cupcakes to share. She was so very excited. I don't have a pic as my scanner isn't working but Miss Deb sen home two adorable pictures of her with her cupcakes.

That evening my mum, dad and sister came over for roast pork. Ellyse recieved a new bike helmet and some great hi 5 Cds that come with activity books from mum and dad. My sister bought her a party dress from Espirit (this has become a tradition, although the dresses are usually sent form London), and will be taking her to Seaworld.

Celebration Two - Friday 3rd April

The plan was to host mothers' group at our house and begin our pink celebrations, but the weather in Brisbane was terrible, we had recieved so much rain the day and night before there is no way I could host. So we all met at a play center and had a cake there.

Celebration Three - Saturday 4th April THE Pink Party

We had planned to have about 35 people here, but again because of the rain it had to be scaled back. I was so disappointed and was cranky all day. It rained all night Friday night, but cleared after early showers and was fine all day. We weren't to know this though and cancelled earlier this morning. We ended up with just K's family which was nice, but not the same as having lots of crazy four year olds playing games, decorating goody bags and runny around high on pink sugar!

Hence the need for at least one more celebration.

We celebrated the pink party with pink meringues, strawberries dipped in pink chocolate, pink rocky road, pink punch, musk sticks, strawberries and cream, pink licorice, pink and white love heart mashmallows, baked ham, and a lovely white chocolate mud cake.

It was good fun. I think my pom poms looked fantastic! I wish I had made more!

Well that is one enormous post and I can't believe I have the energy to write it after our day. Enjoy the pics and I will be back at the machine tomorrow to finish a birthday gift for a friend.