pa's billy-cart

My Dad has made this fantastic little billy-cart for the grand kids to use when they visit. Our kids think it is just great, and had so much fun with it over the Easter break! Luke found the perfect place to trial it- an empty carpark with a gentle slope to it and the most gorgeous view. Maeve tried her hardest to ride it backwards down the hill (eyes closed) which was very funny to watch- she is a crack up that kid!

hot cross buns

Hot cross buns were on the menu for afternoon tea today, but by the time we finished baking it was more like dinner. So dinner it was. The kids thought it was great! We are heading off for a break over the long weekend which will be very welcomed by all. We cant wait to catch up with family and friends, and celebrate the life of Jesus. Happy Easter to you all!

30mm for 30th

Hello friends. Let me introduce you to my new favorite camera lens- the Sigma 30mm F1.4.
See, I had a rather important birthday (back in the whirlwind that was December) and my good husband decided that a fine gift for a girl with a camera would be a sweet lens for taking prettier photos. Actually... he probably just said "what do you want for your birthday darlin?" and then I replied by ordering myself the Sigma 30mm off the net. That's how we work, and it's good.

Be that as it may, this lens is a keeper. It makes photographing for me much more enjoyable. If I remember correctly, it hasn't left my camera since I ripped it out of its box. Yup, that good.
Unfortunately, I dont know all the technical camera/lens/photography jargon, so I probably cant talk it up all you would like to hear. But believe me, it's a winner.

I hope you enjoyed the photos above (taken with the Sigma 30mm F1.4 on the Canon 550D). A few firsts in there- first ripe tomatoes off our vines, first gappy grin for Grace, first family holiday to the South Coast. So many special memories made.

{this moment}

Joining in {this moment} at Soulemama.

Crashed out after long holiday travels. 

We unpacked the car around her, she didn't move a wink.

{this moment}

Joining in {this moment} at Soulemama.

Beachy fun at Bawley Point.

home

Hello. We are finally home from holidays and weekend trips, getting back into the swing of things here at home. We had the most perfect break (whooping cough aside) spending a week in a holiday house with all of my family- 15 of us now! And then a week with just the five of us on the beautiful South Coast. Last weekend we headed off again to stay with family and celebrate my gorgeous sisters engagement! Big congratulations to Catherine & Dave, we love you guys heaps and cant wait for the wedding!

Wishing you all the happiest Christmas as we remember the birth of a very special baby, Jesus!

   In the words of a favorite hymn:

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.
Sweet hymns of joy in grateful chorus raise we,
Let all within us praise His holy name.
Christ is the Lord! O praise His Name forever,
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
His power and glory evermore proclaim.
~ O Holy Night 

We are heading out of town for a couple of weeks, for a much needed break. So it could be a while between posts. So I hope your Christmas is a special one, and somewhere you get to spend time with loved ones and friends.
I have been sewing like mad trying to get things organised for the trip. New covers for the sleeping bags, repairs to another. I have also made a 'bed-in-a-bag' for the port-a-cot and one of the camp stretchers. They have a fitted bottom sheet and top sheet all attached to a drawstring bag (thanks to the preschool sheets for the idea!).  They are going to be great, can't wait to get them into use!

I will be back sometime in the New Year, Happy Holidays!

autumn in the Blue Mountains

I thought you might enjoy a look at some photos of our time away in the Blue Mountains. It was so refreshing to get away for the quick break, beneficial for all! The girls had a wonderful time staying behind with their Grandparents. Jude loved being the only child with us for two days. We loved spending more time with him without all the usual distractions. The mountain air was so crisp and lovely. We visited antique shops, look outs, markets, cafes, and the most amazing miniature toy shop full of tiny things for dolls houses etc. I wish I had taken more photos in there so you could see how amazing it was. It was a place I remember visiting as a child on a few different occasions while we were holidaying in Blackheath. We also drove down to the Megalong Valley, which was just beautiful.

holidays

I cant believe how much I am enjoying the school holidays. Especially considering two of the children have been unwell. No mad scrambles in the mornings or me loosing my patience over children being slow to eat breakfast, put on their shoes, do up their seat belts. Not to mention trying to decide what to put in the lunchbox. It's been so nice. Given me a chance to catch my breath one again. I have been trying a few new projects like embroidery which have been incredibly relaxing too. Having a go at turning some of Grace's drawing into embroidery's we can hang on the walls. She is very pleased that her artworks are being copied onto fabric, and watching with great intent to see the finished project. This morning we sat out the back in the sun, I watched the kids play and stitched away. We shared morning tea together and chatted and laughed over bowls of mandarins and tasty biscuits. It's so special being able to relax together as a family and enjoy each others company and silly jokes.

pretty faces

Thanks for all your encouragement with the dolls!

They have come along quite nicely are are now just about finished.

I couldn't wait for them to be finished before I showed the girls,

they absolutely love them and gave them names straight away.

Say hello to Izzy (formerly know as Sara, then Judy), Maeve's doll (of course).

 and Lucy, Grace's doll.

I found it so hard finding the right wool for their hair and choosing the colours for their facial features.

But in the end I am happy with how they turned out.

I wasnt sure about the colour of Lucy's hair, and was ready to redo her hair the same as Izzy's.

But as soon as I showed her to Grace, she fell in love and wouldn't let me change a thing.

The dolls are made made from a natural linen,

filled with wool stuffing.

Their hair is mohair.

We have been away for Easter (photo's are from mum and dad's house).

I finished off most of the sewing there, including their dresses yesterday.

I will update with more photos soon.

Now all that's left is to sew their leather boots!

Some of you asked about the pattern for the dolls:

Mum made a kit doll for my sister (back in the 90's?) and the girls just love to play with her when we go to visit.
Mum still had the pattern pieces (without instructions) so I based the dolls on that. 

I am glad they love their new dolls as much as the original!

This is the original doll Mum made. 

Sorry about the dark photos, but we left at night and I didnt get around to day light photos.

 Check out those puffed sleeves!

The girls love her dress, so I copied the pattern for that too.

Will be back with more photos soon...