{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.

we are australian

Happy Australia Day to all my Aussie friends! And wasn't she a warm one today?
I don't know about you, but we went straight from our PJ's to our cossies and spent most the morning soaking up the sunshine and splashing in the pool. It was blissful.

Last night I came across this inspiring article that I wanted to pass onto you all. I am so glad we have people like this in this country of ours. Don Ritchie, you are my Australian Hero.

"To my fellow Australians, never be afraid to speak to those who you feel are in need.

Always remember the power of the simple smile, a helping hand, a listening ear and a kind word."

~ Don Ritchie

more mermaidens

A little update on the mermaidens. I got a little carried away with the felt I purchased and realised I had enough to make 25. Yes, that's twenty-five. I know. So the production line is taking a slightly longer than I originally allowed for.
It has actually worked out rather well, as I was planning on making a bunch of these to give out at Grace's 7th birthday party as well (not until April- its an 'under the sea party' she tells me). So we will send off 10 of these lovelies to Hope Softies just as soon as they are finished, and keep the rest of these for the party. It feels so good to be forward planning for once.

Here is the first Mermaiden I made for Maeve's 4th birthday. It has taken a while for her to bond with this pretty, apparently I got all the colours wrong. She wasn't pink enough. Typical. She has her eye on the Mermaidens in progress, and thinks we should send her mermaid to the flood children and keep one of the felt ones. Hmmn...
The pattern for these can be found in this amazing book.

In other mermaid news, Maeve was given the Playmobil Mermaid set for Christmas, and both girls think it is just magical. It gets played with every single day. Well worth every cent. Does any one else have little girls with mermaid love?

{this moment}

Joining in {this moment} at Soulemama.

Beachy fun at Bawley Point.

hope softies

For those of you that like to sew, and love to help those in need, why not pop on over to mon petit poppet and join in Hope Softies. The Queensland floods have been just so devastating and so many families have lost their homes and belongings. Sewing a softie for a child that has lost most (or all) their possessions is a great way to show that you care, especially when you can't be there personally to help. Its something small we sewers can do to help bring some joy back to flood affected children! Mermaiden (above) is my first softie for the cause. The pattern came from Hillary Lang's book Wee Wonderfuls: 24 Dolls to Sew and Love. I have a ton of felt left over, so hopefully tomorrow I can get the production line going, and the sweat shop sewing!

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!

{this moment}

Joining in {this moment} at Soulemama.

Schools out! Let the summer begin.

monkey

Some things really do seem to take forever don't they? This guy here being one of them. Say hello to Monkey, Jude's new friend! You may remember when I was in the piecing-together-stage back here, well I am glad to say that is over. He was one tricky little monkey to stitch together! Monkey was suppose to be ready for Jude's 1st birthday, but unfortunately got rather delayed. Somewhere along the way I lost enthusiasm for the whole project. But let me say how nice it is to finally have him out of the knitting bag, outfit complete and all! He is a hit with Jude, who calls him 'eee eee'. Boy am I glad I triple stitched his limbs on! He has been swung and pulled this way and that on many occasions, and I can only imagine there is far worse to come.
Pattern is from Knitted Toys by Fiona McTague. The linen overalls were not in the book. They were made with my own simple pattern.

four

 Birthday celebrations were in place at our house this week for our sweet Maeve who is now 4.

Four, surely not? Yes, the big day finally arrived and she was bursting with excitement. 

She loved her gifts, loved the cake, loved going out for an icecream with her friend. 

But I think the most special thing was having everyone's attention for the day, she just beamed!

Four is such a delightful age, and we love everything about this Maeve of ours!

She is so sweet, kind and generous of heart, yet at the same time strong, determined and fearless.

We like to call her Maeve the Brave.

Happy birthday beautiful girl, you fill out hearts with joy xoxo

For a peek at her younger years...