Happy Birthday Mum

It was my mum's birthday yesterday so the girls and I baked her a cake, which I don't have a picture of, gave her a book she already had and I made her some new heat packs. She had done some serious damage to the last one, definitely over-heated it.

I made this one with some squares I had lying around and I backed it with some vintage chenille I've been hording for ages.

This one I divided into small sections as she has a sore shoulder and I thought it might work to drap over the top. She loved them both but this was a favourite.

Happy birthday to both Jeff's parents as well as they had birthdays last week and this.

I'm behind on my Ice Cream Social Dress, I've finally attached the front yoke and front panel and hopefully I'll get the back done tomorrow.

Whale Watching

We turned touristy today and took the girls Whale Watching. We had an awesome time and I won't bore you with too many words. We followed two whales and while they didn't breech they swam right around us and even under the boat a couple of times.

Ice Cream Social

Next up in the Ice Cream Social is the pockets. I made one pocket using the instructions in the pattern but I wasn't happy with the curve so I re-made them using Amy's tutorial and I was much happier with the results.

The one on the left is following the pattern directions and the one on the right is following Amy's suggestions.

And here it is seewn in to place. Sorry about the dodgy photos but it was early evening so not the best light.

Quilt

During the holidays the father of one of the girls in Charlotte's class passed away. There is only the mother and daughter, the mother doesn't drive and they lived quite a distance from school so they have had to move to temporary accomodation closer to the school. It has been quite a terrible time for them.I decided to whip up this simple lap quilt for the little girl this week. I used some vintage fabric from the Vintage Sheet Swap that I had cut up ages ago at the very first Hills Craft Room this year. I backed it with some Jennifer Paganelli (I think).

I absolutely love it and I hope she does too.

Ice Cream Social

I dashed home from work today to sew up the yoke on the Ice Cream Dress.

I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. You can check out what everyone is up to by clicking the Ice Cream Social button over on the right.

Fabric

I don't think I showed you the fabric I bought from Amy recently. Firstly these charm packs. I was going to use them for a couple of quilts for a friend of Charlotte's and her sister but I think I love the Dream On one too much so I will probably keep that for myself.


And these Cosmo Cricket fabrics which are great.
Then yesterday the postman put a pick up slip in the letterbox, even though we were home when he came. I didn't have car yesterday so only got to pick them up today. They are all from Spice Berry Cottage who had a sale recently.

Some more Cosmo Cricket, some Sandi Henderson and the pink is Hunky Dory to be used as a backing for the charm pack below.

More Cosmo Cricket, Patty Young and some charm squares to use instead of the Dream On.

I'm all ready for the Ice Cream Social too. I'm making it for Lucy so saving the really good fabric until I make sure the size is right.

Friends

We had a lovely morning catching up with the gorgeous Lottielulu family. I feel very lucky to have developed such a great friendship with Ingrid that started, I guess, nearly 5 years ago online. Although we usually only get to catch up in the holidays the kids get along fantastically and we usually have to drag both Charlotte's apart at the end of today. We took advantage of the sunshine and caught up at the park. Here's what happens when you try to get a group shot on the way home.
I spied this (scroll down a bit) on the lovely Sara from Willow and Moo's blog and knew my girls would love them. I picked these up yesterday and of course the girls had to wear them today. I didn't get the best photos, sorry Sara, as they were too busy playing.

I also made some of the Curly Pops/Donna Hay chocolate crackles, Charlotte and Lucy love them but we are waiting on the seal of approval from the man of the house, who thinks of himself as a chocolate crackle expert.

A Baby Boy

We're back from our little break. No photos as my camera battery was flat but I did manage to finish off the quilt I started at The Craft Room. It's for some friends who just had their third little boy.Can you believe I actually hand quilted it, which was lovely to work on in the evenings in front of the television. A big thanks to Peta too for lending me a large embroidery hoop. I finished off the binding while we were away over the weekend.

I did manage to pop in to My Place and I picked up some fabric on sale. I think I might use these for the Ice Cream Social.I only got a small piece of this Japanese beauty but it's gorgeous and the little pictures are perfect for buttons.Hope everyone is having a great week.

Quiet Evening

Quiet Evening
Originally uploaded by Timothy Valentine

The kids are away for a few days so I am enjoying the quiet. On Thursday I'll be even more relaxed as I am using my birthday voucher from here.

Have a great week

Craft Room

I had a great day at the Sunday Craft Room, bringing together the Northern Beaches, Hills and Inner West Craft Rooms. It was great to catch up with old friends and meet new ones and a big thanks to the Inner West girls for hosting in their wonderful cottage. I didn't get many photos but I am sure there will heaps popping up on the blog soon.I actually got the two things I wanted to get done finished. Firstly this quilt top, it's a gift for a friend who just had a baby boy.

Also this little pouch for a friend of Lucy's. I loosely used Toni's instructions

I was also very lucky in the swap and got these goodies from Fiona, Jen and Fran.

Lucky I got this scarf from Fran because it was freezing here today.

A new word

I was commenting on someone's blog this week and the word verification was "explog". I love it and it's my new word for exploring blogs.


Explore Algorithm Designer
Originally uploaded by David Epstein photography

I hope everyone is having fun exploging tonight.

Vivid new dress

We rugged up and went into the city last night to see the Vivid Sydney lights. The lights were great and there were lots of people out and about.
Lucy was scared of this guy so wouldn't get in the photo but I had to show you the hand knitted poncho I picked up at a garage sale yesterday. I got it, a great desk for Lucy and a vintage piano stool for $40. Charlotte loved it, Jeff thought she looked like something out of the 60's.
Charlotte and Lucy looking like they are freezing but these lights spanned Macquarie St and looked great.
Finally here's the dress actually on Charlotte that I made on the craft weekend. Jeff's just taken her to church to hand her first reconciliation form in so it was a great chance to wear it finally.

Long Weekend

I'm back

Thank goodness we are back to normal speed. I haven't even turned my computer on at home all week which of course meant I got some sewing done.
I got an Oooshka pattern and extra face from Lisa a few weeks ago. It is a great pattern and very easy. I let the girls choose their own fabrics and I did cheat a bit, I just used one fabric on the back which made it extremely quick and easy. I think they would make great gifts so I went back and got some more face panels to keep on hand.

I turned around in the car this morning and was greated by this.

It totally cracked me up, I couldn't stop laughing even just thinking about it now makes me laugh.

I forgot to say that the Ooshkas are big, a cross between a cushion and a softie. My girls have been taking them to bed every night and carrying them around the house.

Slow

I've been sewing but you'll have to wait until next week for the photos as we are on ultra-slow dial up speed. All my fault I've downloaded too many episodes of Glee onto my Ipod this month, oops!