Honeybomb Bay

Meme...

2009-07-08T11:47:00.003+10:00

I've been tagged in a meme by Rach from A Little Bit of Everything
Me me? Meh meh? Meh! I don't know, but here goes.

What is your current obsession?
Currently... still... strollers and prams. Baby gear. Fabrics, gadgets. I'd love an iPhone but I don't need one.

What is your weirdest obsession?
According to some it's the stroller thing. However I consider it perfectly normal!

What are you wearing today?
Paul's woolly jumper, trackydacks and thongs. Glamour all the way.

If you could change 1 thing about yourself, what would you change?
I need to be more motivated.

What did you eat for your last meal?
Vegemite on toast.

What’s the last thing you bought?
Some Michael Miller fabric for a liner order, and The Lost Boys DVD on Oztion.

What are you listening/watching right now?
ABC kids and the oven fan... Just baked a banana cake.

If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go?
Massage therapist.

Which language do you want to learn?
Auslan. Did a bit of signed English when Wade was a baby but forgotten a lot of it.

What do you love most about where you currently live?
It's pretty laid back around here.

What is your favourite colour?
Just one? Green.

What is your favourite piece of clothing in your own wardrobe?
Nothing right now. I need to have a wardrobe makeover, haven't treated myself in ages. If shoes count I live in Havaianas.

Describe your personal style?
What style!

If you had $300 now, what would you spend it on?
Rates.

What are you going to do after this?
Conquer Mount OMO

What are your favourite films?
Me Myself and Irene, Rocky Horror, Lost Boys, Life as a House, Goonies, Dirty Dancing... off the top of my head.

Your favourite books?
Stephen King.

Do you collect anything?
Fabric? It's more of a collection than a stash right now!

What makes you follow a blog?
A fun sense of humour, and inspiring craftiness.

What was the most enjoyable thing you did today?
Watched Heath's joy as he smooshed apple cereal into his hair.

What was the last thing you said to someone?
You can't eat banana cake from a cup, you need a plate, Paige.

What websites do you have to visit each day?
Strollers and Prams, Facebook and news.com.au

The rules:
1. Respond and rework; answer the questions on your blog, replace one question that you dislike with a question of your invention, add one more question of your own.
2. Tag eight other people.

Apples & Pears

2009-06-01T07:31:00.006+10:00

Well, I finally cracked the sewing machine out again!
A couple of nights ago I came across this lovely old 1976 pattern which my friend Tina found, so decided to let the moths out of the Singer.
We used Alexander Henry fabric 'Apples and Pears'.
The original pattern had a couple of pockets but the fabric is already so busy that I didn't want to add anything to it. I might try another in a plain fabric and put a print fabric on the yoke and pockets. It also had gathering rather than the pleats, but I thought the pleats looked tidier.
It feels a little 'Partridge Family' don't you think?!
Miss Paige had fun smooshing her feet into the mud, singing, and jumping in puddles whilst modeling for her Mama, at Ella's AFL game yesterday. I must admit, it did look rather fun!

Partay Peeps

2009-05-22T22:43:00.005+10:00

I've been doing absolutely no sewing lately. I have knitted a few scarves for me, Paige, Mum... they've come in handy with the stinking chilly weather we're having lately.
Unfortunately I can only knit squares or rectangles as I've never looked into reading a knitting pattern. Therefore, scarves are my specialty.
I've got lots of sewing ideas so I really need to just sit down at the machine and bring them to life.
Anyway, seeing as I don't have any creative piccies and I haven't posted anything in aaages I'm going to show ya's some pictures from my niece Isabella's pool party for her 8th birthday. There's the birthday girl herself, Heathie kicking back in his pram watching the festivities, Paige making sure no icing was left behind on those candles, and my other niece Bailey displaying how the birthday cake looks mid-chew.
Promise to come back soon with some handmade goodies.

Still Here!

2009-03-23T14:24:00.002+11:00

I've been neglecting my little blog of late, just hanging around here reading all the other fabularse blogs of all the creative peoples over there -------------->
I haven't been sewing much the last couple of weeks, except for this lovely Hula Girls fabric liner for Beth's (I mean Jess') yummy new XT.
The top and bottom fold over like a pillowcase to stop it shifting around while it's in use. It's almost making me want another baby girl-child! Our little girl-child turned a big 4 last week and had herself a partay with all her little friends and all their beautiful pettiskirts. I'll have to annoy Tina for some photos since she is our resident photographer extraordinaire!
What else? Hmm. Wade's epilepsy seems to be under control way better, Ella has a boyfriend (shut up, Mum!), Jhye is obsessed with Club Penguin and Heath is still nuts about balls. And Daaaaaaaad.

Secret Squirrel

2009-03-03T08:45:00.003+11:00

Well I've made a couple of things that I really like over the weekend, using some heavy denim and Ikea furnishing fabrics but it's for a handmade swap, kind of like a secret Santa, with some other Mummies and I don't want to post the items on here until the recipient receives them...
So this post is just a photo of Heath's cute little nappy bum with a Cute Tooshies on. This one needs a cover so we only really use it at home so we can watch his little dragon botty wiggling around the house. I wuvs it!
The delivery lady just arrived with some minkee and fold-over elastic, so shall give that a spin later on.

Handmade Swaps!

2009-03-03T08:25:00.004+11:00

Now that my recipient has received her goodies I'm allowed to show them off here too.
I totally blew my use the stash promise and I've brought new fabrics home a *few* times.
But then I thought, well they haven't actually been used so it doesn't count. Until I remembered one of the cushions I picked up at Ikea the other week that became a pocket on this little pinny. Heehee. I was quite happy with how it came out, especially as a first go at this pattern. It's fully lined and in my favourite colours - green and orange.
I also made up this eco-bag in an evening using this tute. It was super-easy and the bag felt like it could withstand a bit of weight. It's another Ikea furnishing fabric. Might have to whip a few more of these up.
Anyway, the best bit of this whole handmade swap thing was the postie bringing me a parcel too - it was so fun to have a surprise! Jakki organised the swap and I was lucky enough to have her be the one to make our loot, which was this gorgeous quilt for Heath. I can't stop looking at it! It's so soft and yummy and boyish and just the right size for him to snuggle on the lounge with when it's cool. The back is light blue minky dot. I need one too!

Fresh as a Daisy

2009-02-24T13:02:00.006+11:00

My lovely net friend and fellow stroller junkie Melissa over here at Mahogany Turtle has been busy designing some gorgeous fabrics including the Fresh as a Daisy range which I used to make this reverse applique on a pre-made tee for Paige. We had a half doll at the bottom of our fat quarter so I appliqued the spare flower from it on the bottom of the doll by hand and popped one of the spare pink buttons on too.
Teamed with a pair of denim 3/4 pants with pink sparkles through it, Paige couldn't wait to wear this one. I managed to get her to stay still for about 2 and a half seconds at the play centre for a photo!

BAWWWWWW!

2009-02-24T08:45:00.004+11:00

Heath's favourite thing in the world besides boobie is balls.
He says BAWWW all the time, and his eyes light up every time he spots one.
Imagine his delight when we rocked up at a play centre yesterday, for the first time in several months. I don't think he would have remembered the last time?
Anyway, I reckon he said "BAWWWW" in his roary voice about a zillion times while we were there. He was in heaven!!
These photos are best clicked on to see the bigger sizes for maximum cuteness factor!

I Really Need To Start Making Some Boy Stuff!

2009-02-19T07:43:00.002+11:00

Poor Heathie is going to start feeling left out, I only ever seem to make pretties for Paigey!
This is some of the fabric I picked up in Cabramatta the other week, with front and back views of this little number. I put snaps on the sides under the arms to make it nice and easy to slip on and off without having to undo the ties on the shoulders every time.
On another note, I'm taking part in Cherry's Use The Stash Challenge. I seriously need to do this, there is fabric busting out of the place here. So NO more fabric. For now. Except I'm heading to Ikea today, so it's going to be REALLY hard with all the cute kid prints that match their room!

Pay It Forward

2009-02-07T10:01:00.009+11:00

What a gorgeous sentiment - and surprise parcels to boot.
So I was reading Curly Pops blog just now, who linked up to the clever What Were We Thinking blog, where I signed up for Pay It Forward...
So now you (anyone theeeeerrree?), lovely reader, just need to leave a comment here, with your email addy so I can get your contact details. There are just three spaces available. Then sometime in the next 365 days your postie will bring you a handmade treat, from my hands to yours.
In return, you do the same for three other people on your blog. Yup, that's it, I'm very excited!

Update:
ALL spots are taken now! Yippeeeee!

Play It Again, Sam

2009-01-29T09:31:00.006+11:00

You know how I said I was going to use the peasant dress pattern again to get through some of my ginormous fabric pile? This is the same pattern but in some very cutiful Aussie animals cotton I picked up the other week on a fabric shopping expedition up in Cabramatta. There are soooo many fabric stores in one place, it's fantasticle. They're crammed so full of rolls that we had to take turns inside and waiting outside with Heath in the stroller which wouldn't fit in (I took the smallest one I had too, the Starck). We enjoyed a luverly lunch of Lemongrass Chicken in a Vietnamese restaurant on the main street and Paige and my niece Bailey were all over the little junk shops. We did spot something I found amusing in one of them, some reggies for those lacking in the booty department. Alas, I doubt that will ever be me!

Double Digit Dude

2009-01-27T23:10:00.007+11:00

Three down, two to go...
Birthday #3 for January here, Jhye was a big TEN today.
He's been away down the coast at Ulladulla with his best buddy for a few days and decided on nachos for dinner when he came home this afternoon.
And *shock* DH cooked!
Happy Birthday Jhye. We love you so so so much.

Oi Oi Oi

2009-01-27T09:18:00.002+11:00

We had lots of plans for Australia Day yesterday, none of which came to fruition thanks to a tummy bug for DH, so we just hung around relaxing at home instead. Which was still nice since we all had an afternoon siesta together followed by a stroll around the block to visit Nanna and Poppy.
I sewed a little peasant dress for Paige using some gorgeous bottle-brush fabric and this tute. It was super-easy to make, I'll definitely be using the same pattern to get through some of my stash.
For Heath I did a reverse applique Aussie flag on a white chesty Bonds tee. I love these shirts, they're so soft and look hot just with a pair of jeans or a cute nappy.

Heathie's One!

2009-01-27T00:32:00.004+11:00

Just a quickie post cos it's bedtime here and as usual I'm still hanging around online wayyy too late in the night and shall pay for it tomorrow I'm sure.
Ella and Paige baked Heathie some bickies in the shape of cars and some little cupcakes for his birthday. Paigey had fun with the sprinkles and Smarties, her favourite things in the world after bubbles.
I think it was the most sugar Heath's had in one sitting ever, and he was loving it!
I'll be back in the morning with Australia Day stuff I did for the littlies...

Happy Sweet 16 My Boy

2009-01-22T00:25:00.005+11:00

It doesn't feel like 16 years since my firstborn was first born. But, it is.. WOW and EEK!
So Happy Birthday my young man. You've grown up too fast.
I was hoping to post photos of him enjoying his birthday dinner, or hanging out with his mate and brother camping out in the backyard like they planned but the poor kid is spending the night in hospital after having a series of complex partial seizures today. We're going to have to have a double celebration tomorrow since it's Little Shag's 1st Birthday too. Make that a triple celebration for Uncle Andrew as well!

Editing to add: Poor bugger spent two nights in hospy (totally enjoyed the room service and his own TV with Austar) but now has some medication to help control them and an appointment with a neurologist way earlier than I could get before. He's still had a turn each day since he's been home but his dose will go up on Friday and hopefully we can say sayonara to them after that...

Retro Summer Pinny Dress

2009-01-15T00:04:00.002+11:00

I don't think I can get any more of this fabric so I'm determined to make it stretch to several outfits for Paige since I really like it. I'm a sucker for the retro kiddy prints. The inside of the bodice is lined with white spots on green, and it has a snap up back and adjustable shoulder straps. I think it'll look cute with a little pair of black Mary-Janes or ballet slippers and a matching headband. Actually I think I might do a little matching clutch for her too, since she loves carrying around *stuff* everywhere.

My Sparkly Girls

2009-01-13T12:21:00.002+11:00

Just some photos of my princesses to share.
Ella and Paige emerged from Ella's room all glitterous and sparkulous and for once Paige was happy to pose for me!
She's insisting on wearing this little number to bed and won't let me take it for laundering LOL

MCNs Take One

2009-01-12T16:28:00.006+11:00

So the other day I finally did something about the nappies I've been wanting to make for yonks! I don't want to start chopping into the bamboo fleece just yet until I find/make a pattern I really like. I printed out the Wee Weka pattern and used some cotton terry nappies that I originally bought when I was having Paige but didn't end up using, and some polar fleece with a cute ducky print for the inside. There's two layers of terry in the nappy, plus a snap in terry soaker doubled over. I did just one row of snaps instead of two. Next time I'll attach the snaps closer to the ends of the tabs too so they don't look so flappy.
I think I'd like for future nappies for the sides to either be wider and squarer on the top tabs, or for the sides to snap under the front panel instead of on top. It fit well though and didn't leak. We just popped a PUL cover over the top.
I've just printed out the Ottobre nappy pattern so I'll give that one a whirl next and see what we like about that one. Then we'll try making one with the good fabrics!
Some pics above of Master Heath. I can't believe he'll be a big 1 year old in ten days!

Little Miss Mood Swing

2009-01-03T16:16:00.002+11:00

I've been a slacker and haven't come close to creating anything since Christmas so here's a photo of DD who refuses to smile for the camera from Christmas Day.
She's wearing a groovy Tin Whistle Ava dress.
It's reversible and has easy-peasy snaps down the back and a cute little pocket.
We love it!

Caterpillar Liner

2008-12-23T14:16:00.003+11:00

Well I've had this Hungry Caterpillar in my stash for awhile and haven't wanted to take to it with a pair of scissors because it's just too cute! But I had an order for a Quinny Zapp liner so here it is. The other side is a blue and olive stripe, it's going to go on a Cobalt coloured Zapp, I'm just modeling it on my Olive. I plan to show off some more of the Caterpillar fabric on cloth nappy covers on the front panel..

Crossover Apron Top

2008-12-13T17:10:00.001+11:00

My little niece, Isabella was off to a Christmas party last weekend and my sister was keen to have something made from some lightweight orange floral cotton she picked up when we stocked up at Spotlight a few weeks back. I had free reign with the style and had been eager to try a simple apron style top with a crossover back after reading this tutorial so that's what we went with. This one is in a size 8. I made some orange gingham frill for around the neckline and also put together some gingham pants with a drawstring waist. The pants made the ensemble look a bit pyjama-ish so she wore them with a pair of blue clamdiggers instead and finished it off with some orange and blue ribbons tied up in her ponytails. Next time I'm going to make the reversible version for Paige. They look like they'll be nice and cool for summer, and pretty quick to cut and put together (and also very cute I think!).

Don't Label Me

2008-12-10T10:04:00.000+11:00

Just wanted to show off my labels.
How very professional looking =P
They're from Fancyweaver and were very reasonably priced. They finish off my creations rather noicely if I do say so moyself!

Polka-Dot Princesses

2008-12-10T09:49:00.000+11:00

Paige attended her friend Indigo's 2nd birthday last week, a polka-dot tea party organised by her Mummy Tina from Purple Happy Tree - they had a fun afternoon of cakes and the Mummies enjoyed a delicious lunch too.
I sewed up a little maxi-dress with the same style top as the Oyster Dress, but with a tiered skirt made with lots of pastelly cotton spots and some ribbon. After attaching one panel (a middle one - argh) back to front, undoing it and redoing it the right way I had it ready at 2am LOL.
Here's a photo Tina took from the party of all the girls posing after singing I'm a Little Teapot. Too cute!

It's Beginning to Feel

2008-12-01T19:07:00.000+11:00

A Lot Like Christmas...!
We went to a Christmas partay at Symbio Zoo on the weekend, the kids thought it was fantastic. Except for Santy, Paige doesn't like to get within a metre of him but was happy enough to accept a gift. Heath was fascinated by all the animals and had a pat of a crocodile. Okay, so it was a baby, but so is Heathie.
Santa gave Paige a little garden making toy, the seeds were 'planted' in Nanna's carpet (alfalfa LOL) when we came home. We recently bought a kids seed pack from my friend Bel at Spiral Garden, I wonder if she'll be happier to eat vegies she's grown herself? She's such a fussy thing.
Jhye was given Lego and he and Wade spent the night constructing a car set.
We also put our Christmas tree up yesterday. Heath is intrigued by the lights and glitterousness of it all, and Paige keeps pinching the crystal-looking balls from the branches to make special 'earrings'...

Snap Happy

2008-11-26T18:49:00.001+11:00

I finally got around to opening and using my snap press yesterday when I wanted a top to go with a pair of Paige's red shoes. So I whipped up this as I didn't want to fiddle around with a pattern and I made the straps snap-on in red. It rocks! I did crack the first snap from overestimating the force needed to attach one, but the rest were easy.
Can't wait to make some nappy covers!

'Oyster' Summer Dress

2008-11-18T09:23:00.002+11:00

I'm on a roll, three dresses for Paige in a day & I've got the pattern down pat now. Each one had a few adjustments until I had it just how I wanted it.

We're loving this little dress and the fabric is groovy baby - I want to buy a big piece just to wrap myself up in it.
Displaying this little number is our adorable friend, Ella who took her modeling job very seriously LOL. Ella's Mummy Ash is quite the clever duck too, and the face behind OOPZIE kids gear.

Off this morning to stock up on this fabric to create more frocks for some other wee ladies!