Black Eyed Susie

Hooking

2011-11-08T17:00:00.000+11:00

I've had to break a growing crochet addiction to prepare for these markets. I think it's to do with how quickly things grow and the way the colours react to each other that does it. I have urges to cover my house in bright, bright crocheted throws. Directly inspired by Attic 24. The picture above is a baby blanket I made for a friend who is probably now thinking I've forgotten but I will deliver it this weekend. Definitely. I hope she likes bright - otherwise I may have to take it back. I love it so. It's vertical vintage stripe (or something like that. Tutorial here.

Self portraits.

2011-11-06T19:12:00.000+11:00

Ok, so, a bit boring for everyone else. But, oh, so cute for me. I can't believe Chloe is almost 5 and Arj almost 2 1/2. It's a blur. Much like these photos.

Busy, busy, busy.

2011-10-27T12:34:00.000+11:00

I've nearly let go of the blog again already. Oops.

I'm sewing up a storm ready for a couple of pre-Christmas markets in Novemember. I'll be at Niche (details below) and The Market in the Masonic Temple, Sandy Bay Rd on Sunday Nov 13th, 10 -3. I'll be upstairs and would love visitors!

Northern folk, I'd love visitors at Niche too. Friday nights the bar is open and last time they had a very good special on Ninth Island Sparkling. Perfect for relaxed Friday night browsing!

Thanks Tortoise Mum for prodding me into action! I will do my best to blog!

Oh, and some other recent news, lovely, bubbly, cheery Min at Content has a bunch of brooches, earrings, headbands, bobby pins and a few other things of mine for sale. Such a beautiful shop to spend some time exploring.

Hello again.

2011-09-21T13:26:00.000+10:00

Why, Hello Blog. Long time, no see. How's things? I've been missing you a bit, but well, diaries and journals were never one of my strong points. How about if you promise not to take an eon to load my photos and not to get spammed quite so much and if the wireless modem thingo promises not to drop out every time I try to post then I promise to do some occasional posting? Sound OK? All right then, let's give it a go! See you soon.

Recuperation

2010-11-15T08:47:00.003+11:00

We're back from a week at Binalong Bay. So beautiful and relaxing - just what we needed. Arj even slept well most nights and miraculously had two sleeps a day. Now we're back and slipping straight back into our pattern of illnesses - snotty noses and coughs agaaaaain. Arrrgh.

It's a great season for wildflowers. The Tassie coastal bush was looking spectacular and reminded me of WA. The kids had a great time on the beach and I (cos I'm tough!) had a couple of swims.

I'm gearing up for a last push at making for Niche market which starts on Friday (4-8pm on Friday (with a bar!) and 10 -4 on Saturday). It's going to be fun and I have a big bunch of clothes, hair thingies, t-shirts, headbands, sewing kits, brooches and even some Christmas decorations. Come and have a chat if you can - I'll be sneaking a glass of wine behind my stall!

Joyce

2010-10-28T13:30:00.001+11:00

While I'm on the subject of my relatives, this was my Gran. Such a beautiful little girl. Her creativity came out in the kitchen. I have her handwritten recipes which get more and more difficult to read but are a lovely reminder for me and my kids.

Great Granny's biscuits - Coconut Crisps

1/4 lb butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup plain flour
2 cups cornflakes
1 1/2 cups coconut
1 egg
1/2 cup caster sugar
1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarb
1/2 tsp Vanilla

Cream butter and sugar. Beat in egg and vanilla. Then dry ingredients. Add a little milk. Bake 12-15 mins.

Jeweller to the Lost

2010-10-25T07:57:00.000+11:00

I got a nice surprise the other day when I succumbed to my current magazine addiction (it's to do with the mistaken belief that I'll get to sit quietly with a coffee!) and found my Mum's cousin in a two page feature. She's Barbara Heath an amazingly talented jeweller based in Brisbane and isn't she gorgeous? Such a stunning photo. My close family are not crafty, creative types (no offence family!) but I love to see it is in the genes somewhere. Another of Mum's cousins is a well known cartoonist.

My folks owe me a present and I'm angling at something from Barbara. It would be perfect I think and lovely to have something made by her. Are you reading this Mum?

Show and Tell

2010-10-22T15:27:00.005+11:00

Here are a few recent secondhand store/market scores. It's no wonder I feel surrounded by clutter - I have this need to collect.

1970s huon pine armchairs. They have leather backs and bases. I will eventually cover the cushions with charcoal or maybe a more modern chocolate brown fabric. Eventually. The old fabric goes well with yoghurt spills! From the Launceston Salvage Centre.

Original and pristine (we'll change that) 1960s saucer chair swapped for 5 ugly wall lights and our two old wall heaters! Brilliant. Launceston Salvage Centre again. The cushion was a Niche market purchase from Red Wren Designs.

We really didn't need any more canisters but how could I not buy these. They were only $15 for the lot. I can't go past a bargain like that!

Sale

2010-10-17T19:31:00.003+11:00

15% OFF everything

HERE

I can't justify buying any more fabric for new items until I get rid of some of the stock I made for the market I didn't make it too! So, everything is on sale for a while. I really want to make some new stuff!

Also, Black Eyed Susie is finally on Facebook. I think I may be addicted after resisting it for so long. If you want to stay updated please come and 'like' the Black Eyed Susie page.

Newbies

2010-10-13T18:46:00.004+11:00

A couple of belts and tees. Lest you think I've been getting stuff done this week, these have been waiting to be listed for a few weeks.

Calico and Co

2010-10-12T14:26:00.001+11:00

A nice little surprise for a quiet, tired sort of day. The Springtime brooch is featured on the Calico and Co blog. It's alongside a great bunch of other beautiful brooches including two other Tassie makers. That Vintage and Shade of a Bonsai Tree. Aren't we Tasmanians a clever bunch? Don't listen to what they say about us!

Check it out here:
Calico and Co. [by amanda fuller]: Handmade Love: Contemporary Brooches

No words - just fabric

2010-10-09T19:32:00.001+11:00

From Aunty Cookie.

Bliss

2010-10-08T19:49:00.003+11:00

South East

And North East from our balcony.

I was up for about 10 minutes before the kids woke up this morning. This was the view. Just stunning. I totally, totally love living up high on the hill. Just gotta remember to stop and look at the view! It's an antedote to all the lurgies around here this week.

Sometimes it feels like a retreat up here, you can hardly even see the city with all the trees in front and you can't hear it.

One of my favourite things is when it's sunny but the air still has a tiny bit of a chill and the bell from the Carmelite monastery nearby is tolling. It feels like the Dordogne in France did. It does make me desperate to go there again though!

2010-10-06T09:09:00.002+11:00

So, as some of you would know. We didn't make it to The Market. Bummed. Sometimes the kiddies just have to come first though. Poor Arj has had yet another ear infection. Being in Hobart at 11pm with him screaming in pain and no idea even if a pharmacy was open we had to take him to emergency. The staff were wonderful (especially on Grand Final Night - poor things) and I'm sure they got him in extra quickly. They put local anesthetic drops in his ear - the BEST thing ever. Wish we had some of them every time. Now he's OK thank goodness.

We did a long slow drive home as Sam and I were feeling pretty naff from being up all night then thankfully got a good nights sleep Sunday. Lucky because Monday night Sam, Chloe and I all got some sort of gastro. I jinxed myself because I'd just told someone that day that we'd been lucky so far and not had that happen. How is it possible to look after your kids in this situation? I was so glad Mum and Dad are back from Argentina and came bearing Lucozade. Changed Chloe's bed and provided some decent food for Arj as well as numerous other jobs. Thanks Mum and Dad!

I'm planning a sale in the online shops cos I've got an awful lot of stock and no markets currently booked. Will let you know when I get it together. Oh, and, I've finally jumped on the Facebook bandwagon and have a business page. I'll give "likers" 10% off online prices (excluding postage and cannot be used with other discounts) until the end of November. Go here to have a sticky beak.

The Market

2010-09-24T03:40:00.003+10:00

OK, so, proper market post this time (although it's 3.40am so there'll probably be spelling and grammar mistakes - blame the babes, it's not my fault!).

Black Eyed Susie is off to The Market in Sandy Bay Rd, Hobart, opposite St David's Park on the 3rd of October. I've visited The Market before but not had a stall so I'm excited. The organisers make sure there is an ever changing array of sellers to keep it fresh. I'm sure I'll discover something new that I just have to have - the great downfall to my bank balance of doing markets.

Other Black Eyed Susie news is that the make up bag sewing kits are now available at The Mill Providore in Launceston - go visit if you can, Becky has a beautiful range of locally made produce and gifts. I have my eye on quite a few things in there. Also, there is a French hard goats cheese that is to die for. Can't remember the name but it's the only full goats milk hard cheese in stock.

To market, to market

2010-09-22T07:17:00.003+10:00

Bit quiet on the blog front recently. I did actually write a post but felt it wasn't right and took it down - I'm a crazy worrier you know. We've had a sick, teething boy and various tradesmen in the house. Lots of tradesmen's bills to pay now. I've had a few of those "why do I actually persist with trying to have a business moments." It's pretty hard (as most of you will know) trying to juggle things around the kids. Generally it means, if I'm working, everything else slides - including housework, cooking and socialising. I've just cut Chloe back to one day a week in childcare and Arj had his first day (same day as Chloe) last week. The whole using childcare to work on a business that isn't really giving returns at the moment is very, very guilt inducing so if anything too negative happens on the work front it can make me feel like giving up pretty easily. Did that sentence make any sense?

I won't talk about the specific incident that triggered all this as it's over now and apologies have been made. The thing is I do love having my business (most of the time). It's been an amazing way for me to meet great friends (Mrs Burns and Mrs Smith, Kristen, Annie, Sophie, Selina and Jasperboy just for a start), it's given me so much more confidence in many areas - there was a time when I was embarassed about my making and challenged me to learn a huge amount. I get pretty toey if I don't get to sew or make for a while and, hey, I have to do something with the vast amounts of fabric that seems to make me buy it! So, I think the childcare is worth it. I think Arj will like playing with other littlies and I think it's been good for Chloe overall. I guess I'll always be in two minds about it.

Well, that was a bit of a stream of conciousness thing. It all just popped out. This was supposed to be about going to The Market in Hobart on October 3rd. Exciting. I'll come back later and do that post properly cos it deserves it.

Yergh and Eeww.

2010-09-16T22:35:00.004+10:00

Poor Arj has been terribly sick this week. He's on the mend now but has teeth coming through too. Poor bloke.

Avert your eyes now if you don't want to know about baby poo.

He managed to splurt right out of his nappy and all over himself and his Dad, not to mention the floor. Ewwww. The good part - I was asleep and totally missed the whole occurence including the cleaning up!

Suprisingly I have actually managed a touch of sewing this week. The first since Niche and it felt good. More to come.

Bob

2010-09-10T13:10:00.002+10:00

It would be nice to stop singing the Bob the Builder theme song in my head. Even just for an hour. Aaarrrgh.

We're going through a Bob watching stage here and we've discovered our builder friend has an apprentice called Chloe. My Chloe is totally thrilled by this and has been building with Duplo all morning. We scored a whole Duplo farm set at the Op Shop yesterday. Bargain! I love a good Op shop trawl.

Breaking free

2010-09-07T09:22:00.003+10:00

I've barely worn a skirt or a dress since I got pregnant with Arj. I've broken the dress drought now and it feels good. I always feel a bit free when I wear a dress and the beautiful Spring weather is helping too.

I dress quite differently since I had kids. Lots of loose floppy tops - for fairly obvious tummy disguising reasons. It's not that I necessarily want to hide it from others - it's just that I feel better if I hide it from me! And I love wearing long tunics or short dresses over jeans. My Asics tiger sneakers (red suede with silver trim - second pair) are almost worn through from practically living in them but I did that before I had kids too. I'm starting to wonder if I can get a third pair exactly the same - boring maybe but they are so great.

Did you change your dress style? I know some people who dressed more formally before for work. That wasn't me. I worked in a stinky microbiology lab. What with the smell and the attractive (not) blue surgical gowns there was really no point. I think I have nicer clothes now I don't work!

I'm quietly lusting after a few dresses or tunics on Etsy too. Check out Emily Ryan and Pamela Tang. I like Emily's gathered front tunics and dresses (and wow, I've just seen this, it got sold right when I was about to show you!) and Pamela's centre pleat dress.

Have you noticed I seem to have a bit of a shopping addiction going at the moment?

Happy Father's Day

2010-09-05T21:36:00.002+10:00

This is the man. He never reads my blog so it's tempting to tell all sorts of funny stories about him. I won't though. I'll be nice. It is Father's Day after all.

He's had a hard week and is totally exhausted looking. So am I. I'm afraid I have to admit that he made the pancakes this morning as I couldn't shift myself out of bed. Oops. I did make him scrambled eggs for brekkie on Saturday and we did go out for dinner last night. Does that count?

I just read Gemma's post on Loz and Dinny. This one doesn't quite come up to the same standard! Sorry Sam.

Fashion Queen

2010-09-01T20:33:00.002+10:00

Hmmm. Not doing a whole lot for my standing as a kid's clothing maker! This is how Chloe would get about every day if I let her.

Nest

2010-08-31T12:22:00.003+10:00

Black Eyed Susie sewing kits can now be found at Nest in beautiful Penguin. The perfect place for a day trip on a sunny Spring day. I love visiting Penguin. There are always great, smooth, multi-coloured pebbles to collect on the beach. Nice coffee and food to be had at Wild and The Groovy Penguin, markets to visit and now gift shopping to be done.

If you get a chance drive to Penguin along the old coastal road from Ulverstone. The scenery is stunning and you'll know you're almost there when the road verge becomes a riotously coloured flower garden. We once rode along the NW coast from Boat harbour to Devonport stopping in Penguin for the night and now I'm wondering if we could do it again this Spring. Would the kids handle being in the bike trailer thingie for long enough? Maybe if we make lots of beach stops.

2010-08-29T18:45:00.000+10:00

A few not very good photos of our Niche Market stall. Ignore the disembodied legs in the corner - she's hiding - but not particularly well! We did a better set up on the Sunday and had a less cluttered look with more height on the table but, of course, I forgot to take any photos. I'm hoping someone will have some. Also forgot to take any of all the other lovely stalls.**

Gemma and I had a great time chatting - with each other, with customers, with other stall holders and the lovely Selina (Multi tasking organiser extraordinaire) and with our lovely Mums who were around a lot!

It's been a huge weekend with lots on for the Junction Regional Arts Festival too. We've been out to the Festival both nights and this arvo. So tired. More info soon.

** Also forgot Mum and Dad were going to babysit so we could go out for dinner tonight. Went to sleep and woke up when Sam had already cooked. Damn. Damn. We needed a 'date night' badly.

Nearly time

2010-08-25T11:40:00.004+10:00

Busy, busy, busy. I wanted to show off a few new things I've been making in preparation for Niche but they haven't made it in front of the camera yet. It's going to be a great market I think. Loads of makers that are new to Niche and a lot of more familiar faces too.

I've got some new tops and dresses, some cool tees for boys, belts for boys and girls, cute bibs and lots of hair thingies. I'll also have some pretty brooches for the more grown up girls amongst us and a bunch of the new cosmetic bag sewing kits. I hope to have some bunting sewing kits too - pre-cut triangles, binding and instructions. A great, simple project with very impressive results and ideal for beginner sewers including kids. Perfect to make for a nursery (maybe when the nesting instinct hits!), child's room or for reusable party decorations.

I just haven't had the time to make as much stock as I wanted (particularly for boys) but I'll be taking some fabric samples so if you're interested in ordering something just ask for a look.

I'm looking forward to hanging out with Gemma and choosing one of her lovely dresses for my dress loving princess/mermaid. I've come to the realisation that if you can't beat 'em, join 'em and that we just need a vast collection of dresses and skirts.

Change

2010-08-21T15:51:00.004+10:00

Some things that have changed for me since I became a mother. Apart from the obvious - having two little cuties with me most of the time!

* I loooove my vacuum cleaner. Seriously. It's one of my most favourite possessions.

* My mountain bike gains more dust than mileage. Let's not even mention my road bike. Or all my other outdoor gear eg my lovely, only used once Macpac ladies backpack (yes, it is lovely and yes, it is just a pack). At least I do carry a small spare tyre with me everywhere at the moment.

* Trips to Kmart can increase my feeling of sanity as opposed to the complete opposite. Scarey.

* I barely ever listen to my own choice of music and am not allowed to sing along in the car. "I'm helping the lady sing Mum."

* I drive a family wagon that cost more than three times the price of my previous most expensive car. Also scarey.

* I cannot hold a thought from one room to another and have the memory of a goldfish. Not much help when you're trying to multitask!

* I cook meat and three veg almost every night and a clear, freshly vacuumed floor is the ultimate luxury.

So what's changed for you?? I'd love to hear.

Pressies for bike loving Dads

2010-08-17T12:16:00.008+10:00

I've always got my eye open for things Sam might like. He's not the sort of person to covet things or buy much for himself so I do like to try to surprise him every now and then.

These are a few things I've noticed recently.

This jersey from BA Gear is almost perfect for him. It even says I am Sam on the side! We read this book a lot at our house given that we have one very fussy eater.

Cute tee set from here

More bike related tees. Found here.

Groovy bike tool roll. This might be the Father's Day pressie. More here.

Dotty

2010-08-12T12:39:00.003+10:00

Cute shoes from Walnut. They've got a few on sale just now (cute hot pink with chocolate binding and very, very cheap) and I'm tempted. If you are too, just be careful about the sizing - I has to get size 41 when I'm usually 39 or at the most 40. There are also some very cute patent leather ones. I'm trying to keep myself to "need" only buying for a few weeks - it's amazing what I can convince myself we need though!

Psycho Baby

2010-08-10T13:04:00.003+10:00

Awww, just look at that little face. You could be forgiven for thinking he's a little angel.

Uh, uh. This child seems to have been (temporarily we hope) possessed by an evil, psycho baby.

Yep, Mum and Dad would really love to listen to you cry half the night and, hey, why eat a sandwich when you can sit on it. Don't let Mum wipe your bum, why not rub poo into the carpet instead. It needs a good clean anyway. Now, just pretend your going to give your Mum a cuddle and then headbutt her in the teeth instead. Ha, ha, ha, how funny. And you know, Mum does love the Tamar Valley, how about a night time tour - make sure you stay awake and yell at regular intervals the whole way. Hell, some places are probably better in the dark. Mum and Dad haven't been drinking much lately, they really could do with upping their alcohol tolerance levels and lets see if we can make Mum break her all time chocolate gobbling record.

Teething??? We hope so. We also hope it's over soon!

PS Don't worry I haven't hit the grog yet! The chocolate - yes.

Lentils - yum, yum.

2010-08-09T17:50:00.002+10:00

Don't believe me? Try these.

Here you go Mrs Smith.

Lentils in Red Wine

2 tbsp olive oil
1 stick celery finely diced
1 lrg carrot finely diced
1 lrg onion finely diced
2 cloves garlic crushed
2 tbsp tomato paste
1 1/2 cups lentils de puy or any small green/brown lentils
1 cup red wine
1 cup stock (veggie or beef is you prefer)
1 fresh bay leaf crushed
5 sprigs fresh thyme
3 tbsp chopped parsley

Fry the celery, onion and carrot in the olive oil in a large saucepan until onion is cooked.

Add the garlic and fry for a couple of minutes.

Add the tomato paste and cook for a few minutes.

Stir in lentils and wine and reduce for a few minutes.

Add the stock, 1 1/2 cups of water and the herbs.

Bring to the boil and simmer for 45 to 50 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed and the lentils are nicely cooked.

These are good with some creamy mashed potatoes and a glass of red.

Grrrr...

2010-08-08T17:22:00.003+10:00

My good friend the other day commented that she tries to concentrate on the positives in her day. I am the kind of person who needs to be reminded to do this so it was great that she said it. I seem to get tangled up in the nitty gritty and forget about the big picture too.

It was a well timed comment. It's been one hell of a narky weekend here at grumblebum central. I'm wondering if the kids are getting sick again (or maybe are sick already). Arj is almost walking so perhaps he's just frustrated. He's raring to go but can only make it about 5 steps.

Some good things:

Enjoying sewing, sewing, sewing. I miss it when I'm not busy.

Listening to Sia - great sewing music and good for drowning out grumpers.

The almond tree next door has started to blossom (negative point: it's the only tree they didn't knock down with a backhoe a while back in their quest to have the largest, flattest, greenest lawn in our suburb - see I struggle to hang on to the good points).

Arj looks so, so cute toddling around.

Chloe has been singing lengthy songs about singing songs and having a lot of dvds.

Hot cheese scones.

Not having to cook the dinner (negative point: because the sink is leaking into my sewing room in a huge and scarey way and we don't want to wash up in the bathroom).

Red polka dot racing swimsuit I saw at the pool today. I may have to get me one.

This handbag

From Anthropologie. If I do OK at the market I may have to think seriously about this. The buttons are embroidered. Cute.

News just in

2010-08-04T19:48:00.003+10:00

Black Eyed Susie, in conjunction with Loz and Dinny will be at Niche. Yay. Hmmm, better go tie myself to the sewing machine.

Niche had two venues this time, the Art school at Inveresk and the Boathouse. We'll be hanging out in the Boathouse. For details go to the Niche blog. Hope to see you there! I'm looking forward to all the chatting and catching up. And drinking coffees and doing a spot of shopping and hopefully, eating some Hungry Kitty cakes again.

Winners

2010-08-04T07:48:00.002+10:00

Thanks so much for all your lovely and helpful comments in the giveaway. I decided to draw two winners.

True Random Number Generator
Min:
Max:
Result: 14
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

and

True Random Number Generator
Min:
Max:
Result: 5
Powered by RANDOM.ORG

Kelly and Kate. I'll try to contact you today - or if you see this first you could shoot me an email with you address - blackeyed-susie@hotmail.com

Now, some exciting news. The kits will soon be available at Thread Den in North Melbourne and their new shop and sewing lounge in Fitzroy. How great that you can treat yourself to a little pressie or buy some materials and then pop into the sewing lounge for a spot of making! What a great place. I'm looking forward to a visit as soon as I can get myself on a plane.

Moving on...

2010-07-30T21:49:00.000+10:00

from the last post as it makes me feel a bit negative. I've nicked this photo from Loz and Dinny of these quilts I made and forgot to photograph. They're pretty wonky (but don't tell Tavish and Arlo) and I discovered that even with a walking foot you have to be really careful when quilting flannel. There's a lot of puckering on the back. I've got some of the fabric left so Arj will be getting one too one of these days. The fabric is All Star by Riley Blake which you can get here. It's perfect for boys.

Today I lost my temper.

2010-07-30T18:44:00.004+10:00

Properly I mean. Not just a little bit. I didn't yell or shout or kick anything but I did feel shakey for about half an hour afterwards. Not nice. This has maybe happened about 6 times in my life.

I wasn't going to blog this as I sometimes think bitchy blog posts can come across pretty badly, but well, this week has been a bit of a shocker and I maybe just reached the end of my tether but I also think I stuck up for my kids and myself in a way that was completely reasonable. I'm pretty tough on my kids in shops, I don't like them touching and playing with things, in fact I sometimes think I'm too tough on Chloe. So, shop owner, if you don't want young kids in your shop don't have a crate full of toddler toys for them to play with. My kids were happily playing and Chloe just brushed her hand along some merchandise that was right next to the toys. The shop owner (who has been rude to me a number of times in the past) told her off, I said "I am watching them," then she backchatted me to another customer. Needless to say we won't be going back there ever again.

So, it sounds like a tiny thing now it's written down. It didn't feel like it at the time.

Poor little Arj has been sick for what seems like weeks now. He's been going up and down with an ear infection that is proving difficult to shake and probably a virus on top of it. He's on his third lot of antibiotics for this infection. The last one took three lots too. Have any of you had experiences like this? I think he's teething too and the doctor said that some kids have this trouble until they stop teething. I really hope he doesn't. He's so, so miserable.

Poor little Chloe got her thumb stuck in a door this week too. She's OK but it was horrible anyway.

Now, that's the bad things out of the way. Time for the good things. We had a lovely Brown Owls meet up last night in the Wood Design Centre. It's the most beautiful building with the most beautiful collection of furniture. I met one of my old flatmates from Uni there for the first time since Uni - a long time ago now - and it was so nice to see her.

On the work front, I've got an exciting stockist lined up for the sewing kits. Considering how little time I've had to do anything this week that's amazing!! The GIVEAWAY is still open. Make sure you enter. Go on, you know you want to.

Uptown Girl

2010-07-27T19:36:00.004+10:00

First off, don't forget! There's a giveaway down below. Go enter!

A while ago I made Chloe a version of Make It Perfect's Uptown Girl jacket. Here she is modelling it and her new fringe which she's terribly keen on. She spends a lot of time checking herself out in the mirror these days. Putting lip balm and jewellery on and flouncing about in her Cinderella dress. Unfortunately she doesn't want to wear the jacket, in fact she doesn't want to wear anything I've made her except said Cinderella dress. I made the jacket a little large anyway and I know she'll come round. It just takes a couple of months and all of a sudden it'll be the best thing since sliced bread so any day now I suppose.

So, anyway, if you're wanting to make any lovely little jackets I highly recommend this pattern. It was well written, constructed and fun to make and I've just noticed it comes in larger sizes now too. I'm really happy with how it turned out and the fabric choices. Being reversible makes it more exciting for Chloe too.

Oh, and you can sorta see behind Chloe the toy kitchen Sam and I made in a combined effort. He did most of the work, I did the sewing, purchasing of fittings and "creative direction." It's very strongly based on this pattern but we scaled it up and used MDF instead of cardboard.

Giveaway!

2010-07-25T15:59:00.007+10:00

I'd really like your opinion! I have a new product that I've been slowly working on for a while. It's a sewing kit for a waterproof cosmetic bag. The thing is, what with the kids, other work projects, housework, trying to have a bit of a social life, the endless washing, washing, washing, etc, it's taken a while and I've lost any sense of objectivity. I'd love if you could take a look at them here or here and tell me what you think. Even if you just tell me which is your favourite fabric. Everyone who comments will go into a draw for the kit containing their favourite fabric.

The kits contain fabric, vinyl, zipper, pattern and detailed instructions. I've had fun choosing a bunch of cute fabrics designed by Aussies (Danielle Stewart, Aunty Cookie and Melbomba so far) and hand screen printed in Australia. If these work out I'll be looking at increasing the range of fabrics.

I'll draw the winner on Monday the 2nd of August.

PS You can choose the tree print in blue, or the protea print in aubergine if you prefer.

Stuff I love

2010-07-23T20:20:00.005+10:00

Rainbow stripes and a combi. Really, what more could you ask for. I have bought this tapestry kit and am happily stitching away through the Tour de France. It's by Granny Knits.

Maybe this one will be next! From Clothkits.

This jacket reproduced from the original 70s Clothkits designs. I'm sure I remember this from my Mum's catalogues when I was little. This is underway for Arj. I'm hoping I'll get it done before the end of winter! Available here. So cute, it even has a tractor and three farm animal prints to make into softies that fit in the pockets.

Checking out fabric both vintage and new on True Up.

The new fabric line from American Jane. Love it. I always love American Jane fabrics. I really seem to be drawn to the clear bright mainly primary colours. Available here.

These Auntie Cookie papercut fabrics. A bargain!

Lino Forest and Find, Make, Do blogs.

Mesmerised

2010-07-12T18:41:00.002+10:00

My very good friend Katey has just published her first (maybe of many!) book. It's a beautifully designed book of striking black and white designs for babies from birth to 6 months. I can vouch for my two babies loving black and white pictures - I just wish Katey's book had been available for them. It really is gorgeous. Check it out here. From now on anyone I know who has a baby will be getting one!

Surrounded

2010-07-09T11:39:00.003+10:00

Lovely fabrics from Danielle Stewart. For my new project. There'll be a giveaway very soon. Just need to make a few samples and finalise packaging. Exciting!

Bathroom inspiration?

2010-07-07T21:37:00.002+10:00

corian-missoni-exhibition-9, originally uploaded by becky barreto.

Love this! I'm trawling the net looking for bathroom inspiration and wondering about a bright stripey shower using tiles. This is Corian and Missoni and way, way, way beyond our means. I've got some graph paper, photos of tile samples and some textas and I'm going to work on some stripes of my own. Fun! What do you reckon? Any ideas?

Sweet Tooth

2010-07-06T20:23:00.002+10:00

Both my kids have definitely inherited my sweet tooth. Their Dad is much more restrained when it comes to fattening sugary things. Arj was in his element with the cakes at his birthday party. He was spotted determinedly licking his plate after demolishing a lump of birthday cake.

**AAARGH. Not again. I must be doing something wrong but I swear I already rotated this photo! I give up.

Brooches

2010-07-02T11:52:00.002+10:00

Brooches (for grownups!) available at Made It. Handprinted fabric by Showpony all the way from Scotland.

New belts

2010-06-30T15:48:00.002+10:00

A few new belts are now available on Etsy and Made It. Cute!

One

2010-06-29T10:39:00.002+10:00

So, he's one. I'll follow the usual convention and say "Wow, I just can't believe how fast this year has gone." Totally true.

Arj is the happiest little boy you could imagine (apart from some occasions between about 2 and 4 in the morning and certain days when he crawls around behind me complaining.) He loves dancing and banging things. He loves a good wrestle and is completely adoring of his big sister. He makes me laugh even when my mood is pretty low and needless to say he provides me with a lot of cleaning, tidying, washing (note huge pile of laundry in photo background) and cuddles.

Mmmm, sausages!

2010-06-18T11:40:00.002+10:00

Is there anything better than sausages cooked on the fire followed by a gentle walk in the bush? I love it. Three toasted marshmallow hyped girls enjoying a walk to Liffey Falls.

Thirty six

2010-06-08T12:20:00.002+10:00

John's Birthday Cake, originally uploaded by mono1980.

Wow, this year has gone so quickly.

Rainy, grey, misty day - not the best for a birthday. It's a good excuse for hot chocolate though. Perhaps I'll make a little trip to Cocoa Bean. Woke up to flowers. Thank you lovely husband.

More plans

2010-06-07T19:56:00.002+10:00

On my project list are a couple of beanbags for the kids. I'll probably use this tutorial and Denyse Schmidt decorating weight fabrics maybe with some denim or plain cotton canvas to break it up a bit. Denyse Schmidt's designs would have to be my all time favourite fabrics. I've used quite a few in my kid's clothing in the past and whenever I see any around I'm hard pressed not to buy it.

Food explosion

2010-06-03T18:36:00.002+10:00

I'd forgotten just how messy mealtimes can be. Lucky I have Cinderella living with me.

Turn your head sideways now

2010-06-02T05:57:00.008+10:00

Why, oh why does my internet connection dropout almost every single time I click upload photos in blogger. It drives me crazy so we're having sideways photos tonight. I swear I would blog more often if photo uploading wasn't quite so frustrating.

So what's news?

The kids are growing up so, so fast. Arj is 11 months now and I'm starting to think about birthday cakes. I love making cakes! Chloe has a thing about lighthouses so we went to visit one last week (and the fabric shop on the way!) and Arj has been getting in touch with his feminine side. And, oh, how cute he looks.

I'll be having a birthday very soon too. I'm hoping to have a celebration this year as last years got cancelled as my heavily pregnant self was sick.

I've been sewing but for ourselves and presents mainly. Still no work to speak of. The kids and I have been tag teaming with various illnesses. Not much sleep, a couple of late night trips to emergency (all fine now) and many trips to the GP. Fairly large amounts of cash have been handed over to pharmacists and tissue manufacturers. I'm hoping for a break now.

I've been dieting and exercising and am feeling so, so, so much better (apart from the colds) that I just can't stop telling everyone. Yay for online Weightwatchers. I never thought I'd join something like that but it has been so worthwhile. My clothes from before Arj fit now and it feels like I have a whole new wardrobe. I'm full of energy too and have been going for long walks and even the odd run.

I've been doing a lot of fabric buying in the (maybe deluded) hope that I'll get some work done soon.

We're getting weekly veggie boxes from Hilbarn and loving them.

This, if you know me, is pretty amazing news - I cook the dinner EVERY night (almost). Sam mustn't know what to do with himself now. This weird transformation coincided with the Hilbarn boxes, my diet and the realisation that cooking the dinner is something I can do myself without feeling guilty about not doing a jigsaw/colouring in/ sticking/ drawing etc, etc. Does anyone else have a child who doesn't want to do anything by themselves? It makes me feel terribly guilty as I feel like I say no all the time.

I seem to spend a vast proportion of my life folding washing. Ironing only when absolutely unavoidable.

I'm off to fold some now. Whoopee.

PS. I met a couple of very, very beautiful boys.

One for the project list

2010-02-22T20:57:00.003+11:00

What a very cool idea this is. I won't be bothering with the bag but a couple of dolls and a bunch of outfits - what fun! A great excuse to buy yet more fabric.

We're having a great summer. I hope you are too. We've spent a lot of time in the pool, made a lot of trips to the beach and the shack. Been to the NW coast, W coast and E coast and off to the Freycinet peninsula this weekend coming for a quick camping trip. Still not getting nearly enough sleep and not getting to do any work. I'm a bit frustrated cos the ideas are coming thick and fast, I just seem to be in this sort of semi-paralysed state where I can't seem to start anything. I think it's because I know I'll be interupted just as I get going - or is that just an excuse?

Maybe some summer photos soon.

Everytime I blog I feel inspired to keep it up and do it more regularly then I stop again!

P.S. The Maisy quilt was a huge hit!

Secret Maisy Business

2009-12-21T09:18:00.003+11:00

A work in progress. I've been having fun with this and doing my first attempt at machine quilting. I only have the binding to go now and I think I'll get it done in time for Christmas. I'm hoping this will replace the quilt I carried on the back of my bike to the airport in Nice as Chloe's tv watching quilt of choice. Then, perhaps, I could use mine.

Just an aside. Does anyone else have glitter all over their house, themselves, their kids and even trailed into the garden?

3

2009-12-19T08:18:00.004+11:00

Wow, a three year old in the house. She had the best time at her party. It wasn't very warm but everyone swam anyway and Chloe was so, so happy. All day, not a single low moment. Amazing - even after all the sugar.

I had such fun making the cake. Loosely based on the Rainbow fish and Sam and Chloe made a fish pinata (with creative direction from me - poor Sam).

Now on to Christmas. Having a birthday so close to Christmas means presents and excitement galore. The birthday spread out to about a week. I feel sad for Chloe that she'll have to wait so long for her next one.

Cuties

2009-12-03T11:43:00.001+11:00

Chloe is 3 in a week. I can't quite believe it. Arj is 5 months now. I find that even harder to believe. Thought it must be time for a photo!

Yawning but smiling

2009-11-29T21:01:00.003+11:00

Man, I'm tired ... but happy. Had a great three days at Niche Market. I really enjoyed getting back into sewing (although there's no way I could keep up the pace) and the buzz of the market. There were loads of lovely stalls and sellers and I neglected to take photos of their stalls again. I'll point you to some blogs as things come up - I'm sure someone has taken lovely shots.

Lots of friends visited, new friends were made and I've had the most social three days. Just great!

I'm hoping to photograph and list some of the things I have in stock still this week but no promises. I have to catch up on some of the very neglected housework.

Provence

2009-11-22T08:08:00.004+11:00

For Georgia - just to get you a little more excited!

OK, so it's over a year since our holiday to France but I always meant to post a few more photos. I've been thinking a lot about travel lately with Mrs Smith's exciting trip and my brother and his lovely girlfriend heading off to the UK and South America in a couple of weeks. My other brother is in NZ holidaying just now and no doubt my folks will get another trip in the pipeline soon. I'm getting very, very envious so am reliving past trips and pulling out old photos.

Gearing up...

2009-11-13T11:43:00.002+11:00

.. for Niche. It's going to be a great market with a huge list of exciting stalls.

In print

2009-10-15T08:38:00.004+11:00

Cover girl Gemma and the beautiful Edie

Lovely photos of Chloe. I won't bother telling you what I think of the one of me - suffice to say it was only six weeks after Arj was born.

Tasmanian business magazine Enterprise did a story on three mum's fitting a creative small business around their kids. I'm thrilled to be in there with Gemma of Loz and Dinny and Georgina Freeman of Baby Hoot and The Adventures of Dick and Dora(can't find any links to this new partnership but here is Dick and Dora). Also, the arrival of the lovely photographer lifted the mood in our house when we were having one of those days! Chloe was thrilled with him!

Back from the brink...

2009-10-12T15:25:00.006+11:00

... of becoming a non-blogger!

Blogging just hasn't been my thing for a little while. I expect I'll continue to come and go a bit. It's pretty hard to get anything done around here! Can't really blog endlessly about getting the kids up and dressed, changing the nappies, feeding Arj, not getting to the housework or the cooking, never mind the sewing endlessly. You (and I) would die of boredom.

To be honest (cos I'm not sure enough Mum's are) I've had some pretty low weeks and felt my emotions getting out of control. I feel like I'm getting past that stage now. Maybe it was hormonal - it seemed to coincide with my hair starting to fall out in a big way (Yay).

I have done a little bit of sewing. A pair of trousers for Arj and the beginnings of a quilt in American Jane's Wee Play fabric. I love them both and they've whetted my appetite for more sewing. Just got to work out how to get the kiddies to enjoy occupying themselves around me while I do it!

We managed to get away for a long weekend to Melbourne a while ago now. Had a lovely time wandering around the shops, botanical gardens and zoo. Had some great food and enjoyed the feel of being in the big smoke. Chloe, Arj and I had a lovely afternoon with Jen (Thanks so much for coming into the city to meet us) while Sam was cringing in the stands at the MCG watching his team disappoint him again!

Oh, yeah, and there's a few things listed on Etsy. Only what I have ready to go - I won't be making to order for a while.

Red Pea Green Beanie

2009-08-21T10:49:00.004+10:00

Ok, so, don't let my version put you off making this! I had a very uncooperative model who wouldn't even let me put it on her properly, has been dribbling by the looks of it and didn't want her hair brushed either. Hair cut coming up soon I think.

Believe me it's much cuter than it looks in my photo - go see Michelle's and you'll know. I made it a bit big I think which isn't helping. Oh well. She's growing!

Oh, and by the way, It's raining again. One stunning Spring afternoon yesterday in between all the gray rain. We sat outside and soaked up a little sun and hopes were high for more.

Rainy Days

2009-08-16T14:14:00.004+10:00

Evening photos of the Basin at Cataract Gorge. Somewhere under here are beautiful lawns and a swimming pool. We've had a LOT of rain down here in Tassie.

Slow days

2009-08-15T11:12:00.006+10:00

Not much happening here apart from sitting on the couch or sitting on my mum's couch.

On Tuesday night I twisted my foot badly and can't get around very well. Such a bummer! I had lots of things I wanted to do this week just gone. Ah well, it is nice to have an excuse to rest sometimes. My very kind (long suffering maybe) Mum has been here for three days, with some help from Dad as well, doing the very important job of carrying Arj between me, his cot and his play mat. Chloe has had a wonderful time playing with Mum and Dad too.

I must admit though, now that it's Saturday and Sam is home, I'm totally, totally over sitting on my butt! I'll set myself up to do huge pile of hair tie and clip assembly then at least I'd feel productive.

Arj had his six week milestone on Monday. Time is flying by. He seems so big now and yet so small as well. How's that for a sensible sentence? I know what I mean.

I've been knitting a Pea Green beanie (in red) for Chloe from a gorgeous pattern from one very impressive lady I met at Niche Market. Mine is deviating quite a lot from her pattern as I have a thinner yarn, the wrong sized needles - a bit small for my yarn - as a certain knitting helper has stashed one somewhere unknown and have just guessed at a reasonable number of stitches. My yarn gradually changes colour too and I decided after knitting almost the entire thing that I wanted the colours in a different spot so started again. So I've cleverly made a one night project last for quite a few night more. Good when you're stuck to the sofa!

No photos today - camera battery is flat and I can't get down the stairs to search for the charger in the pile of unpacked boxes (Yikes down there. As I said, I had lots to do this week!

Market finds

2009-08-07T15:59:00.006+10:00

I'm copying Gemma and showing off some of my recent Esk Market finds. Chloe and I had some girl time last Sunday. We treated ourselves to pain au chocolats (somewhat perversely Chloe pulled out the chocolate and refused to eat it. Strange girl!) and cinos of choice and then went to the market. Chloe loves to go to the French Bakery stall where she can sample the bread and also to the balloon man. She usually gets him to make her a flower but branched out and went for a fish this time. I got enough bread for the week - they have the best olive bread - the three tiered tin above and the jug. The jug is Arabia from Finland and I love it. My mother-in-law has a couple with different animals. I got down to my last $2 and used it for a bumch of coriander.

The canisters were from a previous Esk market trip.

There is a very small amount of craftiness going on here (not for the shop yet Jen!) which mostly consists of buying stuff for new projects and maybe beginning them if I'm lucky before I move on to the next idea. I'm aiming to finish a few things before I buy anything else. The fabric in the photo above is the Wee Play range by American Jane chooped up ready for the beginnings of a quilt or maybe picnic blanket.

Shopping

2009-08-02T20:22:00.003+10:00

Meet Seagull. He goes absolutely everywhere with us and has done since Arj's birth. He was always a firm favourite but now he's the one and only. He's a goose or some insist a duck but around here he is most definitely called Seagull. Now when we see white ducks Chloe calls them Seagull ducks. This photo was taken yesterday when he was fresh from a little visit to the Seagull salon in our laundry. He could do with another visit already.

I recently hunted down a reserve Seagull online just in case. Needless to say the reserve is so white and plump he doesn't even look like the same species.

Slightly optimistic fabric buy. Quite a few yards from Joel Dewberry's new range. Deer Valley I think it's called. I love them but may have been kidding myself thinking I had time to do anything with them. And this is not all! I'm still waiting for another plump package to arrive. Not to mention the lovely goodies I've been snapping up locally.

Some letters for Arj's door or maybe a shelf. I'm desperate to get started on his room. The poor little bub is surrounded by our framed prints that haven't yet been given a home, a beautiful old huon pine chest I bought years ago for Sam to store his (annoyingly cluttering) piles of maps in and a few other small furniture items that we're yet to decide where to put. I wanted to get started on painting the old built ins in his room this weekend but it wasn't to be.

Advice to self

2009-07-31T14:41:00.001+10:00

If you're trying to get your figure back to something closer to normal DON'T eat all the cooking chocolate. Honestly, if you're going to eat chocolate why not at least make it good quality chocolate that you like!

I'm blaming sleep deprivation!

Perfect

2009-07-22T12:18:00.003+10:00

How beautiful is this origami ball. It's made by Tassie duo Hideyo Designs and you can find them here although I think they are so busy that Etsy is taking a back seat. I treated myself to one at Niche and have been meaning to show it off for months. They are made using pages from old publications. Mine is mostly text with cells of bright colours (red, orange, almost electric blue, lime and more)interspersed. It struck me as perfect for a 60s house. It's still waiting to go up due to moving, having a baby, being sick etc but mostly due to indecision about the best place for it to hang.

Hideyo also make gorgeous prints, cards, bags and stunning origami flowers. Maybe try The Ruby Pear if you are interested in seeing more.

A spot of modelling

2009-07-19T21:23:00.004+10:00

Chloe modelling her lovely Free Range Baby dress (Thanks again Jen. She loves it and so do I) at her Granny's house and Arj modelling his Granny's knitting (Thanks Mum. We love it too.). He's decided to think of it as an overcoat until he gets a bit bigger!

My photos are liable to get worse and worse - I just point and shoot without thinking at all now - time if of the essence.

Rain, rain, rain and mastitis. What fun we have had here! Oh, and I forgot to mention that Sam had a form of pneumonia resulting in excrutiating headaches for about a week and a half too. Things are looking up but the poor man has to go bring home the bacon tomorrow.

Lovely, lovely things!

2009-07-11T19:37:00.015+10:00

We received the most amazing package in the mail the other day. It was from our lovely kind, generous friend, and true patron of handmade, Jen. I just had to show some pictures as it really demonstrates the amount of talented people producing great stuff. I was overwhelmed to put it mildly.

For Chloe, a beautiful vintage fabric handmade dress from Free Range Baby and a puzzle. Chloe is so, so into jigsaws at the moment so this is just perfect.

Romper suit and pouch from Grandy and Baa. This is a new design apparently and I can say it's just great. A car on the front pulling a caravan on the back. The fabrics are hard to see in my photos but they're perfectly chosen and very cute.

Gorgeous bibs in fabrics chosen by Jen and made up by her friend Janine. I'm very impressed - maybe a little business beginning! You obviously know my fabric tastes well Jen!

Stunning ball by Amy Badskirt (my photo is not doing it justice at all, the fabrics are vibrant and beautiful) and giraffe rattle in one of my most favourite fabrics (well chosen Jen!) from Ollie and Rose.

Cute birdie bib from Ivy Designs. I have a small stash of this fabric but not in this colourway. I have it in pink and also in yellow to make pjs for Chloe. I wanted to get the aqua but Chloe said no blue is for boys. I'm saving it for next winter now as she has an aversion to wearing pjs at the moment.

Last, but by no means least, some robots. A gorgeous bib from Curlypops and a cute, cute beanie from Olie and Rose.

So, as you can see this was such an exciting package, all wrapped beautifully in separate packages. Just lovely and so generous. And I've just spotted Jen here proving again how lovely she is. Not sure how I missed this before Jen, I was looking out for you on Badskirt.

Well, it took me a few days to finish this post. I meant to get it up really quickly to surprise Jen 'cos' she knows how slow I am! All is going well with Arj, I just have a lack of spare time!

Back to the seventies

2009-07-09T13:31:00.005+10:00

Anyone who lived through some of the seventies will probably recognise what Chloe is up to in this photo. One of her favourite books is a kids cookbook that was mine. She has spent hours and hours of her short life poring over it so when Sam suggested she make the orange and cheese hedgehog (from the party snacks sections) she was incredibly excited. We now have an aging orange attached to chunks of dried out cheese taking pride of place on the kitchen table - because of course she didn't want to eat it.

Everything is going well with Arj. He's a good eater and sleeper (so far) so we're cruising along quite well. The only downfall has been battling bad colds and headaches for Sam and I. So far Arj has remained cold free which must be some sort of minor miracle given the amount of snot around here.

Thanks for all the lovely messages on the last post. I'm getting around to thanking everyone personally - it just might take me a while!

Arj has arrived

2009-07-01T14:01:00.003+10:00

Its a boy. Arj McPherson Duncan arrived just after 8:20am on Monday the 29th June.

Susan did fantastically well (again!). She and Arj are in St Lukes still so I am updating the blog with a photo.

I am so proud of Suse.

Sam

Still waiting

2009-06-27T12:55:00.002+10:00

Sorry for the lack of news for those of you waiting. I'm having trouble with my internet line dropping out and it just makes blogging too much of a challenge for my current tired, grumpy, frustrated self!

Today is officially the due date. No baby yet though. Lots of signs to make me think things are imminent but they've been happening for a week and half now so I'm feeling very impatient.

Hopefully there'll be news soon.

Just gorgeous

2009-06-15T13:24:00.003+10:00

If I do say so myself.

Another denim dress for Chloe. The trim is vintage fabric found in Oatlands.

Is it just me or...

2009-06-14T19:35:00.004+10:00

... do husbands stop taking photos of you once they have a pretty daughter? Hence this woefully fuzzy and unprofessional shot from about two weeks ago is the only one I have of me in my big bellied state. I've been meaning to blog since I took it but procrastination and slothishness has been winning.

The photo is taken in the soon to be nursery and the unpacking hasn't progressed much since then. It's starting to worry me but I'm sure the babe won't mind the odd packing box.

This is our messy new kitchen and one of our living areas. We've just had the floors in the other one polished so all the furniture is in here and the nursery. There's a lot to do still but we're having to just relax and put things off. Chloe was quite sick for a while so with that and me being too tired now to do much it's just how it is.

Sam and Chloe made this cake for me. We had planned a little gathering to try out the pizza oven but with Chloe sick and Sam doing house removals for the entire two days before we had to cancel. I hope the queen had a more successful birthday. I had a lovely brekkie out but things got rapidly less exciting and culminated with first Chloe, then me, having melt downs. Ah, well, we'll try to celebrate after the baby instead. The cake was very good!

I'm still here...

2009-06-02T19:23:00.002+10:00

...just very tired and waiting until my camera cable thingo reappears in the mess that is our current existence.

I've been meaning to personally thank all of you who left lovely, supportive messages in response to my mother's day worries. I do hope to do so eventually but just in case - Thank you so much. It really made me feel better.

The house move is going well. Chloe loves the new house and doesn't even want to go back to the old one. We had removalists do all the books and furniture so have only had to do the small stuff (of which there is a hell of a lot) ourselves. Sam, of course, has had to do most of it and his lovely brother is coming to help him finish it off this weekend.

There's still a lot of sorting and unpacking to do but I think it will have to wait. I have a desperate urge to get the nursery sorted now so we'll do that first. I wanted to paint Chloe's room and the new babes room (amongst others) but am forcing myself to be realistic. We may just manage to paint the old sixties built in in the nursery. That would be enough to brighten the room up I think.

Photos as soon as I manage to find the aforementioned cable.

House update

2009-05-14T07:51:00.002+10:00

Got the keys. Yay! Lot's of people have been through our old house - let's hope one of them like it!

We had a birthday dinner for my Mum at the new place last night. Very simple but nice. We haven't moved much into the new place yet. Just enough to manage a very simple dinner and enough to camp if we feel like it. I resorted to a packet tea cake so I didn't have to go back to the other house to cook. I put apple slices on top and we had good vanilla yoghurt with it. Remarkably good!

Happy Mother's Day

2009-05-10T16:58:00.003+10:00

Happy Mother's Day all you Mums.

I've had pancakes, scones with jam and cream, chocolate cake, fudge and Sam's beautiful take on Salade Nicoise (which is my favourite meal). What a fat piglet I feel. We had a trip to Evandale Market where flowers were bought for me (and the chocolate cake, scones and fudge!), went to do a pre-settlement inspection of the new house (Tuesday - yay!) and then got some time to myself as I really want to polish off some orders before we get the house. I can see myself not wanting to spend much time sewing!

Please don't take the following as negative comments about being a Mum or my daughter. They're just how it is for me. I'm a little nervous about having another baby. There's the physical pain post birth and struggle to breastfeed from last time that worry me a little but the main thing is that I lost myself for a long time after I had Chloe. Maybe post natal depression, I'm not sure, I never talked to any doctors at the time and didn't recognise how bad things were. Anyway, it took me a while to feel like I'd come back or even realise I was still there somewhere. Today I've been thinking about it a bit. I've changed a lot since I had Chloe. I've done some study, started Black Eyed Susie and gained a lot of confidence, made a lot of new close friends and really feel much stronger. So I'm optimistic and (here's the point of this) I had a little moment today in the house by myself ironing some work with the music blasting where I felt completely me and completely happy.

Niche revisited

2009-05-08T19:38:00.004+10:00

I got a bunch of work done today including some new badges and woollen purses for Cocoon and some hair accessories for Leeloo. I also have a number of orders from Niche underway (and I'm getting there in case any of you happen to be waiting for something!) Tonight we are just doing a bit of last minute preparation for our first open home. Unfortunately there was a little cornflake incident this morning that means the floors need remopped. Oh, well. Our plan is to get everything sorted tonight and then vacate as soon as we can in the morning. That way no unforeseen little girl mess can occur. We may go to Agfest to see some huge tractors and farm animals - Chloe will love it and in what seems like an age ago, I studied Ag Science so I (very) occasionally like to revisit that life.

Now to begin my chronicling of some of the cool things at Niche. I've been nicking photos in the hope that everyone's so happy about Niche they won't mind - I'll email after!

Gemma's beautiful Loz and Dinny stall (and the beautiful Gemma). Photo nicked from Fer.

The Loz and Dinny library bag on the left is now Chloe's. I haven't seen a prouder face than Chloe's as she walked through the market with it on after her Daddy bought it for her. Photo nicked from Gemma.

That myrtle laser cut brooch, the one with the two birds to the right is now mine, all mine. It was the last one and I love it. It's made by the lovely Sophie of That Vintage fame. She has an Etsy shop where you can check out her lovely things. Photo nicked again, from Sophie this time.

An owl very similar to these ones is sitting in pride of place in my house at the moment. It's meant for the babe on the way and I'm looking forward to setting up the room in the new house. This is one of Vee of the Purple Finch's creations. I'm already planning on another purchase next market! Photo nicked from Vee's blog.

More of Vee's beautiful softies. Photo from Fer.

There's more to tell but I must get back to the tidying.

Nostalgia

2009-05-05T15:00:00.004+10:00

More on Niche soon. I'd like to show you some of the other stallholders but didn't get a chance to get photos so I'll try to show some examples of their designs soon.

First though, I wanted to post a couple of photos of our current house. It's so tidy at the moment and it's the perfect time to show you! Even my work room is tidy - totally unheard of. I'll get a photo of it to show you tomorrow.

These are some of the photos the agent took of our house and they're making me the tiniest bit sad to be leaving. We've put so much work and love into this house. It's crazy to be nostalgic before we even leave!

We built this deck when I was pregnant with Chloe. There are some huge beams underneath that I had to help lift and hold in place for Sam. We have some photos of a huge bellied me banging nails into the decking. I get so much satisfaction out of making things - be it dresses or decks!

Chloe's room is perhaps my favourite in the house. It is a calm, restful room and sometimes I feel like going to have a little afternoon nap in her bed.

This red laminex table is a favourite thing. It has been a multi-purpose dining, cutting and miscellaneous stuff storage spot here so unfortunately that meant it could often be almost hidden! In the new house it may become a dedicated work table or it may get pride of place on the covered verandah - I'm leaning towards this option. That red needs to be seen.

This is our lovely sunny lounge room. I love the paint colour and am keeping the name stored in my head for the new place.

Niche

2009-05-02T19:40:00.003+10:00

Just a quick post - I know I've been a slacker with the blogging!

Today was the first day of "Niche - All wrapped up" the market in support of St Giles at the University of Tasmania Art School in Launceston. Above are a couple of photos of my stall taken by Jen (with a much lovelier camera and a much better eye for photos than me). Thank you!

I was nervous and hadn't managed to fit in a practice stall set up so just had to do it cold this morning. I was really happy with how it turned out. It needs a little tidy up in the photos but that's a good thing. It means people were looking. I had a great day and may be sold on this market thing. So exciting to chat with customers and other makers.

There are so many amazing stalls at Niche. If you're in or near Launceston do pop in tomorrow. You'll love it! I'm hoping to manage a little shopping tomorrow too!

Yikes

2009-04-24T11:06:00.005+10:00

Things here at the "House of Black Eyed Susie" are what you might call, in a charitable mood, chaotic. If I let you see into the work room you may feel your charitable mood slipping away and you may feel compelled to call it a disaster area.

We have less than three weeks untils settlement date for our new house (Yay, yay, yay!), we need to get this house on the market asap and it's only a week until Niche Market. I'm desperately sewing but finding myself procrastinating with cleaning walls and packing boxes both of which need done so maybe it's not true procrastination, just a very ineffective way to get everything done. Sam (and I when I need another break from sewing) is painting some window frames that I started stripping a very long time ago and never finished. We also some finishing off to do on the verandah that we replaced about a year ago and have to paint the lounge room as the wall behind a heater we had removed wasn't painted. Nevermind the garden - cutting the grass will be as good as it gets. Poor Chloe is stuck in the middle of all this thinking "What on earth is going on?" She's so obsessed with Maisy at the moment that we've been resorting to the TV quite a lot. I just tell myslef it's OK, it's just a couple of weeks until she has a great new garden and house to explore. I'm sure that'll break the TV habit.

I did have some photos to show you but my camera has currently taken itself into hiding and I don't blame it really. I bet it's found a nice cosy spot under some of my fabric piles.

I'll be taking whatever clothing I have ready, including a range of dresses, pants and skirts (and the two new cord dresses pictured - perfect for winter), to Niche. I'll also have a bunch of belts, some in new fabrics. I had a little fun at Seworld yesterday (when I should have been sewing or cleaning or painting) and if I had the camera I'd show you my haul. Just gorgeous. There will be a few purses for the grown ups (photos will come one day) and a big bunch of hair ties and clips in new fabrics. Maybe some badges too if I get that far. Fun!

I've realised recently that my ideas and plans are always far, far ahead of my current capabilities so I reserve the right to go back in these promises at any moment!

Soon, soon....

2009-04-18T09:32:00.002+10:00

Soon to be our house. I can't wait - am just bursting with excitement - although this is slightly tempered by the stress of banks, money, house selling or not and all the other things that make moving complicated. This house is so much more a family house than our current one and it has a great space for my work area - I may even feel I can call it a studio!!

I'm looking forward to having a new baby and being allowed a small glass of wine on the back verandah soaking in some winter sun and the views.

This

Niche Market

2009-04-17T18:34:00.004+10:00

I'm very excited to be taking part in my first market and even prouder that it's such a lovely one with such wonderful makers involved. Go take a look at the Niche blog for info on stall holders.

Even better, Niche is a fundraising venture so a portion of stall takings will go to St Giles which is a wonderful charity that provides all sorts of therapy for kids who need it.

Niche is on from 10am to 4 pm on Saturday the 2nd and Sunday the 3rd of May at the Academy of Arts at Inveresk in Launceston. A perfect place to pick up a Mother's Day present or something for yourself! I must start dropping large hints.

Don't get sand in your eggs

2009-04-16T19:52:00.004+10:00

Happy belated Easter everyone. Hope yours was as lovely as ours.

The weather was stunning. It was warm, still and sunny. Too warm for a fire at night and I had to forego my ritual marshmallow charring.

We had 4 days at Binalong Bay, 2 of them with Gemma, Duncan and Edie. We had a great time and it seems they did too! So glad! I had the best sleeps I've had in months, the best of which I'm putting down to Dunc's amazing roast beef with a huge range of veggies and even cauliflower cheese, yum, yum. I felt they were trying to build up my iron and vitamin stores - so lovely.

Chloe and Edie enjoyed each others company and froliced in the water together. Sam swam every day but one and Chloe had her first dip in the ocean. She's always been worried about waves before. We went to Beer Barrel Beach and she even ran in and out of the water by herself. My was she proud!

Lots of sandcastles were built, chocolate eggs consumed and Gemma and I even got to scour the local collectables shops. Will show a couple of pictures of my finds soon.

This is Chloe's current fashion statement. Any attempt to discuss removing the band aid required a very, very brave mother. Those Wiggles have a lot to answer for.

By the way, Gemma has a competition on now and much as I'd like to limit the entries so I have more chance of winning, you should go enter.

My laptop may have to go to hospital tomorrow. Eeek. All my photos and documents have gone off somewhere - hopefully retrievable not into the ether or, basically, I'm going to be in disaster mode.

Newsflash

2009-04-07T22:13:00.002+10:00

I've been trying to get to sleep whilst thinking about all the things that need to be done.

This has led to the decision to shut my Etsy and Made It shops down for a few weeks. They'll be closing down next Tuesday evening so if you want anything grab it before then!

My tentative plans are to give myself 3-4 weeks to get a few things done and organised and then reopen with only what is in stock listed. We are probably going to put our house on the market and hope to find a new one so, as you can imagine, I'll need more time to pick up toys, vacuum crumbs up and clean cornflakes off the wooden floor.

I am committed to doing a market in early May (Niche for St. Giles - more info to come) and so I'll be making a bit more stock. What's left after that will be listed online. And then I'll have a little bit of maternity leave!

If anybody wants to join a mailing list to find out when the shops are opening again please just shoot an email to blackeyed-susie@hotmail.com

The Good Life

2009-04-07T14:12:00.003+10:00

If you want to be made envious of those of us lucky enough to live or holiday in the Apple Isle please go and read this. (Found via Georgia)

Living here, it's easy to get caught up in work and everyday chores and forget to take time to enjoy the place. Sam, Chloe and I recently went on a trip up to the north west coast to visit my Gran. The weather was clear, warm and sunny and I found myself incredibly frustrated that we had such a limited time. We've realised that we've stopped going away on the weekends. Part of the reason is that we have such lovely friends here in Launceston and more of a social life here than we used to. I have to admit, thought, that it's also a touch of laziness, tiredness and just that we've let the busy life take over. We have a lot going on at the moment (hopefully some news soon!)

I can't see having a newborn making this any easier but we will try to get a few trips in before the babe comes along. Starting this weekend with a trip to the shack as I mentioned in a previous post.

Bright and Cheery

2009-04-03T09:49:00.003+11:00

I just love this cord skirt on Chloe. I know I've already blogged it but the weather has been so dull here and it's so bright and cheery. As is the red tunic below. There's only one left of these now. It's a size 3. How I wish I'd bought more of this fabric but I've left it way, way too late.

Things are looking up here. Sam went to work late today so he could get Chloe to childcare and I could have a lie in. I'm starting to feel better although it's somewhat hidden by a cold that's hanging around. And, I think the sun may actually get through the clouds today. It's about time let me tell you.

Looking forward to the weekend and maybe a leisurely bbq at the picnic ground below Liffey Falls. Such a gentle peaceful place and the bbqs are still wood burning which makes it very exciting for Chloe.

Also looking forward to a relaxing and (hopefully) rejuvenating Easter at Binalong Bay with leisurely walks on the beach, good food, sandcastle building, a spot of secondhand shop trawling and great chat with these lovely folks.

And also, making something for myself. I bought a purse kit from Nicole of You Sew Girl. I'm thinking maybe grey wool flannel with a little snippet of vintage Japanese owl print cotton I've been hoarding for a while now.

Change of Plans

2009-04-01T19:19:00.002+11:00

Thanks for all the lovely comments and encouragement about the market. Sadly I won't be there after all.

I've had a wake up call in the form of a day in hospital having an iron transfusion. It took three times as long as is should have because I fainted for the first time in my life and they had to wait for me to recover enough to start. This just made me realise how tired and run down I really was.

So, I'm doing the sensible thing and slowing down. For the sake of the Chloe and the babe on the way. I had to admit I have been pushing it to get everything as perfect as I wanted it for the market.

I'll still be filling online orders. I have a lot of stock made so it's mostly just a matter of mailing things. The iron boost has already made a difference in 24 hours and so I'll be able to gear up again in a week or so. It's funny what you accept as normal and push through. I just thought that my tiredness was pregnancy with a toddler but this morning, as soon as I woke up, my limbs felt lighter and it made me realise they'd felt like lead weights for a couple of weeks.

I have plans to do a market in Launceston in early May and with 4 weeks to prepare (and all the work I'd done for this weekend's market) it should be a doddle (mostly!).

Soon to come, when we have a nice bright day, a belly photo as requested by Jen. Don't worry I'll keep it under clothing! Also, a couple of new dresses that I'm just thrilled with.

The Market

2009-03-26T18:40:00.002+11:00

Deep breaths are required. I'm going to take Black Eyed Susie to it's first market in less than a week and a half. If anybody is in or near Hobart and feels like a little retail therapy this would be a great place to go. I'd love it if you said hello too!

In case you can't read this on the picture it's at the Masonic Temple at 3 Sandy Bay Rd (opposite St David's Park) on the 5th of April. Doors are open from 10 to 3.

2009-03-25T08:23:00.004+11:00

Just had to post this photo. Chloe seems to like the idea of being a model now (well at least, for a couple of minutes and one outfit's worth which means it takes days to get new photos). She loves the close up shot.

I've been busily trying to get a few things that have been in my head for months up and going. Particularly some winter clothes for Chloe which may or may not end up in the shops. I bought some green wool coating on line in the hope that it would be a soft, muted sort of green. This may have been my worst internet buying mistake ever. It's more of a radioactive, toxic waste sort of green. It wasn't the vendors fault. There photo is actually fairly true to colour. I must have just had a moment when my desire to believe was too strong. I'm thinking of buying some blue dye and attempting to make it useable. Anyone got any tips for me??

This is a little box pleat skirt I've been meaning to make for ages. The fabric is a soft babywale cord. Very bright and cheery for dull days. Chloe initially refused even to try it on but loves it now. Lots of colours to look at.

In other news, the latest oft reported saying in our house is "I need to watch Maisy." I'm happy Charlie and Lola are back on in the mornings, cheery 70s theme song and cute fabrics used in the animation. What more could I ask for in a kids show?

New dress...

2009-03-17T15:07:00.003+11:00

... and this time it's for me - not the shop. I bought this dress/tunic online recently. I love it and would wear it every day if people wouldn't be horrified! I can safely say it's my favourite maternity item so far. I even like it more than my non-maternity clothes. Now if only I were as tall and thin as the model and had some boots like hers.

Picture filched from here.

Renovate? Are you crazy?

2009-03-16T08:02:00.002+11:00

As I said in a previous post, we're finding it difficult to find a larger house. There seems to be a few really crappy larger ones and a few really beautiful, really expensive ones and nothing in the middle price range. I'm finding more and more that I want to buy a cheaper one and do a full renovation. I'm 25 weeks pregnant now and what I want to know is, is this a serious desire or is this a fairly extreme form of nesting?

Is it even a possibility to renovate with a 2 year old and a baby?

Am I loosing my grip on reality???

Elephants

2009-03-13T20:31:00.003+11:00

Elephant trim denim pants I've just finished for a little boy. I love how these turned out. I love, love, love the elephant fabric. It's a Japanese cotton and I only bought half a yard. Must get more - please don't buy it all or I'll regret leaving the link!

Nesting

2009-03-10T19:52:00.004+11:00

I think my nesting instinct has set in, unfortunately not in a glamorous, excting way. More in a practical, sensible way. I've made Sam rearrange our laundry and have been painting the window frame. It's given us a lot more space - or at least the feeling of more space.

We're trying to find a new, larger house before this baby comes along but I'm starting to think it's not going to happen. There isn't much around at the moment. Hence the need to start making the most of what we have. I do love our house but it is very small and my work things are taking over well and truly.

Style Collective has a competition on at the moment to win a $500 kids gear spending spree. Sounds perfect for this time when a lot of people are starting to tighten their belts. I'm off to enter.

Early morning hours

2009-03-08T17:58:00.002+11:00

Naomi said to let her know if I tried any middle of the night sewing during my sleepless hours. I haven't - yet. I did, however spend a long time teaching myself how to get rid of the background in my photos. I'm not that great at it but am improving.

These are some of the fruits of my very early morning efforts and the beginnings of a range of belts for the shop.

6x6

2009-03-06T12:50:00.003+11:00

OK, I've been dragging the chain a bit on this. I was tagged for 6 x 6 by Jo from Rousabout and Kali from Poppy Lane. This means I have to show and tell the 6th photo from my 6th folder. Hmm, problem. My 6th folder only has two photos so how about the 2nd photo from the 6th folder.

This is a silk wall hanging I bought from an antique shop in New Norfolk. All I know about it is that it came from the collection of a woman who travelled a lot and brought home lots of goodies. I love the colours in it - which aren't great in this photo. In fact this proves that my camera skills have at least improved a bit. I bought it while I was pregnant with Chloe and the pathetic thing I have to admit is that I still haven't hung it up.

I'm not going to tag anyone because I'm so far behind with this I'm sure almost everyone has done it. If you feel like joining in though, please do, and let me know so I can check out your photos.

Dorothy & Evelyn

2009-03-01T20:00:00.003+11:00

Dorothy & Evelyn in St Kilda are now stocking some Black Eyed Susie clothing and accessories including this one off vintage fabric dress. I'm desperate to get over to Melbourne to check out the shop. It's 158 Barkly St if anyone's passing by!

Softies

2009-02-27T18:51:00.004+11:00

I'm back and feeling a bit energised although my legs are tired from the aqua aerobics. Have vowed to go back although I found it almost a chore. I'm feeling far less fit this pregnancy. The first trimester nausea and tiredness followed by a couple of bad colds really got rid of any fitness I had.

Here, as promised, are the softies. All I can say is it's a good thing I'm not trying to sell softies. Anyway, doesn't slightly wonky equal charm? They were very satisfying to make especially as that was this first craft night I've been to since I lived in a very, very small mining town in WA and craft night was really the only social activity. I was so excited to be amongst people doing what I love. Most of my close friends are not into sewing at all. Most are creative in some way just not my way!

I found the patterns for my softies here. This owl is from a tutorial by Lollychops. It's probably a great softie to start with. I didn;t have the instructions with me and relied on my memory which could be better!

Lucy Goosey by the Long Thread. A bit trickier and again, if I'd paid more attention to the tutorial rather than chatting mine could have been more polished. He's kinda cute.

A few other geese were produced on the night and Gemma has some pictures with more to come I think.

Moan, moan

2009-02-26T20:08:00.004+11:00

There's been a lot of painting around here recently. Lots of it in various spots around the walls and floor and some on the paper.

We're having a rocky time sleepwise at the moment. Chloe stopped her daytime naps most days in early January. Sometimes she still has one, if she's in the car or the pram, but that means she's up until 9.30 or later. I'm going slightly bonkers as I've lost my 2 1/2 hours of worktime everyday and am not getting any free time many nights either. It felt fine until about 6 weeks in and then I started to realise how little time to myself I had. To add to that I'm struggling to sleep at night and often end up lying awake for an hour or three in the middle of the night. This happened to me last pregnancy too and by the end I was a grumpy mess. Eek!

So all my plans for new designs have still not happened and I've struggled a bit just to meet orders. I do have some belts to show and some softies I made at Gemma's craft night in aid of Handmade Help. I'll load them up tomorrow.

I've just been to aqua aerobics and attempted to enjoy being shouted at for 45 minutes whilst bouncing around. I do feel better for it but have the chlorine sniffles now! Perhaps this explains my whingey post. I'll do a nicer one tomorrow!

More lovely helpers

2009-02-13T12:44:00.002+11:00

There is an Etsy shop that has been set up to raise money for the bushfire appeals now. It has a items donated by loads of different Etsy sellers making it pretty fun to browse. I put a dress up for sale there and it must have sold almost straight away. An awful lot faster than my things usually move!!! I'm keeping my eye on the shop as there are new things going up all the time.

I've also joined this flickr group and will attempt to use some of my scraps to make some quilt blocks (scarey - I'm not brilliant at precision.)

Bushfires

2009-02-10T07:48:00.005+11:00

Most of you would know I'm sure what a shocking weekend this has been for Australians and in particular Victorians. The bushfires are still burning and every time I log on the death toll has reached a new and even more horrifying high. Last time I looked there had been over 750 houses lost and there were 3500 people left homeless. Huge numbers of livestock, pets and wild animals will also have been killed not to mention loss of vehicles, outbuildings and farm machinery.

We are fine down here in Tasmania but I think most people are feeling some level of grief even so. I just thought I'd do a quick post to leave some links. I found these via Hoppo Bumpo (Thanks!). Many people have already blogged this info.

Rachel at Grandy and Baa is gathering together donations of handmade clothes for children.

The Toy Society is collecting handmade toys for children who've been left with nothing.

Monetary donations are being taken by the Red Cross.

Also happening is a crafters charity auction see here, here or here.

Juddie from Flightless Boyds is organising a book drive. She's in Melbourne and collecting books to distribute at a later date. You can contact her through her blog or via email (juddie1@optusnet.com.au)

The BIG BED

2009-02-05T11:18:00.006+11:00

What a milestone! This is maybe odd but for some reason I feel more excited about this than a lot of the other milestones we've had. Perhaps it's because Chloe can communicate verbally so much more now. She's thrilled about being a "big girl."

I love Chloe's room. It is so restful and calming. I'm a little tempted to take over her bed some quiet afternoons.