Moan, moan

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

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

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

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.

It's time...

...for a little more of France. After all, this baby I'm growing is kind of a little bit French.

This is the Pyrenean chapter. It blew me away. I'd go back anytime. I love mountain scenery and, having grown up in Scotland, I tend to love grassy landscapes with dark green trees. The Pyrenees were perfect for me! I used to go walking in the mountains in Scotland as a child and I have this memory of the best feeling being lying on the grass, in the sun, just listening. Everything sounds so muted and peaceful. Now don't get me wrong, I absolutely love bushwalking in Tassie, but, what with the spikey, scratchy scrub, the leeches, jack jumpers and mud, there aren't really that many opportunities to lie peacefully and comfortably. There were plenty where we went in the Pyrenees.



View from the Col du Tourmalet. Awe-inspiring. So steep. I felt like I was on a pilgrimage and now have even more respect for the riders who slog up and then speed down these slopes. Sam, of course, started scheming to ride it one day. I was totally daunted. I did have a dream to ride the length of the Pyrenees one day. Driving up this vertigo inducing road may have put paid to that. So stuningly beautiful and you could hear the whistles of marmots all over the grassy slopes.



Medieval buildings in Mirepoix. The scene of what may have been my best lunch of the entire month. Cured salmon for entree followed by seven hour roasted lamb. The lamb was so good I can't even remember dessert. Not like me at all.



Vignemale, the highest peak in the French Pyrenees (maybe the Pyrenees even?). We spent a day walking here. Chloe and I stopped in a grassy spot and I lay in the sun while she played on some rocks. Sam went on and I was envious but had to let Chloe out of the backpack for a while.



Stunning clear stream on the track up towards Vignemale. The track leaves from near Cauteret and we did cheat and go up a bit on a chair lift!



Old, unused Hotel at the Cirque du Gavarnie. These cows are so attractive! We also saw Pyrenean ponies, goats, huge eagles and marmots.

PS Sam tells me that is a terrible photo in the last post. Fair enough but it did make me feel better to read all your lovely comments. Thanks so, so much. I actually feel even more excited about the new one since I told you guys!

Coming Clean

I seem to be putting on a bit of weight around the midriff. Have been for 19 weeks in fact. Due date June 27!

Do please ignore the mess in the background. I have a rotten head cold and it's 37 degrees here. I had a sudden urge to spill the beans (although a few of you already know) and house tidying hasn't been high on my priority list this week.

The cardboard boxes pictured do have a purpose. I want to make this and this. One day.

The dress on the boxes is an op-shop linen blend destined to become small person's dresses. Again, one day.

So, for anyone who wondered why things have been pretty quiet at Black Eyed Susie for a while now you know. I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself because last weekend I suddenly realised I was feeling great, lots of energy and brimming with plans. Next day this cold reared it's head.

On another note completely, if a certain person fiddles with the tension on my overlocker one more time I may have a minor breakdown. You'd think I'd have learnt to check before sewing by now, but no, just spent an unenjoyable 10 minutes unpicking.

Blue Jeans

Katie Jump Rope Halter top with a pair of matching jeans made to order and winging their way to the US now.

We spent a lovely long weekend in the south of the state staying with my in-laws. Lots of trips to the beach, a little shopping and lots of catching up with relatives. We visited some good friends to meet their 1 1/2 week old little girl Ellie. Just gorgeous. I'd totally forgotten how small Chloe was.

We also attended a beautiful wedding of an old uni friend. It was held south of Hobart in Stonehouse Gardens. The bride looked stunning and they both looked incredibly happy. I got teary as soon as I laid eyes on the bride! Most amazing was the 16 course feast. All prepared by the bride and groom with a bit of help from a chef cousin. I can safely say it was the most stunning wedding meal I've ever had. Perhaps I'll scan the menu to show you - to make you envious!

Badges

These sold like hot cakes in Cocoon (George St, Launceston) in the lead up to Christmas. Totally amazed and thrilled me - it was my first Christmas in business! They are still available and still selling well. The prints are Japanese cottons and I'm on the lookout for more all the time.

Warmth and Water

We're having some warm weather at last. Chloe has really been enjoying paddling. We are lucky to have a great, free, outdoor pool in our town. It's at Cataract Gorge and is next to a river surrounded by parkland and bushland. A lovely place to spend some time with the little one.

That is me pre-haircut. Thankfully it's much better now.

This is what we do on car free days. The pool is just a bit too far to walk to so we get the paddling pool out on the deck. And don't worry, we reuse all the water for our plants in the evening.

This is a belt I made for a friend. I'm really happy with how it turned out and luckily she likes it too. The fabric is from the American Jane Wee Play range and is one of my favourites.

I've been beavering away at the sewing machine with a bunch of orders today. It was very satisfying to get a big chunk of work done as I've been feeling pretty lethargic lately.

Finally....

....something new in store!

Ladybird pants. Chloe wore hers to childcare the other day and got so many compliments I was starting to get embarrassed.

....I got a haircut.

Thank goodness. Everytime I vow not to leave it as long next time. On the upside though, being a bit slack in getting haircuts mean that when you do it's such an amazing and exciting change! Last time (and this is embarrassing too) was September.

Anniversary

Wednesday was our 3rd wedding anniversary (it did take us quite a while to get around to getting married) and Sam surprised me with deep red roses and dinner out. I didn't find out until my parents turned up to babysit. We went to the Gorge Restaurant in Launceston. It's been an age since we last went out, just the two of us. Lovely!

Edited to add: You may recognise the beach from all the news coverage in the last two days. Scarey!

Bring on some more holidays! Please!

Christmas morning was bright and sunny and we had a lovely breakfast and opened our pressies at home - you can see the joy of discovering presents on Chloe's face - before heading to my mother-in-law's shack at Binalong Bay on the east coast of Tasmania on Christmas Day.

The weather wasn't so good on the East coast but we had a great time with Nana, Poppy, Uncle Robba and various cousins of Sam's and their family. Aunties Gen and Pip and Chloe's only cousin (so far) came for a few days later. There wasn't much beach weather but Chloe had a wonderful time playing with her friend Maya and cousin Hamish and getting to know all her relatives better. Unfortunately we don't get to see them as much as I'd like.

I'm ashamed to admit we only made it to about 10pm on New Years Eve. Pretty lame but we did have a good night with friend Bec, Ross and Maya. The girls played chasings and giggled hysterically until poor Maya clocked her head on the wooden sofa you can see above. Not good!

We had brekkie at Angasi (scene of our wedding reception) on New Year's Day and then I spent the day working on a big order only to find out on Friday that the post office was closed!

Hope you all had a great Christmas and New Year too.

Ho Ho Ho!

Merry Christmas everyone!

We're off to the beach for Chrissie. Can't wait!

Lots and lots to do before we leave. That's my excuse for the lack of blogging this week.

I went to the Launceston Cycling Classic to lay my eyes on Robbie McEwan and I spent ages taking random photos of the blur of cyclists zooming past in the hope that one would include him. I did it too and the whole aim was to blog it but it'll have to wait. I'm sure you're all quite fine with that - it's just that I have a bit of a crush on him.


Other news - the Etsy shop will be closed until the 5th of January.

Birthday Girl

Chloe turned 2 on Thursday and had an afternoon tea party yesterday. She loved it and has really got the concept of presents now ("more present, more present?").

Sam and I did a team effort on the birthday cake and made a copy of Chloe's favourite sleep toy. We call him Seagie (short for Seagull). Everyone else thinks he's a duck or a goose - too bad! He's Seagull.

Not quite sure what Chloe's opinion of seeing her favourite rendered in butter cream. She looks a bit bemused. She did enjoy eating the cake.

I indulged myself and the kids and made chocolate crackles and fairy bread, sausage rolls (I did mean to do homemade ones, honest I did) and 2 shaped biscuits (someone should have told me in my tired and addled brain state that saying "Do you want a Number 2?" could be quite amusing). My Dad made a huge and wonderful trifle that was completely demolished by all the adults and the only concession to healthy eating was a fruit platter and I'd be prepared to bet Miss Chloe didn't go near it. I know I didn't!

Thanks for all your help Mum.

Gemma, the dress was a hit again!

Dordogne

One more in the long drawn out series of holiday posts. Hey, that's OK, it prolongs the holiday for me!

Brantome. We arrived here after a whole day of driving from Brittany. It felt like paradise after the car! The village is a manmade island surrounded by this beautiful river. We arrived on dusk and saw water rats and something almost beaver like that we still have no idea about. Wandered in the dark, peacefulness and had a beautiful room overlooking the river. Just beautiful.

View of the Dordogne river valley. This was us nostalgically retracing our last France trip when we spent 10 days cycling in this area. Walnut orchards, sunflower and maize fields abound. The river, and several others in the area, the Lot, Veziere, for example, wind languidly through limestone country. There are lots of cliffs and an endless number of quaint villages with houses built into the cliffs (I have a secret dream to live in a troglodyte house just for a week or so!). This is also an area full of caves and some of the most famous cave art in the world. Lascaux is near here. And amazing chateaus, great markets and wonderful, wonderful food.



We stayed near here in a B & B on a farm. The owners family had the property since the 1700s. He'd converted an outbuilding into a restaurant and a couple of guest rooms. Wonderful food. The lovely owner took Chloe for walks around the restaurant so we could enjoy our food fully. So if you're ever in the area look for Le Roi Carotte and go there! Feeling like King Carrot is a local term for the way you feel when little things, like a flower bud in your garden or the sun coming out after rain, make you happy.

St Cirq Lapopie, famously beautiful cliff-perched village.

Gardens at Le Manoir d'eyrignac.

I have been lazy and haven't checked spelling. Please forgive me if you spot glaring errors or if you're French!

I'm back!

Completed and winging their way off to a very much loved little Melbournite are some wide leg cords in new fabric combinations.

I spent a lovely half day at Niche Market here in Launceston on Saturday. The lovely Gemma from Loz and Dinny offered to put some of my things on her stall. I haven't been able to do much work myself recently so was unable to have my own stall. Gemma's stall looked beautiful and I was thrilled to have some of my stuff on there. You can see some pictures on her blog.

I also got to meet some other great local makers including Rachael from Franrosie, Tara Badcock and Jennifer from Life's just a Ferball. It was really inspiring to meet them and I was feeling a little starstruck (and if I'm totally honest, envious) looking at all their amazing creations.

Edited to add: Just realised how bad these photos are - I blame the hideous grey and windy weather we've been having here. Lots of rains which is great but it makes for dark and grainy photos.

Letter of apology

Dear Blog,

I'm so sorry I've been neglecting you. It's been a long hard week and a half and I feel like we've only made it through because my Mum has been such a good help.

I promise that as soon as the snot, vomit, gunky eyes and achey bodies have left our house I'll pay more attention to you.

Lots of Love,

Suse

Brittany

Chloe said "dat doe's house." How I wish it was her house - I'd live with her there anytime she asked.

I had meant to be a bit more orderly with blogging our holiday but for various reasons haven't managed. Here's the next stage.

We hopped on a TGV in Paris and zoomed smoothly west to Rennes where we picked up a hire car and cruised off round Brittany. There are so many towns with old half-timbered medieval centres and I'm a sucker for a bit of higgledy-piggledy architecture with not a straight line to be seen so I love it. I don't have any good pictures but trust me there were lots. Also lots of beautiful beaches and seascapes (we forgot to take the camera to the best part) and beautiful gardens.

Me devouring Breton crepe with goats cheese after putting my foot down and saying we need a hot meal now. Up until then the timing was always wrong with Chloe and we'd had an awful lot of baguettes. You wouldn't believe how good that crepe was. Washed down with some local cider - I'm normally a cider hater but it's amazing how easily I change when the situation requires it.

Chloe is still living off bits of baguette and apple juice at this stage and this is making mealtimes pretty stressful.

Artichoke paddocks look amazing - luscious and satisfyingly spiky.

This is me in my new Paris bought summer dress desperately hoping it will warm up a bit and that I don't look too much like I'm wearing a nannies uniform. This purchase may quietly sit in the cupboard and not be worn again.

You may not be able to see in this picture but these guys had the best faces.

We went for a long walk around the coast and got a bit lost making it a very long walk. Beautiful though.

Parties and tsk tsk

With the slowness of my bloggin lately you'd be excused for thinking nothing is happening in our household or in Black Eyed Susie. You'd be close but not quite right!

We had the first of Chloe's good friends' second birthday party on the weekend and I got some of Kristen Doran's great Matyroshka print linen to make a present. The largest of the dolls has a zipper in the back and is a little purse for carrying the other dolls. This is a blatant copy of Kristen's idea but I'm sure she wouldn't mind. To be honest the birthday girls wasn't as impressed as her mum - but that's OK. Mum's need something too!


We popped into the local Wood Design Centre market in the morning before the party and met Gemma of Loz and Dinny. I'd been meaning to make Chloe a new dress but hadn't had the inspiration or the will and so this little dress from Loz and Dinny was just perfect. It got so many compliments at the party that I started to feel just a tiny bit envious that I hadn't made it. Not a great photo, Chloe has it pulled down a bit and you can't see the wide polka dot hem which looks great.



Needless to say I've had to soak it to get the beautiful homemade ice cream out.

The party was a great success and Chloe has been talking about it all week.

Last week I was totally flattered to see that one of my designs was featured by Tiel on tsk tsk along with a bunch of other great Australian handmade items. Tiel does amazing stuff - I'm totally in awe - if you haven't seen it go take a look here.

This is ... a recipe I'd like to share

Not really a recipe - more of a chuck everything together type of thing. This is my favourite summer meal and seeing as the weather is warming up it seemed like a good one.

I don't even know what it's called - my hubbie based it on a recipe from a bbq book and altered to suit what we wanted. Amounts vary - use what you like!



Nicoise inspired salad

Piece of hot smoked salmon
Boiled potatoes
Green beans
Pitted Kalamata olives
Boiled eggs
Ripe tomatoes


Dressing:

1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

1 1/2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tbsp lemon juice

2 cloves garlic, crushed

Breaks up the smoked salmon into pieces.
Slice the boiled potatoes and fry in alittle olive oil (or just whack them on the barbie for a while).
Steam the green beans.
Half the boiled eggs.

Put all the salad ingredients in a big bowl and then whisk the dressing ingredients together. Pour over the salad and toss.


This tastes best if the spuds are still warm and we also use fresh salmon or tuna seared on the bbq instead of the hot smoked salmon.

I have no picture I'm sorry so you'll just have to trust me.


This is... is hosted by Three buttons and I'm late again. We had a busy weekend - more on that soon.

Oh, and if anyone can tell me why I have so many problems with spacing on my blog, please do!