Lavender Green

In My Kitchen Today

2012-02-06T11:50:00.002+10:30

I have just put the icing on some Lemon Slice for the families lunches - not for me :(. I make lemon slice a lot -it is a family favourite and has no eggs in it so is very popular. Unfortunately the recipe uses 1/2 a can of sweetened condensed milk and a little bit mmmm what to do. Usually I throw it out or Darling Husband has a shot at it with a spoon and then I throw it out but last night I quickly googled and found some recipes for condensed milk cookies. Divided the recipe by three (figured I had 1/3 of a tin left) threw in some old choc chips and oh my how they expanded (not to self can roll them much smaller) Condensed milk cookies for lunches too. SO quick and so easy - I hope they are yummy too

Its nearly time for my lunch but I will leave you with this slightly blurry picture of something new I bought this morning Do you know what it is? I can't wait to use it

Cheers

New In my Side Bar

2012-02-05T20:33:00.003+10:30

Well I have bitten the bullet and changed my sidebar from Finished projects to goals of things to start and finish - I am trying to find some structure to the new year and stay on top of stuff. I found it so good last year to have all the Christmas stuff done in July and so on , so I want to keep the momentum. I am aiming small with ensuring Project Life stays on track and adding in some sewing and scrapping. After all there is more to life then craft and blogging and there are oh so many ways to spend the hours -like cleaning :( and cooking :( .

Any ways keep me honest and see if I get them done

Cheers

On the way home - The final Chapter

2012-02-03T08:00:00.000+10:30

So as we pulled out of the caravan park and turned to drive to Goolwa for the 4th day straight it started. Bethany wrote her first song - set to the tune of Go tell it on the Mountain with an Australian twang ala Colin Buchanans Go tell it to Australya.

It went I dont want to go to Goolwa (over and over) it fit well and we thought it was hilarious.
In Goolwa we went for a 1 hour cruise on a steam paddleship the Oscar W it was cute and freezing after the other hot days and we had no jumpers but we had fun exploring the little old ship watching the workings of it and seeing the Murray River from a different aspect. Then it was time to go home, unpack and back to reality before the big return to school

Hope you enjoyed our little trip
While i have been catching you up I have also been working on some sewing projects (gifts) and my Project Life I am also right up to date with my Post card calendar which is good to.

More soon
Cheers

Our Last Week of Summer Holidays Part 3

2012-02-02T16:03:00.001+10:30

Now the great thing about camping is the time you really spend together. Once the kids get settled we spend some time playing games together. Game of choice this holiday was Rummikub which I believeis Gin Rummy without cards. The only problem is that I am very competitive and seldom lose On the third day of our trip we drove to you guessed it Goolwa and rode along the Encounter bike path all the way to Port Elliott (where we ate ice cream well except for me:() It was a 20 km round trip so we were all tired after that.

Whilst relaxing Sir TP and I read The Key to Rondo which is an excellent young persons book and we will be looking out for more Emily Rodda. Hubby is working through Wicked (which is quite difficult reading) and I finished reading The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe to the children.

Tragedy did befall us when Miss B took a tumble off her bike and onto her head leaving a nasty graze and a lot of very loud tears and also the bandage she has been sporting for the last week.
But alls well that ends well and we packed up on Thursday to go back to not home, but you guessed it Goolwa on the way home.

We had one more little adventure there, But I am afraid that that is another story

Cheers

Our Last Week of Summer Holidays Part 2

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000+10:30

Even though we stayed at Milang, we seemed to spend most of our time in and around Goolwa. We didn't have any plans (thats how hubby likes it). We just mooched around and did what happened - it is summer holidays after all. Darling hubby thought he would try his hand at 4WDing and go down towards the Murray Mouth. We had a few little exciting mounds before he lost his nerve as we were travelling alone.

This is hubby letting the air out his tyres before he decided to turn back -chicken but at least we didn't have to pay to be towed out. To calm our nerves we all stopped for an ice cream (well except me because I am being good sigh :( .

Then we thought we would check out the beach. There were lots of people looking for cockles or pipis which was something I had never done. After a couple of tries we found heaps of them it really is not hard. The children thought this was heaps fun and we lined them all up and had races to see whose cockle would dig away from us the fastest. Miss B wouldnt let them get away she kept a firm hold and was quite strict with her cockles. We decided we would come back better equipped the next day and catch some to eat and have a try as none of us had ever eaten cocklesThe wonders of our modern world meant I could google how to prepare and cook cockles so we trekked back to Goolwa beach the next day and this time we swam and collected cockles and dug holes and made castles. We boogie board with some half decent waves (unlike the other week) until mummy got a little nervous and Sir TP got a little confident. Little Miss B worked on her handstands and cartwheels and here are our two buckets of cockles for our teaUnfortunately by the time I cooked them the children wouldnt try more than one as they were too fond of them and their little sneaky digging tongues oh well Hubby and I had a nice appetiser/entree.

Cheers

Our Last Week of Summer Holidays Part 1

2012-02-01T10:46:00.002+10:30

Just to reduce the photo heavy post I will slowly update you on our adventures of the last week of our summer holidays. After everyone had recovered from their cycling efforts we packed up and headed off on a little coastal camping expedition. We struggled with Sooty our cat to get her into the cage . Loaded up our ute and trailer and headed off to the Milang lakeside Caravan Park.

(Look sideways at our very disgruntled cat)

The whole family helped to put up the tent, chairs table and kitchen we were quite late arriving so I busied myself with preparing some food and watching and taking photos. This might seem a little lazy to you but it is my little luxury that as I am a five star kind-a-girl (with a 1 star budget and a family who loooove camping) I get pampered in the work department.

(Our Holiday Home)

Then we set in for some relaxing holiday time together with minimal interruptions from work and electrical appliances. We did allow the kids to bring their DS' but only as it was going to be so hot we knew we would have to spend a bit of time just sitting and being and it does help to keep them amused. But we also have heaps of other stuff. Bikes which are always popular and we just love the freedom of the caravan park and ridingup and down and around with minimal supervision. On the really hot days (Monday and Tuesday were both 37 degrees) This is how we spent our mornings. After big sleep ins the Corellas woke us up with their screeching. We ate breakfast and then chased the shade while playing with Beyblades, Tech decks and Club Penguin cards . When I wasn't involved in the card playing I got to spend lots of time reading on my E-reader (gotta love that) When the afternoons came and our shade disappeared we headed off to look for adventures

But that is another story

Cheers

First Day Of School 2012

2012-01-30T20:30:00.000+10:30

The first day back to school is always bittersweet. Sure it is great to get routine and normality happening but those sweet little hands have been held over summer and are getting let go of once more and as the years go by you wonder how much longer you will be allowed to hold on. So once again Sir TP and Little Miss B have trekked off to School -one into Grade 4 how grown up and one to Grade 2 way to grown up. They each have good friends in their classes, lovely teachers (new shoes!) new stationary and dreams to fulfill - good luck little ones - Ireally must go clean the house

Oh I can hear you wondering about that bandage - it is kind of another story from our adventure last week and they will be coming I promise

Cheers

Back to School preparations

2012-01-30T12:15:00.002+10:30

The last few days have been busy busy getting ready for that big first day back at school. It has been a bit quiet on here as a result of this and a little camping trip which I will share with you this week. The weekend just gone has seen baking some yummy pink slice to share with family to celebrate a birthday

Covering a mountain of books in Ben 10 contact and Hello Kitty contact and labelling pencils rulers and so on. #4 books covered in total I reckon I had that many books for my whole high school education and I'd place bets on how much comes back only partly used sigh But it is an achievement and great to tick off.And even more baking done today yummy scrummy Anzac biscuits -very hard to resist and I must because I have my eye on getting an iphone but I have to be my goal weight which is still a little weigh away (tee hee my little joke). Now I am blogging to avoid vacuuming cleaning and tidying which I promised I would spend today doing sigh I wish I could wiggle my nose and it was done I have a big list of more fun things to do but feel stuck by the chores. Time is ticking and school will be done so must dash

Cheers

Bupa Challenge

2012-01-21T14:50:00.002+10:30

Yesterday morning I kissed my darling husband goodbye on his own little adventure. He has been training for 5 weeks to do the Bupa challenge as part of the tour down under. So I dropped him off at 6 in the morning in Norwood to ride 130km to the town of Tanunda. He did it arriving there at 1:30 and he says he didnt have to walk up any of the hills. We are all so proud of him and think he looks pretty good in lycra even though he swears he will never wear it again
Now I feel I owe him something should I run or cycle for him mmmm. Perhaps a sewing marathon would be more my style

Cheers

ProJect Life Week 2 In Progress

2012-01-19T08:00:00.000+10:30

Again I still have a little tweaking and some smaller strip journals i want to print onto photos but I need a little time and I really need to find somewhere I can print small 1/2 sized photos nearby. I think Big W or Kmart does them I will need to investigate. Page Left again I stamped the date onto the title card but i dont think I will always do this. I added the yellow week 2 stickers on and coloured one of the words on the title card yellow to match. I journalled typed font on computer about our exciting trip to the movies and I have the movie ticket stub there I will also put a little picture of the movie above it and zig zag it all together on my machine.

Page right I still have to do the top Journalling card and I would definitly like to be able to put a collage of animal photos instead of just the stick insect. The glare is hiding ourr Chorus Line Ticket. I used a bi fold journalling card to frame a cropped self portrait Sir TP took of him and BP. Week 3 is underway and is looking like being my fav week so far - I need to get a little more adventurous i think but I dont want to make it too hard. I am hoping that we will have enough things to take photos of in say week5 of term hmm we will have to find adventures - not just school dance gymnastics bed , school dance work bed etc

Cheers

Project Life week1 -In Progress

2012-01-18T18:40:00.002+10:30

Heaps excited about this so I wanted to share -excuse dodge photos and lack of finishing. So I decided to do Project Life - looked into the product and thought it was uchy pricey to get in Australia then realised when converting from NZ dollar to here it was really heaps good including shipping. So I bought a mixed packet of page prtectors and a core kit - I want to keep it easy as. They came in three days tracked all the way. So I have had them for about a week. I have done a title page but it hasn't got its photos yet so I wont share. The Core kit comes with suggested bits for the front and back page just slide them in done. Then there is a title card for each week and assorted journalling cards and filler cards. So my challenge especially being a little challenged in this aspect is to put my own twist on things. That is why I am calling it A WIP I am still fiddling and printing out photos. As yet I havent been able to print any small photos none of my local machines do this cheaply and I am contemplating needing my own camera printer for ease. So Week 1 left I have stamped the dates on the title page and used some stickers and transfers to tissy up the heading. I have printed out some goals for the family a story about January 1 and the week. I am printing on the cards using my printer which is easy.

Page rt I have put in the score card from our mini golf game, I also want to add some additional journalling words onto some photos as so much happened I ran out of room I am thinking this will settle down when school goes back even though we are having a very quiet and lazy holiday.

Cheers

Miss B goes to Art class

2012-01-18T08:46:00.001+10:30

Little Miss B trekked off today to a School Holiday Art class. We would dearly love to do this for a term but it is ouchy pricey and hard to fit in around stuff. This time I thought we would steer away from another gorgeous canvas and try for something different. So Miss B tried her hand at sculpture and made a wire and clay ballerina. I think she is happy with the end product (I got back to class near the end to help out with tutu design (I think the teacher felt a little under the pump to get the last one finished on time). It was possibly a little ambitious for B's age group but her and the other younger girls all ended up with something a little respectable if lacking the willowyness of most dancers. I think doing classes like this would be my idea of a dream job which is funny as I never did art at school after year nine (I apparently did the Suicide 5 for year 12 -noone told me that was what it was called!!)

Cheers

Family Beach Day

2012-01-17T08:57:00.002+10:30

I guess probably once a year we do a mandatory trek down to the beach for the children to have a play. So after Church on Sunday and after lunch we headed off on a long drive to go to one of our beaches where you can drive your car down on to the beach- so much easier then trying to find a park and carrying all the gear down. Because of my lack of pigmentation we pooped up the sun tent and then off to play.
Little Miss B loves the Boogie board -she even had a go at standing up on it and was quite successful. Sir Tp tried his hand at snorkelling but still struggles a bit with his rhythm

28 sandcastles were made - and the Police were kind enough to drive around them later on in the day to preserve our efforts

And we had a fine effort at getting the kite up in the air good wind- good kite.

Little Miss B and I both got a little pink in spots (despite me hiding in the tent for periods sigh and being there after three) but all in all a fun sun day

Exciting Packages {Project Life}

2012-01-14T09:18:00.002+10:30

During the week I was excited to make a purchase from CraftHouse NZ and with the wonders of DHL tracking I new exactly where my parcel was at all times. This was fabulous as I hate worrying about them being dumped on the door step and stolen while I am out. I watched it sit in Sydney airport all day Tuesday leave at 2am to fly to Adelaide and by 8am it was on the truck coming to my door.When it arrived I couldn't open it even though I was busting to as we were on our way out to see Alvin and the Chipmonks 3 (which we all loved). But here is my big challenge for 2012 -please help me stay on track.

Thats right I am jumping -leaping -falling on board with Project Life like a lot of my fav bloggers(who says marketing/peer pressure is just for kids)I am heaps excited and hope to make something to cherish about our family life for the year.An occasional reminder wouldnt hurt though.

I will try to get started ASAP so I can share alittle more of what is happening.

Cheers

Our New Blythe Arrival

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000+10:30

Little Miss B was very fortunate last Christmas that the big red guy from up North bought another Blythe doll to join our family. Her name is Holly and she is an Encore Prima Dolly Ashlette. B loves her long hair and her side part and those boots which are a little tricky to get on.

So this is our Blythe family Angel, Holly and Gwen. What a lovely little family. Now I am under pressure to sew clothes and quilts and so on yeeks best get my fingers moving

Cheers

What I wore Wednesday

2012-01-11T09:54:00.002+10:30

Well I am not sure if joining in with this posting will help my self esteem or not but here I go - first photo of me in years I suspect and I apologise no makeup or this wasn't going to happen - we are all moving so slowly these holidays. Today is absolutely freezing in Adelaide where we have had all 4 seasons worth of weather for the first two weeks of the year.

So we have top and tights - Target
black ballet flats - Kmart
skirt - finished sewing from earlier this week pattern is from Made it Perfect.
And you can just see the litle maching Black flower brooch I made from Janelle winds pattern.

Now the making of this skirt is part of a huge journey which I will share with ou over the coming weeks. My girlfriend made this skirt pattern to wear to Inspired Stitches earlier this year. When I looked at the pattern and took my measurements I was mortified so I have only just made it now - 6months later. I probably wont wear it with this top normally but have I mentioned it is freezing here, Well I must go now as we are all dressed up

Cheers

Whirring away the hours

2012-01-10T08:00:00.001+10:30

I feel I have got right back into the swing of things this year with no loss of my sewing mojo -hooray. This has partly been because of a huge clean up in the sewing room and partly the crazy mixed up weather we are having. Thought I would show you what I am working on under both my machines

I am looking forward to sharing more later this week it is so exciting for me

Cheers

Whats happening this year.

2012-01-09T08:00:00.001+10:30

Last year Father Christmas popped this into Little Miss B's stocking and so I have been helping her to fill it with her secrets (earth shattering stuff like she doesnt like spicy food and her brother is mean to her (that one goes both ways). The main thing I want her to experience out of this is keeping a little journal something all mums try to get their daughters to do and which I failed dismally. Not my gift I'm afraid.So we have started this year trying to write one line a day not too hard of something that has happened or we are doing .Seeing this idea pop up on my favourite blog HERE made me think I should be doing this too

SI thought I would tag along with the girls - trudged down to Officeworks - bought some cards, a stamp and this cute little box which matches my sewing space/office and my family room and set to work. I wonder how I'll go -please everyone ring me in September and ecourage me as that seems to be when the wheels fall off around here

Cheers

Ways to cool down if its hot

2012-01-08T15:53:00.003+10:30

We were lucky enough to have a party to go to on Friday night after a warmish day to help us cool down - an ice skating party. This involved skating and some snow play at one end of the rink and later some ice hockey. The rink has a dedicated party time slot for 2 hours and this night there were probably only 5 parties so it was almost like having the place just for us. Obviously Sir TP was the king of the mountain This made up for his lack of prowess on the ice - still. Who knew that physics would be his downfall and that he would fall whilst trying to hita a goal with a puck. Annoyingly for Sir TP LIttle Miss B looks like an Ice Queen. She has good technique although slow and hesitant - but she hust looks naturally graceful. We didnt lose any fingers - we had a great ice cream cake and home to bed.

The weather here has gone extremely cool - we have had hot, cold, humid and stormy and just dont know what to do or wear. So today I am in the sewing room having some fun

Cheers

Oops

2012-01-06T14:04:00.003+10:30

Something seems to have happened - and I haven't blogged for months. So the choice needs to be made today to blog or not to blog. But being open to all things being possible I will once again start anew. Let me assure you there has been tons of fun stuff happening, piles of learning and making smiles and a little sadness. There has even been time to blog but it hasnt happened sigh. Oh well today is a new day with no mistakes so lets pick things up from here and over time you might even get an update or so. Just so I could put in a piccy -here is a card Little Miss B has made for her cousins birthday (ice skating party) and a cover I have made her for her christmas ipod in her favourite colours -hope she likes it. She has already had her major present but thought I would give her a little something tonight too. Also keeps with my intentional/relational ideas that i have developed over Christmas (but that is for another day). The case is one of Janelle Winds paterns from her book (i love love it) .
Will blog again shortly

Cheers

A Wasted Day

2011-09-05T14:07:00.002+09:30

Today has been a recovery day or wasted one I have been in my lounge room gazing at the sunshine and looking inward. I am trying to be open to new possibilities. I have also had the electrician here and no power which has meant no ironing , cooking or computing for a while. So taday has been contemplative, reflective and has gone faster then you could imagine. Time to pick up children coming up fast sigh let the games begin

Cheers Nicole

Happy Ninth Birthday and Happy Father's Day

2011-09-04T09:00:00.000+09:30

Continuing on my things to be grateful today is Sir TP's 9th birthday .Ican hardly believe we have come this far and made it. Digital cameras werent so common nine years ago -I think we borrowed one from work for this photo - this is what an 11 pound baby looks like all head and chubby as can be. Tp always loved babies and was fascinated by them - early maternal extincts here at kindergym aged 4.

And today well - ready to take on the world (this was our come as your favourite biblical character dress up day for school a few weeks back). Have a happy day little man and keep enjoying life - from mum

PS happy fathers day too darling (I still don't think you've recovered from the shock)

Gratitude

2011-09-03T00:00:00.000+09:30

There are so many things to be grateful about and as Spring has arrived it is easy to remember them so today I post what I am grateful for so that when I look back I can remember them

Today I am grateful that my whole family is coming over for a lunch celebration (hopefully after they have eaten it they will feel grateful too)

The sun is shining and bringing hope into my heart.

The boys eczema is getting some relief - we have had some interesting days and nights trying to get this in control again.

My wonderful husband for whom nothing I ask is a problem - and my brain sometimes has some very big ideas.

That my little family is as excited as me about the greater family coming to visit.

Hope you feel grateful today
Cheers

Giveaway Winner

2011-09-02T14:27:00.001+09:30

Little B who sometimes shares my allocated blogging time is rather partial to 2 other young girls blogs. These two girls, Emily at CraftyGirl and Bella at Bella and Blythe are always very generous at giveaways and competitions and B loves to see the adventures they are having with their dolls. Recently B won a giveaway from Crafty Girl this is her receiving it - Emily made some mini replica magazines for B's Blythe Doll Angel. They were both pretty pleased to receive them. So a huge big thankyou to Emily for the beautifully decorated envelope and gift wrapping - it made B's day. Oh and also a thankyou from me too for making my dollya special miniature book too (although I still think I might be a little too old to be playing with dolls siigghhh -its not fair)

Cheers

First Costume Mum - Part 2

2011-09-01T10:00:00.000+09:30

This costume is my favourite. This is for our ballet class. For the 2nd year in a row the teacher has veered away from her standard story ballet and she is doing a neo-classical Australia themed modern thing (don't ask me what that means). So each group has a theme the older girls are being the school girls from Picnic at Hanging Rock we have the hot australian sun the desert the sky and the younger girls are bush butterflies and dragonflies. Started off not knowing how to do this again on my $30 budget etc but also working with my very great dislike of putting little girls in black (They have the next 80 years to wear black). I also couldnt work out how to make the wings look as good from the front as the back and didnt want to tax my mostly non-sewing other mums. Anyway - 40 % off at Spotlight was my catalyst and this metamorphed out of my brain and with the help of darling hubby who suggested cutting out from behind the applique on the butterfly wings - brilliant and I call myself a sewer. B still needs some additional elastic in the centre of her wings and as first costume mum - she will probably get that done the night before the concert in December. Ths photo doesnt do justice to how sparkly the wings are but the best bit is this costume will cost about $12-15 Yay.

First Costume Mum - Part 1

2011-08-31T10:00:00.000+09:30

Okay I am a glutton for punishment but it is that time of the year when we are designing and making costumes for end of year concert - already. This year I decided to do Miss B's Junior 1 Jazz and Primary Ballet costumes. This is her Jazz costume - music is Walking on Sunshine and I was asked for an A-line dress with a summery feel and a flower. I also put a restriction that I want to keep the costume down to under $30 - as these littlies get all of 2 minutes on stage x2 and some mums have older children dancing or small siblings meaning mum is not working, either way we dont need to go over the top. I love this but the maths for the costing has given me a real headache as patterned lycra is soo sooo expensive and I have been very stingy with my purchase to keep the cost down - I just need to work out if I will just make all of them for the class to save money mmm do I have time (probably not) but I am still considering it. Stay tuned for Part 2

Cheers

Book Week - Dress ups

2011-08-30T14:01:00.002+09:30

I am no longer going to apologise for my haphazard blogging it is just a July/August thing each year. Although it feels like the cold should encourage this sort of activity the gloominess of winter seems to always slow down my thought processes to an extent that I cannot do any additional thinking. So now that the sun has started shining in short bursts and just so I can feel like I have achieved something on a day that has been a little on the slovenly side here ar Sir TP and Little Miss B in their Book Week dressups - B is recycling her Alice costume from her birthday and TP is wearing dads vintage magic cape, Grans old glasses, Bethanys witches hat, the gum trees branch for a wand and an old school shirt with a hand drawn Hogwarts emblem - I felt pretty proud of my artistic endeavours which are sadly not visible in any photos. But what matters is Sir TP was pleased with my efforts. I am now going to add some extra posts for this week to show off some of the projects that have been distracting me the last 2 months.

Cheers

Back from a Spell

2011-08-11T21:36:00.003+09:30

Sorry about the blog break - no good excuse I just find my routine gets a little messed up occasionally and then a month has passed before I have fixed it - have a bit to tell you. But to try and get back into blog shape thought I would post this gorgeous evening we have had. A month ago Miss B and I purchased jammies for our girls. It has been so cold we felt they needed something snuggly. Then I found some hats on sale so we had to have those too. Well the hats came quickly but the jammies only just arrived today!! I had almost given up hope. So here are our girls all in their jammies,sleep socks and hats ready for a sleepover in B's room (Angel has a little bedroom cube, bed and quilt and makes up a bed for Gwen to come and visit if B is particularly good). They are all tucked up and snoring now (although B has her hat off).

Monday - New in My Hoop

2011-07-18T09:19:00.000+09:30

Last weeks occupant of the hoop is out and she is destined for a very specific project coming soon. The new occupier of my hoop is another Inspired Stitches project - Ruby Cottage (in blue) I also have slightly different plans for this. It is coming along very quickly. I really want to do The Natalie Ross bag and purse from the Inspired Stitch weekend but I am waiting for a finishing kit - I have a bad feeling it may not happen.

Anything new in your hoop this Monday? let me know I'd love to see

Cheers Nicole

Day 5 of School Holidays

2011-07-14T09:04:00.002+09:30

We had a hugely busy but satisfying jam packed with fun day today - which is why I am writing about after the fact. The day started at The Planetarium where we learnt all about the stars in the night sky, about space and watched a very funny movie about becoming an astronaut. It was very beautiful and interesting and we all learnt something. The kids had fun weighing themselves on the interplanetary scales and working out that their 12kg on earth was 500g on Pluto and 700kg on the Sun - needless to say I don't think it would be good for my m orale to work out my sun weight tee hee. After a bite at luch at home we then scooted off to meet all our cousins at the Ice Arena for our first attempt at ice skating - Heres's Sir TP with his walking frame - he got proficient using this but didnt like dalling hard. Litle Miss B was very stylish and took to it easily - this is proving to be her talent - locomotion activities she has poise balance and grace (not to mention bendy flexy technology). I still got it after many years off the ice but I was conscious of turning on muscles which had been very dormant for years. But not in too much pain today and proudly didnt fall.

We then went home to the cousins house for Wii, drawing, takeaway noodles and The Block to finish off a really big and busy day. Today will be about rest and recovering and tomorrow we have a big ballet practice for our exams coming up. Hopefully we will also do some cleaning and crafting (probably in that order sigh). The sun is up this morning so we hope to go outside and play and maybe if tonight is clear we can show off our new found knowledge of the stars.

Cheers

Holidays Day 4 - Treats time

2011-07-12T17:30:00.002+09:30

Today amongst the mundane we set out to pick up some treats. Sir TP had been working very hard on his handwriting in his homework and had been promised some Lego mini figures -he got some extras for a great report card and for being at the shops when he was feeling sick. Little Miss added to her stuffed toy or Zhu ZHu collection or was it her pink object collection or her squeaky toy collection, animals wearing skirts - hard to say there always seem to be a lot of collections.

It is so nice to get a treat - have you had a treat or started a new collection today ?

Cheers Nicole

Day 3 School Holidays

2011-07-11T18:39:00.002+09:30

Day 2 looked alot like day 1 - more sleep, sneezing and pyjamas. But Little Miss B was much brighter by the evening. Day 3 has been cold, dark but lots of good company. Our cousins have been here all day and there has been a lot of painting, drawing, imaginative play and wii /ds games and boisterous boy banter (and they say girls can talk). This has left me with time to make comfort food for a cold night. Stew and dumplings in the slow cooker and cinnamon scrolls. yes there are a few missing from the photo - my sister couldnt resist and ate them at after work pick up. I think that makes me officially the best vacation care in Australia. Well I am off now for a cup of tea and my scroll - lucky for me I have frozeb half the mixture ready to go for a few days time - when no sisters will be dropping by to eat the spoils.

Cheers

Monday - New in My Hoop

2011-07-11T09:00:00.000+09:30

After Inspired Stitches i have been keen to catch up on stitchery projects - they are such fun. So I am going to do a weekly post to show you what is in my hoop or what I might like to have in my hoop - So here is what I have just put in my hoop a bit of an experiment. What have you got in your hoop at the moment I would love to see it.

Cheers Nicole

Ta DA

2011-07-10T16:14:00.000+09:30

I love love this stitchery from Janelle Wind at Inspired Stitches - this one is going on a journal cover. I am also seeing it done in white. I am so pleased to have finished this despite all the chatting at Inspired Stitches and I am hoping it will go on the machine in the next month. ( Who else has a project timetable - you know finish this then that and so on). The one advantage of the swimming lessons was sitting around with nothing to do but watch the kids. Will show you more when it is finished and sewn up (Come back in August)

Cheers Nicole

School Holidays Day One - Catching Up

2011-07-09T15:59:00.002+09:30

I think we all feel a little like this today - fuzzy, cold and sleepy. Term 2 in South Australia has finished and we are pleased to have some holiday and chill out time. Little Miss B is sickly again - coughing and sleeping and watching The Fairies. We havent watched this DVD for 2 years but today we are on our 2nd viewing after an equivalent amount of Sonic the Hedgehog and Mario (boy it does your head in listening to that stuff!). We have finished this term with swimming lessons at school which really put the nail in the coffin for the kids and me. Going daily to watch, the extra loads of washing , extra baths and hair washes (hubby away for work) and extra tired and grumpy children being juggled has meant today is just for breathing, drinking tea, reading blogs, and stroking projects that want to be finished.

Last Sunday beforethe swimming was my calm before the storm with my special day at Inspired Stitches. I broke the cardinal rule of blogging, I made sure my camera had the memory card in it and then left it on the bench in my mad rush to get out the door (Little B was crying she would miss me). Had the best day ever especially ending with Downton Abbey - I felt like a spoilt princess. Gwen (my Blythe Girl) and I met Janelle Wind and her lovely family of children and dolls. We stitched shared stories - Janelle had tips for clothes for the girls and even how to get extras for our family. I met Gail Pan who is also delightful, Natalie Ross who is a scream and Helen who is very helpful. I would do it all again tomorrow if money was no object - we should definitely have them all here in Adelaide more frequently (in fact we should have a facebook page to bring them back!!). So sorry about the cobwebs on my Blog - but I am back and hopefully can share some holiday adventures with you -

PS I feel the fuzzy photos are here to stay - I need a new digital snappy mine has a saggy eyelid :(

Cheers Nicole

More Yummy Fabric Arrives

2011-06-25T15:37:00.002+09:30

Much to my darling hubby's chagrin it has been like a mid year christmas hear at the moment with yummy fabric arriving frequently. Firstly some yummy yardage from Aneela Hoey - Sherbet Pips - this is essential to back the quilt I made back in May. The Green spot came with it and is for binding a future project. Then just because I could - I loved the whimsy and coordinating prints of Doohickey Designs Hoo's in the forest so I got a fat quarter bundle for a few differentt projects hopefully coming up.

How could you not like this deer , owls little cute skunks and frogs and hedgehogs. Skunks just look so cute mmm. But I always had a soft spot for Warner Brothers Pepe Le Pew. I am now in a hurry to save up some money for Inspired Stitches which is next weekend and I am going (a very last minute decision thankyou so much to Sarah of Quilt Fabric Delights for not saying no to me). I had a great time last time - I love the projects Sarah has shown them to us and I need at least two of the finishing packs (lucky I already bought this fabric before I booked or else I would have had to say no to buying them.) The best part of this is I ahve a friend coming with me so I am sure we will have an absolute ball. And hopefully I will get to have a chat with Janell Wind who I feel must surely be a "kindred spirit". Must go the kids are performing in concerts all weekend and I can hear last minute Annie Rehearsals in the Bathroom.

Cheers

Ruby has come to stay

2011-06-24T16:51:00.000+09:30

I have been waiting and watching expectantly and before I ever expected to see it - Ruby arrived at one of my shopping haunts Patchwork Plus. I knew I had to have this and lots of it as I took so long to realise I liked Camille Roskelly's last fabric line Bliss that it was mostly sold out. So I snaffled up a layer cake and a Jelly roll for starters and I am already planning on the yardage (I think I have a bit of a wait!). For now I am just enjoying her company - Ruby is very pretty to look at although not much for conversation. She is even more beautiful in person then her blurry picture might imply.

Progress - Merry and Bright

2011-06-23T15:02:00.000+09:30

Getting there yay - i am getting quite bored of this project but the borders are all on and now it just needs quilting and binding (binding is cut out just need batting ). It is wonderful to see it coming together and I am sure all the ballet moms will be pleased to watch me bind it not just embroider it - I think I have been doing the embroidery on this for 2 years now on and off between other sewing projects - urgent sewing projects keep pushing it back on the priorities. Do you have projects like that that get put behind you for more pressing projects.

Cheers

Sunkissed Charm Patchwork SKirt

2011-06-22T14:53:00.002+09:30

This is my sick chicken sent home from school today but just in time for a try on of the skirt I have made for her summer wardrobe (I know it is only June) The pattern is from the Moda Bakehouse Patchwork Skirt pattern and I have used a Sunkissed Charm pack and some yardage. Cute hey - for interest the pattern is a size 4- 6 but Little Miss B is a very small size 6 (almost a 4) and I probably would make it bigger for a normal 6 year old. Now I just have to stich the Elastic in and it will be done. now for a top to match - I have some ideas - watch this spot

Gwen's New Outfit

2011-06-13T14:03:00.003+09:30

Gwen is very pleased to be modelling another warm outfit. I couldnt resist this one when I saw it on Janelle Wind's little Etsy shop - The Stitched BlueBird. Elegant Linen slacks, handknitted Cardi and vintage top- Gwen has kept her new cream turtle neck skivvy underneath for extra warmth as it is sooo chilly. My husband is disowning the whole playing with dolls thing but it is so fun- and I cant wait to meet up with Janelle and thank her next month at Inspired Stitches. Little Miss B has declared she wants a jumper too and I am thinking the holidays might be the time to get out the machine and make some more clothes ( although we had two disasters from on line patterns). My mum thinks it is cute that us girls play and make for our dolls - we have to do stuff together hey.

Cheers

Project Christmas _ Teachers Gift

2011-06-09T12:06:00.000+09:30

I have gradually been making 2 of these Journal covers as teachers gifts for Christmas. I have made these using a Jelly Roll I purchased from Spotlight for $5.00 which makes them part of a perfect present on a budget. I have echo quilted the seams which I think looks really nice. Sewing 5 complete strips together gives a panel which makes 2 Journal covers and an extra piece which I used as the inside strips to hold the book in for 1 cover. I was fortunate enough to find some fat quarters of this range also which I used for lining. I just hope they will like them but for now it is into the CHristmas box (what a nice feeling). I think I might try a strippy glasses case or phone cover next - mmm.

Cheers

Cosy Blythe Clothes

2011-06-08T08:02:00.001+09:30

Finally Gwen and Angel have some nice warm winter clothes. Little B and I felt so sorry for them the last few weeks in their short sleeves and sundresses so tonight we couldn't wait to re dress them and photograph them (sorry for the poor photo - hope it is the bad light and not a problem with the camera) Now they look ready for action in this very chilly weather so hopefully we can take them out and about to play. The clothes are from Here .

They were very reasonably priced and quite good quality and delivery was very prompt. Angel is wearing a dress and long stripy socks, Gwen has on a skivvy, dress and distressed stripey jeans. The hat is part of Gwen's stock outfit. Little Miss B wants mittens now as Angel has cold hands, I think Gwen needs a little scarf. They both need a home - Angel has a single bedsit and has invited Gwen to sleepover, Gwen currently is bunking on our couch until more permanent lodgings can be found. This is a fun little hobby but a little pricey but we have a few years ahead of us.

Cheers

Pancake comfort

2011-06-07T08:21:00.001+09:30

Of late we have been eating far too many of these = Pancakes with dollop cream. MMMm.
We inherited a vast quantity of easy mix pancake mix and are gradually whittling it away. You just whisk it with milk and get the fluffiest lightest pancakes you can imagine mmmm. Mix it with the lovely Bonne Mamman jams and it is divine. So it is good harmony as I am trying to collect these cute little jars while the local foodland stocks this Jam. I have a lot of ideas for how I will use them - I just need some ideas of what to do with the jam. Obviously Jam goes well on things but what are good recipes with jam in them. Off to Google that -

Cheers

Lego Pillow Craft

2011-06-06T17:00:00.000+09:30

After the great success Sir TP had at making his own Pillow - he thought he would like to make something for his little friend Mini-me. Mini-me has been having a Lego party planned for some time for his party so it seemed only natural that he get a Lego pillow snuggly. So into the toybox we dug and came out with some Lego people and Sir TP said lets do a lego head so using some polar fleece to hopefully last a little better than felt we put together this for Mini-me. He hasn't got it yet but I dont think he is old enough to read just yet any way. Sir TP again drew up a pattern and I tweaked it. We went for a simple sew on the outside technique and sewed it in three parts. Sir TP stuffed and shaped it - the final stitch together hadn't been done in this photo but I think it is pretty cool and if it is as popular as the puffle has been I am sure both Sir TP and his Mini-me will be happy.

Cheers

What's On Sunday

2011-06-05T15:45:00.002+09:30

A really quiet relaxing day here today Sir TP has a friend over and they are playing Wii and Mariokart -

Bethany is trying her hand at Balloon animals and we have discovered that daddy is an expert at making poodles but not pigs.And I am looking at the sunkissed yardage which arrived in the post on Friday ready to finish off a project yay. Sir Tp has been doing some sewing too - a special gift for a special little friend he has who is about to have a birthday. For lunch today we had a family trip to the Sushi Train. The kids were really curious to see what it was like after I spoke about it the other day. So we sat and watched them cooking all the different foods, we tried some sushi, some spring rolls ate using chopsticks and it was a fun little adventure -quite reasonable cost too as we all shared the different plates in case someone didnt like something - HAve a go sometime it was heaps of fun

Cheers

From the book depository

2011-05-31T07:00:00.000+09:30

This just arrived in the last few days - an order from The Book Depository -you have to love that free shipping and they sent me a 10% off voucher also. I was powerless to resist. I cant wait to make so many of the projects from here, There are felt brooches, little friends (I can see B wanting a few of those) bags and coin purses (we all need those). Now I just have to find some really nice felt any tips?

Cheers

Last Week

2011-05-30T09:31:00.003+09:30

Last week I had great pleasure in taking a small group of year2 and 3 boys from our school on a tour of the Adelaide Central Markets and adjacent China Town - Best day ever. The children loved looking at all the interesting little things around them , they all took it in turns to find the objects for their worksheets.

We wandered through asian supermarkets and found all sorts of different biscuits and lollies and pots and pans.

We found unusual vegetables, fruits and cheeses and the most amazing looy and sweet shops. This was very popular as each child had $5 to spend and unfortunately my boys all were like well boys in a sweet shop. I hadn't been to the markets for years and I and Sir TP cant wait to go back. When I first went on maternity leave it was a goal of mine to go more regularly but with reduced income that went on the backburner - but we will try to bring it to the front now.

Cheers

Sunday Silliness

2011-05-29T08:00:00.000+09:30

Finally having seen so many silly words on comment boxes the minute I started recording them they all got more sensible but this week during my reading and visiting I came across

Balkini - now this is obviously a really reaally big skimpy bathing suit.

(probably like I would need to wear if I actually was into showing my body in sunlight) tee hee

where do they find these words.

Cheers

It's raining - lets sew Sunkissed

2011-05-27T08:00:00.002+09:30

In an effort to ignore the rain pounding on the roof - I have been playing with this Sunkissed charm pack (now I need a little yardage). It is part of already yearning or planning for Spring I fear. I can't wait to finish off this little project soon- it is a Moda Bakehouse pattern - do you know what for have a guess

Cheers

Roxannes Glue Baste it/ Hexagons

2011-05-26T08:00:00.000+09:30

At my quilt shops reccommendation - I have been trying to use this product for my hexagons. It makes the hexagons easy - but i am finding stitching them into flowers is harder -- mmm any suggestions. I think I must have used to much - i will try less but maybe I prefer stitching. Any thoughts

Cheers

happy soggy post

2011-05-25T11:46:00.000+09:30

Yay - I have just got in the post the next two buttons from Lynnette Andersons CHristmas button club - I am not allowed to start this until I finish one of the ten million projects on the go around here (I am out of control ) but I so love her work and this is a nice affordable project to showcase it. A big thanks to Sarah at Quilt Fabric Delight for getting these to me on what is a miserable yucky wet day - now I can have a little cheer - I fear Winter is here which has its pros and cons.

Cheers

Something Old but New -Something Blue -My new Polaroid

2011-05-24T08:00:00.000+09:30

With my birthday money - I couldn't resist a New old blue polaroid camera. So cant wait next holidays to play more with this. So far been great for show and tell and the kids think it is magic (not like pictures captured on the camera screen). Unfortunately life just now is still too busy to really enjoy it - now really have to go and do some cleaning between sickness and stuff housed is way out of control. It is wet and miserable and I still just want to read sleep eat and craft -I never get that cleaning urge sigh

Cheers

Catching Up - Grandfriend's Day

2011-05-23T11:25:00.005+09:30

The final preparations for our schools' Grandfriends' Day was mammoth but we made it - that is why it has been quiet around here. I went straight from setting up art shows and directing traffic, making coffees and teas and drawing raffles to my sick bed with a cold. Funny how that always happens. It was so worth it though - our aim was to forge connections within our community and I think we did. Our Art show was immensely popular - we could have sold heaps of pieces but it wasn't about fundraising and we raised about $1000 with no real intention. I took a quick piccy of my little artists works. SIr TP's class did still lifes - there were some truly spectacular pieces in this group - Sir TP cerrtainly went for detail
Miss B's class did more traditional self portraits - here she is

It is truly a blessing to work with and for little children even if only for a blink.

More to share soon

Cheers

School Casual Day - Rock Stars

2011-05-17T19:32:00.002+09:30

You got it-today was a casual day - themed come as a rock star so out came black, silver, the hair gel and see what we can do. These two darl looking angsty kids ar emy angel B and Sir Tp (doesn't he have some attitude). A big big week at school Daddy organised the Men's and Kids camp on the weekend with rock climbing, coke bottle rockets, tennis ball shooting, and other cool activities (Damper on a stick was very popular). Casual day today and Grandfriend's Day Thursday I guess in between they might learn something mmmm. I have been squeezing some sewing in in between organising everything and will show you on the weekend.

Cheers

Winter Sherbet Quilt

2011-05-15T13:53:00.003+09:30

Well I think I have made good progress on this over the weekend. Here is the quilt top ready for a press before I put on the borders. I think I should get the borders on tonight so then it is quilting and binding (sounds simple). I bought this kit form th fat quarter shop and it has been great value. The pattern is Piece of Cake 2 by Thinble Blossoms (I just love them) and it has been so easy to follow (although I will admit that I have done a lot of reverse sewing today - brain strained). I think this quilt shows off the Sherbet Pip fabric quite nicely and has shown me a great use of pre cut fabric. I feel quite chuffed as I dont consider myself a quilter really. I was hoping to get some other things progressing today but oh well I need a nice break now a drink and maybe some retail therapy

Cheers

What a {Sherbert} Pip of a Day

2011-05-14T15:40:00.005+09:30

Cutting, Sewing

ShufflingLots of construction going on today (some blog reading after blogger had its little hiccough)

Need to get on that treadmill, have some fun shopping to do after my birthday and looking forward to Doctor Who on the Tv tonight. Apparently all is good at the kids camp (I will blog some more about this later). Hope to have some more progress to show on this soon. Sorry it has been quiet on here but hoping to get crafty in full swing again.

Cheers

Tigers and Bears Oh My

2011-05-11T15:55:00.003+09:30

Craft at school today - once again I am exhausted but I bought home this Tiger with me for tea. I wonder what is on the menu hopefully not me!!
Now I am itching to get stitching on this gorgeous layer cake which arrived here 2 weeks ago. Sherbet Pips- I have what looks like an easy pattern in mind and I am hoping this weekend to make some big process. I f only the weekend would arrive (a couple of working days to go!!). I just hope it warms up the teensiest bit because it is soooooo cold and wet here today I just want to go to bed and sleep - perhaps I am part bear Oh my!

What does everybody else do to stay motivated and warm. I am thinking if I could motivate myself to sew on some binding, the handstitching would keep me warm.

Cheers

Lots Happening

2011-05-10T12:49:00.004+09:30

This is the lovely picture I had painted for me as my Mother's Day present from Miss B. It came along with a little pair of socks wrapped up like a cupcake. A new coffee mug and a big chocolate chip cookie. It was a lovely day lunch cooked by my brother at the restaurant he works at, breakfast in bed with the whole family. Our household is madly in preparation for our school's annual Shed Men Go Bush Camp. This is a weekend where the dad's take the children on a rough it camp and they do lots of fun activities. It is run and organised by our Shed Men Dads. Who get together once a month for a meat only BBQ night. I am looking forward to a big weekend of crafting and Doctor Who and blissful peace and quiet. I hope to have some good blog posts coming soon

Cheers

Sunday Science Experiments

2011-05-08T11:00:00.000+09:30

Hey its Mother's Day so what do you do - help the kiddo who desperately wants his Bronze Boomerang. So a quick explanation - In cubs you can achieve a Bronze Boomerang by doing 10 small blocks of activiteis 7 compulsory and 3 of your choice. Sir Tp lovess badges and he wants lots of them - he got his Joey Scout Challenge which was the big hard badge to get at Joeys -he is wearing it on his Cub uniform but if he gets his Bronze Boomerang then he has to take off the Joey one and work towards getting a complete set Bronze, Silver, Gold Boomerang and the fourth one is the highest award in Cub Scouts The Grey Wolf award. If you get this one you get your name on a fancy wooden plaque at the Hall -there are only 2 cubs names on it ever -Sir TP wants his name there. So today we did science experiments. Here are our seeds on cotton wool and observation book, we have also managed to show how to remove Oxygen from air and prove it exists!! We will be drawing what happens to our seed every day (hope they grow!!) Leave a comment if you need me to prove the oxygen thing

Cheers

Running - HELPP

2011-05-07T15:59:00.003+09:30

Just ran first day on my treadmill - 2.7 km in 20 minutes - someone call a paramedic I wish they'd stop playing the drums in my head. I can't even type straight - first draft was hilarious

Scrapbook Surprise or When Bloggers Block takes you by Surprise

2011-05-04T11:48:00.004+09:30

I got trapped at school this morning making turtles with New New receptions , Receptions and Year Ones. Hard Work let me tell you it was a lot of cutting out. When I finally got home I couldn't get in the driveway because there was a delivery fan, dropping off this huge parcel. But I wasn't expecting anything mmmm. Inside a huge Pizza box and a pink fluffy parcel - How cool.

Inside a massive array of Scrapbooking surprises. I have only had a quick look and can't wait to spend some time organising fondling and dreaming.

And why did I get this lovely package. Well way back in January during the flood auctions, I put a bid on a similar package, and with going on holiday etc, I made a donation and told the organiser it was done before bidding was finalised knowing I might not win but we wanted to make a donation and it was better for us to do it before we went away. The organiser of the auction decided to send me a parcel anyway which was soooo kind. Now life gets busy for mummy bloggers and business owners, and I never saw that package so I thought it might have taken a walk off my verandah or at the post office and I certainly was not going to hound the auction organiser who didnt need to feel guilty about me not receiving it (I just hoped she wouldnt think I was rude for not blogging about it!!)

Anyway this is my package so huge and I cannot express my thanks enough to the lovely Tamar from Tarisota and A Collection of Thoughts here For this wonderful package. It will take me quite some time to unpack it and does mean I really need some help to organise my craft supplies they are taking over the house aagh.

It also gave me something to Blog about as I suddenly found myself speechless for the second day in a row.

Cheers

A May finish and a Good start to Christmas

2011-05-02T13:21:00.003+09:30

Two cheerful Santa's from Natalie Ross' Christmas Book- Get Red Red Ready for Christmas (and I am !) - I have made these as gifts for the Children and I have been determined that they would be finished somewhat sooner then previous years. It has become a little tradition to open a present from Mummy on Christmas Eve -these presents are handmade by Mummy and usually the stitching is still wet and the wrapping paper uncreased. Not this year !! The winds are changing in the house of Lavender Green and the gifts are finished and just need to be hidden. Please don't spoil the surprise.
Cheers

Getting to Know You - Blythe to Blythe

2011-05-01T08:00:00.000+09:30

Gwen and Angel had a little tea Party out on the lawn. Angel got out her china and the girls chatted about their hobbies. Angel showed Gwen her sketchbook and her dog, Gwen showed off her new halter neck and skirt.

The girls enjoyed a shady spot and took in one of the last fine days of Autumn.

Cheers

Our Easter Adventure - the final chapter

2011-04-30T15:00:00.000+09:30

One last little story fromour Easter holiday would be about our campfire cooking. Now the best part about camping in the Flinders Ranges at this time of year is our fire bans were lifted and we could sit around a fire at night sing, talk, read, toast marshmellows. Darling Husband has a camp oven and is still learning and testing it out so was very rash and declared before leaving that he was sur e he could bake a cake in it. Anyway the first night we made sultana damper in it which was very yummy - amazing for just flour, water and sultanas. The next night we did damper on sticks (not as successful), and more marshmellows. The last night we toasted Kabana (I strongly reccommend this) and the family attempted to make a cake. Now we don't have a thermometer on this oven but needless to say it was a little too hot and the cake turned out quite burnt after half the reccomended cooking time - but it was only burnt on the out side (I wasn't allowed to photograph it) and after a bit of work with a sharp knife - a generous serving of Double thick cream spread over it - all was good (lucky I bought the cream I must have had a feeling).So this was my cake after surgery (above0 and below with cream and sparklers and singing

Thanks guys for the special family birthday.

That is the end of all the Easter and Birthday posts. Tonight is date night (the second one this week) and we are off to see Wicked.

Cheers

Holiday Hexagons

2011-04-30T08:00:00.000+09:30

Of course when one travels 5 hours to get to a pretty spot one feels the need to be busy (it helps me stay awake which is safer for my darling family). I started this little project 2 years ago on another trip and thought this would be an opportune moment to keep going. I think i have made about 60 hexagons over the Easter weekend all made using scraps from Little Miss B's smocked dresses. I am still not sure quite what to do with them. I have visions of maybe a baby quilt or a bigger quilt years in the future but for now I keep cutting up these fabric scraps and making them into Hexies and hexie flowers - maybe some lucky quilter will find them at an op shop in the future and do something grand with them who knows.

Any suggestions are welcome

Cheers

Our Easter Adventure Part 3

2011-04-29T08:00:00.000+09:30

On Easter Sunday we did our first ever four wheel driving. It was a track on a sheep station called SkyTrek. This was good as we don't know anybody else who owns a four wheel drive -so it would be unsafe for us to go alone. The station saw 50 vehicles go on the track on the Saturday and 30 on the Sunday so we knew we weren't alone. There were some great views and some steep ups and downs, It was very challenging for our driver and very bumpy for us passengers.

This was an old hut from the original sheep station that had been restored Sir TP thought the sleeping conditions were pretty good - although a little dusty.At the highest point on the property we added our rock to the Cairn and enjoyed the view on another spectacular day. The trip home had us driving through twilight and dusk and saw lots of native animals. The wet conditions have meant a soaring number of giant Orb spiders (I could have lived without this), strangely we never saw a single sheep on this property.Cheers

Our Easter Adventure Part 2

2011-04-28T11:00:00.000+09:30

We like to take the children on some walks when we are camping - so we walked up from our campsite and into the pound. This is the original homestead of the old Sheep Station (it is like Rundle Mall at Easter Time).

The children mimicked the native poses on this fake rock sculpture and read the story about the original inhabitants of the area.We looked at old equipment left behindWe went up to the look out - a steep climb and ate our lunch looking over the Pound. The days were beautiful, the nights were chilly. The children were a little anxious as to whether the Easter Bunny would find them - he did. And then if the native animals would find their eggs first and eat them - they didn't. It was very chilly dashing around finding little eggs around the tent and car but it was fun

A little bit more to come

Cheers

PS the 'tame' life around the tent.

Our Easter Adventure Part 1

2011-04-27T20:00:00.000+09:30

Over Easter I was away from the house and the computer experiencing the Great Outdoors - something the family just loves. We took advantage of the 5 day long weekend to explore The Flinders Ranges. I must say now this was our best camping trip ever. Perfect weather, children and The Flinders Ranges were in peak form green and lush from the rains and not miserably dusty and too many flies(as in past experiences.

We left very early Friday morning here is Little Miss B stopped in Port Augusta to stretch our legs.We camped without power at Wilpena Pound here is the tent going up. The emus were not at all bothered by us setting up camp and kept wandering past all weekend. Sir Tp busied himself making a fire circle and laying out twigs to get it started.And Miss B waited inanticipation for Marshmellows.I will fill in some more details later

Cheers

Look Who Has come to Live with US - New Blythe Doll

2011-04-27T07:44:00.004+09:30

My Birthday Present from the kids - Raspberry Sorbet Blythe Doll.
I can't wait too play with her and Little Miss B. B has all sorts of ideas lined up for us all. Her name is Gwen - here is Angel meeting Gwen - Angel is a bit cold in the mornings - she has on her uggies and socks. I love Gwens long long hair and her funky satin top. She has earrings and pink nail polish (B is a little jealous).

I also got a treadmill for my birthday - I have given up on going to the Gym it is hard to fit it in around everyone elses committments so I will have to give the treadmill a good try now (I am running out of options to try and stay fit!). We have just got home from an EAster adventure I will share more later but for now I am off to hit the washing pile it has taken over the house.

Cheers

SSSH - Its a secret

2011-04-26T08:58:00.001+09:30

Don't tell anyone - but it is my birthday today mmm wonder what I will get. I'll share later. forgive me for so little information but it isnt' every year that I get a 5 day long weekend for my birthday so I am enjoying it. Cheers

PS Don't you just love the little flowers on the Y's how cute, and apparently that is me with my new short hair and my new doll!!!

Something I really really want

2011-04-25T12:49:00.003+09:30

I really really want to go to this - but can I afford the time and money - mmm - it says places are filling up fast so I think I will miss out before I make up my mind. But I do like spending time with Janelle Wind (well I liked her book and her blog!) mmm it is very tempting. What shall I do? Cheers

Sunday Silliness

2011-04-24T20:00:00.003+09:30

OK so I havent had a lot of time this week to leave comments in blog land but with the kids on holiday we picked this word from the security checks on blog comments

Unrio defn 1. Bad spelling of unreal as said by a 6 year old 2. Not pertaining to the movie Rio

yeah I know a bit weak but before I started posting I saw heaps of cool un words and this week not so many. I will see what I can come up with this week Cheers

An Easter Tradition -the final chapter

2011-04-24T08:00:00.001+09:30

Now the teacher instruction for this on Sunday morning is when you wake up in the morning, sneak out to your diorama, remove pipecleaner Jesus from the tomb and hide him behind the back of the diorama. Then go and wake up mum and dad (never mind if they got up at 5am to do secret jobs around the house or have been up all night with babies). When you wake them up say "Mum, Dad come quickly, Come and see the tomb is empty - Jesus is Alive!" Happy Easter all in blog land - don't eat too much chocolate God Bless

School Holiday Projects

2011-04-23T08:00:00.000+09:30

Okay , I promise you i will actually do some of my own craft posts soon (how many times do I say that) but it will have to wait until the children are back at school, Grandfriends Day is over and whatever my work want to do with me (I am sure I will be the last one to know that). Each holiday we are trying to do the work for one of the badges in this little Cub Scout book (yellow). This holiday we decided on the Codes and Signals Badge Level One. This is a simple little badge and Sir TP hardly needed any help to work on it. Luckily I found this book called The Know How Book of Spycraft at the local fair a few weeks back for 10 cents. I remember reading this book when I was at school and it has a lot of observation puzzles and secret codes in it which have kept Sir TP very amused So to get this badge we had to choose three activities - one was invisible writing which we did using lemon juice and then heating it over the stove - Here is Sir TP's invisible message to daddy made visible - quite effective.

Sir TP then had to make a secret code up for his cub pack to solve. He has made from our book a Grille code -which canonly be solved by using a grille (or I would call it a grid).

The third task he has chosen was a simple google jobby which was to learn the International Phonetic Alphabet and spell your name using it. So he will be spending the rest of the holiday trying to memorise that. So hopefully we will have one more badge to add to our uniform next term. If you have any good activities relating to cub scout badge work I would love to hear them. Sir TP is determined to get as many as possible and has his sights set on his Grey Wolf (though we don't have any boomerangs yet).

I am in the midd le of lots of big projects so I may have to do another progress post soon on my sewing - and I am getting further behind on my scrapping. I think blogging and Pinning are getting in the way.

Cheers

An Easter Tradition continues

2011-04-22T15:00:00.000+09:30

The children are all rote learned that at 3.00 on Good Friday Pipecleaner Jesus is taken off the cross and laid in his tomb. The stone is rolled across to keep him safe until after the Sabbath so he can be prepared properly for burial. I remember very fondly the first year with my little reception boy. We were at the zoo when he shrieked that we had to rush home and place pipecleaner Jesus into his tomb and he would not stay any longer once he realised he had a job to do (I was a single mom that Easter as Darling Hubby was working OS and had two children at the zoo by myself - so I had to do what Sir TP wanted). Pop back on Sunday for the final chapter do you know how it ends?

An Easter Tradition

2011-04-22T09:00:00.000+09:30

Sir Tp has the same teacher at school this year for year 3 as he had for Reception and one of her pet Easter Projects is the Easter Diorama. I am sharing this with you on our 2011 Diorama but we have been re enacting this drama for the last few years with Sir TP's reception one. The first year we did this was so cute. This teacher is very precise and she gets the children to really memorise the story and what to do so the children can share it with their families. SO here we are on Good Friday with pipecleaner Jeseus on the cross on the hillside near his tomb. Pop back at 3.00 to see what happens next.

I {heart} School Holidays - even when I am sick

2011-04-21T07:00:00.003+09:30

Another set of school holidays finds me coughing and spluttering -what do you expect after two weeks of a child coughing all over you. We are having some lovely balmy days and enjoying a sampler of activities.
We have watched Hop at the movies - quite funny, we caught up with Cats and Dogs 2 and Annie on DVD (Both children now sing It's a Hard Knock Life while unpacking the dishwasher!! Pullease!)

Little Miss B and Sir TP doing sticker mosaics (Birthday gifts) oh also with their pet caterpillar Squirmy helping (apparently B will give him a new name when he turns into a butterfly).
I am catching up on some sewing which got abandoned and packed away during birthday parties (Squirmy was found on my sewing. He was the same colour as the green check fabric. He obviously jumped on me when we were examining our veggie patch and tried to hide while we were squashing the caterpillars on the broccoli. Now he has been labelled endangered by the kidlets and is a protected species. Too bad about the poor broccolli).

Little Miss B has been busy drawing on her blackboard (giving the environment a rest from her mountains of drawing on paper). Playing schools, and scootering. Sir TP, Miss B and me have also been working on his Codes and Signals badge. More later about that.

Cheers

A Finish ( a victory).

2011-04-20T09:30:00.002+09:30

Yay - I finished my crochet scarf complete with the wonky flowers on the bottom. Miss B is modelling it for me in the garden on a lovely Autumn day. She tells me it is making her neck nice and warm and I cant wait to wear it camping. It is nice to finish a project lets find another one to tick off the list. Cheers

Scout Blankets

2011-04-19T07:00:00.000+09:30

If it's winter then it must be time to sew on blanket badges!! Coming from a family with a bit of scouting history - it was only natural that Sir TP would be keen to have his own scout blanket ASAP. Grandma provided last birthday a Scout Blanket which is a very uninspiring grey army blanket which gradually gets adorned with cloth badges and scarves etc. Hubby has a great full blanket which he often adds to during winter(I refuse to sew on his badges). Grandad too has a great blanket, and Sir TP is well on his way with a variety of badges from places we have visited and scout events and challenges. My Job is to sew a few extra on like binding a quilt it can only be done in winter and at least if they are on the blanket I cant lose them. So that is my task over the next few days too stitch on badges it looks great folded up - but boy when you open up that blanket you think what a lot of badges we will have to collect to fill it. Cheers

Puffle Power

2011-04-18T08:00:00.000+09:30

Sir TP is on a Cub Scout Bender and we worked out that with his painted eggs and another holiday project he was one project short of his Handcraft badge - a fabric sewing project. Lucky for him this is the place to fix that. He decided he wanted to make a puffle cuddly out of red felt. He drew up a pattern for a puffle (this is a creature from a game called Club Penguin for the over 12) and with a few little modifications here and there he cut it out, appliqued on felt eyes, embroidered a sort of back stitch mouth and sewed it together. Thankfully we had a pupil free day and a half day off after Sports Day so he could sew it up in time for Cubs. Hopefully that gives us one more badge for the term. Sir TP has his sights on his Grey Wolf badge whilst in cubs so he has quite a bit of work ahead. The good thing about this project is he was really motivated and knew clearly what he wanted to do and what he had to do and he did it (although he did want to use the sewing machine in the morning when we were doing the before school rush mmm!).

But first we have to nail The Exposition for the dreaded NAPLAN's fast approaching - any tips on how to encourage boys to write?

Cheers

Sunday Silliness

2011-04-17T08:00:00.000+09:30

Okay this is going to be a new weekly post for us here at Lavender Green. I have been leaving a lot of comments around blogs and even though I find it annoying I am getting a lot of amusement from the words I am asked to type in to verify I am not a random spam computer type program. So every Sunday I will do a little post with a couple of my favourite words on it and I will try to define them - Please join in if you see a good one add it too the comments and if you cant define I will try Todays wordis Lamec (verified from Riches Stitches Blog) obviously a camel going backwards What words have you found today while talking with friends Cheers

Crochet Flowers

2011-04-16T07:00:00.001+09:30

Ok I admit that I have caught a bit of a crochet bug looking at the beautiful crochet rugs and flowers and hats and pillows on the web. I have been struggling along teaching myself but I pretty much have no skill at fibre crafts (knitting included) My hands are awkward I lack speed and dexterity and when I look at the project I cant see what I am doing just a mess of wool so I cant fix a mixtake because I know it looks wrong but I just dont get it!! My mother and mother in law are both good at them which doesnt really help me.Anyway I have nearly finished my scarf - it just depends how long I choose to make it and it needs some crochet flowers on the ends of it. SO I have been practicing I think I am starting to get it thanks to my book and you tube but they still dont look quite right to me. Well maybe on the finished product - we shall see

Cheers

Fashionably Easter Day Five - Easter Bunting

2011-04-15T07:00:00.005+09:30

Well it seemed obvious to me that we need an easter bunting - I know their are a gazillion tuorials for this so you might just like to enjoy my finished product with me.

My triangle pattern is 19 cm across the flat end and 27cm down from mid line to the point

I use Cooper Standard font off of my computer as the letter template. Trace it on to vleisoflex upside down , cut it out and iron to back of felt (there are so many nice plain colours in felt I think this is a little easier then using fabric). Machine stitch to bunting flags using straight stitch .

Stitch flags together right sides together, trim off excess fabric and turn through. Take care with the point.

Take a length of 1 inch continuous bias binding (I purchased pre made this time from Spotlight as they have a nice selection). Press in half along the length. Pin flags to the binding sandwiched in the fold and stitch through all layers making a loop at each end.

Happy Easter folks

Cheers

Fashionably Easter Day Four - Easter Cards

2011-04-14T07:00:00.005+09:30

Hey there - wow Thursday already - time flies when you are crafting away. Today the children and I are sharing this years Easter Cards. I know it is a different tradition. Darling Husbands family celebrate Easter just like Christmas - big Lunch, cards and eggs. So we are making some cards for the family . We are going with some simple bunny and chick themes. You will need white card, coloured card, Ink pads in you favourite easter colours a nice black pen (I can't believe I let the kids touch this but!!) So we started with some basic big and small finger prints. Remember to wash hands between inks (yes I am talking to you TP) Then use your pen to add some details - the children used a sponge to make grass and treesI added orange beaks and pen drawn eyes ,wings and legs

On the bunnies on the grass I added ears and tails and face details

Dont forget an Easter greeting - I am boring and stick with Happy Easter

Here is Miss B's chicks under the tree (the last three look alot like walking eggs - that would be tricky during the big hunt)

Stick your white art onto a nice coloured background write inside and share the good news with your friends and family

Cheers

Fashionably Easter Day Three- Bunny Eggs

2011-04-13T11:00:00.003+09:30

Welcome or welcome back even - did you make some chocolates or maybe (if you are like me ) you are still planning to) Today we are making Egg Rabbit Decorations.

For this you will need

Polystyrene foam eggs

glitter,paint

felt, pom poms and googly eyes

hot glue, white glue and toothpicks

Out of the felt cut 2 sets of ears and 1 set of feet that look a little like this (or however your bunnies like to look)

glue the ears together with a little end of toothpick in between them. This helps you attach them to the styrene egg when dry.

Use the white glue to cover the egg with glitter or paint it rabbit coloured. Add googly eyes, a tummy, teeth or a carrot.

Use the hot glue gun to attach the feet to the egg and you have a little easter egg bunny (watch out making these is addicive and they will multiply.

Good Luck

Cheers

PS Come back tomorrow we are making something else fun for Easter.

Day Two Painted Eggs

2011-04-12T14:00:00.001+09:30

Sir TP's painted eggs turned out divine - He is hoping to use them to get his Handcraft badge at Cub Scouts this week. Their must be a trick to photographing Eggs I will have another go for you shortly

Cheers

Day Two Fashionably Easter - Dyed Eggs

2011-04-12T07:00:00.000+09:30

O kay so the kids and I thought we would dye some eggs for some Easter fun and I was fortunate enough to find an Egg Dying Kit. White eggs are a little hard to come by but we found some duck eggs which were beautiful and white. I blew a couple of them out by piercing a hole top and bottom and blowing with a straw. If you haven't done this before it is a little hard. The key is to make sure you pierce and break up the yolk and that the membrane of the egg doesn't seal over the hole.

Sir Tp put some rubber bands around one of his and Little B and I used a white crayon to write Happy Easter (B tried spots too)In a cup I placed a dye tablet with 1 tablespoon of vinegar and some warm waterThen we placed our eggs in the dyeHere are some of our eggs drying - we all loved the rubber band effect although the Happy Easters also came up well As well as dying eggs our kit also came with some little dyes for painting eggs so the children are also having a go at that I will post some photos of our painted eggs using dyes this afternoon. We are just doing stripes dots and flowers and they are looking great

Cheers

Fashionably Easter Day One - Bunny Chocolates

2011-04-11T08:00:00.000+09:30

Welcome to Day One of our Easter Crafts for children and the young at heart. Today we are making some chocolates for friends and families. I have been making little chocolates now with the children for birthdays and occasions for a couple of years it is a great way to theme an occasion and provide a little thoughtful sweet treat for children without overloading them with a giant egg or lolly bag. All our lolly bags at parties have a homemade chocolate instead of loads of chewy hard lollies. To make these bunny chocolates all the requirements can be found at Spotlight or specialty party shops, cake making supplies shops or My local Bread Making Shop now stocks a lot of Wiltons and other supplies also.

One Chocolate Bunny Lollipop Mould - Makes 10 bunnies at a time

Milk and white chocolate melting buttons (you cannot use baking buttons as they are too soft when set.

Lollipop sticks

Powder colours .

Rinse the Mold with warm water and polish it with a clean cloth Melt your chocolate as per bag instructions - I use small containers and heat for 20 sec in microwave -stir and then heat again in increments of 10 sec stirring in between until the chocolate is a nice runny consistency. Using the powdered colours and a toothpick blend the colour in with the chocolate until you get the colours you like. Using a pristine (not used for paint) paint brush paint any details you like in the mould (we did the bow ties). Fill the remainder of the mold with contrasting choclate -tap to settle the chocolate and release any air bubbles. Insert the lollipop stick and turn it around in the chocolate so it is covered Allow to set (Fortunately this doesnt take long!!) Turn the mould over and gently tap to release it is easy if they are fully set. We then wrapp them as prettily as you can think as gifts for friend and family. Or you can poke them into the top of pretty cupcakes as decoration. Cheers PS Tomorrow we are going to dye some eggs.

Fashionably Easter - the Countdown

2011-04-10T12:21:00.002+09:30

Ok tomorrow is the day I will post my first little Tutorial - I promise everything is basic and easy, most supplies can be bought at Spotlight and found around a crafty home. For tomorrow we will be working with Chocolate - of course it is Easter after all and chocolate never goes out of fashion I will try to post early in the morning if you are watching out or in case you want to hit the shops before the children get home from school - Please join along I'd love to see what Easter fun is fashionablei n your home too. Miss B spent some time this weekend putting out our few little Easter ornaments(I had to wait till after her birthday so I could take down her cards!) We don't have a lot. A little montage of various eggs on our very messy coffee table and some hanging on our celebration tree which is ready for replacing soon. But it helps us get ready for Easter. Excuse the messy house and the child reading on the floor We are having an indoor moocing day as the weather is not great and we are all tired and fluey (is that a word) Catch you tomorrow

Cheers

Happy Mail

2011-04-09T11:45:00.002+09:30

This week I have had a bit of happy mail which I wanted to share - but I have also had heaps and heaps of other stuff to share - I am a bit worried you will all be sick of me. Firstly I finally got mt Homespun Magazine last night which I had been waiting and waiting for Then I got a little parcel from the delightful Kyoto General store which is closing so I quickly grabbed a couple of miffy pens, some hello kitty stationary and some matrioshka deco tape (all bound to be useful). Then I got my first of Lynette Anderson's xmas button club -and a fabric and thread pack from Quilt Fabric delight.

Sarah always picks nice bright colours -although I am not going to start this for a while i have other things on the go. So on what is a cold gloomy day here I am going to make coffee, read my mag and do some craft with the children - they have big plans(Sir TP wants his handcraft badge)

Then it will be homemade fish and chips with the fish the boys bought back from the fishing trip (thankfully Grandad fillets and freezes up packs for us of all these little delicious tommy ruff fillets) and the kids have started learning songs from Annie for their mid year theatre production ao we might see if we can get the movie for them to watch.

Cheers

Lenten Update

2011-04-09T08:11:00.000+09:30

Just a quick update on our lent sacrifices full marks to Sir TP and Little Miss B who have been very diligent in remembering their sacrifice (and I dont think they want to give money to charity either). Darling Hubby is a stinker but hasn't given in to temptation to watch Top Gear(although he did miss the same special he has missed twice before and did suggest he would be prepared to donate $20 to watch it). I have to confess I have failed - with going to parties, staying up too late and having parties here the temptation of a little pick me up from a caffeinated soft drink cold and refreshing and open in the fridge was too much - I am back on track but will be a few dollars short this month on craft supplies (I am sure Lutheran Community Care will be glad of it) Cheers

Fashionably Easter Almost here

2011-04-08T12:17:00.002+09:30

Monday is the day when it all starts here at Lavender Green our Fashionably Easter(in our opinion) preparations and celebrations. We will have tutorials and craft and gift ideas for Easter. Please pop by, leave a comment or let us know if you try out our ideas we are always on the look out for new blog friends or Pen pals or visitors Hop to see you then Cheers

Special Birthday Books

2011-04-07T12:07:00.002+09:30

Angel is here modelling another special little gift Miss B received for her Birthday. Belle and Boo Bubbles Before Bed. This is an activity and story book and I can't wait to explore it with Little Missy. We have made reading with B our focus for this year as she seems to be a little behind in this area and she needs a boost of confidence. Finding stimulating books (without the barbie and fairy influence) can be challenging sometimes especially with a child who has not discovered the purpose of reading fully. So this book lets her do handcrafts (she loves) colour(she loves) has some reading and Paper dolls(she loves) almost perfect for my Little B. It is available here and on Etsy and is a small printing project for the artist which makes it nearly handmade in my book Cheers PS Belle is a girl and Boo is a rabbit - speaking of rabbits dont forget to drop by next week and share some Easter Preparations and Crafts with us here at Lavender Green

Best Day Ever

2011-04-06T15:04:00.002+09:30

Just had the best day ever -kids to school Pedicure with my mum and sister, long lunch, latte and non-stop chatter as we do. A little successful clothes shopping, a craft find and home to happy mail I will share later. Cheers pS One day I will learn not to press enter after I write the title and before I have written the blog it gets me every time doh!!

Fashionably Easter

2011-04-06T11:00:00.002+09:30

Please remember to join us next week as we share with you some easter craft and easter activities around our home. We will be doing easter crafts for children and some for adults to prepare for the big weekend coming very soon. Hop along with us here at Lavender Green and be Fashionably Crafty for Easter. Cheers PS - I dont think I ever knew how hard it was to blow out an egg - please is there a secret to this.

The After Math

2011-04-05T11:00:00.000+09:30

In the coming days this will need to be resolved -Post party disshevelment of the girlies bedroom -where to start!! If any one can tell me how best to organise 101 barbies, some squinkies, some party animals, a blythe family and the Zoo please coment. I no longer have control of this environment.

Fashionably Easter

2011-04-04T11:00:00.003+09:30

Next Week I am going to be posting some Easter ideas here from our home Lavender Green. Because we are Fashionably Crafty here at Lavender Green Miss B, Sir TP and I will be sharing our Fashionable Easter. So watch this space for more Cheers

Homemade Gift

2011-04-03T23:00:00.000+09:30

Little Miss B's God mum always comes through with a favourite and gorgeous handmade present come the birthday. This year it is this beautiful soft squishy Matrouska pillow in stunning blues, pinks and greens. Miss B has taken it to bed tonight as toy of the moment. She is always magnanimous about her toys and rotates them round so that everyone gets a turn in bed. It is an Ooshka Baboushka pattern and kit which comes with a painted face (Boys and girls version available and it can be purchased from here if you are interested.

The other part of this gift was three stacking babushka glasses which B has been taking turns of drinking out of today.

Cheers

Alice in Wonderland Characters

2011-04-03T16:35:00.003+09:30

Well as I promised I thought I would show you our little touches of Alice in Wonderland characters we used to create the scene Little Miss B's special day. So here is me as the Red Queen along with a lot of OOfff Witth their Heads. Sir Tp was the White rabbit (He enjoyed everyone playing Chase the Rabbit as an Alice in Wonderland Party game).

Again here is the other half of the family but with our Mad Hatter - Clean CUps was his cryAlice was just sharing a drink with her flamingos after a hardgame of croquet.

And one tired Little Miss B still dressed up with her doll Angel who also dressed for the day in her Alice mini dress (thankyou Janelle Wind from The Stitched Bluebird at Etsy fo r making this for us).

I have looked equally tired today - hubby has done some catch up packing up - I have had a nap, read some of The Girl who kicked the Hornet's Nest, eaten jam tarts with double thick cream, and played with the new Disney Projector. Tomorrow will be shopping and cleaning and looking for homes for new toys and clothes. I will share some of B's handmade and specialty gifts tomorrow.

Cheers

....GO

2011-04-02T19:11:00.004+10:30

Last minute food was prepared - I made some little toothpick flags with some deco tape with hearts on it and put them on cheese and Kabana and strawberries and marshmellows. We put up a little marquee in our side yard and decorated it with tissue pop poms, lanterns and streamers in blue and white. I used the good tea set and some paper doilies and blue paper plates so it looked like a beautiful tea party. We had teapots with juice and lemonade for the girls. The cake became the table centre piece. I had drink me and eat me labels on everything.

On our back lawn we set up for Croquet with our painted hoops and sign posts - the kids did this as a free time activity along with swings and trampolines.

We are all very tired - spaghetti on toast for dinner - B is lying on the couch but she wanted me to show you her new Little pet shop Blythe dolls and Angel in her Alice Mini dress made by Janell WInd and purchased form Her Etsy Shop- The Stitched Bluebird. Tomorrow I will show you a picture of everyone dressed up - they were all very cute especially my Darling Husband who puts up with my wayward imagination - I am surprised he doesnt cringe when I say do you think we can do this. He takes my impoassibles and makes them possible xx Hubby if you read this I love you and wouldnt do it without you.

Cheers