I've got mothering in the bag

Well, not really. But I do have this new bag that is filled with gear to help with my everyday mum tasks. The fabric is from Funky Fabrix and the pattern is "The Everything" bag by Amy Butler (which you can find in this book). It took forever to cut out and make which I blame on the many fabric layers, many pieces/pockets, and extreme lethargy in the last trimester of pregnancy! But it is working quite nicely and already boasts a jumble of gold coins for trolleys and not-working pens in the pockets, as well as plenty of crumbs in the bottom. Maybe I do have mothering in the bag after all?

My newest creation

A sweet sweet boy!

Zebulon John Kelly

Born 15.08.2010, 11:02pm

4170g (9p 3oz)

52.5 cm

Blue eyes and fair hair

And some details for those who like them...

He came within an hour of arriving at the hospital, after 50 hours of labour at home, and 6 days of waiting past due date.

He is my smallest baby by far and seemed so lanky and little at birth, but...

He is strong and healthy.

His hair is ginger in the sunshine.

He is nicknamed Zeb.

He is easy going and happy.

He looks good in blue.

He loves his Mum.

Hello Starling! ...and thankyou God.

Crochet

I'm happy to be far from a superwoman. I'm ok to not know how to change a tyre, to be slow with the garden, and to almost always have one messy room in the house. And it's good to have some crafty things that I just can't do. Fortunately for me, there are a few people in my life that are great at those such things, and who bless me with gifts!

Debbie is a clever girl who made Elara this as well as this jacket which we both love (and a vest which I'm still to photograph)

My Aunty makes these great washers...

...and creates these amazing freehand crochet blankets.

Who needs to learn crochet when I can admire the giftedness of my friends and family!

The Candy Store

It's unusual to have a baby shower for your third baby. But since each of our children have been anticipated as much as the others, I've always thought we should have a celebration for each. Baby one was 'morning mocktails'. Baby two had a 'gelati party'. For baby three we opened a 'candy store'! It was the best way I could think of to involve the girls and to get them (even more) excited about our upcoming arrival. The day went a little like this...

Visitors arrived and were welcomed by the friendly candy shop staff.

They were each given some 'baby dollars' to spend...

...at the store!

They chose from a selection of home-made candy: fairy floss; peppermint creams; freckles;...

...turkish delight; sherbert spoons; orange sticks; chocolate fudge; marshmellow & sherbert cones;...

...pistachio nougat; peanut brittle; honeycomb; coconut ice; and marshmellows.

Then the shopkeepers charged whatever they thought was appropriate! (We did overhear Elara at one point..."wow, you've got lots! That's one hundred and forty please"!)

Then everyone was left to enjoy the food and make some predictions about the baby. It was so much fun, and a great celebration for this 'sweet' one soon to arrive!

Life is Sweet

It seems there are a few of us who have been a bit out of touch with 'blogland' lately. I have missed the sharing and encouragement and inspiration! I have been particularly busy in the 'real world', getting ready for my 'candy shop' baby shower. Here's a little taste of the sewing/crafty preparations...A gift (and reminder) from my sister.

Candy colourful bunting.

Aprons for the girls to wear (pattern found in this book).

The lollipop style invitations.

Ha.ppy.Ro.bot.Birth.day.

Last weekend we celebrated the 3rd birthday of this cool kid, in robot style. His Mum had thought of plenty of clever food and party decorating ideas, so I had to really widen my ideas file to make our gifts robot-like.

It began with this caribena pouch filled with a few treats.

Then a picture: made, wrapped and decorated by Elara.

A robot wristband (now who hasn't wanted one of these before)!

And finally some robot cupcakes (an amateur version of these). Beware...I will only make these for very special people...they took a long time (though not so long to be devoured by hungry kids at the birthday party)!

Yes, I must have found my overdrive button after all. What a shame I couldn't just plug in to the power socket and recharge after all that crafting and baking!

Tasmania Top Ten (from a man of few words)