Happy Handmade #5

Giving a second hand dolls bed new life with a mattress, pillow and patchwork quilt.

It doesn't need to be perfect, just colourful and unique.

Happy Handmade #4

More dresses (and this you just can't buy).

Matching outfits for my niece and her doll, Lula.

With box pleats, pockets for little hands, and a dash of bright yellow binding inside, this is a cute and classic style for busy girls. The pattern can be bought here. I found the fitting perfect, with this one made in a size 2. I simply mini-sized and added an easy-open velcro back for the matching dolls dress. 

I so hope they go out together and get stopped by all kinds of Grannies who have stories to tell of their own matched outfits when they were young! 

Happy Handmade #3

Kitty + Pinny = kawaii cute 

A gift for a little lady who missed her grey cat Benny.

Pattern adapted from a pinafore my girls wore when they were three.

Happy Handmade #2

Sparkle

[spahr-kuh l]

verb: to be brilliant, sparkly, vivacious 

Happy Handmade #1

I've taken a long hiatus from regular sewing. But I still love an occasion to get out my machine, and birthdays are the best. Little girls love handmade because it is unique and especially for them. Mums love handmade because they have something beautiful and worthy of keeping for years to come. When a little lady has outgrown her plastic fad toys (which, lets be honest, they love as well) and Mum gets to pass them on, a handmade gift often stays and plays a bit longer. That is reason enough for me to make gifts (when I am able). This was a simple, pretty child-size picnic blanket. To hold many a toys tea party on (I hope)!

A Reminder for When My Children are Grown and I Feel that My Sleep is a Bit Interrupted

Sunset: Bathtime for kids and baby. In between bath and shower transfers, an attempt to finish off a birthday cake for Tim. Keep Tess happy-on-hip.
6:00: Tim home. Tess falls asleep. Dinner crazy dinner time.
7:00: Some talk, tv (the big football game is on tonight), bedtime routines.
8:00: Tess awake. Feeds, back to sleep. Need to stay awake to watch the first half at least. Nope. Fall asleep in bed.
10:00: Tess wakes, doesn't settle back to sleep. Except in my arms in bed. Tim puts her back in cot when settled.
12:00: Tess wakes, feeds, falls asleep. Zeb comes in. The cupboard doors in his room are open. Take him back, close doors, console, tuck in.
2:00: Zeb comes in. He can't sleep. Take him back, find torch, console, tuck in. Zeb comes in again. There are monsters under his bed. Tim takes him back, checks under bed, consoles, tucks in.
3:00: Tess wakes, feeds, doesn't settle back to sleep. Except in Tim's arms in bed. Zeb comes in. He's thirsty. Take him back, get water bottle, console, tuck in.
4:00: India's asthma is playing up. Give ventolin, tuck in. Zeb comes in. Don't listen to why. Let him into bed with Tim and Tess and I.
5:00: Everyone asleep. Know that I have to get up now if I want to shower and wash my hair. Get up.
6:00: Lunchboxes started. Breakfast started. Big girls up.
Sunrise: Tess wakes, feeds etc etc etc.

Best of Both Worlds

Once upon a time, many blogs ago, I wrote about why we wished for a country change. In the end the decision was made to stay in suburbia. We were settled and content, though I still felt the pull to the wide open of the countryside. 

Late last year, when Tim's parents moved into their family farm down by the tweed river, we started to realise some (part-time) farm dreams!  

Strolling through the veggie patch.

Riding the horse.

Adventuring.

Climbing trees.

Country roads. 

Feeding chooks.

Spending slow time with grandparents, parents, siblings.

Exploring nature.

Listening to the cows.

Running, running, running.

We love it there and are trying to make the trip one weekend a month, to really slow down our probably-too-scheduled lives. Maybe one day country life will be our always reality. But for now, you can expect plenty more farm loving pictures to fill this blog!