Fend for yourselves, family!

Mama is going to be busy over the next few days.

Partial to the Red-Heads

I'm mighty partial to the red-head children - having produced two out of three of 'em. This one was starting to look very Lost Brazilian Tribesman though.

So we had that situation sorted this morning. And what's that in the background? A piano? I didn't know you had a piano, Sharon? Why, yes we do now. The Mummy is VERY excited about it too. It's a long term loan from friends and almost the same as the one I learned on as a kid. But man, am I bad now! The beauty of having young children is they think I'm a virtuoso for being able to play anything more advanced than Chopsticks;-)

And my apple apron? Hey Nikki - with the red head child!! It's coming your way, babe. Email me your addy and I'll get it in the post.

Simple Cowgirl Tote

I enjoy the meditative process of knitting but, conversely, I get a cheap thrill out of the instant gratification of an easy sewing project. I'm making Simple Totes from Bend the Rules Sewing for my three and their four cousins. Here's the first completed one for Miss Two. Thanks, Claire O, for your super embroidery machine work. Can't resist the cowgirl theme;-)




Check out other gorgeous projects from this super book. (Excuse the watermarks - that's me washing off the sewing chalk.)

Just in case...

...you think that we're all about the natural material hand crafts, excellent children's literature and constantly taking advantage of every learning opportunity that presents itself...

Friday afternoon blob out in front of The Flintstones.

And what a feeeeeeling! Finally finished a LONG overdue swapsie. This is the Seija Hat from Debbie Stoller's The Happy Hooker in Noro Kureyon. I'm in love with the pretty colours.


This will find its way to your place next week, Missy Kate. Thanks to my lovely model, Miss H11.

Craft Club

Normally, Wednesday is Swimming Lesson day but this term our local pool is closed for fix-ups so we've formed Craft Club. Today, I pulled out my stash of merino felting wool, my copy of The Creative Family and we set to work making felt balls (look, I found online instructions for you).



What a great activity for ages 3 to 37! Next week, we'll make flat felt pieces.

It was very difficult to take a decent photo in the gloom of the wintery downpour.

And what's the story, people? Noone wants my purty apron? Really? The Husband says it's because my readers must all be givers, unable to receive;-) Come on, humour me. Let me give!

Sharing the Love

I have been the recipient of more than my fair share of love, encouragement, inspiration and thoughtful goodies through the post from the blogging/online community. Now, it's my turn to share the love!

Please, delurk and leave me a comment. I'd love to hear about your favourite knitting and crafting books or other books that have given you a bit of a lift. I, for one, need that in the middle of our NZ winter.

One of my fellow home-learners will draw a name at random and I'll post to you:

* A denim cafe apron from Lotta Jansdotter's Simple Sewing. I used the apple pocket from Amy Karol's Bend-the-Rules Sewing. (Once I finished this I really did not want to give it to you. But I'm determined to spread some winter joy.)

* A copy of the latest Winter issue of World Sweet World. I love this new local craft mag!

Looking forward to hearing from you all;-)

I'd forgotten...

...how much I love to crochet. Hey Kate...I've started your hat!!

Joyeux Jour de Bastille

We had a wee history lesson about the French Revolution over our Bastille Day petit déjeuner.

The guillotine fascinated them but what really tickled the kid's fancy was the idea of women sitting knitting while watching the executions. Perhaps they could picture their Mum rocking up with her knitting basket to join her fellow tricoteuses, hoping the blood wouldn't splash on her new yarn.

Baking with my boy

Forget the list of ingredients as long as my arm on the pre-prepared cupcake box - it was ALL about the experience of baking with my wee man today!

Sunshine & happiness

Sunshine & happiness have both been in short supply at our place this week.

The lighting in these photos is awful. It's mid-winter, freezing, even sleeted at our place in the weekend, doesn't seem to have stopped raining in over a week - blerch, grump, ugh!

What cheered the mama up a bit? Making this cute Lolita apron for I6's best buddy who is six years old tomorrow. Happy Birthday, lovely Miss K (sorry Aunty Sharon won't be here). I6 gets her matching one later in the week;-)

Is there anything more satisfying than the look of home-made bias binding in just the right print to match the apron? All the cutting, fiddling, ironing and sewing has been good for my heart.

I travel to Christchurch tomorrow to farewell a brave wee man who slipped into heaven from his Mummy's arms last Thursday. His all-too-brief two years have touched many, many people.