Bungalow Babble

December/January Holidays... Part 1

2012-02-08T22:11:00.001+11:00

To record our holiday antics and remind me how many wonderful activites we participated in over Dec/Jan I thought I would do a few blog posts.

Here is Part 1.

The start of summer hailed the need for some new nighties. I located a tutorial online for pillowcase nighties and a couple of hours later...Ta Da!!! Pretty nighties for 2 gorgeous girls! A couple of crafty gal pals have also been creating these in the past few weeks... here and here.

Then Grandma arrived in her new motorhome for a stay. When you hit the big smoke what else to do but head out for a cino...

Nothing as exciting as finding an Elmo ring in your cupcake!

Last day of swimming lessons for the term and Squirt (from Finding Nemo) made an appearance!

What a gorgeous way to spend the day...a backyard picnic with a lovely friend!

Exciting Delivery!!!

2012-02-06T18:56:00.000+11:00

I knew after receiving a phone call a few weeks ago that this delivery was on its way. The courier arrived with it today! In the lead up to Christmas I saw the cute Reindeer Tarts advertised by Arnotts and subsequently purchased the required biscuits, made and ate the tarts and then completed 2 entries into their competition.

I won on both of them and this is what we received!

There are 2 lucky little girls here tonight!

Only 4 more sleeps to go!!!!!

2012-02-02T16:22:00.000+11:00

Well the time has come for my biggest little girl to go to Prep (or for those reading in NSW Kindergarten). Why can't each state use the same terminology???

So Miss Lily decided we needed to have a dress up day to share some photos! And she plans to stay dressed this way until bed time!

Don't you just love the excitement in her face!

To go with the uniform we needed an art smock... not just any art smock but the most colourful one we could make! Thank you Grandma...

Then we needed a matching chair bag! Thank you Grandma!

Next to come was the matching swimming bag, library bag and pencil case!

And the last matching school items come courtesy of a size 12 uniform I found at my local Salvos... now chopped and sewn into hair bands and hair ties... thanks for the inspiration Karen!

Many more of these already made and gifted. Still quite a few to go...!

A long time coming...

2012-01-26T20:43:00.003+11:00

What is 6 months between posts? A long time!!! 2012 will be my year for a new computer and better internet connection so that outdated and unreliable technology is no longer an excuse for not keeping my blog updated.

Here are some pics from Christmas... my Mum, Sister, BIL, Niece and Nephew came to visit from QLD.

Look what Grandma made the girls for Christmas!!! Isn't it GORGEOUS!!!! Thanks Grandma...

Here is what my sister made them!!! Not the best picture as it is impossible to stand still when there are Hobby Horses as beautiful as these to be riden! Thanks again Aunty Helen!

Many pillowcase nighties have been churned out here over the last month. Here are the cousins in matching ones for Christmas - gorgeous whether you are 2 or 13!!! Pillowcases found at the local Lorraine Lea Linen Factory Outlet for 50c... it cost more for a metre of satin bias for the straps! My nephew couldn't resist crashing the photo with his new fluoro orange sunnies!

The kind of reaction you love to see when your 5yo opens her Christmas present! Twister - YAY!

These groovy little table decorations were made by my 10yo nephew! Isn't he clever. FYI instructions from BH&G 2011 Christmas magazine...

My FIL also made a brief appearance from Sydney on his bike for a few days before Christmas. Lily loves her new PowerWing Gang Gang... thank you!

My girls with their favourite boys...

Bye Gang Gang... see you again soon!

More headwear...

2011-07-14T14:56:00.002+10:00

Who could resist posting pics of recently made headwear when their models look this gorgeous!

Miss Georgia in her new beanie and scarf... will be 2 in 2 weeks!

Miss Lily... who will be 5 in less than 2 weeks!

This is what you get when taking photos whilst the small person is eating an apple.

I make the flower from this headband for most of my hats, it is just so pretty.

Details of the hats and headbands Raveled here.

New headwear....

2011-06-29T12:06:00.002+10:00

Whilst I am gearing up to blog about SIT 2011 (which only happened 3 months ago) I though it best to just blog simply to get back into it... so here is some new headwear I have been making for my girls.

The owl hat is getting lots of lovely comments when we are out.

This almost 5 year old just loves the hearts!

This is one I made a long time ago and is one of my favourites.

It is getting lots of use in chilly Melbourne!

Details of the hats and headbands Raveled here.

The Hottie Challenge....heats up!

2011-06-27T13:44:00.001+10:00

When I read that my friend Cass and her girls were joining in the group entry of the Hottie Challenge organised by the very talented CurlyPops I thought I should join in too!

I dropped mine off in person at Open Drawer on Friday morning.... nothing like a last minute creative flurry the night before the due date! Open Drawer is a beautiful place for all things hand made with a lovely gallery space upstairs which was showing amazing felt pieces by local Melbourne artists.

Note to self: Need to take the camera out with me more often to capture all the new and exciting activities in Melbourne!

The Grand Opening of the Exhibition is on Friday July 1st from 6-8PM and runs until 24th July.

Here is a picture of my entry. I have seen some of the entries and know that mine has no chance of being a winner... but a lovely contribution to a very worthy cause as all proceeds from the sale of the Hotties are donated to the Margaret Pratt Foundation.

Sew it Together 2011 Name Badge...

2011-02-24T17:32:00.001+11:00

Here is my finished product... minus the recipients name which is covered in a piece of felt. I am really happy with it - I hope the lovely lady receiving it is too!

As a Milliner who never has time for making hats these days unless it is knitted or crocheted & with all my blocks, straws, felts, feathers and flowers stored in the attic (I lost my millinery room over 4 yrs ago when Miss Lily came along) it was lovely to be making a hat again!

Where have I been?

2011-01-23T11:49:00.001+11:00

October was a big month - I turned 40 and celebrated at our favourite Thai restaurant with 10 of our closest friends. Both the girls had croup, I was so sick on my birthday I didn't take any messages of congratulations and spent the day in bed to ensure I would make it to my dinner! I spent some quality time in North Shore Private... Nothing like surgery for cancer twice in 12 months to throw a girl off her game! I have sternly advised my Gynae/Oncologist that if he can't give me a guaranteed 12 months warranty this time that I'm not paying his surgical fees again! Thankfully we both have a good sense of humour, I bring him a skim flat white at each checkup and we sit and sip coffee and have a good laugh!

Surgery in October put me out of the game for about 7 weeks - what would I do without my wonderful Mum who gave up her life to come and run mine for me. How lucky am I? Thanks Mum - we love you very much.

These precious little people have also been keeping me busy.

This photo was taken in August so Georgia has changed -

but they are so adorable I had to post it

In early December we went to Coffs Harbour for a long-awaited holiday.

Lily & Georgia at the Clog Barn

When we arrived home from hols we had a call from Guide Dogs to say they had a dog for us if JR was interested through their Pets as Therapy program. JR is a client of GD due to his vision impairment. So, 3 days later Roxy the almost 2 year old Labrador arrived on our doorstep and has been keeping us entertained ever since!

Between Christmas an NY my brother his partner and their 5 children visited from Central Queensland and kept us busy for a few days.

My brother's 5 children, Lily , Georgia and our dog Roxy on the side.

For the last 11 days these people have kept me busy. Big plans for lots of craft... not much happened apart from stuff with the little people. My big sister drove all the way from Central Queensland to Sydney a 2300km return journey with her 2 children to holiday with us - this was an outstanding achievement for someone that doesn't cope well in traffic!

My sister's 2 children & Lily preparing for the Crazy Cousins Magic Show

In 15 days my sister returns sans children/husband via aeroplane for another 10 days. There had better be a lot of craft going on - I have big plans to catch up on! There will also be a Michael Buble concert on 14 Feb and we may have to make another visit to Bar Italia in Leichhardt for more gelato!

Amazing weekend for a 1st time quilter...!

2010-08-02T17:09:00.000+10:00

I have just had the most amazing weekend with this great group of women.

Learning this technique...

From this amazing woman...

The lovely and superbly talented Kellie from Don't Look Now!

Organised by this amazing woman...

The lovely Supermummy Corrie from Retromummy.

And was thoroughly entertained over the weekend by these crafty gals Chaletgirl and Duyvken. (thank you ladies...for your help and inspiration)
Here is a few samples of what I produced...

Practising my free motion swirls...

Practising free motion flowers...

My "Wish You Were Here" pillow top...

I didn't get to start my quiting as I was a bit slow. Pretty good for a 1st time quilter I think! I'm giving myself a break on this - some people in the group have been quilting for 10+ years!

Thank you so much to Corrie for organising such a great weekend workshop! Can't wait for the next one!

More pics and info in the coming days.

My thrifting fix...

2010-07-22T10:36:00.001+10:00

I well and truly got my thrifting fix filled this week! After 2 weeks of being house bound with sick children I needed a trip to a couple of my favourite stores and here is what I came home with...

1. The Salvos.. these chocolate brown suede Jane Debster boots

2.Vinnies... this gorgeous new black handbag, the Marie Claire Comfort cookbook, a Chip Maker, a pair of black Footrest high-heels for me, 2 pairs of great preschool shoes for Miss Lily - all this for just $20!

Apart from the price the best part about this shopping was I completed it on my own!! My MIL was visiting for the day so popped out shopping and then had lunch with a girlfriend and neither of us had children in tow... what bliss...

What I love most about thrifting is being able to go out shopping and come home (usually) having spent less than $20... you can't do that at Westfield!

I also love it when I walk in like I did yesterday and the lovely Vinnies ladies say "Where are the girls?" That is when you know you are a regular!

3. My local Council Cleanup... at the house next door to Lily's Preschool was a box filled with this....and all 8 place settings in tact!

Then I arrived home to find this parcel waiting for me...

What a wonderful day!

I hope your day was wonderful too!

Party Central...

2010-07-20T17:01:00.001+10:00

It is party central at our place...

The sunroom is filled with all things pink, white and silver - lots of paper lanterns to hang in the bare frangipani and crepe myrtle trees, disco balls to catch the sunlight (please let there be sun on the weekend) and lots of crepe paper for me to make some beautiful flowers like these and a ton of paper to make some bunting like this.

Until I have lots of gorgeous pink party photos here is a couple of recent photos of the girls...

Miss Georgia... she usually has a huge grin although I have

trouble catching it in a photo.

Lily with her face painted after a friends 4th birthday party at her

favourite shop... Bunnings!

Lily doing a dance for us at Aunty Pam's 70th Birthday brunch.

The girls having lunch with their Gang Gang! Miss Lily couldn't say

Grandad when she was little and now the title Gang Gang has stuck

and everyone calls him that - even his wife!

Miss Lily after another 4th birthday party...

Where do I start with "yet to be finished projects"?

2010-07-16T23:50:00.000+10:00

I am posting my "yet to be finished projects" so I can look back in the weeks and months to come on how much I have achieved... Not sure if I should list all of them...it could be too overwhelming! Apart from dark chocolate my next biggest weakness is starting projects - and not finishing them.

Knitting

Something for Mum (can't show it till she receives it for her birthday)
Bolero for Miss G (inspired to start this one by Retro Mummy) free pattern here
Bonnet for a friends new baby, pattern here
These gorgeous cupcakes and the Bunny Egg Cosy, patterns here on etsy from Little Cotton Rabbits

One of these beautiful Fairy Dolls pattern from Amy Gaines on etsy

Crochet

A few hats of varying designs, see here and here
Some more of these gorgeous flower headbands, pattern from Just Toots on etsy

Sewing

Portobellopixie Ruffle pants for Miss L, pattern here
Made it Perfect Hooded Jacket for Miss L, pattern here
Carson Ruffle Shirts for Miss L & Miss G, pattern here
Ruffled Nappy Cover for Miss G, pattern here
Reversible Popover Pinafore for Miss L & Miss G, pattern here

I am starting to get dizzy...so I think I will have to stop typing this list!

Where have I been?

2010-07-16T10:15:00.026+10:00

Where have I been? I am about to be the mother of a 4 y.o and a 1 y.o. I am not sure what I have been doing whilst these gorgeous little babblers have been growing up so fast!

Here are a few before and after shots...

This is Lily in July 2006 when she was only 1 day old. I know she looks big, that is because she was! Born at 39 weeks Miss Lily weighed in at a very healthy 10lb 10oz (4.8kg).

Now it is July 2010 and this is Lily making these cinnamon rolls this week!

This is Georgia in July 2009 when she was only 2 days old. I know she looks big, that is because she was! Born at 39 weeks Miss Georgia weighed in at a very, very, very healthy 11lb 6oz (5.2kg) .

Here is Georgia in July 2010.

Needless to say we have decided 2 is the limit of babblers in this household. Who would be crazy enough to find out how big the next one could be?

In just over 1 week my babblers will be 4 and 1... I am so proud to be their Mum, they are such beautiful little girls.

First Post!

2010-07-12T10:16:00.000+10:00

Well, after many months of being a serial blog stalker I have taken the plunge to create my own blog! The creativity of blogs I have encountered has astounded me - and taken up too much of my time!

My biggest motivating factor in creating this blog was seeing how the daily lives of other bloggers children was being captured in a beautiful and simple way - forever. I realised since having my second child I have struggled to capture both of their gorgeous moments on film and forget their funny gestures and mannerisms of months and years gone by.

The other reason for this blog is to remind me of the many wonderful things I contribute to creating each day.