We're here....

We're here, we're here...
A little bleary eyed & worse for wear at the moment, but we're here in the UK.

It's all so familiar but foreign to me at the same time.
And so very picturesque and GREEN compared to the sandy dry of Western Australia.

We shall not talk much about our flight over...
Only a few small facts which I'm sure will set the scene enough:
Abbie had 3 hysterical meltdowns before we were even on our first plane.
I lost count after that.
I guestimate that it was about four hundred and fourty four.

She also decided to set a new record for how long a toddler can stay awake.
At 21 hours she finally cried herself into a coma for an hour.
1 stinking hour the whole journey!
This made me "sad".
Or simply want to poke a pencil in my eye.
Enough said!
Lets just say I'm really excited about the journey home!!! HA.

But the main thing is that we both made it here alive.
It's great to see everyone and we are having a wonderful time.
{Despite the fact Abbie is still trying to set records for surviving on no sleep. So far today it's going on 4pm and we've been up since 2.30am with only a 20 minute nap in the car. Fun.}

On a brighter note - the weather here is glorious!
We packed a suitcase full of winter clothes and layers since up to this week it's been apparently freezing.
But the sun has come out for our arrival and it's been lovely.
Yesterday our mercury soared to 29 degrees C.
Today 26 & sunshine predicted all week.
Love!

We have just arrived in Nottingham for a long weekend to celebrate my nephew's 3rd birthday and introduce Abbie to her 3 cousins. It's wonderful to see her getting on with them like a house on fire.
She is LOVING having small people to play with again.

I'll try and update again in a few days when there's more {other than sleep deprived grumbles} to report.

Tuesday Tidbits...

**  Panic stations are GO...

** 1 MORE {short} SLEEP until Abbie & I jump on a plane to the UK. Followed by another even longer plane. Followed by a drive.

**  About 27 hours or so of travelling.

**  I have been mostly packed since last week but still have my hand luggage to pack.
That of course is probably the most important...

**  I weighed my bag this morning.... 20kgs!
That includes all my clothes & toiletries, all Abbie's clothes and toiletries, about 4kg or more of chocolate for the in-laws & about another 3-4 kg of fabric sales to hand deliver to people.
Then all my sewing & embroidery supplies for the FQ retreat.

**  I have plenty of room to spare & I'm actually allowed 30kg.
It's a proud moment people!

**  Neil wasn't that impressed when I pointed out that it gave me lots of room for shopping.
Lucky I was joking.
Mostly ;)

**  I have had a knot of dread in my stomach about the trip for the last 3 days...
I literally feel a bit sick.

**  Travelling with Abbie is never easy - it's not a case of IF she'll lose it and turn hysterical on me, more a case of how MANY times she will. And she can pack a mean punch now that she's nearly 2.

**  For example we took her for an hour drive into the city yesterday and she lost the plot for the rest of the day. Neil and I ended up joining her in her tears and tantrums. It wasn't pretty!

**  Today we just bought a little DVD player for her though.
That should help a little - at least until the battery goes flat.

**  I know that there is built in entertainment on the plane but Abbie has very specific tastes. As in there are 2 DVDs that will capture her attention... She loves the Wiggles & she loves Dougi Dug.
That is all.
Needless to say those 2 DVDs are the most well used DVDs on the planet.
I know every word off by heart.

**  Another reason that I'm dreading this trip is that I hate crowds of people.
I'm a small town girl at heart.
So aeroplanes, big cities & international airports don't exactly excite me.

**  It's also going to be a very emotional trip for other reasons which I won't go into.
With the distinct possibility of last minute schedule & location changes.

**  Lets just say that I'm hoping our trip will be a positive distraction & not really bad timing/a nuisance.

**  Then of course there's my mothers heart about what & who I'm leaving behind. I've only ever been away from Hannah for a few nights in her short life. We are both going to feel the distance.
Lucky I know she's in the best hands ever!

**  BUT even though I feel sick about going I am excited.
I can't wait to introduce Abbie to Mr Flutter's side of the family! I can't wait to meet one of my nephews (now 2!). Last time we went back he was still in-utero. I can't wait to see one of my best friends from school. And I can't wait to meet many of my awesome online friends in real life!

**  I also can't wait to learn some really cool skills at the retreat. I think I'm most excited about my embroidery class with Aneela Hoey, but I'm looking forward to all my classes.

**  Socks... check. Undies... check. Warm clothes... check. Nappies... check. Snacks... check. Itinerary... check...

**  Please excuse me while I go and finish the rest of my packing.
I'll try and check in a few times while I'm away, but it will depend how much internet I can get access to.

Miss Four....

Today was a special day in our house...
A certain Flutter girl had her birthday...

Note the "Mummy-made" new hat...

What a fun day!
And what a super duper blessing this girl is on our household!
Hannah took great joy in telling people all day that it was her birthday and that she has turned four, making sure that she had four fingers held up each time and all.

We immensely enjoyed celebrating her today.
And it is fair to say that she revelled in being celebrated!

6.30am this was the picture that greeted her...

It looks a bit more impressive than it is - the dolls house was actually a Christmas present, but it has been confiscated for the last month due to the girls not looking after it very well. But it made the perfect backdrop for Hannah's new birthday Barbies, and it was time to allow them to have it back. They have been warned though - if I see any water in the bathtub or toilet then away it goes to the shed again so that they don't completely wreck it... (who can blame them though - I'm sure I would have done the same thing!...)

They were both SO thrilled to have it back. It kept littlest Flutter wonderfully entertained while her sister opened her new toys, and she didn't feel left out at all...

That Ken in the background is a "vintage" one from my childhood collection.

Helium balloons have become a bit of a birthday tradition in our house. They are a great & inexpensive way to set a birthday mood in the house.
This year Daddy decided to get 4 - 1 for each year of her age. I did point out to him that it probably wasn't a good idea to actively tell her that. She will otherwise expect the same from now on. That could get expensive fast and one day we might have an "up" situation on our hands. LOL

Hannah was very specific with her birthday requests this year. Every time I asked her what she'd like for her birthday she kept saying she'd like flowers. She does so love flowers and regularly asks for them when we're at the shops, or out in the garden, so today we went to the florist and allowed her to pick her very own bunch...

When I asked her what her favourite meal is that Mummy cooks, that she'd like to have for her birthday dinner she chose sausages. I thought she meant a barbecue, but no - she was quick to correct me that she wanted "potatoes (mashed), broccoli, carrots & corn."
No one can ever criticise Hannah for not knowing what she wants that's for sure!

She also requested a "white cake with black".
It took me a little while to work out that she meant a white chocolate mud-cake which is about the only cake she really likes. I'm not quite sure why it took me so long to click!

I just love how happy she looks in that photo above!!

What a wonderful relaxing family day we had today. Not doing anything super exciting to write home about, just an easy day enjoying each others company and giving the girls time to play with the new toys.

We just put one very tired but content girl to bed and I suspect she will sleep extremely well tonight!

Love you Miss Four!

Now we get to do it all over again in 2 sleeps for Mr Flutter's birthday. He has rather significantly more candles on his cake though ;)

Desperate Housewives Quilt block Tutorial...

Have you seen the Desperate Housewives Quilt Along by Jane from Want it, Need it, Quilt! ?

If you haven't then might I suggest you go take a look. Soooo many great block designs to inspire and try!

This is my contribution to the quilt along and the block I'll be teaching you today:

Please excuse the very crooked photo!

This block is was inspired by one that I made for a bee friend a year ago....

She gave us free reign of the design as long as it was in the colours grey, yellow & white. I was crushing on pinwheels at the time so I decided to try pinwheels on point. I've been dying to make it again ever since because I just love a good block on point also, so I thought this was the perfect opportunity. 

My original block was 12.5 inches unfinished but today we're going to make the baby version.
Using the following measurements your block should measure up 8.5inches unfinished and will finish up at 8 inches once sewn together into a quilt top.

All seam allowances are 1/4 inch.

Here is what you will need to make it:

**  2 of 3 inch squares of feature fabric (for the pinwheels)

**  2 of 3 inch square of your main solid (also for the pinwheels)

**  4 of 2 inch squares of your accent solid (for your points in each corner)

**  A 21 inch long 1 inch strip of your accent solid (for around the pinwheels)

**  2 of 6 inch squares cut on the diagonal to make 4 triangles.

Step 1: Making our pinwheel
First we need to take our 3 inch squares and make our pinwheels using half square triangles.
Pair up one of your 3 inch solid squares with one of your 3 inch feature squares and place them right sides together. Draw a line diagonally from one corner to the other.

Sew 1/4 of an inch on either side of the lines

Cut line down the middle so that you now have 2 half square triangles.
Carefully press back into squares and trim down to a 2.5 inch square.
Repeat with the other 3 inch squares

Piece your 4 half square triangles into a pinwheel

Step 2: Adding our sashing
Take your 21 inch long strip and cut two pieces that are the same length as the sides of the pinwheel.
Sew them onto two of the sides

Repeat for the other two sides

Step 3: Adding the surround
Take 1 of your large triangle bits. Place it upside down on one of the sides so that there is even overhang off each side of the pinwheel.
Sew it on.
Repeat for the side opposite.
Press the seams over

Repeat for the other two sides and carefully trim down to 8.5 inches.
Just make sure that you keep the pinwheel somewhat centred...
Trim the seams on the back down also so that your seams are neat 1/4 inch seams.

Step 4: Finishing
Take your 2 inch accent squares and lay one right side down at one of the corners. Make sure the edges line up neatly.
Sew a line on the diagonal from one side to the other
Repeat to the other 3 corners

Press over so that the squares are folded in half to make triangles
Trim the bottom two layers down to 1/4 inch seams and your block is finished

Yay!

And here are two together...

Quick, easy & effective. Just how I like it :)

Hope you have fun with it!

Ooooh la la...

It is with great pleasure that I can finally let you know some big news...
My good friend Cindy from Fluffy Sheep Quilting {the blog} has just opened her online fabric shop Fluffy Sheep Quilting {The Shop}...

I have had the privilege of working with Cindy closely in the lead up to this grand opening and she is the most infectiously nice & positive person. I wish her every success with her shop!

To celebrate her grand opening Cindy is sponsoring some giveaways. To enter and win some great loot you can visit her blog here, Susan's blog here, Hadley's blog here and Sarah's blog here.

Cindy has also generously released a discount code for her grand opening, allowing you to save 10% off your order. Simply enter Launch10% at checkout to redeem it.

Photo shamelessly nicked from Cindy's website

I've fallen in love with the Ruby Star Rising typewriters in neutral myself and put together a Kona pack to complement them. I can't wait for them to wing their way to me so I can put together a suitably awesome project!!

I love how easy to use Cindy's website is, how cheerful it looks and how EASY it is to change currency. Not a fan of shopping in Euro's, no problem, with just a flick of a button how bout shopping in pounds or US dollars? Too easy.

Sorry if that's all a bit enabling. But who can resist a visit to peruse some yummy fabric right ;)

I still don't want to talk about it...

Gah I'm not feeling so great today...
My head and nose are aching thanks to my kind family sharing their germs with me.
Why is it the Mum always gets it last?!
Energy is in high demand but is very reluctant to make an appearance.
Joy.
Both kids ended up on antibiotics at the end of it with secondary infections so I'm really trying to lay low and avoid that happening to me.
Especially as I'm about to fly to England next week!
Ooooh that rolls off the tongue nicely - next week, next week, next week....
London here I come baby!!

Anyway sorry... got distracted...
Back to the matter at hand - my chevron progress. Or lack of as the case may be.
Thanks for all the help the other day, I really appreciate it!
After I slept on it a night I realised that I was doing it wrong and why it wasn't making sense to me.
I was doing the Decrease stitch all in the same stitch, which kind of defeats the purpose of a decrease stitch LOL...
So that got unravelled and I tried again.
This time I tried following the tutorial that many of you directed me to.
Made a mistake and didn't notice until the next line so that got unravelled and I tried again.
THIRD TIME has not proved to be lucky either.
It has a slight wave but nothing like the pattern examples.
GRRRRR not happy!

I've run out of patience with it.
I think I need to try a smaller amount with a different wool and see if that makes any difference.
Here's what it looks like so far anyway...

It's just not inspiring me.

So I decided to try something else instead.
Enter the humble granny square...

These I could get right first time, and also they are fast to make.
I'm definitely an instant gratification girl so these are going to suit me well.
Like I finished one last night watching an episode of something and another today after I put the dinner on and while I was waiting for it to cook.
I'm thinking I could finish a whole one while waiting for a ballet lesson to finish etc.
Sweet!

And amazingly both squares ended up the same size.

Score!

I think I might pick up some red or pink to just add a little pop of colour into the mix and really tie it in properly with my lounge quilt.
I don't want too much red because I'm loving this combo, but I'm thinking maybe 3 feature squares of red combo while making the rest matchy matchy or something.
OR a red edge once they're all sewn together or something.
Any suggestions.

That's about it from me. I'm already in bed and the time only has a 7 in the beginning.
And that's just where I plan to stay for as long as possible.
Until next time

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day if it is Mother's Day where you are!

Today I received my very first child-written card. What a happy moment!
I'm sure she had some coaching (considering she's still technically 3 and all) but I know she wrote it all herself.
So proud!

Izzy is my dog in case you are thinking maybe I've got a 3rd child hiding away that you didn't know about.
Sometimes she feels like a 3rd child though I tell you!

I've been having a lovely relaxing day curled up in bed this afternoon with my crochet in front of a movie. Such decadence.
Lets not speak of the crochet today though and ruin my mood.
I'll tell you all about it (and my 3 unsuccessful attempts to date) tomorrow instead...

Biting off the big guns...

Today I went into town with a $40 off Spotlight voucher burning a whole in my pocket...
It was just itching to be spent and I knew just the thing!...
A very very ambitious thing, but oh my heart if I can pull it off it will be a completely DELICIOUS thing...

So I came home with a big purchase of new yarn...

And a new pattern to {attempt to} make...

Assuming I can pull this off, this is destined to go on our other couch to compliment the lounge quilt. 
But to be quite honest I'm really not feeling confident about the whole pulling it off bit. I'm following the pattern as best I can (given that I just started crocheting on Tuesday!) but so far I'm on line 3 and it's just not looking very chevrony.
After I switch colours the pattern is a bit vague. So I'm unsure as to whether I'm doing it all wrong or whether it just needs more time to take form.
This is why I don't like patterns - they leave too much open to interpretation!!!

Has anybody made a crochet chevron before?
If so then I'd LOVE to pick your brains if you don't mind so I can figure out if I'm doing it wrong before I'm too far in to turn back...

Nothing like a little blind ambition to make you feel a bit out of your depth is there?!...
Wish me luck :)

Snippets For the Time Capsule...

These are things I wish to remember about my girls in years to come...


Hannah:

**  You are just about to turn 4.

**  You are very excited about turning 4 but are quick to tell people that after 4 you'll be 5, and 6, and 7, and 8, and 9, and so it goes on...

**  You are sad that you are not getting a party this year because you are obsessed with birthdays and parties and they're just about all you talk about. But Mummy has said no party this year because she is mean and doesn't want to feed the obsession. I don't want you to learn to expect them that's all and you had a big party last year.

**  Recently you have been very happy, despite being quite sick repeatedly. Your teacher at school even commented on how happy and smiley you have been this term not just once but several times. It's so nice to see you happy because it has not always been the case this year!

**  Your behaviour has been a lot better as a result.

**  I suspect it is because Daddy has been home for a month now and Mummy has also slowed down with her work so that she can spend more time with you. Suffice to say that you are enjoying the new pace!
I am trying not to think of the challenges that may come when Daddy goes back away again for work...

**  You are loving ballet! Every day after school you ask if it's time to go to ballet and I have to remind you the day of the week you go.
You have your first concert coming up and your costume is SO cute. I'm gutted that I'm going to be away in the UK for it because I don't get to see you dance at your lessons and I want to be there for you. But Daddy will be there to support you and he misses so much that it will be great for him to have this special time with you.

**  Your latest craft obsession seems to be painting. Which can be frustrating for me if I have work to do because it's the one which requires the most time and supervision.

**  Every day when I pick you up from school this is our dialogue:
Me: "So what did you do at school today Hannah?"
You: "Well I didn't do any painting!"
Me: "Ok so what DID you do..."
A testament to how much your life revolves around it!

**  For the first time in your complete life you have been eating very well recently. You are more willing than you have ever been to try new foods and eat vegetables. I even got you to eat asparagus yesterday, although 1 stalk proved to be enough. It's so nice to see you not just eating but eating the right foods, and you have been healthier overall for it!

**  You are also very keen to help in the kitchen and we have been doing a lot of baking together. You love to turn the handle of the sifter the most - that is your favourite. Otherwise you are my "tipper" and get to tip all the measured ingredients in. Well no, actually now that I think about it licking the spoon & bowl is your favourite. Big surprise there LOL...

**  One thing that I could do without is that you are going through a phase of taking my things.
Once I found a mysterious piece of glass in the hallway then noticed the next day that my perfume was missing. I don't think the rest needs spelling out... luckily it hadn't broken completely and it was just a splinter off the side.
Ever since then my things have gone missing on a regular basis. It can take me hours or days to find them.
The other day I'd also taken my rings off to do something and I found you curled up on the couch wearing the biggest one. Expensive taste just like your mother apparently....

***

Abbie:

**  You are about 21 1/2 months ish. I always lose track of the amount of months so lets just call you nearly 2 shall we...

**  You have been a very sad girl the last 3 months riddled with a horrible giardia bug. It has finally been picked up properly and treated but as a result you are now even smaller for your age. You were already at the bottom end of the graph but now you are almost off the chart. I will continue to have Mothers guilt about not getting a second opinion about treatment but I guess the main thing is that you are on the mend now...

**  You have also had croup this last week and I've seen a dramatic change in your behaviour to be very clingy for the first time. You have wanted me to carry you everywhere all week and cry every time I put you down or leave the room. I'm hoping it's a very short phase!

**  You are coming out with new words every day now and finally starting to string sentences together. Recently we had the first 4 word sentence... "Mummy- Daddy car gone."

**  You've also developed the ability to talk back already. A good example is:
Me: "Abbie take your feet off the table please..."
You: "No."
Me: "Yes"
You: "Why?!"
Me: "You have been spending too much time with your sister!! *Sigh"

**  If it's not talking back then you have the 'I can't hear you and I'm going to play deaf' thing down pat too...

**  It's wonderful watching you develop and learn though. Your favourite toy right now is your baby. You love giving her a bottle and taking her for walks in her stroller. God forbid Hannah should have the baby you want and vice versa.

**  You're also a bit obsessed with backpacks. Every day Hannah goes to school you have to pack a bag for you and spend the day putting things in and out of it. It's quite charming but boy it makes a lot of mess as you tend to discard contents around the house as you go then start again. Not to mention I can never find a thing.
But it's so cute. Sometimes you even have 3-4 on the go over your shoulder at a time.

**  You've gotten used to Hannah going to school now. At first you hated it and used to cry all morning but now you LOVE it. You love having your own space to play with your toys without being told what to do and having your big sister dominate. You're still pretty pleased to pick her up at the end of the day though, you really miss her.

**  We are going on a big adventure soon, just you and me. I am nervous as to how you will cope for 2 weeks away from your sister and your home. You tend to not be the best traveller. But I know you will love the excitement and all the new things you will see & people you'll meet. It will be a very special time introducing you to the UK family.

**  You have the most beautiful curly hair these days. By this age your sisters curls had all fallen out but yours are showing no signs whatsoever. In fact I tried to blowdry it straight a few days ago when it was a wet day and within 2 minutes it was curly again. I think you're going to have my curls somehow.
The suit you!!

***

Love both of you lots and lots girls...

Love Mummy xx


Linking up with Shay's Favourite Things Friday today because I haven't in ages and these two are definitely my favourite things :)

Easy Peasy Bag - A Tutorial...

Hello! Today I'm excited to share this tutorial as part of the Summertime Adventures Tutorial Blog Hop...

The theme this week is "out and about" with your kids.
After wracking my brains for a suitable project I decided to run with this easy peasy lemon squeezey drawstring bag....

I think it would be a perfect beginner project to make with your child.
It's easy-peasy and how happy will they be to have a bag to take their toys or snacks around in, give something that they made themselves as a gift to someone, or soooo many other uses?
I will now give this to Hannah for her birthday next week to carry & store her Ballet uniform in (hence my fabric choice).

So lets get started:

Ingredients required:

**  Rectangle of fabric measuring 12.5 inches high by 22 inches wide (or you could just use the width of a fat quarter - I think mine was an extra large fat quarter but I don't think it will really matter if it's a couple of inches narrower).
I would suggest using a heavier weight canvas or duckcloth since we are only using 1 layer of fabric.

**  Length of 5mm wide ribbon - I think mine was about 24 inches long

**  2 shorter lengths of wide ribbon/twill tape to use for the handles. Naughty me did not measure mine and just eyeballed the length I wanted - sorry! I'd say they are maybe 13 inches each?
(I ended up sewing ribbon onto some twill tape so that my handles were strong but also pretty.)

Step 1:

Iron over what will be the top of your fabric (the top long side) about 1/4 of an inch.

Iron it over again at least 1/2 - 1 inch...
basically this will be the casing for your narrower ribbon, so make sure that your ribbon will be able to fit down the tube with enough room...

Step 2:

Place a pin 1/4 of an inch under where your casing fold finishes. This is your sew-to line...

Unfold your casing.
Fold your fabric in half widthways so that the right sides are facing outwards.
Using a narrow (less than 1/4 inch) seam allowance, start at the bottom on the fold and sew around the bottom of your bag and up the side, stopping when you get to the pin.
Make sure that you reverse your stitches a couple of times at the beginning and end to secure your stitching....

Turn your bag in the wrong way so that the wrong sides are facing outward. Make sure that you carefully push out the corners so that they are at sharp points.

Using a wider seam allowance (I used the needle far left position) sew around the bottom and side of the bag from the fold to the pin, again making sure you reverse stitch at the beginning and end to secure your stitching.

Your bag should now have a nice neat french seam all the way around with an opening at the top ready for your casing...

Step 3:

Where the opening is, iron over the raw edges 1/4 of an inch...

Iron them over again so that the raw edge is neatly enclosed

Sew down the fold from the top of the bag to the point bottom of the V as close to the edge of the seam as you can (so that your raw edge is now trapped)...

Trim all your threads
Roll your casing (top edge of your bag) back over the 1/4 then 1/2 inch that you ironed in step 1.
Pin your fold over as pictured below & sew approx 1/8 of an inch from the edge of the fold to make your casing (roughly where the pin is).
Make sure that you reverse your stitches again at the beginning and end.

Turn your bag right side out again...

Step 4:

Take your the wider ribbon that will become your bag handles. Make sure that they are exactly the same length.
Doubling over the end of the ribbon to trap the raw edge (or you can skip that step if your ribbon end is finished and won't fray) pin one edge at each side of the bag.
Just take care to pin under your casing like my picture example so that you don't accidentally sew your casing closed...

Take care to place them equal distances from the top and side edges on each side of the bag.
Flip the bag over and do the same to the other handle...
Lift your back up and just check if your handles are the same length as each other.
If not then go ahead and repin until they are...

Sew the handles down.
Make sure that you trap all 3 layers of ribbon if you have doubled it over, that your raw edge is nice and secure.
Also make sure that you have the arm of your sewing machine in between the top bag layer and the bottom bag layer so that you are not accidentally sewing your bag shut at the top... (been there done that before ;) )
I like to go back and forth a few times over my stitch line to reinforce.

Handles attached. Woo hoo....

Step 5:

Attach a safety pin to one end of your 5mm ribbon and use it to help you feed your ribbon through the casing at the top...

Pull the ribbon all the way through, tie it in a bow and your drawstring bag should now be complete....

All ready to fill with toys, snacks etc...

Wouldn't it also make super cool wrapping paper?
I'm thinking I need one for for my newly acquired crochet hobby perhaps...

I hope you've enjoyed this little bag project & let me know if you have any questions!

Also linking up with Our Creative Spaces...