A Walk To The Letterbox

It was such a gorgeous day today. Roo & I started to walk down the hill to collect the mail and I just had to run back & grab the camera.

More Pretty Fabrics!

I just couldn't help myself! I just had to pop back into Spotlight yesterday to pick up some more pretty fabrics. I've been agonising over what to give my friend's twins for their birthday- I've already made them dino tails & tutus & they already have aprons... Mum can't bare the thought of MORE toys cluttering the house...and I just can't hand them money for their swimming lessons....The solution I figure is a cute twirly skirt each. I really love pinks & blues together, especially like this....!


pretty blues & pinks

loving this combo...

...and this combo- owl fabric I bought for Roo the other day (Hi-Fashion Fabrics) also with those spots.

Getting Christmassy

Cristmas Basis- Stars, Spots, Paisley & Santa Allover (Sugar & Spice Textiles)



Cute Decoration Panel- (Sugar & Spice Textiles)

For the first time in ages I managed to spend an hour or two wandering around Spotlight looking for fabrics and inspiration for my new Christmas colour theme. For the last two years I've gone with a pink, blue & silver/ white theme but thought it would be fun for Roo & I to choose new colours. There are heaps of new cute designs in Spotlight at the moment and we eventually chose the above for our tree bunting. We also found this panel of decorations to cut, sew & stuff. They are all so fresh, bright & fun- can't wait to make these with the kids!!

Jam Season

It's that time of year again. The strawberries are getting sweeter every week and I'm picking about one kilogram every two days- enough to make a couple of jars of jam each time. Will be gifting these this Christmas, so am feeling pretty organised!

The Reward Chart

Roo is currently experiencing a lapse in her toileting routine so I've printed out yet another 'Toilet Reward Chart' and invested in new rewards. Not much of a lolly person, I think the way to Roo's heart might be through craft. Yesterday I purchased a small canvas, and a bag of feathers, pomm-pomms and fingerpaint-stamps and devided them up into prizes- ten stickers earns a reward.  It's amazing how far a pack of feathers can go- has given me ideas for Christmas gifts....


craft incentives

The Chart

A Frolicking Dino

Dinosaur costume made from my pdf printable pattern.
See "MY SHOP" to the right.

Real Kid Fun!

MrJ & Roo have adopted a buck kid each, both now five days old. Mr J has named his Shaun, although also liked the names Billy the Kid, and Billy T James (very NZ of him). Roo has called hers Lilly, pronounced "Wiwwy" but only when she says it. Personally, I liked the names Finnius & Ferg, but it's not about me.

We have made a tempory fence but will have to resort to tethering as they've already mastered the great escape and, although Ed & I love goats, it would be devastating to see them get into Ed's vege patch.

I think I took a photo of Shaun having a toilet moment (middle photo). He looks a little embarrassed....

Let It Snow!

Let It Snow!

There was a buzz of excitement around the country yesterday as it snowed in a whole-lotta places it just doesn't normally snow! While the South Island was hammered with we-just-don't-need-any-more-of-this snow & gales, the snow landed on North Island towns & cities at sea level, even as far as Auckland! Now I know this is not a big deal to a lot of people, especially those from the Northern Hemisphere, but it was certainly a novelty waking up to snow fluttering outside- a new experience for me! At best it was just a dusting of snow which had disappeared by lunchtime, but I was happy to hear that the school kids experienced another snowfall at morning recess, and enjoyed running around catching flakes in their mouths and other craziness. We woke again to a white lawn this morning, only this time it was a heavy frost.

A Great Night Out

On Friday night I went along to a Plunket fundraiser, hosted by stylist Lisa O'Neill. Working with Farmers department store, Lisa discussed dressing the different body shapes and suggested clothing from Farmers latest range. Lisa also discussed accessories and personal "upkeeping." It was a hilarious event and my face was sore from laughing so much by the end. You can find her at www.lisaoneill.co.nz or www.facebook.com/lisaoNZ.
For an added bonas I managed to win the Plunket raffle, which was a selection of handknitted jumpers and a box of Stamin' Up loot! Very happy. Here's Roo modelling a knitted vest and my new stamps.

Happiness Filled

Yesterday was such a great day. All four of us stayed home and pottered around, doing our hobbies. Ed was trawling the auctions looking for new seeds to grow, and planning the spring garden; Mr J set up the tent in the Loungeroom and turned it into Lego central; I spent the day sewing bibs in my new designs (stay tuned); and Roo played alongside me with her doll house & little dolls. Later the kids & I made cardboard dinosaurs (Roo's idea) followed by some baking. All this and beautiful sunny weather. Bliss! Amazingly, I managed to get a photo of Roo's dino with Mr J arms- fluke!

A Mild New Zealand Winter?

Eight days ago we were reflecting on how mild the weather had been. Sure a few wet days here and there but pretty warm for Winter, really. On the Sunday we went for a stroll on the beach. We weren't exactly wearing short sleeves like the fishermen pictured, but Mr J was happy to run around in shorts!
The last five days, however, have been pretty dismal- thunder and lightening grumbling every couple of hours and hefty winds hammering the lower north island. I'm glad all these hills were made to cope wit lots of rain. We've just heard to expect five more days of the same. Come back sunshine...!


Wai-iti Beach

Mt. Taranaki/ Mt. Egmont

Colourful Dinos

The View

Here's the view from our house on Tuesday morning. We have quite a few nice sunrises which our camera, or perhaps my lack of skills, can NEVER do justice, but I managed to catch the mist okay. We live on top of a (big) hill and have great views over the valleys towards Mt Ruapehu, which you can see on a clear day. The front of the house faces the Tasman Sea and I sometimes (ok, often) give a wave to the family across the ditch (but seriously, there's a good 2000km between Australia and New Zealand...).

Dinosaur Costume PDF Sewing Pattern!

I've finally completed and listed my pdf dinosaur sewing pattern! The pattern comes with a detailed tutorial (instructions) with heaps of step-by-step colour photos to make construction easier. The tutorial is intended as an ebook which you save and use on your PC and enables you to enlarge the photos, although it may be printed out.

The Tail & Hood are the same size as the ones I make- to fit kids aged 6 months to 6 years of age. The pattern & instructions were designed for beginner sewers. No overlocker (serger) is required, and the zip is optional.

Bibs & Bobs

Latest Felt Listings

The Best Invention

Okay, I don't know if it is the best invention ever, but the Apple Peeler/Corer is definately up there on the list. This old gadget is so quick and handy that I managed to stew up four jars of apple sauce in no time. Ed's garden has produced a bumper crop of tomatoes, eggplant and beetroot this summer, so I was in the swing of preserving when we scored a bag of apples. I also have some apple slices in the dehydrator, halfway through the process.

Roo's New Do- Take 2

Roo's New Do

Roo has been sporting a cute little bob the last couple of weeks. It's working out great for both of us- I don't need to chase her around the house trying to get knots out, and she doesn't have me harassing her about the state of her hair. I think she's also lapping up the attention from people asking her about her trip to the hairdressers.
Unfortunately Roo's still not interested in keeping clips in her hair for the duration of the day, but I whipped up a headband at the start of the week which she loves and doesn't pull out! I have since product tested on my friend's three girls with positive results- they don't slip off or get pulled out either. Yeah!

New Bib Listings

Well it's been aaaages since I posted, but I have new bibs to list in my shop. My reluctant little model, Miss Roo, is now a cheeky three-year-old and can run even faster past the camera. I wanted to get a few photos of her wearing her own bib to give everyone an idea of how the new bibs fit. Out of 500 odd shots I think I managed to get a few ok ones.

The bibs are made to fit Newborns to age 5 if necessary -they comfortably fit Mr J, an average sized 5 year old. They have three fabric layers- a top cotton patterned fabric, an absorbent cotton interlining, and a waterproof backing layer. I've noticed most bibs don't have a waterproof bottom layer anymore, but I still think it's necessary- especially if your kids eat like mine do!

I've used strong resin snaps for the closure, so the neck size can be adjusted in nine different settings to get the perfect fit- no gaping or strangling! They are also quick and easy for adults to take off, and nearly impossible for the kids to remove themselves- Roo can't take hers off by herself.