i am so flattered

....that you are still popping by. post holiday writing should return shortly. to tell the truth i am just tired from the travelling still. i did think that coming home to 3 weeks of pinterest and my reader would give me a boost but it felt like more of a chore to read through 500 sum posts, some did not make the cut. i have found a few new blog loves, some friends i would like to have and some fun things to do but all after the local summer markets are said and done in January.

and getting my online shop open just seems a little silly now, it will happen after a few more sleeps and a few more french knots are complete.

but the sunshine is coming to be sure i did return with a lovely stash (32 kg of fabric and notions) but want to be ready to enjoy it rather than just set to work.

and

christmas is coming, hubby says i have to wait until it is december to get decorating.

i understand last year the tree did not get packed away until easter. i love, love, love having a tree inside even it is plastic, the real ones bring me out in welts if i so much brush past and to tell the truth the scent makes me think of the toilet blocks at primary school.

but things will be made, a wreath, a few new decorations, a cake sans mixed peel, cherries and sultanas (i.e. cranberries and currants in the spice batter).  other than that i have no big feast planned yet - that list will come, i have ideas of lunching on ham and bread, simple and good.

enough for today i hope this found you all well and if it left you a little deflatedi am sorry - just think about what 32 kg of fabric and lovelies would be like to play in.

ready for the store window

just a few bits i have been working away on between a few jobs

vintage bow quilted brooches. just lovely on a simple singlet or tee and a great addition to monthly grow photos

soon we are off for a much needed family holiday including the wedding of one of my most favourite people in the world.  this means i plan to open the shop door on friday 30th of november, prepare yourselves for some little lovelies and a giveaway or two.

faithful rabbit gets a bed

we were dressed and out of foot early today, I wanted to make it down to our community shop for opening (that is 10 am and I was pleased we were out of the house by then.)

i had spied this the night prior and even pulled in to check the price, a winning $5 and at half price month $2.50!!! i was more than pleased to part with my pocket money and tote it home on the stroller.

it is rather charming........dust, cobwebs, rough paint, stained mattress and all.  someone has made this out in the shed with love for some other little girl most likely and now it is our turn to enjoy it.

it has had swinging and singing and all manner of mattress testers already.  it has ample room for top and tailing too.

so after we return from a family trip this has jumped right up the front of the to do list.

firstly a not so little clean, a light sand and i am planning to...... 

hand stamp a basket pattern onto the main bassinet in a dusty grey

replace the cross support timbers

make a new mattress, pillow and linens

make little fabric end covers to hide those nut and bolts, hold a story book and protect fingers

i am wondering if i am a little too excited about this.......now off to choose a bundle of fabrics

a little peek...

now these are my latest style of bib, a basic cotton/linen front and a lined bamboo panel.

they sit like a bandana up to the chin to take care of the dribblers protecting both soft skin and clothing.

the two snap setting allow a good fit from 4 months to 4 years.

picnic for dinner...

there has been a little of everything happening today so it stands to reason dinner should be no different

cold sliced roasted chicken

honey and sesame sweet potato with cashews

corn and yoghurt fritters

simple coleslaw

soft boiled eggs

garlic and olive oil toasts

we all ate on a rug on the floor, mess was made, i thought momentarily about the lack of 'greens', but it was just the right thing to end the weekend

a very small final push...

...before some work and seven loads of washing demand my attention (this could be also problem on such a balmy afternoon)

i have finished the oliver+s ice cream dress in the blouse form.  it is in more japanese lawn (i can not help myself at five dollars a meter it is as close to liberty as my budget will allow) with a complimentary yoke lining and button.

 i also popped together this simple necklace to top it off.

now the sunki and other plans will have to wait, not to long i think but not tonight.

3 days in review in no particular order....

plans have changed for my sunki dress, i did have a cotton picked out for this, but it was more a default choice and after nipping into a local store for interfacing for my o+s pattern making plans i spied this print and could not pass it by.  it is a little heavier weight (i was concerned the other fabric was rather sheer) and i have decided to add the contrast pocket detail which i have seen so often and loved. for the pocket i have olive linen to offset the peachy roses

a little outing yielded a large bead necklace from our local community store and only a single dollar for these wooden beads in faded blue.

then arriving home the postbox offering up the latest (and 50th) issue of frankie magazine and two hundred little wooden beads.

now i am saving my frankie for the impending air travel with the littles in the hope they are the definition of sweetness and i get to enjoy it whilst travelling.  of course the back up plan is after a cup of tea to calm my nerves at our destination the littles will be so covered in family love i will sneak off unnoticed into a corner and get my fill.  either way works.

now in no way i am claiming a heap of sewing cred for this, but it is kids clothing week challenge and miss little will be adding this to her robe.

the t was under three dollars on sale and i have doily flooding out of boxes, i simple put the two together and topped it off with a coconut button.  

now this was a little more involved and yes a doily was harmed in the making of what is i am told miss littles aeroplane dress (little does she know she will likely be traveling in p.j's most likely).  the body is made from more japanese lawn and cut from the pattern of my peasant top.  the doily butterfly sleeves slot into the standard sleeve position. it is sweet and floaty and will likely have a little freshwater pearl and wooden bead necklace, but not just yet.

so the sewing for this week did come to a little halt whilst i picked up and completed a couple of quick commission jobs and prepared for our local market today.  it was sodden underfoot but the warm and friendly nature of a country community left me with a little post market glow which will now hopefully turn into a post market nap.

back to the machine tomorrow for a big finish!!!! (no promises though)