merry decision making

some quickly it's christmas craft (it has come late this year) a mobile now hanging over the kitchen bench, we have potato stamped all our gift wrap and we have a tree basically nude for my sanity.

well things have been ticking along in the normal way life with small children seems to. 

the youngest pitter whom we call the cyclone of curious destruction (gives it away really) has been in fine form, expanding has climbing routine, helping himself to litres of milk (forcing a lock installation) and practicing his favoured methods of sister torture, the dreaded hair pull.

it has been draining, really draining, i feel like a have spent hours each day working through every kind of reprimand i am comfortable with, no results so far, enough said.

i did spend many a late night sewing (and putting on a couple of kilogrammes too) for our latest market which has triggered what will be a large change in my life.

i have decide not to keep up with in the person markets.  i have always really enjoyed every part of being out meeting people and selling for the day but the cost to our family life has just been to much to continue.

it is not the end just a redirection, i still want to sell online stocking can be on a schedule that suits my timetable.  and now i am feeling a certain freedom about being able to sew simply for pleasure. 

miss pitter starts pre kinder next year and needs a suitable wardrobe(yes, for the two and a half hours once a week)

i resolve (i know it is too early) to handmake all gifts in the following year

and

i can free some more time to take the fancy computer skills course i have been brewing on for the past 6 months

and i can spend some time rebuilding a relationship with my hubby (it dwindled in long hours of work and the bustle of running a home)

i will be back with more....

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.