Hexagon Bag

Yesterday Nick took the girls to Ballet for me, so I suddenly had 1 hour and 20 minutes to myself!... for sewing! I knew what I wanted to make; I recently bought some fabric with a hexagon-patchwork print on it and on Friday I had bought some bag handles from Lincraft.

I made up a pattern as I went along and I'm thinking of sharing it here (I'll have to make another one, so I can document each step, but that's ok... a girl can never have too many bags!). This one has rounded corners at the base, bias binding at the sides and a handy pocket inside; 

It is lined with denim, making the bag more sturdy and the inside very durable.  

I left enough fabric at the top to fold over and stitch with my machine (I didn't like the idea of hand-sewing what should be the strongest part of the bag)... but I've since had another idea for attaching the bag to the handles (this is what happens when Baby keeps me awake all night with lots of kicking!)

I'm 28 weeks pregnant now... In addition to the restless nights, there's also the forgetfulness... like this morning after I had bought the groceries, I left this lovely bag on the seat inside the shopping trolley!

As I was driving out of the car park, I (luckily) glanced in the direction of the shopping trolley bay and saw a glimpse of my (luckily) very colourful bag.

The girls thought it was hilarious to see me jump out of the car and run over to get it. So, it might not be a bad idea to make another one... just in case I'm not so lucky next time! 

Stanley Dogs

I don't know what it was, but something compelled Elly to look through my copy of 'Sew!' by Cath Kidston today and once she saw the pattern for the 'Stanley Dog' she was obsessed, begging me to make her one. 

I do love making soft toys and we were stuck at home today (we had a new toilet installed and a new dishwasher delivered), so I didn't need much convincing. My only stipulation was that she 'help' me. So she chose some fabric and we got to work. 

This is her Stanley Dog (green, of course!);

Elly sat on my lap at the sewing machine and guided the fabric all around the pattern piece. As far as she is concerned, she made it herself and was so proud!

She also chose some fabric for Livvie's dog, which I quickly assembled and stitched together...

I made the ears slightly bigger, in felt, to cut down on the hand-stitching. 

They're funny little things but the girls love them...

They are currently snuggled up with them in their beds, fast asleep.

Button-up Bibs

I've started making some bibs for our Baby Boy... 

This time I decided to get out the button hole foot for my sewing machine and make some button-up bibs...

It didn't take long to make these three. The problem I have, is not having many gender-neutral fabrics or prints appropriate for a boy...

Instead of using terry towelling like the bibs I made for my Sister-in-law's bub, I backed these with some flannel left over from the Raggy Rug I made a couple of weeks ago...

There are so many different ways to make bibs and it's a nice way to use up smaller pieces of fabric. Best of all, they are super fast to make. I used Google Images and searched for 'Bib Template' - there are so many different designs to choose from! I think this sort of sewing might keep me busy for the rest of the pregnancy...

End of Second Trimester

Tomorrow I will be 27 weeks pregnant and I can't believe the second trimester is almost over.

All is going well, Baby Boy is growing well and is still measuring quite large (as am I!). The latest scan was on Tuesday at 26 weeks, 2 days pregnant ... however baby is measuring 27 weeks, 6 days. He is in the 97th percentile, so looks like he takes after his sisters... both were big babies too. 

I was only 6 pounds at birth so I think our babies must take after their Dad. Nick only just told me that when he was born, his feet were so big that babies booties didn't fit him! I remember when Livvie was born, I had a beautiful little knitted dress with jacket and bonnet for her to wear home from the hospital, except she was so big, that when I squeezed the tiny little hat onto her enormous head, she was extremely cranky about the whole thing (and looked hilarious too)!

I am loving all the kicks Baby Boy is giving me. He is very active ~ so much, that when my Obstetrician tried to get a 4D image of his face last Tuesday, they all turned out blurry because he wouldn't stop wiggling around. He then tried to get a picture of his profile (side on) or even his ear (just to have something to take home to show the family!)... but he would not stay still! I had a lovely time, watching him on the screen as the doctor took all his measurements, I could have stayed there all day.

There was a time when Nick would put his hand on my tummy to feel the kicks, however now he can SEE them, with my tummy jutting out at all sorts of funny angles, throughout the day and night. 

Nick and I always try to have a few extra-special nights out before a new baby.  At 19 weeks, we celebrated with a dinner at the altitude restaurant at 36 Levels Above. 

It was the first night of the Vivid festival so we had the perfect spot to watch Sydney light up at night. It was beautiful (I just wish I could have tasted the food... I had a cold!)

And last week, my Mum generously gave us tickets to see a show...(hint: who is that, over Nick's shoulder?)

We saw Dame Edna at the Capitol Theatre, after dinner at La Guillotine. We used to go to the theatre quite a lot before having children... but of course, not so often (or ever?!?!) now. It was such a treat to see such a great show (and I don't think I have ever laughed so much!). Nick caught a Gladiola at the end, so I could dance along and wave it during the final song... what a blast!

At home, the nesting has definitely begun. Here is a sneak peek at one corner of Baby's Room;

This is the lovely 'What-Not Stand' (that's it's official name) that Nick's Dad gave us, when Livvie was born. It is over 100 years old and was made by his grandfather. 

Can you see what he used to make it?

 Lots and lots of wooden spools!

Isn't it amazing?!?!?

I must admit, it is a little tricky to dust and keep clean. There are lots of ridges on all the spools! But I wonder how long it took, to save up all the pieces required to make this?

It is the perfect little corner-piece for baby's room.... 

I love looking at the bits of blue we have ready for him!

And now, the waiting game continues, as we enter the final trimester....

Back to School

The school holidays are over. The above pics were taken at the end of last term and it was with similar excitement (and theatrics!) that Livvie went back to school today.

When she got home this afternoon, I told her I had a surprise to celebrate her first day of Term 3. I love this photo ~ she couldn't believe what I handed her....

With Darrell Lea (an iconic Australian confectioner) closing down soon, I picked up a few favourites over the weekend. My Grandma used to buy me these little sweet bottles, filled with boiled lollies. The store I went to on Sunday had sold out of those, but had these similar jars filled with 'Smilies' ... and just like me as a child with my little bottle of sweets, Livvie was definitely smiley after receiving hers!

I'm sad that Darrell Lea are closing down... Nick and I have always enjoyed their Chocolate Nougat Puddings at Christmas and their chocolate bullets are especially good too! I wonder if they will stay open long enough (September) to sell their Dad's Bag for Father's Day this year?

Baby Boy's Raggy Rug

When Livvie was a baby she had a beautiful 'Raggy Rug' my Mum bought for her. Even though our baby will be born in October and the weather will be warming up, I really wanted to make one for our bubba boy too. As well as looking great, they are super, super soft!  

Rag quilts are made from Flannel, which doesn't fray, perfect for this quick and easy project.  I bought  7 different flannel prints at the last Spotlight sale. The lady who served me had no idea why I was only buying 50cm of each, but I had a plan! Simple Stripes... so easy to stitch together in neat rows, right sides together and then you simply snip the exposed edges. Here is a great tutorial, if you're interested.

For the front, I used a lovely Hot Air Balloon print, with stars and stripes to compliment...

On the back, which has no frayed edges, I used a very boyish print with cars, along with some different spots and stripes...

I made this quilt wider than it is long, so it can be used as a wrap if it is cold, and also as a lap quilt to tuck around baby boy in his stroller next winter.

In the meantime, I think it will make a nice little blanket for him to lay on for 'tummy time' in those early months...

'I am being you, Mummy'

Barefoot, Pregnant and pushing a shopping trolley around aimlessly....

Practical Jokes

Do your children play practical jokes on you?

My girls have a rubber snake that every so often gets put under one of our pillows, unbeknownst to us. It's so scary! The other night, Nick reached under the pillow to get his pyjamas, then let out an almighty scream and almost jumped through the roof in fright! The girls are always getting us with this one!

Other favourites of theirs include;

~Pulling my driver's seatbelt to the back of the car before I get inside, so when I sit down and reach back for it, I am fumbling around and they are giggling their little heads off!

~ Switching the sugar and salt packets around inside the pantry - always realised by us when it's too late!

~ Hiding all the shoes in the house, each pair separated and put in a different place.

And most recently, booby trapping two of our bedroom doors, by tying them together with a skipping rope to our bathroom door;

If you open one door, another one closes in your face!

I wonder what else they have in store for us...

Sprocket Pillows

These have been my little sewing project this week. During the girls 'rest time' in the middle of the day, I started cutting out wedges and sewing them together. And over the course of the week, they came together to make these comfy cushions.

I found the fantastic Sprocket Pillow Tutorial at Cluck Cluck Sew. The tutorial was really easy to follow and I absolutely loved making these. Anything that requires mixing and matching fabrics like this, is good fun! 

Even better, I had everything in my stash. I used the same backing fabric on both pillows, the strawberries {above left}, which was only the third fabric I ever bought... I loved it so much, I bought 4 metres of it!

I made the 16" diameter pillows but I think I will enlarge the pattern and make some big floor pillows too.  Sometimes I make things and I am unsure where it will be used... on the red armchairs?

Or on the lounge?

Well, the girls had other ideas and have claimed one each for their beds.

I will definitely make another set and now just have to decide which fabric to use...

Circus Workshop

I promised the girls a trip to the beach today, but sadly, we woke up to wet weather. A quick check online and I found a great alternative; Children's Circus Workshops at Moore Park.

Not only are there lots of different tricks for the children to try...

...It's all free too!

Parking is also free for 2 hours and we packed snacks and drinks (and raincoats!).  It wasn't very busy at all (perhaps because of the weather?),  so we stayed in the one area and enjoyed all the different activities like Spinning Plates;

Twirling Rainbow Ribbons;

Hula Hoops;

Livvie could have stayed here, with the Hula Hoops, ALL day.

And other activities that required me to be more hands-on (thus no pics of the Balance Beam, Juggling and Stilt-Walking!).

I would definitely recommend a morning or afternoon at the Entertainment Quarter these holidays. There is also two great outdoor playgrounds, giant fools mirrors and showground rides. But for a great (free!) holiday activity, this is my pick;

Afterwards, I got slightly disoriented finding my way back over the Harbour Bridge... so I called Nick and asked if he could meet us for lunch in the city?

He is usually in meetings and pitches all day long but luckily, not today! 

10 minutes later, the girls spotted him and took off; 

They were overjoyed and walking on air....

It was such a novelty to have lunch with him. We found a great cafe near the law courts and have decided this will be our meeting place the next time we are in his neck of the woods at lunchtime.

We're home now and the girls have already drawn a picture of their day. Once again, Elly just slightly  overestimates her ability...

...seen here Hula-Hooping, Plate Spinning and Ribbon Twirling ~ all at the same time!

Indoor Balloon Tennis

I am loving the school holidays. Livvie is home and the girls have been coming up with some fun games. Yesterday it was Indoor Balloon Tennis with a little friend. 

They played for nearly an hour and took turns being the umpire on the sidelines...

I must make sure I stash some balloons away, so they can play this again on a rainy day!