Keeping Busy over the Easter Break

We are on our second week of school holidays at the moment. The last week as been cold and rainy, such a contrast from the heat wave that went before. So either way playing outside is just not fun lately. So to keep ourselves amused we have been a bit busy.

Firstly we visit our local library. There we stock up on books and dvd's. I kinda wish i could just live there.....


Then of course there are the personal favorites that we have at home, and never get tired of watching. Today we would like to recommend Shaun the Sheep. Guaranteed to make you laugh out loud at all the wonderful things the sheep get up to, Shaun the Sheep is a very entertaining dvd, great for adults and kids.


Then when we aren't watching dvd's or reading books, (and some times whilst we are) we draw, paint, sew, and play. DD2 has amassed a huge pile of excellent drawings and paintings this week. I am in the middle of making a new bag, now that I have finished Block 3 of the HSH Bom (pics soon) and DD1 has her head stuck in a novel.
So we have been keeping very busy...

Friday Fabrics Vintage Floral Fabric

Vintage Floral Fabric
Originally uploaded by littlemysteries1.

Found this gorgeous vintage 70's fabric in mint condition still on the bolt, and had to buy some. Its thick like a canvas, and was originally used as a curtain fabric. I just love the colours and the texture.

PS: Even though its just after midnight here, I still consider it Friday as I haven't gone to bed yet. I am trying to get back into the Friday Fabrics habit. Please feel free to join me if you want, there is also a Friday Fabrics Flickr group here

Home Sweet Home and catching up.

I can't believe its been a fortnight since I made the backpack(Thanks for all the lovely comments on it), and ten days since I last posted. Here's some of what I've been up to. Earlier this month, I got to meet the wonderful Chookyblue and her lovely family, when they came down to Melbourne. We meet at the Melbourne Museum and had the best day. We spent hours talking and walking around the museum. The kids all had a great time too.
My littlest angel DD2 has been sick with a nasty cold that has kept her home from kinder this last week. Sleep has been a bit scarce with her being so sick, and my lovely (not!) dogs waking me up at 3am a few nights this week barking at possums. Now that DD2 is getting better, I think I am coming down with it now. I also managed to pick up some funky vintage fabrics during the week, which I will be saving for my Friday Fabrics posts.

There has actually been some sewing done. I have been taking a class once a month at Sandlyn House (my local quilt shop) to make the Home Sweet Home quilt by Blackbird Designs.

Its a long term project, and the blocks are all made with needle turn applique (which is new for me). I have wanted to make the quilt since I brought the book as I fell in love with it, and am so happy to actually be making it.

I am halfway through block three at the moment, and I am really getting into it. Its quite addictive sitting down at night and stitching away. I can also see my progress with needle turn applique, and am slowly getting better at it as I go along. Its all a great learning experience for me.


I will be posting pictures of future blocks as I progress.

The Backpack

A while back I brought some cute fabric from Retomummy, when she was having a sale. I wanted it to make DD2 a backpack for kinder. Here we are almost at the end of term 1, and I have finally made it. It took me all day and most of the night on Saturday, and was truly a labor of love.


It was a steep learning curve, and i took my sweet time, as I have never made one like this before, and I am quite proud of the result. It has a front pocket (which is elasticized), and an inside pocket on the back panel. I lined it with black canvas, and all the inside seems are bound with red bias binding. It took me forever to track down the black plastic buckles, which I eventually found in a great little haberdashery shop.



DD2 loves it so much, and that is instant gratification for me. The problem is, now I want one just like it too!

Back in the Drivers Seat

So much has happened since my last post. Taking a break and getting on with things has been very therapeutic too.
I would like to thank everyone who left well wishes and support for DD1, it was very touching and I was very grateful to know there are people out there who care.

DD1 is doing quite well. After over doing things a few times, and ending up feeling sick and awful for days on end, she has realised that she has to take it easy for a least another month. Learning it the hard way, she would start to feel good and then go off and do too much. She also has to watch what she eats, as fatty foods still make her feel quite sick. She started school a few weeks late and is enjoying it, but some days she finds it very tiring. I think after another month or so she will be back to her old self. In the mean time she is getting better everyday.

DD2 is doing well, going to kinder and generally being a four year old and enjoying life.

I had a little piece of skin taken off my face by a dermatologist last week. It was a bit of fatty looking tissue that he thought could turn into something nasty down the track, so off it came.
Until next Tuesday I am sporting some black stitches on my face that look truly yucky. I swear all I need is an eye patch and a parrot and I would look like a bona fide pirate. DD2 is scared of the stitches and worried they might somehow get on her. Poor babe.
Its funny because I have the stitches uncovered when I go out up the street to get anything, people are extra nice to me. I can see them staring, but they are to polite to ask what has happened. Of course I am used to them being there and so forget about them until someone starts staring. Thank Goodness they will come out soon.

So there is our news.

I have been sewing away on several projects and will leave you with a picture of a little zippered purse that I made for DD2, and a needle case that was sitting in the UFO pile, and just needed finishing.