Tuesday's Treasures...

What a miserable old day here in Auckland.  I shouldn't  complain though because we need a good dose of rain to fill the huge cracks in the lawn.  After dropping Elijah at kindy I toodled on down to the local Salvation Army to see what goodies awaited me.

I was in a great mood because this morning I received an email to say I had won a Mee a Bee messenger bag - a competition I entered on the Unboring Boys blog - you have to check that out if you're the proud owner of a little boy or two.  You will find a tonne of reviews and not a frill in sight.

my basket of goodies

ooh Mum, what did you buy???

some great stuff there today!

I think these panels will be perfect on aprons

I don't often use patterns but love the look of them

a round tablecloth which will soon become something else

I'm pretty pleased with my finds today - I could never have as much fun spending $14 in any other shop!

Lists just don't cut it for me...

 

We started today with a list of things we NEEDED to do - it is now 4.20pm and I've only just finished the first thing on the list hmmm

 

We mucked around - too much and now at 4.20pm Elijah is still asleep

 

I've just finished making what I thought could be a cutlery bag - you know, for when you go on picnics, camping etc - I used an old napkin

So was today just one of those blah days?  Yep it sure was and I blame the weather - pretty dreary really

Cute Messenger Bag...

This literally takes twenty minutes max to whip up (and that is including distractions!) with instructions found here.  Thank you Nikki of Salty Pineapple for the easy to follow tutorial!

Need a laugh???

I've been meaning to clear out the cupboard under the sink for a while now.  It seems to be a good place to hide stuff that really should be put back where it belongs (household cleaners) or put out to recycle (empty takeaway containers, etc) but for some reason it is often easier to throw it in that cupboard and forget about it.

So, today, while Elijah was at Granny's house, I pulled everything out and eww those cupboards gross me out every time I look in them.  They are clean but they are also the grottiest cupboards I have had to live with.  It is almost as if the landlord has put them in the 'too hard' basket.  I'm thankful that they painted the bathroom though because that was even worse!

I contemplated lining them with newspaper - hmm my luck I would get creepy crawlies hiding under the paper.  Then I remembered the roll of thermal fabric I've had stashed away for a couple of years.  Not alot of use to me because it is a bit girly for Elijah.

So while they look odd (and I really don't mind if you laugh) I feel better storing my plastics and pots on fabric rather than the icky contact plastic underneath.

And if you're wondering why we are still in this house after moaning and groaning about it - I've been looking for other houses but nothing suitable has come up.  :( 

In anticipation...

of The Great Apron Swap of 2010 being organised by Sarah of Red Gingham, I decided to have a go at a pillowcase apron.  It is one of the great tutorials you will find when you visit The Vintage Sheet Blog

Obstacle #1 - couldn't find a pillowcase so made one up out of a couple of vintage sheets
Obstacle #2 - didn't have any ribbon long enough so made one from the pink sheet
Obstacle #3 - the placement is all wrong so next time I will plan a bit better (see pics below of the inside of the pockets)

 

btw this isn't the apron for the swap just a practise run :)

Saturday Sulk...

I'm still feeling a bit off this morning so have loaded up on echinacea in the hope that it will end this cold as quickly as it started.  Wishful thinking?  I guess they wouldn't sell it if it didn't hold some merit.

We had a bit of rain here this morning and although it has fined up now, the grass outside is all splodgy (is that a word???) so a no-go area for Elijah today.  I decided to use up some scrap pieces of fabric that I've had, hmmm, forever it feels like.  Anyway, I made this

and yep, it is slightly mis-shapen but what baby boy will notice that???  It is an 'Elijah' design - as in I copied one of his pictures to make a pattern.  It has a layer of plastic (from an empty baby wipe packet) so its nice and crinkly too.  I thought that if I kept doing small projects my skills would improve.

 clearly my hand stitching is not!

There were three in the bed and the little one said...

Another cold...

which I should be used to by now - I have had more colds this year than in my whole life put together!  I generally get one cold every couple of years.  This year, its been one after the other.

So it meant another day inside feeling miserable, but at the same time, getting some small crafts finished.

 by Taffy Talk

by zakka zakka

inspired by Tiny Happy (five bags later and I think I have the size just right!)

inspired by RevoluzZza (clearly without ears and still not finished - I started this last month!)

 

I wish I could go garage saling tomorrow but thats not going to happen - think we might have to sleep in.

Don't forget to enter my 100th post giveaway 

100th post ***Giveaway***

It has certainly taken me enough time to get to the point where I can say 'I've reached 100 posts!'  I never was very consistent at keeping a diary - or even updating the calendar!

So the last few weeks I have been deciding that because it has taken so long, I would NEED to have a giveaway and it would NEED to be decent - a package that reflects the last two years of blogging.

So, without further ado...

One lucky follower will receive the bundle of goodies above.

One very cool handmade handbag - trust me, you will stand out with this bag!  Made from reclaimed French fabric from 1967 and lined with new, subtly striped cotton mix.  This reflects my love of vintage fabrics (no matter how ugly they may seem to others)

A coin purse to match your bag! (this one is a surprise hence why there is no picture)

A Precious Moments Bill Organiser - earlier in my posts I mentioned FlyLady and I thought this bill organiser would reflect that part of my journey

A sweet notebook by Grace Taylor - to keep in your handbag so you can write down thoughts & ideas (and then you can blog about them!)

A cheeky wee owl - to sit on your desk and brighten your day (or you can give it to the kids - although you will have to watch those button eyes!)

A thrifted doilie - which represents the op shopper in me!

So, as you can see, none of the above actually match.  But thats completely intentional.  My blogging journey has been varied, ups and downs, complete life changes (I have deleted some posts that were a bit personal) and happy times (which is mostly proud Mummy moments and times where I've been bitten by the sewing bug).

So, onto the good bit, HOW TO ENTER

Please leave a comment for each of the following once completed (you can do one or more - each gives you an extra entry) 

Become a follower of this blog
Fan me on facebook 
Post a link to this giveaway on your Twitter
Visit my shop , then come back and tell me your favourite item
Blog about me for an extra two entries (nothing like a bribe - shameless!)

I also have a few spot prizes that will be given away randomly
You have two weeks to complete any or all of the above.  Entries will close 5th May and winners drawn the following day.  Please make sure I have a way to contact you, should you win.

Good Luck everyone

Please note - because I will be moderating comments, even if you send in more than one entry, only one will show in the comments section.  Rest assured all your comments will be counted.

99 things...

I saw this a few weeks ago on Jo's Crazy Crafter blog and thought, although it would take forever to fill in, it would be something quite neat to have as my 99th post.

Started your own blog - aha!
Slept under the stars - does it count if it was in a tent?
Played in a band - No and never really aspired to either
Visited Hawaii - not yet
Watched a meteor shower - no :(
Given more than you can afford to charity - yep, not quite as much as my mother who can never say no
Been to Disneyworld - no, not really on my list of must dos
Climbed a mountain - yes, kind of, made the trek up to Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer - amazing!
Held a praying mantis - no way, I have a HUGE fear of them
Sang a solo - haha in the shower?
Bungee jumped - no, can't think of anything worse!
Visited Paris - no, haven't been to that continent yet
Watched a lightening storm - yes! love them
Taught yourself an art from scratch - yes, a few
Adopted a child - no
Had food poisoning - eww yes thanks to KFC
Walked to the top of The Statue Of Liberty - no
Grown your own veg - yes, so far been successful growing lettuce, capsicum, brocolli, bok choy and numerous herbs, not so great at carrots!
Seen the Mona Lisa in France - no
Slept on an overnight train - no, haven't travelled that much by train
Had a pillow fight - long, long time ago!
Hitch hiked - nope, I'm a good girl ;)
Taken a sick day when you're not ill - a few times but I should have taken more, I had a pile of sick days left when I left
Built a snow fort - no, have been skiing twice but never actually 'played' in snow
Held a lamb - yep
Gone skinnydipping - maybe when I was Elijah's age!
Run a marathon - no, but its probably something I should work towards
Ridden in a gondola in Venice - no
Seen a total eclipse - don't think so, I heard about it but pretty sure we missed it
Watched a sunrise or sunset - yes, heaps
Hit a home run - ??? lol (thats a no)
Been on a cruise - no, would love to though
Seen Niagara Falls in person - no
Visited the birthplace of your ancestors - no
Seen an Amish community - no
Taught yourself a new language - yes, didn't have much choice though, I was in Paraguay at the time
Had enough money to be truly satisfied - I think no matter how much money we have, it will never be enough
Seen the Tower Of Pisa in person - no
Gone rock climbing - not rock climbing but did abseiling in high school
Seen Michelangelo's David - in a book :P
Sung Karaoke - yes but a long time ago
Seen Old Faithful - no
Bought a stranger a meal in a restaurant - no
Visited Africa - no
Walked on a beach by moonlight - yes
Been transported in an ambulance - yes, and hated it, was the most uncomfortable ride ever!
Had your portrait painted - no
Gone deep sea fishing - no
Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower - no
Gone scuba diving - no
Kissed in the rain - probably not, I don't even like standing in the rain!
Played in the mud - of course!
Gone to a drive-in theatre - no
Been in a movie - no, not that I know of ;)
Visited the Great Wall Of China - no
Started your own business - does selling stuff on Felt count? lol but I would like to someday
Taken a martial arts class - no, but I bet its good exercise
Visited Russia - no
Served in a soup kitchen - no
Sold Girl Scout cookies - no, but have eaten many!
Gone whale watching - no
Got flowers for no reason - only the ones Elijah picks me - otherwise no :(
Donated blood - no
Gone sky diving - never, ever!
Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp - no, can't say I would like to either
Bounced a cheque - no
Flown in a helicopter - no
Saved a favourite childhood toy - yes, I have a few dolls and teddies here
Visited the Lincoln Memorial - no
Eaten caviar - eww, no thanks, no matter how expensive it is
Pieced a quilt - not a real quilt, but I have been working on something
Stood in Times Square - no
Toured The Everglades - no
Been fired from a job - no
Seen the Changing Of The Guard in London - no, something tells me I am missing out on alot considering I've answered 'no' to alot of these things!
Broken a bone - no, must have tough bones!
Been a passenger on a motorcycle - I hate motorbikes
Seen The Grand Canyon - no
Published a book - no, but I'd love to write a book some day
Visited the Vatican - no
Bought a brand new car - it was brand new to me :P
Walked in Jerusalem - no
Had your picture in the newspaper - yep, when I was about 8 or 9 we were in the local newspaper for St John Cadets
Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Years Eve - no, don't have the guts!
Visited the White House - no
Killed and prepared an animal for eating - no, I prefer it to be dead already!
Had chickenpox - yes and shingles too!
Saved someone's life - no
Sat on a jury - almost
Met someone famous - if you call NZ celebs famous then yes (Judy Bailey, Suzy Cato hehe, Ben Mitchell aka Dr TK Samuels - those are the ones I have actually spoken to but I have met more)
Joined a book club - no, I wouldn't read fast enough to keep up
Had a tattoo - yes and it hurt!
Had a baby - yes, just one
Seen The Alamo in person - no
Swam in The Great Salt Lake - no
Been involved in a lawsuit - no
Owned a cell phone - a few, the first being a huge red brick!
Been stung by a bee - yes, even on my cheek!
Performed on stage in a capital city - no

Wow!  I must be really boring (or visited the wrong continent) as I seem to have answered 'no' ALOT!  In my defence, I have travelled just not to Europe or the States.  I spent a year in Paraguay as an exchange student and we spent ten days in Rio de Janeiro.  Does that make up for all the 'no' answers???

Wednesday Weigh In - Take Two!

Ok so I think I have missed three weeks.  So really it is like starting over for me
BUT the good news (for me) is that I haven't put on weight - in fact I have lost another 600gms even though I ate a tonne of easter eggs and hot cross buns over Easter!  I know its nothing to be proud of (eating chocolate and getting away with it) but its only once a year and for some reason chocolate shaped into eggs tastes better than plain old bar chocolate.

I'm still not ready to see my weight in print - I would at least like to be in double figures first!

Zakka!

After hearing someone talk of the online request system, I decided to have a nosy.  I could get used to typing in what I want, requesting it, then waiting for an email saying I could now pick them up.  It couldn't be much easier, especially with small people in tow. 

Today, though, I had dropped Elijah off at kindy for his first day back.  I had been expecting a scene, but he was really good about it and let me leave intact.  I nipped up to the local library to pick up three books I had requested.

Zakka Sewing - a gorgeous book of 25 Japanese crafts
Make! - another Cath Kidston title with some lovely ideas, more of a decorating ideas book rather than a sewing manual.  I love the fact that she makes no secret of being a limited seamstress!
Domestic Bliss - a book I saw on Megan's Simple Pleasures that I've been meaning to read

I have to say I am now completely in love with zakka! You don't know what zakka is???  Well, I didn't know either - until today

 In Japan, all the 'small, various products used in everyday life' are commonly called 'zakka,' a term which encompasses household goods, daily necessities and sundries. However, zakka has also come to represent a style of art and craft that is simple, charming, and of Japanese esthetic. Most items in the zakka style are handmade, but there are commercial companies that mass produce items using the style. The Japanese dictionary describes zakka as "general merchandise", "miscellaneous goods", "sundries", "sundry goods" including interior goods, kitchen goods or even cosmetic product.

 http://www.squidoo.com/zakka 

So, here are a few projects you might like to have a go at

DIY knucklebones

Passport/Book Cover

Eco Shopping Bag

Destitute Gourmet...

 Destitute Gourmet

One of the most well used recipe books I own is the Everyday Smart Food for the family by Sophie Gray. Not only are the recipes within delicious and easy to make, most of their ingredients can be found in your pantry on any given day.

Fried scones are a favourite on a cold day and use only basic ingredients yet seem so decadent.

 The pecan tartlets, although requiring the initial cost of the pecans, is the perfect afternoon treat, and the Free-form fruit galette is a great throw together desert that requires very little effort.

You can find more info and recipes on Sophie's blog or on her website (there is even a forum there!)

My first six weeks by Elijah... (pic heavy)

When I was born I was very sick. I didn't feel like breathing much so the doctors put me on a machine that did it for me. I needed a rest after spending so long in Mummy's tummy - they gave me special medicine to help me relax.

My Mum and Dad were very worried - I wish I could have told them 'I'm a strong boy so don't worry'. During my first week I didn't really make any progress. I was on 100% oxygen and a whole lot of other IV drugs which made me really puffy. I looked like a little Buddha.

My doctor in NICU(Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)was very clever and with help from other doctors and nurses, fixed me up within two weeks! I was as good as new. Poor Mummy had a sore tummy from where the doctor pulled me out so she stayed in the same hospital as me so she could be near and look after me.
After eight days Mummy went home because she was getting sad in the hospital and needed some fresh air. I didn't mind because Mummy came to see me everyday.

After two weeks, I took another ride in the ambulance back to North Shore Hospital. There I stayed in SCBU (Special Care Baby Unit). At first I didn't like it because it was so noisy and all the other babies were so tiny!!!

Then the doctor found out I had an infection called MRSA so I had to go into isolation. Mummy panicked when she saw my cot wasn't in the main unit - she thought I had gone back to NICU and they hadn't told her. But I was just around the corner in my own special room.
After a week the nurses saw I was getting bored and far too big for my little cot so they found a big one for me. You could have put ten babies in that cot and there still would have been room to move! They also found me a mobile to watch and a bouncinette to play in.

I only had two tubes in, one for my oxygen and the other for my food. It was possible that these would still be in when I went home but it was up to me to decide. While I was in SCBU I was on a strict feeding regime. Mostly I was tube fed but I tried hard to breastfeed. Then I tried a bottle that they had given me in NICU but I found the cross-cut silicone teat very tiring to suck on. The speech language therapist decided I should try a Pidgeon bottle which has soft teat with a special valve. It was alot easier to get the milk without choking on it.
What I couldn't drink from the bottle was put through my tube. But I kept spilling for the nurses, it was too much for my little tummy. Mummy told the nurse and after asking the doctor they agreed I could have less. I still got alot of wind but I was getting really good at burping and farting.

I thought Mummy had been through enough so one day I decided I didn't need the oxygen, so I pulled it out and the nurses said they weren't gonna give it back! Mummy and Daddy were so proud of me.
On the 6th of February the doctor said Mummy could stay in the parents room with me and if I fed well without the tube (because I pulled it out) and put on weight then I could go home. Well guess what - my Mummy did so well even thought she didn't get any sleep. I slept all night but Mummy got me up and fed me anyway. I loved being with Mummy all the time and I'm sure she liked it too.

On the 8th of February, the nurse weighed me early in the morning. Mummy was so proud because I had put on weight. The nurse told the doctor and he said I was good to go home - how exciting!!! About lunchtime Daddy came to pick us up. We said goodbye to the nurses and Mummy carried me carefully down to the car. It was the first time I had ever been outside but I was fast asleep so I don't really remember much. Daddy drove home carefully while Mummy sat next to me.
I was finally out of hospital and in my own home.

A little sunshine...

will always brighten your day so I was so happy to find a parcel from Megan of Simple Pleasures in my letterbox.

I first came across Megan's blog in January.  She was just starting out but already had some very interesting posts and useful information (so if you're only just checking out her blog now, I suggest you wade back through the posts!)

While caring for two sweet little girls, Megan manages to tackle all manner of craft projects.  Some of my favourites include this personalised pillowcase , this sweet softie and all the little gifts she lovingly makes.
Megan recently set up shop at Felt and has it filled with beautifully made waterproof purses (of which I now own one and can vouch for their fabulousness!).  You will find her brand mousehouse here - definitely worth a browse!

So, a big thank you to Megan for the lovely gift - you really did make my day!  (oh I forgot to mention inside the purse I found some Body Shop nail files and some Clinique take off the day - I don't know how she knew!)

The Great Apron Swap of 2010...

Megan from Simple Pleasures directed me to The Great Apron Swap of 2010 being organised by Sarah of Red Gingham.  I thought 'why not?'  It'll be my first swap since starting this blog so it'll be quite exciting (for me!) and at the same time nerve racking having someone scrutinise my work - well probably not scrutinise but you know what I mean!

Also, a little something arrived in the post this morning and it really made my day.  I'll post about it later though :P

The Vintage Sheet Blog...

I posted about this earlier but guess what....

the competitions just keep coming!  So I encourage you all to enter and keep checking daily for new competitions.

Day One - I already posted about this but you get the chance to win a pdf pattern on how to make a reinforced cushion out of vintage sheets thanks to Anne of Pins and Thimbles.  Click here to find out more

Day Two - Be in to win a dozen VS fat quarters from Rachel of My Tiny Robot Heart.  Click here to find out more

Day Three - Up for grabs is a bundle of five VS fat quarters from Pam of Warm Hugs Design.  Click here to find out more

Day Four (that is today!) - A chance to win a stack of pretty VS fat quarters from Mandy of Whimsiedots.  Click here to find out more

Just quietly, I am super envious of Mandy's collection of vintage sheets!

So, even though I lessen my chances of winning some of this awesome stuff, head on over to the Vintage Sheet Blog and give those fingers a workout!

A sneak peek...

Last night I sat down and made this specifically to include as part of my 100th post giveaway.   I searched the internet high and low for a pattern for a cute owl but I came away with nothing!  So my tools for this included a round food container and two different sizes of buttons to trace around - thats it!  I actually enjoyed the hand stitching while watching a movie (was a pretty sad movie about a dyslexic boy who gets sent away to boarding school for being what they classed a trouble maker in class) and sipping my cup of tea.

Yay for kindy being back tomorrow too.  Although it's only about 8 hours a week, it's just enough to keep him from getting bored.  The last few days have seen a marked change in his play development.  He now 'goes to work', 'saves people stuck in trees' and 'has his own house in the tree' where he wants to sleep!  It's really cute to see him play this way and reminds me of my own childhood.  We used to live on a huge section in the bush and had 'houses' with steps leading to different 'rooms' and we worked on each room so they looked really cool - keeping them swept out.  That kept us busy for hours, I guess, and at least Mum knew we wouldn't leave the property without telling her.  Besides, if we did, it was a long trek just to get to the letterbox!

I had planned on reorganising the kitchen cupboards today but I think I might just put it in the 'too hard' basket.  Might be easier while Elijah is at kindy anyway.  Its a chilly old day here in Auckland so I might just do some more sewing!  Any excuse....