Gumboots From Grandma

Miranda received her own special parcel in the mail today - Gumboots from Grandma - "I go Splash! Splashin in the puddles" we had to wait until we got home to try them on so here Miranda is in her new dancing outfit ready to go and splash in some puddles before dance classes. Sydney has had quite a rainy season with more to come so these gumboots will sure get some use

Bronte made it to Zone Swimming

Bronte made it to zone yesterday and swam her best - We are all so proud of her and she has a little taste of winning so is keen to do some more swimming "I wish we did swimming club more than once a month" and more racing.

I could feel her nerves just watching her - but here she is hopping out with a big smile, she did not win but lost gacefully. My heart sings with pride!

DIY Family portrait.

As I am the photographer in the house it seems there are never many pictures of me - Now I do not mind this too much but I do not want my girls to look back through photo's of their childhood and wonder where I am or what I look like so It seems the only way I can get any photo's of thy self is to flip the view finder over and snap away......They are never great but better than the alternative......and as my auntie always says nobody ever likes photo's of themselves but looking back you never look as bad as you think at the time.

Here is our family portrait taken in September 07 posted for Becoming Lisa Luckie

and Miranda and I on Friday. I hate looking at me in pics and mirrors now but I know at 50 I will wonder what the deal was and be ever so grateful I will have photos to reminisce with.

YEAH SPELL CHECK IS BACK

This is....Me Taking A Picture of Myself In the Mirror With My Favourite Accessory.”

This weeks This is.....Theme is brought to you by One Red Robin.

SO here is me with my favorite accessory - my brown leather PRADA handbag. My mother picked it up years ago for $5 from a garage sale - Thanks Mum!

I have a need to carry this everywhere as it holds all the supplies I need for a hungry, sometimes wet toddler it also carries shopping supplies (money and cards), glasses and the all important keys. My hands remain free to capture the running toddler without the embarrasment of spilling the entire contents of my handbag whilst on the run.

A Little Bit of Rock n' Roll

Last Night we headed to Sydney Olympic Park for some Music by Moonlight - Celebrating the Rolling Stones.

Lots of loud music, some food and dancing, and Bronte showed us her Modelling talents.

Swimming

Yes She made it! Bronte made it to the zone swimming carnival - she is very excited and keeps asking what happens if she wins and then what will happen after that - she thinks she will be heading off to the olympics. I have had to burst the bubble a little and let her know that the likelyhood of her winning is slim - she needs to take 35sec off her time to break the record! We are just celebrating the win!

Swaps

Both my swaps have been sent off to thier new owners on the other side of the world! I really hope they get there quickly and are enjoyed! I loved these swaps and look forward to joining more in the future.

This is What Makes me Proud.

Today Bronte competed in her first school swimming carnival.

She has been practicing her swimming racing at swimming club which she joined last year and did her first 50 metre freestyle swim 2 weeks ago - today Bronte swam in 8 year old girls 50m Freestyle, 50m breaststroke, 50m backstroke and 50m butterfly. Yes she swam 200m today for the very first time and I was so proud of her for trying.
We think she came first in freestyle so she may be going to zone! We will have to wait and see.

Here are some photo's of Bronte in the pool and out.

Of course Miranda was in heaven - she spent the day in and out of the toddler pool for the whole day - what more could a toddler want!

This is Miranda doing freestyle - The Champion of the toddler pool!

Apron Swap Pics

Yeah! My apron is now ready to pop in the post and it is 1 week early. The Spring theme I related to the dragonfly's the clours suited my apron recipient - so off it goes to the USA to be wiped, dripped, spilt on and cooked in.

Here is the pic of the front and my husband was kind enough to help with the photo's of the reverse side - Thanks Hon - it really suits you - I think I will make yours next - pink floral would look nice and compliment your complexion :)

And here is Miranda with her new camera - we got it on Saturday and she walked through the shop taking pictures of everything from people to shop displays - she is quite the photographer.

Mufti = DRAMA

Who could have thought Mufti would be such a drama!

Today Bronte had Mufti day at school - she could go through her expensive wardrobe and wear anything she liked (appropriate of course). Her humorous comment of "school needs to start at 10am (instead of 9am) so we can get ready" was not humorous at 9am when we had been through tears, anger, a wardrobe and then an argument which followed with a smack, a guilt ridden mother and then NO school at all.

By 9.15am I am thinking about sitting down with maybe something strong to drink and getting over what would have seemed an easy, fun day wearing an outfit of choice rather than the grey dress of everyday.

If this is what I get at 8 what does my future hold. Whoh! Im Nervous.

SO whilst my beautiiful daughters make me Laugh Out Loud they can also make me Cry Out Loud too

This Is......What makes my Laugh out Loud

This weeks theme for This is.... is brought to you by Poppalina

My kids really make me laugh. Today Bronte went to a Pirate party and brought home this ear ring.......



It stared with Miranda and led to a histerical laugh out loud all round and a great photo shoot. A great way to end a day.

Bronte and I spent a big chunck of today at the Creative Living Expo at Rosehill. Bruce gave me some cash to spend for Valentines Day - so I spoilt myself by buying a Moda Jelly Roll (Spring Celebration -Sandy Gervais), a peice of Flannel, a few bits of fabric and we got 2 fantastic professional photo prints shot and photoshoped for only $5 each. Bronte was insistent I had my pic taken with her so here they are.

Sorry!

Today Kevin Rudd - Australia's Prime Minister said sorry to the Aboriginies of Australia - a hot topic in our country for many years with John Howards denial in making of a public apology to the aboriginies of our country.

small part of K. Rudds speach.."We apologise for the laws and policies of successive Parliaments and governments that have inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on these our fellow Australians. We apologise especially for the removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from their families, their communities and their country. For the pain, suffering and hurt of these Stolen Generations, their descendants and for their families left behind, we say sorry. To the mothers and the fathers, the brothers and the sisters, for the breaking up of families and communities, we say sorry. And for the indignity and degradation thus inflicted on a proud people and a proud culture, we say sorry. We the Parliament of Australia respectfully request that this apology be received in the spirit in which it is offered as part of the healing of the nation."....

I am sorry that these injustices occured and could never imagine being taken from my family, or being a mother not able to have contact with my children, not knowing my history or my culture, being faced with injustices because of the colour of my skin or the family I was born into. Not having free choices, readily available housing, education or health. I am sorry that anyone has had to live through these things. I am sorry if I have ever been discrimative, or injust in my actions and do my best to respect each individual for who they are as a person not where they come from, what they look like or for thier past.

I can at times be ignorant and apologies for this. I hope that the words sorry will be the begining of change and that these words are followed with the actions promised. I hope that other countries can say sorry to the oppressed and work towards creating a world which is peacefull and safe for all who inhabit it - including all animals

Happy Valentines Day!

My future sewer!

Out of the blue while eating dinner Miranda says
"I love terwial"
"You love material?"
"I love to sew terwial"

My heart smiles.

This is .....Sunday Lunch

This week's This is.... theme was brought to you by Alison from Lark

Sunday lunch for me are generally late toast (breakfast) whilst reading the Sunday paper - but what fun would that be to photograph.

So today I enjoyed my favourite Smoked Salmon (Tin)Salad whilst reading the paper. An enjoyable afternoon while the girls kept busy decorating hearts - and themselves - for Valentines.

Happy Chinese New Year

Tonight after a busy day we went and enjoyed some Chinese celebrations staged by our local council.

Twilight noodle festival where we ate Turkish Gozleme and ice cream dots, listened to latin music and had our hands painted with traditional indian henna tattooing.

Miranda absolutely loved the music - I wish I had my camera, and really shook her hips - If you could see her dance she is a latin dancer in the making! Bronte loves her Henna Tatoo and I am sure tomorrow she will have some fabric drapped around her with a bindi (text) in between her eyes.

A great way to start a weekend. Maybe we will go back tomorrow and actually see Chinese celebrations!

Bronte is such a sound sleeper that I managed to snap several pics, with and without flash and move her hand around withou waking her up.

Do we put this in The bin????

I found this note ontop of my kitchen bench along with my 8 year olds size 6 school uniform! It seems that with all the sewing I have been doing I still can not tackle the broken zipper and holed pocket.

I must say I am impressed by the correct sentence structure, and writing of the note.

Apron Swaps and Hearts for Mirabel

Ok So yesterday I bought the fabric for my Apron - seen in previous swap - I wash and ironed it, had the perfect pattern so all was left was to sew it.... And so last night I sewed my apron and it is finished, wrapped with some oragami dragonfly's - now all that is left is a soup recipe and some postage! Oh I am also in need of a model to get some pictures of my finished apron!

After I had finished my apron I was doing a little seaching on the web and noticed Meet Me at Mikes was doing Hearts for Mirabel and was inspired by Poop and Boogies: Observation about myself to get behind a cause - so when I went to bed and throughout the day I had been thinking about what I could contibute and here they are.


2 reversible aprons with heart pockets (only 1 shown here) - I am so in love with this black and white drill
1 heart bag (already made)
1 heart singlet and
1 heart pillow - needs filling.

I will try and get the pillow filled in the morning after I drop Bronte to school and before Miranda's Gymbaroo and off to the post they will go -

hopefully they will get to Melbourne before Feb 14th.

Tagged...

I've just been tagged by SewDelish.

If I have tagged you here is what to do -Link to the person that tagged you and Post the rules on your blog.

Share 7 things about yourself on your blog, then tag 7 people at the end of your post and include links to their blogs.

Let each person know that they have been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.

7 things about me:

1. Through my toddler I have learnt that I say "Perfickt" "Is that Better" "Cool" "What do you want?" "Come on guys" alot.

2. I love to watch reality Television

3. I wish I was a dancer

4. I still enjoy watching Home and Away.

5. I read every night before I go to sleep - even if I don't get into bed until 1:30am

6. I often find it hard to believe I am a mother - to have so much responsibility and care for 2 little people often amazes me.

7. I think I am great at learning new skills.

I have Tagged
gigglepotamus




Others coming shortly! If you would like me to tag you, leave a comment.

This is...My Collection

I have found this fun little This is.... post at three buttons: this is...

This is......my collection
My wooden lady collection started with the big floor lady my mum had from Bali - somehow I aquired it, it has followed on from there

"Spring" Apron Swap Update

Ok so I jonined the apron swap and thought about what type of Apron to sew, then waited until I got my apron recipients name, and details to make it all final.

My initial thoughts for a spring apron were pretty pinks, lots of flowers - maybe a tea party apron design (a little ambitious for my 2nd apron I think) - then I recieved my recipients name and their likes were a little different from my ideas so back to the drawing board, then and onto other projects (my mini swap) as procrastination set in. So I was busy getting invovled in the mini swap and thinking I better recheck postage dates realising I only have 1 week between posts OH NO.

So after several visits and pattern searches, I have found the right pattern for me - reversible so I do not need to hem, pocket, comprehensive step by step directions and some ric rac if desired.
and just the perfect material, it is in the wash, dry iron stage now and then will be ready to cut and sew.
Miranda is now on first name basis ath the biggest ever Spotlight and most of the staff look at me and ask what I am making now! We are frequent visitors. I am prepared with food, and pop Miranda into a trolly and off we go! I am sure to place my hand over the clrealy marked sing that reads "Children are not to ride in Trolleys!" - I could let her walk but then they would find all thier stock on the floors.

Rainy Day Sewing.

Ok I have a confession to make - I did not get out of my Pyjama's today at all!

My children played in the rain and I made my husband shop for and cook dinner -I can not remember the last time he cooked!

So I spent the day in my Pyjamas, sewing for my little mini swap boys - here is a little peak at my very busy day. I will not reveal any more until it is received in March.

Splish! Splash!

When I was a little girl I remember rarely being at home, from the moment we finished breakfast we would be off and out of our flat. We would go exploring the neighbourhood finding new parks to play in -I am still amazed at how many parks we found and how on earth we found our way home - One day we did get lost, finding our way to Bondi Beach but not knowing how to get home - lucky mum had a friend who lived near the beach and had a recognisable house - we found our way there and she called our mum - we didn't even know I phone number - we were between 5 & 8 Yrs old.

Whenever it rained we would be out in the streets in our underwear lying in the gutters with the water swishing over us.

Today my oldest decided she would get the umbrellas and rain coats and stand in the rain - my objection was I was vaccuming, and didn't want any mess in the house - then I remembered my childhood memories and shrugged my shoulders, left Bronte in charge of Miranda and contined with the vaccuming in peace.

They did not get that umbrellas and rain coats are meant to keep them dry.

I hope they are memories they will cherish as ours were.

Ruby Rabbit

How exciting,
last year I made a Ruby Rabbit softie using a pattern designed and shared by One Red Robin I made it for Bronte's school teacher for Christmas because I was told she LOVES Rabbits.
WEll today whilst I was browsing the web I found a special mention to my rabbit here on Jhoanna' Web Site! Thank You Jhoanna for sharng your pattern - it was fun to make and I will be making more in the future.

My Toddler Sews

Another Sewer in the house - I think I will be neding to put bookings on the sewing machine with my girls around.

Here Miranda spends many minutes cutting and measuring, When I ask for my good dressmaking scissors to make a cut she says "NO! My scissors" and continues to cut! Measure and cut, measure and cut.