It's Been a While!

3+ months to be exact since I last posted here!  I have been busy with babies, sewing and returning to work - not that it's an excuse, I just seem to have drifted away from blogging for a bit.  I'm loving Ravelry and Pinterest but am just not that inspired to blog at the moment.

Anyway, I have been knitting for new babies (and my own babies too).

An owlie Milo (Ravelled here)

And the cardi I knitted for Kelvin now finished for Liam (ravelled here)

And sewing for the school fair using lots of tiny pieces of donated fleece!

Tiny Kittens in Boxes (from here)

And Furious Feathered Friends aka Angry Birds! (from here)

And parenting a growing boy plus his siblings!

And I am also back to work.  Similar role, new company!  And I'm wondering about my decision.  I forgot how difficult a new job is - it's been more than 7 years since I last changed jobs and it's hard to get your head around it.  I'm finding the change especially difficult after being off with a baby for 8 months - but I need to remind myself that it's only been 3 weeks and that I'm probably being too hard on myself.  I need to ease into it - it'll be OK!

Quilt Top for Kelvo + Liam is 4 months!

The WIP Quilt-along has been just the right kick up the backside that I've needed to get out some of my half-done quilt projects!

First cab off the rank was Kelvin's Quilt Top that has been in bits all over my sewing room for more than a year.  It is a brick path quilt (loosely based on the Amy Butler one) with an added panel featuring the beautiful zoology fabric.

I think it'll look great with dark brown binding - to really pull everything together.

I've partially pieced a back and just need to add the border and find some backing fabric to finish this one.  And then it'll be lots of straightline machine quilting before popping it on his bed!

And so that my third child doesn't have recourse for being neglected!  Here's his 4 month photo (only a couple of weeks late)!

3 Months, lots of making and doing!

Firstly, Liam is 12 weeks today (which also coincides with him being 3 months old).  He's stretching out and seems to be a bit more in control of his head which is always good!

We have also continued with our book and activity advent calendar.  One of the most popular activities has been to paint our nails in Christmas colours!

I have also made a fold-over bag to contain the wool and needles requested by the mother of a 10-year old boy who recently learnt to knit from his Dutch Oma (grandmother).  I'm not sure if being a knitter is cool when you're 10 but it sure will be when you have this hip and groovy bag to hide it in!!



Good books over the last week have included...

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss

Fold Out 12 Days of Christmas

The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Richard Scarry

Father Christmas Needs a Wee by Nicholas Allan

2 Months Flies By

Well, Liam is 2 months old.  Time has really flown by.  He is starting to smile heaps, especially at older ladies which makes him very popular when we're out and about.  He coo's and really loves to watch his brother and sister when they are careering around the house (loudly).

He's sleeping well at night but in the last week he has decided he no longer does long sleeps during the day and is doing 40 minute cat naps which really doesn't suit me!

Especially when I had grand plans to get crafting in the lead-up to Christmas.  Oh well, it can wait - this little guy is growing fast!

BlogtoberREST = LifeFEST

Wow, where has October gone!  My baby is nearly 6 weeks old, I now live with a 3 year old and there has been much thinking about projects (and reading crafty-type books whilst breastfeeding) - if only I didn't waste so much time waiting for the baby to wake up!!

Some photos from our October...

A family of five (sans the dog).

And a pirate family (sans the baby)

Ahoy-me-hearties - it's Pirate Liam!

The pirate galleon cake (thanks to the new Woman's Weekly Birthday Cake Book)

And Liam at one month (we did this with Kelvin too, here he is at the same age)

The first Irish Dancing competition!

I've also managed to squeeze in some sewing.  Another pencil roll for a birthday gift.  Some toy sacks to tidy the lego and baby toys (and one for another birthday gift).

I also made some pirate pants for Kelvin's pirate party (as well as a pirate sash).  I used the Sewing for Boys Kickin' Back Sweats pattern.  It's a fabulous pattern since it only has two pieces!!  I must admit, that I wasn't that enamoured with this book when it arrived but I have changed my mind since and have cut out several more pairs of pants to sew for Kelvin!

I have been knitting too and once I've finished my Common Ground Cardi I have grand plans to knit myself a Coastal Hoodie using this...

Bendigo Woollen Mills, Classic 5 ply

It's going to be a hard slog swapping from 12 ply knitting to 5 ply!

A Punctual Stargazer!

Liam Charles arrived on Thursday 22 September 2011 at 11:02am - punctually on his due date.

Let's just say he was a big boy at 4.37kg (or 9lb 10oz) who arrived with much assistance in the end - looking at the stars rather than down at the ground!  It was quite a different experience for his mum compared to the arrival of the other two kids!

There are two very excited and proud older siblings at our place!

We got home from hospital today and are very much looking forward to sleeping in our own beds.