Still alive

 I was feeling very daunted before Angus was born, I honestly didn't know how I'd cope with 2 children under 2 years.  I have to remind myself now that when I was heavily pregnant there would be no way I could manage 2 under 2 at that time.  But I'm not pregnant now, I have lots more energy and a little boy who's pretty easy going. 

Tamsyn is getting used to having a little brother (he's 7 weeks old now, how did that happen?!), and even helps me burp him by patting him on the back when I do.  She loves to kiss him, and put his dummy in when he wants it, and points to his nose....  stop me now before I get too gooey....

Mealtimes with Tamsyn have always been good, and now we have company.  Those bouncy seats are worth their weight in gold, we got this one for Tamsyn and it usually follows me around the house.  I love slings but they make my shoulders ache after a while.

Tamsyn is at that age where she wants to feed herself, which is fine but this needs to be supervised of course.  So what do I do while watching her eat? (unless I'm eating too)  I knit...

Ravelry notes here.

I've done the odd bit of sewing too, mainly a flowergirl's dress for my girlie.

Happy days.

Thankful

 I am thankful for....

... the miracle of birth and a boy who knows how to wear a vest his Mummy made for him

 ... to see that male bonding is alive and well

.... to watch this little girl grow, explore and enjoy her Christmas presents

And to you, my dear bloggy friends, for all your lovely comments and well wishes. 

Life is good.

Announcing

The safe arrival of Angus John Lindon Brock.  Born the 28th of December at 8.55pm, and weighing in at a hefty 9lbs 2ozs!

Now our family is complete.

Winding down

I'm doing my best to keep up with all the blogs I read, plus being active on Ravelry, and Facebook.  However I fear my motivation to keep my own blog updated has waned.  I think it's more to do with massive baby brain than anything, I try to think of a post to write and my mind literally goes blank.  Well.... that's my excuse anyway...

With only five and a half weeks to go I'm finding myself spending more and more time relaxing on the couch with knitting needles in my hand.  This works well as I can also supervise the wee girl at play.  So without further ado here's some examples of what I've been knitting -

Some pants for Baby, knitted in sock yarn.

A spring top for Tamsyn (Nikki, you'd love this one!)

Something for one of my sisters but it's for her birthday so I can't show it yet.  A couple of other things that I haven't got around to taking pictures of either.  But it's all good and very very satisfying.

So to finish off this meagre post I have to share this photo taken at the recent Teddy Bears Picnic in Launceston's City Park -

Dressed entirely in clothes her Mummy made for her.   :-)

I must be nesting....

Spring has sprung and summer will be here before we know it.  I've felt the urge to make the girl some warm weather clothes now because come Christmas time the opportunity to even look at the sewing machine will be rare.

A couple of weeks ago I had a little op-shopping jaunt with Tara in Deloraine.  One of my finds was this girls' summer top.  Even though it wouldn't fit Tamsyn for probably another five years, I was too smitten with the little cat print and thought I might be able to do something with it.

With a bit of help from one of my Ottobre patterns I've turned it into a little summer dress by cutting out arm holes and adding a ribbon casing to the neckline.  I already had the spotty ribbon in my stash and was just the right length.

While in Deloraine I couldn't resist a visit to the local fabric/quilt shop Fresh Fabric, and fell in love with this Heather Bailey print.  I've made this dress before, this one and then this one for her birthday, each one a bigger pattern size.  I decided to leave the contrasting panel off the bottom edge this time, mainly because I didn't have a suitable contrasting fabric.

And then perusing my fabric stash a couple of days ago I rediscovered this fabric that Tamsyn's auntie sent her for her birthday.  It's an Alexander Henry and was just enough to make up this little number using a pattern I bought on Etsy.  I love the way that it's reversible too and for some reason I had plenty of purple gingham handy to line it.  This is a super fast, super easy pattern so I think there'll be a few more of these coming out of the sewing room.  Yay!

My excuse for being a lazy blogger lately...

Seventeen weeks (or eighteen, I keep losing count).  Due date: Christmas Day.

All going swimmingly.

I love before and after photos

It's true, I really do.  Although I feel confident that most of us do anyway.  It's just so satisfying to see ugly things made pretty.  Here's my contribution...

Before: A vintage dolls pram found at the op shop (thrift) for $15, I think, or was it $25?  Anyway Gracie was quite taken with it's smell.  I think it'd been in the back of someone's shed for a loooong time, it was very grotty...

After: Pulled apart, sanded and spray painted.  I had to drill through the rivets in order to pull it apart, so this meant that I had to come up with something else for putting it back together.  I remembered those screw type things that are often used for book binding, you know, one screws into the other.  After much searching I discovered they have a name - Chicago Screws, and found someone who sells them on Etsy (I only like using sites that have Paypal).  The screws arrived in the post yesterday and as I had done all the sewing the pram was put back together in a jiffy (with the help of those reference photos tacked to the wall!).  Oh and the fabric?  I splurged on some lovely oilcloth from Cath Kidston.

Some may even remember me blogging about this pram a while ago, and my intention to have it finished in time for Tamsyn's first birthday.  Well, I was only 2 months out so I don't think I did too badly.

Besides, I think she likes it.

Tamsyn says "ta"

From the bottom of her dear little heart, she thanks you for all her birthday wishes.  Turning 1 really does seem to be a milestone, and in some ways is a great confidence boost.

This photo was actually taken in late October last year, so she wasn't even 6 months old.  I took it on the phone's camera, one of those spontaneous moments that you can't help but love.  I can almost hear her saying "Give me the phone Mum, I want to eat it".  That's my girl....

So a bag update is in order.  Agfest wasn't as successful as I'd hoped, but then I was never sure it was the right target market anyway.  I'm thinking of re-opening the Etsy shop, otherwise it's local weekend craft markets which is virtually impossible for me.  I currently have 2 bags for sale at Hilbarn's little shop, and if you're in (or likely to visit) northern Tasmania then I recommend a look see.

The shop is full of lovely vintage finds, and also some of Tara's beautiful cushions.  The bag on the left is using some more gorgeous Ink & Spindle Birch fabric and the other has Pippijoe's ever popular Nest fabric.

I really need to pull my finger out and sell sell sell!!!

one

One year ago tonight this was the scene, a new Mum with her new baby girl.  We hadn't even decided on her name yet, and judging by my expression I was too exhausted to think about that right then.

But she couldn't be any name other than Tamsyn, and this first year of her existence has been filled with a whole lot of love, lessons and laughter.

Let the good times roll....

(the dress was made in time for her birthday, another pattern from Ottobre magazine)

take one big old jumper....

Cut it up.  Put it back together with a zip across the bottom...

 

 ... and you get a sleeping bag for a girl who sees bedclothes as a challenge..

I lined the sleeping bag with some cotton jersey knit as well, and used some rib knit to finish the neck and arm holes.  In hindsight it would've been good to put a zip down the front as well so there's less bulk to get over her head, but I didn't want to spoil the look of that lovely cable pattern.

Think I'll have to make some more of these.  Especially as the nights are starting to get cooler.  :-)

words aren't always necessary

So let's just enjoy the view...
... and the clothes I've been making for her...
... that's my clever bunny.

six months

This wee girl is becoming less and less 'wee'. Now when I see newborns I think they're so very tiny, and said newborn may even be bigger than Tamsyn when she was born. *sigh* It's true, half of me wants her to grow and the other half wants her to remain a wee babe.

So, as the weather is warming up and the bright light of the Australian sun is being true to it's word, sun hats were in order. I made the green lady bug one first (another Ottobre pattern) and then had to make the brown one to go with her pretty dress.
Then I decided that some of the bibs she has were either ugly or worse for wear (a few hand-me-downs). So I traced a pattern from one of her bibs and made a few using some Japanese Kokka fabric which comes in a lovely linen/cotton blend. I backed the bibs with 2 layers of nappy flannel which works well, but when I backed a Prints Charming one with a cut up bit of bath towel it worked even better. So now I want to go bib crazy, but will have to stock up on more poppers soon. I find that they work so much better than velcro, which after a few washes starts to curl and can scratch the back of Tamsyn's neck.
My model likes to 'ham it up' for the photo shoot....
And because this girl is growing she is also trying to crawl, and can shuffle backwards until she runs into something. She will tuck a knee up under her tummy but hasn't worked out the rest of it yet. Therefore overalls were in order (more Ottobre goodness). I was in my favourite sewing shop the other day and literally pounced on this matroyshka fabric in a very fine cord. It swims on her at the moment but I'm hoping that by the time crawling is mastered it'll fit her nicely, and I'm sure there'll be patches on the knees before too long. Nice...

fathers day

Tamsyn and I made a special little goody bag for her Dad, in manly colours of course, and filled it up with his favourite chocolates. I tried out some printable fabric for the first time, which I had bought from this lovely lady a while ago. It seemed like the perfect excuse to use it and worked beautifully.
I also finished this little dress today, another pattern from Ottobre magazine. I found the print at Spotlight a few weeks ago and on Saturday bought the fine brown cord. It would've been nice to have it finished in time for Fathers Day but alas, I don't expect to work to a schedule these days! She wore the other little pinafore that I had made instead.

My little girl is growing and learning all the time, and yesterday she performed her very first rollover. I managed to catch it on video too so her Daddy didn't miss out.

knitting for my girl

This is the jumper I started a few weeks ago and finished the other day. Thankfully it's still too big for her so I've timed it nicely. We'll probably be well into Spring before it fits but with the mad weather we've been having I don't think it'll be too warm for Tamsyn by then.
The pattern is from an Australian mag called Creative Knitting, and was very user friendly. It also reminded me how much I enjoy knitting cables.

Right, back to reupholstering the lounge suite......

umm....

I couldn't decide on a title for this post. It was either "new challenges", "something to look forward to", "am I mad or just stupid".

Maybe I'll pick D - all of the above...
So the other day when I was at the op shop (opportunity shop/thrift store etc etc.) buying my yummy Cornishware jug, I spotted this dolls pram. Although I left it there I couldn't get it out of my head.

Yes it needs a bit of work but hey, if it comes out looking pretty good and my daughter falls in love with it on her first birthday then I'll be a happy Mum.
... if Gracie doesn't pinch it first.
She seemed quite taken with it.

gratuitous baby worshipping

When we came home from our walk this arvo, Tamsyn looked so snug in the sleeping bag of her stroller I left her there. That little gumnut hat I made for her has been very handy too.

As well as the quilt I made for her. We'd just had some tummy time and Gracie decided to show Tamsyn the art of relaxation.

Yes, she is a dummy fan but fortunately she doesn't seem to depend on it all the time. It just happens that she's got one in her mouth every time I take a photo.
We bought a nice bouncy seat with some money Ant's grandfather gave her. She loves it and is now trying to work out how to biff the little teddy that hangs from the arch over it.

She looks so warm and cosy in the cardigan I knitted before she was born.
The cowhide booties fit her now too.

And me? The sewing has been light on the last few days but a bit of knitting has been done, must take some photos when I'm not worshipping baby......

sewing for my girl

Tamsyn has been given so many clothes, she really doesn't need me making any for her especially as all her presents have been so wonderful.

Oh but I do so want to sew for her.

While making this little pinafore I was constantly filled with a joy that seemed to bubble up from deep in my soul. I think it was the fulfilling of a dream. A dream that had been buried deep within and repressed during those years when I believed that I'd never marry or have children. I was very happy being single, in my little house with dog, cat, garden and sewing room but it's so much better now with husband, house, dog, cat, overgrown garden (on the 'to do' list), sewing room and a wee girl.
The pattern is from Ottobre magazine. I've read a few blogs that rave about these and thought I'd give it a go. It comes with full size pattern sheets and the clothes range from newborns to pre-teens. I bought a couple of magazines on-line and have found that I'll have enough patterns to keep us going for years.

The pinafore was made from some of the Japanese Gokka fabric that Ant's auntie brought back from Purl Soho in New York, and I lined the shoulder straps with the brown and blue polka dot cotton that I already had.
Tamsyn's quilt was christened this morning, literally. She was having a lovely time lying on it, kicking away and practicing noises, when she thought it'd be nice to add a little puke as well. Which missed the bib of course.

Gotta love babies.

Oh and we didn't make it to the market yesterday, it rained most of the day and is doing pretty much the same today. Poo...

winter walking

Walking, originally uploaded by Claire Badcock

We don't have snowfalls in Launceston, but we do have heavy frosts which result in lovely clear days with a crispness that tingles the cheeks. In Tasmania snow keeps to the mountains and rarely falls below 200 metres (650 feet), so it's a real treat when it does happen.

Tamsyn, Lucy and I walk almost every day. Lucy being the big doggy that she is needs to be walked daily, which is fine by me, I need to keep active. Mum and Dad spent half the day with us on Tuesday and Mum captured this moment as we were walking through Princes Square, one of the prettiest parks in town.

I love the Baby Bjorn pouch, especially when getting about town. There's nothing worse than trying to negotiate a pram in busy shopping areas. The only downside is that I do get achy shoulders, so when Tamsyn is big enough I'm going to make a backpack style carrier using this pattern (I've already made the sling which is very handy for around the house).

Not a great deal is happening on the sewing front. I've cut out a little dress for Tamsyn and will start sewing after I've finished here. This is a bit of a procrastination though, I should be re-covering the lounge suite with fitted removable covers but it's proving more of a challenge than I envisioned. It would be easier to remove the arms and reupholster, but this would be more time consuming. Hmmm, will have to pull my finger out sooner or later....

Have a good weekend all, and for anyone in the Lonnie area there's the Civic Homespun Market on Saturday. Thanks for the heads-up Gemma!

baby elephant walk

Have I prompted the tune to play in your head for the rest of the day? Don't worry, it's stuck in mine!

One of my dear sisters made an elephant for Tamsyn. Shannon has never been much of a sewer, but with her female siblings all able to sew we felt confident that the skill was there although untapped. Better yet, Shannon doesn't own a sewing machine so therefore hand stitched the elephant. She did a fantastic job.
This photo is to give you an idea as to how big the elephant actually is, yep, bigger than Tamsyn! It also shows the blanket I made for her. It's a Waverly blanket end, bought at their sale last year. Waverly has a yearly sale where you can buy blanket seconds, doonas/duvets and lots of blanket 'ends'. I've even made a coat from these, must take a photo of it, it's so lovely and warm. All pure wool of course. Anyways, Tamsyn's blanky is in a dark grey. I made a binding in some groovy orange fabric (don't know who by sorry). I wanted a dark colour because it will regularly go to Bruny and as I've said before, the oyster lease is a very grotty place - so I needed something that would hide it.

The basinet that Tamsyn sleeps in is from her pram, which it can be easily removed from. This works fantastically as I can have her sleeping in any room, particularly the sewing room. My little girl is 6 weeks old today, can you believe it? In the last couple of days we've noticed that she can focus on more distant objects, that is, further away than Mum's booby, and it's lovely to look at her while sewing and see that she's watching what I'm doing. Bless her.