Flannelette Beauty and the Sleepover

Not too many words tonight. Just a snap shot of a gift for each of the wee lads of two most beautiful flannelette quilts made by this wonderful friend. Overwhelmingly gorgeous. Thank you Suse xxx.

and ... Dunc and I are at a loose end tonight with no bedtime routine to carry out for this small - she is off on her first ever sleepover ... at Grandma Loz's ... unplanned - they just decided on a whim when they were out for the day together - who am I to stand in the way of a delicious pyjama fuelled adventure? PJs and Dinny rabbit packed. You never know - we might get withdrawals and find ourselves taking turns to read each other books and tuck each other in after singing a tune or two.

Big Enough

Just now it sunk in. As I watched my wee girl strain on her tippy toes and artfully open the pantry door ... it occurred to me ... she can reach. I am sure it is not a today thing. I am sure she's done it before. But today was the first time I really acknowledged it; let it ooze into the gaps of a foggy mind...she is big enough to reach. So amidst waves of nostalgia for the little (and clearly shorter) baby she was, I retrieved the requested 'corn biccies' and watched her dance of into our front room. Her achievements are beginning to become the milestones by which I mark time and marvel at how fast it seems to pass.

Now for a little rearranging - because explaining why munching out on raw potatoes* is not really a goer is clearly going to lose its shine... as will be the conversation that the hundreds and thousands in Mum's cooking container are not for inhaling...

*Mental note ... must remember to feed small!

Score

It's been a while since I hit the op shops 'round these parts. But with 3 x smalls loaded in the pram and a sunny day to roll through I popped my head into a couple of the locals. I was not in the mood for rummaging so when this fabric appeared on the top of a pile - I knew it was meant to be ... I have big plans for this nylonesque beauty ... oh yes - it does indeed have a touch of the 'post lawn bowls carnival do' special yet psychodelic frock about it ... but I have a vision that goes beyond the matching blue rinse...

On an equally sunny day last week we loaded up Harriet the HD with our precious cargo and took a drive south to Cambell Town - for no other reason than to check out the new-ish Redbridge Cafe and Providore in the gorgeous once antique store - now food packed extravaganza complete with open fire by which to eat your goodies. We picked up some of these fine looking quinces (un-furry...intriguing) which have now been made into one huge slab of quince paste that should see us out the year until next season ... I'd like to claim the applause for it - but it's Dunc's domain...

Back on the Crafty Wagon

I haven't touched my sewing machine for months. Maybe even since before Christmas. No urge. But since Arlo and Tavish burst onto our family scene there have been strange rumblings from deep within ... small whispers in a dusty part of the brain where one stores one's ideas ... and despite limited sojourns into REM sleep patterns ... it seems these whispers have become shouts. So when we got a ticket to the hottest par-tay in town ... it was time to make some room on the kitchen table and start cutting. I was even able to focus through 'chinese water torture-like' questioning of the small 'what are you doing?' 'why?' 'what colour do you like?' 'why?' 'what are you doing?' 'why?'(repeat x infintiy and beyond...you get the picture).

Inspiration started at the vintage fabric detail of the man in the basket ... I thought my minarets where very middle eastern in appearance - but the architecture student said they may lean more toward the iron curtain. Doesn't he know ric rac is so persian?? I mean what else did the Murghal empire edge their carpets with? Now to giveth the gift and eat cake for lunch ... I love a first birthday.

Heirloom

When Loz found out I was pregnant with Edie, a craft beast awoke within... the new babe would need her very own crocheted blanket. But she came to the sudden realisation that the keeper of the dark Nanna art of crocheting was her Aunty Daph - the elder sister of my Nan, Dinny. She had long since passed away and left her legacy of loved brightly coloured blankets which covered our laps throughout my childhood. A gap had appeared; a glaring hole; a dropped stitch in the chain. These modest heirlooms so associated with one woman that noone had thought that there would come a time where someone else would have to pick up the mantle. So Grandma Loz did. She ran with it. She called on the help of crocheting friends. She channelled the granny within and granny squared it up. She selected colours and got her hook moving. Edie now has her own bassinet and cot blanket - her own heirlooms - most treasured gifts. ... and this week Arlo and Tavish were each presented with their own ... names embroidered to boot... that will one day shift from cot to lap when they are cosying up on the couch. Thanks Loz xxx

Triptech

Still here. Week five. Getting the hang. Sleep deprived but getting a handle on this juggling act. We can't remember what you are meant to do when with babies. We don't care. It comes back in snatches. Dunc is on holidays and we have pyjamas on. We have a triptech, a trio, trois enfants. Week Five of being a family of five - of joining a club of less parental hands available than those of your offspring...of turning around in your car and seeing the bank of capsules and carseats stacked in your vintage Holden and laughing at how cruising has changed a little in meaning...

When 3 became 5

They arrived.

Arlo (on right) 8 lb 1 oz @ 11.52pm Monday 24 May

and

Tavish (on left) 7lb 7 oz @ 00.11am Tuesday 25 May

Two gorgeous boys. Two separate birthdays

Genius.