seven

seven.

wow.

Feels so much more grown up.  And really you are.  No longer the newbie at school, your take on the world has evolved so much.  With such a sweet personality, people are drawn to you, they like you instantly and whilst a shy nature takes some getting used, when you warm to someone, you really steal a little piece of their heart.

Caring, considerate and kind.  Older brother, first born.  Early riser (always!) and affectionate to those you love.  Happy in your own company, inventive and imaginative.  Pizza, pasta and hommus with carrot sticks...favourite foods to please.  Strategic, mathematical and analytical.  Your memory is astounding.  I gaze at you in your slumber often thinking, what will you become?

For now, lets just enjoy Seven.  After all it's my favourite number.

Happy Birthday

xx

slow and steady

It was a week of anticipation as our first born celebrated his seventh birthday*.  The week started slow, mulling about the house the usual routine, warding off the dreaded winter lurgies.     The Queens Birthday long weekend combined with a  birthday is most often a long weekend affair.  No doubt we packed our few possessions required and headed for our sanctuary.  We lit a fire, I slapped together a cake and with some nibbles and a splattering of family, it was a celebration in style.

1. Two little friends cuddled up on a rainy day
2. Fairy dress her outfit of choice most days
3. Yes, I found a face on my orange
4. keeping warm around the fire.
5. I'll steal your beanie then ask for a piggy back uncle konny
6. Enjoying the view from his office window
7. Gumboots and shadows
8. Roof and blue sky

Linking up terribly late with the lovely Em @ The shack 

Does the long weekend through you out?  or is it just me?

xx

*birthday post to come

noughts and kisses

In the lead up to the silly season it's easy to forget that also celebrate their day of birth at the end of the year.  A little friend of ours who only lives a stones throw away turned six.  Having a six year old myself, I thought of a cute little handmade gift that would come in handy come holiday time.

I have fond memories and my brother drawing up the grid in the back seat of the stinking hot car on our many road trips.  How many ways to win at noughts and crosses were mapped out in abundance.  Anything really to keep our mind off the heat and the drab highway scene out the window. Our legs would be plastered to the vinyl seat in 40 degree heat and Funbusters would be playing full ball on the tape deck.  Oh the joys.  With technology so entrenched in every day living, it's nice to go back to the simple things.

Jack, the recipient calls this game noughts and kisses, which I just think is the sweetest thing really...so I deemed it should be re-named noughts and kisses too!

To make, it really is a cinch...uses up all those scrapity scraps you keep "just in case".  A few squares sewn together and quilted then edged in some homemade bias.   By making the little noughts & kisses from felt means that if one should be eaten by the dog or get lost in the abyss of the couch never fear - just cut another one out!

And if you want to see me in action making one....the delightful host Kirsty came by to visit me yesterday to snap my actual creative space {which really is like a change room!} so I'm over at Just B.  I must say Kirsty's post made my eyes well up reading her reaction to my little space.

Thanks so much Kirsty - as a long time follower and joiner of my creative space, you've been a pioneer in developing such a wonderful spot for blogging crafters to hang out and inspire one another.

xx

The Fairy Party

Our little girl with the big brown eyes

you have now turned four, wow how time flies 

I remember, a babe in my arms

you captured our souls with your wonderous charm

I have adored watching you grow

The love filled in my heart, will you ever know?

The power it has, the deepest joy you bring

A bright little spark, you make this family sing

And here is the much anticipated Fairy Party! A little group of awe-struck miniture fairies captivated by a "real" fairy and her magical, amazing performance.  

A selection of fairy food (mainly fairy bread, strawberried dipped in white chocolate and covered in sprinkles, hot food included home made sausage rolls, the staples like chocy crackles and savoury sandwiches and of course the cake!   A Women's Weekly Birthday Cake book selection which never turns out like it does in the book, but this little lopsided mushroom cake fitted the theme of a fairyland party and in the end was fun to make! Although my little marshmellow mushrooms wouldn't play fair and kept toppling over!!! 

The Birthday Girl in all her party glory truely had a great party.  Dress made a few weeks back here. 

Thank you Fairies! 

xx

My creative space {fairies}

A little party planning has begun in our house.  My daughter will soon be four...and all things fairy are what it's about when you are nearly four (apparently!). So with that theme in mind, we are preparing for a little gathering of a few of her friends for a fairy party.

 Some fabric was selected (on sale mind you! double win for this mumma!)  and a dress made whilst little eager watched chanting "is it ready yet?" "can i wear it now" - "no dear...I've just cut out the pattern was my reply!" 

But my little apprentice waited and watched and marvelled at her dress taking shape.  It was too long in the skirt, but instead of hemming it, I sewed in some elastic loops and buttons under the skirt so they can be hooped up creating a lovely little bubble skirt...perfect for fairy business. 

Some fairy ribbon wands were made with Japanese washi tape  and random lengths of ribbon - although I'm considering re-doing these just with ribbon on elastic just to be safe as the thought of little ones wielding sticks all over the place may get a little dangerous and my daughter has already sustained an injury whilst practicing her fairy magic the other day....

We are still to make some fabric party hats, some more decorations and then plan the cake.  

What creativity are you up to?  Does Birthday preparations inspire your creativity?  

Join in the fun over at Kidspot

xx

Things I've learnt being 30

Growing up.  A concept perhaps some of us spend a lot of time thinking about.  I know as a small child, I loved getting older, having birthdays and counting how many I was on both hands. My children follow suit...my daughter cannot wait to be four soon. 

Me....well my 12 months of being 30 is nearly up.  Yep. They say life starts at 30...who's they by the way!  but I digress.... I filled out a form the other day, and made a mental note, that no longer can I tick the 21-30 age category for much longer!!! boohoo! 

But what comes with age?  wisdom? knowledge? well, for me...here are some reflective thoughts on what I know about being 30....

1. A sense of self - This is a biggy and I wont ramble on...but having a clear sense of self is important.  It's fluid and on a continuum so to speak, but I feel a little more clear on the who I am, what I stand for and it being separate to anyone or anything else.

2. Self evaluation - less of it, more courage in my conviction and less worrying what other people with think (coz those that mind dont matter and those that matter won't mind!)

3. Imperfection - Accepting that this is perfect.  Be wrong - apologise.  Make a mistake - learn from it.  Be a good friend - listen don't judge.

4. Crowd pleaser I am not - and that's ok.

5. Not ashamed at my choice of music or raido station - even if it is 91.5 smooth FM with all the songs from the 80's - see I am not ashamed!!! 

6. Size and fitness - I cannot change the length of my legs, or the width of my hips, but I can look after the body I have been blessed with and let it lead me through a healthy life.


How about you?  What do love about being the age that you are??
 

xx

at the movies.....

It was hubby's birthday a few days ago!  Happy Birthday to you my gorgeous man.

As you know I love the idea of giving a handmade gift.....so I pondered. 

 Until an idea struck when we got together with a group of close childhood friends.  You see,  there is always, always part of the conversation where they throw in a movie line, have a guess, and then chuckle with laughter.

It usually prompts more movie lines and before you know they are reciting the whole God Father to each other doing their best Marlon Brando!

So,  I put together a bit of a collection

of hubby's all time favourite movie quotes, and framed it.

Can you recognise any quotes?  Most, are from your typical action/mafia/thriller movies. I did have to ask for a bit help, not being so familiar with this genre.  You'll find a bit of The Godfather, Wogboy, Top Gun, Scarface and Rocky.  Needless to say, he loved it!

I had so much fun making it, that my mind started racing.....

So I did a girly version too.  All my favourite flicks.  The Notebook, Dirty Dancing, Pretty Woman, When Harry met Sally, Pride and Prejiduce, Princess Bride and Titanic. 

Side by side, they make a lovely pair.

And to steal a quote directly from my children

"I love you infinite days" my sweet husband

Do you have a favourite movie quote? 

Do share?

xx

three ohhhhhhh

Source: flickr.com via Brenda on Pinterest

Oh dear!  It's nearly here....

yep, these are the last few days of my beloved 20's.

I've loved being 20 something.  Infact, I still feel 24 at least!  I know I should embrace turning 30, but it seems like such a leap - like suddenly I'm grown up.

Do you get strange about milestone birthdays.  I didn't think I would.   

But it's given a great idea - and I'll be celebrating in style with a great giveaway on my blog, so stay tuned. 

In the meantime...If you are, ahem, 30-something.  Tell me something amazing about being in your 30's!

xx

(image - of marilyn blowing out the candles on her 30th Birthday!)

the number 5

 Enjoying his new camera from Grandma and Pa

 When you want to talk numbers.....seek out my son.  He'd be quite happy to show you his collection of calculators, complete some random sums, play bingo and do a dot-to-dot!

The cake! 

And when that particular boy turns 5?  Well, excitement city!  It's all about the F-I-V-E! 

How many are you?

And his request - yep, you guessed it, a number 5 cake!  which was a blast to make actually...with the addition of a biscuit and smartie calculator to boot and which made the Birthday Boy very happy indeed!

blow em out! 

Happy Birthday my first born son, my angel, my light.  You are growing so quick.  I love your quirkiness, your sweetness, your courage and sensitivity.

xx