Spring has sprung. Well, almost.

I can't wait for it to arrive properly. More play time outside for Master G and I and once the rain is behind us I can wear my blue suede shoes! They were a birthday gift way back in June and I've been hanging out to play in them but wet weather and suede are not a good combination.

Softies & thanks

A few softies, made with love, for wee-ones joining the world.

Thank you to Amy of Umbrella Prints for such lovely, kind words about my playmat on her blog, Rain and Shine. Check out her blog to see photos of their recent exhibition - stunning.

Wishing all a wonderful (and creative) weekend x

{this moment}

{this moment} - A friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your moment in the comments for all to find and see. - soulemama

Finally!

The play-mat that I started whilst pregnant, had plans of completing when maternity leave commenced but was pushed to a corner with 'soon' hovering over it, due to the early arrival of Master G, is finally finished!

It was a labour of love - I've only been able to attack it in small snippets on weekends when hubby is home to listen out for Thomas due to the noisy old gal that is my sewing machine. I'd chosen the fabrics and started cutting out while I was pregnant but didn't start assembling and tackling the tricky bits (like the big circle) until recently. Poor lad is now 6 months old and only just getting his mat.....I told him it was a very special present for his half-birthday and he seemed happy with that!

As you can see from the photographs, the lady of the house wanted the photographs to be about her, not her favourite little man or the mat!

The gorgeous fleur pattern is by Onegirldesignwrks - I've previously made the mini version for my neice. I've used some fabrics that I had stashed away, waiting for a special project including Lecien and the gorgeous elephant and fanflower by Umbrella Prints. I also made a couple of rattle dice with the leftover fabric.

Now to finish the next of my UFOs!

{this moment}

{this moment} - A friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your moment in the comments for all to find and see. - soulemama

Purple, anyone?

Heather Ross Wildflowers - yellow/purple colourway.

Approx 19 x 21"

Free to a good home. Ok, happy to send to a bad home too. Anyone?

{this moment}

{this moment} - A friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your moment in the comments for all to find and see. - soulemama

For my friend, the Freaky Pigeon

To town tonight by Victor Galbraith

London Underground

I have a thing for vintage posters and a thing for elephants. London also holds a place in my heart - I lived there for 7 years, met my husband there and one of my dearest friends is there so.....I really want one of these!

Thing is, they are in a non-public section of Notting Hill underground station, discovered during renovations.

If I could, I would have the elephant poster by Victor Galbraith. The River Thames poster is gorgeous too and would find a happy home with me.

Photo credits: I came across the photos here. They are London Underground official photographs.

{this moment}

{this moment} - A friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your moment in the comments for all to find and see. - soulemama

{this moment}

{this moment} - A Friday ritual. A single photo - no words - capturing a moment from the week. A simple, special, extraordinary moment. A moment I want to pause, savour and remember. If you're inspired to do the same, leave a link to your moment in the comments for all to find and see: soulemama

A visitor on an autumn day

Ink & Spindle textiles

On the weekend I dragged my boys off to the Ink and Spindle open day. I had wanted to attend their last open but missed it so was determined not to miss it this time and boy, am I glad we made it. Tegan and Lara have created a wonderful space, screen printing in an eco friendly way, with the most beautiful colours and designs. I wish I had half the talent these girls have! They were also most patient with us as we stood there being very indecisive about what to purchase - if I'd had more cash on me I would've bought so much more! I have coveted their fabrics for quite some time but wanted to see them in real life before purchasing.

In the end, the following fabrics were purchased and will be made into a quilt for the lad.

(Left: Birch Forest in Robins Egg; Middle: Rooftops in Snow; Right: Gingko in Teal & Snow)

I think I will need to buy more as I didn't think about measurements (I blame baby brain) and really need more width, so these will probably be made into cushions. And, I am going to order some ginko in snow and red or blue wrens in snow for curtains for the lad's room. He really is going to have the best looking bedroom!

Home, sweet home

Before Easter, I took Master G on a visit to my home town of Adelaide. The trip was to visit his Grandma for her birthday, see his Pa and to meet his great grandparents and extended family. It was so wonderful that I extended our trip a couple of times and we ended up staying a month!

We were lucky enough to be there while some very cool markets were on. In particular, Bowerbird Bazaar burnt a hole in my wallet with lots of gorgeous purchases for the lad. We purchased two art works (one by Delilah Devine and the other by The Gently Unfurling Sneak), a cute top (again, Delilah Devine), a funky toy hammer (by Fede) and something else which escapes memory for now. There were so many wonderful stalls and it was topped off by fabulous food - the vegetarian fare by Let Them Eat was so delicious. We also visited the Vintage Fair and came away with a fabulous stash of vintage kids books.

(top: Fede; middle: Delilah Devine; bottom: The Gently Unfurling Sneak - photos by Alex Kwong)

Most of our days were spent with friends, visiting family, or going for long walks along the river listening to the birds and watching the ducks and horses. I miss being able to go for such lovely walks. The best part of the trip was Thomas getting to spend lots of time with his Grandma and Pa. It was wonderful to watch him blossom with them. It was also lovely to spend quality time with my gorgeous girlfriend (of 20 years!) and her daughter, Amelia.

Oh how I miss home.

Font Geekery

I was searching Typedia, a very cool website showcasing different typefaces, to make up some labels for the toys and things I've been making baby Thomas. This somehow led me to this fantastic site by Pentagram which determines what font type you are! Brilliant! I am Archer Hairline (emotional, understated, progressive, disciplined). Try it, you'll love it too, I promise!

Smiles

My darling boy is now almost 8 weeks old. He has changed so much and I want to slow it down so I can enjoy each moment.

He rewards me every day with beautiful smiles and noises, makes me laugh when he lifts his leg to fart as he feeds and delights his Grandma when he gets all serious and concentrates when she talks to him over the phone or on skype.

My favourite part of the morning is when we start each day singing 'Good Morning' from Singing in the Rain because he laughs at his Mama who really can't sing and makes up the bits she doesn't know! It's the best way to start the day.

Good morning original version

Master G has arrived!

The ultrasound was correct (although we didn't look at the piece of paper until after his arrival) - it's a boy!

He arrived two weeks ahead of his due date and decided he wanted a dramatic entrance into the world.

Birth story to follow once I've got my brain back. Oh dear brain, please come back to me. Body, I'd like you back sometime soon too.

He has made me cry so much since he arrived - both tears of utter joy and and despair. Already I can't imagine life without him.

So, my darling man, welcome to the world. I'm so happy that you picked us xxx

Inspirational blog

I want to more people to become aware of a beautiful blog by a very talented lady, Jenny Stevning. I've never met Jenny but by chance she found her way to my poor attempt at a blog and left a lovely message. With curiosity, I ventured over to Jenny's blog and was moved. Her prose is beautiful and her illustrations gorgeous. I love reading her updates as they are always thought provoking and moving and her wonderful artwork sets off each entry fabulously. There is something soothing about her art too.

My only wish would be for Jenny to have her art work available to buy. I'd love a piece on of my walls!

So, if you're in need of a bit of inspiration, head on over to Jenny's blog and stay a while. You'll be glad you did.

Projects & Lists

My head is buzzing. It is full of lists of things I need to do and projects (mainly sewing) I want to start or finish and with only 12 days until d-day, I can't see many of these things getting done. Does a head full of things to do count as nesting?! Or do I need to clean at 3am to be considered in nesting mode?!

Project number 1; the nursery. This one can't be put off any longer! It will get the final touches as soon as I finish up at work. So far it has gone through quite a transformation - we've repaired walls, skirting, picture railing, windows, painted, replaced carpet etc (all this in one room, plus improvements to the rest of the house....and we're in a rental) - but there is much more to do!

I'm so excited about getting to meet Little Master or Miss G that there doesn't seem to be any fear about the process of baby making it's journey from the comfort (his or hers, certainly not mine!) of being 'indoors' to this crazy world.

I'm also feeling remarkably zen. Despite having a million things to do, barely being able to walk and being asked at least once a day if I'm sure I'm not having twins!