10 . . . 9 . . . 8 . . . 7 . . . 6 . . . 5 . . . 4 . . . 3 . . . 2 . . . 1. . . . . . BLAST OFF -> -> -> -> -> -> -> "My rocket ship means I'm now three."
After all for Alexander a birthday is totally about the cake. It can't be your birthday if you don't have a cake. Presents and all that other stuff are incidental to the most important part of a birthday. . . the Rocket Ship Birthday Cake.
Happy Birthday my little man.
"You must have so much patience."
"I don't have enough patience to sew."
"How do you sew and homeschool? It must take so much patience."
I hear these comments from so many people and I'm never sure how to respond. After all I don't necessarily consider myself the most patient person around. I seem to get frustrated at seemingly silly little things. This morning it was icing cupcakes. The inward frustration was brewing, after all, who would want to stand there at the kitchen bench for all that time just putting colourful, sugary, goey icing on cupcakes. Not me. It is simply one of things a Mother dutifully does when her little boy turns 3. Isn't it? This set me to thinking. What is patience? Why do I appear to have it in bucketloads for some tasks but for other tasks every last drop of patience seems to have dissapeared from me? Why do I have endless 'patience' to sew but can't even ice some cupcakes? Why does someone like Heston Blumenthal from "The Fat Duck", create the most amazing food experiences with an obvious love and endless patience for every single tiny detail? Yet I can't even ice these cupcakes. I'll spend countless hours designing and creating something like this. Hours of total bliss. I'll spend countless hours designing and creating something like this. Hours of total bliss. I've never considered the need for patience when I'm doing the embroidery on a dress like this. . . . I mean countless hours creating this - most of them at 4 o'clock in the morning!!! I enjoyed every part of the process, including the hand stitched scallop border on the frill, sleeves, collar. . . . countless hours of enjoyment. Then of course if that's not enough. A jacket and bonnet to match provided even more hours of embroidery pleasure. Patience. . . . it never came to needing patience after all I'm not all that much of a patient person - especially when it comes to creating with food. . . . All that time spent icing those cupcakes allowed my mind to think about this seemingly inauspicious word 'patience'. Finally I figured it out. Of course embroidery, sewing, designing and creating with fabric and even homeschooling my little ones doesn't require 'patience'. Quite simply because I don't consider it a job, or work, or effort. It is a labour of love, pure bliss and enjoyment. I've always had the belief that 'there is always time to do what you want to do'. So time is never an issue, after all 4 o'clock in the morning is a beautiful, quiet, uninterupted time of the day.
On the other hand, icing cupcakes is just a fiddly, time consuming job in my mind. I consider it work, effort, a job which has to be done. Therefore patience is required in bucketloads.
How simple is that - it's all the perception of the task at hand. If I just changed my view of food presentation to be one of enjoyment and a creative pursuit then it would be a labour of love rather than some horrible task to be fitted in around the birthday fun today.
So on to the Rocketship birthday cake - I can't give you a preview yet but I can say that I ENJOYED the entire process of icing it. Yes, even the 'help' from the 3 year old birthday boy himself. It was fiddly and messy but I approached that task with the same mindset as I approach my sewing and it made such a difference.
Just for interest, the dictionary definition:
Patience, n. 1. Calm endurance of pain or any provocaion; perseverance;
I still don't think I'm the most patient person in the world, I just don't think sewing, embroidery or educating my children is pain to be endured.
 Wearing the favourite coat and the favourite bonnet. My little girl just LOVES to wear her beautiful, embroidered bonnet which I made for her a couple years ago. I originally made one to match an incredibly detailed, fine, exquisite, hand embroidered dress and jacket I had made her. One of those heirloom pieces, definitely. She loved it so much that I made another bonnet out of more durable fabric and went to town with the embelishments as I was trying out my brand new sewing machine at the time. She has worn that bonnet so, so, so much over the past couple years. Her white coat which I showed you here, is probably the only thing she has that rivals the constancy of wearing. So these beautiful bonnets are quite a common sight around here. Today I just added 6 more to my shop. They are really delightful and if my experience is anything to go by, your little girl will LOVE them. Check them out at www.HollysPatch.etsy.com and feel free to pass the link on to anyone who might be interested. Thanks Be Inspired Today, Corinna
This little London Taxi has some very exciting news. Listen up now, because he's about to let the secret out. . . . "I've got a new home."
Yep, that's right my project over the past couple days has been to create a new home for a little car. As anyone with little boys would know very well, toy cars seem to be attached to the boys to whom they belong. They MUST travel everywhere with them. After all, you never know when Mummy might get talking or shopping and of course, a car is a necessary item to share these moments with. The best thing about this car's home - it's attached to it's owner. This very lucky, little, boy also gained a new friend today. What else would do for a busy, 2 year old who is often found crouched down outside watching a bug, snail, spider, caterpillar or some other creepy crawly he has seen. He assures me that this is a really well behaved pet and won't eat the dragonfly and it's allowed to live inside.
Yellow, Green, Pink, Purple, Blue, Orange, Brown, Black, Red, Silver. . . . . .
A box full of all the colours of the rainbow and more.
Do you have a box full of old, small, broken crayons stuck in the back of the cupboard? If not, then you might just be fortunate enough to inherit a box (as I was, from my sister). It's well worth digging them out of the back cupboard and dust off the cobwebs because this project is a really clever way to use them. I'm told it's nothing new because my sister knew about all sorts of wonderful things to do with old crayons which is why she gave me the box full of them in the first place. But, unfortunately, until last week I thought a crayon was a crayon and when it was too small and broken to be of much use, that was the end of it's life. Now I've discovered that is not the case at all! Thanks to Play School that ever faithful TV show full of crafty ideas, look at what we have created. The process is really simple.
Ingredients: 1 ice cube tray
Lots of little bits of colourful crayons
A microwave
Process:
Put the little bits of crayons in the ice cube tray.
Heaten it for several minutes.
Allow to cool.
Enjoy using your new multi-colour crayons. On a side note, my IKEA ice cube tray didn't survive our crafty pursuit. A few of the crayons actually melted the tray. But I figured the $1.20 was well spent when I look at the amount of creative fun the little ones have had with their multicolour creations - so much more fun to use when you've made them yourself, of course.
I just HAD to do this. I really did. You know, at the expense of whatever else I should have been doing, but I just HAD to do it. I saw this crotchet, scarf pattern and my priorities and plans changed in an instant. I'd never tried to crotchet before but somehow in the moment that didn't matter one bit - I really needed to make this scarf. I promptly purchased the most beautiful Angora wool and set to work teaching myself how to crotchet. Somehow, I figured all those funny little symbols out and thought I knew what I was doing. . . . then I discovered that the American's crotchet different to the rest of the world . . . . . and I had no idea as to the origins of my pattern which was on a scrap of paper which someone had torn out of a magazine some time ago. Hmmmm. . . . . . . . . . . . . at this point my hasty decision didn't seem so wise and I didn't think I really, absolutely, definitely HAD to have it any more. But I continued with my trials and made two samples and continued with the one I liked the best - very scientific I know, but it worked for me. I was feeling rather pleased with my efforts after about 10 centimetres was made and it suddenly dawned on me that this scarf was very, Very, VERY long. Why did I just HAVE to have this scarf? I'm positively certain that I could have chosen a much simpler design for a first try at crotchet. But that wouldn't be like me at all - to begin with something simple. After a few months of working centimetre by centimetre, here it is. It is so incredibly soft and fluffy, warm, cozy. It is also quite large and makes a snuggly granny rug for snuggling up on the lounge with a good book and cup of tea. The end result is that I'm very pleased with my spur of the moment decision to make this and I now agree with my original feelings, I really HAVE to have this scarf. The process has taught me a lot about the art of crotchet and given me plenty of practice to improve my technique. I've also discovered that I'm not alone in this crazy desire to crotchet, I've since discovered that Anna Maria and Rachel also have been crotcheting along with me. Ahhhh the delights of the old-fashioned sewing bee - happening via blogs over the internet these days though.
Yesterday was another of those wonderful, clear, warm, gorgeous (add many more adjectives here!!) Queensland winter days which I love so much. The day was just asking to be enjoyed and appreciated. My dear Husband had gone to climb Qld's tallest mountain with 3 of his mates - I will add, that they are all feeling a little stiff and sore today after their efforts. So I had a whole Saturday at home with my darling children. Now, this is not all that unusual as it happens for at least 5 days of the week. Being Saturday I wanted to make it different somehow, not just for me but for the children as well. I needed to really enjoy this delightful day. We began by making cubbies under our big table, singing silly songs and getting the morning tasks out of the way while there was a little coolness in the air outdoors. I had no plans to go out but as I was about to sit down in the warm sunshine outside to do a little bit of hand sewing I just couldn't bear it any longer - this day had to be enjoyed by the water. We live just minutes away from the waterfront so we grabbed our lunch and my hand sewing and jumped in the car. I discovered the perfect place which wasn't overly busy with people and set out my picnic rug. The tide was out so the children had the greatest time climbing over rocks and collecting shells while I stitched and enjoyed watching the glistening water. It was just perfect - the weather, the company and the occupation of stitching. Upon my return home I had intended to get busy with some of those pants I showed you last week. . . . . but I got a bit sidetracked. I came across this picture-smocked digger which I had smocked several years ago when my big boy was much smaller. I had cut out the shirt a while ago to fit my little boy and it just needed sewing up. My little boy's wardrobe was rather lacking in shirts to fit him so I got to work - ditching all plans for those practical pants. Red piping makes it a perfect match for the two pairs of red pants I made him a month or so back. It may only be a pull on t-shirt, but it certainly has a touch of class. practical, easy to wear, warm and it fits him - that ticks all the boxes I needed it to so I'm extremely happy with the end result.
Sorting, cleaning, organizing. . . . . . . this house has been full of that lately. Last week it was my sewing cupboard which was on my hit list. What a wonderful feeling it is to have everything sewing related in such order. I have a new set of drawers on wheels to hold all those bits and pieces needed when sewing and the wheels mean it can be pushed out of the way under the desk when not in use but still allow for plenty of leg room when it's needed - how smart is that! (I'm pretty chuffed about my little set of drawers.) The cupboard which holds all the fabrics, patterns and bits & pieces which seems to accumulate, is now in such an orderly state, I'm quite proud of it myself.
During the sort out I came across all these little bits of fabric which are too small to make anything but too good to throw out. Some pieces of fabric with lovely patterns and some rather boring and plain but all good fabric which just needs a project. Well I've just found the PERFECT thing. Reversable pants for my little boy and probably my bit bigger girl as well. I love these pants. I mean really LOVE these pants. I definitely think my little boy needs a few pairs. I simply can't think of a better way to use up some of those scraps. *I love the fact that they are cute and funky. *I love the fact that they have design detail about them - not just a run up pair of basic pants. *I love the fact that they are reversible - hmmm. . . . . the incredibly inspiring designer definitely knows what she is doing. Find her blog here if your interested. *I love the fact that they look comfy and easy to wear. *I love the fact that I just love them. Now to go and choose fabrics. . . . . .
I made this jacket earlier in the year when we were heading south for a couple weeks holiday. It's not a current, off the press creation but as she was wearing it over the weekend, yet again, I really wanted to share it with you. It was something which just evolved out of what I found in the 'stash' (well all except the buttons, I had to buy those specially). I love projects like this which evolve and work out so well. The story behind the jacket: It's a bit hard to see but there are two types of white fabric used here. The first piece of white fabric was given to my Mum many, many years ago by someone. I inherited it a couple years ago when Mum was having a clean out. It's one of those hand me down pieces and it must have been huge because I recall several things being made out of it already over the past 15 years and still I have a massive piece left. The second piece of white fabric was used because I liked the effect rather than a need due to lack of fabric. It was purchased to make little bolero type jackets for the two little flower girls at my sisters wedding. But as the wedding date approached and I had more than enough sewing to keep me occupied (working frantically till all hours of the night) other jackets were used, leaving me with a beautiful piece of damask fabric with no purpose. (Holly's Patch purchases will be made using new fabric similar to those which I used here) The pattern was an extremely rare purchase. I hardly ever buy patterns (especially for children) because I've got a small collection which are practical and tend to adapt something I have or draft my own rather than buying a pattern. But this was different, I simply fell in love with it - the design details as well as the practicality and versatility and since patterns were half price at the time, well, I splurged. After getting the pattern home I thought I'd just run a prototype up to see how it worked before spending money on new fabric - so out came the endless piece of white fabric. I've been experimenting a bit with the limitless, creative capabilities of my embroidery machine and it's 4d software, so a blank canvas like this which didn't really matter if it didn't work, just begged me for some embroidery. I tried all sorts of different techniques with the embroidery software which I had so much fun doing. It was fun having such a project to work on - I could really do anything, in any colour combination, with any or every part of the jacket. These buttons come in an enormous range of colours and several sizes. I fell in love with them the first time I laid eyes on them and have been trying to fit them into a project ever since but without success. . . . until now. As the jacket was coming together I knew that these buttons would be perfect. They make quite a statement and I was sure they would have the right colour, and of course they did. When it was completed I almost surprised myself. It actualy worked and looked good. Remember it was supposed to be a run-up trial which evolved more and more everytime I sat down to work on it. The trial version worked so great that I never made the next one. This proved to be perfect for the events we had as we went further south for our first taste of winter for the year. Worn over snuggly tights, skivvy, dress or just as a dress on it's own suits our balmy Queensland winter weather and it is the most worn piece of clothing in my little girls wardrobe this winter.
(In case you ask, the green overalls are another of my creations and oh so practical and oh so cute.)
I'm sorry I've been rather absent for a few weeks now. It doesn't mean the creativity has stopped in my place - just that it has changed.
I'm really excited - we have bought a new desk and are revamping my sewing nook/office. Wow. Almost 3 years in the waiting and planning and now it is here. But the aquisition of a couple bookshelves and a desk have caused caos in my place. One thing has led to another and I am in process of rearranging / sorting / tidying the entire house!! You know how it goes. . . . . bookshelf in here so that table in the next room so the school supplies out of the hall cupboard so the children's books in the next room etc. etc. etc. Right now our bedroom floor is covered in our entire office, books and sewing supplies while the new look office gets put into place. So I've been busy but just on a different front.
Actually, I have a couple projects which I have finished and really want to show you but just haven't got the photos taken yet. So keep watching this space. I promise I'll get them up here soon, in between sorting and moving books, fabrics and furniture.
Coming up . . . . .
Smocked winter dress.
Embroidered winter
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