Happy Halloween!

Winter Wonderland felt ideas

Winter Wonderland felt ideas by Torie Jayne

Continuing my Winter Wonderland Christmas theme, today I am sharing with you the gorgeous Christmas felt ideas I have found that would look great in my Wonderland! I have already downloaded the pattern for the pine cones from Family Circle and have started making some pretty pink and aqua pine cones to decorate with. My snowflake felt place mats have been revamped this year with some pretty embroidery in pink and aqua and I have started making some felt birds for my tree, coming soon.....


Have a sweet day!

Through the Instagram: little peek at October


My love affair with Instagram continues, although I've realised that I am not the sort of person who whips out the camera to record our every moment. Maybe it's practice, but I've found that 'camera' tends to equal 'pose' around here, so it just wrecks the spontaneity in my life. You say, "no, no, just keep doing what you were doing, ignore the camera" and then they awkwardly try to act as natural as possible; all misplaced limbs and rigid faces.

Anyway... here's what October looked like at my place. Happy Halloween to those that celebrate... what exactly? I learned at Life in a Pink Fibro (my sister's blog) that we are on the wrong side of the world for Halloween to have any kind of pagan meaning and I also learned that 'Boo Humbug' is my new fave expression. Boo Humbug! It's an instant classic, Al!


Those Tsunamis of mine started up swimming lessons again. They are finally starting to get the hang of it after four years of lessons... four years! Ah well, at least we get points for persistence. That's got to be worth a few thousand dollars, right?


There was a certain double-birthday, of course, and you might not quite be able to see them, but my orange tree has risen from the dead to produce little tiny oranges ready to grow and the strawberry plant is not dead yet. Green thumb, here I come! Oh, and The Badoo is channelling Princess Leia with her Looney Tunes light saber.


Another me on the train shot - I blame boredom. Random birthday gift for Max's mate Sebastien R* and a Sushi lunchbox recorded-for-all-time for reasons that must once have been important but are no longer remembered due to the passage of time.

LOML and I went on a date night to see the fabulous, must-not-miss show 'Jersey Boys' at the Theatre Royal. I won tickets to the show via Fat Mum Slim - I'm such a lucky duck! We had dinner at Circular Quay and took an unhurried stroll along the Harbour up to the theatre, passing Fat Bloke in Dragon Shirt along the way by the looks of things.

Not-so Interesting Fact: I worked as an usher at Theatre Royal in 1990, two nights a week. I used to finish my job as a junior at an ad agency and hike across the park to my part-time job to try to supplement my meagre salary. The nineties weren't kind to everyone in advertising, believe me.

And just what is The Badoo doing in that photo bottom right? Well, she passed her final hearing test with flying colours this month! She's perfectly fine so her slight hearing impairment diagnosed when she was tiny was just a physical blockage that has cleared as she has grown. We are delighted. We will remember the dedicated team at the Jim Patrick Audiology Centre at the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children each year on The Badoo's behalf. They need all the support they can get.

How was your October?

* Imagine calling your kid Sebastian and then another kid in the class being a Sebastian as well. What are the chances?

Look Who's Walking Now?

So... last week I believe I may have voiced my concern re: boy-o's wanton ambivalence toward the practice of getting about on two, rather than four limbs. And I really was concerned.

Turns out I needn't have been.

Yesterday, my son stood up and took five steps.

No fanfare. No fuss. Like he's been doing it all along. And perhaps -- just like that character Andy in Little Britain - you know, the one meant to be a quadriplegic in a wheelchair, who can leap out and swim the English channel when his carer's back is turned... perhaps my son has been practicing when my back is turned, secretly laughing behind his grubby little hand all the while I carry him about when he should.have.been.walking.

No matter.

Boy-o is officially on the move.

And about time, too!

 xx

Pretty Package

Pretty Package

This week on Flickr Faves Sunday, I bring you some gorgeous pretty packages in sugary colours from some of the most creative people on Flickr. I can't wait to start wrapping my gifts! I just have to buy and make them first!

Some beautiful shots from my Flickr favourites (clockwise from top left):

Have a sweet day!

blog love

two more of my fav online reads.
enjoy xo





The nocturnal child

The only thing guaranteed to send me to sleep is a post about sleep deprivation. So I'm writing one.

Ah, the 'difficult sleeper'. Those kids who, no matter what you do or don't do, they don't sleep like they're 'supposed to'. They are basically nocturnal, although they won't sleep in the daytime either. They rarely sleep through the night, they don't seem to understand that controlled-crying isn't supposed to be totallyoutofcontrol-crying, they don't get that night-time is for sleeping.

+++

I sit by the door with the whoosh of the unset radio whispering into the room. There is silence in the cot. I count to 100 again. Still quiet, but risky. I count to 1000, each number striking at my brain with a pick. All is silent inside the cot. I start to rise, but thoughts of freedom are too loud in my mind and the wailing starts up all over again. Sighing, I ease back down. Whoosh goes the radio. Whooshhhhhh.

+++

Although we've moved on from the torture of chronic sleep deprivation, years have passed since we last had a decent sleep around here. I understand that parenting can be tough and I was warned by everyone including the service station attendant that I could kiss a good night's sleep goodbye when my baby came along... but surely, surely they didn't mean forever?

+++

Many nights I crouched by the cot like a wild, unformed animal. Tears streaming, son screaming, feeling the night flood through me like a dank pond. With every shred of strength I willed that child to sleep, the word like a droning buzz in my mind. Sleep, sleep, sleep. Oh please, just sleep.

+++

My son is what I call a hard-core non-sleeper. For whatever reason, the kid has never liked to go to sleep and certainly has never enjoyed staying asleep. He moved from wide-awake newborn through to night-terror toddler through to separation-anxiety preschooler through to... well, I'm not sure what he is these days now that's he's in school. He's just... awake.
o
+++
o
Pat      pat      pat      pat      pat      pat      pat      pat  o    pat      pat      pat...

+++

After years of trying every technique in the book to improve his rest, there are three fundamental things that I know.

  • You can't make a child sleep if they don't want to.
  • They are not staying awake nightly just to spite you.
  • You need to do whatever you need to do to get a decent night's sleep.
If you co-sleep for years, what does it matter if everyone is getting some rest? Baby won't sleep anywhere but in the car seat? Put them in the car seat. Won't have a day sleep unless you walk them in the pram? Walk them in the pram. Walk them, pat them, sing to them, dummy them down, suck their thumb for them if you have to. I refuse to believe that any of these 'crutches' are more damaging than years of broken, unsettled sleep and years of trying, trying, trying to get them to sleep 'properly' and failing miserably. Ironically Maxi was my only child without a sleep crutch and god knows he bloody well needed one!

+++

Fuckyoulittlebabyandyourhorriblemother. Justmotherfuckingsleep.

+++

When all is said and done, it just is what it is. One day it will be what it was and I look forward to that day immensely. But until such a time, as long as my children are content and happy during the day, I have to assume that they are getting what they need at night. And one day I'll be getting what I need too... one day.

++++

I can't go in, I can't go in. Let's just leave him cry, I can't go in. I can't open my eyes, I can't move my legs, I can't move my brain. I'm just so, so, so, so tired. I can't go in. 

And in I go.

++++

And if you're a soon-to-be mum and you're reading this post and you're absolutely terrified, know this: I love my sleep, I need my sleep and never in my wildest dreams did I think I'd be able to do what I've done since my first baby came along. But night after night after night after night, there I was, there I am; just doing what a mother does. Because somehow, just by being there, we guard them against the night.

So, ah, how's the sleep at your place?

Sofia & Week 4 of Evolve

So four weeks of my amazing photography course Evolve with Sheye has passed already.
There is still so much to learn but I have had so much fun trying to work it out!
I also was lucky enough to get myself a new whizz bang camera during the course and that sent me on another steep learning curve - loving it though as it is a full frame camera and has opened up a whole new world!

So here are some photo's from my week 4 task. 
My incredibly obliging 5 year old who loves to have her photo taken helped me out.  I love that not only does Sofia enjoy being in front of the camera but she also loves to be behind it - something I am so excited to foster (I think Santa knows what to bring her this Christmas).

I still find the processing so tricky but this week begins a new course with Sheye specifically about processing.  I can't wait to learn more.



Leanne

Hanging out

With my friends on this rainy cold day! Have a great weekend.

Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker

Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker

This week I'm reviewing Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker, from illustrated lifestyle publishers Ryland Peters & Small and CICO Books. Chloe Coker has been baking cakes and treats since she was a small child. From jam tarts to Victoria sponge, her love of baking grew into beautiful wedding cakes and kitsch cookies, eventually turning into her profession. Leaving her old city-lawyer life behind, Chloe trained as a chef and in 2010 opened Chloe Coker Cakes & Catering, specializing in beautiful bespoke cakes and cookies for special occasions. I chose to review this book as I am determined this year to make super cute cookies for Christmas!

The book is split into five main chapters, from an Introduction into all the essential know-how from recipes, to covering and decorating cookies; in depth advice on cooling, storing and a great step-by-step tutorials on making cookie cutters. The second chapter, entitled Celebrations and Gifts, has some of my favourite cookies like the gingham ribbon-strung bunting cookies, polka dot balloon lollipops and the wonderful vintage corsages.

Next up is Fun for Children, which has the cutest bright red apple cookies, the perfect gift for a teacher. There are also animal faces, lady bugs and teddy bears. For little princesses there are tiaras and wand cookies and the delightful retro looking train set. The penultimate chapter, Holiday Cookies, has the cutest polka dot pudding cookies for Cath Kidston fans, fun looking jolly penguins, glittery ghosts and witches and wizards.

Last up is the Love and Weddings chapter, full of pretty, romantic cookies like broderie anglaise cookies. The Tiffany coloured gift box cookies, sparkly diamond ring and the hot pink and white henna tattooed ones. Each of the thirty five cookies are beautifully photographed with accompanying easy to follow photographed instructions and templates.

The Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker is a delightful hard back book book full of whimsical and, yes, very cute cookies. At a recommended price of £14.99, I think this hardback book is a great buy as it is full of great advice and inspirational cookie ideas.

Some of my favourite shots:

Bunting Cookies
Bunting cookies



Polka dot pudding cookies
Polka dot pudding cookies



Broderie Anglaise cookies
Broderie Anglaise cookies



Rosette Cookies
Vintage rosette cookies


To summarize, Super Cute Cookies by Chloe Coker is a delightful book full of inspiring cookie ideas with great tips and advice.

Please note that my opinions are my own and I am not paid for these reviews (apart from receiving a free book, of course!).

I must go start making my cookies!

Have a sweet day!

They're Here...



 


Peonies!Peonies!Peonies!


(Now I just have to get the hubby to see this)

Glittered Noel wooden letters

Glittered Noel wooden letters

I loved how my pretty wooden letters for Molly came out and wanted to decorate some more wooden letters from Molly Meg to decorate my home with at Christmas. I decided to go for 'NOEL' but this time I wanted them to be sparkly, so first I painted them in an aqua coloured paint, then covered them in mint glitter to match my Winter Wonderland theme.

I used a tester pot of paint from my local DIY store to get the right shade of aqua, as there is always so much colour choice, making it an inexpensive, quick and easy way of getting the right shade.

Christmas decoration: Glittered Noel wooden letters

Tools and Materials


How-to, step by step
Carefully paint front and sides of letter and leave to dry. Once dry, paint back of letter and leave to dry.


Glittered Noel - Steps 1-4

Brush PVA glue onto lower half of front of letter and immediately sprinkle glued area liberally with glitter before glue starts to dry. Lightly tap to remove excess glitter and leave to dry. Paint PVA glue onto another section and sprinkle glued area liberally with glitter and so on until the front and sides of the letter are completely covered in glitter. You can touch up letters with glue and glitter on any spots you have missed.


Glittered Noel - Steps 5-8


Tips
I do my glittering over a plastic tub so any excess glitter can be collected and used again. I have stored my letters individually in plastic bags so they do not rub together, ready to decorate my home with at Christmas.


Glittered "NOEL" letters

Have a sweet day!

This week I'm grateful for... little breaks


On Sunday LOML is taking the Tsunamis up the coast to visit their Zia. I am staying at home.

A whole day, just me. Just me!

So, this week, I'm grateful for...

187. Little breaks - I loathe, loathe the expression 'me time'. So let's just say I'm very happy for little breaks from my darling family from time to time. Lord knows, it's probably what keeps them darling.

188. Quiet - I spent an hour inside a pool leisure centre this afternoon. I'll be there every Friday. It was cranky-pants-fitting territory. Constant screaming water, screaming children, screaming parents, screaming instructors. If only I could have run screaming from the building. Outside in the non-chlorinated world, all was blissfully quiet.

189. Twilight walks - Don't get excited, I haven't been on one. This time of year, my beloved twilight falls during the witching hour(s). But, I've been dreaming about a little walk instead of the usual bath-book-bed-beck-and-call and it's oh so very nice.



So, what's making you smile today? Add your post to the list below (and please, we love you, but it really does matter that your post is a Grateful one and not just a random) and pretty-please add a link back to this linky. Then pop over to visit other bloggers who are spreading a little sunshine.





[Image found here]

i am

looking forward to this weekend. saturday morning i will be spending a couple of hours at the hairdressers. pure pamperness for me! i love flicking through the latest mags. sipping on aveda herbal tea. & having my hair freshened up. i have a big local event to prepare for next week where i will be photographing many dressed up ladies adorning hats & frocks. i too need to pick up my outfit from the dry cleaners & find something suitable to adhere to my head so i don't look out of place. although i can't wear anything too out there as it will probably get in the way of the camera lens! {more on that next week}

happy weekend to you.

any plans?

four in a row...




Thanks for your kind words on my last post. Lovely to read over them while the waiting game continues. Been styling and snapping a few household objects before play time disappears.

I hope the weekend is good to you. Where did October go?

Cake Inspiraton

I am working on some exciting events for November and December so I have been searching for lots of inspiration.  Here is some gorgeous cake ideas that feature beautiful flowers and ruffles - just what the bride I am working with is after.  I have been busy pinning loads of new things to my Pinterest Board - it is such a fabulous tool for collecting all those images you come across while researching for projects.





Cakes by My Sweet and Saucy except the very pretty coral coloured one 4th picture down which is by Citrus and Orange
Leanne

My Lil Fairy...

May I share with you my latest creation? While my lil Fern and Elliott slumbered this afternoon, I made short work of a stiff piece of gorgeously turquoise tulle, some large sequins, a pastel-pink singlet, a bit of crochet and a curl of ribbon to make...


A little fairy singlet! 

I've been adding little decorated singlets and bloomer sets to my stores progressively over the last few weeks in time for Summer, and this little fairy-singlet is my latest creation! It's designed to look rustic and handmade, with oversized handcut wings sewn onto the singlet and some of my trademark crochet sewn onto the front of the garment with some pretty grosgrain. A pretty little top for a pretty little girl. 

And when Fern woke up and I presented one to her, she was delighted.  She ran madly about the backyard, fairy-wand in hand, singing to herself and showing me her 'little fairies she caught in the palm of her hand. 

Here's a view of the back of the singlet:



And a view of the front:


What do you think? Do you want one in your size? I do! And a fairy wand, too!
In store. Tomorrow. :)




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