Log-Cabin Jam

Whoo-hoo nothing like a little bed rest (courtesy of plague-virus) and kiddos safely anchored in school/day-care, to finally round up the last few stitches of binding holding this baby together.

I am not sure how long it has taken because I made up some of the log-cabin squares in a flurry last year with the intention of turning them into pillows. Then changed my mind, made a few more then sewed them all together with some fabric I was given (thanks Inghy and Espy) and voila!

I think it is pretty baudy, gaudy and loud, a lot more pink and orange than I first imagined, but I took on the 'use what you have' approach and this is the result.

I don't think it will stay on the bed as our bedroom is now painted a restful sage green and the intention should probably stay that way - restful! So I imagine this will end up on the couch... next quilt is for Luka, I promise.

Dreaming of my higher self

They say when you dream of a house, you are actually dreaming of your higher self.
If this is true, then I am deflated... It seems my higher self is a cramped, brick veneer house in the suburbs?

Why couldn't I be a rambling Italianate McMansion? or, a rustic rough-hewn log cabin by a lake? Georgian town-house with high ceilings? I'd even settle for a teepee in a valley somewhere. It seems despite by attempts at self-delusion I am as ordinary and mundane as they come.

Within any luck it was a mere blip on the cosmic plain and tonight my true self will reveal itself as a Frank Lloyd Wright house of simple elegance, or an apartment in Paris complete with poodle. I'll keep you posted.

Needle felted animals

I took a needle felting class a couple of weeks ago. It was both easy and hard and all together quite a lot of fun. The teacher specialises in Australian native animals, (they are most of hers in the photos) and they are truly adorable. I made a gnome, who is siting because I couldn't figure how to get him to stand up without falling down again.

I can see a horizon dotted with felted creatures as they are quite satisfying to make and pretty indestructable. Is there a balance to be found between creating things and creating more clutter? Maybe I will just have to give them away.

Not waving, drowning

No focus at work, no focus at home, no focus for this ridiculously adhoc blog - just got no focus. I am like that, my report card reads - gets distracted easily... and so while I have been busy trying to do things, just can't seem to get over the line anywhere.

And so I offer you a random photograph of my Aunt and Mother with Jeffrey Bumphrey Buckleby Slade and Pitty Sing, somewhere in the English countryside, somewhere in the time that has passed.

Not really beach weather

The winter has really started to hit, lots of cold days and many nights with the fire roaring.

Yesterday, the troops were getting a little restless after another day indoors, so I thought we might hit the beach for the last rays of afternoon sun. Of course about five minutes after we hit the sand it started to rain. But there was a wonderful rainbow, a full arc across the horizon... (oops forgot to get a snap of the whole thing, just the beginning and the end) and enough time to collect some shells, throw some sand and then run for the car and home for a hot bath.

The little specks of colour in the middle of the first shot are the boys looking for shells, the baby was curious, but not that impressed with the chill in the air and the rain on his nose!

Operatunity

Melbourne Trip

Scary Little Monsters

These little bundles of joy are the newest additions to the family, they were a bit of a favourite amongst the boys at the Night Market, but not so appealing to their mothers. So to appease the holders of the purse, a nicer looking softy...



More fun to make than I imagined, so expect to see a few more around here.

Btw, more baby pics here.

Nah nah dah boogie

Its a bit hard to tell from the photo, but, these are some badges I made for the market. They are special little momentos of the Premier of our state.

( not sure if you can see his googly eyes )

this little piggy went to market

The Hobart Fringe Festival is on this week jammed with creativity and frivolity, not the least is the Night Market, which is this Friday night and is always good fun. Live music, food and stalls selling all kinds of wares and this year will include my crafty goddess self.

Yep. I have been collecting my threads and creating some stuff, so be sure to stop by and say hello. It is in the Queens Head Hotel Car Park, North Hobart from 5:30 to 10:30, this Good Friday Night. I will post some creations, be sure to let me know what you think..

... pvc covered pencil pouches

Pyjama Couture

I have been truly satisfied lately making pj's. This is a little combo for my neices 1st birthday, I printed the angel wings a while ago, and the little pants have velvet bows on the bottom are my latest sewing discovery. More on that later..

The Scream

Eight weeks and growing like a weed...

Growing up, boys

Roo'd and very Roo'd

A quick trip to Salamanca Markets last weekend and look what we ran into.

They were part of 10 Days on the Island which is a fantastic arts festival held in Tasmania every couple of years.

The Outlaws

A lot of life in between posts, I don't know where to start. I will spare the details and give you a snapshot...

This is Sacha running through the barrels at Stefano Lubiana's winery

Tortilla boy

Learning to make tortilla's with his Grandma...

Fashion Police part 2

I do not understand why this blog is called Shiny Squirrel, seems like a weird one. But, hey-ho, may be I can't really talk, anyways its a good for rundowns on the shows and other accoutrements. It is not like I can afford the outfits, or would be seen dead in some of them... but, it is a little bit like gossip mags, they appeal to my fantasy existence as the slim, well groomed, stylish, beautiful (in a classic 'good bone structure' sense), international me.

Family Love

A quick update for the fam... more snaps of little Fin and some shots of the boys new bedroom make-over here.

There is also a great post over at the washing line about the time immediately after birth, maybe its the fourth trimester... I can relate completely to feeling connected to the babe as if he was still part of me, his cries really do make me feel pain. Especially when the other boys are misbehaving, the combination sends my stress levels irrationally into overdrive. As he grows bigger and older and is not completly dependant on breast milk, I am sure we will morph into two separate beings and I will feel able to move further away from him than the length of an umbilical cord.

Fashion Police

This baby business is taking a toll on the frequency of posts. I wasn't exactly prolific prior to B3 arriving, but it is a new month and I intend to be more attentive, maybe trying just a little bit harder.

In an attempt to kick-start my month of posts I thought I might share some links to some of my favourite blogs, this weeks theme is fashion police.

This one is definately my current favourite, The Sartorialist, it is a wonderful dose of street style, designer fashion and European splendour. I love it!

And then there was 3...

Another beautiful boy! He was born two weeks ago, healthy and strong, weighing in at 8'11oz. He was without a name for quite a while but we have settled on Finley. He smiled when we asked him if he like his name, so I guess that is an approval. The boys are both enjoying their new brother and smothering him with lots of love and kisses.

Strangely I have been quite busy sewing, but still not too many quiet times to get online, so will update later.