colouring

click on the image to be taken there now!

Its Stampavie time again!

#16, another challenge, this time a sketch! I love sketches!!!


Here is my entry for this fortnights challenge, using the oh so sweet Sarah Kay Stamp and some of the yummy Cosmo range of papers!





Check out the challenge and what the DT from Stampavie have for their samples too, over at the blog here!

whats up!

hi all

not much to report from this end. Halloween went by quietly - the only trick or treaters we got were this bunch -

yep thats our kids who dressed up a few times and knocked on our door, they weren't allowed to go around the neighbourhood this year so we were it!

Spent Sunday out and about, lots of shopping - window shopping. Met up with Kel (hiya Kel!!) which was great, nice to see a familiar face, pity it wasn't for longer.

Only creativeness I've been up to is playing catch up - - - here are some sneeks from pages at Divas, pop over and check it out. LOVE the Scrap within Reach ranges!

A spooktacular day in stall...

happy halloween

We won't be trick or treating this year, we don't know the neighbours LOL. Kinda a let down after a great party last year, will make me really miss 'home' tonight. Oh well. Kids weren't that keen anyway and I've bought a few lollies in case we get some knock on the door.

I've just pulled out the Xmas clothes from the cupboard, I think I'll have to revise the shorts for the boys, much too short LOL Alesias stuff of course still fits her although again I might add a little length to them. So easy with a basic skirt. Actually the boys are keen to wear their stuff as boxer shorts to bed LOL might just let them do that instead. I must investigate Carols by Candlelight here too.

Anyway, not much planned here, hoping to go to the market tomorrow.

Have a great night, hope you don't get too many tricks but end up with lots of treats :)

PS pop over to the zest blog - some wonderful creative inspiration there ...

stampavie challenge

...this was a toughie! Halloween themed card. ...using a fairy stamp in halloween colours.


Lots of glitter.... and some free downloaded papers!!!
Pop over to the blog to check out the Stampavie DT creations HERE

prizes up for grabs

come over to the Zest Blog for a chance to win these yummies!!!

more photos

yes, I seem to be on photo overload at the moment.

So... the last week or two has been very busy, overwhelming. I've not felt myself either which doesn't help. Scotts going ok, we've had some (although minimal) success in toileting. We are using 'school' (aka daycare) as an insentive for him... he so desperately wants to go.

I went to Harbourtown yesterday, a little retail therapy. Did really well too and had a great day. I ended up with 4 Colarado and Esprit tees for hubby, a pair of pjs each for the kids (summery ones) and boardies for all the kids. We plan to make a few weekender trips to the coast in the coming months so anything for the beach will be handy. I also picked up some shoes and dropped into Pumpkin patch for a pair of shorts and a top for Alesia - that shops stuff fits our little skinny minny so well!

Speaking of the Miss of the house, she got a medallion at the swimming carnival on friday. Yes I am so proud although I got the impression that she wasn't putting in 100% - tough life when sport comes so easily to ones self LOL. She came 3rd and 4th in her races. In the trials she came 1st in everything but I think that the carnival was something 'just for fun' which is a good thing.

My parents are back on Aussie soil - we are glad of that! They picked up a Nintedo DSi for each of the kids for Xmas gifts - can't wait to see them again. And here is what Alesia has made for Nanny for Xmas - a carved candle. Such a cool idea - they dip them by themselves (took almost half an hour!) then the lady carves them for them! $9 for a huge handmade candle. GREAT!

And I know you've had enough of the sewing but I'm almost at the end of it for now ... I promise. 2 lazy day skirts with red sequins for Xmas gifts. Just waiting for the matching singlets to finish drying (painted applique) The waist and bottom are actually purple, not blue like in this photo but hubby has gone to Indy today and taken the good camera!

a peek

keep your eye on the ZEST BLOG !!!!

to answer your question...

Hi Helen, no pattern, sorry. Pretty much just a square (and a square backing too) which I add a few pleats to the top, bind around the sides and bottom then add a tie binding to the top - extra length to form the ties. I've used mainly fat quarters for the front panel so they are probably a little over 50cm in width. Of course you can make them wider or longer, add bigger pleats or just a gather instead of pleats (they give the apron a little more shape)

Speaking of sewing, I gave in to temptation and used the fat quarter of snowman material I got the other day to create this LAZY DAY skirt (thanks to Mel Goodsell!). I've also finished off the teachers aprons today too. Thats 3 gifts all done :) The skirt will go to a little special somebody. I even added a cute little bow attachement with a bell, just to make a little tinkle when they walk around at Xmas time....

publications etc

I wanted to pop in and say that I am in both this months Scrapbooking Memories and Scrapbook Creations. I was really lucky to be asked to join in the sketch feature in SC, and they did a fanstatic job of photographing it... almost true to the real colours.

I also wanted to say thank you for everyone support with our battle with Scott. I'm amazed how common this is, and that noone has ever mentioned it to me before. We have had a glimmer of success but have a long way to go.

sewing

I'm back into sewing... Xmas aprons. I'm using up some of my xmas fabric and it feels great to be able to make some pretty for somewhere to wear on Xmas day. I've got 2 more on the go at the moment, with a frilly edge.

I bought this beautiful small checked bias binding the other day at the quilting shop, paid a small fortune for it but its soooo nice!And I've decided I need a ruffler foot. I love the detail of a ruffle but it takes ages to painstakingly push each bit under the foot, let the needle sew a few stitches then push more in.... I just need to track a foot down and buy it - I know they aren't the cheapest. But I might finally get the courage to make a pettiskirt if I get one LOL
And excuse the poor pic - here is the dress Alesia wanted. Its not exactly proper shirring, couldnt' get my machine to do it properly for some reason - it seriously needs a service!

this pic shows you the fullness of it, originally it was going to be a skirt but she insisted on a strappy dress. I might add a few rows of sequins???

I know, I've caught the sewing bug LOL