NIKKI-SHELL

Bitty Bear

I bought this pattern just days before Heidi made an appearance into the world then promptly forgot about it until this week.

I used scraps of yarn from my stash, most of which were donated by this lovely gal.  I think i could have made the base a little larger but for a first attempt at crocheting an animal i think it turned out pretty well.
Esme seems to have claimed this one which is ok since the yarn i used is a little too fluffy for a baby but there's one in the pipeline for Heidi and another for a new baby in the UK.

The winners are.....

.......Big Momma and Allison.  Rodney chose the winners himself and he would like you to know that he enjoyed reading every one of your comments.
If you're in Melbourne and would like to attend one of his classes he is teaching at a number of the Genesis fitness clubs.  Check out his website for more details.

Big Momma and Allison please email me with your postal details and your dvd's will be on their way to you very soon.

Wanna be a burlesque dancer??

This week i have had the best workouts at my Burlesque Beat class at the gym!  Rodney changed the routine around and i really felt my muscles being used.  I'm feeling more confident and i think i may be loosing a little of the post baby tummy too :)
So, because i enjoy the class so much i thought i'd share Rodney with you.  If you can't get to one of his classes here in Melbourne then you may like to try his fantastic dvd.  He has donated a copy of this for me to give away here on my blog.  If you want to dance like Christina or J-Lo, learn a few sexy moves, have fun and get fit at the same time then this is for you.  Of course you have to earn it so leave me a comment telling me why i should send you this dvd and Rodney will chose a winner next week.

Check out this clip of Rodney below.  Some of this routine is what i did in the class this morning!

A little fun at bathtime

The lovely Michele of Calico Daisy contacted me before Heidi was born asking if she could send me something with her beautiful embroidery on for my girls.

Last month these fabulous towels arrived in the post and as soon as they were out of the box my girls were bugging me for a bath so they could cuddle in them afterwards, hence the reason for no photographs until now, they're always being used!
In more detail

Thank you so much Michele :)  My girls love them.

Wool soakers

I use a combination of these nappies and basic flannel squares covered with a snib on Heidi.  Only now she's growing out of the snibs i've had since she was born and they're starting to fall apart.  So, rather than buy more plastic snibs i decided to knit woollen soakers instead.

I found this pattern after a few hours searching the web.  The Punk Knitter's pattern is super easy and quick to knit.  I used some yarn from my stash, a stray ball of Jo Sharp, i think i used just over half a ball.  This soaker is the small size and should fit Heidi perfectly. 
Do i need to lanolise these?  Where can i buy the stuff in Australia?
I'm off to look through my stash for more stray balls to knit a few more.

Amitie VIP slippers

I've been a member of Amitie's VIP blog list since it started which means i receive little packages of wonderful fabrics in the post when i'm least expecting it.
The last package contained these cute kiddy prints.

There is a little competition too in which we are to make something from the fabrics we receive.  Here is what i made from the top fabric, a pair of tie slippers for Mia.

The pattern is from Tissuepapers.
I'm yet to use the bottom fabric but i think it is destined for some bibs for a friends new baby in the UK.

Thanks for the suggestions for ridding the cat smell, i picked up some Urine Off this afternoon which Nicole suggested and tomorrow morning is dedicated to cleaning the sofa.  I can think of much better things to do with my time (such as taking the cat to the sausage factory).

Free to good home

First of all thank you to all that congratulated me on my citizenship.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!

Now, see this little shit?

Yes, she's a little shit.  This little shit has used my living room sofa and carpet as a toilet some time this week.  I can smell it but i'm not sure where it is that she's done it so now my sofa needs a good scrub and the carpet cleaners are booked for Monday. 

She's a little shit.  Anyone want a cat?

PS  I'm only half joking about the 'free to good home'.

G'day Mate!

Last night Kev, Mia and I became Australian citizens!

Finally managed some sewing!

'Built by Wendy' top.  I used some linen type fabric given to me by Justine when she had a stash clearout.  This is my muslin, it doesn't quite fit as well as i'd like it to.  I added the longer sleeves since it's pretty chilly here in Melbourne.  Next time i'll make the sleeves a little bigger and make more room under the arms, i may even lengthen it slightly.  I have a few fabrics ready to make more of these.

Inspired by Suzy i made our grubby two year old pushchair a cover.

I had started making a change mat with this fabric at the end of my pregnancy, quilting it by hand in circles with a green backing.  It of course ended up in the UFO pile so rather than it languish there i cut it to the required size, whipped up some bias binding with red fabric from my stash and added some holes for the straps.  And i did this while i was making dinner the other night, it helps to have your sewing room off your kitchen :)
Close up of the cute chicken fabric,

And this is what i did today,

I spent a little time lay on my back in the park in the sunshine, listening to my surroundings.  Kids playing in the park (mine), birds singing, cars driving by in the distance, a plane flying overhead, a gurgling baby (Heidi), adults chatting, dogs barking, trees rustling in the breeze.  It was nice to just 'be', relax, take it all in and make some time for the small things.

Stripes

I took heaps of photographs this week of vintage patterns i've been kindly sent and wanted to share with you.  I sat down to write a post last night and what do you know, the photographs are nowhere to be seen on my computer!  Either i didn't download them from the camera before deleting them or my computer has gobbled them up and is hiding them somewhere, i'm thinking the former.  I have a yucky cold this week, my head feels like it's about to pop and my eyeballs are on fire! 
Instead i'll show you one of the projects i've been working on, socks for Justine.  I gave her a voucher for  handknit socks for her birthday and she chose red and white (cream) stripes. 

I'm making up my own pattern as i go and i'm pretty impressed with myself!  If they work out well i'll write up the pattern and share it with you.
Now i'm off to read up on growing vegetables and keeping chickens.  Anyone kept chickens in their backyard in suburbia?  How did/do you find it?