I'm still here

I am still here, just very busy. Somehow I am back to working ridiculous amounts again, just when i thought it was over. It really is never ending.

A week or so ago I got some exciting mail, it was my very own copy of the crepe pattern by Colette.

I am so excited about it, I told myself I had to wait until I had finished a huge list of half completed, some not yet started but should have been finsihed long ago projects.  I lasted a week and a half, thats not too bad. The list still isnt done but it can wait. Right?

So tonight I started cutting out.

Tomorrow (after the 9 hours Ill spend at work) I'll start to sew it up.

I'll show you the progress (once I remember to charge the camera batteries that is. I'll add that to the list

The end of denial

I have come to the conclusion that the extra "cushioning" I am carrying around can definately no longer be classed as baby weight. My baby is nearly 3!

Its time to do something about it, for real this time.

So the rules:

1. NO baking (sob) unless its something for the kids that I dont like so therefore will definately not eat

2. NO after dinner snacking, not even a hot chocolate

3. NO chocolate, biscuits, fish and chips, chips, junk food (any of the "good" stuff). I am an all or nothing kinda gal, its the whole block of choc or its none at all

4.  MUST eat breakfast, a proper breakfast

5. MUST exercise 5 times a week - I started tonight, an uphill walk with the lovely Mish. We are going to do it lots

Wish me luck

A week in (mostly) pictures

We spent last week here.

Its such a beautiful place, Callums family have a bach there, it has been in the family for years passed on from generation to generation.

 

Alfie sent a lot of time doing this on the first day and a half

In all sorts of places

There was playing

driving to the mountain to try and find some snow

there was a small amount left in a shady spot

there was a child who wanted to pose for photos constantly

and one who was too tired to even stand

there was looking out for eels (I think they hibernate in winter?)

At night there was marshmellow toasting

and game playing

lots of game playing

during the day there were walks

through bush

to the lake in the rain

in the forest

past heart shaped pools of water

there was confusion iver which direction we were to go

there was hiding



and there were tuis

We dont go there nearly enough.

I don't know why that is.

Everytime we go I promise myself we will go more and then we dont go for another year.

This time we will be back soon.

We will!

It really is typical

Typical.

Really it is.

We are going away tomorrow and the oldest child is sick.
It happens EVERY time we go anywhere.

Actually every single time

Last holiday was Auckland and the small child vommited all through the rental car (ewwwww!)



Although not so sick that he can't....



.... pull funny faces with his brother

until he fell asleep that is

the not so spiky spiky dino hat

These past few weeks have been a bit of a crazy nightmare work wise. I have been working an AWFUL lot. I have basically been working 6 days a week and I wont lie. Its been hell.

All I have the energy to do come evening time is blob on the couch watching trashy TV and either knit (milos) or crochet.  A wee while ago I made these two.

They are supposed to be these spiko dino ear flap hats. However  I couldn't for the life of me work out how to make the spikes so instead I started another hat (they are very very addictive).

This is the latest, finished during last nights complete with loose threads needing to be sewn in.

This time though I was determined to work out the spikes.



and I did

Whoop!

They are of course really easy and I cant believe I had so many issues with them.

Tonights blobbing on the couch project - finishing the spikes and getting them sewn on ready for my wee dino to wear on our holiday next week

small cakes

It was Callums birthday this week.

I made some raspberry and white chocolate friands for dessert using this recipe



Yum



pea coats

I made these pea coats last week (using this pattern) and then spent days looking at them too scared to attempt the button holes. I have a long held fear of the button hole, my old sewing machine (or was it me?) always made a bit of a mess of them and I had never attempted one with my new machine.

I wish I had tried it sooner. I never realised just how amazing automatic button holes are.

I will never avoid a pattern just because it has buttons again.

 Both coats are made of really nice warm felted wool for the outside. For Alfies (the black one) I used an old wool coat that belonged to my mother in law that she didnt want anymore and lined it with some striped cotton. For Lukas' I used some  wool fabric I have had lying around for years that I never really knew what to do with and lined it with some lovely soft brushed cotton.

The pattern was one of the best I have ever used, it was very simple, well thought out with very clear instructions.  the only thing I would change next time is that I would make Alfies a little bit longer.  Seriously though, I can't recommend the pattern enough.

Fortunately for me the boys love them. 

Have to make the most of it, on day they might start to hate wearing made by mum stuff.

Until that time though.......