So, since my last post we have been on a little family holiday to one of my favourite parts of the world - Cairns, North Queensland. 

This was the view from our balcony one morning.

We did alot of this, 

and this,

Green Island has certainly changed since I last snorkeled here almost 15 years ago. 



It was such a startling reality that this reef has deteriorated to an almost unrecognisable state since my last visit. It was still beautiful but there was so much coral gone and what was left in this particular spot, was bleached terribly by the sun.

This was my five-year-old's first snorkel. We had to retrieve her a couple of times from the shipping channel as she would just swim off chasing reef sharks.

And this is Winter! Miss 8 loves her swimming as much as the rest of us.



It wasn't all fun and games, Master two got his first bout of asthma with a visit to the doctor at 4am,

shortly followed by Miss Five at a more respectable hour of 10pm, the sugarcane had just flowered and we were told this could have sparked the reactions 

And since we have been back we have had some Autumn school holiday fun in the Botanical Gardens

Ocean beach walking

and a three-year-old birthday

And now, I am making a baby quilt in a chevron pattern using strips, not half square triangles as most are constructed.

I'm hoping this is a neutral looking quilt, yes there is a flower but boys can have flowers too - anyway, it may be a girl.......

this is cute

The cute piggy fabric translates to something about the sky being scattered with stars  

and in keeping with the french theme I have chosen this fabric for the back, little bit of pink and a little bit of blue......

Each alternate row of the quilt has a solid colour. I had originally chose this light grey but unfortunately had not purchased enough. I went back to purchase some more and wouldn't you know it - it was all gone. So I got the darker grey and now that I am constructing the quilt I think the lighter grey would have suited more......(insert sad face!)...hopefully once it is quilted in a light coloured cotton it will detract from the dark colour.


Now its time to finish putting it all together.

Happy Stitching all

Susie

Scraptime

A couple of weeks ago, I found I was just getting back in to my digital scrap booking when Creative Memories Australia announced they were going in to Voluntary Administration here in Australia. I was quite devastated as I had bought alot of digital content and we really keen to get going. Now my little one is older it's a little easier to find the time to do scrapping digitally. All I need is me and my computer.

I started trawling the internet and found some great kits for about $5 which were compatible with my Creative Memories package. I went along to Harvey Norman to get one layout printed as was really happy with the result.

The old Creative Memories Australia is going to be launching a new brand over the coming days and I'm really keen to support it. However, I am also glad there are other options out there and things are never as bad as they seem. 

My plan is to do at least one layout per month per child, more for their birthday, and a family layout per month. At Christmas time they will be collated and printed (or throughout the year instead from a budget perspective) and then give to them as their gift from Mum and Dad.

Happy Scrapping (and stitching)

Susie

Disco day for five year olds

Yesterday, my baby girl had her 5th Birthday Party. She isn't five for another week but it was the only day available to hire this facility to house 25 dancing children with ease.

Before the party began we took a couple of family shots, I just love this one of Lily and her dad.

Preparing the table

And yes, there was a disco lady - I wasn't prepared to get up there and shake my groove. My groove shaking days are over. Believe me, this girl worked hard too.

After an hour of dancing, jiving and games we had plenty of hungry and very thirsty children. And what is a party without 'party food'. Lily seemed to be quite happy, as you can tell. 

Now I am no baker. I only made cakes for my kid's birthday's for the first time last year, so I am still a real novice. Usually there is some sort of disaster with the cake and this time I forgot to grease the cake tin!!! Fortunately, my friend came to the rescue and created this amazing ballerina and flowers to hide the terrible icing job I did once I finally got the cake out of the tin. I have decided to do fondant or butter cream icing next year. The only reason I did this pure icing mixture is the kid's love it.

The most important thing was everyone seemed to have a great time and I only hope I have helped create a life-long memory for my baby girl.

Susie



Still on Block One

More slow and steady progress on this Block in My Girls Day out quilt.

I've used Floriani's double sided wonder fusible interfacing and it is quite thick. Fortunately my needles are sharp and are going through the layers relatively easy. Well easier than I had thought. 

Some more slow progress on this cross stitch by Faye Whittaker

(sorry about the picture - can't rotate but uploaded in right position?)

Looking forward to starting this:

And, I was thoroughly spoilt by my friend when she returned home from England. How cute are these? And they can be purchased in a department store like our David Jones? I love it!

(I also received a lovely Liberty lavender satchel but is currently keeping my drawer smelling 'lavenderish')





There hasn't been alot going on craft wise - I finished my mothers day calendars (and forgot to take photo's prior to Mothers day) but was very happy with the way they turned out (and so were the recipients).

Happy Stitching

Susie

FNWF and sad news

I finally decided to join the lovely Cheryll at Gone Stitchin for Friday Night with Friends (FNWF). This has always looked like a fun night to join.

I was all geared up and ready to go, looking forward to watching one of my favourite shows at the same time - Escape to the country.........

Sewed around a couple of bolts of the fabric and got sidetracked with a show delving  in to Breast Cancer, which has always been close to me but even more so right now as my cousin awaits result from two lumps found.

I hope to make more progress on this tonight! I am still on my first block!

In some other sad crafty news, I heard last night that Creative Memories Australia has gone into voluntary administration.

For those of you who don't know who Creative Memories are, they are a US scrap booking company whom I have dealt with on a digital scrap booking level. They do traditional and digital, but I find digital alot more portable with a busy family and toddlers around.

Here is a pic of one of their storybooks you can print digitally. 

I just finished my calendar for my mum and mother-in-law on Monday for Mothers day and do hope there is no issues receiving it. A wonderful way to customise your calendars to suit the time of year. Mine start the month after the last one, this year the calendar will start in June. 

 It really is devastating for the crafting community as we lose yet another part of the market here in Australia. 



'Scrapping' is such a wonderful way to preserve precious memories and execute your crafty and creative side at the same time.





On Wednesday evening I had just set up new projects for the kids and a family album and was so excited about forging ahead with these.

My heart goes out to the consultants whose livelihoods depend on this product. A sad day indeed. We can only hope that perhaps someone will save it.

Fingers crossed.

Susie

French General bag

I was supposed to finish this bag for my February project in the Stitch-a-long. I am a little late. I've called it my French General bag but its not entirely authentic. The big panel at the back and lining isn't French General - I didn't have enough

Once I got started I found this bag very easy to make. The instruction were clear and not convoluted. I was worried at the lack of photographs of each stage in the pattern but I certainly managed without. 

This bag is from the Red Home book by Natalie Bird

Here is my live-in model - Lil.



Happy Stitching all

Susie

A quilt and a pin cushion

I finished this quilt a week or so ago and am still to gift it to the gorgeous bubba. 

A simple quilt in Gypsy Girl fabric by Lily Ashbury for Moda. So bright and cheerful. I had originally planned for a lighter green binding but I thought the darker green spot framed it better. 

Keeping it real with this texta mark on the table.....

Simple quilting with my 'stitch-in-the ditch' walking foot (so easy to use!)

And the personalised back - soft pink floral flannelette fabric. I decided not to do any batting in between. This makes it suitable for the car or bassinette.

Happy Stitching

Susie