03
AUG
hang in there
I know I've been horribly neglectful of this blog lately, and I'm so very grateful for your sticking around. So many things are taking a back seat at the moment, and I can't promise when I'll be back in the full swing of things. My poor sewing machine has been packed away for months! I am pretty active on Instagram though, mainly because it's so darn quick and easy, and because of the lovely sense of community. If you don't have Instagram, you can still view my feed online. Visit my profile on Webstagram — it would be lovely if you said hello. xx
09
MAY
happy half birthday…
...to my beautiful and oh-so-happy baby girl, who is six months old today (can you believe it??!). Love you to the moon and back, honey.
30
APR
what an amazing baby!
I couldn't help but share this vid with you — my beautiful sister and her gorgeous little Lucy are the stars! (well, I think so anyway)...
19
APR
first taste
Is it wrong that I found Erika's obvious distate for baby rice cereal so damn amusing?! Can't be a fussy eater in this household, my dear! Maybe we'll have better luck with pumpkin...
09
MAR
happy one-third birthday!
This striped little monkey is four months old today... can't put into words how much I love my baby girl. I hope you're all having a lovely day. {pics from my Instagram feed, taken by Nana with her new DSLR — well done Nana!}...
08
MAR
lucy’s first birthday
My lovely niece, little Lucy-Lu, is turning one tomorrow! She's such a gorgeous munchkin. I may not have mentioned it before, but little Lucy was born with a small left hand. It was spotted during my sister's week 12 pregnancy scan, and confirmed at another scan at 15 weeks. All existing bones are perfectly formed...
20
FEB
thank you, thank you
I just realised that I never got around to showing you the little thank you I made to send to family and friends upon Erika's arrival. I had neither the brain capacity nor the time to come up with a new concept, so used the same elements I designed for my niece Lucy's
06
FEB
crochet softie
My beautiful long-time mate Ali made this crochet softie for Erika. Isn't she a star? I have not been brave enough to try — to crochet a softie looks so hard! Aren't home-made gifts just tops? Love, love and more love. Peace out. xo
24
JAN
strike a pose for boondie baby
Check out Boondie Baby's burp cloths latest model! Erika is a natural! To find out more about Boondie Baby's beautiful handmade wares, visit the Boondie Baby website. And here's the link to their burp cloths. Or you can buy online at Made It...
23
JAN
crochet monkey rattle
How gorgeous is this crochet monkey rattle? I just had to purchase when I spied it at Mathilda's Market in Malvern last year. From memory I was either very close to my due date, or overdue — hubby spotted quite a few stares and the odd person pointing at me and my enormous belly. Ah, those were the days...
20
JAN
instagram filter photoshop action
So you know about my Instagram obsession, yes? And how the app has some groovy filters to apply to your photos, yes? Well, a warm vintage filter is really trendy these days, and I was hoping to apply something similar to my high resolution images in Photoshop. I found some actions online,...
18
JAN
Lucy Lu
My beautiful 10-month-old niece, Lucy. She is such an independent and spirited little cherub. Always grinning from ear-to-ear, she is super chuffed when standing or exploring. She has a habit of blowing raspberries when you do something she doesn't like — such as feed her when she's full...
16
JAN
9.5 weeks
Miss Moo is changing so much, a million teeny-tiny changes each day. I'm changing too. I've always been a heavy sleeper, even as a kid. I can distinctly remember my mum and sister sitting around the breakfast table, discussing a violent storm that passed through the night. 'Storm?', I'd ask, and they'd roll their eyes...
11
JAN
8.5 weeks
Blowing bubbles for Mama!
04
JAN
happy 2012
Wow. What a whirlwind eight weeks. I can't tell you how many times I've thought about popping by to say hello! But where to find the time? The days pass with the blink of an eye — I almost miss meals the clock races by so fast! My gorgeous girl Erika is growing so quickly...
04
DEC
meeting the puppies
Arriving home from the hospital on day 5... The boys have received Erika into their home very graciously. Darcy, who has always been Mama's baby boy, was a little sulky at first but has recovered well. They both greet me with waggy tails in the middle of the night when...
23
NOV
first car trip
...on our way home from hospital, five days old. Kiss those chubby cheeks! Mwah!
18
NOV
lovely gifts
Little Erika received such wonderful gifts from friends and family on her arrival. Check out this amazing bunch of flowers from the lovely ladies at work. Does anyone know what this flower is called? It's stunning!
17
NOV
after first bath
Erika's head of dark hair really fluffed up after that first bath! Here she is, sleeping peacefully on day 2 in hospital...
15
NOV
birth of erika joy
No words. Just photos of the most ah-mazing experience, meeting our beautiful one for the very first time. It was love at first sight... gives me goosebumps just thinking about it. More images to come.
11
NOV
welcome, our baby girl
It's a girl! 'George' has finally graced us - Erika Joy, born 4.19am on 9th November. Weighing a scrumptious 7lb 14oz and sporting a full head of dark hair, she is so beautiful it's hard to not cuddle her as she sleeps. We are looking forward to having her home and introducing her furry brothers,...
08
NOV
one week over…
...and nothing. Nada. Zip. Doesn't this bub know how much I value punctuality? Unfortunately I've been experiencing some severe upper abdominal pain for the past three days, which is making the once exciting journey a slow one. My obs thinks I've somehow pulled a muscle/s...
01
NOV
ready when you are
It's official: we made it. Baby G is due today. Sometimes I still find it hard to believe that, with all the stress and worry that we've endured, this little twosome is about to become a threesome. In the super stillness of early morning (I couldn't sleep), the excitement I feel is mixed with the sadness of lost loved ones who will not be sharing...
28
OCT
baby blankie in progress
The little cot blanket I started is coming along nicely — finished the first two bands of colour (of four), just started on the third. It's lovely to have a little project to work on that doesn't involve much brain power. I'd really like to have the quilt finished first, given that winter is more than 6 months away and I probably won't need this little wooly blanket...
25
OCT
39 weeks
39 weeks today, can you believe it? I am amazed at how quickly these nine months have flown. I am so acutely aware that in no time flat (any day now, really), my whole life will revolve around a new little being. This week, I'm seriously slowing down — taking advantage of the opportunity for rest and relaxation. Yesterday arvo I had a two hour...
20
OCT
the (wo)man with the (quilt) plan
Hey y'all! So here 'tis — my cot quilt design for George's room. The centre panel and 80% of the linen panels will be visible on the top, with the rest visible between the cot bars. I was going for a random collection of squares and rectangles in the main panel — I'm already thinking about my next quilt, which I think will be more structured...
30
SEP
cot quilt for george
Here 'tis: the fabrics for George's cot quilt. I'm aiming to keep it quite neutral with natural and grey linen's, with a splash of greens. I've got a design in my head, just need to find the time to get it down on paper (or computer, anyway). I can't wait to get my sewing machine out of hiding! It's been too long, eh Nina?...
28
SEP
baby shower
Last Sunday my gorgeous mum and sister hosted a beautiful baby shower for George and I, surrounded by all the lovely ladies in my life (with a few notable exceptions). There were delicious finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, mini quiches and sweet treats as far as the eye could see. I put in my two bob and made the Lamington...
24
SEP
baby’s room
Welcome to George's room! Still a work in progress (let's face it, I'll be adding and subtracting for years), but most of the bare bones are there. I am really keen to make a quilt for the cot and a felt cushion for the chair — but where to find the time?! I am finishing up work at the end of next week, so perhaps then (along with the other items on...
12
SEP
most nights look like this…
Me in my snuggly PJ's and/or trackies, with Darcy using Georgie as a cosy head-rest — and not seeming to mind the odd bump or kick. xo
17
AUG
baby shower invitation
With an ever-growing belly (and my sister's persistent nagging), I thought it was about time I designed my baby shower invitations. I can't believe how quickly time is flying — George is almost 30 weeks! No mistaking my baby bump for an overly indulgent lunch now. As much as I love it, I really do wish I could get some SLEEP....
01
JUL
nursery decoration
I took this photo a while ago, it doesn't look exactly like this now. Apart from the removal of the plush rug (it was a temporary parking space, our carpet is a lovely grey), these days you're likely to see an ironing board erected in the middle of the room, plus a fluffy nougat puppy (aka Bailey) perched upon a pile of clean sheets...
20
JUN
little tootsies
We had our 20-week scan last week. Oh how amazing it was to see our beautiful, healthy bubba, happily bobbing around on screen. The frame in the above pic contains a card I made years ago. Inside it, the technician wrote down the sex of our George. I should label 'break glass in emergency'! I am pretty sure both...
08
JUN
i know i’m biased, but…
...everyone else I've spoken to agrees with me: this little munchkin is as cute as a button. Above is the thank-you card I made for my sister to send to her lovely friends and extended family. Lucy was about 8-9 weeks old at the time this photo was taken — I can't believe she's already almost three months old. When I see her I want to kiss...
03
JUN
george
I know I've been a wee bit slow on the posts lately, but I'm hoping you'll forgive me — I think I've got a pretty good reason... I've been busy being pregnant! Yup, that's right, I'm up the duff, have a bun in the oven, eating for two. I'm 18 weeks along now, and starting to get a bit more pep in my step (the couch and I became really well acquainted...
27
APR
boondie baby
A very clever friend of mine has recently opened up an online store, filled with her handmade goodies for mum and bubs. There are waterproof change mats, burp cloths, cot quilts, and a whole lot more on offer, all in bright kiddy-friendly fabrics. You can view her current range on offer at the Boondie Baby stores on Etsy...
01
APR
welcome, lucy nina
Say hello to beautiful Lucy Nina. My sister and her husband welcomed Lucy into the world on March 9, weighing 7lbs 3oz. She is the sweetest little bub, I wish I could see her every day! I could take a million photos in five minutes (and post every one of them!), she changes expression all the time, even when she's sleeping...
22
MAR
preggi belly
hurriedly shot these photos of my sister a couple weeks back (hurriedly because the light changes so quickly!) — she would have been about 33 weeks preggo at the time, I'm guessing. She's due in early March, and we're all so very excited. I thought her belly looked huge then, it's hard to believe it's gotten bigger, and will keep getting bigger...
11
AUG
toot toot!
I made this little quilt six months ago, as a first birthday present for Miss Elle. There is a huge love of trains in this household — a beautiful sepia, large-scale photograph of an old (London?) train station adorns the dining room wall, and you will spot little prints and wooden toys here and there. Clever mum, Amber, even made a lovely locomotive...
13
JUL
pampering piper
My mate Ali and I have been friends for 18 years. So you can imagine how chuffed I was when she welcomed her beautiful baby girl Piper into the world... seems like just yesterday. Well, it wasn’t yesterday — a couple weeks ago Piper celebrated her first birthday. And in fine style — mum baked an angel cake and everything!...
02
JUL
welcome, little tahlia
On the 14th of last month, my family welcomed a new addition — my beautiful little niece, Tahlia Mae. From the first, we have all been absolutely besotted with this miniature human. I can’t help but marvel at the miracle of life when I cradle her in my arms. To celebrate her arrival, I have made a little cot quilt, complete with soft...
25
APR
my first quilt…
...and so began my passion for quilting. This beautiful quilt was bought as a kit from a stall at the Australasian Quilt Convention, which is happening again here in Melbourne next week. I will definitely need to pop along to ogle all the beautiful designs and fabrics. I certainly won’t be coveting one of the gorgeous Bernina’s this year...
22
APR
mama bear!
oftie trial no.2 — Mama bear, from the book Softies (see previous entry, Polly). I was quite happy with the result of this cuddly ol’ gal — ears are a little wonky (adds to the charm!?), but I found the wool fabric quite difficult to get a smooth round edge. More practice required! And no, this is not the sewing machine used to complete the task!...
21
APR
polly, the pocket rocket
Meet Polly: my first soiree into the land of sewing. Polly enjoys cool autumn days with warm sunshine and lots of cuddles, but is afraid of residing on a shelf so low that the boys (read: puppies) will befriend her. Ideally suited to a little bubba (no sharp bits or buttons to chew off), I haven’t yet had the heart to part with her — one day!...