My creative space

Today's creative space is a special one. Two years (and one day) ago I gave birth to one of two of my most precious creations... Miss A.

Here she is twirling in the dress that was made especially for the occasion.

These two years have been a whirlwind. Having two kids very close in age can certainly have its tough times but these little girls make me smile every day.... especially when twirling!

We had family over for dinner which I love to do. Birthdays were (and are) always cause for celebration in our family. Miss A was certainly spoilt.

No less than 3 cameras were pointed her way when the cake came out. She positioned herself (along with her sister) infront of it and proceeded to pull all the butterfly wings (aka chocolate freckles) off the cupcakes. The event was well documented by the family :)

Last but certainly not least is a big thank you to my mum. I hope Im as patient as she is when my girls are older.

Happy birthday baby!

For more beautiful creative spaces, head over to Kootoyoo.

Another completed project

Hot off the sewing machine.... a new bag. Yes Im very pleased with myself. I managed pleats, box corners, turning and interlining... something i'd never heard of before. The bag is bigger than I though it would be. I was thinking more handbag. This could be a nappy bag considering its size. Im hoping the person I made it for (for a fundraiser) will like it. Im hoping the fabric isnt too old fashioned. I'll have to ask my teenage niece. .

Front of bag with a small tab and button close. Not particularly secure but looks nice and its super easy (and doesn't involve zips which I've yet to master).

Inside complete with two pockets that are way to high (followed the pattern). Should have listened to mum and sewn them on lower. Why do I doubt my mums advise? She is the best seamstress I know..!

The bag pattern can be found here . The pattern instructions were OK. There was one page missing from the pdf pattern download and some of the steps weren't super clear but you had enough to work it out. Just a word of warning. If you haven't done boxed corners, the instructions weren't that clear. If you want to try boxed corners click here for a great tute.

In other news, took the girls to the zoo on the last nice day of autumn last week. Here are some shots Miss G and I took.

Visiting the butterfly house. We've had to by-pass the butterfly house on the last few visits as the line was hideously long due to the baby elephant being on display (the butterfly house is on the elephant trail).

Riding an elephant.

Baby A exclaiming 'Woooowwww!'

Miss G's shot of the giant tortoise. It was the first time we'd seen one move despite ALWAYS visiting the display on our zoo visits (atleast once a month). It was pretty speedy. As you can see, Miss G was hiding behind another kid as the keeper had told the kids to stay behind the barrier because the tortoise liked fingers. Miss G demanded to leave soon after this picture was taken.

Lattice quilt top finished

I have finally finished the lattice type quilt top today. It took me a while because half way through I changed my mind and wanted to put a border around the body of the quilt. This meant that I needed more of the polka dot fabric and as I'd only bought fat quarters. Well that was my excuse for going to visit Patchwork with Gail B in Bayswater as I'd originally bought the fat quarters from the store at last years Quilt Convention.

Here are the pics. The arent great. Even I, the clueless one with no idea about photography, knows that its a no no to take pictures with the natural light in front of the camera. However, I wasnt going to to rearrange the furniture to get a good picture (and it would also mean picking up all the toys / clothes and miscellaneous stuff on the floor). Once ive quilted it I will take a better shot. I just though i'd put these up b/c im pleased ive finished it and it gave me an excuse to post a blog entry.

Mum, if you're reading this, guess what you'll be helping me do on thursday :) :)

In other news, my poor babies are sick. They have horrible coughs and Miss G, who is a cheeky little monkey, has been very subdued and generally quiet. This is the longest time shes been sick. There is still alittle cheeky in there though. Here is a shot of her and Libby, our dog. Libby got a makeover and then Gill decided she was going to have a lie down in Libby's corner.

Baby A can also be seen giving Libby a 'pat'. Libby, the long suffering dog, put up with it all. She is a very good natured dog.

Before I go, I'll leave you with a funny by Miss G. Ive posted most of her funny sayings up on my facebook status but I thought I'd share them here as she is a funny little mite.

The first funny I'll post occurred a few months ago whilst attending a christening. Our family are by no means religious but we will go to church when invited for someone's special occasion. Gill does love visiting churches. She (at the ripe old age of 3) really loves the big, pretty buildings. She especially loves Orthodox churches with all their candles and their weddings, as they usually throw lollies during the ceremony.

So getting back to Miss G, on this particular visit to a church, a friend, her little girl and Miss G went to the front of the church while the baby was being baptised. As the priest poured the water of the baby's head, Miss G asked our friend what he was doing to the baby. Our friend gave Miss G an explanation along the lines of the priest was putting a special prayer on the baby for Jesus. Miss G, not knowing who or what Jesus is, asks 'whats Jesus?'. Our friend giggles and tells Miss G that she'll explain it after the ceremony. A few minutes later a child a few pews back starts to talk. Miss G turns to our friend and says 'I think I can hear Jesus'.

Short and sweet

Ive not been crafting lots of late. Ive been reading lots. Ive been reading this heartbreaking blog. I cant go more than two entries without tears welling in my eyes. I want to tell you not to read it but you have to. So you can cuddle those little terrors that drive you mad day after day, who throw food on your floor after you've just cleaned it and nag you every 5 minutes for chocolate when you have a huge fruit platter in front of them. And for Maddie.