If anyone is looking for me...

this is where you will find me. We had a lovely night by the fire last night with friends that have been absent too long, and all too soon will be absent again.

Tonight I plan on being in the same place with some hand sewing.

Hope you find a nice place to keep warm too.

Finished!

Somehow, in amongst the school holiday happenings, I have managed to finish a few things off. Firstly, the birthday present that was in this pile has been finished and gifted.

The zipper pocket holds a set of coloured pencils and an eraser.

Bloss's Milo vest is finished, has been blocked (first time I have ever blocked something and it does make a difference) and even had it's first outing. I wasn't sure about doing the cable with verigated wool but think it has turned out really well.

The little boy doll now has arms and a shirt. I am contemplating shoes, but he seems to really suit bare feet to me (and is going to live in the desert climes of Abu Dhabi so certainly doesn't need shoes for warmth.

Just because it made for a cute photo, here he is again with Poppy's doll.

This sweet little knot doll was a custom order and will be heading off to a new home this week. I think I will be making some more of these for my market stalls - perfect for little bubs.

Last but not least, a random photo of a sock monkey for your viewing pleasure. I needed to be able to link to a photo for something that may turn out to be nothing, or may turn out to be something, or may even turn out to be not a great idea. Who knows?

I'm heading back to my sewing machine now to see what else I can finish while the big kids are out with their dad, and bub is happy to destroy the play room. Enjoy your weekend.

My creative space

This is my creative space in all it's glory, or lack of. I would like to tell you it is messy, but unfortunately this is how it looks most of the time. I do think about tidying it, but that would take away from my carefully snatched crafting time so it never happens. On top of my sewing machine is some black and white cotton that will be turned into a doll dress for a very patient lady. This little fellow is a present for a soon to be three year old. Some close friends moved to Abu Dhabi two years ago, and are arriving back today for a visit. Their little one turns three while they are here and this will be his birthday present. The green in front will hopefully be a t-shirt for him. I had a lot of trouble with his hair but am happy now that it does look like a little boy. And this pile is a belated birthday present for the three year old's brother. He was seven in May but knowing they were coming here I held off on sending a present, and being a very deadline driven crafter will be finishing it today.

Pop over to Kirsty's very tidy corner for more creative spaces.

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

It was the first day of the school holidays today, so I took the kids to the zoo. We bundled up against the cold (minus 4 over night so even though there was blue sky and sunshine, it was freezing!). We got there just as the zoo opened and the animals had either just been fed, or were being fed so they were all very active which was great. Bean was a bit worried before we went in as he thought all the animals would just be roaming around. Once he realised that wasn't going to happen he was fine.

The giraffes were my favourite - they are such beautiful animals and look so gentle and peaceful even though they are huge.

This little fellow was trying to hide in the bushes. It is a bit hard to be inconspicuous when you have such gorgeous coloured feathers.

The zoo here in Canberra isn't big like Taronga, but is a great size for younger kids. We spent about an hour and a half there and saw all the animals without the kids getting too tired and ratty.

My creative space

Kirsty is having a break but I thought that I would play along anyway as I have something to show this week that isn't monkeys or dolls. In my creative space this week I have some knitting. I am making a Milo vest for bub. The pattern is from the gorgeous and very clever Georgie and can be purchased from her store (where she has some gorgeous auctions finishing soon) or on Rav. I love Georgie's patterns as they are all seamless which is perfect for a lazy knitter like me. I can't remember where I bought the yarn but it is a gorgeous hand dyed rainbow tweed. I also have a cup of tea, with some yummy chocolate slice and a cupcake that accidently got left out of the container that went to playschool with Bean for his pyjama party. Oops.... And this little girl has been floating around in my head for a while. I finally cut her out and just need to do some stitching now. Hopefully she will work to plain as I cut into the good fabric.

Hope you are all finding a way to stay warm and dry today.

I realised this morning that it was a year since my first blog post on the 28th June. There will be a giveaway coming up soon to celebrate.

Phew

And just like that, it is all over. After all the late nights and sewing my fingers to the bone I have handed over all my goodies and now just have to wait to see if they sell. Kate from Misschief Maker did a wonderful job yesterday. The space looked delightful with vintage table cloths and an eclectic mix of tea cups, saucers and tea pots. I had a space to display my toys amongst the pots and plants (and free range to use anything I could find for the display), and got a really good response to the toys . There were a few dolls, standing with thanks to my newly acquired doll stands. Some baby dolls too - I especially love this one. And of course, sock monkeys.

I am hoping to have some time to make a few things for my children now, as well as work on some new clothes for my dolls and one or two other ideas that have been brewing.

Hope you have a relaxing Sunday.

My creative (and exhausted) space

I had planned to show you this week all the things I had finished for my big retail launch on Saturday. Unfortunately, not much is actually finished so instead, I get to show you how much more work I have to do between now and Saturday... I have a box full of heads and unstuffed bodies waiting to be turned into cotton kids, and one small monkey waiting to be finished. He is a very patient monkey as he has been in that box for about two weeks poor little thing.

I have a collection of dolls that still need arms and something to cover their poor naked little bodies.

One almost completed outfit, and a pile of fabric on top of my sewing machine waiting to be turned into other teeny tiny outfits for the dolls. Not to mention that I still have to write up care instructions to go with all the toys, and price everything. The exhausted bit of my space is me - I am sorry that I ever complained about a 4.30 start to the day. Last night Bloss woke at midnight, and did not go back to sleep till after 4. I would like nothing better than to curl up in bed right now (Bloss is in bed and the other two are at school) but do you think the pixies will come and finish all my things for me? For more creative (and hopefully well rested) spaces, pop over to Kirsty's.