Change

An unexpected moment of quietness in the house. Things have been anything but quiet and settled around here. The short of it is that we've sold our house and frantically looking for a new home to buy not too far from where we live but far enough to feel like it is the change we have been searching for. The boys are moving to the steiner school and it all feels very right. In addition to all the stuff happening my computer with ALL my photos has crashed and burned so I'm using a spare laptop to do all my frivolous busy work. Will be back when we have landed.

Searching for shells on Stockton Beach

The weekend

What was the big deal?

I'm not exactly sure why its taken so long for me to get the confidence to sew myself a skirt. Years ago when Arki was only a few months old I did a beginners sewing course at Spotlight on Saturday mornings. I had to choose two items to learn to sew. I chose a simple A line skirt and a dress. Something happened during these sessions to make me think sewing a skirt was hard. I think it was all that exactness that sewing teachers require and all those pins and all that unpicking. Maybe over the years of sewing shorts I've finally found the joy of sewing without precision. A that will do approach that suits me and my time schedule. I bought this whirly green material a while ago in an opshop. It was a table cloth still wrapped up in its packet (therefore the rusted pin marks where the fabric was attached to the cardboard). I free handedly cut out some pockets and sewed myself up a skirt. Just like that. I am so happy. Why on earth have I been holding out for so long? I've now sewn myself up three of them in fabric that I had been saving for such bold confidence. The best thing is that they take me under and hour. Even with the fussing over the zipper (won't be showing a close up of the back though). Sorry boys, no more shorts, I might need to make myself another skirt.

The story of the root child

My first finished root child. The story of the root children can be found in the story book by Sybille Von Olfers. At the end of Winter and beginning of Spring Mother Earth wakes up the root children. They are filled with rice and very sweet to hold. Only four more of the little things to

make.

Mother Earth

And when all else fails just add a pair of glasses- that will do it. Since the last post I made her a little apron and shawl. The appliqued apple was on a tea towel given to me so I thought it should be put to good use. I found the glasses while browsing in spotlight today. I also found my Mother Earth a broom (useful for Spring cleaning) and a basket to collect the flowers. I'm going to turn into an old lady who delights in the miniture, I can tell.

Next to make- sweet little root children and flower children. Does it look like I'm looking forward to Spring?

Work in Progress

I've spent a quiet morning with my sewing machine and ironing board sewing pencil rolls. My night time routine of sewing has been rudely interupted by annoying but entirely reasonable fatigue (and my favourite viewing activity- Flight of the Concords. We are one episode away from watching what is made..bummer. For those who have not yet seen an episode- I suggest you do.) So I've been sewing pencil rolls and when that got too much for me I clothed my latest lady- she will be Mother Earth, a key figure in our next seasonal window display. The trouble with her is making her look old. I'm hoping with some additions of a knitted shawl, bonnet and apron will aid this effect. The steiner way of making dolls always makes them beautifully child like so ageing a figure like this may prove difficult. All the boys are out at the park and I am, on the last day of the school holidays, loving the peace.