Scratch Header

Tonight Charli walked into the kitchen and declared that she really needed to use the scratch header and scratch backer and then picked up the pasta spoon and proceeded to scratch her back with it. The last thing I heard was "ahh, that's better".

Before I Go To Sleep

Tonight we had an awesome dinner which Charli went back for seconds on and the rest of us loved so I thought I would share. The bonus with this meal is that it takes approx 30 mins from start to finish so it one of those 'get on the plate quick' meals. Basically we got 2 chicken breasts and cut them into cubes, then added the Masterfoods Homestyle Marinade in Moroccan. We also grabbed 2 packets of Continental Moroccan couscous and made that up, I also steamed some green beans and then once everything is cooked, mix it all together. Hey Presto, quick meal and yummy to the extreme. I highly recommend you try it or ...... not, but if you don't, you are missing out.

I also did some baking today which is something I have not done for a little while. It was fun and I made Jam Drops which were a huge hit, half apricot and half strawberry, although I do think the apricot are being discriminated against as the strawberry seem to be disappearing quicker.

Oh and I just finished cleaning my kitchen which makes me happy so tomorrow I can sew and that will make me even happier. And now, I go to sleep, but not before I read some more of my very own hardcover version of Twilight.

Lots of Sewing

I have really been enjoying sewing lately, so much so, in fact that I even bought the Handmade magazine for the first time ever. I have also been borrowing Burda magazines from the library. I made a dress for Paige and for the first time ever used a pattern. I was more difficult than I had anticipated as I am not used to being precise, also, I didn't realise that the sizing is SOO different. I made her the size that she currently wears and ended up having to unpick it all and cut it down 2 sizes so that it would fit her. The bonus is that now I have modified the pattern so that it fits her well as she is tall and slim and I have the making of the dress (which is actually quite easy) down so that I don't even have to look at the instructions. So far I have made 4 of them for various people. I can only post 2 at the moment, as the rest are for presents and haven't been sent yet. I will post them once they have been received, wouldn't want to spoil the surprise.

Here are the ones I made for PJ and Charli using the Oliver + S Popover Sundress

Luckily for me, the girls love them and wear them often.

I also made myself a dress which is lovely and light for Summer, this is also from a free pattern I found called Mendocino Sundress by Heather Ross.


And lastly, yesterday I was browsing some sewing blogs, linked from others, to others, to, well you get the idea and I can across a really great blog and got another free pattern which I whipped up yesterday for PJ's best friend. The blog is by Tanya Whelan who is a fabric designer and the free pattern is for a ruffle skirt which I think turned out quite cute.

Paige's Birthday Party

I have had quite a few people ask about PJ's party and how it went. Yes it was a while ago, but I have not posted for a while so that is why there is nothing here about it. Her party was at Fairyfields and was a great success, both for Paige and all the children's who came along. We ended up with 17 all together, all except 2 of the invitees were able to make it and we had an extra which worked out really well as the extra was the younger sister of one of PJ's friends and is Charli's friend so she had someone her age to play with. All in all, it was good fun. I didn't take any photos in the party as I wanted the kids to be able to do all of the activities and have fun and not have to worry about having a Mum watching them or trying to get them to pose for photos. I did take some photos afterwards of Paige, Charli and two of her close friends in their costumes.




PJ love all of her presents, particularly a Moxie doll that she received as she now wants the other girls and also 2 dresses, you can never really go wrong with dresses for Paige. One of the dresses was made for Paige by a good friend of mine and she loved it and wore it the next day to church. I think it has been worn at least once a week since then and she is very careful not to get it dirty. Apparently, I now have to make one like it for Charli. Thanks V. XX

Birthday Girl

Happy Birthday to my gorgeous niece. I have a hard time remembering that she is 3 today since the last time I saw her she was still a baby.....love you Clare :)