Of Pixies and Pirates

We went to a Fairy and Pirate party today. So sweet. So, so sweet. I did my usual lastminute.com thing and went into a frenzy to make Tiny her own little Pixie headband. Excuse me while I still marvel that I made something (besides the wee babe of course).

The Doctor was ridiculously excited - woke at around 6:00am asking if he could get dressed yet. Sadly we had to let him know the party wasn't 'til 2pm (a whole lifetime away for him) and if he could hold out (it was a hot day) that would be better. Boy oh boy, we arrived at our friends home, and off the Doctor went. He's never been there, but he couldn't contain the excitement. He was into it baby!

So we walked through the house to go into the backyard and.. well you know that scene in Bridget Jones where she turns up to the party as the Playboy bunny (let's relive that painful scene together shall we?) and no one else is dressed up.

Yup. Yup that was me. Don't worry - the smalls were all dressed up, even if just partially adhering to the dress code. But me. Yes well, let's just say that I thought it would be fun to go as a sea dog too. Clearly no other adult had been feeling it that morning. Still aching inside that I was the only one singing sea shanties in my head. Ahem.

I baked too. Small fairy cakes. Some people might say I like a little party. If you knew me well, you'd know that I love a party. Big or small. Fancy dress or.. AHEM!

Proof Easter Is Coming

On one of our afternoon walks this week the Doctor, Tiny and I spotted not one, but two rabbits. One was in someone's garden, just hanging out on the lawn. The other (b&w beauty) was hopping about the front lawn - and we often see him on the other side of the road, obviously these are his digs. We love the bunnies!

For me, Easter is a really beautiful time of year. That crisp Autumn air. New life. Too much chocolate. Lazy lunches. Unfortunately that was tainted a little for me when Matt and I first met. We visited one of his cousin's houses for lunch on Easter Sunday. My first 'family' meeting. I was thinking, how bad can this go? Well, unfortunately I was surprised. They served rabbit pie. How wrong is that? I gagged my way through, and ate one mouthful, oh heinous food, and pushed it 'round on my plate. Hideous. The thought still makes me sick to my stomach. I think they thought it was wonderfully witty serving rabbit pie and saying it was the Easter Bunny. I just thought it was wrong. Sheesh. Thanks for the welcome.

So here's a hostess tip for you: if you don't want to ruin Easter for everyone (for years to come - feeling nauseous just thinking about it), do not serve rabbit pie. EVER.

I'm A Late Bloomer...

But I'm twittering.

To be honest, I still don't think I understand it. But I'll try it.

Pip made me do it.

Will you Twitter along?

Sewing Scoop de la Scoop

I think it's week four of sewing classes. I seem to be the dunce in the class, always getting a rap over the knuckles for a number of reasons:

a) not being able to get the bobbin in
b) over-stitching
c) accidentally tacking the wrong piece
d) generally not knowing how to sew

Last week I left with a battered ego. If I wasn't getting in trouble at the Doctor's pre-school for lunch packing technique, I was getting chastised in front of my whole class for my lack of sewing prowess.

Never mind.

I am on the home run for my top. I won't show you it this week. There's not much to show. I'm just hand-sewing the hem, finishing the darts and when I have finished it, I will show you (until then, remember to breathe).

But I am steaming ahead with my stitching. Well slowly steaming. After all, I am the slow stitcher. (See how I got sick of stitching in purple, so I've switched to the pink just for fun - and crazy as it seems, that's what stitching is for me - fun to the power of rad (and something to do while watching this - did you watch it?? That Claire Verity is one nutcase)).

And before you think I am some kind of creative genius, these designs are all from Jenny Hart's 'Sublime Stitching'.

So now it's Friday. Thank goodness. The whole weekend awaiting our hands to mould it into whatever it will be.

We have a fairy & pirate party to attend. Excellent! Tiny cupcakes to be baked. Yeehaaaar! What fun stuff are you up to this weekend? Do tell!

My Creative Space

Cows mowing the lawns at the Taj Mahal in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India (October 2007)
Originally uploaded by Cor Lems

I'm playing along with Kootoyoo's 'My Creative Space'.

This week my creative space... Is mowing the lawn. I lurve it. And I don't follow the traditional up one way down the other way fashion. No. I do roads so the Doctor can race up and down (well away from the mower), on his bike.

So while I'm not using a cow to mow the grass, I am still being a wee bit creative. Does this count?

Won't you play too?

Family Tree

Pip at Meet Me At Mikes is playing a sort of game tonight. A wee family tree. I'm playing too:

My Mars (my grandmother): sewer, crocheter, knitter, embroiderer (crazy, crazy good), painter, baker, big hugger.
My Mum: sewer, embroiderer (crazy crazy good), quilter, baker, sculptor, ceramicist, big-time hugger.
Me: sometime writer, sometime poet, novice-sewer, novice-embroiderer, super-nova hugger.

Won't you play too?

I Bought A Piece of Linen

Amazing isn't it? That I didn't just find a piece of nice linen lying on the side of the road? Not this time. Maybe another time. But for now, I settled for a remnant of this linen which feels luverly.

I'm just stitching with no finished project in mind. Just stitching. Just me and my floss and needle with nowhere to go.

I've been absent from around these parts. It's true. All I have to say is: I scream, you scream we all scream for ice cream.

One Might Think That One Might Give It A Rest

But one doesn't, does one?

Not even in the teeming rain, when I was thinking - sheesh, this might turn into hail - even when my windscreen wipers were going into overtime did I think, nah - I won't pull over. No siree.

Sensei says junking requires pure dedication. Sensei says even if you get rained on, even if the neighbours are staring, you still go junking if you want to hit the goods. Sensei says sometimes gloves are required.

But not today.

Coming home from one of life's most mundane shopping trips (bras, why can I never find a pretty/nursing bra in my size?) I took a couple of detours. I always go the back streets, and this is where I yield most goodies.

So today's prize may not look like much to you. But it is. Those coathangers are gold. I am mad for a vintage coathanger. One day I'll show you my most prized one. That box is going to house some of my collections. And that hat. That hat was worn by a high court judge (not that you care, but it's part of my little community), onceuponatimethankyouverymuch. Everything that has a story is worth getting out of the car in the rain and getting soaked for. Even when you're in a white top and you could consider getting down to your local pub for the wet t-shirt competition afterwards. Even then.

I Didn't Tell You About The Cot

Yesterday I posted a really dodgy photo of the new (to me) vintage cot I bought at the estate auction. But I didn't tell you how it got home.

Ah yes, there's a story there friends.

Initially Matt was fine with my purchases. After all, he was home with the smalls, and really had no idea what I was up to. Well, maybe he had some idea, given I am the woman who goes out for milk and comes home with a new cupboard - 'hey look what I found on the side of the road!'.

By the time we went to pick up our goodies it was dark. I had also managed to snaffle a gorgeous table, four chairs and a stool for the bargain price of 50 clams. It was their breakfast table and is now totally and utterly continuing the love-in with us as our new desk (seen in yesterday's post).

Back to business, Matt was hmphing and pmphing about - under the guise that he was not pleased with the amount of stuff I had successfully bidded on. But who could be unhappy with paying $5 for that cute little cradle, and the cot, and a huuuge Emmalunga pram (that I don't want). And the other random stuff shoved into that vintage cot that I had to WHEEL ALL THE WAY HOME BY MYSELF WITH AN IRONING BOARD ON TOP IN THE DARK.

Did you just read that last sentence again? No, no need, you read it right. Yes. Me. In the dark pushing a cot around deepest, darkest suburbia by myself like some crazy cot/trolley lady. I was praying I wouldn't see anyone. But you know, of course I would. A man walking his dog. I was surprised he didn't cross the road to avoid me. Cars drove past with lights blazing and I am sure they slowed. I know they slowed.

Inside houses, people could hear this strange, faint clickety-clack while they were watching Sunday night TV. It was me. Me and the cot. Of course Matt was nowhere to be seen. He was at home (HMPH!) waiting for me. And that's what husbands of junkers do.

However, this came home a few weeks ago. And it wasn't by my hands. Nope. Someone else who has legs long enough to reach the pedals in the car picked this up from the side of the road and brought it home for me. It wasn't the Doctor. Nor was it Tiny. Can you guess who's got the bug?

My Creative Space

Let's use the term 'creative' very loosely for my space at the moment. There's not a whole lot of creative going on here, unless you count wordsmithing.

So we have my teacup; my tools of choice - my laptop and the phone; the remote control; a 'Sorry We Missed You' courier card - even though I was here the whole time; my diary; a crumpled receipt; my work notebook; the Doctor's artwork over yonder in the corner; some cookbooks; and of course, what creative space would be complete without talcum powder?

Truth be, the talcum powder sits at my right hand ready to dust onto those pesky ants that keep invading. Clearly, they've still not got the message.

Speaking of pesky invaders, this is the cot I bought at the estate auction. I've just discovered it's got borers. Any way to get rid of those unwanteds? (sorry for the dodgy garage photo).

Nip on over to Kootoyoo to check out who else is playing today!

Do You Love...

Augie March the way I do? If you don't know them, you really should, they are super dooper good. Go on and check them out. They're a cool Melbourne band.


There are lots of good things in Melbourne. The hub of cool. And it's for this very reason that I think I need a trip. A small family holiday. Or even a long weekender. Soon-ish.

Oh - and if you're looking for me, I'm sometimes over here. You should check it out. Perhaps you can help?

Detention! The 2 for 1 post.

Pre-school for the Doctor is awesome. He loves it. There's been no tears, just pure unbridled excitement. He digs it in a solid gold kinda way. He doesn't know any names yet, but that's soon to change. Once we're there, he is in the zone and plays, barely even looking up to say goodbye. It's ace. The Doctor is really hitting his stride. And when I pick him up he is thrilled to see me (of course, who wouldn't be?) and talks non-stop about what he has done for the day.

Pre-school for me however... Well I feel as though I am borderline detention. Every time - and I am not fibbing - every single time I have dropped him off, I get a rap over the knuckles for something. Usually - food.

It's not that I send the Doctor with junk food. No siree. He goes with a fruit salad, yoghurt, sometimes homemade biscuits, a sandwich, vegetable sticks, more fruit, you dig? (Remember when you helped me with all those ace ideas??) They asked me last week if I could pack them a banquet lunch. So no, it's not the food that's the problem.

It's apparently the way I pack it.

There are four different places to put food.

Morning tea - fridge.

Morning tea - non-fridge.

Lunch - fridge.

Lunch - non-fridge.

I sort out the food on arrival, every time I am in the midst of doing so one of the Doctor's teachers comes over to tell me: please put them in a bag together; that container's too big; does this really need to be refrigerated?; oh yes that watermelon is leaking; can you not put the Doctor's lunch in that bag - he can't open it.

Ah yes, I love always feeling like such a numbskull. Over a lunchbox. Believe it or not, I do function in society. Hard to believe when I can't even manage to pack my son's lunch correctly, that I actually held down a full time job. Incredible, I know.

So this brings me to sewing last night. I whizzed to Spotlight yesterday and picked up some cottons and sewed up some bags for morning tea and lunch. Et voila! The watermelon still leaks but at least it's in a bag now.

In case you're wondering - in lieu of making lunch bags, I gave up the opportunity to finish up my top (which incidentally is a VERY expensive top given how much time I have spent on it).

Here ends my rant for today.

Meme: Photo-rama

Amber from The Nutrients Of Life tagged me. Hi Amber! The rules are:

"Open the 6th picture folder on your computer, open the 6th photo and blog it. Write something about it. Then tag 6 more people to do the same."

So this is it. This is Tiny. On her first birthday. In fact, she's waiting for dinner. Oh so patiently. Biting her finger. Perhaps worried she's not going to be able to stay awake for her birthday cake?

The Doctor, Tiny and I had been for a birthday picnic. Tiny had been crawling through the grass. Tiny was pooped. Tiny was filthy. Tiny was ridiculously cute. Tiny has very blue eyes. I have brown eyes. I like to call them chocolate to remove any connotations. Tiny is a cheeky mouse.

The table was set with one of my favourite vintage tablecloths, a bunch of aggies, and of course - no surprise here - dinner. I can't even remember what it was.

And here's Tiny post-dinner, with the stare bears.

And so it is that I must tag six more. Here we go, rapid-fire:

- the uber-stylin' Claerwen at Homegirl

- birthday girl super sewin' Cindy at Bug and Pop

- witty, wonderful Hoppo Bumpo

-funny, vibrant new mummy Sally at Georgie Love

- effervescent, inspiring ideas a-go-go Christie at Pigeon Pair

- the ever-craftin' ever thriftin' gal with the nose for gorgeous finds, Kootoyoo

- style zeitgeist Holly from Vegan & Vintage

- Ergh, obviously that's more than six, and really, I just tag everyone. But everyone's probably already played. Please let me know if you play!

These Are Why I Always Check PostSecret Every Week

What's your secret?

Remember when I told you one of my hoarding secrets? Well I never actually told you my worst thing that I hoarded. Ahem. That would be - (and possibly I still have them because I can't-bear-to-part-with them) my wisdom teeth, and four stitches in a specimen jar. Just in case I need them.

via

Happy V-Day Lovers!

Originally uploaded by Lisa Kettell

So I forgot. Every day's a good day to be in love, right?

Sold! To The Lady With The Voice.

This was my name last weekend. 'The lady with the voice.' I went to my first estate auction. 600 lots of pre-loved goodies. 600 lots. Count 'em. Do you know how long this took. All. Day. Talk about dedicated.

Along with being known as 'the lady with the voice' I was also known as 'the lady with the red and white hat', but I prefer having a voice. I was way up the back (in the cheap seats) bidding on whatever anyone else didn't want (read: looking for bargains of the vintage kind).

One of the lots I managed to snaffle was a vintage cot - but was really a whole lot of goodness to the sweet tune of - wait for it - wait for it - $5.

$5!

Included in the lot was this ridiculously cute dolly cradle that Tiny thinks might be her new bed. While she is sorely mistaken, it is a cute beddy bed for her dolly, though Tiny has beaten her to it and is lying in it in anticipation for her own bed time.

Apologies for the blurry photos but it's difficult to negotiate lying still with a 14 month old with arms and legs a-flapping.

PS - It's Mrs Bug and Pop's birthday today. Go on over and give her some birthday wishes. She's had a big week doing this.

My Husband Is Not Herb Ritts. Or Mario Testino. Or Helmut Newton.

Is it week two of 'The Chronicles of PottyMouthMama's Sewing'? I can't remember and I can't be bothered to trawl through the back issues, so let's call it two (or you can just call me bone-lazy), shall we?

So here it is. The top I've been working on for the past two hundred years. Since I sailed in on the tall ships. Ok. Not quite. But it feels this way. For a 'very easy' pattern, for me, it's particularly 'un-easy'. I can hmph and pmph around the house all I like, but at least my sewing teacher has told me I'll be done and dusted next week. Roll on new project!

Mario, oh - I mean Matt, must have got the brief wrong. He was taking photos of my tired head. I caught him just in the nick of time - and here it is. If you think it looks a little crummy let's put it down to Matt's photographic technique, yes?

My sewing class is largely made up of middle-aged women (not that there's anything wrong with that). Making cushions and curtains. They have sewing skill. I have nil. In fact, everyone in the class is working on something totally random, whatever they want. It's a little frustrating because I seem to spend half the class waiting for help on the next bit. This week, I spent most of my time waiting for help with the darn bobbin. Every week, it's always about the bobbin. It intimidates me. That small yet integral circle thing. It's tricky.

My way to combat the waiting is by starting up a few simultaneous projects. What project are you working on at the moment?

Dream A Little Dream

Originally uploaded by Sing It Pretty, Sue

Here's to dreams, however big or small they may be. Keep them alive, whisper them into the wind, tell your sleepy lover, write them on a scrap of paper, shout them out from the rooftops, keep them close to your heart, call a random phone number and tell a stranger. Whatever you do, keep your dreams alive.

Ways to Help

Edit: I've just found this really great link listing all the different agencies and ways you can help. Click through, there are some really great, and practical things we can do.

I'm feeling a little edgy because I'm trying to think of more ways to help those in need right now.

The best way to help at the moment is with money. The Salvation Army has now said they are at capacity with clothing donations (they've got too much at the moment), and they are requesting money contributions for now.

ALSO - please be aware of the fraudulent appeal scams. These people do exist (I've come across them before) and they prey on people in these sad times. If you give money, please ensure it's via a reputable collection agency such as The Red Cross or The Salvation Army or the wildlife funds listed below.

If you've got itchy fingers like me there are loads of ways you can help:

Cindy and Pip are madly updating Handmade Help all the time. Go over there. Every time I log on there's something new that's been posted - which means that there are loads of generous crafters hosting their own auctions, Etsy sales etc in aid of the bushfire relief appeal. This is a great thing!

Georgie Love is contributing is generously contributing 10% of all profits for the month of February to the Bushfire Relief Appeal. Go forth and shop!

Rach over at Grandy and Baa has added more applique designs, and is looking for crafters to join her to stitch/crochet/knit/chat/stuff whatever it is you're making as a group. She lives just north of Sydney.

As well, you'll see on the left a new button - when you hit it, you'll be instantly teleported to Handmade Help HQ. Silly Gilly is the genius behind this button.

And finally, but by no means should you forget the animals who have been injured in this devastation. By now, I'm sure you've read about Sam the koala who was found by CFA volunteer David Tree (now how apt is that surname?). If you'd like to give money to help look after these animals, please call WILDLIFE CONNECT - 13 11 11 or log onto Wildlife Victoria. Koalas cost approximately $50 per day to care for (Sam will be in care for approx. 5 months), so they need funds to keep things rolling. These animals have lost their homes and many are suffering burns and have been traumatised. Please help if you can.

If you visit Holly's store HOKEY, she's donating 50% of all sales to Wildlife Victoria. Check out that beautiful swallow necklace.

first image via

second image via

On Repeat: Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu

The last few days I've been playing a lot of this. It resonates with me right now. Maybe you'll like it too.



You can visit his website here or here.

Hello Friends

There's not much to say at the moment. So I'm just going to give you some new links of ways to help those who have suffered due to the bushfires.

Cindy at Bug & Pop has organised a new blog HANDMADE HELP exclusively for fundraising - eBay, etsy, or even how to send your goodies to someone in need. There are already lots of great things happening over here, so click over and check out what you can do.

Rach at Grandy and Baa has added a cute apple perfect for applique. It's easy - even I can do it. You can email Rach if you'd like to send her something(s). Also - she lists some thought starters of things people need - such as clothing, quilts, blankets, bibs, hats, wraps etc.

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service had over 6,000 new people register to donate blood yesterday alone. Blood is used to make all sorts of products for burns victims. While their supply is adequate for now, they will need ongoing supplies to help in the recovery of these patients. Think about giving blood. I did. I'm booked in.

Here's something you can easily do - do your grocery shopping at Coles on Friday. They are donating ALL profits to the Red Cross Bushfire Appeal.

And Pip of Meet Me At Mikes has done an incredible menu on her sidebar (see right hand side) which lists plenty of other ways to show our solidarity in helping these people.

Help. Support. Love. Let's Spring Into Action!

I know you know what I'm talking about. It's headline news all around the world. I know our country is shattered and shocked.

Pip of Meet Me At Mikes fame is acting as a drop-off point and collecting handmade items such as toys, quilts, clothing and baby items. Meet Me At Mikes is at 63 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy, Victoria. Pip has also listed other ways you can help - because at the moment - money is what the charities are looking for - for everyday things - nappies, clothing, toiletries, food etc.

If you're in Sydney the very clever Rach at Grandy and Baa is collecting handmade clothes and toys. Rach has already started work, so if you've got a way with a sewing machine, sew up something special for someone small, they really have nothing, softies I am sure would be of particular comfort. And there are a number of children who have been left with no parents - heart-breaking. It's all so heart-breaking.

Pip of Broken Bits of A Something has compiled a comprehensive go-to list of what else you can do. This includes helping the animals, mobile phone chargers (we all have these lying around unused), land, blanketing, animal accommodation.

If you can't donate money, donate blood, if you can't donate blood, donate bedding, towels, clothes, anything. These people have nothing.

Hook, Line & Sinker

I can't crochet. I won't even pretend. Heck. You know me, I've been learning to embroider and learning to sew clothes. I certainly can't get with the hook - not yet anyway.

But for all you hookers out there, I thought you might be interested in this awesome project I came upon whilst on Facebook (yes, yes already told you it was a slow Saturday night).

As a contribution to the world-wide phenomenon initiated by The Institute for Figuring, In Stitches Collective is facilitating the creation of the ‘Sydney Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef’ to be exhibited publicly in August 2009. They're inviting people to become involved in this wooly celebration of the intersection of higher geometry and craft, a testimony to the disappearing wonders of the marine world. An inclusive collaboration that builds environmental awareness and links communities through science, mathematics, art and craft. It's a collective project that already involves thousands of people worldwide and continues to grow exponentially.

By hook or by crook you should get involved. BOOM! BOOM! Sorry, I couldn't help myself.

You can learn more here.. Or visit the blog here. Or read about it on SMH here.

The Ants. They Are Winning.

Damn the black ants. An endless stream seem to be marching into our house. All over the kitchen bench - no matter how many times I wipe it. In the sugar bowl, I get them out, only for Matt to discover an hour later that they're back, and this time they've brought friends.

Tiny drops plenty of meals for these small creatures. But I sweep them up. She's intent on feeding them methinks. If I happen to miss a piece of toast, or a well squashed piece of peach - well they jump right on it. There'll be a trail leading in and out the door.

Don't get me wrong. I always loved ants. I had an art farm when I was a kid. I was endlessly fascinated by their tunnels, they're intelligent little things. Yet, they don't seem to be terribly intuitive. We don't want them in the house. Sneaking under the benchtop. Tag-teaming with the next round of ants as they carry out their specks of sugar.

Who do they think they are? Uninvited guests are always the pits. Spiders are particularly one of my least favourite, and lately I seem to attract grasshoppers too. Eeeeek!

But it's these ants.

Have you got the perfect chemical-free way to rid PottyMouthMama HQ of these pesky punters?

I've tried crushed mint leaves at the door. No cigar.

PS - You know you're having a slow Saturday night (AGAIN - what happened to my social life?!) when a) you're posting about ants; and b) Matt looks over and discovers you're scouring Google Images for a suitable ant picture. There's a song for this.

image via

If Anyone Wants Me...

I'm on the couch watching this.


Shh - don't wake the kids.

Beware The Cute Attack!

Today we found a baby, baby, baby brush-tailed possum. So wee. So cute. So darn soft. So I called WIRES to find out what to do with this wee one we found in the bouganvillea. He looked more like a tiny kangaroo than a possum. Sweeeeet! And the smalls were totally into him. They luuuuurved him.

I dropped him off to a local vet, and they'll feed him, and organise a carer - he needs feeding four-hourly - just like a newborn. Phew! We're just getting over that, so I won't be raising my hand for night duty, that's for shizzle.

More interesting reading here:

- why dirt's good (heck, I'll just keep putting off cleaning the floors in the interests of a healthy family)

- a new, difficult movie on its way (I couldn't think of another category other than 'difficult')

- and I've just picked up this book after a good friend recommended it. Have you read it?

It's Cake O'Clock!

Yesterday I mentioned I did some baking while the Doctor was at pre-school. Something I enjoyed immensely because it's been a long time between cakes when I could wield the wooden spoon and not have someone small pining for a taste test. Just me and the bowl and the spoon. Ah yes, I remember this freedom of baking.

The Doctor has been asking for eons if we could make a chocolate cake. For some reason even unknown to me, we just didn't do it. Yesterday I baked the little dude his very own 'Hey-You're-At-Preschool-And-I-Know-You're-So-Thrilled-And-Perhaps-Not-So-Thrilled-That-I-Picked-You-Up-Early-But-Hey-I-Missed-You' cake.

Et voila! (see the small hand in the frame - ready to pounce!)

My sister's recipe. You can visit her blog if you like. Though for some reason she and her blog have taken some kind of vow of celibacy and she's not blogged since September 23 (8:51pm to be precise). Not that I'm taking notes. But she's just moved back to Sydney, you'd think she'd have something to say, apparently not. But anyway, her recipe is damn fine and damn easy. Even Marie Antoinette might like more than just one piece of cake, cake, cake.

And while I'm here, some interesting reading to keep you going:

- for anyone that has to endure hours of TTTE

- do you believe that Freecycling can become bigger than hard rubbish throw out? I don't.It would be good if it did, but then what would I do as a hobby (priorities!)? And anyone some people just don't dig the internet. Or as they might like to call them - the internets.

- do you love Maggie Gyllenhaal like I love her?

The Real First Day

It's the Doctor's first full day at pre-school. I'm fluctuating between being teary and trying to get all the boring jobs done before pick-up. Tiny's in a grumpy mood sleeping, so I'm washing, baking, blogging and trying to tidy this never-tidy house. I hope the little dude is ok.

This is a photo of my two punks together this morning. Tiny - as mentioned - in a filthy mood. Needless to say, she has not been introduced to the puppy (from my previous post) as yet. Once she is, I am sure she can turn that frown upside down.

Aye Aye Tailor!*

Tonight I learnt how to tailor tack. Do you know how to tailor tack? Clearly, my life was lacking, I was in wont, and now my life is fulfilled. I know how to tailor tack. Go me!

This is it. My top in progress. Looks like just a bit of fabric? Well - look closer and you can see my mean overlocking! Look even closer and you can see my tailor tacking AND pins for the pleats. Wow - it was a big night for me. I wasn't meant to overlock - but I snuck on anyway, given it's my favourite part!

And look what followed me home. This Fisher Price puppy walker thing. I'm going to give it a bath with some nice disinfectant and Tiny can try it out.

AND - I promised a shot of my colourful flowers. They're still not potted. Tomorrow, once the Doctor returns from pre-school perhaps?

* PottyMouthMama supplies all puns free of charge. She will never charge you for a pun. Not once. Enjoy them. As many as you like. She's bound to load at least one into each post.

Back To School: Sewing Class - Second Session - Week 1

So it is dear reader, I'm heading back to sewing lessons tonight with a vision. I may not be Karl, but damn fool, I'm going to get this top I started last year happening so I can at least wear it in the intended season. Summer. And if that fails, then I'll just stitch up some more pyjama pants - because you know how I love to stitch those babies up, even if I do have a wild tendency to stitch the legs up. Problem? The Doctor hasn't even worn the top once!

Did I mention I found a sewing machine on the side of the road? No? Well I did - on Tiny's birthday. I just am a little scared to rev it up. Just hold tight. Ok, coming to you live - I just tried her out. Sewing is dangerous, isn't it? She started up, then flick - the needle broke off and hit me in the forehead. YOUCH! It hurt. I told you it was dangerous. Next time I may have to wear goggles in class of flying needles.

While I have you, I've done a wee bit of tidying here at PMM HQ. I have updated my link list, and am updating my playlist, and you'll notice a few more changes around here soon. I did change the background to a buttery yellow - for all of two minutes - before I went back to white. White's tight, right? I was meant to update yonks ago, but didn't get to it, so I figure if I take the same approach I do to decluttering our home, it will eventually happen. You'll still feel at home dear reader!