Verse in the Vines

Today we went to Verse in the Vines at Mount Majura winery. A great event where four local poets conducted readings of their work in the barrel room at Mt Majura while the receptive audience enjoyed a glass of wine. We went with Mum, Grace, Jason & David, and Elliott (of course)! While it wasn't exactly 'child friendly' (what was I thinking?!?) Simon and I took turns listening to the poets while one of us minded Elliott out in the (much noisier) cellar door area.
My favourite poets were Michael Byrne and Melinda Smith, especially her poems about being a mum!

Local poet Melinda Smith during her reading

Simon trying to get Elliott to sleep!

Mount Majura

Next Time

I found this beautiful little poem today. I hope it inspires you to stop and appreciate the beauty in the everyday, as it did me.

Next Time by Mary Oliver

Next time what I'd do is look at
the earth before saying anything. I'd stop
just before going into a house
and be an emperor for a minute
and listen better to the wind
or to the air being still.

When anyone talked to me, whether
blame or praise or just passing time,
I'd watch the face, how the mouth
has to work, and see any strain, any
sign of what lifted the voice.

And for all, I'd know more -- the earth
bracing itself and soaring, the air
finding every leaf and feather over
forest and water, and for every person
the body glowing inside the clothes
like a light.

Happy Mothers' Day

Happy Mothers' Day to all the mums out there (especially the first timers and my own mum)!

I hope all mums were as lucky as I was this morning to have breakfast in bed with my boys.

Our morning

waking up... to this mobile in the red & white nursery


feeding & surfing... multi-tasking in a post modern way



changing... into comfy cloth nappies


dressing... into a slightly too big, but oh-so-cute outfit


exploring... (with some trepidation) in a sling close to mum - nice and safe and warm

Baby toes

My 8 week old's sweet baby toes in mummy-made PJs

What could be more satisfying?

Elliott is 4 weeks old!

My gosh, how time flies! Our beautiful baby boy is now 4 weeks old and seems to be growing bigger every day (probably because he is)! This morning he gave his first real smiles (that couldn't have just been wind)!


Slowly but surely we are working out this parenting caper. Elliott is feeding well and is a pretty good sleeper at night. Not so much during the day, but at least that is the right way around.

Last weekend we had a visit from Phoebe, Josh and 8 week old Genevieve. She seems so active and alert in comparison to Elliott, playing on the play mat and giving mum lots of smiles.

This photo is evidence that we even leave the house! Who says having a baby changes your lifestyle?? It just means that you need to feel comfortable wearing outfits with baby vomit on them in public (see spillage above).

Actually, it has been a big change, but we're settling into Elliott's rhythms and the slower pace of life which sleep deprivation mandates. I am working my way through trashy DVDs, avoiding the worst of daytime TV and thinking about reading, sewing and resuming exercise (all of which seem to involve a bit too much energy at this point in time)! Elliott and I are enjoying having Daddy home with us until after Easter. He is spoiling us by doing a lot/most of the housework, so Mummy can rest up. I think I'll need all that energy for when Simon goes back to work and I have to fly solo!

Welcome to the world Elliott Boyd!

Our beautiful baby boy arrived on Saturday 28 February at 4.58pm weighing 3.3kg. Today is Elliott's 2 week birthday! And what an incredible, life changing two weeks it has been! I don't think anything can prepare you for the immense challenge and joy that is being a first time parent. I have found it the hardest and at the same time most rewarding thing I have ever done. Simon, Elliott and I are finding our way every day with the help and support of our friends and family.

A big thank you to all the message of congratulations and support from everyone!Snug as a bug...

Sleepy time

Interesting...

Baby Genevieve

Nope, not ours! He is still safely ensconced in mummy's tummy. This is the beautiful Genevieve Caroline. My gorgeous friend Phoebe's 3 weeks old bub. Phoebe and I have shared so much of our pregnancy journey together that I wanted to make her something very special. This little dress is made with lots of love from the gorgeous Amy Butler book, "Little Stitches for Little Ones". I think it will look lovely on her!

The stunning photo of Genevieve was taken by the extra talented Kurt Sneddon. He has an amazing gift for portraiture. Check out his work at www.blueprintstudios.com.au

Break in the weather

So, 38 weeks and counting.... Actually, it has been so much easier to cope with being heavily pregnant today with the weather finally easing today. We've had almost 2 weeks straight of 30+ temperature - just not nice! With cooler temperatures, I can get myself off the couch and away from the fan to enjoy some last minute things like putting the finishing touches on the nursery and getting in some sewing before bub arrives.

And speaking of the heat, on Saturday, I braved the 40 degree temps to check out the Handmade Markets I mentioned last week. It was excellent! Lots of really cool things to spend money on! I was pretty restrained, but my two fave shops were Posie Patchwork and Red Instead handmade. Posie had '1000 ways with fabric' using vintage reproduction fabrics to make baby things, purses, cards, etc. Red Instead had a small stall, but the standouts for me were her cool handbags & cards.

I've been meaning to post about this for a while. About a month ago, I went to a course at Addicted to Fabric and learnt to make a "versatile wrap skirt". My first attempt is the photo on the left. It was super easy and is great for me to wear now as a maternity skirt or adjustable for after the bub too! I was so excited as it was my first attempt at something that I could wear. The skirts were so quick to whip up, I made another two for my 13 yo cousins as Christmas presents. If bub holds off for another week or so, I might even make one more for myself!

And finally, it seems amiss to post today without mentioning the devastating bush fires in Victoria. My heart goes out to all those people that have been affected. Donations can be made online.

Canberra cool

OK, so that might be overstating it somewhat, but a few groovy goings on in Canberra have come to my attention last week and I thought I'd post them because they are quite exciting.

The first is the Canberra handmade market. I have been envious of Melbourne's Sisters Market, Perth's Upmarket and BrisStyle markets for a while, so I was stoked to hear that Canberra has its very own market for local designers to show & sell their wares! I'll be popping along next Saturday to check it out.

The second is the Mad Hatter's tea Party at DuJour restaurant in New Acton. It appears to be running every Sunday in Feburary and I'm sure will be set to rival the Afternoon tea action at the Hyatt. Boasting Flower Garden Cup Cakes, Queen of Hearts Tarts, Unbirthday Cakes, Cheshire Smiles shortbread, Jam Tomorrow Scones, Rabbit Treats, 'Off with your head' Pies, Rabbit Hole Sandwiches, Mad Hatter Pasties and iced champange. It all sounds quaint and a perfectly civilised way to while away and afternoon!

Being a high tea boffin, I hope to be able to check it out before the little bub arrives.

Baby Shower

Wow, what a wonderful baby shower I had on Saturday! I feel so blessed with wonderful friends and family, all of whom went out of their way to make it such a special day! Especially the irreplaceable Georgie!!

The weather was perfect (not too hot) and Simon's hard work in the garden paid off as it looked amazing!! Who knew 2 years ago that it could look like this?

I was showered with gorgeous gifts - everyone went to such trouble and obviously put a lot of thought into them - little Baby MacKenzie is such a lucky little boy!

Christmas sewing

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all! I think this photo sums it up for me! I hope you had a wonderful Christmas with family and friends.

After just one week of work, I have started my maternity leave!!! I am so excited, as it feels like it has been a long time coming... One of my objectives of this precious time before our little bub arrives is to keep a little more up to date with my blog.

So, working backwards, a post about some of the sewing I did for Christmas.

First is a set of placemats and matching napkins for my brother-in-law, Neil and his fiance, Marianne who have just bought a house together, so it was a combined Christmas/housewarming gift.

The pattern is from Amy Butler's instiches book, and the gorgeous fabric is also Amy Butler!

Next on the list were matching travel dirty clothes and shoes bags for Mum and my sister, Jane.

You can see that I've blanket stitched around the shoe bag, but not the dirty clothes bag. I ran out of time before Christmas, but it was a great activity to finish while watching the boxing day test match!

I was pretty happy with how these turned out, if I do say so myself ;-)

And finally, some Christmas/baby sewing. Friends of mine, Tim & Anna welcomed their third little baby girl into the world on Christmas Day, Natalia Mary. Her baptism was last weekend and I made her a cot blanket from some of my fabric stash (heather bailey freshcut) and from the pattern from one of my Christmas sewing books - Last Minute Patchwork & Quilted Gifts. It really was last minute as we arrived home just a couple of days before the baptism!

Well, that is it for today! I promise there will be more updates over the coming weeks (provided baby mackenzie doesn't arrive early)...