We have ducklings!!

Three so far, there is still a pile of eggs the duck is still sitting on.

I like ducks, not as noisy as chooks. 

More resistant to foxes and cats than chooks.

Bigger eggs than chooks.

The only down side is they are a LOT messier than chooks.

James Birthday - belated post!

James celebrated his 11th birthday six weeks ago!

Time has passed by so quickly with a newborn in the house.

I'd forgotten how much work a newborn is, especially one with reflux.

Peter went to work for 3 weeks just after James birthday. 

And I had my first experience of life as a single parent of 7! 

Not something I would ever do by choice.

I was very lucky to have some wonderful helpers to get us through the 3 weeks.

Jess came and stayed a couple of days a week, lending an extra pair of hands to hold Heather and a fast pair of legs to chase Michael with.

Michaela visited two afternoons a week to help with the 'witching hours'- homework, bath and dinner time.

And mum came and stayed a weekend.

Fern, James and Rose were wonderful helpers too. 

Always prepared to give their little sister a cuddle.

I'm very blessed with my wonderful family and friends.

Marzipan chicks and cupcakes

The kids and I had some fun making these little guys and eggs.

We used bought Marzipan and some food colouring.

These were easy enough for Lilly who's 5 years old to make.

The directions came from 50 Easter Things to make and do published by Usborne Books

This is a great little book. 

The older kids can do many of the activities independent of me and even help the little ones to make some of the great activities.

 I had Cupcake Duty this week.
Fern and Rose helped to create these delights.
We had to make 2 dozen for school and a dozen for us too.
They tasted as good as they looked!

Finally....

I finished knitting Pete his jumper, just in time for the cooler weather.

It only took me 18 months! 

Pattern: Jared Flood's Cobblestone Pullover from Interweave Knits

Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills Rustic 8ply

Needles: 4.5mm knit pics circulars.

This pullover is knitted in the round. 

The body and sleeves are knitted separately, then worked onto one needle and the yoke knitted. 

No seam sewing required.

The construction is very clever, with some short row shaping. 

Which makes for a great fit over the shoulders and back of neck.

The reason it took so long to knit? It was so BORING.

Kilometers of stocking stitch, around and around in circles I was feeling dizzy.

Now I hope the Boyfriend Curse doesn't extend to husbands!

Sweet Treat Bag

Pete and I took a trip to Pirie and I discovered a new quilt shop!

I bought a little treat a  Moda Bake Shop box with two mini Honey Rolls.

There was a free pattern in the box for a Sweet Treat bag.

I managed to find a free PDF version on the net if you'd like to make this little bag too.

The PDF pattern comes from http://www.unitednotions.com

It was very quick to make up and the construction is a little different.

Fern took the photo of the bag for me.

Something exciting is happening tonight!

psss. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to let this out of the bag but... tonight is the night for the opening of new Crafty Mama Marketplace! I'm really excited because I have a Store!!

The stores are going 'live' around dinner time tonight. As all the mama's who have these stores are in different states and time zones the stores will be opening at varying times in the evening. All the stores are owned by members of the Crafty Mama's Forums.

I've got my eye on a couple of things I want.

Still here...

Heather at 9 weeks. 

Poor little one has reflux. 

I've never been a fan of dummies but anything that soothes Heather's pain is very welcome.

I've been absent from blogging for a few weeks and I've had a couple of emails.

Thank you for being concerned.

No, you aren't being intrusive. I think it's wonderful you care enough to ask.

Life is a little hectic at present and the blog is way down the priority order right now. 

When things slow down a little I'll be back to the blogging world.