I am sorry....

Three little words with so much meaning. I  really need to learn to use them better.

I often start a sentence with, 'I'm sorry', then go on to add, but. usually followed by an accusation.
For example, Michael hurts himself running my response is generally.
'I'm sorry, but you shouldn't run on the stones', or even worse,
'Well that's what happens when you run on the stones!'

Saying sorry acknowledges someones' hurt. It's not an acknowledgment of guilt. Nor does it apportion blame. It simple says. I'm sorry YOU are hurting. When I add the BUT I'm no longer acknowledging the other persons hurt, I'm justifying or accusing.

I've been doing a lot of thinking over the last few weeks. Mostly about the many mistakes I've made in my life, and a lot about the hurts I've experienced. I've come to see that if I had had those three simple words said to me as an acknowledgment of how I'm feeling then I would not have festered on things so much. Just a simple I'm sorry you are hurting, would have gone a long way to healing many a falling out.

Why is it so hard to say these simple three words. Do we focus too much on ourselves and our own feelings and not on those around us?

Last year I had a falling out with someone. I wonder how things would of turned out if they had simply acknowledged my hurt? And I wonder how many times have I done the same to others? By not acknowledging someones hurt and defending our own actions, do we say your feeling aren't important? I'm more right that you are? Last years falling out hurt me a lot, especially when I received a blog comment telling me I wasn't a Christian because I wasn't acting as this person thought I should act. This person also went on to corner me in the supermarket. I wonder what would of happened if the conversation had started with I'm sorry you are hurting and maybe had gone on with I didn't mean my actions to upset you.

I am sorry that this person is hurting. Being sorry doesn't mean I want to continue a relationship with them. And that leads this ramble on to forgiveness. Saying sorry isn't saying I forgive you. Nor is forgiveness saying I have to continue a relationship with the person I hurt and who hurt me. Sometimes it's better to let things go and move on, something I have a problem with. My mind get's caught in circles and I obsess on the small stuff until it becomes the big stuff. And the small sections of my life that aren't so good over shadow the huge amount of wonderful things I do have in my life.

Do we get too hung up with being the one in the right rather than acknowledging the other persons feelings?

I'm sorry doesn't really mean all that much. It doesn't mean I want to maintain a friendship, It doesn't mean I'm in the wrong. It doesn't mean you are in the wrong. It simple means I know you are hurting.

Saying, I'm Sorry and making an apology are two different things. We say, 'I'm sorry', to make an apology to own an action, too. Is this why it's so hard to say? Do I confuse saying I'm sorry with taking ownership of something I did wrong?

Sewing for Me

I've had a week off the net and been getting lots done.

I started by drafting out some basic block patterns for myself.

It's been a while since I last did this.

I reset my mannequin to my measurements.

I used my skirt block to make myself a basic A - line skirt.

I was really happy with the fit of this skirt.

And went out and bought myself some nice black boots to wear with it.

I then used Butterick 5557 and made myself another skirt with the same fabric.

This one is mid calf length.

I prefer the fit of the A line I drafted myself.

I used the same fabric to make myself a coat last winter.

I have a couple of meters left and think I will make a jacket with it.

Next I made up the School House Tunic.

I made up the Size 20 and the fit is a little snug.

I will make this again but will add a little more ease.

The fabric was another op-shop find.

Not bad for $2.50!

Nest was Vogue 2299.

I've had this in my stash for a few years.

I made up view B, I like round necklines.

I'm really happy with this outfit.

The fabric is a two way stretch, I bought in Port Pirie last year.

I didn't make a full bust adjustment to this pattern as it is designed for a two way stretch.

So that has been my marathon of sewing this week.

The week off the net has done me a lot of good.

I battle with depression and sometimes need to make my world a little smaller.

Hey Tas ... did you see the knee length black boots????

(That's a CM insider joke ;-))

To my many friends... thank you, I'll be back soon.

Another Enid Wrap Skirt

Another Enid wrap skirt.

This time I left the straps off.

It's a very quick little skirt to make up.

I like this is reversible made this way.

I'm sure this skirt will quickly be passed down to Lilly  as it is a little on the short side.

As suggested by a couple of the Crafty Mamas. I turned the skirt around so the wrap is at the front.

The pattern is pretty easy to scale up to make a bigger version too.

Cooking adventures..

This week was my turn for Cupcake duty. 

I was trying to make THESE, but my cakes didn't rise enough so I had to make something up. 

The kids thought these were good enough. 

The horns are banana lollies chopped in half, jaffa eyes and candy teeth. 

I used a butter frosting and dipped each cake into coloured sugar.

These were a winner with Pete and the kids.

Chocolate Cream Biscuits.

(Don't you love all the free recipes on the web?)
I'm planning on baking another batch for The Biggest Morning Tea this Thursday.

These are simply Arnotts Marie Biscuits, iced and decorated with hundreds and thousands and smarties. These are also destined for The Biggest Morning Tea.

Australia's Biggest Morning Tea raises money for the fight against cancer.

My dad died of cancer, just over two years ago.

I miss him.

Please support your local morning tea and help to support the fight.

Enid - Wrap around skirt

I'm an Enid Fan.

I have an Enid Blog over here... Inspired by Enid

For those who have only recently begun reading my blog I'll fill you in.

Enid Gilchrist for four decades designed clothing patterns. 

Her magazines were published for home sewers to draft and make clothing.

A few generations of Australian children were dressed in mummy made clothes using Enid's designs.

I think I now have a complete collection of her magazines. 

I need to update my Enid Blog with the new additions.

I'm that much of a fan, I once rang her son and had a lovely chat about his mother's work.

He was a model for many of his mother's creations.

Today I got a little sewing time in and drafted a skirt for Lilly.

It's a little old fashioned and still kind of cute.

Enid designed her patterns with measurements to use for drafting.

It was her own unique drafting system.

Very easy to do with a little practice.

Most designs start with a central vertical line off which you mark the vertical measurements and lines off. There are guide lines to help you draw the curves.

Enid's earlier books used woven fabrics as stretch fabrics weren't available.

I used some corduroy to make this skirt and lined it with chambray.

It's actually the skirt on the front of this magazine, but not as short and the straps are longer.

I really like the way it fastens at the back and it's so easy to make.

I think when I make this again I'll get rid of the straps.

Now I'm off to cross post this on my Enid Blog

Olivia (no.4)

Another Olivia, the fourth I've made. 

So easy and quick to make.

The girls love them too.

Lilly has worn the other one constantly.

The fabrics were all from the Crafty Mamas store.
I hope Lisa doesn't go bankrupt while I'm having my no fabric ban!
It was nice to get some sewing done today.

I finished a capsule liner for a friend too. 

Arghh ...

The witching hour is upon us here.

Tired, hungry children and parents worn out of patience.

It was a very nice Mothers' day.

Happy Mothers' Day

My Mothers' Day Flowers

I was showered with handmade gifts and cards.

I had poems written in my honor.

With such memorable lines as ....

My mum is like a machine with her sewing

and my personal favorite...

My mum is as sleepy as a sloth

I was served breakfast in bed, after supplying fore mentioned meal to one 4 month old.

My not so secret vice for magazines was sated.

I received three knitting magazines.

But the best of all ......

Were the smiles, hugs and kisses. 

And the chorus of, 'we love you mum'.

This morning I had one of my 'brainstroms'.

I've come to realise that the secret of personal happiness is to make those you love happy.

Happy Mothers' Day

The best Apple crumble..

Rose and I baked some Anzac biscuits this morning. 

It was a case of too many cooks. 

We forgot to add the sugar!

Even with the golden syrup they were awful, to say the least.

Rather than throw them to the chooks I thought I'd try to save them.

I crushed up the biscuits and mixed in some brown sugar and sprinkled the mixture over a jar of pie apples. 

Back in the oven it all went.

The result was the best Apple crumble ever.

We've had a wonderful week here.

The highlight was the school sports day.

Go Red!!

Blue and Red tied for the cup and Yellow scored the spirit cup so every team was a winner!

The weather was perfect, the fans well behaved.

The sportsmanship beyond reproach.

I've not had much time for crafting.

I spent the week cooking, socialising and eating.

These were a big hit with the kids.

I've baked them twice as they disappear quick. 

Michael pushes a chair and steals them off the bench when I'm distracted.

The recipe is from Best Recipes -

Fairy Biscuits.

Another winner were the Rock cakes:

Recipe from Best Recipes:

Mix and Melt Rock Cakes

I believe it's as important to give as to take.

So I make the effort to leave a review and thank the author for putting the time and effort into sharing with me. 

A simple thank you can mean as much as a bunch of flowers.

Another Imke..

I'm a bit obsessed with sewing these easy tops.

This is the fifth one I've sewn!

This one I left the hood off and finished the neckline with a ribbing.

The fabric was another Op-Shop find. I've had it in the stash for a long time.

it looks very 80's to me with those fluro monsters on surfboards.

I hope Michael doesn't get nightmares about them.

There's 1/2 meter left. I may use the remains as hoods on Imkes for the bigger boys.

I love the Imke pattern so easy and so adaptable.

This little plant will grow...

Lilly was presented with a plant and poem at the school assembly. 

 The poem she was given with the plant...

This plant will grow

just like me

A sign of God's creation

For all to see

The wonder of our growth

All will share

As we are tended

With love and care

Lilly and Pete planted her special plant into the garden this morning.

Lilly is wearing her Imke, made by the very talented Sara at Willow and Moo.

I was lucky to beat all the other Mama's to the launch of her store at 

The Crafty Mama' Market Place.

Rainbow Dino pants and another Imke

Michael was rather excited about his new Dino pants.
I made them to match the jacket I made him.

I made Rose an Imke.
I added some ribbon to the tail of the hood.
The hood is lined and sleeves bound with velour.

Michael is a very co-operative model.
A bit of a poser really.
Whenever the camera comes out he puts on the charm.