From Humpty Doo

Do you know where Humpty Doo is? I do!

Today's mail brought a parcel from Humpty Doo

(I do like saying Humpty Doo, it makes me smile to say it.)

I've been through Humpty Doo a few times, mostly on a bus on my way to or from Darwin.

Vickie kindly sent me this parcel.

I commented on her blog and won her give away!

Heather helped me open the parcel and prompty ran away with the contents.

She was yelling, "mine!" as she ran.

When Healther went for her nap, I got to work!

 I took a couple of measurements from Heather before her nap

Not easy to do these days as she likes to wiggle!

I drafted up a simple sundress which would fit into the fat quarter of fabric.

 I used my patchworking skills and cut the fabric in half 

and rejoined it to create a fabric from both

fat quarters.

I cut out the dress on the fold making the front

slighter bigger by moving the fold away from the pattern a little, 

this gave me room for a gather on the center front of the dress.

 I searched through the stash and found some ribbon, ricrac

and a button covering kit

 In less than an hour I was finished.

I gathered the center front a little  and I bound the neckline.

I used the ribbon to bind the armholes and make ties as the same time.

I added the ricrac to the seam and hem.

I used the covered button to create a rosette.

Then I had to be patient and wait for Heather to wake!

 She likes her new dress!

 My baby is now a full fledged toddler.

Part of me is sad as she is my last baby.

And part of me is happy as we are now moving on from the baby stage,

I can see an end to sleepless nights, nappies and breastfeeding after 14 years!

Thank you Vickie for your kind gift.

A memory to hold onto....

As I sat and spun this morning Heather climbed onto my lap for a snuggle. My baby in my arms, fiber in my hands and the rhythmic movement of hands and wheel. Just so special a moment I want to remember forever I SMS'd for Pete to come take a photo.

A sunny creative happy week.

 The weather has been glorius here.

The sun shining and the warmth returning.

I've been taking advantage of the weather to get some fleeces washed.

I've dyed up a few skeins of commercial wool.

And dyed two fleeces.

 I'm already spinning this one up.

I've carded most of it on the Ashford wild carder.

I picked up a couple of Lucinvale fleeces cheap as they are last years.

I wanted to get them washed to remove the lanolin.

 Pete moved the old microwave from the bus and has set it up in front of the kitchen window for me.

I feel like I have my very own dye studio now!

 I love playing with the dyes and enjoy that the results are often not what I predicted them to be.

I'm not the sort of dyer who measures accurately so my results are varied and unrepeatable!

One day I may get around to keeping a dyeing journal, but that may ruin the fun.

No, Michael wasn't into the toxic dyes!

He was into his finger paints.

Creativity and messiness run in the family.

 Another of my new outfits.

A little summer dress from TEMPT with a little cardigan over the top.

The last few days I've been wearing SHORTS!!

Sorry for shouting but I'm so excited to be wearing shorts!

I kicked another of my goals last night and ran 5 KM under 30 mins.

I'm grateful no one else was in the gym at the time 

as I was whooping it up and jumping all over the place when I finished.

Nothing like achieving a GOAL to make you feel fabulous!

Time to set some new fitness goals.

This is the best photo I could get of Heather wearing the new top I knitted her.

Little Miss is very active.

Thanks for the shoes TAS.

My creative space

I love spring! Sunny mornings spent spinning outside, while watching the kids play. Total bliss!

Today's outfit....

Being brave here! My new running outfit of runners tights and top! No room for the shapewear when I'm running!

Today's daywear... Big W skirt worn over leggings and topped with a Valley Girl light knit cardigan worn over a Cross Roads basic long sleeved T

Today's outfit......

I have just had a huge shopping trip in the city. Spent lots and bought lots. Most exciting were my New Balance runners and runners leggings!! Now I look the part, just need to work on the speed.
I caught up with friends and family. Was spoiled with lots of praise and compliments.
Lots of sales in the clothing stores so my goal money went far. I had so much fun trying on lots of different items. Sizing was hard to work out. In some stores I was a small, in others a medium, others an 8 and others a 10!

I finally fit into my Lisa Ho ball gown from the early 90s which is a size 12! I think sizing has become very generous in the last 20 years!!