A new rhythm

I've been in bed for 5 days now and, well, I'm going a little crazy. Tom thinks that it is difficult at the moment because it's such an adjustment from being able to walk around all day and things will get easier as I get used to my days in bed and find some sort of rhythm to my time. Tom also thinks its a fabulous opportunity.. he thinks I am lucky! He keeps telling me to think of all the things I could do if I really put my mind to it.. learn another language, study evolutionary biology, study the history of art, read all the classics, etc. etc. (These are all the things that Tom would like to do I think!)

I think the reason I am finding it hard is because I feel perfectly fine. It feels really strange to be lying in bed all day when you are perfectly healthy.. and boy, do I miss going outside! But.. It will all be worth it in the end. I daydream every day about giving birth to a healthy full-term baby.. It is going to be the best moment of my life!

I have been filling my days reading, watching movies, knitting and playing with Sophie (reading books, doing puzzles).. And quite a bit of sleeping.
It's funny, so many of my friends (especially the ones with two or more kids) said that spending time in bed, while your husband brings you food and drinks sounded like paradise. I agree with them, but I think 2 weeks in bed might be a nice relaxing break, but 6 months? That's going to be a little tricky!


P.s Does anyone know where I can buy knitting, crochet and embroidery supplies online?

Watercolour

Sophie painted this for my birthday. It's a vase with flowers in it..
Such a clever little thing she is!

Amanda Blake print

In the latest issue of Frankie there are a few pages of paintings by Amanda Blake. I fell so in love with this painting when I saw it that I ordered a print from her shop straight away. I originally thought I could put it in Sophie's room but I am now thinking it might be a bit dark for a little kids room. What do you think?

Craft night

One of my friends emailed me the other day and asked if I have been doing any sewing in Perth.. Have I ever?!

For the first time in my life I actually have my own sewing room and I have been getting my craft on! (In Sydney I always worked from the dining room table because we lived in such little places and having my own sewing room was a fantasy.)

I have been doing soo much sewing and I even got an overlocker for mothers day a few months ago! (Thanks Tom Sophie!)

But the best thing of all is that one of Tom's friends from high school invited me to join her craft night when I arrived in Perth, so every Tuesday night I catch up with a bunch of really cool and crafty mums and we spend the night drinking tea, eating yummy treats and sewing! It is Awesome with a capital A!

My creative space..

Well, it's not much yet.. but it will be..



Simple sewing for Baby by Lotta Jansdotter from Fishpond.
Little house fabric from Kelani Fabric.

More creative spaces over here.

Make Do

Sophie got some fantastic presents for Christmas and her birthday (which is 2 days after Christmas). So I thought that I might share some of them here in case you ever need to buy a present for a 3 year old..

For her birthday, Sophie got this great Makedo dolls house kit form Tom's parents..



It contains everything you need to construct a dolls house from household items/ rubbish. We have made 3 dolls houses from the contents of the recycling bin (empty boxes etc.)

On the box it is recommended for ages 5+ but Sophie has loads of fun making houses with our help. Great eco-friendly gift!

Homemade christmas gifts

I really wanted to post these photos before Christmas, but that would have ruined the surprise for all our family and close friends that were about to receive these goodies..

And except for Sophie, we actually did manage to avoid buying a single present.. I hate shopping centres at the best of times and it was so nice to not have to shop for anyone this year.. definitely a tradition I think we will continue!

So here is our original "Porter's homemade marmalade"..



Our homemade lemon cordial..



Our homemade muesli..



And my little helper counting bottles for me..

The pirate and the skipping rope..

(According to Sophie this is a painting of a pirate with a skipping rope)

And so, we sew

I usually save all my sewing for after hours when the little one is fast asleep and I can relax with a cup of tea, Cat Power and my sewing machine.
But, lately I have been very busy with the sewing (remind me not to volunteer my novice services for a pre-school fete again) so I have been trying to fit in some sewing during the day.



The problem is that Sophie is not happy to read books or play blocks while I sew, she wants to do exactly the same thing as me (of course). So, I have been setting her up next to me with some felt, some thread, a few bobbins and a jar of colourful buttons and she happily plays for about, oh, 5 minutes or so!



Then last week, I saw this wonderful post over at Childhood 101 about a toddler friendly sewing basket. We rode our bike up to the shops and bought some supplies for 'Sophie's special sewing basket' straight away..

And so, now we sew.. together!

We craft this city..

I will definitely be checking out this exhibition in Sydney and hopefully even attend the 'crafternoon'..

Kinokuniya

Have you been to Kinokuniya?



I discovered it last week after I was driving through the city and the car decided to break down. A few hours and a tow truck later, Sophie and I found ourselves in bookstore heaven!

If you live in Sydney and you love books, bookstores, design, craft or all things Japanese then you must visit this store.

The Japanese craft book section is amazing. All the Japanese sewing books that I have been ordering from overseas were right there in front of me.. I couldn't resist coming home with a few to add to my collection..



The kids section is also wonderful and it has these giant windows that look out over the street below. Both Sophie and I enjoyed sitting high above the street and watching the world go by (oblivious to the fact that we were watching them go about their day.)

After many hours in the bookstore we went and said hi to daddy in his office, then we got on the train to make our way home again car-less and care-less!

NPG (National Portrait Gallery)

My Mummy..



By Sophie.

(Isn't that sweet!)