a little pressie

Sometimes I really overestimate my ability to get things done. I'm sure I'm not alone, you know when you set yourself a goal of what you're going to achieve and then when you haven't achieved that goal, you look back and realise how totally unrealistic that goal was. I'm really good at that. Setting unrealistic goals, that is. That's why I am up at 1:00am now, knitting Christmas gifts.

Anyway, one of my more recent unrealistic goals was to publish a set of dolls' clothing pattern in November.  ahem.. Seriously, what was I thinking? Where did I honestly think I was going to pull the time to do that?

I did get a couple of garments knit, and even a couple of patterns written out and a few dodgy sketches drawn. But a set? Nowhere near it.

So to say sorry for not getting it out there ready in time I've decided to put one of the patterns that was to be in that set up for free download.

This is the poppy cardigan. You might recognise it from earlier in the year when I designed it for Michelle from poppy, bean and bloss.

It's a simple seamless or almost seamless little DK/8ply knit designed to fit 40cm/16 Waldorf style dolls such as Michelle sells. 

The cardigan is knit from the top down and features raglan sleeve shaping and built in button bands for three sweet buttons to encourage fine motor skill development.

Two options for knitting the sleeves are detailed; they can be knit either as small circular pieces or flat and seamed later.

This little cardigan also fits baby dolls of the Baby Born size as well as American Girl and Gotz dolls. I haven't tried it on our Australian Girl doll yet as she is still in the box until Christmas.  It's a little big on Belle, who is a 14 inch Disney Princess doll. 

you can download the pattern by simply clicking here


download now


I will add it to the sidebar too if you wish to find it later. The pattern is also available on Ravelry.


Merry Chrismas everyone :D

baby girl

I guess she's not really a baby girl anymore, but she will always be my baby girl.  She had her kindy orientation day last week, my baby girl. I can't believe she is off to kindy next year. She is so ready for it now. Had we sent her twelve months ago, she would have coped.. just. But now, I know she will actually thrive and do more than just cope, which to me is really really important.

I'm really impressed with her kindy, it has a lovely old-fashioned community soul feeling to it. Perfect.

So here my baby girl is modeling a recent knit; a test knit of the Kaia babydoll pattern .  This is a test knit of the pattern that is due to be re-released fairly shortly.

I knit a size 2 top but worked the length and increases in the skirt to the size 5 pattern.  I used exactly 200grams of Bendigo Luxury 8 ply 'Leaf'. Infact, I actually ran out, and didn't quite manage to complete the lace hem.  Lily chose the ribbon to finish it off, and I think she chose quite well.

It's a perfect match for those gorgeous chook leaf shoes of hers.

my creative space ...

this week is a little uninspiring to say the least.

I am quite busily in the midst of some Christmas crafting for Christmas pressies, most of which I can't share as there may be little peekies going on.  But these I can because they are for my FIL. I think I can safely say my FIL doesn't read my blog. I probably could even safely say my FIL doesn't even know I have a blog.  I may have mentioned it, and I'm sure my MIL may check it from time to time, but no, I don't think Roger is a reader here. Which is good as it gives me a photo this week. Otherwise it might just be mindless dribble.

One of the last times we were down visiting Ma and Pa H, my FIL gave some VERY subtle hints that he would love some hand knitted socks like Andy's. He even proceeded to demonstrate how his current socks weren't as good as Andy's.  It is hard to buy for grown men, so if I can make something, all the better. So yes, I am being a dutiful DIL and knitting some socks for my FIL.  I am on the second one, just heading towards the heel so all looking extremely good for the Christmas deadline; how very unlike me!!

Something a little more exciting, that I alluded to a few posts ago. Remember I mentioned I got a big big parcel of goodies from the yarn cafe? Not all that yarnie goodness is for me, some is for the shop.

Check out these wonderful little Milk and Sugar Knitting Project Kits that are a collaboration between myself and the very talented Elissa from the yarn cafe.  In each kit you get the pattern and some super dooper gorgeous yarn to knit the pattern, all packaged in these cute little project bags. The yarns that Elissa has chosen are all absolutely heavenly soft.

They'd make an awesome Christmas pressie ;)

You can find the kits in my ozebaby store or over at the yarn cafe .

kootoyoo is the place to see some more creative spaces

swappity swap

today some overdue photos from a very overdue swap, a swap that was so overdue that I am too embarrassed to tell you how overdue it was; that's how overdue it was.  Get the idea?  Anyway, it was a swap with the very patient and talented Mandy . I'm not going to link to the photos of what she sent me as then that'll give away the game on how overdue my side was. Thankfully Mandy was ok with that. 

Recently, Mandy had a new little blue addition to her family after three girls so I decided that most of the things in my swap would be for him.  

First up, a pair of denim pants. I have to confess that I think these may be my all time favourites.  I used the awesome seed fabric from Hollabee (one of the ink and spindle girls) and in an inspired moment I decided to add a tab around the bottom of the leg using the selvedge. I really love how it turned out, it certainly helps that the selvedge is so super cool. I think I shall experiment with some more selvedge on my pants in the very near future.

Gosh, I love this Hollabee fabric. The texture and tones are just perfect for the denim.  The little boy is getting a new pair similar to these very soon.

I also sent off a Tropical Lily knit in Wired For Fibre 10 ply cotton (colourway Lilly Pilly) for Mandy's little Lily.  Mandy's Lily is actually whom the Tropical Lily was originally designed for, a Lily in a warm climate with a mum allergic to wool. Unfortunately, my Lily adopted the original prototype for herself.

And a little milo out of some gloriously soft mint green alpaca. 

And lastly for next winter, a pair of fleece longies with a little anchor applique.

a christmassy creative space

In my creative space today there has been more action on the advent calendar front.  I've made some little birdies to add as decorations to the tree and started knitting a some mini stockings to hang under the tree.

The little birdies are cut from felt with little felt beaks and wings. They have a little heart and tail feathers cut from quilters cotton stitched on and slightly frayed. The idea and template for the birdies came from skip to my lou .

The mini stockings are knit on 2.5mm circular needles using magic loop and some bright 4ply wool. The pink one is Lily's, the yellow mine and I am just about to finish a green one for Andy. Toby's will be either blue or orange. Then I will duplicate stitch numbers on them.

For Lily's I used Everwhelming Liz's cute-arse mini stocking pattern . More pics here on Rav  ;) Mine is knit from the Keychain Sock Blocker pattern . The third one is by far the best, and is a conglomeration of the bits I like from both patterns.  Really minor differences but I am fussy about these things. It is possible I will re-knit Lily's and mine one day so they are perfect too.

I've had some lovely parcels arrive this week and so while Im not focussing on the all-consuming advent calendar I will be watching this dvd (Handmade Nation ) and flicking through this pattern book (Whimsical Little Knits 2 by Ysolda Teague ).

For more creative spaces pop over to kootoyoo . I wonder how much other Yuletide action will be going on?

new look for the festive season

I'm trying out a new look for the festive season and playing around with a link bar and some cool stuff like that. It's not all there, but hopefully soon I'll have it sorted ;)  Of course, every time I do this I somehow manage to lose half my elements including my blog roll, and yes, I do back up my template and save it. I just am crap and finding it and knowing how to rejig it!!

I discovered while I was farting around with it all that blogger has a cool new editing something (it was in one of the options somewhere) Anyway, I like it!!!

Right now, I am sooo hanging to get my butt to the PO as there is a HUGE and I do mean HUGE parcel of yarny goodness waiting for me there from the yarn cafe! !! When I get back later, I will have something very very exciting to share. Of course, Toby is having a prolonged nap. Would it be wrong to poke him a little?

tikki cottage license holders

I'd like to introduce you to my cottage license holders. If you would like to purchase one of my designs ready knit, these are the people to contact. I can attest that they all have wonderful knitting skills!


Please note only these licensed holders can sell garments made from my patterns, if you spot anyone else doing so without my permission, please contact me :)






Australian Stockists


Crafty Desires
Shannnon , a very talented and gorgeous lady, is licensed to knit ALL of my patterns.  She offers both ready made and custom garments.
Currently Shannon is closed for handknits.
While you are there check out Shannon's Ultimate Longies pattern, my personal favourite longies pattern, as well as her other gorgeous patterns and hand-dyed yarns.


StitchyMama Handknits
The very prolific Katherine is licensed to knit both the Rainbow Dress and the Tropical Lily.
Currently Katherine is closed for handknits.
You should also check out her own range of patterns as well.


Woolly Butts
A delightful mother and daughter duo, both of whom are licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress. Sue is also licensed to knit milo. You may also see some of my other patterns pop up as garments in their store, as part of Nat and Sue's wonderful fundraising efforts.
You can find their store on
Wahm Naps


Susanne's House of Wool
Another longtime license holder, Sue is licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress which she does from her own delightful handspun yarn.
You can find Sue at
Susanne's House of Wool or her local markets.


Knits and Pretties
Rebecca is licensed to sell Tropical Lily, Oriental Lily and Bloom through her gorgeous etsy store, Knits and Pretties where she also sells handmade jewellery, handturned spinning supplies, knitting supplies such as stitch markers and handknits.
20 per cent of profits from all sales of handknits will be donated to the Neurofibromatosis Association of Australia.
You can contact Rebecca either via her etsy store or via email at rebecca.evison@bigpond.com  


Jolly Jumbuck
The lovely Irene from Jolly Jumbuck is a great supporter of Aussie indy designers. Not only does she sell the most stunning hand-dyed yarn but she is now licensed to sell bloom.  You can contact Irene via her Jolly Jumbuck store.


Kim Auman
If you're in Adelaide and looking to check out a good market wander down to the Norwood Market for Baby and Child . The lovely Kim will be there selling her handknit milos . Kim is also a rep for Baby Behinds nappies, so while there you seriously should check out these wonderful cloth nappies.  Baby Behinds have served both my children really well in our nappying journey. 


Little Brown Owl
Lori is licensed to sell milo vests. You can find her store, Little Brown Owl  on minicuture where she sells a range of knitted and sewn garments. If you live in the Ballarat area you will often find Lori at the local markets. Go and say hi and check out her wares!
Lori's new partner in crime is the lovely Steph. Steph has knit more Paula's Scarfettes than anyone I know, and she is licensed to sell these delightful little knits.
You can contact Lori and Steph either via the Little Brown Owl  store or via the contact form on their facebook page.


Squeeky Cheeks
The vert versatile Sandi from SSqueeky Cheeks is licensed to knit the milo vest.  Sandi also stocks a wide range of products including nappies and children's clothing.  You can contact Sandi either via her store or by emailing sandisem@yahoo.com.au


Gorgeous Handknits for kids, made by Victoria
Ex-New Zealander and now Tasmanian resident, Victoria, is licensed to knit and sell bloom and cassia.  You can check out Victoria's knits on her facebook page.


tikki
From time to time I will stock my own garments in my store on made it.
You can also purchase all my patterns either there or on Ravelry .






New Zealand Stockists


Little Things
Megan is a delightful lady from the land of the long white cloud, she knits up beautiful little milo vests.
Her stores can be found on
Felt and
Craft Fetish
You should also check out the cute little rockets Megan sells that are knit from her own pattern.


Coco Kids
is a trio of lovely ladies who have joined forces to offer a range of knitted garments from a wide variety of patterns.


Kate  is licensed to knit the Rainbow Dress, milo, bloom and Cassia.  Kate offers both customs and ready made garments.
You can contact her through Coco Kids 
Kate also has her own lovely little store Chev Girl over on Felt


Julia is licensed to knit milo and the Rainbow Dress. She too offers customs and ready made garments.
You can contact Julia through Coco Kids or her blogsite justonewip .


Ali is licensed to knit Cassia.  Just like the other members of this talented trio, Ali will also take customs as well as whip up ready made garments.  You can contact Ali G through Coco Kids  or via her blog 006 Licensed to Knit


All three lovely Coco Kids ladies; Kate, Julia and Ali, are licensed to knit eden, both the adam and eve version.   Drop in and check out their lovely knits, they are great supporters of local designers.  Make sure you also pop over and say hi on their facebook page.


Little Moo Knits
Krissie  is yet another lovely lady and wonderful knitter from over the Tasman who is licensed to knit the milo vest, Cassia, Olearia and all three patterns from the Spring Wildflowers collection; acacia, darwinia and baby acacia.  Krissie offers customs and ready made garments.
You can contact her through her store
Little Moo Knits and also via her blog Knit Not What

A Little Bit of Everything
Rachael has long been a great supporter of my designs, she has knit them all many times and has helped out enormously with testing. She is licensed to knit and sell bloom, Rainbow dress, Oriental Lily, Cassia, Olearia, Paula's Scarfette and all three designs from the Spring Wildflowers collection; acacia, darwinia and baby acacia.  She is a very fast knitter and I can totally attest to her ability to work to a deadline. You can order a custom knit bloom from her blog
A Little Bit of Everything. Make sure you also pop by and check out Rachael's facebook page

The Bird's Nest
Another lovely New Zealand lady, Jacquie, who hails from Auckland is licensed to knit both the Rainbow Dress and the milo vest. You can visit her over at her blog The Bird's Nest as well as her facebook page to check out and purchase her gorgeous knits.

Paws Purls
Genevieve of Paws Purls is also licensed to knit the milo vest. You can check out her wares in her Felt Shop  as well as her blog and facebook page. Keep an eye out for Genevieve at some of the markets in and around the Auckland area.


US Stockists


Katidids
Katie is another long-time license holder.  She knits and sells from the gorgeous Rainbow Dress pattern. You can find her store over on etsy 
Katidids .

Born In A Barn
The lovely Beth is licensed to knit the Oriental Lily. She sells from a hyenacart store
The Merchant Ship
Beth also sells gorgeous hand dyed yarns and longies.


UK Stockists

Pixie Knits
The delightful Ali is a longtime license holder of the Rainbow Dress. She is also licensed to knit Tropical Lily, Bloom and milo. She offers both ready made and custom garments from her store
 Pixie Knits .

Little Treehouse
The lovely Anna from Cambridge is licensed to knit and sell milo.  She also is happy to take custom orders. While checking out her store you must see her gorgeous bunting and jump over and read her delightful blog.
Little Treehouse

the advent calendar

is progressing well.

It's not finished, nowhere near it in fact. But we have managed to finish six of the 25 pockets for the little activity messages to go in.  We added the star at the top of the tree so we know what we are heading towards, and to give it a sort of balance as we worked.  It is made from three layers of felt and hand embroidered with the letter 25.

 

Underneath the tree, we added a pile of pressies.  The ones in the background have stitching to imitate the twine wrapped around the presents and have  gift tags, one for each member of our family.

The five presents in the front, those with ribbon or ricrac on them, are all pockets. Their little gift tags are free hanging and made from felt and tied with a little embroidery thread.  I must say the writing embriodery program on my machine is making some of this work much much easier!!

And the first of the decorations for the tree. Lily and I made these little candy canes out of squares of white paper and some red texta and sticky tape; easy peasy.  

So now I have a couple of days' grace while we work through the first five days! 

I'll update with our progress later this week.

creative space

Given it's nearly December, I decided in a rush of crafting blood this morning that it was high time I made the kiddies an advent calendar.   And as with all spur of the moment projects, this one is currently being created with materials all on hand. My aim is to not buy anything for it at all (apart from thread) but just use what's here.

Lily and I sat down this morning for a little bit of designing and chat about what we would make. I'm not going to share all our plans here, they are rather ambitious and that way if we don't achieve our plan I won't be embarrassed.  Let's just say this calendar may be a couple of festive seasons project.  

 

Finding a fabric for the background was the first challenge.  Initially I was thinking some calico would be the go but I didn't have enough.  After an extensive rummage we settled on some very pale mint heavy weight denim; 1 metre by 60cm wide.

After an afternoon session at gymnastics with a walk there and back in the rain, I got down to some sewing. This is what we've accomplished thus far. U-huh. doesn't look like much really.  And now that I see the tree from a distance I think I would have liked it to be narrower. Mmm, I guess all that won't be as noticeable once it's decorated.

Construction wise, the tree is made from leftovers from Lily's mermaid skirt, the netting part actually. It is stitched along the sparkly lines to some black interfacing. Of course, the only black interfacing I have is not iron on.  I've then appliqued it to the denim using a 7mm wide satin stitch, ahum.  yep, that's a lot of satin stitch but it really was the best way to do it to get the look I want. 

Things I learnt: 

1. mesh netting is still crap to work with, particularly when appliquing.

2. When working with such a massive applique piece (60cm  tall)  the good stuff is perhaps a little sticky and hard to manage without sticking to other bit incidents. Best to stick with the cheap vliesofix (unfortunately, I had none on hand though)

3. It is Murphy's Law that children always fight and hurt each other when you're in the middle of applique.

Some more progress on this as it happens, hopefully.

More creative spaces over at kootoyoo.

hot and not

I was going to post about a couple of things that I'm loving at the moment but then I stumbled across this meme posty thing over at loobylu and decided to join in, so here we go:

HOT

I am so totally in love and impressed with these little bathers that arrived for Lily today from Lil Ludy.  A big yay for sweatshop free, ethically and Australian designed and made bathers featuring one-off prints with a great ethos behind them. I love that they are also fully lined and so completely funky to boot. I'm a little jealous that they aren't mine.

Oh how I love the simple beauty of Chook Leaf shoes.  These two pairs have found their way into our house recently, Lily was desperately in need of a new pair of shoes. I was so surprised and excited when she chose the green pair, my absolute favourite.  Equally exciting was the realisation that I could get a pair too as my foot fits in to the largest kids size.

itti bitti nappies. What can I say?

Very very very happy to have a couple of funky pul outers arriving here for the smiley boy to wear over Summer.  I love the d'lishs but gee, I think I love these more :D 

A little secret surprise I'm putting away for Lily for Christmas arrived this afternoon.  It is a beautiful hand-dyed rainbow redondo skirt from the very talented Willow and Moo. How lucky were we to get a custom with the lovely Sara? How much is Lily going to love twirling in this?!!!

NOT!

A sour note: I'm a little bugged by people who think it is okay to rip off, steal or borrow someone else's creative idea, design or pattern, be it in whole or part, and call it their own. This is not just something that has and is happening to me, but I see it more and more in the creative community. Be inspired, yes.  Emulate, yes. But don't steal or copy please.  Please be respectful of the fact that creative ideas are property, if you don't go around stealing people's bikes don't steal their crafty designs and ideas. If you do steal bikes, well this probably means nothing to you anyway.

Westfield Shopping Centre Gift Cards: it was bad enough that I had to go there, bleh! But then no major stores in Westfield accept these Gift Cards, very handy indeed. When I finally found one that did that was actually worth shopping at, the card didn't work as it wasn't validated properly. 

Sakata Seaweed Biscuits: and whoever the "genius" was there who thought it was a good idea to "improve" their biscuits by putting crap in them!!! 

oh, the shame, the shame!!!

Every knitter, and probably most crafters, I know has some of these. You know, those long term UFOs that are hidden at the back of a cupboard or stuffed in a corner somewhere in a knitting bag. You pick them up sporadically here and there, mainly out of guilt, which usually doesn't last too long before they are shoved back into their hidey hole.

Well, I'm pleased to say that October was my month for knocking off a couple of these UFOs. Yay for me!! And you know what? They were both adult sized garments!!! Double yay!!  

The impetus for this?  I really really want to knit Laura Chau's Honeybee cardigan.

But I gave myself a stern talking to and decided I wasn't allowed to start another garment for me until I finished the two that were on the needles. And amazingly enough, I actually listened to myself and did finish them.

This first garment is Something Red by Wendy Bernard. Looking at my Rav notes, I started this in September 2007. oops!  

I'm blaming the fact that I frogged a great deal of this for it taking so long.  I knit this out of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece as a dk weight yarn on 4mm needles so made a few mods to the pattern sizing. In the initial knit, I didn't like the depth of the armholes. Unfortunately, I only discovered this when I was a good way into the ribbing... so I ripped back and redid them.

Embarrassingly enough, when I picked this up to finish it, it only had four rows to go on the body!!!  I still have to sew the button on though despite finishing it a month ago now.

And I do actually wear it!!!

I'm not so sure why this second one took so long either, as when I picked it up there wasn't a great deal to go BUT I did gain an important lesson in why you shouldn't leave such projects so long. When I was seaming this up (bleh!) I discovered I'd knit two backs, hmm, very handy indeed.

Anyway, this one is the Zig Zag Rib Vest by Jo Sharp.

Initially, when I finished it I was a bit ho hum about it. It is very boxy in shape and a bit shorter than I personally would like.  I can see why the model on the actual pattern is seated.  but you know, I actually have worn it quite a bit around home, I really do like a good vest.  

According to my notes, I actually started this in July 2007.  What was I doing in 2007 starting and not finishing two adult garments?  Who know? 

Now it's time to cast on a few new things, and whistle airily and continue to ignore those few other longterm UFOs gathering dust in my craft room.

the japanese skirt

Today, I was politely informed this morning, I was to make the Japanese skirt.

ok.  

Would you believe that from all the truly Japanese prints in my stash, this is the one Lily chose?  Amy Butler's Daisychain print.  Superb, huh!

So again, some simple rotary cutting for the basic shapes and another new skirt was to be had. I wish it were mine.  

  

I had planned a zip for this one, but Lily wanted elastic waist as the zip would be too hard for her to manage.  I decided to go for a separate waistband to cut down on the bulk around the waist that comes from  such a full skirt.

Apparently, it is exactly as she has always wanted and will wear it until she is 18. Awww, I might just make her that dress tomorrow she has planned for me.

creative space

I'm jumping back on the creative space bandwagon in an effort to blog a little more.  Lily has gymnastics on Thursday in the afternoon so I find I don't often create during the day on a Thursday.  Today, however, Lily asked me to make her a skirt, not just any skirt, but one out of Japanese fabric.  Aha, I have a little of that in my stash.  

So off we went to the sewing room to rummage through the fabric bin and choose some fabrics.  Lily unfortunately is easily swayed by all things pink and pretty and her vision of a blue Japanese fabric skirt quickly went out the window when she spotted butterfly fabric. Every piece of butterfly fabric was dragged out and assessed for the job. Mmmm, I do seem to have a lot of butterfly fabric too.

Her final choice was a cheap little cotton which matched up with some cute little pink floral.  Some simple rotary cutting and not too much later we had a skirt.

We also had fun making these little racing car dudes, not the healthiest of treats but lily was so disappointed we didn't get to make them for Toby's birthday party (which we had to cancel) that I could not refuse her.

more creative spaces over at kootoyoo

what do you get a one year old boy for his birthday?

a little red wagon of course!

And yes, he loves it.   And took it for a good test run today, complete with his teddy in it. We also bought Toby a teddy bear, as Lily pointed out to us that Toby didn't actually have a teddy bear. This was quite disconcerting for her as she has Gwyneth and Andy and I both still have our childhood teddies. How could Toby not have a teddy bear? So now he does. He has this gorgeous fluffy bright yellow bear whom Lily has dubbed Morris.. original, yes indeedy.

It's hard not to feel quite sentimental about your little one's first birthday. I've found myself thinking all day about what I was doing 12 months ago at that moment. Toby was born just before midday on November 12 2008 so a good part of the waking day I was in labour. The rest I think I spent glowing and staring at that gorgeous little bundle.  Even now, at this late hour of the night I am still thinking about it, I know I would have had him tucked under the crook of my arm either feeding or asleep and I would have been still studying him in awe.

He is a sweet little boy, yes he is definitely a boy now with such a strong and funny little personality.  It's hard not to wax lyrical about what a wonderful year we had with him as a baby, but it's so true.  We really have been blessed, and it's all thanks to the chocolate. Oh yes indeed, the chocolate I consumed in pregnancy certainly paid off and delivered us another calm bubba. 

And just to make you clucky, and because it really does blow me away that this tiny little bubba below has grown into that little boy above in a such short space of time; here's Tobias 12 months ago.

Happy Birthday my darling boy.

XXX

this time last year...

I was asleep. 

Anticipating the arrival of our little boy.

Hoping the niggles would strengthen over night.

Anxious about the looming threat of induction.

Empowered by the dream of a natural no drug birth.

Enveloped by the love of my little family,

that was about to grow to encompass

and include

one more little person.

 

it's friday ... breathe ...

It's been one of those weeks here, you know those ones where you've got something on everyday, you're out more than you're home and before you know it, it's Friday and you really haven't had time to catch your breath. 

To be honest, the whole term, the four weeks since we've been back from our holiday, have been a bit like this.  The dreaded swine bug seemed to have infiltrated our family on the boat back from Tassie and it took a good three weeks before we were able to evict him from our home.  I'm finding now that I'm craving some precious free time, just a bit of time with no deadlines, no pressures to be somewhere or get something done, just some down time to do what I want, some precious bonding time just watching and playing with the little ones.  Some peace and some time to relax where I'm not thinking about that crazy out of control washing pile that still is yet to be conquered.

So this whirlwind of craziness started out with this peaceful and calming family day out last Saturday, a really lovely relaxing afternoon at the Freshwater Creek Steiner School's Spring Fair and Market.  A great little fair, very relaxing and such a lovely educational environment. I have mixed feelings about Rudolph Steiner's education philosophy and pedagogy, but nevertheless, the atmosphere and sense of community at this little place is lovely and we had a really lovely afternoon.

Lily's favourite part of the day was, of course, having her face painted by the lovely fairy Melody. I love the serious and almost pained expression she has during the painting.  It was all worth it though,  a very cute outcome.

It's been Children's Week, which has had Lily very excited. "We get a whole week!" she exclaimed. Yep, while poor old mumma and daddy get a day.  This has meant a few extra activities and outings added to the normal weekly curriculum. 

Hopefully after the weekend the sanctum of peace will return.   

Oh and the badge Lily is wearing, is one of our few home activities for the week.  It's a Woodland Doll-head Brooch that I bought in kit form from One Red Robin back at the Stitches and Craft show in March.  Lily and I had good fun making this little one.