Adventuring

We got in the car to go off adventuring. Just off, for random drive nowhere in particular. We were headed to the 'country' as the kids keep talking about camping (in a tent too - don't know where that came from). We got to Ballarat and had a little look around there. It is certainly somewhere we plan to go back to. On our list is Sovereign Hill and Kryall Castle. Maybe we can camp in one of the caravan parks for a weekend...

Twirly Whirly Skirts

Kinder had some outside dress up that needed replacing. All tulle and netting was 20% off at Spotlight so I got a meter and a half of each (so it was a square as it was 150wide)

They were super easy with a full circle they only needed waist elastic.

Here is the fabric laid out (it was a soft net with sparkles)

Folded in half

Half again to have a quater

Cut a small circle from all the folds and then a large one from the open edges

Opens out to a full circle skirt with a large circle in the middle.

Then I stretched elastic into the centre circle to make the waist. The skirts are sheer to be worn over clothes and the kids need to be able to put them on themselves. And of course who can resist spinning around in a full circle twirly whirly skirt. Not me (and I did!)

In a bid to rid myself of scraps, I used the leftovers to make a completely no sew skirt. I literally tied the large left over pieces onto elastic and tied the elastic together. I did sew some decorative flowers on, but that is totally optional.

These are the larger pieces cut from the corners of the skirt with the point positioned at the top. There were four scraps from each skirt. I laid them out in a pattern.Then I literally tied the top point of the fabric to a piece of elastic. It was some underwear elastic and I just spaced them evenly around what I thought was waist size. (the boys weren't very interested in modelling.) Then I tied the elastic in a knot. Really a no sew skirt. To finish it off, and rid myself of any scraps, I gathered the centre circles cut from the other skirts into a sort of puffy flower and placed the four of these evenly around the skirt waistband. I sewed these on.

Finally - some sorting

Today was one of the first days that I was home without children. First time in like 4 years!! So I got in and did some tidying and sorting. It is amazing how much more one gets done without little helpers. Furniture was moved, learning zones established, floors vacuumed and moped. It is just so satisfying and it stayed like that for over an hour (just).

One thing I have been planning to do for ages was dealing with the prolific artwork. Each boy gets a tube for storing their artwork. I will use it later as wrapping or even cards. I also photographed each piece so that I can record their progression and also put them on display on our digital photo frame. So not only am I pleased with myself the boys are loving seeing their artwork on telly!

Opportunity

I have had the pile of my old clothes in my room for some time now. I was going to host a clothes swap but that I feel takes more organisation than I can muster. Then Alexander and I thought about giving them to Queensland flood victims, and they don't want them - they actually want money as they don't have any storage. Fair enough. Then we thought a garage sale and sell them off, but again that has only been talk. What prompted my action was the phone man came to fix the phone and had to go into my room where there are piles of clothes stacked! He didn't know that they are clothes for donation and I didn't need to tell him. It looked awful and I have to do something about it.

So I sorted and folded all the clean clothes and they are only good clothes - all the stained or pilled stuff went in the bin. The car was loaded and I was off to the op shop.

I went when they were open because I was trying to help. I would have even put the things on hangers. I got there and found the appropriate person who didn't at all seem very interested. She (begrudgingly) came out to the car and had a cursory glance and said "No thanks". No THANKS! I am giving you nice clothes, not asking for any money, not dumped in a garbage bag on your doorstep and you say no thanks. I said I had some new pieces there, and she picked up an unworn beaded sussans top and said, "our customers are really looking for quality". Now I was getting shirty, because she lifted that top off an Alanah Hill, D&G and Witchery top. Also I have been IN to the op shop and if they were looking for quality they would still be looking 'cause it ain't in there! Our exchange finished with her quip, "Welcome to the world of Op Shopping".

So, I walked away, not feeling very welcome or helpful still with a bootload of old clothes. At least they are out of my room!!

Happy Valentines Day

I got a valentine - from my gorgeous little boy. It read:

To my Valentine

If apples were pears

and peaches were plums

and the rose had a different name

I would love you the same.

Awww

Time

Nothing notes the passing of time more that the growth of little children. Today was one of those days where I just felt old. We had a birthday party at a girlfriends house for both of her kids (1 & 6) and we were all gathered to celebrate.

In this photo is a group of girls I met at highschool and the fact we are celebrating a significant reunion this year means that I have actually known all of them more than half of my life. (Ugh - old)

Sadly this is the best photo I could muster, but it is interesting to see how far we have all come. There are lots of little babies, little children and it was a really lovely day. They all played so well together - like extended family which made the day much more enjoyable.

Boys being boys

Nay came over to day to finish off her dress. As often happens round these parts, mum took over and we sat with the kids playing outside. They had a ball and it was really lovely to see.