Bundling Up

Lately I am getting ribbed by my beloved for swathing myself in an angora blanket and thick socks in the evenings. Yes it's still Autumn, and by day we can usually still get away with t-shirts and sandals/jandals, however it's starting to get a bit brisk in the evenings, and I think there's nothing better than snuggling up with blankets and brandy and hot drinks (and chocolate, though that is most definitely not a season-specific vice).

I've just finished sewing Lucy a merino cardigan out of an adult sized jersey that someone shrunk when washing. I cut it up a bit (made the arms shorter from the top to preserve the ribbing at the cuffs, and altered the neckline a little) and added a hot pink vislon zip. It's a long cardigan which will look cool with leggings, so I guess I better make some of those too. Lucy is wearing Winter 08 coats here (still going strong!) and most importantly, her new Winter boots - grey, leather, Country Road. It's a supple leather, and the upper is stitched to the sole (rather than glued, which tends to be the way for kids boots) so they seem durable enough. Sure you can go cheaper (though these were very reasonable for full leather boots) but I only buy one pair of boots each year for Lucy (these are last year's, still being worn too), so cost per wear they work out great.



Audrey got new tights and socks, seen here sporting her bright red cable knit ones (Country Road too). She also got a pale pink and grey fair isle pair. I wish I could show you (they're my favourite) but unfortunately they're already in the wash. I am very tempted to go back for more, they're so darn cute.

One Buck Fun

Thrifty goodness in this $1 I Love Paris t-shirt I found the other day (appears new, a bonus!). The t-shirt falls in to my category of 'it's so bad it's good'. And I don't know how this sounds but I think I would wear this outfit of Lucy's. Is that sad? Mind you, I admire a lot of outfits on girls half my age these days. They seem to be dressing older, much quicker.

a party frock

With the scent of a birthday party in the air, Lucy immediately asked to wear her pink silk dress to the event. It's such a curse to handwash and press though (and having it drycleaned after every wear would be quite ludicrous), so I offered to make her a new party dress, one that would be better suited to the rigours of a child's birthday party. I made this offer the morning of the party. What a fool am I! I sketched during breakfast, Lucy picked the fabric and I drafted the pattern after breakfast (ah yes, there was no pattern), and then I sewed like nothing else when Audrey went down for her morning sleep. To make this structured linen dress a bit edgier, we added an exposed bright pink heavy duty zip.


Of course Audrey had to get a new top too (I am learning very fast the importance of keeping things even). It's in a Liberty print and lined in a sheer pink, silk-like linen.

handprint art

Lucy and Audrey and I decided to set to work on a canvas I'd had stored away for some time. I don't like things looking too done, too calculated (a statement which might go some way to explaining my dress sense, not to mention my hair) so decided to hand over artistic direction to Lucy. I did choose the colours though, but playing with pink paint is hardly hardship for Lucy. I like the true randomness which quite possibly only a child is capable of . I know whenever I've attempted to paint in a random manner, it usually ends up looking not so random, a little more planned.

So, voila!, we have a new artwork above our fire place. Mostly Lucy's handprints in varying colours, but also two of mine and one little pink pint-sized one, that being Audrey's chubby little palm.

It might not sell at an auction, but I love it because it has my two girls written all over it.