Yeah I Made It 40/52... Pixie Coats

Sewing friends how's the pin cushion treating you?

So turns out, I love being a family member but I get an F for birthday dates.

I have 2 delicious nieces whose birthdays I recently missed. Yes I know I need to hang up a birthday calendar (my sister made me one) and make sure the birthdays are written on it. Organisation is what we might call and 'emerging strength', which is kind of teacher speak for something I'm pretty rubbish at!

So I used the very simple to put together Big Little pixie coat pattern to make them matching coats. Even though they are 2 years apart I made them the same size because the little one comes from tall genes and the big one doesn't and also they live in different seasons.

Yellow buttons for one and purple buttons for another.

I adore the corduroy horse fabric, there may be enough for a skirt for the least impressive Aunty to make herself one too!

I lined the coat in pink flannelette because if I were small I'd be pretty happy living my life in flannelette.

So, how's your birthday track record? Better than mine right?

love you more than a birthday gift in the post xxx

thirty eight and thirty nine

these boys I love

doing their thing with their Friday band group at church - we were one microphone short but my little one manned up and sang without - so proud of him

on adventures in the city - love the way the little one is looking at the big one

one on camp for 3 days - it's a big deal for us

one who spends most of his life skipping from one destination to another

love you more than holiday-mode xxx

Me, Earl and a Dying Girl

hiya readers,

I always like to read a book before I see the movie (or if I see the movie - the book might determine that too!).

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews has been made into a movie recently so I wanted to make sure I read the book before any previews of the movie spoiled the book.

I actually like the original/other cover better but this is the one with the movie tie-in bit.

The book is set in high school - the last year, and centres around Greg whose sole aim in life is to get through with as little awkwardness as possible. He lives on the periphery at all times, low profile, almost in all groups but not fully in any.

In his down time he and his 'not-really-friend more of a coworker' Earl make strange movies. Then Greg gets coerced into a friendship with Rachel who is dying.

So what sounds like a supremely depressing premise for a novel is actually rather funny. The book is told from a teenage boys perspective so you can expect cuss words, sex talk and general grossness from time to time. The book switches between a traditional narrative and play script writing style and addresses the reader directly. I think this book will become one of those reads that has appeal across the teenage spectrum because of its style and its ability to relate to its audience.

There is a cool section in the back with a Q&A and some excerpts from the screen version with author notes at the bottom. I found this really interesting in terms of the movement between the book to movie expectations and challenges.

A must read for anyone who wants to be able to talk with teenage readers of the book. Also if you're planning to see the movie I think the book and the final section would really enhance the overall experience.

Some laugh out loud moments.

Details - Allen & Unwin July 2015, RRP $19.99. 

love you more than a totally awkward silence xxx

Collaborating

Distracted crafters,

How are you? How's the list of to-dos and more importantly how many are craft projects?

So I purchased a bright blue hoodie for Bounce a while ago when I thought he only had one that fitted him, (I was quite wrong but let's not focus on that!). I asked him if he wanted to decorate it with me and he was very keen.

He drew a Diplodocus, because that is his favourite dinosaur, for the back and we cut it out to create the pattern. I designed the pocket one and he chose the buttons. (There are 4 legs and one tail).

We're both very pleased with the final outcome.

Not bad for a cheap, possibly not essentially needed, hoodie.

love you more than being sure of how to pronounce diplodocus xxx

Book Week - A Compendium of Collective Nouns

Wordy wordsmiths prepare to be ear tickled,

A Compendium of Collective Nouns by Jennifer Skelly is one of those books I picked up on 20 different occasions in the store, went to buy it but discovered it was out of stock and eagerly snatched up the next time we were both in store at the same time.

This a self published title and there is a book 2 as well. I adore this book, it is a kids title but, as with many kids titles, I purchased it for me. (I do share these books with my children and other people's children too, obviously!).

What is really cool is that Skelly crowd-funded this book which is a win for every wannabe author and illustrator who has felt like publishing will never happen for them. And, given that she is ready to publish her fourth title, I think it would like a successful journey too.

Each page contains a gorgeous illustration of a group of animals and their collective noun underneath. Some favourites are 'a flamboyance of flamingos' with 'a charm of finches' and 'a bouquet of hummingbirds'... but really every page is a treat for this word loving lady.

This is one of those books that makes me happy every time I look at it. If you love words and meanings and pictures this is a book to make you smile too. You can purchase her book directly from her website. It is a really nice sized book (between A5 and A4) with a hard cover and I think well worth the money, plus you get all the joy of the indie experience.

It is for sale on her website for $24.95 (plus postage). In Adelaide you can also purchase a copy from E for Ethel's cafe on Melbourne St.

love you more than wisdom of wombats xxx

Book Week - What My Daughters Taught Me

Bookish types pull up an old leather chair and donn your slippers!

What My Daughters Taught Me by Joseph Wakim is an autobiography or memoir (I confess I am unsure if there is a difference. Does an autobiography cover a whole life? How is a memoir different and should it contain things to remember like shopping lists??).

In 2003 Joseph lost his wife Nadia to breast cancer and found himself the solo dad to three amazing girls aged 4, 9 and 11. This book tells the story of their next 12 years together and the ways in which he learnt to both hold on to the important bits and let go of the bits that needed to be let go of.

As he worked, parented, grieved and tried to create a safe haven he garnered all sorts of insights.

This book has laugh out loud moments, cry moments and a whole lot of information that a solo father of girls has to discover along the way. I loved the way that Wakim writes with self-deprocation and honesty and I think there is lots to learn for anyone, as well as an insight into a beautiful and healthy relationship forged in the hardest of circumstances.

Details - Allen & Unwin, July 2015, RRP$32.99 also available as an ebook.

love you more than a family band xxx

Yeah I Made it 39/52... for the Ladies

Babes,

Our church is participating over the year in an anti trafficking fundraiser for women in Nepal. You can find out more here.

Saturday is a women's breakfast, because you know us ladies we like food and we ain't gonna lie. Tickets are sold for the breakfast with all profits going to the charity but then they also have stuff you can buy on the day like merino infinity scarves and baking on vintage plates, and let's face it baking done by someone else is always more tasty! (or, contains almond essence and glace cherries - blurk! Don't you hate it when that happens??!).

So a non-crafty friend and I whipped up 18 polymer clay necklaces to sell. When I say whipped up what I really mean is ate chocolate and chatted while doing damage to our thumbs. Evidence below:

I always find it supremely rewarding when people's practical gifting can be used to bring real and meaningful difference to other people. We spent just below $50 and will possibly make nearly $200 for the cause. That's a good return on a blistered thumb in my books.

It's a little thing/philosophy of mine that rather than thinking we can't make a difference perhaps we could all just start with what talents we have and see how those pan out for us.

love you more than spending frenzy at a charity event xxx