PS...........

As per usual I forget to add things. Here is a link to some tutorials where you can used t-shirts to make baby pants and how to make pants that don't require a pattern. I have tried either but they are on my to-do list!

T-shirt pants

No pattern pants

A HOMEMADE CHRISTMAS

I have been working hard searching for great things to make with my own hands this christmas. I did intend to make a baby/patch quilt but i am yet to begin that project. However I have been sewing and creating other items. I have made some christmas decorations with paper,felt, and materials primarily that I have recycled from clothes our family memebers no longer can wear and may have a tear or some sort of imperfection making it hard for my to pass on to someone else. Anyway, it has been a lot of fun, more than I thought I would have. I really expected to be more frustrated then anything else and since I haven't really sewn using a sewing machine since highschool I was amazed how much I had remembered. I am still in the middle of some projects and I will most likely do a gallery when I have finished all of them, if I have time. But I wanted to add some truly helpful links so you can also benefit.
It's funny I was close to purchasing some patterns for a whole range of ideas I had swimming around in my mind, when I decided to see if I could snag a free tutorial or two. I was blown away at how many amazingly talented and gracious people out there who are willing to share their patterns for FREE! I have made a pillowcase dress, a skirt, a crayon holder, sugar body scrub, and christmas decorations all from free tutorials. So thankyou to all for making my life easier:) I will list below the items that you can make with the links to the blogs or websites I got the tutorials from.

crayon holder

pillowcase dress/top

lazy days skirt

homemade body sugar scrub


These are all great gift ideas for any time of the year and even just for yourself or family members. With the sugar scrub, I used caster/fine sugar that I had already had a vanilla bean in and sweet almond oil that i got from the healthfood store. I also chose grapefruit essential oil because I liked the smell of it. I suggest that you begin with a gentle scrub because the sugar even though it is finer than regular sugar still gives a good scrub and can be sore on delicate skin. I highly recommend this scrub, my skin feels wonderful and although I haven't used it on my feet i think it would be perfect for feet as well.
I hope you have found these ideas helpful in some way. Any questions just ask.

CHRISTMAS COMMITMENT STILL GOING...KINDA

Well my baby blanket has not taken off!! I had the material and the idea but keep failing to get my sewing machine which my grandma gave me but it lives at my mum's house from my mum. I will have to do it soon as i have some other little projects that will take me far less time if I just use the sewing machine rather than by hand.
I do have some great projects that I am working on atm. I happen to not be getting much teaching work atm so I am getting in as much craft as I can. I will be taking pics of these projects this afternoon after church and posting hopefully this evening or tomorrow once the kiddies are off to school! My friend Nat has a blogspot where she used my button flowers as prop for her caramel apples. I decided I would do a quick tutorial on how to make these sweet little darlings. It really is so easy to do. So keep a lookout for that to come. Anyway, I should be getting ready for church, so I will post again soon:)

BUYING FOR BABY!

I am now 24 wks pregnant. Other than being sick with the flu, I have been holding up quite well. The baby has been moving around and kicking alot. This is one of the joys of pregnancy that I love. I love feeling the baby and knowing that all is well. It can be a little comfortable sometimes especially those quick sharp kicks you get at really inconvient times like going through the check out - which happened to me on Tuesday!
Since this is baby boy number three I do have some clothes, but I wanted to get some new things for him. So I have picked up some good bargains at the Pumpkin Patch sale, some cute Bonds clothes which I are so cute and hard to resist! I have been searching for something handmade on Etsy and came across this cute little number which was on sale and made by mommyluv. It should arrive next week I think. I just thought the shorts were so cute! Anyway it won't be my last purchase, I can't hold myself back when I see something so adorable.

I am quite lucky actually. As all my boys have been born around the same time of year the clothes will fit at the right time of the year.

SUMMER SPLASH SLUSHY RECIPE

One thing i love about summer is icy drinks, with a straw,yes the straw must be added!!! The weather of late has been rather warm which has been nice, as its not too hot, its just right. Anyway I love icy things especially when the weather is warm, and especially when I'm pregnant!
So I put together a yummy mixture of ice, fruit, and cordial and made a really yummy slushy which I thought I would share. Now I know I should have a picture but I just keep forgetting to take a pic before I eat. I know I will get better at this.

Recipe

about 8 ice cubes (medium to large)
Pineapple - I had some fresh cut up, but about1/2 cup of diced or crushed would do.
Mango diced - I had a jar of mango(Select brand from Woolworths) and used 2 cheeks which were smallish.
1/2 cup cold water
Splash of cordial (this is all I had, juice would be a better option you could use any kind)

Put ice in first with a bit of the water and the fruit pieces. Blend until smooth. Add the cordial or juice and blend a little just to mix.
When I serve, I add just a little of soda water to help fizz it up. Lemonade(Sprite for Americans) could be used but I find this makes it a little too sweet and takes away the flavour of the fruit.

Enjoy!

Of course you can adapt many fruits to this drink. Frozen fruit works well too. I sometimes use frozen and put a couple less ice cubes. This is just a yummy cool drink which is just the thing on a warm day.

PS Don't forget the straw!!!

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA = SICKNESS!!!!

Last Wednesday evening my lovely mum and younger sister Gabs shouted me to a night out at the theatre. It was a secret until we arrived at the Lyric Theatre and I found out it was Phantom of the Opera. It was a pleasant surprise because I would have never considered taking myself or convincing James to take me. We had really great seats. We were I think the fourth or fifth row from the front and almost in the middle. We had such a great view. I feel like I have lived on Mars or something because I didn't know the story of the Phantom so was absolutley shocked when I found out how horrible and murderous he was. I was expecting a gentle man like Quasemodo from the Hunch Back of Notre Dam (disney version of course!!) So that was a shock but the singing, the props, the atmosphere was amazing and I was so grateful that my sister and mum organised the night for me.Gabs took me and it was nice to spend time with her.
Now for the meaning of the sickness in the title. My sister had been really sick the week before and was still getting over it. She offered me a few sips of her Diet Coke, and I thought, well I
had been a little sick myself, I am sure it won't affect me, right??! Well, too late! I was starting to feel off the very next day and by Friday I was completely out! I felt horrid. I was sore and achey, my sinus was blocked and i was coughing all the time. I am just starting to feel better now. I couldn't believe just a few sips of her drink would affect me not just so quickly but so badly. Anyway I am feeling better. So now when I think of my Phantom night its slightly tinted with the memory of being so sick the next day!

UNUSAL CRAVINGS.............DOLMAS

As mention I love my food! Another unsual craving I think most poeple would not relate to is lebanese vine leaf rolls or Dolmas. I can down about 6 of these in one go. They generally are small, about 4 cm long and maybe 2 cm wide, sometimes bigger, but I think the smaller ones tend to be the nicest. You can find these little tasties at most kebab shops for about 50c each. When looking at them make sure they look fresh and most. I have had some that are so dry and gross and really taste like they have been pluck from a can. You want to have ones that a made fresh. The vine leaf is on the outside and inside is rice with a lemony-mint and vinegar taste. The traditional way to eat them so I have been told is with Garlic sauce, but I enjoy them just as much on their own. Anyway is a great little treat to taste.
I love to try new stuff and I am well known in my family for doing so. When I met James he didn't know about about unusal or different food. But now he loves his Thai, sushi, Pide, and heaps of other things he most likely would never have considered to try. One of my goals in life is to do tour of the world, eating at interesting places and gathering great recipes and ideas. I would of course squeeze in site seeing and shopping, but the food is what I like the best.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD......GREAT PLACES TO EAT OUT

I just love FOOD! I really do and I can't get enough of it sometimes. Being pregnant doesn't make this obession any better for me really, but I do abuse my right to eat more and enjoy more food as it is best for the baby, isn't it??!!! Right now my thoughts are with stir chicken with rice noodles which I purchase from a small Asian place in the food court at Carlingford Village in Carlingford (just up the road from the Temple). This place makes the best asian food for the best prices. I love going and trying new stuff and the lady that takes your order is the sweetest, most helpful person you could come across and her smile is extrememly contagious. I have taken my husband here for dinner and he is quite sceptical of asian food places but he was silenced when he began to eat this yummy dish. The meal costs about $8.50 and is more than anough for two people. The other dish I like is special friend rice which is a little spicey but not overly offensive. Again that dish is about the same price and one plate is enough for two. If you are on a tight budget but want great food, this is a great place to go. I don't have pics but next time I eat there I will snag a pic with my mobile or try to remember my camera.

Gorgeous stuff from courtneycourtney

I just have to mention my last purchase for my daughter Claire. She is 7 and the only daughter I have. I love to spoil her with lots of cute and stylish clothes. As I have mentioned I love Etsy.com and came across a featured seller courtneycourtney.
She makes t-shirt dresses and tops out of recycled t-shirts. I think they are just so adorable. I ended up purchasing this one on a bit of a impulse purchase really, but she doesn't seem to have a large supply of size 7 or 8 and I wanted to get something quick before the dollar went down any further. I think Claire will look gorgeous in this anyway! Anyway check out her stuff, I think its very cool and creative and so cute for little girls too.

Christmas Commitment!

I decided a couple of days ago, that this christmas I am endeavouring to make as many christmas gifts as I possibly can. Its not the best timing in some ways, as I am 5 mnths pregnant and the baby will be born sometime around Christmas(at this stage hoping after!). But I have thought about this over the past couple of years so I want to do it.

My plans
I want to make mini hampers for friends using homemade foods. My thoughts have gone to making a yummy pesto, lemon curd/butter and either shortbread or fudge. I also have come across an awesome idea that I found on Etsy
where these people make cupcakes in a jar. So I am going to attempt this idea with some of my own ideas.
For my nephews and nieces, the younger ones anyway, I want to make camo crayons. This concept I discovered also on Etsy. Where you melt down broken up crayons in moulds. Whack them in the oven and then cool. You get awesome crayons in awesome shapes and multi colours. I like to make jewelry to my older nieces and nephews will get jewelry appropriate for their gender.
For my kids, I am going to make them each a patchwork quilt. I am realistic, I know that I may not get to all of them by christmas but their birthdays are not long after christmas, so I can aim for then if I don;t have it done by Christmas.
The kids will get a toy or two but I want them to have things they will hopefully treasure for many years to come. I have made them things before and they have still love them, so I want to capitalise on that while I can still get away with it!!!!
So I have a busy time ahead of me, but I enjoy this type of thing, and now I have a good excuse to spend all my free time making things and being creative. I will add things and pics as I go along.

It's a .....................

We had the ultra sound last monday and all is well with bub. It's growing at the right rate and everything is where it should be!! So the big question is, boy or girl? We will be expecting our third boy. So now i will be raising a roost full of testosterone (not sure of spelling!!!) Chris and Liam are good boys though, so I am hoping this one will be there same. Although I could have a boy with the characteristics of Claire, then that would be something to experience!!! Whatever the outcome, I am blessed to have another baby in our family. I count myself very lucky to have 4 children, as I know a lot of women out there have problems falling pregnant for the the first time.

Adding to the Roost!!!

I have been quite slack in updating here but I am hoping to spend more time blogging(that last comment sounds familiar!!!). I do want to mention that James and I will be expecting baby number 4 in Dec/Jan. I am currently 15 weeks along and feeling much better than I did for the first 12 weeks. I still get sick in the morning and night, but I haven't puked for about a week now which has been lovely!
I have been thinking a lot lately but things I have really wanted to do and before baby number 4 arrives I want to accomplish some goals I have had. This will be the place I am going to get a lot of them down and share them. Until the next time, keep safe:)

ANOTHER SALE AT ETSY

I was absolutely chuffed, that I got another sale this week. A beautiful bracelet I made about 6mnths ago, pictured above. The lady e-mailed me saying she was interested but only if I could make matching earrings. She gave me a description, which I could picture straight away in my mind, but I was still worried it wouldn't be right. Thank goodness she loved them :) It totally made my week, its always nice to have people like what you create! I also sold some beads as well.

OOOPS!!!!

Sock dogs are made from socks, not dogs!!!!

NEW ITEMS FOR MARCH AT ETSY STORE

Here is just a few of my new items for March. My sale has started and will go until the 20th March. Everything else at the moment is well. I am very taken by sock dogs at the moment. They are dogs that are made from dogs. So I am giving them a go and seeing if its something I can do. I am still keen on my felt creatures and hope to have more of those in the near future. Hope you are all doing well and having a great week.

MARCH SALE AT MY ETSY STORES

I am advertising during March on the Spring and Main showcases at Etsy.com. To celebrate all my items will be discounted by 10% even newly listed items. I will also be extending an invitation to buyers to add me as a favourite or add my store to their blog and for doing this, I will make purchases of $12 or more discount by 15% instead of 10%. My cascadebead store I think has a lower purchase amount. So if you are looking at this, take a look at my stores and take up these great offers. Sale begins March 1 and goes to March 18th AEST. Thanks:)
All prices are in USD.

PS

The baby isn't listed!! Its the hair band she is wearing:) The baby model is my gorgeous niece who is 9 weeks old, isn't she just a cutie:)

SOME OF MY RECENT ETSY LISTINGS

Here are some items i have listed recently on my etsy web shops. I haven't had another sale:( But I hope more will come in the future, I just have to stick at it really.

SICK IN SUMMER

I am currently recovering from a bout of bronchitis. I can't believe i got bronchitis in summer!!! It;s usually associated with winter or at least the cooler seasons, but not summer! It has been a rather strange summer I have to say, especially for Sydney. February is usually the hottest month of the year. I was pregnant with Claire and Christopher during February and I remember stinken hot days of 40C plus. Liam was born in Janurary but I do remember a hot Feburary as i was still recovering from my C-section and I couldn't have a swim when i wanted to.
Anyway, the weather has not been all that hot, which is nice actually, its nice to be hot but not unbearably hot!

FIRST ETSY SALE FOR THE NEW YEAR

Well, I have actually been feeling rather crook since Thursday last week as I have come down with Bronchitis. It is a horrible sickness to have.You are all achey, throat is sore and croaky. Anyway on monday I had a nice surprise that brightened my day. I got my first Etsy Sale for the year. The above item was purchased by an Australian. I hope many more will follow. I created the pendant and attached the beads to the chain. If anyone is interested I can always make another, but some beads will not be the same. I will also note that I am currently working with some children's boutiques in the sydney area, to stock my work. Its very exciting and I do hope they all say yes, and I can let you all know where my items can be purchased. I will keep you up to date:)

MY CHEEKY CHICKEN

Have you seen "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory"? The latest one , starring Johnny Depp.Well if you have, remember the line that Willy Wonka says to Mike TV, "You know you really shouldn't mumble, because I can't hear a single word your saying!!!"
Well, my daughter, who is the eldest said something rather funny the other day. We were heading off to school and she was having a bit of a dummy spit and was mumbling away in the back of the car and I said my golden line from Willy Wonka, thinking it would make her laugh, instead I got this:
"I am not the mumbler, you are the mumbler, that's why you are called mum!"

Well, I held back the laughter as she was not very happy, and I didn't want to make the situation worse. But I had to share this, it was such a cheeky but rather clever thing to say:)

Etsy Shops

I have two shops on Esty where I sell what I create. The first shop is for beads and jewelry for ages 18+ and my other shop is for children and I sell felt creatures, hair accessories, and jewelry for ages 4+.

www.cascadebeads.etsy.com

www.crazychickens.etsy.com

Take a look tell me what you think:)

FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL......

Well the day finally arrived. Thursday 31st Jan, Christopher's first day of school. He was very excited. There were no tears,and thankfully, no "You can go now mum!" He just walked right into his classroom and began to play with the construction toys(just like preschool!)

When I picked him up, I asked him how is day was.
"Lots and lots of fun, mum. So much fun!"
"So you are ok to go back tomorrow then?" I asked hesitantly.
"No, I don't think I need to go back." he replied.

But sure enough he was up this morning asking for breakfast and where his clothes were so he could get ready. Again, no tears just straight in and wanting to learn.

Summer projects

Despite the little spare time I have, I have managed to get my creative juices flowing and create some interesting things so far this summer. My latest craze is buttons and felt. I have always known about felt but not thought much about it. My fave website at the moment is Etsy.com. Its where people like myself, who love to make all kinds of stuff can list their creations and hope that someone else 'gets' it and loves it too and will pay money for it. I have got some much inspiration from fellow creative people that is makes me feel better that their are so many people out there like me, and make a little bit of money, sometimes a living out of doing what they love.
Generally, I am a beader, but I have got a little taste of felt and sewing, and I was amazed, I was better at it than I thought I would be and my harshest critics, my kids, love what I make and are constantly giving me ideas and making requests.

The second picture is of my little darlings, or otherwise known as buttons flowers. The idea is not mine, I have to say, its been borrowed. But the minute I saw them I fell in love with the idea and couldn't wait to make my own. They make awesome presents and I have some listed on Ebay atm for Valentines.

The first pic is a monster I made for my eldest son Christopher. I had already made one for Liam and when Chris saw his, he had to have one too. I can't locate Liam's, but its nothing like Christopher's. I used felt, buttons, denim, poly fill, and cotton thread. I have so much fun designing and creating these little creatures and I am always relieved when my kids love them too:)

First Entry

Well this is my first entry. I will try and work out how to use everything and how to get things on in due time. I like to create lots of different things and load my creations and what I am up to here. All my Crazy chickens refers to me little kiddies. Whenever they are doing something silly or crazy I call them my crazy chicken or chickens. Since my life revolves around them and my darling husband, what better name??