RANGA

Justin has found himself a new girlfriend.

Today they went off an adventure together.

Distinguished Gentleman's Ride - Brisbane

A cordial meeting for salutations and idle chit-chat, then saddle-up for a leisurely show-off through the city to Park Rd Milton, where we shall wow the fillies with our distinguished attire and fine machinery. We shall then sally-forth for a stately jaunt up Mt Coot-tha before resting for a spot of tea and more admiration from the general populace.

For more images, and the link to their Facebook page visit http://www.facebook.com/Gentlemansride

Ranga and Justin now spend many happy moments together...

THE LITTLE THINGS

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” ~Robert Brault

CONTEMPLATION UPON FLOWERS

Dress number one, blue flowers has now become skirt.

I simply chopped the top half of the dress off.

I used the fabric off the top of the dress to create a waist band. The outside of the band looks ok; however, the inside is a bit of a patchwork of fabric. Yes I could have used other fabric, but I wanted to re-cycle as much of the dress into the skirt as I could. The only thing I got elsewhere was the zip. The one I un-picked from the dress was way too long, and rather than chop it off, I used another zipper I have in my stash.

Over-all happy with the skirt as it ticks many boxes.

* One sewing item per week – tick.

* Up-cycling garments – tick

* Adding more colour to my wardrobe – tick

* New garment for under $5

You do obey your months and times, but I
Would have it ever Spring:
My fate would know no Winter, never die,
Nor think of such a thing.
O that I could my bed of earth but view
And smile, and look as cheerfully as you!

Henry King

ON THE BUSES: RUNNING FAMILY

JUST A BUTTON

Some weeks, life gets in the way of the best made plans. My plans of sewing one garment a week, preferably from recycled fabrics, just didn’t happen this week. All I managed was to find a skirt from an op-shop for under $5, and sew on the button it was missing. This has kinda summed up my week. 

With Justin working every day, and then each night this week he had something on...dentist, gym, photo shoot of Macy Gray... I didn't even get a shot of me in the skirt. Can't believe Macy Gray came before me! 

I did find four dresses in my op-shopping ventures, four dresses that I think can begin again with a little adjustment, or a lot or adjustments. 

Each dress has no front opening, so need to adjust that to allow for feeding Jarvis. All are way too big for me. The bottom two, the pink is a ho-hum colour on me and the yellow, in the yellow/pink floral, makes me look jaundice. But I got all four for next to nothing, so happy to un-pick, re-fashion and maybe even dye. Any suggestions would be great. Oh, and some free time to sew would be even better.

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The things you do.

ON THE BUSES: SHADOW COUPLE

JUNGLE ANIMAL ORIGAMI

This week’s sewing project was an easy cheat. A box pleat skirt with an animal print fabric, now known as: Jungle animal origami.

What was one an old 80’s girl, with shoulder pads and long sleeves, became a skirt. I have had her in my dress up suitcase for years, I have always loved the fabric, but the cut of the dress never appealed to me.

Originally I was going to remove the lining, the shoulder pads and the sleeves to have a sleeveless summer dress, but it just didn’t sit right. Plus, I would have had to re-do the neckline to allow for breast-feeding.

After all the careful unpicking, I ended up just chopping off the top half of the dress and turning over the fabric for a slight ruffle and elastic waist. Not much sewing involved, but happy with a new skirt that cost me nothing.

ON THE BUSES: AFTERNOON RIDE

MY SEPTEMBER 11

Eleven years have passed. It is a date that many will not forget for the profound horror this day bought upon the world. However, for me, and my family, this day is one of personal pain.

It has been 11 years. I still miss you so much. I miss our Sunday night phone calls. I miss that you have not seen Tamika grown up into this amazingly beautiful woman. I miss that you never got to meet Justin, you would have loved his gentle soul that calms me and keeps me sane. I miss that you have not got to meet your youngest Great-grandson Jarvis, he is a delight in every way. I miss your influence on my life.

But most of all I just miss you and your three kisses. I love you.

Patrica Hartmann, who was many things to many people, Grandmother, Mother, Sister, Great-Grandmother, friend, artist, world explorer, died. She was, is, my inspiration. And for the few years we lived together in the same house, Pat became more than my Grandmother, she was my friend, my confidant and my teacher.

I will not, cannot use, words such as loss or passed on, I did not lose my grandmother, I know where she is, she died, but she will be in my heart forever.

three little kisses

NINE MONTHS OLD

I am a couple days late, but it has been a busy week with my birthday lasting from Saturday through to Monday, and Father's Day on Sunday.

Jarvis seems to have gotten so tall in the last month; with big chubby feet, that no longer fit in any of the shoes he owns.

Two teeth have made an appearance, one on the 21st of August and one on the 25th. They did not come out with ease; there were tears and sleepless nights. We tried the Amber necklace theory... doesn't work, no success. Tried frozen teething rings and cold sugar peas...limited success. Resorted to Panadol and Nurofen...success!

Jarvis still cannot roll over or crawl, but is taking his first steps holding on to furniture. In fact, I think I need a back massage, as he loves to walk holding hands. All Day!

He is fascinated with men, especially men with beards. But, is such a flirt with the ladies, his favourite type of girl is 20 plus with long hair. Hmm sounds like Jarvis's older sister, I wonder what Freud would say about that?

Hands have come into play this month, with waving hello and good-bye, and clumsy attempts at clapping hands.

FLOWERS EVERYWHERE

Second day of spring, and Father's Day spent at the Botanical Gardens, the perfect day to wear this week's sewing project. A full circle skirt, with a black back-ground, and full of beautiful flowers.

Justin gave me a vintage dress a few years ago, I always loved the fabric, but the dress was always too small. Even now, after I have lost 10 kilos from my pre-pregnancy weight, it was still too small. Not sure who it would have ever fitted. Barbie? As the dress had a tiny waist and a huge bust area.

Since having Jarvis, I find myself dressing more and more, well sounds stupid for a 44 year old to say, but yes I am dressing more girly. The fuller skirts hide my weight loss and the tight waist shows off shape. Plus, Jarvis loves colour. His little eyes light up when ever I wear colour. OK, so this is still very black, but for me it is a huge change.

I slowly (read: wearing glasses sitting under a lamp) unpicked every seam in the dress. This was hard to do on a vintage dress with older frayed stitches. Then, the next part was simple; I made a full circle skirt and a basic waist band. I chose not to have a zip, but to use hook and eyes.

Footnote: My weight loss is something I normally do not wish to discuss; however, since I have mentioned it here I thought I would explain... It is a side effect of me being ill. I do not choose to lose weight, and do not normal discuss my weight and any one else's weight. But I have chosen not to take medication, so I can breastfeed, so I will continue to lose weight.

FATHER'S DAY

Some men are meant to be Father's

Even before Jarvis was born, Justin was a good Dad.

But, now that Jarvis has been born, Justin is a great Dad.

Much love and admiration goes out to Justin and the other new Dad's out there.

You cannot tell, but Justin is twirling for me and the camera.