bunny boy

This week my train project was sewing up this little bunny for a friend who has just given birth to her first child. The pattern was from a free download from Hillary Lang.

Good fun - a few problems; didn't quite stuff it to the gills as Hillary instructed and also I left the gap to stuff it at the bottom of the bunny, when it should have been the side - this makes for problems standing the bunny up!

I hope he eats all those weeds up in my garden.

Stuffed it

Started sewing an appliqué t-shirt for Hj - a project I have been meaning to get to for ages and I stuffed - it... Mum thinks my machine needs a service & she is right - tonight I started putting together Kd's library bag and it was VERY unhappy - going around to Mum's tomorrow to steal her machine for a bit

My sister's crafting

I am the eldest of six children; who are all extraordinary and inspiring people. Who, without the knowledge that they are in my life and always who I am I certainly wouldn't dream of and then work towards my dreams

Here is a little of my second little sister's crafting; R (or Chelly pops!)




These are pattern pieces from some fantastic quilts that my Mum made for me - my greatest and most hidden regret is what happened to these quilts - please don't ask - I don't have them any more...

My intention it to make one for my daughter Hj for her second birthday - WATCH me stitch (hope it doesn't end up being her 12th birthday!)


This last picture is my brother restraining himself from going mad (although his muscles look impressive) and my new sister C (ooh and she has her Christmas apron on too - also made by R) - packing wedding invitations - we got ours in the post today and they look fantastic - although it ended up just being my drawing and not my sewing - hhhhmmmm - when am I going to be SUPER MUM?

library bag blast off or let it all dag out

This is my most recent embroidery work - I had a lovely time at the beach working on this design for Kd's pre-school/kinda library bag.

It is worked up using satin stitch and I was inspired and basically duplicated a design from a lovely book called Creative Needlecraft


I really love using satin stitch - filling up a space with colour and I very much seduced by the colours of embroidery thread. I first worked using satin stitch for a fourcast project early 2006.

It was also fun working on denim - I chopped up a favorite skirt that is a bit big for me now - the fabric is lovely and soft, with a slight stretch

I am really avoiding getting stuck into my serious sewing for my shows coming up - a nice way to spend lazy time at the beach.

(although my son told me, when I showed him the finished design, he wants a teenage mutant ninja turtle library book bag...)

Weekly Yoga posture focus: Bhastrika

I really enjoyed having a focus on a yoga asana, and what excuse is there for not doing Viparita Karani at the end of the day - so easy and you feel fantastic coming out of the pose and also a great sleep.

This week I thought I am going to spend a bit more time with a pose that helps to wake up my digestion and inner focus - which has burnt right out after Christmas and all those hot spells. It is a Pranayama Breathing Exercise called Bhastrika or Bellows Breath.
My yoga teacher first taught this breath to me before my first child was born and I haven't thought about it for a long time - I picked up a cheesy looking book from the library called The Seven Spiritual Laws of Yoga and this was the first pose I read about.

Basically it is really quick breathing in the belly through the nose - puff puff and snort snort. Good blood pumping stuff.


Haha - just found a funny video if you are keen to check out the technique for this breathing - wow it is amazing how spending a little time on focused breathing can help make you feel really great!

In my cheesy yoga book too I found a lovely quote; "If you can cease all restless activity, your integral nature will appear." Lao Tzu

Kd Key Tag

Here is Kd's key ring - good fun felt sewing


We are off to the beach today for a few days. Catch you on Monday.

Yoga asana for the week

This is Kisen (from a Pure and Simple Yoga; a book I borrowed from the library) he is in Legs up the Wall pose or Viparita Karani.

I have decided to start with my yoga goal of focusing on an asana with a posture I enjoy doing; but don't do enough of and also it is a good quite non-heating pose for the terrible heat we are having.

My yoga teacher once told me this pose, if practiced daily, will lengthen your life - a life giving posture.

More can be read about Viparita Karani, at a site I like to visit by Yoga Journal here


This posture is fantastic for me and my legs which retain water especially in this heat and also washes wonderful blood into my hips; another trouble spot in my body.

It also helps promote peacefulness in the heart and for sleeping - lovely to do just before you jump in bed.