At this moment in time, there are 4 things that are getting me through the day ... My family, my friends and this wonderful VIP ...

and this ....

Walk in the rain, jump in mud puddles, collect rocks, rainbows and roses, smell flowers, blow bubbles, stop along the way, build sandcastles, say hello to everyone, go barefoot, go on adventures, act silly, fly kites, have a merry heart, talk with animals, sing in the shower, read childrens' books, take bubble baths, get new sneakers, hold hands and hug and kiss, dance, laugh and cry for the health of it, wonder and wander around, feel happy and precious and innocent, feel scared, feel sad, feel mad, give up worry and guilt and shame, say yes, say no, say the magic words, ask lots of questions, ride bicycles, draw and paint, see things differently, fall down and get up again, look at the sky, watch the sun rise and sun set, watch clouds and name their shapes, watch the moon and stars come out, trust the universe, stay up late, climb trees, daydream, do nothing and do it very well, learn new stuff, be excited about everything, be a clown, enjoy having a body, listen to music, find out how things work, make up new rules, tell stories, save the world, make friends with the other kids on the block, and do anything else that brings more happiness, celebration, health, love, joy, creativity, pleasure, abundance, grace, self-esteem, courage, balance, spontaneity, passion, beauty, peace, relaxation, communication and life energy to...all living beings on this planet.

Bruce Williamson, "It's Never Too Late To Have A Happy Childhood", 1987

If i remember the above 4, this pain will pass and I will be happy again.

Birds of a feather flock....

.... half way there!! Loving the colours!!

Using spoolsewing's simple and quick bird pattern... Can't wait to have it finished and up in my spare room!! I had planned to walk my neighbourhood with Miguel this week to look for the perfect branch on which to settle them all ... but mother nature has decided to send us rain - the first in months!!

So these lovelies will have to wait a few days before finding their perfect roosting spot!

this is where you will find this very easy pattern, that looks so amazing ..

{embroidery quote]

embroidereading contest, originally uploaded by the_cleof.

when I get sad
I stop being sad and be
AWESOME
instead. true story

-Barney Stinson (how i met your mother)

{ CraftGossip : 3 Etsy shopping sprees >> EEEEEK!!}

Can you believe this amazing give a way via CraftGossip.com ... They are giving away 3 ETSY shopping sprees to the value of $100 EACH!!!  plus they will pay for shipping!!


All you have todo is make a wish list!!

well here goes, as you know i am always be moaning the face that here in south africa you cant find beautifully patterned fabric and when you do it costs the earth ... so there is little wonder about what I chose ... there are soooooooo yummy!!!!:

 

  

half yards of : 
Dino Fabric
M. Miller Snow Monkey Fabric
M.Miller Mermaids
Colourful Christmas in Red   (yummy bundle)


ribbons :
4 yards of Robot Ribbon  




then plushie patterns by the best plush pattern maker of all - the awesome Jodie from RicRacSews ....
Parsley and Beet Elephant    
Ernest and Pebble Turtle  

 

This awesome octopus pendant, i mean who could resist

well all i can do now is keep these fingers crossed!!!

LEGO BIRTHDAY PARTY

Miguel turned 6 this week ... i just cant believe it!  what on earth happened to my baby?  When asked what theme he wanted i knew the answer well before the said it  .. LEGO!!!

So I got busy and ticked of the long wish list  ....  I thought that I would share with you what I made as well as the printable PDFs as I know from the many hours of searching on the net that this is a popular theme with very little info.

The first were  the INVITATIONS :

It consisted of 4 pages and a VIP tag. Page 2 was the actual invite with the party details on it. I had left the date blank, because I used a stamp with glow in the dark ink to add the date. The moms told me later that the kids were closing themselves in their closets to see the date magically appear, as they could not wait for night time!  Page 3 was the RSVP and map details, and the last was the biggest hit of all  ... design your own Lego man! You should see the amazing drawings we got!

Assembly is really easy ... each page is 4 up on a A4 [A4 paper is 6 mm narrower and 18 mm longer than the "Letter" paper size], the tag has 8 on a page. Print them and cut out on light grey lines. Take one of each kind, & stack together in the order shown in the photos above and punch a hole in a corner. Then using 2 inches of ball chain and a connector (the kind to attach a plug to a sink or bath and can be bought from any building/plumbing supply store - or use cord) thread through the pages and use the connector to join the two ends together. Finally I used a corner punch to round the corners, but it is not necessary to do so.

The link to download the INVITATION is  HERE

If you dont see the Green download button just click on a thin grey bar at the bottom of your screen and the menu should appear.

For Miguel's name I used a font called LEGO THICK that can be downloaded for free here (just scroll down).  {

{NOTE : for some reason because the lego font is not a true font it wont work in the PDF>> it just overides the settings and makes it Ariel, i have tried to fugure out how to get around this, but it wont let me  - the only round the backdoor way to get arpound this is if you have photoshop, you need to open the invite page in PS and then use the lego font to write the name. sorry I have really tried to fix this to no avail.}

PARTY PACK COLOURING IN BOOK  - NOTES:

The Colouring-in Booklet PDF is 5 pages. To make the cover, I printed page one on yellow cardstock only page one. The inside of the book consists of the 4 remaining pages which I printed double sided (but its not a train smash if u cant).  Cut the all pages in half on the lines provided.  Then put one of each page together with a cover on top - the order does not matter but just make sure that the maze page is in the middle as it covers 2 booklet pages.

Make sure that when you fold you make a nice solid crease. I then used my sewing machine to stitch the pages together. See sewing isn't just for old ladies making doggy coats! You can do all sorts of cool stuff with them!!  If you don't have machine you can use a stapler just as well.   Now just trim the edges of the booklet so that all the pages finish neatly together.

The link to download the COLOURING IN BOOKLET is HERE

LEGO BUNTING :

Bunting is one of the easiest things to do to make an occasion festive.  I will use any excuse to make and string up a gorgeous bright row of bunting!!  ANY EXCUSE ... Easter, birthdays, Xmas, Friday  .... Sunny weather, cold weather ...

Bunting is a string of flags all sewn together on a fabric line.  I made a awesome string of bunting for the party .. with loads of Lego pics and bright blocks of colours inbetween  .. but in my old age I forgot to take a photo of said wonderful bunting, so you will have to believe me when I tell you it looked amazing flapping in the sea breeze!

I made a really long bunting - about 7 meters, so I printed the pdf out 3 times. The pics are 2 up on a page. Print and cut in half.  I also cut out card stock of the same size in yellow, blue and red. The order that I put them in was, one pic and then a card stock - but any order will do.  You will also need bias tape if you are sewing or just some cord or string if you are not going to sew the bunting.

I am not going to bore you with a tutorial as there are many out there.  Here are two really good ones...  

Scissor Variations - has one showing you how to make paper bunting if you don't have a sewing machine.

Katie from Explanation Required  a brilliant tute on sewing bunting - except instead of using fabric flags you will use your paper ones.

The link to download the BUNTING PICTURES is HERE

{EXTRA NOTE :I have a Bias binding foot for my sewing machine and it is worth every cent i paid for it (though they are not particularly costly).  If you use bias banding a lot you need to go and buy this foot!! the reason why i say that is that you don't have to pin your bias! Yip it just feeds the tape it through the foot, folds it in half and you just need to hold your center in the gap provided on the foot!  I LOVE IT! To sew 6 meters of bunting it only takes me about 15 minutes.}

I do have one little tip for sewing loooooong strips of bias though.  It can get twisted as you sew, so it can cause quite a bit of teeth gnashing and hair pulling to keep having to un twist it so that it feeds though nice and straight.  I buy my bias on rolls that are 25 meters long, all I do is thread the roll onto a stick (or on my case a baking spoon -a very necessary sewing tool) hold between my knees and off i go!! 

                                             

The last but most certainly not the least, the THANK YOU's for the party packs. Print onto A4 adhesive sheets.  Cut them out on the lines. For the pack I used clear packets for the party bags, which after filling with a few tasty treats I simply folded over and closed using the sticker that I had made!!

The link to download the THANK YOU is HERE

The last thing I made for the party were chocolate Lego blocks ... yes i know I'm a HUGE sucker for punishment!  Actually it was really easy to make, i was really surprised and I am sure that I will do it again!

I used a food grade silicone (it will come with instructions so you'll be fine!!)  I glued some Lego pieces right side up in to a disposable foil baking tray. I then poured the mixture over the lot, making sure that it covers the Lego about 1 inch. I let it set overnight, but check your instructions as different products may require different curing methods. The Lego blocks being plastic just slide right out the set mixture, so there is no need to put any lubricant on them before casting.

I then melted milk chocolate on my stove in a glass bowl sent on to a pot of hot water and let it slowly melt (not boiling water as it could burn the choc). When it was melted I used a spoon, scooped some out and poured it into the mould, put it into the fridge and on 40min .... da daaaa yummy Lego blocks !!

Well i hop that some of this was useful to some one out there in desperate mommy party land!  If you have any questions at all just let me know and I'll do my bst to help out ... Have fun!!

{EDIT : 26/7/2010 - I cannot get comments to work - if anyone can figure this out please let me know - I have tried everything  ... thanks ... cleo [at] techgear.co . za  GOT IT TO WORK! WOOOHOOO}

Grosgrain 'Oh Dear' frock Giveaway

The frock is dark navy blue. The material is thin and finespun. It is gorgeous and worth wishing for... go and check it out here http://grosgrainfabulous.blogspot.com/2010/05/oh-dear-frock-grosgrain-giveaway_10.html

look at how gorgeous this is !!

Grosgrain: Romeo & Mae Sewing Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Romeo & Mae Sewing Patterns GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Check this awesome give away : "Just in time for the warm weather, Romeo & Mae is offering 5 of their springiest patterns to one lucky Grosgrain reader.The cute little dress to the left is their Madeline Knot Apron Dress. Knot dress are great for growing kids since you can tie the know wherever you need it. Pair the knot dress with boots, tights or even my ruffle pants!"


go go now and have a look see!

stitchado: finally done!

stitchado: finally done!

[DISSAPOINTMENT UPDATE ... SUBLIME STITCHING]

Well if any one had any doubts about the power of the Internet, doubt no more ...

My last post was about how disappointed I was in a book that I had purchased and could unfortunately not return. Well a few days after posting I received a message from Jessica who works at Sublime stitching via Facebook!!

This is what they had to say :

Hi Cleo,

I saw your blog post about "Sublime Stitching: Hundreds of Hip Embroidery Patterns and How-To".I'm really, really sorry you were disappointed with the book. I'm not sure why it was shrink wrapped - Chronicle Books is the publisher and distributor, and we've never seen it sold that way.

I can understand your frustration when you unsealed the book, and it wasn't what you were expecting. I'm also sorry you were disappointed with the simplicity of the patterns. The book was designed for beginner stitchers who want to be able to iron on the patterns in various sizes rather than copying the images with transfer tools. Since it wasn't bought through our site, I can't offer a refund, but I'd really like to send you something of equal value that you would like.

We work hard to find what we believe are the best quality textiles and embroidery tools and I want to make sure you're able to experience what Sublime Stitching prides itself on!If that's okay with you, just let me know where you'd like it mailed, and let me know if there's something in particular you'd like.

Thanks,

Jessica

Even when I reiterated to her that the book did not state that it was for beginners like her mail said .. and that it contained a lot of unoriginal designs, she remained polite, professional and friendly. Then a few days later a note from Jenny to say that she was glad that I would be getting a product of hers that I would be enjoying.

WOW!!! So a surprise Christmas gift!!

Thank you Jessica for your superb customer relations and I really look forward to getting the CRAFT PAD - which I hope is more of what I am looking for - as well as the SPACED OUT pattern.

{DISSAPOINTMENT...}

There is nothing worse that reality not living up to anticipation ...


I have for along time coveted Sublime Stitching's designs, look at the site and tell me any young / young at heart embroiderer would not wnat them .... i mean look at these.

Whilst I do understand that there are some that are by guest artists (those designs are denoted by the ARTIST SERIES) the majority are her own designs, unfortunately have not been able to indulge in this clandestine crush.

Then my local book shop brought in -

well I almost PLATZED!! I was so excited .... I rushed over and picked up the shrink wrapped book with gentle shaking hands & turned it over .... my heart sank.. It was out of my budget. I went home and said to myself it it was meant to be it will. So I did some extra sewing on consignment etc to save the money for this. I thought to my self buying this book of "100's of origional and hip designs" is sooooooo much better than just being able to buy a only couple of her designs on line.

So I saved my pennies for 3 months and went off to the shop .. and there she still was, waiting ever so patiently for me. I paid for her, took her home and tore of the shrink wrap cling film opened the cover and was thrilled at how beautiful the book was made and how lovely the introduction pages were, then I got to the transfer section which is 90% of the book ... and after a few pages my heart just dropped.

Instead of the amazing "innovative, original and HIP designs" that were promised on the cover of the book I got this :



They are the most simplistic drawings, that 5 year old Miguel could manage a pentagon star or a circle with a line drawn through it to represent a planet. Can any one honestly tell me that the above are original and hip?? We have seen them done before and to be honest far less crudely done as well.

Not only are the transfers basic, I don't think they are too stylish, most are quite crude and you could find better in children's colouring in books. I could draw a little cherry and stem or a 5 pointed star that has way more flair. There are about 10 designs that are really good but the rest is just more along the lines of the above ....


There are not 100's of designs there are only 86 ... that are repeated again and again in various sizes. In this day and age of home scanners and printers is that really necessary? If you were a complete novice and had never stitched before then perhaps this is the book for you .. but it does not say that it is for beginners on the cover or even for people that are artistically challenged who cannot draw a star.

I feel so mislead and angry!! And the worse thing is i cant even return the book for a refund as I have taken it out of the cling wrap that it comes in... now I know why it was wrapped so you cant look inside !!

Well now I know for next time - If i cant peruse I wont use!!

What a give away!!

I know that i have not been around lately, but between work and life ...there is just no time!!

Though i think i will have to make the time if i am lucky enough to get drawn for this wonderful prize on http://www.siblingcraftery.com!!

The prize is a A huge collection of fabric scraps, DMC embroidery floss (which we all know how badly i covet floss living in deepest darkest Africa!!), Two stitchable tea towels and then lastly - excuse me while i catch my breath - And a wonderful book Embroidered Effects by Jenny Hart.

OOOOHHH be still my beating heart!!! Go and join in and perhaps you will get lucky!! but remember my cut if you do!!!! LOL!!

{BUSY BUSY BUSY}

Well the last couple of weeks have been hectic!! I think things may slow down next month .. i hope so. Though starting next week we have the renovations starting upstairs!! New bathroom and new bedrooms!! NOT looking forward to the huge mess, but so excited to see the finished project in 5 weeks!! Sorry guys the wedding next year is off, I blew the budget on tiles and flooring!!

We had a blanket drive at Miguel school. They are collecting blankets to distribute to various charities during the winter. Last year they raised almost 1000 blankets! Here he is with the 5 that he chose, he took the whole thing very seriously. He really seemed to understand how important it was, even to the point that he said that we could not get pink or white ones, because poor people don't have washing machines and those colours would get to dirty too quickly!! Clever boy!

In just 2 weeks they have distributed 61 blankets to Sinakalele (an orphanage), 100 to the Robin Hood Foundation, 25 to Hillcrest Aids Centre, 50 to Chilenyama, 60 to Highway Aged, 78 to the schools maintenance staff, 20 baby blankets to the 1000 Hills Feeding Scheme, 78 to the Salvation Army and 30 to Vryheid Home for the Aged! Way to go!!

They are on school holidays now... my poor mom! She has him during the day as I'm working and with rotten coincidence I have to work late every day for the last 2 and next 2 weeks!! So I'm only getting home at about 3.40 instead of 1!

Here are 3 of the projects that I have been working on :

My sister and Dad leave for the UK and Ireland next week, and I wanted to get them a Bon Voyage pressie. I had NO idea what ... until I remembered in your bag always is that awful plastic packet for your laundry ... so I took two pillow cases and recycled them into Laundry bags!! I am quite pleased as to how they came out!!

I used annieoakleaves little hedgehogs and then added my own extras!

Then my dads one I did not know what to do, he is a very manly kinda guy ... so I just did the missing sock thing!! I hope that he likes it!!

This is Bertrand, it is a pattern that I have been working on for a week now, The school is having its annual Country Fair. Every class needs to participate. Miguel class are doing a bean bag toss!! the thing is they have no bean bags .... so I then proceed to offer my services. ... and then complicate my life by saying ... 'WHATS THE THEME??' "theme?" was the answer, well you have to have a theme!! So now instead of little square bean bags ... I need to make 14 FROGS!!! What on earth was I thinking?!?

I did search for frog patterns on line, but none of them actually looked very much like a frog!!This is Bertrand, with one of his poor predecessors ... now you can see why i needed to refine the pattern a little!! I feel quite chuffed with my recycling efforts as the filling is old pool filter sand that I have washed and dried!! It is quite a coarse sand so it is perfect for filling!!

If any one wants a pattern, I should have one finalised by next week ... just drop me a line and I can send it of to you!!

Need to go now as I am off to Johannesburg at 5.30 tomorrow morning for a meeting and I still need to draw up the diagrams for the new bathroom vanity and cupboard that we are having made.

later

MWAH!!

Mothers Day Book -- back

Mothers Day Book -- back, originally uploaded by the_cleof.

This is the back of the book.... This sun is the most gorgeous one i have ever seen. THe green triange is an 'Indian Tent' ... I think that that was a hint that someone would like to go camping! To the left of the teepee is a "love you heart" and then a flower.

Mothers Day Book -- front

Mothers Day Book -- front, originally uploaded by the_cleof.

This was a drawing that Miguel did of me for Mothersday. See the red hair .. that was when I had just done my hair. He said that he made it red ... the same as the hair 'polish' that the hairdresser used!! I LOVE IT!!!!! I think that it is fantastic drawing by a 4 and a 3/4 year old. (the 3/4 is very important you know!!)

The teacher then covered a little note book with the paintings and then covered the whole book in PVC ... I think that I can most certainly say that this is the best gift I have ever received

[NOTE TO SELF]

Sometimes it moves pretty quick. When you don't have time to think. React. Remember days when all you had was time. Time to reflect. Now. Now is for living.

Just live.

Wake up, tie your boots on and get out in it. Smell it, feel it. Roll down the windows so you can hear it. Listen. Make some noise so you can be part of it. Put your hands in it. Deep.

Pick it up and toss it around. Break it open against the ground. Flip it over. Drink it up. Let it spill. Touch.

Take the time to do that.

Take the effort to throw it a mile high and kick it when it comes down. Hug it and don't let it go. Stare at it. Clench your fists and yell it. Raise your arms to celebrate it. Hold it's hands and dance. Close your eyes and take a chance. Make it happen.

Crawl through it on your hands and knees. Surrender. Defy. Rebel. Let it break you down. Get up with it. Run with it until your legs give out and you can't breathe or move or shout.

Encircle it. Let it in. Float in it. Spin... Smile. Ride. Stack it up into the sky. Burn it down to feel the heat. Chase it down a city street.

Tell it jokes until you cry. Cry with it. Cry with it until you smile. Laugh with it for a while.
Make it pretty. Give it away. Cover it with mud. Let it stay.
Race it to the edges of the Earth. Jump with it. Fly above.

Dream about it.

Shower it with love. Protect it.

Never. Ever. Forget it.

Don't forget.

(Note to Self)

This is it.

This incredible piece of poetry is from the amazing AMANDA SOULE from SOULEMAMA also the (very coveted by me) books --- The Creative Family
How to Encourage Imagination and Nurture Family Connections as well as Handmade Home: Simple Ways to Re purpose Old Materials into New Family Treasures . She is an amazing inspirational I have no idea how she does what she does, but I am so glad that she does and that she is willing to share with us. She lives her life in beauty.

Aunty Roberta - Rest in Peace

Aunty Roberta - Rest in Peace, originally uploaded by the_cleof.

She had been in remission from breast cancer for 7 years.. 2 months ago she found out she had cancer of the lower bowel... in the following weeks she developed deep vein thrombosis - while she was admitted to hospital for treatment they discovered that she had ovarian & lung cancer too, it was terminal (she told no one that it was) - so she booked herself out and did what she loved most - she went drumming . She had one last amazing party at the begining of the month and this morning at 2.30 am she died in her sleep.

THis was one of the last photos ever taken of her .. it was at her benifit concert held on the 9th May ..

I am sorry that i was not back in SA to be with her and her daughters, I am sorry that I was too much of a coward to see her before I left .. I am ashamed that I put my fears of my cancer returning ahead of seeing her ... I loved her loved her very much


this was an article in the paper about the concert http://www.tonight.co.za/index.php?fSectionId=348&fArticleId=4959476

she was a very loved and popular lady. Every one from all walks of life gravitated towards her ...

paradise found ....

Miguel found this coconut in the garden ... we are going to open it when we get back from Club Med



Yesterday, we went to then most stunning beach at Flic N Flac... the water was crystal clear and Miguel could easily snorkel as it was only chest high on him. We will most certainly go back there. Miguel could not wait to get in ..



It was as if we were the only people in paradise ...

He just cant leave that bloody blackberry alone ... its going to end up swimming with the fishes ... I know people that can make that happen ..

Sunset from the kitchen window ... dont have any of the beach yet, as every afternoon at sunset the clouds come!!

Well we are in Mauritius at last!! 3 weeks worth of tropical weather and the beach at our feet every day!! Miguel is having a ball here going to Grandmere’s beach every day!! We went to Blue Bay yesterday ... Miguel LOVED it and wants to go back every day! Blue Bay in Mauritius is located along the South eastern coast of Mauritius.! It has been designated a Marine Park, and is in fact Mauritius’ only Marine Park.

The two things that he loved the most were feeding the fish while swimming with them and jumping off the boat into the water ... we are going to try and go back at least one more time. The waters are incredibly clear and just by looking over the side of the boat you can see an abundance of fish and more coral than I have ever seen in my life!! It was an amazing day, with Miguel just loving every second of it all!

My Boys

Blue Bay ... could you find anything better??



getting ready for his fave. part ......

Jumping of the boat ... or as he says ... jumping like a pirate into the sea full of sharks!!

Even though it was a little cloudy, so the light was not the best for photos ... you can see all the fish in the water and the coral reef under (about 2 meters below)

Have to go as I dont have much more time .. love to you all

MWAH!!