Queenstown Road Trip

I am now just getting back into the swing of things after having a wonderful weekend away with just my husbands company.  Emma went for her first sleepover at Grandma and grandads...and better still....she enjoyed it so much that she can not wait to do it again!  Dylan went to his Nannies and had a great time, although he brought the tummy bug back into our house! (Not so good).

We chose to go to Queenstown even though it was just an overnight stay, it was more about the drive and spending time with each other, plus for me - NO COOKING.  (Dylan is on a restricted diet which means everything is pre-thought and life pretty much revolves around meal times - will it seems that way).

For those that know us well, will know that we are car enthusiasts, mainly of the vintage variety (we have two, one that is for sale and a newly acquired toy to do up).  For this trip we were able to borrow my father in law's convertible.  (About as cosy as it gets!) 

We spent all saturday driving and eating our way to Queenstown.  We stopped off at some fantastic cafes on the way, one in Fairlie which is new.  But my fav one was The Tin Goose in Cromwell.  Weather going down was a bit dismal, we only managed to have the hood down for about 15mins.  The return trip on Sunday faired better weather wise and we had the hood down most of the time.  There is just something magical about feeling the breeze and sun on your face when travelling in an open car.

New Stockist and a Pattern Giveaway!

I am thrilled to announce that 4 of the Natural Star patterns are available online at Patterns Only. Their order arrived the other day and they have them up on the site already.  Prices are in AUD.  The patterns they have in stock are the Rolled brim beanie with flower, babies first headband, babies first blanket and the winter booties.

                           

You can also visit their Blog and enter their giveaway for one of the above Natural Star patterns.  The hardest part will be deciding which one!  The winner will be drawn on the 20th October 2009.

New Product Photographs

I love my new product photographs by Chantelle Bliss from Forever Bliss Photography who is Sydney's leading black and white fine art portrait studio.  The award winning Chantelle is amazing behind the lens of a camera, capturing the very essence of every photo.  Here is a few of the stunning product photographs that Chantelle recently sent me.

Chantelle is highly sort after and I would definitely recommend her to all those wanting beautiful memories of those gorgeous newborn and family photographs. 

The latest pattern release

                               

I have finally got around to having this pattern test knitted after having sold so many pairs of these adorable winter booties over the last 18 months or so.  Life gets so busy, and I get so many ideas that most times I seem to jump from one project to the next, without actually completing the first project.  In most instances it is with my patterns.  But due to customer pressure (I have many customers asking when such and such pattern is going to be ready - so this school holidays I am devoting any spare time I have to tidying up my patterns so that they can be passed onto the test knitters. 

You can purchase this pattern on Etsy, my website, Felt

My baby is no longer my baby - she's 5!

Emma turned five last weekend (has to be the fastest 5 years I have experienced) it does not seem that long ago that I was holding her in my arms for the first time! 

The above pic is Emma on her new toy.  She tells me that the bike, her baby bag from Jacqui at Mee a Bee and a complete set of Beatrix Potter Audio Storybooks (from Grandma and Grandad) are the best things that she has ever gotten and that she wants to turn 5 everyday!  I will post a pic of her with her new baby bag when I can get her to stand still enough to take a good photo (Jacqui's work deserves good photos!).

We had the typical birthday party befitting a 5 year old girl, fancy dress (there was a fairy coming to visit - who was worth her weight in gold as she entertained 9 little fairy girls, a fireman and a pirate).

 

 Cupcakes were on the menu!

As was face painting!

But this is my favourite pic - Dylan and Emma ready for school on her first day at school! She later that day lost her first tooth also!  A big week for Emma.  She loves school and is so proud of her uniform.

I feel so blessed to have such two wonderful kids! :)

 

Emma's Cookies....the finished product

As promised here is the finished product.  There were a heap more of them but the preschool teachers got spoilt for afternoon tea.  Emma went to preschool armed with a container of biscuits for her teachers.
She did really well, Dad enjoyed them and while he dropped Emma off at preschool for the afternoon, I got stuck with the clean up, typical!!

Hmmm these would be good for supper tonight, but sadly for me (not Emma or her Dad) these are not gluten free.

The start of a wonderful Friday morning

It's Friday morning...we woke to a good frost (promptly turned the heatpump on)!  Within a few short hours the sun was shining beautifully.  Emma and I walked Dylan to school, I love how walking always makes me feel better!

Once home, Emma said to me...."what can we do together mummy!"  A little secret, Emma and my favourite pastime is baking/cooking (I used to be a chef in a previous life before Emma came along).  So, out came the childrens cookbooks, which Emma poured over for ages, total concentration :)  The choice ( I had to narrow it down) was to make cookie dough.

Below is the pic of the first stage of cookie making.  We have plain, pink and chocolate dough made.  It is now in the fridge firming up.  Will follow up with another post of Emma's Cookies!

Daddy is coming home for lunch today, so he is in for a special treat! 

Emma is off to school in three weeks, so I find that I am treasuring this time alone with her more than I normally would (plus the fact that she is older and more pliable lol - instead of being bossy with no logic or reasoning!)