photography

So, we're getting a new camera this week. Very exciting stuff. We've chosen the model we like, and are getting a couple of lenses along with it. In the preparation - I've also been trying to decide what program I want to use to store and edit my photo's. I've been using iphoto for the past few months and while I like the basic editing tools, I'm a bit nervous on the way that it stores my photo's. I can't actually go somewhere and see them like I used to be able to do on our old windows box.  So last week I downloaded a 30 day trial version of Adobe Photoshop lightroom. At first I thought it was a bit beyond my needs, but after reading Katie Evans's fantastic ebook , I feel like maybe it's not. She gives some great tips on editing, and after playing for an hour or so last night - I edited this photo..

I love the sparkly eyes! I think I'll keep tinkering over the next couple of weeks to work out what else Lightroom can do, but so far I really like it.

ruffles, ruffles and more ruffles

oh my lord, this top was a mission and a half, but doesn't it look sweet? I followed the tutorial here, but ran out of fabric in the end because I didn't realise when she said you need 'half yards of fabric' - that she really meant - you need like 'loads' of half yards!! I had just over a metre of fabric - and towards the end, my ruffles had to get less full to finish the top.

I made this as a practice top because I planned on making one each for 2 special little 'soon to be' birthday girls that I know. Half way through making this, I decided I'd buy them a present instead of sewing this damn top again - but at the end, I love it so much (and of course I love them dearly too) so they'll be getting one too :)

Thanks for the link libs, but next time you make it first and let me know how it goes eh?

the 3rd birthday dress

Lola will be 3 in less than a month. I love that she's crazy excited about her birthday this year.  I've been thinking about what she'll wear to her party for a few months now (is that strange? I don't think about what I'm going to wear each day until I'm actually throwing the clothes on - but I love dressing her!)

So when I found this spotty, satiny type fabric at Spotlight on the $5/metre sale table - I knew it was what I needed.

And last night I sewed her dress.. I don't want to show it to you just yet (I think it will look much prettier on the birthday girl herself), but think 'Amelia top', but longer, with a pretty belt/sash :)

She tried it on this morning (so I could get the length), and had a bit of a meltdown when I told her she couldn't wear it yet.. I took that as a very good sign that she liked it.

swingin' top..

I found a pattern on Etsy recently for a gorgeous little girls top. I'm pretty sure it was a 'wild' Friday night at home when I found it, and had no real 'need' for it, but just liked it instantly.

The Amelia Top pattern was perfect for me. It was clear, concise and I was able to knock it up in a couple of hours (I take things like this very slowly, and follow the instructions to the letter... the first time I make something anyway :)).. There was ironing AND pinning (which is probably why the top worked out so nicely!)..

Lola liked it when I gave it to her a few days ago, but when I asked her if she wanted to wear it that day she said "no thanks mum".. It's now 2 days later - and I'm not proud to say this - but emotional manipulation finally won out and she put it on for me (I actually said 'so you don't want it, but you don't want me to give it to someone else?' and she said 'yeah..').

But she wore it for me this afternoon long enough to take some photos.. Hopefully it won't be the first and last time she puts it on :)

Sunday mornings

My favourite thing to do on a Sunday morning, is to get up as early as I can (preferably before the children so that I don't feel as guilty for ditching them), and head out to the Discovery markets in Rocklea.

This is generally how my morning goes: Arrive at the markets around 6.30.  Have a quick chat about how cold it is with the ladies at the front gate and then give them my dollar. Head to the coffee van and order a flat white - extra hot (I like to hold onto my coffees for a while :). Go to the furtherest aisle from the entry and start the treasure hunt :)

There are my favourite regular stalls that I always look for: There's a lady who puts aside ponies for me (after we bought a bag off her about 2 months ago) and there's the kettle corn van where I have to buy popcorn for Simon.  And this morning, I found a cool old fella selling these awesome old Twinings tins for only a dollar each.

I also picked up a princess costume for only $5 (will blog about it another day), a bunch of beautiful, vintage needlework pieces for only $5, a 50c pony, a $6 raggy mat (to keep my feet warm while I stand at the sink), and a tray of freshly laid eggs (2 and a half dozen for $8).

I think it was a very successful morning, and better still - Si and the kids were in a great mood when I got home.  Sometimes it's nice for everyone when Daddy's in charge for a time.