miffys world

A little sewing here and there...

Some of you may wonder if I ever sew.  Well Made By Miffy would be proof that sew I do!  Lots of it at the moment as we head into a long, hot Aussie summer.  But aprons you ask?  Where are the aprons... Well, here are a few recent ones and I am about to start a few for Christmas gift ideas in the store soon.  Just as soon as I can crawl out from under the pile of twirl skirts, tunics, tutus, boardies, ruffle pants.....

 

Jack had martial arts grading today - no new colour belt but 2 bars to add to his fetching yellow belt so he was chuffed.  Yesterday we did a Science club event.  Now I don't frequent these events as a normal part of Jack's week - but every now and then it is good to break up the routine.  Yesterday was his second - Electrochemistry and I can say they are turning out to be quite the events.  Yes - there are the future nerds and geeky kids and 5 year old asian prodigies - but I am most proud of my boy.  He manages to get that little bit extra out of the class.  The first one was at the start of the last school hols - Robotics.  Jack and one of the boys in his group had a little biffo, fisticuff scuffle at the end of the class.  His father was impressed!  That was so NOT nerdy.  Yesterday at electrochemistry - he and his little experiment partner were a little bored of doing experiments - so they ventured to the 'Fruit Battery' station where earlier they had created circuits through lemons, potatoes, apples... and they tried to make a circuit out of Jack's head.  Boys...  Aren't they fun!

In my shop it is FREE SHIPPING week.  Use the code BIRTHDAY_BOY for free shipping all week. Whilst you are there, please sign up for the Club Miffy news to get the heads up on weekly specials as well as to see a featured Indie designer each week.

My baby is 7!

I think I should firstly explain myself after yesterday's brushed over description of Jack's birth... No - this won't get yucky!!  Here is a picture of me after being in hospital all night (still about 15 hours from arrival...

Painting nails and organising the folk at my work.  Jack was premmie - and being my first with me having a 'Big Girl' job I totally thought I could have this baby and be back to work within a few months... I still get a laugh out of that idea!  Anyway - as you can see Janice - it was still rather a fun time at this stage... cut to after...
Yep - a Lemonade Icy Pole at 3am!  I Laboured on these things!!  About 8 all up...

So - my baby boy is 7 and I have been looking at all his old pics and of course as this is my blog and you choose to read on - you will see them too... 
First day home from hospital
The special guest at Mummy and Daddy's wedding.
Check out poor Cleo - my long suffering Burmese. She is finally resigned to the fact that Jack isn't leaving - nor is Darcy nor is Taungoo or Mrs Mosely - we are all here to stay!  This pic really said it all.  And Dayna - haven't you grown up too!  Dayna is Jackies Fairy Godmother.
 
   Suspicious?
A very cute hat.  Well I thought so - Darryl never agreed with the ridiculous caps I put him in!  Mind you - now he wears only what he wants so I am kinda glad I got to dress him up when he was a wee bub!
  
Table manners haven't improved.
My little water baby.  He was scared of the sand!
Anything for a laugh.  That hasn't changed!
Cute - very cute.          
 
    My blankie baby.  Don't tell anyone - he still sleeps with one of these.  Oh the dummy (pacifier) is gone.
  Very cute big brother caring for his little sister.  Hold that thought... One day this behaviour will return!
 
  Jack and the amazing Flapper - who drowned in our pool and still the kids say "You can't go in the pool without an adult or you will drown like poor Flapper".  Why was the bird in the pool.... He always floated around on a li lo on a lap.  Why wasn't he in a cage you ask.  He never lived in a cage.  Just roamed the backyard.  He was a legend and we still laugh about him.
Around the world last year. Jetlagged at sunset in Barbados on our villa deck.
Still no idea where he is...  Dad's sense of direction perhaps?  Ooooi - look behind you - its a pretty good reference point!
Already accustomed to waiting for women.
The world traveller getting sorted at Heathrow for the long flight home!  Looks like he's done it a thousand times.
 
With Fluffy, one of Darcy's kindy chickens we cared for over a recent weekend.  Jack named him and got very attached.  The chicken stayed with him all weekend and even went to sleep whilst jack played guitar hero.

Enough reminiscence.. Thanks for indulging me.  Have a happy happy birthday Jack!
 

Little Entrepreneurs

In the search for extra pocket money, Jack and Darcy hatched a plan.  Not to do chores, or help in the garden, or walk the dog, no they decided to create artworks and set up stores to sell to the adults!  So they drew and drew and drew.  Mind you, the quality of the first picture was the best - it became a money grab from there on out.

So, we were issued invitations,
and told to bring our wallets.  Just like a real gallery opening! Jack lost interest before Darcy.  He made his money early having realised that he could charge more for signed works.  "$2 without my autograph and $3 for a signed picture"!

Darcy kept her money in her Tiffany's box.  The girl has style. A great morning of entertainment for us all really!

Tomorrow is Jackie's  7th birthday.  Each year on the 8th November I start to celebrate.  He was a long time coming!  Water's broke at 4pm on Thursday 8th November 2001 and he was born on Saturday morning 10th November about 2am.  So he gets a running report each year leading up to his actual birthday.  He hasn't tired of it yet.  My years for holding the floor with this one are numbered though!  So, tomorrow morning should be an early start for the Stuart house... (I will probably be up first though!)

Handmade Christmas Gift ideas

Dear friends
Somewhat embarrassing to admit, that Christmas is tight this year.
I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts. Please let me
know your sizes.
You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you
wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below:

How to make bedroom slippers out of pads:

1. You need four New Freedom pads to make a pair.
2. Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot part.
3. The other two wrap around the toe area to form the top.
4. Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.
5. Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes: Regular, Light day, and Get out the Sand Bags.

I've attached a photo of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself....

I got this email from Amanda. Absolutey hilarious...

Darcy, you are so on detention next year.

Darcy starts school next year.  It will be lovely, she is so excited. She has so many things she wants to share with her new friends. Darcy will be attending a Girl's school where the girls all wear cute little uniforms and learn how to be young ladies.  Good Luck with that.

This morning she decided that she when she recites the alphabet - she wants to fart the letters.  Her brother taught her. Nice.  I haven't quite figured out the musicality of such a talent - but it may be her instrument of choice for next year. Darcy has started 'shaking her booty' too.  Nice.  She thinks it hilarious to do a big burp. Nice. Darcy enjoys learning - her new teacher will be pleased with such enthusiasm.

Whilst we are on the topic, here is how I found Darcy after a particularly busy afternoon this past week.  Asleep under the table. 

Some of you might think she takes after her mother...  Anyway - when asked "did you have a nice sleep Darc?"  Stroppy reply, "I was not asleep" .  Good luck Mrs Coe.  You'll need it.

Reminder, over at made by miffy the opening sale ends at midnight tonight.  15% off all miffy goodness - codewrod in the shopping basket is open. Join the mailing list there  too for loads of fun special offers and prizes too! 

Happy Tropical Halloween

We love Halloween. Even though it is a new celebration in Australia and many people poo poo the idea of an 'American' tradition, I think it wonderful.  Any event that gets children and parents out into their community to meet their neighbours in a safe and happy way plus the whole trick or treat thing where it is the only time of the year that my children will openly give away lollies to complete strangers without expecting any in return is a good one.  But of course, for the Stuarts, the opportunity to dress up in a funny costume is the paramount reason we love halloween!  Anyway - here is how we turned out.

 

 

Darcy looked like a Dominatrix, I looked like a funny hatted street walker and Jack just looked like a Suicide Bomber.    They were not the intended looks but were scary enough!  Darcy's cape had a maribou fluff collar and her cute devil horns are all iridescent in every photo! So off we ventured down the street. The boys in blue gave us a bit of the siren which scared the crapper out of the kids!  My friends thought it was the Vice Squad!   

Buff little Zac Gorst.  

Afterwards, we returned home to a houseful of people for a party. A great night. And the weather was glorious - spring in Brisbane is divine!

Some of you might recognise my friend Dr M.  Today as a gorgeous witch - wish I had got a photo of her purple fishnets that matched her purple eyeshadow here...She has appeared in miffys world as a Jamaican Bobsledder as well as the Dentist who blows up latex gloves to make balloon faces for her mini sized patients .  Wonder why we are friends?

Speaking of Jamaican Bobsledders... What is so very very funny is that I get at least 3 people per day visit this blog after searching google for Jamaican Bobsled team.  What is funny is that my blog is on page 3 of the google search for images of this and page 4 for a standard google search.  Can you all help me out here and let's get my blog post to page 1!  Open Google - do the search and click on the link to the louisestuart.typepad image!  Ridiculous challenge but amusing...

Don't forget to visit my new shop made by miffy too.  Opening special til midnight 2nd November... 15% off just use the code word OPEN.