Where on earth have I been???

Before I answer that question, below is the final Beehive block for Karlyn. It was due for October, but I have been a little preoccupied...

I loved making this block, mainly because it looks so spectacular and was easy peasy. So, what have I been up to these last three months? Well, it just so happens that I'm pregnant... 20 weeks to be exact. While I have been lucky this time around with no nausea, I have been tired and wondering where on earth this little one is going to fit in our apartment. So the study is no more, actually it's a no man's land, and we are trying to prepare Brigi for having a little brother. I have been furiously trying to tie up projects (hopefully a post for next week), and find some down time amongst the chaos.

More news... my girl is having her gastrostomy button removed in two days. No more tube feeding. Big relief but I'm a bit scared, it's been a lifeline for so long. So a big week this week, just in time for Christmas. Keep your fingers and toes crossed for us on Wednesday, it's going to be a looooonnnnng day! Bye for now, Bec xoxo

Tom's quilt

A friend of ours has just given birth to a little boy, Thomas, and I made him this quilt to keep him warm. Unfortunately the photos were really washed out so this is the only half decent one to post. In a nutshell it was strips of white and assorted prints charming fabrics, with a multitude of prints charming on the back. Very cute for the little one! My sewing machine is still in for a service and is still quite ill so I have been twitching around trying to find something else to channel my energy with but to no avail. Hopefully it will be ready in another couple of weeks. xoxo

Beehive blocks

These five blocks were made for Andi for the Beehive for July... yes, I know, a couple of weeks overdue, but hopefully worth the wait. My poor sewing machine is violently ill and I barely finished the blocks. So now it's a two week drought of sewing, then apparently machine will be good as new. Guess I should have paid more attention to the warning about running over pins!!

Ice Cream Social dress

This was my contribution to the ice cream social sew-along, although I was a couple of weeks late in entering! It's a little less floral and pretty than other entries but I like it.

The flecked fabric is a navy and white linen, and the gingham is a navy cotton voile. The linen, although I am sure will drive me nuts having to iron (unless I embrace the crushed look!), was great for this dress as the bottom panel weighs down the gingham well. Both fabrics are from Tessuti.

The trim was bought from some lace shop or other in Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong in my insurmountable trim stash, and the button is probably from Tessuti.

Picking up the sticks

This is a scarf I have made using some Noro wool- I think it took up three skeins and I really enjoyed making it. Beautiful colours, beautiful wool, this was a great winter project. The coat hanger has sentimental value- my grandma used to buy these for me in gaudy colours and I love them because they remind me of her.

The pattern was from Morris & Sons, called something like Suzy Swirl but I think it's more of a curly whirly twisty twirly. I'm now onto my second for my mum. Now the next pic is a comical shot of me trying to show you what the scarf looks like on- makes me cringe and laugh!!

And last but not least, this is a far better model shot of Brigi in her knitted red dress- with love from her nanna. Now I think she's a far better poser!

Beehive May & June

To make up for my hectic last couple of months I had a Beehive weekend and caught up on my blocks and amazingly, I am back on track. Above is the block for Julie for May, and below is a block for Amy for June.

Hope you like them ladies! Bec x

Hong Kong hangover

So where on earth could I have disppeared to over the past three weeks? It feels like AGES since my last post. For those of you stopping by, thanks for checking in!! But at least I was having loads of fun in my silence because I was shopping up a storm in Hong Kong and Shenzhen.... oh I have goosebumps over the sheer frenzy and I could write a whole book on my shopping ventures but here are a few snapshots...

So much designer-style (if you catch my drift) above and below are some Dior style pearls ( didn't even realise I was a pearl girl until I saw these babies).

These clothes are just a sample of what I had made at the tailor's in Shenzhen. I went to Adah (Shop 5138A LCC just in case you're interested) this time and was thrilled with her results. I had so many clothes, including suits for my husband, I had to sit on my suitcase to zip it shut. Lucky I had extra baggage allowance.

That frilly skirt on the left would have driven some poor person crazy- it's silk chiffon, and is three tiers of gathering. There was definite method in my madness in getting that skirt copied, I was crosseyed just looking at it. So, just a little summay of details in case you are heading over there anytime...

Shenzhen is really the shopping mecca as far as labels go, and by the way, all those prescription glasses in the first photo cost me about $45 a pair including the script. OMG. All I had to do was give them a pair of my glasses, they read the script off those lenses and an hour and a half later voila! Five pairs of prescription glasses for the cost of one pair of lenses here. Go to Suzy and Dragon on Level 2 Louhu Commercial City (LCC) in the jewellery section, Stall 17.

Designer bags- my favourite place in all of LCC was Shop 2127. She is a real wheeler and dealer but her bags were top notch.

The Miu Miu and LV scarves were from the ladies markets in Hong Kong- the guy was lovely. I paid 70 HKD for each one- bargain ($10 AUS).

What I didn't show in the top photo were some designer style shoes I bought from Vickie on Hong Kong Island, off East Luen St for about $55 AUS- Chanel flowers if you don't mind.

This photo is of me, Irene and mum in the Jade Market. She is stall number 278 and she is a lovely lady who knows her stuff.

Tim Ho Wan- it doesn't look like much on the outside but this laminate table diner has a Michelin star- I kid you not- and you will be lucky to break an AUD $10 note. I didn't and I ate like a horse. Believe it or not there is a military shop next door selling guns and face masks- just ignore it! The food was delicious and worth the wait outside (and the officious ladies out the front shouting numbers in Cantonese!). Kwong Wa St Mong Kok. MUST order the pork buns. Think of me if you ever try them...

Sigh. There in a nutshell, there is so much more but I'm out of time. I hope you enjoyed this post, I promise it won't be so long until next time!

Bec x