DRAWN BY MOUSE

No time - bye bye for now

2010-03-01T10:01:00.004+11:00

It seems that I don't have much time to update my blog these days. It doesn't really have a direction and I'm working on a few other things as well as looking after a 1 year old so I'm giving it a rest for awhile.

Hopefully in the near future I'll pick it up again, but for now, those few readers, I will bid you adieu.

xxx

Another sketch, another character

2010-02-08T09:01:00.003+11:00

This girl is based on Karen O from the Yeah, Yeah, Yeah's. She is just an idea for another character for the GN.

Thank You - lino print

2010-01-29T08:39:00.003+11:00

I managed to get some time to carve another lino tile the other week.

I wanted to send Thank You cards to everyone who sent Amelie a birthday present.

I think the 'Thank You' card/note needs to be sent more often. Post in general needs a resurgence.

Back to the drawing board

2010-01-28T08:26:00.002+11:00

I am working on that Graphic Novel again, the process is slow as my free time is in short supply (with a one year old) but both Christine and I are pleased with the direction characters are taking and the story.

This is a profile of the main character, Sam, although this may even change in time.

I am happy with the style of illustration which is a bit of a departure from my usual style.

The Cloud Appreciation Society

2010-01-18T16:21:00.005+11:00

Spotted looking north from Glyn's house in Ohakune, North Island, New Zealand, to Mount Ruapehu. The locals call this one, "The Angel's Wing" © Glyn Hubbard.

I just joined the Cloud Appreciation Society, I do enjoy looking at clouds, Melbourne in particular is great for different cloud formations as they are changing constantly due to the strong winds.

This photo is one of my favourites.
I am looking forward to receiving my certificate and badge!

The cake

2010-01-18T11:20:00.003+11:00

This is Amelie's 1st Birthday cake.

I used a little too much red dye which resulted in our fingers turning red and what looked like a murder scene on our dining table.

It was tasty though.

Going back to school

2010-01-16T20:25:00.003+11:00

Well sort of, I've just enrolled in a short course at the local University in Desktop Publishing. Hopefully this will help me get back into the work force with more of a creative slant to my CV other than just Administration.

So for 3 months I'm going to be studying and using my brain again! I'm very excited.

Gone swimming

2010-01-16T11:29:00.002+11:00

This morning I went swimming at my new local pool.

Since moving house I haven't been swimming, and after a good 20 minute swim I realised how much I missed it.

Tomorrow we are going to take Amelie for a little splash around in their children's pool - I can't wait, I hope she grows to like the water as much as I do.

Yippeeeeeeee!

2010-01-13T10:20:00.003+11:00

The sky is grey and the weather is a cool 20 degrees.
We all slept through the night and have more of a spring in our step.
Lets hope the plants spring back and our tomatoes don't shrivel up.

Too tired

2010-01-12T10:13:00.003+11:00

Too tired to do anything

No sleep last night

39 degrees at 9:30pm

Amelie didn't sleep

Come on cool change!

Another hot spell

2010-01-08T10:20:00.002+11:00

Today is going to be another hot day of 34, the weekend is pretty much the same then Monday is going to be 41 degrees!!!!! It seems that the majority of my posts recently have been about the heat or various images of me with a hat, scarf or some other item of coverage to protect my skin from the sun. At least we have an air conditioner in our house and if need be I can put it on for a little while to cool the house down (not for too long though as it costs too much).

Sunday we are having an early 1st birthday party for Amelie (her birthday is on 14th), some friends are coming around and I am going to make a ladybird cake. I'll post a photo of the cake when it is finished, fingers crossed it looks decent. Not that Amelie will care but she can look back at the photos when she is older.

No touching!

2010-01-07T09:47:00.005+11:00

I walk to the shops often; it gets us out of the house and gives me a little exercise, however at least once a week I walk past the same old man who insists on kissing his hand and then placing it on Amelie's head or leg. He doesn't speak English so doesn't utter a word to me but no matter how fast I plow the pram past him to avoid the contact he manages to keep his balance and touch Amelie (I don't know where his hands have been).

I need to find another route to the shops.

Note: I changed the image of the man to a woman, for some reason the man looked creepyer?

2009

2010-01-02T19:49:00.004+11:00

2009 was the year of Amelie Mei-Lin Murphy, yes this year Amelie was born and has been the centre of our life. What a little rascal she is turning into; a head-strong little girl with a mind of her own - I wonder what sort of person she will grow up to be?

In between looking after Amelie I have tried to do more of my drawings, printing and sewing. The launch of Tango 9 with 2 of my comics included was my highlight. I am still working on a graphic novel with my friend but I also want to begin work on my own comic about my past year as a new mother, I have never seen anything published on this topic and well, I'm going to give it a go...

2010: there is a lot to look forward to...and a holiday in London as well! I can't wait to see everyone.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR

2010-01-01T20:29:00.002+11:00

A night on the town

2009-12-11T08:55:00.002+11:00

What I wore last night, although the skirt was a little longer.

Last night was the Tango 9 and collected volumes launch. We hired a babysitter which made us very anxious but the lady was lovely and Amelie was asleep for most of the time so it wasn't so bad.

The 3 rooms of Dante's Upstairs were full of Melbourne's comic 'people' an unexpected mix of all ages, sexes (although a little male heavy) and looks. Bernard gave a very vivacious, compelling entertaining speech and then we left as it was just so hot and we were hungry.

So into the night we ventured with our 2 copies of the 346 pages of Tango 9 and had dinner at one of our favourite restaurants Wabi Sabi with Christine and John. It was a lovely night and we appreciated it all the more as we don't get to go out that often.

Out of action but out tonight

2009-12-10T11:37:00.008+11:00

The dreaded flu caught up with me last week and I have been out of action for awhile. Luckily it has almost disappeared as tonight is the launch of Tango 9 in which I have 2 stories, one written by Ed and one by my friend Christine.

I am very excited to see them in print and to maybe meet other people who have contributed to the graphic novel (I'm not good at networking or meeting new people and as I can't drink because I am driving it will be doubly hard). Tonight is also the launch of the collected previous 8 issues of Tango by Allen and Unwin so it will be a big night.

11 stripey t-shirts

2009-12-01T11:45:00.006+11:00

I bought another stripey t-shirt on the weekend, it was perfect: a lovely shade of blue and white with sleeves that come down to the elbow (I love this length sleeve, less chance of being sun burnt), they had another but in red and white ... might have to go back and get it at some point.

I got it from a lovely shop on my high street called Hummingbird 60, their clothes are so lovely and just the length, style, size I like; in shoes, skirts, dresses and well, everything.

I got home and decided to count how many stripey t-shirts I own....11!! I think this constitutes a collection!

What am I becoming?

2009-11-30T09:47:00.003+11:00

The weather has changed again, it is now a cool 17 degrees and so I don't think my feet have caught up to the sudden change in weather. I looked down at my feet this morning and noticed I was wearing socks with my slip on sandals!!!!!

How did I end up with this frumpy combination? I am going to change now in case someone comes to the door and catches me in this fashion faux pas.

And the winners are...

2009-11-28T21:14:00.008+11:00

I have decided to give 3 packs of stationery away, one for each year of Meet Me At Mike's.

And the winners are:

Button by Lou Lou

Violetmist

AmelieandAtticus

I will be in contact soon to get your details.

Thank you everyone for your kind comments and interest.

My place and yours: That's nyoice, that's different, that's unewesyewl!

2009-11-28T15:55:00.003+11:00

This weeks Theme Queen is Toni from Little Suitcase 'That's nyoice, that's different, that's unewesyewl!'

Does your home have a quirky feature or several? Something you throw a strategically placed coat over if people are visiting or avoid telling the real estate agent about? You might be very proud of your house flaw...

Our house has 2 sheds in the back garden, when we viewed the house we didn't think to look in the sheds, we just thought 'Great! more storage space' but on the day we moved in we discovered that one of the shed's housed a fully functioning toilet. I guess they didn't think to remove the outside toilet from those days when you had to go into the back garden to visit the 'thunder box' and to save themselves the trouble they stuck a corrugated shed over it.

It may come in handy one day? To be honest, not really, it isn't that far to the inside toilet.

Thank you Little Suitcase for a great theme and Pip, it will be interesting to discover other people's quirky house traits.

Early tomatoes

2009-11-27T10:02:00.003+11:00

Due to the early onset of summer we have 4 tomatoes! It is lovely to go out every morning and look for more little fruit, they grow so quickly in this weather. I hope they taste lovely and sweet - there is nothing better than picking tomatoes from the plant that have been warmed by the sun.

Oh and we have 3 strawberries!!

Toast? Yes please!

2009-11-26T10:21:00.006+11:00

image of their fine wool tulip dress

I love Toast, when I was living in London I used to go to their store and just look through their clothes and pick out my favourite pieces and hope that at the end of the season they would come down in price so I could afford them. I did manage to buy one dress that I wore to my brothers wedding and I love it.

Last week I ordered their catalogue and was so delighted to receive them (yes they sent me their home wares catalogue as well) in the post this week. Their home wares are equally divine, I could look at their website and catalogues all day.

Oh, and I love toast as well, I practically live on peanut butter on toast, but only Kraft peanut butter will do.

Giveaway!

2009-11-25T15:36:00.004+11:00

Meet Me At Mikes turns 3 this week and to celebrate people are giving away stuff!!!! Crazy I know!

So to say thank you to Pip for a great blog (I read it all the time but don't comment - a little too shy) that has inspired me, I am giving away a pack of print Gocco stationery I printed up a little while ago - set of 5 envelopes with matching paper.

If you would like to win these just leave a comment and I will chose an entry at random this Saturday at 9:00pm.

Thanks again Pip for your creativity, inspiration and dedication to all things crafty and fun.

Making things

2009-11-24T14:37:00.004+11:00

This morning I could feel the heat of the day getting hotter and after getting sun burnt on the back of my neck yesterday, I thought I needed a light cotton scarf to put around my neck just to make sure the sun that might get through my hat wouldn't get through a second layer (a little too obsessive but precautious). So I remembered I had some material left over from my friends blanket and decided to use some bleach on it to make a rustic pattern - spots and stripes (my favourite patterns) I think it turned out pretty well, I went out today with it on and it didn't make me hot - hoorah for bleach and left over fabric.

I have also just finished our Christmas cards...40!!! This is a section of the image I printed from a lino cut I did on the weekend. Do you send cards in the first week of December? Or is that too early?

My place and yours: My Collection

2009-11-21T21:12:00.004+11:00

This weeks theme was set by Fox's Lane, My Collection.

This was a hard theme as I don't really collect anything, I'm not a hoarder and I don't have a particular fetish for anything. I did however used to buy the occasional wooden ornament when on holiday.

The parrot is from Brazil, it is a wooden pestle for crushing lime for ciparina's (a deadly cocktail I soon discovered on our first outing in Sao Paulo),

The nut cracker I bought in Berlin, purely ornamental but his mouth does move up and down and looks a little sinister,

And the kokeshi dolls 2 of which I bought in Tokyo and the one of the right I was given by my brother in-law and wife when they returned from Japan (made by a well known kokeshi doll maker).

And a pair of clogs I bought from Holland but I can't get them to draw them as I would have to sneak past my daughter's room while she is asleep, and I really don't want to chance waking her after all of this hot weather we have had...she needs the sleep and so do I.

Thank you Pip for hosting this great forum.

My place and Yours:Through the front door

2009-11-18T15:58:00.005+11:00

The Theme Queen this week is Femme de Montmartre and she has set the theme of 'Through the front door'.

Well I can't quite get past our 70's door and surround in orange, patterned glass. It was the first thing I noticed and set the tone for the entire house. I don't like it, in fact I hate it, if it was our house I would take it out and put a more secure feeling door and sell it to a salvage yard - someone would pay a lot of money for this kitch door.

Take a look at the other images on the same theme, it's a great way to take a look at some brilliant and interesting blogs My place and yours

Australian/British

2009-11-16T11:51:00.003+11:00

On the weekend Ed became an Australian citizen!

He got a certificate, a flag and a native plant and now he can hold 2 passports like me. Truly a citizen of the world - we are very lucky.

We were also treated to a song by the Connies, they remind me of the Pearly Kings and Queens of London's East End, well, a little, but not as fancy.

Hot and droopy

2009-11-13T15:32:00.004+11:00

I'm feeling hot and droopy in this weather, I don't think it has been under 30 degrees in 7 days and for 2 of those days it was 35 degrees. Preparing for another 35 degree day tomorrow...I'm over it and it isn't even Summer yet!!!

Tango - Graphic Novel

2009-11-10T08:19:00.009+11:00

excerpts from Tango Issue 9

I don't think I mentioned since returning to this blog that I have 2 short comics being published in December. I did the illustrations, my husband wrote one (the one on the right) and a friend Christine wrote the other.

Tango is a recent discovery since moving to Melbourne and I just happened to get talking to the editor and VWALLA! I'm in the next issue because of his generosity.

The launch is in December so fingers crossed we can find a babysitter and go along for a drink and look at all the great comics people have submitted.

What?!!!!

2009-11-09T09:16:00.006+11:00

How do I set up this scenario?......OK, I was at the gym yesterday morning, walking very fast up hill on the treadmill when this man walks into the gym and I think, OK this guy is just having a look around to see what it's like (not much to see as it is only a small YMCA gym in Carlton), when I see him step up onto a treadmill WEARING THONGS!!! (flip flops for those in the UK that are reading) I was so bemused and confused I just couldn't believe it? He then must have thought to himself 'this is just silly, I can't run on a treadmill in thongs!' so he took them off and decided to run on the treadmill with no shoes on!!!

I live in a city for crying out loud, a cosmopolitan city where people are supposed to be cultured and have a certain degree of class, am I a snob for thinking this and wondering where this Neanderthal emerged from?

Well after 10 minutes finally a member of staff told him health and safety regulations meant that he wasn't allowed to run on the treadmill with no shoes on. He then proceeded to the weights where he was stopped again and then finally left.

My place and yours: A view of your secret weapon

2009-11-07T18:00:00.003+11:00

This weeks Theme Queen My Bricole chose 'A view of your secret weapon' for My Place and Yours.

These are my small sewing scissors, they are silver and gold, the sharpest scissors I have ever owned (apparently they will stay this sharp for 100 years!!) in the shape of a stork.

Not only do they assist in unpicking my botched sewing mistakes but assist in keeping my fringe nice and neat, almost to an unhealthy degree - I'm obsessed with maintaining a straight fringe.

Pirates and spots: Sneak peak

2009-11-06T18:38:00.006+11:00

Quilting

2009-11-06T10:14:00.005+11:00

I am finishing off a quilt I am making for a friend, or should I say my friends baby who is due in a couple of months.

Instead of machine sewing the front to the back I have been hand stitching it with little knots. The front is a brightly patterned patchwork whereas the back in a nice plain blue with coloured thread. I think I have seen this technique in traditional Japanese quilts, but I can't be sure. (Yes it will be baby safe)

I am finding the process very relaxing and can't wait to send it to its new owner.

Tracing my tired reflection

2009-11-05T10:04:00.004+11:00

I am very tired this morning, Amelie only slept for 4 hours last night. She has a couple of teeth coming through and this is causing her some pain, no, not some pain, A LOT! I have never heard her scream this loud or high, it was a frightful noise in the dead of night. Not even baby Panadol soothed her pain, anyway after a few hours I think her tiredness took hold and she managed to fall asleep.

So this morning I am tired but my mind is buzzing so I found myself sitting in front of the computer staring aimlessly at the screen and saw my forlorn reflection and decided to trace it.

I should really lay my head down and try to get some rest.

Melbourne Cup day

2009-11-03T19:33:00.004+11:00

No I didn't win, neither of my horses placed.

I did wear one of my vintage summer dresses I fit into before Amelie came along, and it fits perfectly, so I accessorised it with black including black nail polish for that 'edgy' look.

We went out for lunch at Hu Tong Dumpling Bar before the race with some friends, the best dumplings I have ever had and freshly made (you can even see them making them in the open kitchen).

Then home to watch the race, put on my fascinator and enjoy a glass of cider.

My Place and Yours: Blog Headquarters

2009-10-31T19:25:00.005+11:00

This weeks Theme Queen at My Place and Yours was set by Ninon: Blog Headquarters, and doesn't my space look boring. I really need to put up some inspirational images above the desk, maybe something on the windowsill and a rug underneath to rest my feet on those unpredictably chilly days. Maybe we could put a shelf up...the landlord wouldn't mind...would he?

Meme?

2009-10-31T10:09:00.003+11:00

What is a Meme? Well didn't know until this morning either. This is the definition on Wikipedia: Meme

'Bedside' was the theme for last weeks phrase on Meet Me at Mikes page called 'My Place and Yours' which I couldn't really contribute to as there isn't much at our bedside so I just drew our bed.

Another great way to get inspiration for drawings.

The Greedy Python

2009-10-30T10:01:00.003+11:00

I bought Amelie a new book the other day 'The Greedy Python' because I am tired of reading the same 7 books over and over again and I am sure she is as well. So on leaving the shop I said she could hold the book until we got back to the car, this was only a 10 minute walk, but in this short space of time she managed to devour the entire corner of this cardboard book, yes cardboard!

She is indeed a greedy python.

Melbourne Cup...fascinating

2009-10-28T14:03:00.003+11:00

I don't know if we will do anything on Melbourne Cup Day (public holiday in Victoria, 3rd November), even if we don't, we will still watch the race on TV and wear some sort of fancy head wear as tradition dictates.

I made this (what they call fascinator) yesterday with items from Spotlight. I might still add to it but at the moment it is nice and simple, a little silly and colourful. I did originally want birds but butterflies is all they had.

Keep your hat on!

2009-10-27T10:34:00.005+11:00

Wearing a hat and covering up when you go outside is becoming a necessity now that summer is almost here, but trying to keep a hat on in the wind is very hard. I may have to do what Amelie does and get some ties to keep the damn thing on my head.

Hat hair and UV driving gloves are the new fashion this season. I don't care if I do look like a freak behind the wheel of our car.

Not a cherry pie

2009-10-25T16:00:00.003+11:00

The other day I had a slice of cherry pie, it wasn't that great and I am sure it didn't taste as nice as the cherry pie in Twin Peaks which is what I was hoping for. However today I made Cherry and Almond Burnt-Butter Torte (recipe from The Age Sunday Life suppliment) and it was delicious. I think I will stick to torte's as they are not supposed to rise which always seems to be my downfall when baking cakes - as flat as a torte!

I am sure Agent Dale Cooper would like my torte.

Sometimes I wish...

2009-10-23T10:27:00.005+11:00

...when your 9 month old discovers that she can scream really loud and that it is a really funny noise...you could wear really big headphones to protect your ear drums.

Another haircut

2009-10-22T10:06:00.004+11:00

I got my haircut again after asking Ed to give me a trim 2 weeks ago. On a whim I walked into a hairdressers (Ed had the day off of work) after we saw 500 Days of Summer (not a very good film). Well she cut it far too short and one side doesn't match the other, I can deal with it until it grows a little longer but I do feel a little like Louise Brooks...not a bad thing.

Image sourced from here

Billowing curtains in summer

2009-10-20T14:58:00.003+11:00

This is the view from our bedroom window. Today is the first day since moving into our house that I could open all the windows, and have the warm breeze pass through from one end to the other.

The little purple flowering plant is french lavender, I hope it grows to be as big as our neighbours - a little way to go yet.

The smell of summer

2009-10-19T09:42:00.007+11:00

On Saturday I popped into Kleins Perfumery before ballet to find a nice perfume that could take me through summer (I don't like wearing perfume in winter and reserve my treat for spring). I found a wonderful perfume by Tokyomilk called Gin and Rosewater.

I was a bit sceptical at first as 1. I didn't want to smell like an alco and 2. I don't like the sent of rose. However this combination is so light, fruity and fresh, and I can actually smell that hint of gin...but in the juniper berry kind of way.

Liquid gold

2009-10-17T11:43:00.003+11:00

Last weekend we bought a stove top coffee percolator. Before we just used a plunger, but this is pure magic; the coffee is so much better, stronger and is as good as a the coffee in a cafe but for a fraction of the price!

Is 2 coffee's in a day too much?

A long time between drinks

2009-10-16T10:56:00.004+11:00

It has been a long time since I have posted anything on this blog, but after looking at past entries this morning, I think it might be a nice thing to start up again.

Tootaloo for today, I am off to music class for Amelie, then meeting a friend for lunch to talk about our graphic novel....yes still working on it.

Just the 2 of us on a walk to the park

2009-06-22T09:36:00.010+10:00

Most of the walk was along this great bike/footpath with the tram tracks either side and then the road on the outside.

We saw some great graffiti

Sat and had lunch in a cafe

Relaxed in the park

Saw some interesting sites (zoom for a closer look at the sign)

Could see the city through the trees (we still live within sight of the city)

Although no snoozing, the day was too glorious to miss it.

Old Man Mozzer

2009-05-22T08:28:00.003+10:00

Steven Patrick Morrissey turns 50 today!!! I am sure he is celebrating with tea and toast (as that is all he claims he can cook).
My first and only pop star crush...why do people have to get old?

The perfect dress

2009-05-19T08:12:00.004+10:00

I have just found my perfect dress over at Makool Loves You.

With those pockets you could go anywhere; be stuck on a desert island and have whatever you need at hand, or afternoon tea - got no room for that last macaroon!...just pop it in your pocket and have it later mmmmm macaroons...

My first Mothers Day

2009-05-12T08:13:00.003+10:00

I had a wonderful Mothers Day.

Amelie got me a lovely card which she personalised by an attempt at a hand print but looked a little like a green smudge - still, the sentiment was there, and a great craft book called Meet Me at Mikes which is full of interesting projects. We then went to a friends house for a seafood bbq. Thank you Ed for a special day and Mum, happy Mothers Day.

B is for Bee

2009-05-07T08:28:00.003+10:00

Here is another lino block print I did this week, and in the process I thought I might start producing images starting with the letters of the alphabet.

One down, 25 more to go...

And this seasons flavour is ...

2009-04-28T08:34:00.005+10:00

... Jasmine Mango.

I wish Laduree had a shop in Melbourne, but then again if they did I would be one very heavy girl.

I took this photo at the Harrod's Laduree shop in 2007(It would have to be one of my favourite photos). What better way to spend your birthday than to have a plate full of macaroons and a pot of tea...with loved ones of course.

French Onion Soup

2009-04-21T15:57:00.006+10:00

After watching Food Safari on SBS the other night I decided to make French Onion Soup. It was so easy and considering onions aren't one of my favourite vegetables it was delicious. Especially with Gruyere cheese on thinly sliced bagette mmmm just right for the coming cool weather.

You can find the video recipe here, I made mine with red wine instead of white and I didn't put the cheese in the soup, but next time....

Hello Autumn

2009-04-21T08:07:00.003+10:00

This was the view from our window yesterday morning, the fog was so heavy we couldn't see the tower blocks across the road...and that isn't a bad thing!!

A lovely chilly 9 degrees outside this morning.

Lino printing

2009-04-16T09:36:00.006+10:00

Finding time to do some lino cuts and prints isn't too hard. When Amelie goes down for a sleep I manage to carve and print away, sometimes she wakes and watches me from her bouncer.

This image of a bird is the latest print which I think turned out really well.

I think the actual lino cut is as nice as the finished print.

I printed these last week, I have so many I just don't know what to do with them...I don't have that many friends. Maybe I'll put them up on Etsy and see if they do any better than my soft toys.

Being a Mum

2009-04-09T08:47:00.004+10:00

Being a new Mum is exhausting: between playing with Amelie, feeding, comforting, cooking, cleaning and washing there just doesn't seem much more time in the day left for anthing else. But I am managing to get a bit of Lino Block printing in and will post up images shortly.

I am looking after a little angel.

I was a punk rock baby

2009-02-06T10:17:00.002+11:00

Mum recently forwarded me some baby photos of me at the same age as Amelie. I can see some resemblance in some of the photos but this photo was so funny, look at that little Mohawk - my hair had a mind of its own from the start.

It's hot!

2009-01-31T17:54:00.004+11:00

It is so hot in Melbourne, this week we have had 3 days over 43 degrees. It is hard trying to keep a new born baby cool in this heat but she seems to be doing well, if not better than me. Last night South Melbourne lost power due to a power surge, this is a huge area, and people were stuck in lifts, on trains, trams and evacuated from many buildings due to health and safety, luckily we are on the North side so we still had power and the use of a fan to keep us cool.

I haven't had time to do anything creative in the past 2 weeks, I am looking foward to some free time while she sleeps to do some drawing or printing but at the moment I try to sleep when Amelie sleeps.

Look at that face

2009-01-23T10:40:00.002+11:00

Amelie Mei-Lin Murphy arrived 14.01.2009 at 1:26am...what a cutie!

Quilted mangoes

2008-12-24T09:42:00.005+11:00

I finally finished quilting the blanket for the cot, it isn't heavy but a nice light quilt for summer - the next big project is a heavier one for winter but that might take me a little longer...only 2 weeks to go until she arrives, or sooner if I have any influence, which I don't!!!

I'm carrying on the family tradition by buying a case of mangoes for Christmas. I am still waiting for them to ripen, not long now, these are called R2E2's but I like what my Mum calls them: R2D2's.

If I want coffee, I can have coffee

2008-12-16T18:22:00.003+11:00

I was at a local cafe on the weekend with friends - ordering breakfast and of course a cappuccino, when the young waitress asked

'Would you like a normal cappuccino?'
I said
'What do you mean?'
And she said
'Well, would you like a decaf?'
While taking a glance down at my heavily pregnant belly.
I was a little shocked and said
'No, I need my caffeine this morning thank you'

From everything I have read, drinking the occasional coffee is not a problem...so you young twenty-something waitress' please just take the order and allow me to worry about what I put into my body without feeling guilty for nothing.

Lullaby

2008-12-05T10:08:00.006+11:00

I have been told that taking an eye mask to hospital is a good idea as they keep the lights on and check on you constantly through out the night.
So I have been experimenting with some left over felt and embroidery thread - this is one mask that is reversible.
I am giving this one to a friend and am going to make another one for myself, I think it turned out well, and without the use of the sewing machine!

No I'm not Minnie Mouse

2008-12-03T11:43:00.005+11:00

I bought a pair of cotton gloves to wear when I drive.

The sun is so hot here and when your hands are exposed to the sun when you drive I find sunscreen is just not enough.

I feel like a cross between Minnie Mouse and an Italian traffic policeman.

+ =

Got it!

2008-11-28T12:16:00.003+11:00

I passed my driving test this morning. I am so pleased to have it done and out of the way before the baby arrives. Wooohooooo!

What was I thinking?

2008-11-19T17:01:00.002+11:00

I saw a really nice dress that was on sale in a shop yesterday...$25!!! So I thought if I tried on a size that was a couple of sizes bigger than my pre-pregnancy size it might just fit and then after the baby is born I could take in the sides.

After removing my clothes I saw the true reality of my new figure in all 4 mirrors that surrounded me YIKES! I still decided to try the dress on - I looked ridiculous.

I will never enter another dressing room until after the birth.

A taster

2008-11-13T14:25:00.002+11:00

This is a little taster of another small project I am working on with a friend who lives a long way away and who I recently got in contact with after many years. We went to the same University and like so many people found each other years later through Facebook.

I will have them completed and sent back to you next week B.

8 weeks to go!!

2008-11-10T16:26:00.002+11:00

Saving a little money

2008-11-07T16:44:00.003+11:00

I get fed up with my hair so often so I usually alternate between a fringe and a side part on a monthly basis. In a drive to save money I cut my fringe to give myself a side parting and keeping it long to hopefully get it cut just before Christmas.

Back on track

2008-11-05T12:24:00.002+11:00

It has taken me a few weeks to get back on track with the graphic novel I am working on with a friend. Motivation is proving to be a constant problem at the moment but I think I have broken through and have just spent 2 hours scratching acetate.

I feel a lot happier.

How embarrassing

2008-10-24T16:01:00.003+11:00

This afternoon I was sitting in a cafe enjoying a cappuccino and piece of cake, writing a few postcards when on my departure I discovered to my shock and embarrassment I had forgotten my purse! Luckily it is a cafe I frequent so I had to shamefully tell them I had forgotten my purse and that I would be back in 10 minutes to settle the bill.

I blame our little one who is sapping all of my brain capacity at the moment as that has never happened to me before.

Keep'em raised

2008-10-23T17:19:00.003+11:00

My ankles haven't swollen up again but my Mum said to put my feet up above my shoulders every now and then. I must say putting them up that high is a little tough when you have a big belly to support but with the support of a good few pillows (my new favourite friends) it is really comfy. Thanks Mum for your advice - you're the best.

More patch working

2008-10-17T16:18:00.003+11:00

After Ed assembled the lovely cot Mum and Dad bought for us, I thought I would start making a patchwork quilt to fit it. I haven't finished it yet as this is only the top, I have yet to place the wadding and backing material and sew it all together. I am pretty happy with how it has turned out and as Naomi and I have discussed, patch working is very addictive.

Cankles!

2008-10-17T15:59:00.005+11:00

Cankles: the swelling of the ankle up to the calf muscles so it looks like you don't have an ankle and your legs look very odd.

Well it has happened, I have cankles. This means I won't be able to do as much walking as I normally do, well not for a little while. I think it must be the hot weather and the fact that I walk at least an hour a day.

Oh well, I guess I will have to sit on my bum and watch old films and drink icy cold drinks all day OR I could visit the local pool and enjoy a cool dip in the water.

2008-10-16T09:56:00.002+11:00

It was 1 year ago yesterday we arrived in Melbourne from London, our second shot at living here after a false start in 2005. A lot has happened in 1 year and we can't wait to see what the coming years have to offer us in amazing Melbourne...our new home.

Summer was here

2008-10-13T11:38:00.002+11:00

Summer was here on the weekend so Sunday we made a few sandwiches and headed to Carlton Gardens to sit in the shade of a tree, read the paper and watch people playing tennis on the courts. Even though I like the warmer weather I still feel like a vampire setting out on a dangerous trek into the sunlight. With sunscreen, hat, sunglasses and long sleeved top I was prepared for the sun's might.

Aquamum's

2008-10-09T12:36:00.003+11:00

I finally got the motivation to go back to Aquamum's; this is aquaerobics for pregnant women - all bobbing about in the water doing low impact exercise to stay as fit as we can (and it is hard to stay fit when you have another being growing inside you).

I was really dreading it sitting on the tram to Melbourne Baths at dusk, but once I was there it was fun and I felt so much better after going...my evening was made even better when I got home and had a lovely dinner waiting for me xxx

note: if you are wondering what the pink sausage is, it is a piece of foam we use in our exercises...not actually a sausage.

I'm love, love, loving this song

2008-09-19T15:08:00.002+10:00

'5 years time' by Noah and the Whale

It's official

2008-09-18T10:29:00.002+10:00

I was offered a seat on the tram for the first time yesterday!

It is official...I am a pregnant woman.

100km winds

2008-09-16T14:57:00.002+10:00

I stupidly decided to walk home from doing the grocery shopping yesterday in the rain. I could have sat in a cafe and waited for it to stop but I thought I might be stuck there for ages so I decided to risk it and in the process broke my favourite heavy duty umbrella; the metal just snapped in 2. 100 km ph winds!!! I can't believe I was out in that weather?

Monday: cleaning day

2008-09-15T12:21:00.005+10:00

Sadie the Cleaning Lady
Monday's are my cleaning day since deciding to stay home until our little one is born. I have had to develop a routine so things get done, otherwise I just won't do them and it is working out well. We don't have a big flat so it shouldn't take that long but in my obsessive mood I tend to get out the old toothbrush and clean out all those nooks and crannies and clean it to my overdeveloped, trained eye.

I am now sitting down, tired, with a cup of hot water to relax before I head out to the shops to do the grocery shopping.

Honestly, getting everything done in one day is great, it leaves me the rest of the week to....well do stuff!!??

Bunnies and strawberries oh my!

2008-09-12T15:52:00.006+10:00

I wanted to use up the material I bought for the quilted, patchwork quilt I made a couple of weeks ago and so made a bunny doll to match. I didn't mean for her to be so big (about 50 cm tall) but I think she has enough bits for a baby to hold onto. I didn't have a pattern so I think in all she turned out quite well.

Today I visited Safeway in the hope that their strawberries had gone down in price (they have been fluctuating all week: from $2.47 - $3.00) and they were!!! $1.95 per punnet so I bought 2...I think I finally have a food craving. Look at these whoppers!

It's not all blue skies

2008-09-10T10:48:00.010+10:00

Like any day of the week there are ups and downs and when you're pregnant that can be more prevalent, although I haven't experienced too much of the down side. Yesterday I felt like I wasn't myself anymore, my life has changed a lot since we found out I was pregnant; I was ill every morning, I was made redudant, I decided to live off of my redundancy until the birth and my body is getting bigger (just the belly) and so I don't even wear the same clothes I used to.

Yesterday the sun was hidden behind heavy clouds most of the day and there was a chilly wind to keep me confined to our flat, so I stayed in and amused myself by working on a graphic novel I am working on with a friend - this helped, but I didn't realize how much I would miss my body...my old body.

Saying all of that, we had an nice evening and went to see a great film called 'In Bruges' (keep an eye on Ed's blog for a review) who would have thought Colin Farrell could be so entertaining?!!

Today the sun is out, I'm meeting a friend for lunch and it is supposed to be 18 degrees so I'm in a pretty good mood.

* Today I am wearing a new cardigan I bought (seems to be my new obsession - so versitile with my changing shape) and customised it by adding some nice, bright, apple buttons.

22 weeks

2008-09-03T16:43:00.005+10:00

I am now 22 weeks pregnant and it seems like my belly has doubled in size in the past 2 weeks...and it isn't a result of the high tea I enjoyed the The Windsor on the weekend, although I did eat a little too many tarts.

The second day of Spring

2008-09-02T15:42:00.002+10:00

Today is the second day of Spring.
Today isn't exactly the best day we have had recently but the sun was out for about 2 hours, and during those 2 hours I was in the park with a friend and her 2 children, sipping a hot chocolate and enjoying the morning.....I love this time of year.

These flowers I drew from the flowers Ed bought me on the weekend, he said they reminded him of our wedding day.

Not a drawing but some bloomers and a hat

2008-08-28T17:03:00.002+10:00

I have been creative in other ways recently and made matching bloomers and hat for our expectant little girl. It was very easy and I'm sure I can make some more in other materials - she will certainly look very smart in her outfits.

Backpacks - country not city

2008-08-19T11:55:00.004+10:00

It might be because we live near several Universities that the majority of people on the trams have backpacks - to carry their text books - but I don't remember ever sporting one of these inconvenient items when I went to Uni. Try getting off of a tram in peak hour while half of the population of the tram is preventing you from getting off at your stop (and many times I have missed it).

Backpacks are for hiking, travelling the world or little children!!! DON'T WEAR THEM IN THE CITY!! and basically they are a crime to fashion.

We are Devo!

2008-08-02T17:11:00.004+10:00

Devo would have to be one of my all time favourite novelty bands along side the B52's.

We went to see them at Festival Hall on Thursday night and they can still move their podgy bottoms around like they did 11 years ago (when I saw them at Livid in Brisbane) they must be in their 50's but can still stomp, twist, jump, gyrate all too well and entertain a crowd ranging in age from early 20's to 50's.

And after so many years the crowd will still chant:

'Are we not men?'...'We are Devo!'.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

2008-07-02T12:24:00.002+10:00

Can I see it?

2008-06-27T13:42:00.003+10:00

Well at almost 13 weeks I think I can see a bump, my jeans are tighter and my skirts, so it can't be my imagination...this will be a v-e-e-e-er-y interesting 6 months.

Apparently I'm a natural

2008-06-14T17:45:00.003+10:00

I had my first driving lesson today and it went really well. Apparently I will have no problem in taking my test in 3 months. I can't wait for my next lesson on Wednesday.

Cold morning

2008-05-22T12:10:00.003+10:00

Its not quite snowing but this morning waiting for the tram it was 3 degrees!! The sun was out and the frost was on the ground - this weather makes me soar.....

Oh to be outside in the sun

2008-05-13T14:19:00.002+10:00

A patchwork quilt

2008-05-12T14:53:00.002+10:00

I started a patchwork quilt on Sunday - I thought I would give it a go with all the odd pieces of fabric I had left over from various projects. I am surprised it worked out so well, all I have to do now is buy some wadding and attach the back to the front and come up with an interesting design to sew freestyle over the top.

It is only small: 10cm squares, 5 across and 6 down but it is a good start for something bigger.

It's cold, I'm ironing

2008-05-07T11:51:00.003+10:00

It is so cold in our bedroom in the evening I iron the sheets before we get in and you know... it is really toasty! You should try it! I'm not crazy.

It's been a mad, mad week at work

2008-05-02T16:59:00.002+10:00

OK so winter is here now

2008-04-30T10:51:00.003+10:00

It has finally arrived - 6 degrees this morning and a bitterly cool wind...now all you crazy Melbourne people can wear gloves, hats and coats.

ZAPPED!

2008-04-29T11:01:00.003+10:00

I keep getting electric shocks from the door handles at work, even though there is rubber on the handle I still manage to get zapped - it must be the synthetic carpet and the soles of my shoes that are creating the static charge...anyone care to carry me around the office all day? It is really starting to bug me.

I'm going green...and that doesn't mean I'm a hippy!

2008-04-28T16:41:00.002+10:00

I've decided to make my own cleaning products for the house, I'm sick of breathing in bleach and other sprays so I spent the afternoon on the internet doing a bit of research and have made a great all purpose cleaner and it works! and smells lovely as well.

I'm working on a secret project...

2008-04-27T17:37:00.002+10:00

...well it isn't really a secret but it is a project. I'm working on a graphic novel with my friend who is a scriptwriter and I'll be doing the illustrations. It is very exciting, the last time I collaborated on a comic with someone was more than 10 years ago. I think this has the makings of something interesting and different. We are in the early stages so a long way to go.