REQUEST:: Your fav sewing patterns?

I think I have had too many crafting fails recently, slippers, booties, cloths, banners, it just hasn't been working out for me. But I am feeling more and more pulled to the sewing of clothes and want to get stuck in. Jenny and Deb have been big inspirations, already sewing up their kids summer wardrobes (!)(I can't see past what my kids are wearing today?!)

I wondered, could you leave a link to your favourite tried and true sewing patterns for me to have a go at?! 

FB is probably the easiest, since IG and the blog are so hard to comment on and leave clickable links. You'll find me on Facebook at Sophie Slim.

I would really love love love it if you did me the favour xxx

(link to FB post here)

Dearest Sisterhood

Dear Sisters,

I owe you this letter. It's been a very long time coming, to the point where we are now almost strangers, waving at each other as we walk past and asking "how are you?" but not actually stopping to hear the response.

You might have seen me popping around on Facebook, being all non-committal. Things got a little crazy after our Christmas LOVE BOMBs, I had two little girls to look after, we moved homes, excuses excuses.

But really, and I told you ladies this from the start, I am only here doing what I do because I believe God wanted me to. And then at the start of the year, I felt that calling lift, and I felt like I needed to focus on my family, on settling our girls into life, on looking after my own self, on developing some of my hobbies for my own sanity, on loving on my husband, making some new friends, going deeper with God and learning more about Him and His grace.

And so that's what I did, and it's been great! Sure, I have still been responding to the occassional Sisterhood request - they are still out there people! LOVE BOMBs have been departing these places at random intervals, sent with love, on your behalf. (we are now officially out of love bomb stock!)

But I haven't been able to truly commit to The Sisterhood, but I also haven't been able to say good bye either. Something has kept us together, and thats okay.

So here I am, finally plugging in. My head is just bobbing out of this "I've got two crazy little girls who keep me really busy" fog, and you are all swimming into focus again.

How are you going out there? Has life and people been treating you well? Are you in a good space? Are things tough right now? I'd love to hear from you.

I'll write another post in the not so distant future about what my dreams are for The Sisterhood (future Ninja bakes etc etc), but for now I thought I should just drop in and show my face and say hi. 

This is my little family, on Katies 1'st birthday in June (photo above). Wow, that was 2 months ago already! Time is flying! Anyway, it's our most recent photo together, so I thought you might like to see where we are at now.

And hay, if you haven't stuck around waiting, if you've gone and given up on us, that's okay too. But you'll hear from me soon if you're still around :)

Much love, always.

Sophie xxxx

New Mornings

It was so hard dropping Camilla off at Kindy this morning. She was adamant she didn't want to go. Right from when she woke up "no no no Kindy". But still. Life carries on, and one must do things one doesn't want to do. Important life lessons I think in the long run. But still. Today was the first day I wish I didn't have to say Haere Ra to her each morning after mat time. She cried and cried, and I walked away.

I wish I didn't. But still. I do want to. I want to get home and put Katie in bed and get some peace and quiet. I want to drink my whole cup of tea, run a few lines through some tulle with my sewing machine, gaze at my to do list and do something entirely different, get dishes done without any droppages or "thats sharp!" reminders. 

And then 11.30 rolls around, pick up time. It was only a few hours, but I am glad for the chatter again. 

Have I ever been so torn?

Taking Stock 6/8/14

 KAPOW! I'm back on the lappy, it's rare these days. But here I am, with so much but so little to tell you. Here's a taking stock...

Making: Party Props, Frozen costumes, birthday dresses and... everything??
Cooking: Not enough. Food is just being eaten before it can be made around here. I need to up my game, and up our grocery budget.Drinking: Waaater. So parched. Reading: Eat This Book (still). I need to get my head around non-fiction writing again, it's been so long.Playing: Taxi, Husband work drop offs and pick ups, Kindy drop offs and pick ups. I feel like we are always in the car these days. Sewing: Curtain hems and costumes.Wishing: For another week in this busy month!Enjoying: Sunshine. So much glorious sunshine this week! 

Liking: Spring flowers, colourful clothes, and pollen on the ground (but not the itchy nose and face because of it!)
Wondering: How to make our lives a little easier. 
Loving: My hard working husband. He does a lot.
Hoping: To win a holiday! (I haven't entered any competitions. But it would be a nice surprise huh!)
Marvelling: At my Little Katie walking, and Millas beautiful sing-songs
Needing: That holiday.
Wearing: My new EziBuy threads! I was treated to a shopping trip last weekend!
Thinking: How I should get on with my evening so that it isn't wasted! Time is precious around here!
Feeling: Tired. Very. Tired.
Bookmarking: Frozen party ideas.

READ MORE:
Other Taking Stock
Get original list here

Third Birthday Dress

A new tradition, passed on by my friend Georgia, who had Birthday Dresses throughout her childhood. (side thought: perhaps I should also include myself in this tradition??)

This is Camilla's "purple and green" dress (as requested) for her third birthday at the end of August. 

This is my third time using the Savannah Party Dress pattern, the first two times were for the girls Dedication Dresses (and Katies birthday dress). 

I omitted the capped sleeves, which made it muuuuch easier and faster to sew. I still haven't nailed the middle pleating, getting them to line up perfectly so they meet at the seam. Next time I make this (there will definitely be a next time), I will measure out my seam allowance when I'm making the pleats. Lesson learnt. Any other tips on achieving pleating perfection?

It fits well, with heaps of room to grow, and it was so quick and easy to do. I'm really enjoying making my girls cute unique things to wear. 

What are your birthday traditions in your family?