KissKus

The garden on a damp evening

After a long spell of beautiful weather today was a lot colder and more wet. The garden was dry like a desert, so the rain was very welcome.
Some photos of our garden this evening:

A quick new outfit

The other day Amber was invited to a party and the dress code was red & white. Doesn't sound too difficult, does it?! But it appeared that Amber had hardly any red/white clothes.
No problem I thought... I'll quickly applique a white t-shirt. And while I'm at it I'll whip up some sleeves too! Well, that last bit turned out to be a bit time consuming. It was one of those classic moments where I was sweating behind the sewing machine until the very last moment. Nothing beats a little last minute creative stress, right?! Right.

Anyway, it turned out rather cute:

It's difficult to see in this photo, but the jeans also got a successful quick make-over. I cut the trousers (that were too short) and then hemmed them while I sewed on some pretty trim and lace at the same time. Easypeasy and Amber has enjoyed wearing them many times already.

Summer party

Busy times here with the end of the schoolyear near. Lots of events happening and parties to attend. Yesterday we held our own party for Amber.

The day was a success.
Some highlights were:

Unwrapping presents

Off for an adventure

A water fight (it was warm!)

Birthday treats for the children to take home

And grandma made another party dress.

Another reason to celebrate is that this is my 400th post! I would love to do a give-away, but I just wouldn't manage it right now. Perhaps a bit later on when life isn't so hectic.
Still I would like to thank everyone who has been reading some or many of those 400 posts. Blogging has definitely enriched my life and I still enjoy it very much!

Happy weekend everyone!

Linus and his blankie

My sewing project last week was a patchwork blanket for Linus. My little man is always on the move: crouching, climbing (still not walking though!). This means he won't sit still to drink his bottle either. I remember that Amber and Simon always used to enjoy lying down quietly with their morning milk bottle. Linus doesn't. So I was hoping to create a little spot for him to relax in, especially now that he is outgrowing the box. And I was hoping that perhaps he would drink his bottle there...

I already had quite a few scrappy log cabin blocks that I put together ages ago. Those weren't enough and a little girly as well, so -luckily- I had to make more. Scrappy projects are my favourite, I think. I love to sew up bits and pieces from my scrap basket!

I then simply alternated the 12 log cabin blocks with some strips of fabric. For the back I used a sweet Ikea fabric. For the whole blanket I just used what I had on hand.

Instead of batting I used two layers of fleece, which gives it a nice thick feel. Which is good since I actually meant to create more of a mat than a blanket... it's a Milk Mat :)

I took all of the above photos the moment I showed Linus the finished blanket. I swear that the first thing he did was to lie on it! After that he was smiling and rolling around on it. He seemed so happy with it; it really was a joy to watch him. My mother heart was very content.

Since then we've been using the mat daily. And even if he hasn't drunk his (whole) bottle on the mat yet, it is definitely a spot where he feels comfortable. This morning he was looking through a picture book on there for quite some time. So all in all, the whole project has been a success!

By the way, quite by incident he was wearing the trousers as well as the blouse I made him!

Another Sunday @ home

Just like last week.

Paint job

So how do you like my freshly painted walls here on my blog? And how about the new banner? A beautiful job done by my Photoshop talented husband. One subtle hint of me was enough to get him in action... thanks baby!

Back to the real world...I loved this little scene this afternoon. It doesn't happen very often that I have all three children at home after school due to their busy social lives and sports etc. This was such a cosy scene. Simon and Amber had a cookie and Linus some raisins. I had never put Linus in that (much loved) Ikea chair yet, but even though it is still too big for him, he was very comfortable in it. And when he was done he let me know by making hgmrhmgr-sounds that he wanted to get on the floor. That's my boy!

And I even got a little sewing done. Yay, a good day!

Peg bag

Not long ago we finally bought a rotary clothes line. We had wanted to live a bit greener and save some pennies in the process. Besides, it's common knowledge that nothing beats the smell of laundry that's been dried outside.

And it works great. I've really been enjoying hanging the clothes outside. It's a bit more work than putting everything in the dryer, but I find it to be a very relaxing job.

And since I needed something to put all my clothes pegs in I made this peg bag.

I really made it up while I went along. I used a kids' clothes hanger and my favourite oilcloth. I used the hanger to sketch a basic pattern and drew the hole by using a bowl. It all came together really fast and I am pleased with the result.

The oilcloth is a little too tightly sewn around the hanger though and the hole is a bit too big and not placed high enough (the pegs spill from it). Still, not bad for a first attempt. Already this bag has made hanging the washing even more enjoyable!

Sunday @ home

Fridge Art

Our fridge is so typically us: colourful and eclectic and -alright- messy.

I love these two pieces of art by Amber. The drawing she made last year before Linus was born. Don't we all look neat and perfect? And I look so slim too, even though I was about 7 months pregnant then... good girl!

This paperhand parrot is wonderful as well, I think. And I'm very proud of the fact that I personally placed that crochet magnet on its eye... what a smashing detail!

More fridge art here. And on this weird and wonderful place that is Flickr there is also this group where people simply show there fridges.

It's the season

And I'm loving it!