If I look hot and tired….

Well, that’s only because I AM hot and tired!  Outfit posts seem impossible in this sort of heat, you’ll be lucky if I manage to get half dressed…  *side eye*    So I leave you with some Instagram shots of life around the blue house at the moment.

     
~ *  A colorful rainbow mobile that Theodore loves:  Busy with more cold porcelain clay!  I’m having fun making my little charms.  * ~

    
~ *  Joey says hi! Boy, I love this horse.  He keeps me sane.  :3 :  Theodore plays with sticks while I enjoy a cool breath of twilight air.  * ~

Not much else is happening…  Unless you count the fact that there’s nine weeks until little Bump is supposed to be joining us out in the wide world.  Eeep!  Nine weeks!  That’s so close!  That’s so far away!  I have a million things to do!!  ….   > . >  …

Yup, I’m now in that delightfully torn frame of mind a woman feels when the baby’s time draws near.  Don’t worry, I’m sure that it will only be a few more weeks and I will be all like “Get this thing out, or so help me!…”     ._____.     Ah, life with a pregnant lady.  It’s interesting, even for me!  

xox,

bonita

How to ~ Crochet a Hand Towel Ring Holder

Materials List:

~  Wool {I used left over scraps - I think it was 4 ply}

~  4.5mm/5mm hook

~  Needle for sewing in ends

Gauge:  N/A   Hook & yarn chart if you are not sure what to use, or if you wish to make a smaller/large holder.

Abbreviations:  

ch – chain
st - stitch
sk - skip
sc - single crochet
dc – double crochet
sl st - slip stitch
mc - magic circle
* – repeat

The Pattern:

Using two strands of wool at once to make your sts thicker, create a large magic circle loop.

Ch 2, dc 38 sts around mc.  Sl st to join and start the 'top' of the holder.

The aim is to create a triangle shape:  Sc 7 sts across the top of your dc.

Reverse.  Sk 1st sc, and sc 5 across the top.

Reverse.  Sk 1st sc, and sc 3 across the top.

Chain 8, and sl st to the other side of the triangle to form the hanging loop.   To re-enforce the loop you can sc across it.  Sl st to join back into the main piece.

{Optional} Picot Edging:

To do a picot edging ~

Ch 3 and sl st into the same st.  Sc 1, ch3 and sl st into same st* all the way around until you reach the other side of the hanging loop.

Sew in ends and hang your towel up!    (✿◠‿◠)ﾉ

Ta Da!

xox,
bonita

Sailor Me Away

I’ve been hankering for a nautical inspired outfit for a while, and this 70’s-does-a-little-late-30s/early 40s maternity dress fits the bill nicely!  It’s been my outfit of choice for the past few weeks ~ easy to slip on and go as the dress does a lot of the work so it doesn’t need much in the way of accessories and fancy do-dads.   Yup, do-dads is a word.  I’m sure of it.   ~ _ ^

During this insanely hot summer weather, the less fuss the better! 

Now les’see, I think Bump Watch makes me at 28 weeks in this outfit?  Wow, I can’t believe how quickly the time is flying by!  Not long now and we’ll actually be able to meet little Bump ~ how super thrilling.  : D

Anyway, apparently this heat has sapped any and all witty, intelligent, thought provoking, and extremely interesting post content that is clearly my usual standard of fare to offer, so feel free to insert said writing here:

xox,

bonita

~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~ * ♥ * ~
Pearl Earrings  ~  Christmas Gift from Hubs   Nautical Navy Dress  ~  Etsy   White Tooled Belt  ~  JayJays   There’s No Place Like Home Heels  ~  Rivers

Sewing Schedule 2013

I have been inspired by a lot of  vintage sewing enthusiasts to write my own 2013 sewing schedule.  I think that this could help me fill the "gaps" in my wardrobe, as well as help encourage me not to take so long whipping up one dress!

It generally seems to take me four to five months to sew one dress ~ my latest project, a maternity dress, being the quickest at just over a month and a week.  That's because I worked on it regularly, rather than only when I felt like it.  I think it's reasonable to say that if I finish one dress every two months, and a smaller item every month ~ that might be a good rate for me?  I do want to try and get faster at sewing up my own pieces.

So {sew ~ lol} without further ado;

 January:

• One circle skirt w/ elastic waist  {For after baby is born}

February:

• One blouse {1940s style ~ I don't have many tops that look 1940s and I love them, so I want to rectify that.}

March:

• Erm, we'll see.  Baby's due on the 29th.

April:

• Ditto!

May:

• One staple 1940s winter skirt  {I love the simple 4-gore 40s skirt; I definitely need some!}

June ~ July:

• One warm winter dress

August:

• One staple 1940s summer skirt

September ~ October:

• Pattern stash busting!  One summer dress from patterns I have already!!

November ~ December:

• 40's Playsuit?   

And while we are on this role ~ how about a knitting schedule?   As I really only seem to like to knit in the cooler months {Seriously, today it's 37 degrees!! It's been mid-high 30s all last week, and it's supposed to be the week after....  I think you can see why!}, it'll be a shorter list, but that's ok.

April ~ May:

• One short sleeved 40's blouse

June ~ July:

• One long sleeved 40's blouse

And I think that's it!  Do you have any sewing/knitting/crochet plans for 2013?  Do share!

xox,

bonita

Jaunting Around Australia

We made it home!  It was a busy trip, and like I suspected the internet connection was pretty much non-existent, so here’s a brief photo diary of our trip through Victoria to South Australia.  ^ – ^

   
~ *  We stop at Gundagai and visit with The Dog on the Tucker Box: Sitting up the top of Mackey’s Peak in the Grampians.  Still can’t believe I made it up there!  * ~

~ *  A panoramic view of the Grampian Mountain Range.  * ~ 

   
~ *  In front of the old Mt Gambier Post Office, South Australia:  At the Cave Gardens, it’s a big sinkhole in the middle of the town!  * ~


~ *  One of the roads in South Australia.  * ~

   
~ *  Playing around with some photos I took.  * ~

   
~ *  Blueberry macaroon, which tasted like cake ~ weird huh?:  Sunset in Rutherglen, Victoria.  * ~

   
~ *  Peach flip-flops, bought for this trip: A new purse!  ^ U ^  Yay for pink plaid!  * ~

   
~ *  At Olive Hill Estate, Rutherglen:  Some gorgeous park in Ararat, Victoria.  * ~

Last, but not least ~ have a Happy New Year everyone!  I can’t wait to see what 2013 will bring.  ♥ ♥ ♥ 

xox,

bonita