Wordle

I discovered Wordle today... Basically, it creates funky looking word clouds for a piece of text that you input, isolating key words and such.

I decided to see what it would look like using the WeePantz Homepage text, see if Im getting the point across. Apparently Nappies is my most dominant word... this is a good thing! 

You can play with the colours and fonts and shapes and make your word cloud however you would like it :)

It's Been a While...

Since I last posted that is... I have, since going back to work, been very slack with my online commitments.

I haven't stopped though. Not that I think anything ever could, and I've been doing life of sewing, a few markets and also rearranged my work room the other week in attempt to contain all of that stuff I've got laying around for weepantz.

I've been very busy mothering my 2 beautiful kids, and I have been cherishing the moments we have when I'm not working to spend time cuddling, tickling and getting kisses from them.

And now I'm going to go back to relaxing on the couch, and I hope to get back to more frequent blogging now that I'm semi-coping with being so busy!

Another Day at my place...

Today I'm off to get some xrays done on an old knee injury and also get a checkup of my spinal fusion.

Most of you who read my blog aren't aware that when I was 11 I was diagnosed with severe scoliosis and around 11mths after diagnosis I had a spinal fusion with poles inserted so that I would be able to live a normal life. 

This morning I was gathering together all of my old xrays (there is a massive pile as I had to get xrays done every 3mths) to take with me for the xray people to compare today's xrays with and I had a little look through them to make sure they were all in the right envelopes and came across my MRI images from just before my operation.

At the age that I was, I don't remember much about the severity of my condition, I remember being told that it was very bad and not having surgery wasn't really an option. I remember the pain, it was pretty painful as the curve in my spine would get worse all the time. But it just happened, I have never really seen it as a massive big deal. People go through worse right!

So tomorrow I will find out if everything is still as it is meant to be. Sort of something like this....

I have poles inserted from T1-T12 and the front of my spine has been fused also, this was done in 2 seperate operations 1 week apart. I am of course super proud that I was the very first person to have this operation who walked after 10 days (it was only like 50m, but I walked!) I was also the first person not to need a wheelchair for a short period of time after going home (I remember them telling me this and saying it was amazing, I didnt think it was so amazing, I just did it!)

It's pretty scary to go get a checkup done as I am unsure of what to expect, the positive part of me is telling me not to stress out about it! Hopefully tomorrow I will hold in my hands very positive results from that!

Anyway, that is completely not sewing related, but I thought it might be something interesting to read for all of my regular readers, rather than hey look at my new fabric!! Perhaps I am grasping at straws to make sure I have content for Blogtoberfest!

So other than having photos taken of my insides today, I am working on nappies for the Casey Cloth Nappy Expo on Saturday. Some gorgeous little boy nappies with some of the fabric from here. 

I am also looking after a sick little miss, although I think she may be faking it, I let her stay home because last time I thought she was faking she had a really bad ear infection!

Until tomorrow...

Today is....

WET!!

The rains are here (hee hee that reminds me of the corn ad), so we have opted to hibernate for the day.  

I was supposed to get up at 6am, but opted to stay in bed and listen to the rain pouring outside and cuddle my little boy Olly who had joined me at 5.30am.

I was booked into the gym this morning and I ditched in favour of cleaning my house and sewing bibs and nappies.

Oliver was meant to nap, so I can get some work done, but he seems to have missed the hibernation memo, all he wants to do is run around like a mad man...

Tomorrow I am meant to go to the market... I am hoping this rain clears up so I can!

A Strange Occurrance...

Okay... So yesterday, I had my "new post" thinggy open and the strangest of things occurred, I was abducted by aliens and didn't get to post for Blogtoberfest. 

(Source)

Thankfully, the aliens have now returned me unharmed to my home surrounded by crafty goodness. Now if I can keep those pesky aliens at bay I might be able to get some work done around here :-p

A Button...

I found this button at the market. 

It was a very very windy day, and I looked down, and there it was sitting oh so innocently on the ground in front of my table. I did be a very good girl and went and asked all of the other stall holders if it was theirs.

After noone came to claim it, I decided it was mine... ALL MINE!! mwahahahahaha...

Anyway... I now have this lovely, big button its pretty cool too, but NO IDEA what to do with it!! 

Ideas??

Frozen...

Image from here

I was searching for a picture that shows how absolutely freezing I am this morning. I cant feel my toes! The heater is on, but doesnt seem to be working, maybe I need to crank it some more!

Oh and for the record... no, I am not wearing a bikini... I have sufficient masses of layers on! 

The Difference....

between old and new...

I opened up my brand spanking new snap press dyes yesterday, very exciting for me, as snapping has been at a stand still lately due to having a dodgy (or worn out as you will see below) socket dye.

I get asked often how you can tell if your snap press dye set has worn out. So I thought I would be informational for once and give you a looksie at old versus new. I will note before hand that the old dye set is black and the new shiny and silver, that is not part of the wearing out, the old one was black when I got it.

For those of you familiar with snap presses, you will have already figured out that this is the socket dye. The pokey outey bit (oh yeah I make up words as I go too!) has the socket piece snapped onto it and then the cap is placed in the base part then you squish them together and that forms the socket piece. (on a piece of fabric of course!) 

You will notice on my dye that looking at it from the side (right side) the old dye has lost alot of its squishyness, making the snap press more likely to break the snap due to it being too hard a force pushed onto it (this is my assumption by the way) I know the lack of squishyness has made a difference in the rate of breaking snaps. There is not alot of difference in the size of the part that the snap sits on, but on my last worn out dye set, it was half the size of the new one! 

With things like metal (I am now chanelling my boilermaking partner!) things as small as 0.3 of a millimetre can make a massive difference, so its really important to make sure you change your dye set, otherwise your snaps really wont be as well put in as they should be. You will also notice on the picture on the left that there is an indent around the part the snap sits on (its bigger in real life), this is from the snaps wearing down on it.

Here is the stud dye set. There is not a massive amount of difference here. For me, because I make nappies, for every 10 sockets I do only 4 studs so they really don't wear out as quickly. I do change both dye sets at the same time though. Its a habit. You will notice that there is a small amount of wear on the old stud dye in the photo on the right, the part in the centre of the hole the stud sits in is starting to push in, in the last one I changed, once again, there was a larger difference due to wear.

The main things to look out for to decide if your dye needs a change or not are...

1. Breaking a lot of snaps. I always know its time to change my dye set when I break more than 2 snaps per nappy on a regular basis. 

2. Your snap doesn't clip onto the dye very well any more. A sure sign that the parts they are meant to clip onto are wearing a lot.

I'm sure there are more, but these are the main things I have noticed. 

I hope this has been information filled for you. If you have anything to add to my info please add it in the comments :) I'm by no means an expert, just recalling my personal experience.

For the record too, I always buy my new snap press dyes from here.

Ahh A Day off...

Well.. today is SUPPOSED to be my day off. I have to clean the house, the sewing monster in me has ignored the cleaning for far too long and it has become quite a mess! I have some great ideas floating around in my little head for some new nappies and have some fabric arriving today so that I will have enough microfleece and bamboo to make them! I have also worn out yet another dye set on my snap press! I must be making alot more nappies this year than I was last year!

Anyway... so today is cleaning day. We wont call it a day off, because really, cleaning isnt fun, and days off are supposed to be fun! Tomorrow I am heading into Brunswick to the ANN meet that we have monthly there. Lots of lovely clothies getting together, we have a coffee (or tea etc) and a snack and the kids play. We have a small discussion about a chosen topic and then generally try to coax our children into leaving the miriad of toys that are there. It is great, and all are welcome!

Nappy Network Meet - 10.30am - 12 midday (ish)
Brunswick Baptist Church Hall (its down the back!)
491 Sydney Road, Brunswick VIC.

I will have the nappy kit there if anyone wants to have a looksie!

I think I also might head over to the fabric store afterwards if I have time. I saw a poster for it on my way back from the market yesterday (which we got blown away from by the way!!) and I think I might check it out. :) They sell bamboo fabrics.. I wonder if they have fleece??!?? See I am having fabric dreams from the store before Ive been there!

Oh and good news... I have finished sequining one of the outfits for callisthenics. I am super excited about this! now to finish the rest of the costumes by August 22nd. EEK!!!!!

Anyway... better get back to my cleaning day... I hope you are all having a wonderful day too! :)

Where on earth has Amy gone??

Wow it has been a long long time since I did a post on this blog! I have been super busy sewing, being sick and looking after sick children, thus making for not much computer time!

I WILL be back though... dont you all worry!

Some cute nappies for you to look at while Im not sharing anything else! you can buy them at the shop.

8 Questions...

Found this little game over on a Blog when looking around, thought I would play too!

1. What is your favourite meal? I have LOTS of food allergies so something that tastes delicious and doesnt have any lemon juice, orange, pineapple, or msg in it and I am set. I am a savory person and very partial to vegemite toasties... LOVE THEM! 

(my 23rd birthday)

2. Do you have a quirky eccentricity? Oh... MANY! I have been described as just plain old "odd" or "crazy" on many an occasion! Things often make complete sense to me and just make everyone else laugh... I'm fairly used to such occurrences now though! But most of all, I get in my own little world (particularly when playing my guitar) and I am off for hours. I also have a thing that I do with one of my friends to see who can lick the most things, we have been doing this since I was 19... that's alot of random germs!

(proof of such insanity)

3. My Middle Name  That would be Louise :)

4. What I am passionate about... There are many things! 

**I am passionate about the environment and creating a healthy, beautiful planet for my kids and instilling in them a similar value so that for generations to come we will still have a beautiful world. For this reason I am into things like recycling, reusing things such as nappies and handing down clothes and conserving water.

** I am passionate about giving my kids better opportunities to do things and have things that I didn't have growing up. I want them to be better than I am and proud of it :)

** I am passionate about working hard. I am a big believer in earning what you have. I like the sense of accomplishment when I have worked really hard and it has paid off. And if it doesn't then I at least know that I gave it EVERYTHING that I could!

**Something else important to me (and by far not at the bottom of this list) is family, I am a very family oriented person, I stay at home and work at home so I can be with my kids to raise them well, and I love spending time with my mum, my sisters, and my partner's family.

5. thongs or burkenstocks? THONGS! I was once asked if I would wear thongs to the snow...

6. who was I before I had kids? I was a punk haha. Funny to admit it. I toured for a couple of years with a 

gcyfc touring team and was on my way to being an incredibly underpaid youth worker/counsellor at a local youth center which at the time was very important to me. I was also working hard, making music and playing at my local church where I played right up until 3 days before giving birth to my daughter! I am much the same person, I just have different priorities!

(valentines day on "tour")

7. Have I ever been arrested? No! But I have been questioned by police does that count?

8. this weekend I will... be heading up to bright to visit my partner's mother and her partner, the kids love going to granny's farm! and so do mummy and daddy, because granny loves to take the kids on long walks on her property and up the road to see horses and to pick chestnuts, leaving mummy and daddy time to sit on the porch, drink wine or beer and veg out without child for longer than 2 seconds! 

(playing on a walk with granny appropriate farm attire too! lol!)

One thing that I saw mentioned was how people met the love of their lives... now my story is soooo embarassing! I was bored, on the internet, and I met him on a very very sleazy chat site! haha! He lived in Victoria, I lived in Queensland and I was going through a MESSY separation with my ex (Ruth's dad). We chatted for months and months and became quite good friends, and then in my uni holidays he asked me to come visit for a break, he asked my mum to look after Ruth and off I went to meet this man on the other end of the country, who very well may have been an axe murderer, but at that time, I knew that there was something I needed to check out, nothing romantic, just friends... I SWEAR :P Pretty sure I was in love with him the moment I saw him when I got off the plane... lame hey??

3 months later we were together, long distance, despite both of our hesitation! And a few months after that I moved down to Melbourne to be with him. Very crazy, and much more detailed but thats the short version So glad I did meet him though, because his the perfect one for me, a little bit harsh, sometimes rude, and can be so so anoying! but gives the best cuddles and kisses, tells you that he loves you and gives the most amazing compliments, because you know he means them!

(just after we met)

SURPRISE PRESENTS!!

Yesterday I was told to stay at home so that I would be here when my two birthday gifts arrived (in 2 separate packages). I sat by the front door all day... yes... literally, so no work got actually done yesterday, except cutting out one pair of little explorer pants for Olly. LOL!!

Anyway, so to my surprise the first gift arrived, I had  been told to be very careful when opening this one as it is delecate, so it arrived, and I opened it.... inside was this....

Clock made my my sister Carmel. Photos are of me, my partner and my kids. This will take pride of place on the wall above my sewing machines :-) what a talented sister I have.

I then waited once again (and very impatiently) for the second package. It actually looked like it wasnt going to arrive. I was about to leave my post next to the door and I saw a little Toll van drive into my driveway. I got incredibly excited, ran outside and almost mauled the driver!!

I was really really hopeing it was going to be an embroidery machine... wishful thinking I know, but a girl can dream!!! right?? Anyway, so I opened up the package and RIPPED out the invoice sitting in the top of the box and sure enough my mother had purchased me a new LAPTOP!! replacement for my old one which carked it a few months back!! fantastic new piece of equipment!! and means I can have my own special computer for my business which is great, I can keep all the **lovely things my partner downloads** off it!!!

Lots of squealing and phonecalls followed the arrival and consequent opening of the laptop and I now have it set up with some of my files on it. I just have to transfer a few from the desktop and Im set!!

a picture of my lovely new acer computer. has a built in webcam and lots of lovely HD features. Im just happy to have my own computer again!!

I feel soooo spoiled!!!!!

Amy xo

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!

Well what a lovely morning! I awoke to a lovely man (that would be my partner) saying happy birthday, Im off to work. And shortly followed by Olly giggling through the baby monitor and Ruth going in to play with him. So a few extra moments peace. what a lovely present!!

I recieved some fabric from my lovely mother in law which I will use to make some little explorer overalls for Olly! :-) I will photograph it later and add the photos to ths post :-)

creamy/brownish linnen; "birdie" by my sister and me designs for moda; "farmers market" by sandi henderson; "xox" by holly johnson (I think...)

Fabrics are unironed straight from the wash, sorry bout that....

Have a happy day readers!!

Amy xo

Advent Blog-A-Long #11 (updated with Photos!

Fancy that! Its Friday already, and only 2 weeks until that day... yes CHRISTMAS is coming!! Ruth tells me every day that its nearly time for Christmas and Santa will be coming and oh we have the most beautiful Christmas tree in the whole wide world!

Last night I went to my gorgeous little girl's first ever christmas concert at kindergarten. I was a little teary, and my little show pony was the star of the show as per usual with all of the other parents commenting afterwards on how sweet it was that she danced and sang more than the other children. Apparently she is due for an oscar in 25 years' time! so watch out Julia Roberts!! :P

Anyway... so I will update with photos tomorrow as the little star is awaiting her mother to come and read Dumbo to her. I read a few pages of a book every night, last week was Tarzan this week is Dumbo... Who knows what will be next week... I hope Santa brings her something to read cos Im all out of new books!!!!!!

Happy reading and I will catch you all tomorrow!!

wash your face with orange juice...

nawwww so cute!!!!

Amy xo

Advent Blog-A-Long #4 Dec 4th

Hmm so Its the same old same old here today, so to shake things up a bit I thought I would share a little joke that I got in an email about 12mths ago.

People who own cats will laugh with me, others might just say WTF????

DOG DIARY

8:00 am - Dog food! My favourite thing!

9:30 am - A car ride! My favorite thing!

9:40 am - A walk in the park! My favorite thing!

10:30 am - Got rubbed and petted! My favorite thing!

12:00 pm - Lunch! My favorite thing!

1:00 pm - Played in the yard! My favorite thing!

3:00 pm - Wagged my tail! My favorite thing!

5:00 pm - Schmackos! My favorite thing!

7:00 pm - Got to play ball! My favorite thing!

8:00 pm - Wow! Watched TV with the people! My favorite thing!

11:00 pm - Sleeping on the bed! My favorite thing!

CAT DIARY

Day 983 of my captivity. My captors continue to taunt me with bizarre little dangling objects. They dine lavishly on fresh meat, while the other inmates and I are fed hash or some sort of dry nuggets.

Although I make my contempt for the rations perfectly clear, I nevertheless must eat something in order to keep up my strength.

The only thing that keeps me going is my dream of escape. In an attempt to disgust them, I once again vomit on the carpet. Today I decapitated a mouse and dropped its headless body at their feet. I had hoped this would strike fear into their hearts, since it clearly demonstrates what I am capable of. However, they merely made condescending comments about what a 'good little hunter' I am. Bastards!

There was some sort of assembly of their accomplices tonight. I was placed in solitary confinement for the duration of the event. However, I could hear the noises and smell the food. I overheard that my confinement was due to the power of 'allergies.' I must learn what this means, and how to use it to my advantage.

This morning I was almost successful in an attempt to assassinate one of my tormentors by weaving around his feet as he was walking. I must try this again tomorrow -- but at the top of the stairs. I am convinced that the other prisoners here are flunkies and snitches.

The dog receives special privileges. He is regularly released - and seems to be more than willing to return. He is obviously retarded.

The bird has got to be an informant. I observe him communicate with the guards regularly. I am certain that he reports my every move. My captors have arranged protective custody for him in an elevated cell, so he is safe.

For now...

Cat

Hope you enjoyed that one as much as I did!!!! I laugh every time I read it :-p

Amy xo