The Madison Lamp Review + giveaway link

This is one part of my creative space. It's newest addition is my new lamp.
I was sooo excited when Buyster Lighting sent it to me because I find it quite hard to sew with the eco globe in the ceiling. As I try to do some sewing in the evenings I really needed good lighting.



The Madison lamp is a one light desk lamp in a black finish.
It uses a standard (not bayonet) bulb up to 60W.

The best feature for me is it's spring-reinforced adjustable arm.
I can bend the head and the arm so it shines directly at my needle so I can see where I am sewing. This is particularly great when I am doing appliqueing.


It has a heavy desk mount is not too heavy and not too light :: so it stays in place where I need it.
The only thing that it needs is an extra tightening screw for the head so it stays firmly in place when you twist it to shine where you want. I found that it would not stay where I wanted it to and adjusted the arm to accommodate.

It would be even better if it came in other colours, as black is the only option.
Other than that it's terrific, affordable and compact.

Now back to daydreaming about my hand-made Xmas list... speaking of which I will be giving away some of the fabric below.



One lucky reader will recieve half a metre of each of these fabrics (not the skirt) and little goodies. Just leave a comment and I will draw one winner out on the evening of Sunday, 22nd Nov EST. Everyone welcome to comment.

There's also a Mega Giveaway over at *Make it Perfect*.
You better get in because you'll serious regret the chance to win fabo prizes!

Better go, screaming baby in the background. You know how it is...

Seeing the Light

Meet Madison.
She's coming my way to show me the light at the end of my blurry tunnel.
I'll be reviewing this lamp very soon thanks to Buyster Lighting.
They have a huge range of lighting ranging from various lamps, ceiling fans, downlights, and wall lights. It would be a great Christmas gift for yourself or a friend.

It is very important for sewers and crafters to have the right lighting.
Especially when I (use to) have time in the evening to sew. I can't tell you how much I need this lamp. Those free bulbs we have just aren't bright enough and I have to squint to see the needle.

Speaking of lights at the end of tunnels I have decided that instead of pencil cases, I would make Nintendo DS cases for my nieces and nephews. These game devices seem to be the third arm they are always carrying around and they are always being misplaced.

Must go browse for fabric, methinks there'll be some extra for a giveaway next post.

Plans for Xmas

Gratuitous baby photo.

I noticed little curly eyelashes this week.

Are you all busy preparing for Christmas yet?

I know that if I don't start now I will be doing late night shopping and last minute things.

So far my head is just a jumbled list of "little projects that could"

This year I have decided to make pencil cases for the young kids. Last year it was pencil colour rolls. I might even get around to making some coin purses and Amy Butler bags. It means I should gather up supplies and scrummy fabric.

Little Miss decided she wanted a little red riding hood so that's added to the list.

Litte Boy has no idea about Christmas yet but we'll get around to something for him.

The little koala is just loving being snuggled in this easy to make sling.

All you really need are medium or large size sling rings and about 2metres of fabric.

Sew up one end into the pair of rings and voila, the most comfy sling for bub and mum.

Stay tuned. A little birdie told me there's a giveaway coming up!

So what are your crafty plans for Xmas???

Time Wasters

She: The one who takes up most of my time but gets cuter by the day.

Her: Who keeps me on my feet and wants to see the baby all the time.

Him: The mischievious of them all and makes so much mess. Oh so much.

The other night my hubby's niece (niece-in-law?) came over for a sewing favour. We sat for a few hours, both dreary-eyed while I finished piecing together a lovely blue satin dress for her Home Ec class. I could have shaved off about half an hour but I screwed up with the invisible zipper, TWICE! The first time I twisted the second part so it couldn't zip up, the second time I finished and then realised that the zip should have gone all the way up to the bodice instead of starting underneath the bodice. Such cursing needed to be had (in my head of course). Once it was all finished there was a huge sigh of relief and I could start my sewing itch being scratched.

Once you scratch, of course, you need to keep scratching until you are satisfied.

So many things I want to do. I'm going to have to make a priority list.

First-off: that Amy Butler Sling for my other sister. The first one I made is continuously getting rave reviews from strangers who ask where she got it from. My sis says I should make more and sell them. Perhaps but who's got the time?? Where do I get the time?

Secondly: I really love seeing the knitted projects that our northern friends are producing so much that I would like to start some knitting. It's crazy I know since we're only just coming into summer but if I start now then it will be done by Winter. Yes?

*Wishful thinking*

Japanese Books and a True Up link.

I love all things Japanese. I couldn't resist taking advantage of how well our dollar is doing and let my fingers do the walking on yesasia.

The book pictured above is New York Style for Kids. It has the cutest designs for the little ones. I can't wait til Little J is old enough for me to start on some of them for her.



Above is Girly Style Wardrobe. I've read rave reviews on this book and I can see why. The dresses are beautiful and perfect for our upcoming summer.



This bundle of 'My Favourite' by Kiyohara & Co could be yours!
It's part of a giveaway by the fabulous True Up blog. It's a blog on all things fabric and she even shares the same name as me! It's just the best eye candy so head on over there for your chance to win.

A HUGE thankyou to Melinda for nominating me for the Kreativ Blogger award. I'm so humbled. It's nice to know I am making a little impact on the blogging world. I think there are rules that come with this award like nominating others? but right now I'm trying to use 'every spare minute' of my time constructively.

So, just counting my blessings each day. That would be three little healthy kids and a loving husband. Now if only I could steal some time to produce something crafty... soon enough.

Home Truths

I've been tagged by Cherri over at CherriBerri to reveal some True Facts about myself.

The rules are below:

Thank the person who gave you the award: Thankyou Cherri.

Post ten honest facts about yourself.

Pass the award on to seven others.

1. I hated Computer Science at school but my past two jobs are computer related and I love it so much.

2. I do not have a green thumb although I wish I did. In fact I can kill a plant within a week and forget I even owned it. I started some seedlings recently but haven't transferred them to a bigger pot yet. They are still alive as we speak... maybe there's some hope for me yet.

3. I really enjoy having 7 sisters and wished I could see them more often.

4. I love children but 3 is enough for now and we will try for our last one in the future. That is if I haven't lost my sanity by then.

5. I am a procrastinator. If I don't write it down I'll just forget to do it.

6. I met hubby at work and we didn't talk to each other for the first year until he had to help me. We fell head over heels and I believe it was destiny. Sometimes we do finish off each other's sentences.. (giggle).

7. I use to be able to read Greek when I studied it in the 5th and 6th grade. I would love to be a linguist.

8. I am still learning to be a housewife and tidy up the house!

9. I am a sucker for romance movies and I use to read a lot of science fiction.

10. I'm so proud of my children and the life I have with my family. We are very blessed and I try to remember that every day.

I'll add one more that I've just thought of. It's actually a quote that I read recently which I LOVE:

"A rich man is not one who owns the most, he is the one who needs the least" - Anon.

I'm not going to tag anyone since I've spent a fair amount of precious time on the computer already while bub is in my lap peacefully sleeping.

I hope you are having a great week so far. We're slowly getting there. Just taking it one day at a time. Soon enough I'll be back in business in no time.

She's here

Jacqueline arrived at 5.59pm on the 12th October 2009.
It was an intense but fast labour with only grazing as I had her standing up.
We couldn't be any happier and glad to be home already.
Little Miss and Little Man are adjusting quite well although they do tend to wake each other at night.






We are resting at home and enjoying the time of 'firsts' with her.
Not much else happening on the home front.
Minimal cleaning, nil sewing, nil crafting and no thanks to things that are busy.
It's a time to take things slowly and enjoy the peacefulness while it lasts ; )


Hugs and kisses from us.