lately...

Well this winter has gone by faster than I could blog it, so I've been meaning to have a catch up. Pip and Kate and a bunch of other lovely peeps thought this list was a great idea and I do too. Here's what's been happening:

Making : The most amazing chook fortress from found bits. We sewed it together and used bricks. Crafty.
Cooking : Kimchi. Best.
Drinking : My old fave - dandelion root coffee with raw milk and a drop of maple syrup.
Reading: Quiet. Learning so much about me and Little Owlet and how we move through this world. Amazing.
Wanting: More mulch than I can get my hands on.
Looking: Out the window at the big green patch where the mulch should be.
Playing: At darkmofo - Hobart got awesome for a while there.
Wasting: Not much. It's surprising what you can reuse if you think craftily about it.
Sewing: Nothing. There's been no time. Plus when I sit down I become food. Not happening anytime soon. Sad.
Wishing: There were more hours in the day and I didn't need sleep. Or that Tiny would sleep more. Not fussy.
Enjoying: Sunny days at our homeschool co-op and weekends with Huz.
Waiting: For Tiny's rotten teeth to fall out in their own time. So far so good. Just.
Liking: That the chooks are laying and Tiny's excitement over it.
Wondering: When Big Owlet will be my height. And if Little Owlet will ever sleep in her room (she says no).
Loving: How our owlets look out for each other and love each other. They really are besties. And decent sorts.
Hoping: I can get more fruit trees in the ground before it's too late.
Marvelling: At Huz and his new found love for running. Awesome and inspiring.
Needing: Just a little bit more time out in my week. Still chasing that perfect balance.
Smelling: Something in the fridge. It smells fermented. I think it might be kimchi.
Wearing: Keshet. Our unschooling mums uniform at co-op. Hilarious! We're thinking of asking for sponsorship.
Following: Tiny's little paths of destruction. She's quick. And cheeky. And stronger than me.
Noticing: The days are getting longer. Yay!
Knowing: I'll always have more that I'd like to do than I'm able to achieve. I'm like that.
Thinking: I really need to plan my time better so I can get to at least half of it. And I need to go to bed earlier.
Feeling: Tired. And a little overwhelmed. And like I've been saying that for a long while.
Bookmarking: Everything. My computer died. I'm starting again.
Opening: Parcels full of gorgeous stuff for Spiral Garden. The novelty still hasn't worn off.
Giggling: At cheesy jokes with Huz. We've been together for so long now we pretty much communicate that way.
Feeling: Excited by new ideas... but first sleep. 

Photos by Huz @berondi and me @owletmama on instagram.

Our Handmade Christmas

Just when I thought there was no time for handmade this year... We managed hessian hearts for the tree...




A thrifted box found by a dear friend became a last minute sewing box gift for Little Owlet...



And a tidy up of my crafting stash yielded a toddler sewing basket for Tiny Owlet.




Big Owlet tried her hand at felting for her sisters...



Little Owlet sewed for Tiny and decorated a picture frame for Huz and some hair clips for Big Owlet.



A jar of bright, glittery playdough appeared...



While we waited for the biscuits to bake. And somehow the joy of giving meant more this year than ever.

Did you have time for handmade this year? xx

Mini mei tai revisited

The most popular post I've written here is a tutorial to make mei tai doll carriers. When I made that tutorial, Little owlet was almost two and loved carrying her baby on her back... Now Tiny is almost two, the mini mei tai has been dragged out and is a mainstay of Tiny's wardrobe. Some days it's the only thing she wears. She's also very insistent that she spends time on my back in my mei tai carrier. It's a thing right now. She sees how awesome babywearing is. Snuggly and practical all at once. I love that modelling that for her has made it normal.

Anyhoo, I thought I'd post some new pics and share the tutorial again, as I never got terrific photos of Little Owlet wearing her babies. And I'm planning to whip up some mini mei tais for Spiral Garden tomorrow. So, if you feel like a project, there's a pattern to follow, and if you'd rather buy something ready made, there will be an option for that too. Your owlets could have a carrier just like Tiny's. Happy owlets everywhere!

my place and yours :: my pincushion

At my very first crafternoon, I made this pincushion. I ran my eye over a few tutorials, grabbed some Japanese fabric scraps and sewed them in a circle. I grabbed a couple of buttons and some embroidery floss on my way out the door and shoved them in my bag. I was a bit nervous turning up at Bec's house. I didn't know anyone there... and I hadn't made anything in ages! I was still working from home as a sock designer then, but making stuff with my hands was something I'd not done much of since uni. When I arrived, I felt like I walked into a bunch of people who had the ease of a group who'd known each other for a long time... well, they had. But they were welcoming, and lovely, and I made that wonky looking pincushion that day.

Now it sits next to my sewing machine where owlets pull the pins out and group their colours, or organise them by shade, use them to count and spell out words. But it's a good size, super handy and I love the wonk factor. My pincushion often joins me on outings too. Especially Brown Owls where I'll be heading next Saturday. If you're in Hobart, perhaps you might come too? Even if you don't know anyone there and haven't made anything for the longest time... Maybe you might like to make something as simple and perfectly wonky as my pincushion?

I'm playing along with Punky & Me today. Head over to there to see more pincushions. xx

PS. If you're in the Geelong area, you may want to check out the brand new Brown Owls group Vic's setting up. I bet it will be super awesome!

weekending... so far

Drinking chai.
Wearing new slippers, purchased on organic/wholefoods grocery jaunt last week.
Giggling at the bourgeois hippiedom of it all.



Loving colour. Lots of it.
Learning about buddhism and wilderness gardening.



Listening to Feist's new album. And a thunderstorm.
Watching Tiny Owlet explore music and respond to it. Usually with a funny dance and a cheeky grin.



Eating sugar free. Still. And feeling good for it. Not missing it, but finding my food cravings have changed. The owlets, as you can see, are choosing not to be sugar free. At home they eat what we provide (sometimes), but out, they choose to indulge. And they are noticing the effect it has on them. Hearing their bodies loud and clear. A good thing, I think.

Sewing bits and pieces for a shop order. Putting birds on things... the usual.

Planning what's next. 

Thanks to everyone who who responded to yesterday's post. Its been great to read what you all think and how commenting works (or doesn't) for you. It was quite validating to know that I'm not alone in my observations. I'm still quite happy if you're too busy to comment, but happy to read. Didn't want to guilt trip any peeps. But I would rather like to support more conversation and community here if you'd like to get involved, suggest stuff, ask questions, just chat... Hope your weekend is lovely, so far. xx