MoederKip

How Far We've Come

2011-08-03T17:11:00.001+10:00

This week has been a rather special week at the Henhouse, with our little boy having his first day at Montessori (kindy).

With barely a backward glance, he wandered into the classroom, hung up his bag, and got to work picking out stories and activities for the day.

Despite him being a little tired and emotional - no surprise given the huge change in his daily routine - he's really loving it.

And Mummy and Daddy were not only so very proud of how adaptable, confident, and ready to take on the world our little boy is; we were also quietly thrilled to have a couple of hours to ourself to go and have coffee and adult conversation. Double Win!

So here is our beautiful boy yesterday, as he waited to start his first day.

And to think, this was him when we started blogging in December 2008.

We've all come so very far.

Starting Again

2011-07-31T09:55:00.000+10:00

As I’m sure everyone is aware, MoederKip has been on a bit of a break.

In this post from the beginning of the year, we did allude to the fact that things were going to change. That we were going to slow things down a bit, and have a bit of a different focus.

As it turned out, this was more true than even we realised.

Without going into all of the details, there’s been some big life changes here at the HenHouse. Going back to work full-time was only one change, but one that had a pretty big impact on our ability to keep MoederKip going.

However the six month break actually reinforced that we really do need this little business in our life. That what we do as MoederKip fulfils us in a way that nothing else can.

And so we’re back. But right back to where we began - with MoederKip not focussed on commercial success, but on the process of creating, and sharing the joy that it brings.

So what does this all mean?

We’ll still be making and selling children’s clothing and accessories. We’ll have some regular favourites that will always be available, but we’ll also be playing with different styles and products if we’re inspired. We may even sell the occasional grown up items, such as Shae’s favourite Mama Pants. There will be less focus on trying to develop coherent ‘lines’ of products, and more focus on making what we - and you - love.

We will do the occasional market, or online stocking, but it won’t necessarily be to the level that we did before. While it’s lovely to have a regular presence at particular markets, we're not sure that we can keep up with the pace, so this will be on an ad-hoc basis. We’ll use our Blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Website to let people know when these happen.

We’ve had to close the shop component of our website, due to ongoing hacking. This has been nothing more sinister than people using our bandwidth, however the emotional toll of constantly dealing with these idiots is too much, and so until we can work out a more secure offer, this will be taken down.

In the meantime, the website will still be there for sharing information and photos of what we’re doing, and people can contact us directly for custom orders and sales at any time. We’ll also put items up occasionally on Facebook, or here on the blog. It won’t be as formalised and structured, but it will allow us to keep working through these changes.

The Blog, and Facebook, will also go back to being about the creative process more broadly. So sometimes we’ll share what else we are doing - cooking, gardening, etc - and sometimes it will just be talking about trends, what’s inspiring us, or the creative process more generally. Hopefully it will be fun, light, and interactive, and encourages much more of a conversation with our followers.

We know this won’t work for everyone. We know that some people prefer a more formalised business offering. And that’s fine. But we do hope that those who stick around (and who have stuck with us this far), keep in touch.

Now, with that out of the way, it’s back to the business … or should that be joy … of MoederKip.

Reality

2011-07-30T18:11:00.000+10:00

It's been a while since I posted.
And the longer it's been, the harder it's been to get back into things.
I feel the need to apologise.
To explain.
To justify my absence.
I would feel somewhat odd just picking up and starting again where I left off some 7 months ago without acknowledging my rather sudden departure from the online world.
But to over-share is neither necessary, nor desirable.
So I thought maybe a meme would be the way to go, to let me kick things off again.
And as it happens, the lovely Craft Revival is giving us the opportunity to portray ourselves in all our inglorious glory.
It's about putting aside the photoshopped, magazine-ready images, and talking about the reality of our daily lives.
Perfect! (in its imperfection)
So a while ago, I decided to get all organised and set up some lovely spaces for our little boy. A beautiful creative space for art and crafts; and a quiet chill-out space for reading and puzzles.
So this was the 'ideal', the space as I dreamed it.

And this is the reality. How it looks today.

Such is life. Such is our life. But really, it isn't that bad.
In fact, I think the reality might be rather lovely, particularly when seen from the perspective of a three year old.

And so we're back :-)

Step One...

2011-01-09T13:49:00.000+11:00

While taking the opportunity over Christmas / New Year to slow down a little on sewing, it’s been a good opportunity to catch up on other types of creating.

So when Little Melbourne put out a call on Twitter for recipes for banana bread/cake, I thought it would be a good excuse to dig out my favourite recipe and share it around (and re-stock the cake tin at the same time).

Now, I don’t know how other people write out their recipes, but this is fairly typical of what you’ll find in my folder:

It made me think about my general approach to instructions. I’m not big on manuals. I hate following the instructions on just about everything.

When I need to, I can be very detailed and specific. I get a thrill out of creating order out of chaos, and I quite enjoy writing out detailed instructions. However it’s just not my ‘default’.

But somehow, I don’t think that my recipe, as it stands, would be terribly helpful to most other people. So here is a translation for those of you who feel like a tasty Sunday treat:

Step 1: Mix together 1 1/2 cups of Self Raising flour; 1/2 cup of milk powder; and 1/2 cup of white sugar.

Step 2: Mix together 2 ounces melted butter; 3/4 cup water; and 1 lightly beaten egg.

Step 3: Blend together

At this point I should point out that I use fresh milk instead of milk power - so just leave out the milk powder; and replace the 3/4 cup of water with 3/4 cup milk. Brown sugar also substitutes really nicely for the white sugar.

Step 3: Mush up 2 ripe bananas and stir through the mixture.

Step 4: Pour into a greased tin and bake at 180 degrees for around 30 minutes, or until a cake skewer comes out clean.

Topping:

The recipe above is pretty standard. If you like, you can make a delicious topping out of 1 tablespoon melted butter; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg; 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon; and 1 cup of crushed cornflakes.

Just mix it all together then pour over the top of the cake for the last ten minutes or so of baking. You can also pop it under the grill for a bit if you think it needs crisping up (I think originally it was meant to be poured over before baking, but I found it could burn quite easily, which is why I add it towards the end).

Happy baking! And let me know how you go.

Looking Back, Looking Forward

2011-01-06T11:11:00.004+11:00

Back in early December, we realised it had been 2 years since starting this blog.

Looking back over all the entries has really shown what a journey it's been. There have been many changes in our lives, and our business. And our blog has reflected that.

We started out just playing around.

Then as the first year progressed; as our business grew and we developed more of our own style; the blog really seemed to be at its best - honest, truthful, reflecting who we were as a business, but more importantly, as a family. Which is what it was all about.

There was lots of feedback via comments and emails, and we really enjoyed getting to know our readers, and learning from them all.

Then in 2010 our business grew even more. Maybe a bit faster than we wanted. At times it felt like we spent a lot of time playing catch up; second-guessing ourselves about what we ‘should’ be doing; and in the meantime becoming a little less in tune with the market. And our blog, in turn, became more formalised; more business focussed; less personal.

Now, I'm not saying there's anything wrong with keeping things professional. Not everyone wants to hear about our political views, or our family dynamics, or what's for dinner tonight.

But our blog was never meant to be for selling. We have other forums for that.

Our blog is for connecting.

It's for sharing our story, and giving people a glimpse into the inspirations and influences behind what we do.

And it’s for listening also. For really hearing what our readers want to say.

So we have some changes planned for where we take our business this year. We want to be more focussed; have more fun; and reconnect. We want to nurture our 'Under the Wing' program; develop some fun new products that have been on the back-burner; and just enjoy the creative process. And we want our blog to reflect that.

We hope that you hang around, and we look forward to getting to know you. Again.

Natalie, Paul, and Bradley xxx

We Did It Our Way

2010-12-31T15:13:00.001+11:00

6 years ago today we ran away.

To our backyard.

And got married.

We had a wedding feast of hot dogs, home-made ice cream, and champagne.

We made fairy floss.

And a wedding cake.

Paul, Nathanial, Jessica, and Lachlan welcomed me with loving arms.

And the mixing of the sands symbolised our new family together.

It wasn't traditional.

It wasn't fancy.

It was just us. Doing it our way.

And 6 years later, it keeps on getting better.

Oh, and we're still doing it our way.

MacJournal for iPhone

2010-12-29T16:54:00.001+11:00

Check out this application:
http://itunes.apple.com/au/app/macjournal-for-iphone/id357602069?mt=8

Sent from my iPhone

*********************
Edit for unscheduled advertising break:

Hmmmm, this is what is called an accidental blog.

I actually meant to send a link to this app to my email, but mobile-blogged it instead!

Oh well, while I'm here, I may as well mention that it's actually great journalling software (I have the desktop version), that you can use for blogging.

If you are interested, the desktop software happens to be 50% off until New Years Eve, on the website here

Signed,
The Accidental Blogger :-)

What Happens When I Sit Back and Relax

2010-12-19T10:44:00.001+11:00

With the end of the year drawing to a close, there's been a little less focus on madly sewing stock, and a bit more time for creating special little pieces for special little people.

I've made this outfit for a lovely little girl's special day.

And this tiny dress-shirt for a 1st birthday / Christmas celebration.

And I've even managed to sew some JimJams for Bradley - it seems the more I sew, the less time I've had to make things for my ever-patient family, so this was a real joy.

Doing all this has been so good for me. It's been relaxing; and creative; and has helped me to remember what it is I love in life, and why we started this business in the first place.

Business for 2011 will recommence soon enough. With a fresh outlook for a new year, and a plan for making sure that personal-life and work-life complement - rather than compete with - each other.

But the next few weeks is going to be about catching up on sewing for my loved ones - my husband and child; and friends and family both near and far.

Oh, and I might even sneak in some sewing for myself!

Santa is coming to Daylesford!

2010-12-13T16:19:00.000+11:00

Just a couple more markets before we wind up for the year.

This Saturday we'll be joining some of our favourite other makers in Daylesford for the Twilight Christmas Market.

In addition to all the beautiful goodies to buy, I hear there will be Santa, music, gifts, and chocolate - what more could you want?

Hope to see you there.

To Market....

2010-11-23T20:32:00.000+11:00

Wow, what a big weekend we have coming up.

On Saturday, we'll be at the, ahem, Award Winning Daylesford Makers Market. Yep, you heard it right. The market recently was awarded in the Winner, 2010, in the Tourism Operator Category at the Hepburn Tourism Awards. This monthly market really is a must-see attraction for the region.

Then on Sunday, we're in Ballarat for the Sugar & Spice Children's Market. The lovely Ali has done an amazing job with this boutique market over the last year, working to bring gorgeous handmade goodies to regional communities.

We're thrilled to be part of both of these markets, and hope to see you there.

And here's a little sneak peak at some of the goodies we'll be selling.

Baby Wrap Top and Yoga Pants, in a stack of colours!

Bright and summery button hair snaps

Giant PaperClip BookMarks

Butterfly and Surf's Up Bunting

Butterfly and Surf's Up Pencil Rolls

And of course a range of children's clothes, including these very Christmasy Cherry Pants

We hope you have a wonderful weekend, wherever you are.

My Creative (Son's) Space

2010-11-19T11:03:00.000+11:00

Well, it's been a week of sickness in the henhouse, and so there's been very little happening in the way of creative enterprises on my part.

Bradley, however, has been taking advantage of the down-time (and some lovely new supplies received for his birthday), and engaging in some of his own artistic endeavours.

I'm particularly fond of this fox.

For more creative spaces, head on over here!

My Creative (Frilly) Space

2010-10-28T16:27:00.001+11:00

Just because!

Head on over to Kirsty's to see who else is being creative this week.

Who says

2010-09-08T13:07:00.000+10:00

that graffiti can't be gently thought-provoking. In a friendly way.

As seen on the toilet walls at the Abbotsford Convent...

dear you.

please know that whoever you are,

whatever your situation you find yourself in,

you are loved.

If you don't believe me,

I love you.

in a friendly way.

"Quality is not a thing. It is an event"

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 8

2010-08-30T21:17:00.000+10:00

When you ask your son to model a skirt, you get everything you deserve.

My Creative (Dressed Up) Space

2010-08-19T10:12:00.000+10:00

This week I'm thrilled to say there has actually been some creating in my creative space.

For a while now we've been experimenting with drafting a pattern for a boy's classic dress shirt with tie.

So with the new sewing room more-or-less set up, and some rainy days perfect for staying indoors, it seemed like a good opportunity to have a play.

We wanted something comfortable, cute and fun. Dressy, without being boring.

There's still a bit of work to do to get the collar right - but other than that we're really happy with the result.

Even if we did shed a tear when we realised just how grown up our little boy had become.

For more creative spaces, head on over to Kirsty's.

My Creative (Nature) Space

2010-08-05T07:59:00.001+10:00

Another week in which moving house takes priority over creating (although some of my packing techniques have, admittedly, been what you'd call 'creative').

But a break from crafting is also a good time to re-charge the batteries, and look around you for inspiration.

So my creative inspiration this week comes from our front yard, courtesy of nature.

Serendipity is a funny thing. I actually have some lace-weight yarn that I have been carrying around, trying to work out what to make from it. And this spider's web has given me an idea.... now I just need to work out how to make it happen!

To see some more creative spaces, head on over to Kirsty's.

My Creative (Packed) Space

2010-07-29T11:51:00.000+10:00

Another week in which creating has had to take a back-seat while we prepare to move house.

I've put it off for as long as I could, but we're at the point of having to pack up my creative space.

I know it's all safe. I know I wouldn't get to it anyway until after the move. I know that I will craft again.

But I do admit to experiencing just a teeny tiny bit of anxiety when I sealed up those boxes.

On the positive side, when we get to the new house, it will be just like Christmas.

So see you for some unpacking creativity next week!

(or for some real creative spaces, head on over to Kirsty's)

My Creative (Memory) Space

2010-07-22T09:35:00.000+10:00

My creative space is in a bit of a state this week.

You see, MoederKip is relocating to a new house (more on that in another post), and so much time has been spent preparing for the move.

Of course when you're packing, it involves sorting through the dark recesses of cupboards that you don't normally access in your day-to-day life. And in the process you uncover (recover) lots of memories.

One of my jobs this week was to sort through all of Bradley's old baby clothes to see if there was anything we could get rid of (not an easy task - it's amazing how connected you feel to a box of vomit-stained onesies!).

And then I came across a bag of his cloth nappies. And I found this one (shown here, modelled by the WonderBoy himself at 3 months of age).

Now, aside from being a good opportunity for a gratuitous display of cuteness, there is a reason I'm showing you this picture.

This was the first nappy I made, and I was just beside myself with joy that I had made something for my baby that was cute, and practical, and one-of-a-kind.

(note: I was also somewhat high on all those maternal hormones, so that could also have something to do with the events that followed!)

At the time I was on maternity leave, and was so worried about how I'd ever be able to leave him to go back to work. And I started dreaming about going into business for myself. I'd make and sell nappies from home. And then maybe open a shop. And then I was going to sell nappy making supplies, and run workshops, and have a little 'henhouse' where people could come together to talk, and craft, and learn.

Unfortunately, the novelty wore off somewhat and I soon discovered that there were people out there who were actually much better than I at making nappies.

However Paul and I weren't fully prepared to let go of the dream of crafting our way to independence.

And so we re-evaluated what we were good at, and what we did enjoy. And we spoke to people, and read blogs, and took a critical look at the realities of running a craft-based business.

And we realised that it was a tough industry, with a high rate of business failure. And so we did what any sensible person would do.

We spoke to an accountant, and MoederKip was born.

Post Script:

In case you were wondering, yes, I did keep the nappy. When business is tough, as it so often is, something so tangible to remind you of why you're doing this is a precious thing to have.

To read about more creative spaces (or contribute your own!), pop on over here.

New Additions

2010-07-01T22:30:00.000+10:00

It may have appeared that things have been quiet around here lately.

But we've actually been busy preparing for some new additions to the family.

They finally moved in today, however the little darlings still need names.

You see, they have the rather unexpected bonus of being either a girl or a boy, and so we're thinking we need to come up with names that will suit regardless (Charlie? Danni / Danny? Toni / Tony?).

If you've got any ideas, we'd love to hear them ...

There's the baby.

And the two year old.

The four year old.

And of course the six year old.

And if you would like to meet them in person, they'll be making their public debut this weekend at the Daylesford Makers Market on Saturday, and Sunday Arts at the Convent (yep, on Sunday).

Hope to see you there!

KidStyleFile - MoederKip Featured

2010-06-10T13:03:00.001+10:00

(just in case you haven't already read about it on Twitter, Facebook, CraftyMamas, or any of the other zillion places that I've been posting on today!!).

I'd love to say I'm having a productive day. But to be honest, I'm just sitting around basking in the glow of this amazing review written by the lovely Angela of KidStyleFile, who I met recently at Mathilda's Market.

Thanks to Angela, and to all of you, for all your support as we build this business of ours.

Meet the Maker

2010-06-07T20:46:00.000+10:00

We're super-thrilled to be featured over on the Daylesford Makers' Market blog this week.

So if too much MoederKip is never enough, pop on over here for a read - there's even a chance to win a MoederKip gift voucher to the value of $50.

Good Luck!

My Creative (Magical) Space

2010-06-03T15:06:00.000+10:00

Apparently, all the cool kids are doing 'Magic Loop Knitting'.

I've been reading about it.

Thinking about it.

Wanting to try it.

But not quite brave enough.

Anyway, this week I finally decided to give it a go, with this top-down pinwheel beanie. And guess what - I'm not quite sure what I was expecting, but it's really not hard at all!

For my next challenge, I might see if I can actually finish it (unlike a certain pair of socks that my lovely husband has been waiting 3 years for!).

For more creative spaces, pop on over here.

My Creative (Promising) Space

2010-05-27T10:20:00.001+10:00

My Creative Space this week is full of promise.

It seems everywhere I look, there is the promise of fun little projects, like this Sock Kit I won from Craft Junk at Sew It Together (presented in the most gorgeous little project bag with a whole range of needles to choose from).

Talking of Sew It Together, we also received a whole goody bag of projects, ideas to try, blogs to read, and crafty shopping suggestions to check out around Melbourne. So yes, enough to keep a crafty lass busy for a very long time.

And I won't disgrace myself by showing a photo, but I also have at least 3,894,785 half-finished projects lying around my sewing room, waiting to be finished and delivered to my very patient friends and family.

So yes, my space is filled with the promise of things to come.

One day.

When I have some time.

Promise!

In the meantime, pop over here for more creative spaces.

Packaging

2010-05-26T11:48:00.000+10:00

This week I received a parcel in the mail for something I bought online.

See that little black folder? That's the product I ordered.

And see that big box of paper and bubble wrap. That's what the product came in.

Now, I'm not being nasty about this particular business. The service was great, the product was presented beautifully, and it arrived in one piece. I suspect they wanted to get my order to me quickly, and that was simply the only box they had available at the time (I'm sure I've done the same sort of thing).

But it did get me thinking.

As a 'mail-order' business, we want our products to arrive in good condition; we want the experience of opening the parcel to be special; and we want to avoid unnecessary waste.

It's a tricky balance to get right.

So I'd love to hear from you - what are your expectations in terms of postage and packaging when you order something online? Particularly for clothes - do you have any preferences in terms of how you would like to see them packaged and sent, and what role do things like price, presentation, and waste play in all of this?

Hey There Little Red Riding Hood

2010-05-12T11:19:00.000+10:00

It's a cold and wintery morning, so we just wanted to share some of our warm and cosy creations!

Every girl needs a red riding hood cape...

And some colour for the boys to brighten up a dreary day

And our newest addition to the Playclothes range - this raglan-sleeve dress is perfect for winter popped on over some jeans, or a pair of our beautiful stretchy leggings.

Snuggle up, and stay warm!

Mother's Day 2010

2010-05-09T18:47:00.001+10:00

For me.

For my mum.

For Paul's mum.

With love, to all Mums. x

I Want To Exercise

2010-04-25T14:09:00.000+10:00

Really I do.

But it seems Bradley has other ideas for our new treadmill.

My Creative (Messy) Space

2010-04-24T15:45:00.000+10:00

It's been a while since I've played along with Kirsty's My Creative Space.

Truth be told it's been a while since I've done much blogging at all.

It seems that while I've been very busy creating, I haven't been feeling that creative.

So this morning, while Paul was out and about, Bradley and I had some one-on-one time together.

It was his choice of activities, and he wanted to paint.

Admittedly (and ashamedly), my first thought was "oh no, this is going to be messy".

And it was.

But you know, I think it was just about the most fun I've had in a long time.

Seems like a bit of messy, chaotic, toddler art was just the thing I needed to re-inspire me and get me in the creative mood again.

Don't you love his colourful hippopotamuses (or should that be hippopotamusi?).

Gooey, sticky, icky, squishy hand prints!

Under The Wing

2010-04-08T10:41:00.004+10:00

In talking to our customers, we have become aware just how many families are out there, who are doing an amazing job through tough times.

In view of this, we set up our 'Under The Wing' Program, where people have been invited to nominate families who might appreciate a small gesture to brighten up their day.

This isn't about solving the problems of the world - we are all too aware that anything we could do is just one small step. But we do hope it goes a little way towards spreading some joy.

This is our way - as a business, as fellow parents, as part of a community - of putting a little back.

The first stage of the program has just been completed, with these little gifts being sent out to two families whose stories touched our hearts in ways we couldn't even begin to explain.

If you know of a child or family who has been going through a bit of a difficult time, and you would like to nominate them for the next round, please email the details to underthewing@moederkip.com.au. More details are here on our website.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Story Time Magic

2010-04-07T08:47:00.002+10:00

Sitting around the campfire, enthralled by the magic of words brought to life by a master story teller.

Cuddled up on a comfy chair, talking about your day.

Stories are everywhere in our culture. Going to the movies, or the theatre. Watching TV or listening to the radio. Reading the papers, or magazines, or books. Surfing the internet. Having coffee, or a drink with friends. Filling in time while sitting on a bus.

It can take the form of a song, or a picture. Words on a page, or on a screen. A solemn lecture, a whispered declaration of love.

The desire to tell stories, and to hear stories, is a fundamental part of being human. It's what connects us as people, it's how we share our values, our philosophies, our experiences. It's how we learn.

And it’s particularly important that stories are passed on between generations, and cultures. Hearing about somebody's experiences from a different time or place joins you with them. We need more of this - because surely when you have a shared history, it’s so much harder to hate.

What's your story?

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 7

2010-04-06T08:29:00.000+10:00

Snuggling in bed with a morning cuppa is one of life's true pleasures.

Doll-Making

2010-03-21T10:45:00.000+11:00

On Friday I was lucky enough to share in the company of some lovely Crafty Mamas for a day of coffee, cake, chatter, and creating.

The very talented Kel offered to run a doll-making workshop, which was an amazing opportunity. It never ceases to amaze me how much generosity of spirit there is in the crafting community, and I'm so thankful to have connections to this group of women.

So while my beautiful husband entertained the children and made coffee; Kel, Zofia, Claire, and I spent the day happily crafting away.

And over the next couple of days, I marvelled to see some cotton and wool go from this...

To this...

Taking shape...

Almost there...

And finally complete...

Don't tell Paul, but I think I have a new addiction!

Real Men...

2010-03-15T14:11:00.001+11:00

...aren't afraid to dress up in sparkly green skirts and take their son to a fairy party in the park.

Gee, I love my boys!

Oh My .... It looks like we have a website!

2010-02-28T14:32:00.000+11:00

Stage 1 is up and ready to view (just click on the image below).
Stay tuned for Stage 2 next weekend, when you'll be able to browse and shop :-)

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can...

2010-02-25T10:53:00.001+11:00

This week has involved lots of running around:

*The Child Models (also known as 'Bradley and his friends') running around in dressed up in various clothes from our range.

*The Photographer (also known as 'Daddy') running around trying to capture some great pics for our new website and brochure.

*The Creative Director (also known as 'Mummy') running around trying to make sure everyone had the right outfits on, and hems stayed out of the mud!

*The Web Builder (also known as 'Mate') running around trying to get us to provide him with pictures on time so he could finish the site.

It's been tiring, but worth it, and I'm thrilled to say the first stage of our website will be up-and-running on Monday, with stock being added to the shop throughout the month (come on, you didn't think we were going to have it all there on Day 1 did you??!!!).

It's been a bit of a trek getting here, but we've loved the journey, and are thrilled you've stuck with us!

See you Monday...

This Weekend...

2010-02-21T19:14:00.000+11:00

Just because I felt like it, I made this giraffe...

And this fabric block...

And this crayon roll...

And this hat...

So not a productive weekend in the sense that I didn't sew 6,783 new items of stock for the markets.

However a very productive weekend in the sense that I was able to step back from the day-to-day, and just enjoy creating. And hopefully with a bit of tweaking to these prototypes, we may have a few new products that we can offer.

How was your weekend?

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 6

2010-02-18T16:20:00.000+11:00

Never underestimate the power of a well-accessorised outfit.

My Creative (Corduroy) Space

2010-02-11T15:01:00.000+11:00

In my creative space at the moment is corduroy.

Lots of delicious, colourful corduroy.

I know you may think that cord belongs in a winter wardrobe, but these are so soft, and light - I think they make perfect pants for any time of the year. And besides, this is Melbourne - winter is never far away!

So this week there's apples - and of course, you can pick between Granny Smiths and Pink Ladies...

There's pretty little pirates....

And of course some lovely flowery ruffles...

For more creative spaces, head over here, and get inspired!

Op Shop Delights

2010-02-09T10:18:00.000+11:00

I haven't been op-shopping for some time - scared off by the efficient customer service, smartly laid out and super-clean stores, and sanitised stock (most won't even take donations anymore unless they're in pristine condition).

But the other day I happened across one of those delightful smaller shops. You know the type - a bit more jumbled, and run by a kindly older lady who had time for a chat. And what would you know -

*a beautiful Holly Hobbie bed sheet, just begging to be made into some little dresses for an upcoming market

*a sweet little Pillow Case, destined to become one of these skirts

*and this huge fabric remnant, which I am determined to keep just for me - don't you think this would make an awesome market bag!

For more frugal fun, have a look over at Sophie's website to see who else is playing Flea Market Finds this week.

My Sewing Room Has A Hangover - First Market Report

2010-02-07T22:17:00.000+11:00

This morning I walked into my sewing room and was greeted with the remnants of a busy week sewing.

Tubs of thread, jumbled in together most obscenely...

Fabric droppings strewn on the floor...

Bits of dresses that never quite made it...

I think Paul was a bit worried that I'd never want to sew again, and so I also found this little chocolatey enticement sitting at my machine...

On the positive side, it all came together, and we had a lovely market day in Daylesford on Saturday. Friends were there to support, and we enjoyed meeting new people (both customers and other stand-holders) - it really was a lovely little market with a very positive vibe.

Paul did an amazing job preparing our name board, and of course we had the cutest little assistant ever...

Our designers, Phil and Caz, did a wonderful job on our swing tags...

And everybody there was so generous with praise as they looked at our work.

And now, we do it all again. For all you lovely Melbourne people, we'll be at Sisters' Market in Brunswick, this Saturday (13 Feb) from 10am to 4pm. Hope to see you there.

When Life Gets Really Busy

2010-01-31T21:20:00.000+11:00

Sometimes you just need to stop and feel the sand beneath your feet...

Remember the joy of childhood through play...

And spend time with family...

Work will still be there tomorrow.

But there will never be another today.

Enjoy it.

Hellooooooo.... Anybody out there?

2010-01-21T23:59:00.000+11:00

Yes, I know, I've been embarrassingly quiet of late.

I thought I'd get away with it by throwing in the odd set of cute photos to distract you, but I've been caught out.

As I'm sure you know by now, my lovely husband has finally joined me at home (thank you so much to everybody for your wonderful words of support) - so we should have plenty of spare time.... right?

The truth is, everything has just stepped up a notch, and so we've been crazy busy, getting our website built, drafting new patterns, and sewing up clothes in readiness for the Daylesford Makers' Market in February.

And then by the time we eat, have a glass of wine, chat, check emails, read a few blogs, and see what's happening in the world, before you know it, it's time to sleep - then start all again.

We're going away for a few days, but I promise when we return, we'll take some photos of what we've been doing. In the meantime, here's a little photo of our latest 'home made' creation. Sweet juicy corn, straight from our garden. It really doesn't get any better than that!

Oh, and our other exciting news is that Paul has started blogging - click here if you'd like to go and visit. Paul - I'm really excited that you're finding your own voice, and so generously sharing your wonderful journey. Welcome to Blogland!

Of Endings and Beginnings

2010-01-15T15:30:00.000+11:00

Today marks the end of Paul rushing to catch the morning train to work, after leaving it as late as possible to avoid waking the family too early.

The end of rushing to get the afternoon train, leaving as early as possible to make sure that there is enough time in the evening to enjoy as a family.

The end of work uniforms.

The end of PAYG tax.

The end of paid leave.

Actually, the end of any regular pay.

Scary huh?

But it also marks the beginning.

The beginning of a life lived on our own terms.

The beginning of becoming more self-sufficient.

The beginning of a hell of a lot of risk, and of a hell of a lot of work.

Today is Paul's last day at his current work.

Tomorrow he joins me working from home, to create a business (or two!) that we can be proud to call our own, and that will become a legacy for our children.

Who knows where this will all be at, and how we'll be feeling in 6 months time. But today, we are excited. Today we are hopeful. Today, we are ready.

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 5

2010-01-10T23:24:00.000+11:00

A cupcake shared, tastes twice as good.

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 4

2009-12-23T20:23:00.000+11:00

A good man always knows that when your girlfriend picks you out a special outfit to wear...

...you just smile and go along with it.

(even if you're not 100% convinced)

A Weekend's Work

2009-12-21T10:54:00.000+11:00

(if you can call it work when it's this much fun)

It's been pretty busy here in the lead-up to Christmas.

Amongst all the cooking and cleaning (mostly done by Paul), playing (mostly done by Bradley), and eating and drinking (mostly done by me), we've also been trying to finish off a few more custom orders in time for Christmas.

This weekend, it was a set of clothes for the lovely Zav.

I loved having the opportunity to work with crisp white linen and cotton (unfortunately a no-no in our house, where clothes get dirty just by us breathing on them!). So beautiful and fresh for summer.

Of course, the bright colours didn't get forgotten.

And as always, lots of fun little details using buttons and trims..

How lucky am I, having the opportunity to spend my days creating like this?!

Bicycle Tyre Chic

2009-12-13T20:12:00.000+11:00

Apparently it's quite fashion forward.

Pimp My Pillowcase

2009-12-07T10:09:00.002+11:00

When I first got into sewing, I used to be oh-so-cautious about the fabric I used.

I'd carefully choose just enough for the particular project I was working on, and save any left-over for pockets, applique etc. Most fabric came from chain-stores, and I would also search through op shops to find interesting old pillow cases and sheets and tablecloths to turn into lovely one-of-a-kind creations.

Designer fabric was just there to dream of.

Then one day, I was feeling a bit wild and crazy and I bought some really 'good' fabric.

And I discovered that fabric, like anything, can become an addiction.

Now, paying a little more to buy high quality fabric is not necessarily a bad thing. A lot of work goes into sewing your own clothes, and when you're selling them, you want them to be nice to wear, and you want them to last.

But there's also nothing like the joy that comes from turning a much loved but long-discarded piece of material into a beautiful new outfit. It's creative, it's frugal, and the result is something you're not going to see on every second person walking down the street.

So thanks to this lovely Mama for recently providing me with an old pillow case to turn into a skirt for her daughter - and in doing so, reminding me of the beauty in vintage creations.

I hope you enjoy your new skirt as much as I've enjoyed making it for you x

My Creative (Learning) Space...

2009-12-03T10:10:00.000+11:00

In My Creative Space this week, there is machinery.

New machinery.

New machinery with industrial type attachments and big long manuals.

So I've got a bit of learning ahead of me.

Aren't they pretty though?

For more creative spaces, head on over to Kootoyoo.

Sew Sew Sew

2009-12-02T08:56:00.001+11:00

It was a busy weekend in the Henhouse.

I made this shirt for the winner of my giveaway..

And these pants for a lovely Mama friend of mine...

And some easy comfy pants for a sweet little girl...

And some tank tops and another spotty Bjarne as part of an order for a gorgeous little boy...

The reason for this sudden burst of productivity? Well, let's just say that we've been doing a little rearranging, and I now have a huge studio to work in, as well as a couple of very lovely new machines. I promise, there'll be photos very shortly. I just need to clean up a little bit after the weekend's sewing binge!

My Place and Yours - That's nice, that's different, that's unusual!

2009-11-28T12:30:00.006+11:00

Loving this week's theme of - That's nyoice, that's different, that's unewesyewl!

So we're looking for quirky features around the home.

Being a long-term renter, as well as a bit of a gypsy, I've lived in many houses over the years, most of which had elements that were, let's say, not what you'd choose for yourself.

One of the first things we noticed about our current home was the chains. These were strung across just one room of the house, giving it a slight 'Bring out the Gimp' feel.

Not something we'd normally choose for our child's play room. But apparently they're structural, so there you go.

And they are sort of handy on rainy days for drying the sheets.

Thanks to this weeks Theme Queen, Toni from Little Suitcase. If you'd like to play along, or see some other noice and unewesyewl places, pop on over to see Pip.

My Creative (Laundry) Space...

2009-11-26T10:01:00.000+11:00

I've been thoroughly enjoying checking out all the Creative Spaces on display each week, courtesy of this lovely meme over at Kootoyoo, so I've finally decided to join in!

Today, my creative space is the laundry.

Not that I particularly like doing laundry.

But yesterday I bought some fabric.

So today I wash.

Which means tomorrow I sew.

And that I do like.

Update from the Henhouse

2009-11-25T08:08:00.002+11:00

Well, things are all a-flutter here at MoederKip, with some exciting new business developments.

I know, we've been saying that for some time now. But it takes time to hatch a new business, and we have made a conscious decision to take things slowly until we were ready to move forward.

Do you want to know what we're working on? But shhhhh, it's a secret. Just between you and us!

As well as continuing to offer one-of-a-kind pieces from some of our favourite designers, we have decided that we would like to be more self-reliant as a business and develop our own patterns.

So come the new year you'll be seeing a funky range of pants and tops featuring buttons and pleats...

... and some very colourful and very comfortable play clothes...

And of course, having all these clothes isn't any good if you can't actually buy them, and so the Man around the House has been cajoled into working on a spunky new website, some online shop fronts, and getting us into a range of local markets.

In the meantime, we'll be clearing a back-log of custom orders, refining patterns, testing some new machinery, and preparing stock for the New Year.

We look forward to you sharing this journey with us.

Giveaway Winner ... and some tips on how to conduct a very official prize draw

2009-11-23T07:44:00.002+11:00

Ok, I've used those little random number generators before. Scientifically speaking, it's the way to go - they're easy, they remove any source of bias, and you get a nice little screen snapshot with the date and time and details. Very official.

But there's just something so cold, and, well, random about them. There's no sense of ceremony or excitement.

So instead, I present you the very official MoederKip prize draw. Feel free to use this method for your own giveaways.

Step 1. Print out all your entries, carefully fold them, and place them in your prettiest and best china bowl.

Step 2 - Employ a Very Responsible Draw Official to check the entries.

Step 3 - Have the Very Responsible Draw Official pick an entry, making sure you record the process for independent verification

Step 4 - Repeat the prize draw after the very Responsible Draw Official eats the winning entry. This time be sure to quickly secure the winning entry form.

Step 5 - Publish and congratulate the winner

Congratulations Zofia! I'm really looking forward to making your beautiful boy his very own Bjarne shirt (and hopefully inspiring you to dig out your own copy of the pattern out and sew some more!!).

Tired but Happy

2009-11-22T20:51:00.000+11:00

I had a wonderful day today at Mathilda's Market, helping out the lovely Mel from EcoToys on her stand.

I love being around people who are truly passionate about what they do. It was so inspiring just listening to her talk about her toys, and her business, and her genuine desire to foster imaginative and safe play for children.

Plus, her toys are so freaking awesome - you can't help but have fun!

On another note, I should be drawing the winner from my giveaway right now. The bad news is that I'm just too tired, and have decided I'll draw it tomorrow instead. The good news is, that means a whole extra night to enter in the draw if you haven't done so yet.

So goodnight, and see you bright and early tomorrow to announce the winner.

My Place and Yours - My Collection

2009-11-21T12:28:00.001+11:00

I'll be honest.

When I saw the theme that Kate had picked for My Place & Yours this week, I almost backed out.

My Collection? Nah, I'm not a collector. In fact, I'm the anti-hoarder. I'm the girl who likes nothing better than a big old Skip Bin delivered right to my front door.

Then I looked around the house.

Ok, clearly I'm delusional, because apparently I do collect things. Lots of things.

It all started when we walked into the sewing room last night, and Bradley proclaimed "Ooooooooh, STUFF! Wowwwwwww!!".

Ahem. Ok. So I have a bit of stuff. But let's keep this my little secret... just between you and me.

Sewing stuff. These threads are soooo pretty and it is very handy to have so many to choose from - however I suspect they are destined to remain unused, as I just couldn't bear to break up this very colourful little party.

Reading stuff, in every corner. There is even a section for Books about Books. That's when you know you have a problem.

Camera stuff. Some work. Some could work. Some will never work again. But they're beauties, every single one.

Hope you enjoy this little glimpse into some of my stuff. Thanks to Kate for helping me to find my inner-collector, and thanks to Pip for hosting My Place & Yours.

Feeling the Love

2009-11-19T09:29:00.004+11:00

Today I am thankful for the affections of a little boy.

He always has cuddles and kisses for his family and friends.

He loves to surprise you with random hugs during the day.

He truly believes that a kiss can make the world better.

And yesterday he said "I love you Daddy" for the first time.

These are the moments I want to remember always.

A Confession... and a Giveaway!

2009-11-16T15:12:00.007+11:00

Ok, I have a secret to share with you.

Remember all that feedback I got for my '7 Projects in 7 Days' challenge?

Well, I've been so busy basking in the glow of your lovely comments, that I have done hardly any sewing this week. Yep, all that work to get my sew-jo up and running has totally gone out the window.

To be fair, I did expect to take a little break to catch up on things that got neglected during the week - like sleep. But I didn't expect to produce the grand result of Half a Pair of Pants in the space of a week.

So, in order to get me back on track, I'm giving one reader the chance to win a custom MoederKip Creation from any of the patterns in my challenge (except for the Ottobre top - that pattern is for personal use only).

All you need to do is leave a comment here, nominating your favourite pattern, the size you'd like it in, and whether you have any particular styling preferences (favourite colours, girly, modern, traditional, cars, cheese... you get the idea!).

Oh, and if you'd like to help get the word out by linking from your blog (or facebook, or twitter, or your local pub etc), that would of course be appreciated - just make sure you come back and let me know so I can give you an extra entry in the draw.

Most of the clothes can be made in approximate sizes 2 through 8 (with the exception of the baby hoodie set which is, well, sized for babies surprisingly enough!).

Oh, and don't worry about any dodgy sewing from the challenge - I've learnt my lessons!

The winner will be drawn next Sunday 22nd November.

(oh, and I forgot to say - I'm happy to post anywhere in the world)

Good luck all :-)

7 Projects In 7 Days - How I learnt to stop making excuses and just do it!

2009-11-13T14:35:00.009+11:00

Well, now that all the holiday adventures have been reported, it's time to return to a bit of crafty talk!

I recently set myself a mini-challenge to make 7 different items of clothing in 7 days... all from new patterns.

You see, I found I was getting an increasing stash of patterns that I hadn't used, and I needed to break the habit of falling back on the same old favourites. There's a lot of excuses you can find not to step outside of your comfort zone - and I wanted to see what would happen if I just ignored those excuses for a while.

Not everything was a success, but in the interest of learning from mistakes, I'm going to show them all (albeit with a little selective cropping in some cases!).

So without further ado, here are the results:

Day 1 - Bjarne Shirt (pattern by Farbenmix).
(I loved this so much, I made a second one later in the week, and have another 3 cut out ready to go)

Day 2 - Baby Hoodie and Pants (another Farbenmix)
(This one made me want to rush out and get pregnant again straight away - teeny tiny baby clothes are so adorable, don't you think?!!)

Day 3 - Girl's Undies (pattern by That Darn Kat)
(who says home made undies have to be saggy baggy numbers... now I can't wait to try out the boy version for Bradley)

Day 4 - Antonia (yep, another Farbenmix)
(I need to do a bit of work on the arms, as I tried a variation to the pattern that didn't quite work ... but nevertheless, this one is a definite keeper)

Day 5 - Jenny Tunic (did anybody say Farbenmix?)
(a total disaster, as I was getting a bit tired by this stage of the challenge! But I do like the pattern, and have every intention of trying again).

Day 6 - Boy's T-Shirt
(well, I cut it out and started it on Day 6 - but I was getting very tired and frustrated by this stage, so actually finished making it on Day 7... but I'm still claiming it as a win!)

Day 7 - Woman's Tank-Top (pattern by Ottobre)
(top-half seen here - unfortunately I got the sizing for me very wrong, and lost a bit of the shape when I ended up having to cut about 3 inches off each side!! But was still nice to actually make something for me!).

So what did I learn?

1. You can do it. Sometimes you need to be prepared to make something less than perfect as a trial run, but it does mean that it is much easier to try again. And once you've made one, even the trickiest designs are a lot less intimidating.

2. When I get tired, I make mistakes. You've got to know when to walk away.

3. If you ever do a challenge like this, you're probably slightly crazy, and will certainly need a large supply of very strong coffee.

Best of the Rest - Holiday Report Part 7

2009-11-12T10:25:00.003+11:00

Well, we've been home a month, so I guess we should really wrap up our holiday reports!

For our last post, Paul and I each picked two photos, that we really felt summed up our trip.

We took over 1000 pics, so as you can imagine, choosing 2 was not easy - but here we go.

As you can see, family, and first meetings - and experiences - was really at the heart of our trip.

Thanks for sharing in our memories.

The generations meet in Holland

The generations meet in Canada

A boy takes his beloved Poppy by the hand

A childhood experience largely lost to Australian children thanks to the drought

Cheese and Clogs - Holiday Report Part 6

2009-11-10T17:09:00.005+11:00

I thought we should post some pictures of the rest of our trip, just to show, for the record, that we did more than shop for fabric while in Holland.

As well as just relaxing and spending time with family, we tried to avoid the big cities, and just see a little bit of the Holland Paul remembers as a child.

Hope you enjoy!

Running through the town square

Can't you just imagine sitting here all day, drinking coffee, and watching the world (slowly) go by?

Beautiful buildings

Football in the park

Clogs

And of course, windmills...

... both old and new.

Happy Birthday Bradley!

2009-11-09T09:34:00.005+11:00

Our beautiful, precious baby boy. Two years old today.

We are so blessed.

Love you Poss. xxx

Our Family.

The Cake!

Kitchen Set from EcoToys

Holiday Report Part 5 - There's Animals in Them Thar Hills

2009-11-05T15:04:00.005+11:00

Well, our holiday reports are drawing to a close... just two more, and we can return to normal programming!

Today's post is dedicated to some of the many animals we saw while in Canada. It's not necessarily a very exciting post. But spotting wild (and not so wild) life, was certainly one of the trip's highlights for Bradley, and so we want to make sure we capture some of that for him.

Enjoy!

(PS ... No, we didn't see a bear. Anywhere. They don't exist. Paul says it's a con by Tourism Canada to lure unsuspecting Aussies over on holidays.)

Little Things - Dragonfly, Frog, and Fish

One of these things is not like the other (part 1)

One of these things is not like the other (part 2)

Holiday Report Part 4 - Introducing Cletus, the Slack-Jawed Yokel

2009-11-02T09:19:00.003+11:00

Yeee-hah!

Holiday Report Part 3 - The Foodie Edition

2009-10-31T14:25:00.007+11:00

Today's post brings you the good, the bad, and the, well, unexpected food experiences from our holiday.

The Good

Thankfully there were lots of contenders for the best food experience of the holiday.

What could beat apples picked fresh from the tree.

Maybe ice-cream or fresh squeezed frozen orange juice on a hot day.

Or eating in one of Holland's fine restaurants (even if you have to share your chocolate with Daddy).

The Bad

When I was a child living in Canada, one of the highlights of our trips into 'town' was to stop at 'Smitty's Family Restaurant' - pancakes for breakfast, or fries and grilled cheese for lunch. No matter what time of day, it was a delight.

So when I realised we would be driving through the same town on our holidays, we arranged to stop for lunch - yep, Smitty's was still there. How fun - revisiting part of my childhood with my own child.

I should have known to be concerned when the waitress told Paul that he couldn't have boiled eggs in his salad, because she had just taken them out of the fridge and, "Well, they didn't look that good".

Unfortunately (or fortunately) the only photo of this experience is Bradley desperately figuring out if the window would be a viable escape route.

The Unexpected

Another childhood memory revisted. As you may or may not know, there is a strong tradition in the Netherlands of eating salted herring by the seaside. Paul had partaken in this tradition as a child, and so naturally he was keen to do so again.

Now, in his memory, this delicacy was a thin strip of raw fish cured with salt, eaten in a couple of bites. In reality, he was handed an almost-intact fish that could have fed a whole family (ok, so I exaggerate slightly, but it was bigger than expected).

I must say, I was impressed with his effort, and he proclaimed it to be "Not bad". But I somehow suspect that his tradition will not be one that we will be continuing now that we are home.

Travelling with a Fabric Addict - Holiday Report Part 2

2009-10-29T13:52:00.005+11:00

Have I told you I like to sew?

A little selection of snaps from our holiday:

Lots for the boys...

Cheery cottons, cozy cords, and cuddly flannels...

Birds (and, oddly enough, elephants)...

And some yummy European sewing mags...

It's a little scary, because this isn't actually all there is. Some bonded suede and chunky knits are still coming.

I think I'm going to be busy.

Travelling with a Toddler - Holiday Report Part 1

2009-10-27T22:14:00.007+11:00

I have an apology to make.

Back when I first expressed my concern about travelling with a small child, the lovely Kate reassured me that it would all be sunshine and lollipops.

I called her delusional, which may have been a little unfair.

Maybe I had been reading too much of Kitschy Coo's blog, with stories like this one, or this one (sorry Amanda, but you really did set the benchmark for horror travel-with-children). But I expected hours and hours of Bradley running around the plane, naked and screaming.

We even tried to stow him away in our suitcase. But while he was happy with the arrangement, we eventually realised it wouldn't work. Besides, I needed the space for all the fabric I was going to buy.

Anyway, as it turned out, Kate was right. He did charm the pants off everyone on the plane, before happily exploring for a while. This was after he woke up from a sleep that started before we'd even hit cruising altitude.

"What a wonderful child!" I hear you cry.

"What amazing parents you must be" you proclaim.

So, before I get too smug, I should actually confess.

We cheated.

You see, after much chanting and praying to Ursula, the Patron Saint of Upgrades, we managed to get into business class. With the only spare seat on the plane between us.

So yes, at the tender age of 22 months, our child has had his first business class trip.

Which meant it wasn't really travelling. More like a long day lazing around in a lounge chair, watching telly and being brought all the food and drinks as you like (ok, so it's starting to sound just like a typical day at home for Bradley!!).

Of course, not all our flights were so luxurious. But all up, we were very lucky, and hopefully our boy continues to foster a love of travel and adventure.

Stay tuned... and be warned! We'll be back over the next week with more stories and photos of our time away!

We took HOW MANY photos???!!!

2009-10-14T13:42:00.004+11:00

Ok, I know you're all hanging out to see just some of the thousands of photos we took on our holiday, but I'm afraid you'll have to wait just a little bit longer while we sort out the 'best of the best' (unless you really want to be subjected to 46 different pictures of Bradley throwing rocks into the water... the magic of digital!).

But in the meantime, I thought I'd just share just one sewing-related highlight.

Now, normally I don't venture too far into sheds. But my father tempted me into his workshop with the promise of being able to use a sewing machine, and I was not disappointed.

This beauty is a Singer Treadle Machine from about 1911, and I must say I am totally hooked on the idea of finding one for myself. While it's not as quick and easy as a modern machine, it sews beautifully, and it's actually a great way of learning how machines work - threading it, playing with the tension, you really get to know what's happening.

And this particular machine had a bonus - which I'm sure those of you with a keen eye would have noticed.

Yep, my trusty Dad has hooked up an electric motor to it! And being more of a pragmatist than a purist, I think it's a damn fine idea!

It's all Dutch to me...

2009-10-05T23:22:00.003+11:00

When I logged on to blogger this morning, it came up in Dutch.

I think that this may have been a sign that it's time to go home.

One more day and two more nights, we will be winging our way back to Melbourne via Munich and Bangkok. A total of 23 hours on the road (well, hopefully in the air and in airports).

Apologies for the naked post, but we won't be uploading any new photos from our camera until we return, and all the photos on my phone could have been taken anywhere! But we do promise to subject you to a whole week's worth of blogposts full of holiday snapshots, so consider yourself warned!

Signing off from Holland,
MoederKip

Daddy Daddy Daddy, Oi Oi Oi

2009-09-08T11:47:00.002+10:00

My boys celebrate Australian Father's Day, Canada-style.

I know you're probably expecting a much lengthier update on our travels to date ... but seriously, will you look at the background in that photo. Somehow it just doesn't seem like the right time to be spending too much time at the computer! But I promise, will be back soon(ish)...

Touchdown!

2009-09-02T01:35:00.000+10:00

Take-Off

2009-09-01T09:42:00.001+10:00

See you in LA!

A Change of Seasons

2009-08-30T18:28:00.007+10:00

As I'm sure you're already aware, MoederKip is about to flee the henhouse.

For 5 long weeks, we'll be overseas, visiting friends and family, and enjoying some time away.

With thoughts of cool crisp Autumn days on the other side of the world, I've been busy sewing a special cosy wardrobe for Bradley - including (but not limited to!)...

1 Jacket (reversible of course)
2 pairs of dress jeans
2 pairs of fleecy pants
4 pairs of long-johns
2 pairs of flannel pyjamas
1 long sleeved shirt
1 knitted wool vest

I also have a few more pieces laid out ready for cutting and sewing.

So, keeping in mind we leave in 2 days, and I still have a lot to do, I thought I'd check the weather forecast to help me prioritise my work, and see if I could maybe cut down on a few things.

We land in Los Angeles on Tuesday. What do you think my chances are of the weather dramatically turning between now and then?

United States of America
National Weather Service
Weather Information for Los Angeles, California

Weather Forecast
Issued at 20:50 29 Aug 2009 *
Date Temperature ^oC Weather
Minimum Maximum
30 Aug
( Sun ) 21 36
SUNNY
31 Aug
( Mon ) 19 33
SUNNY

(for those of you working in the 'old currency', that equates to 96 degrees on Monday. Let's leave it at that)

So, how many summer shorts, tees, hats, and bathers do you think I can make between now and Tuesday morning?

Hmmm, I think it's time to go shopping ...

Going Home

2009-08-25T21:57:00.002+10:00

Just one more week, and this is where we will be heading.

Ok, so to get there it will involve taking a 22 month old bundle-of-boy on a plane for 14 hours; then a day's stopover in LA; then another plane to Canada; then a day's drive to my Dad's house.

But let's not spoil my fantasy just yet.

It's going to be perfect!

(when people say that you need drugs when traveling with toddlers, they do mean that those drugs are for Mummy.... right?)

Another Perfectly Imperfect Moment

2009-08-20T12:55:00.004+10:00

Ok, this one is really going to be difficult.

Because I hate photos of myself.

Particularly photos where my hair is unbrushed, and I've magically grown at least 3 chins (surely they weren't there before!).

But sometimes you just need to put ego to one side. Otherwise look what you'd miss.

A truly perfect moment.

(Oh, and while you're online, don't forget to check out Kate's Perfectly Imperfect Day)

Perfectly Imperfect

2009-08-18T14:45:00.003+10:00

After reading this post by the very lovely Kate over at Picklebums, I decided to join in the "Perfectly Imperfect" challenge. Head on over and read her original post, as well as her updates through the week - but I will also try to explain here how I've interpreted it.

Basically, the idea is to find joy in the imperfect elements of our lives that we normally try to avoid.

You see, particularly on blogs, it's all to easy to hide behind the edit button. We take a photo then photo-shop out the mess in the background. We don't tend to show those days where we are still in our pyjamas at 4:00. And we carefully arrange our sewing and cooking so that the crooked hems are hidden, and the burnt brownies are on the bottom of the pile.

Which is fine to a degree. You don't particularly want to be reminded of those days where a G&T seems like a valid breakfast option. However, you also don't want to create such a sanitised version of your days that reality can never measure up.

So all week, we are presenting posts that show the less than perfect sides of our lives. Hopefully we'll also find some beauty and joy as we go. Or at the very least demonstrate that we are all only human, and that we all have "those" moments.

For me, a lot of my 'imperfect' anxiety comes from mealtimes. I day-dream about the whole family sitting around a beautiful table with a hearty and delicious home-cooked meal.

The reality tends to be more like this.

Bradley sitting in his highchair, in front of the television, eating tinned spaghetti. And yes, that is a cloth nappy wrapped around his neck in place of a bib.

But you know what. He does look pretty happy. And that makes me happy.

Kids In The Kitchen

2009-08-12T08:21:00.004+10:00

Lately we've been doing a bit of a baking, and so we thought it was time to start getting Bradley involved.

Within a week he went from...

Shopping for the ingredients (as long as he was putting strawberries in the basket, he was happy)

Licking the bowl (a very important skill to learn)

Rolling out the pastry (hmmm, might be time to make him - and me - an apron I think!)

And result! Ok, he had a little help with the pie on the right... but the one on the left is all his :-)

An Australian Beauty

2009-08-09T23:12:00.005+10:00

It was four years ago this weekend that my Mum died, and I still think about her every single day.

But this year there was, at least, a little bit of beauty in the day.

You may remember, back on Mother's Day this year, we planted a native Swan River Pea in memory of Mum.

Well, this weekend it flowered. Flowers of the most surprising and vibrant beauty.

How very fitting to honour the memory of another true Australian Beauty.

Isn't she so very lovely?

I miss you Mum.

Spring is Coming!

2009-08-03T07:26:00.004+10:00

And here's the proof...

There really is nothing like the first daffodil braving a cold winter morning to make your heart sing.

A Very Modern Dilemma

2009-08-01T21:36:00.003+10:00

Whilst trawling through the pattern books at a little Op Shop this morning, I came across this delightful book of knitting patterns for hats, berets, and caps.

Now I need your advice.

Should I crochet the Cornelia?

Or perhaps I would look 'Smart in Mohair' with the 'Iris'?

Or maybe the 'Doris' is for me, with its wonderful versatility ("Tuck it in or leave it out!").

What is a girl to do?

2 Boys and a Train

2009-07-31T08:13:00.000+10:00

We're off to the city on the train today.

I don't know which of my two boys is more excited.

Mirror Image

2009-07-29T10:56:00.004+10:00

We've had so many people comment on how much Bradley looks like his biggest brother, that we thought we'd do a comparison.

The picture below on the left is Bradley, taken last year. The picture on the right is his brother, Nathanial, taken in 1991 when he was around the same age.

Question:

So what did we learn from this exercise?

Answer:

Apparently Bonds blue-and-white striped hoodies never go out of fashion!

Splash!

2009-07-14T20:02:00.006+10:00

In case you were wondering just exactly what it is that Bradley gets up to on his journeys down the driveway...

(cute with sound!)

Colour Me Happy

2009-07-12T22:20:00.004+10:00

There's been a couple of sewing creations that I've been wanting to share for a while, however I needed to hold off until they made their way to their new home.

Anyway, I finally dragged myself down to the post office and sent these off to the lovely Mel over at Beetlebums, so I can now share them with you!

These were made for her little girl, who loves rainbows and orange, so I had a lot of fun with these bright and happy creations.

Nothing like a bit of colour to brighten your day!

Sky Blue Ruffle Pants, with RicRac Rainbow:

Reversible Swing Top (wonderful pattern by the very talented Amanda at Kitschy Coo) in Orange Cord:

And the Reverse side in Vintage Flannel:

210 km to go

2009-07-11T15:13:00.000+10:00

Stats to date:

500km driven
1 box tiny teddies and 2 punnets of strawberries eaten
300,000 episodes of In The Night Garden watched on the new portable
DVD player.

You do what you have to do.

Just a little dinner party...

2009-07-05T20:10:00.003+10:00

A few weeks ago, there was a dinner party here at the Henhouse.

You see, earlier this year, MoederKip went on a strike in the kitchen. And so Paul stepped in and took over for a while.

And as it turns out, he discovered that he not only enjoys cooking, but he's also actually quite good at it!

And so this was the menu we were treated to on the night...

Hors D’ourves

Antipasto (olives, artichoke, fetta, roast capsicum, sundried tomatoes, mushrooms)

Champagne

Entrée

Beetroot & pear salad with beef or haloumi strips on a bed of baby spinach leaves with apple balsamic dressing

Pinot Grigio or Moscato

Cleanser

Home Made Lemon Sorbet

Main Course

Chicken breast or mushrooms in sauterne sauce stuffed with truffle oil, walnut and camembert served on a bed of pumpkin, sweet potato & parmesan mash

Roast hasselback potatoes

Carrot & Bean parcel with honey

Lemon broccolini

Riesling or Shiraz

Dessert

Bombe Alaska with fresh raspberries and slivered almonds

Tokay

Afters

Cheese platter

Chocolates

Coffee or tea and Liqueurs

Now that's what I call a dinner party!

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, we were so busy eating and drinking and enjoying each other's company, that we forgot to take any photos. So tonight we just had to make another Bombe Alaska for demonstration purposes. Yum......

Off on a journey

2009-06-26T16:20:00.001+10:00

Bag - check
Hat - check
Boots - check

A boy on a mission.

Growing Up Too Fast...

2009-06-21T13:46:00.005+10:00

Last week we had a sweet little baby boy...

This week, it appears we have a teenager...

PS. Robot Softie in top picture is by Jetta's Nest. For more of her awesome creations, check out her blog here ... you know you want to!

I've been a bad bad blogger...

2009-06-17T20:10:00.008+10:00

Oh dear.

Sunday 24th May.

That was the date of my last blog entry.

You know how it goes. I'll do it tomorrow.

Tomorrow comes, nah, too tired. Friday will be fine.

Oh, I'll do it over the weekend.

And next thing you know a month has passed and very lovely people (Hi Becky, Mel, and Rachel!) are checking in on you to make sure you're ok, and giving you a gentle kick up the bum to get back on track again.

So, here I am. With a big promise to be a better blogger from now on :-)

And actually, I think that's a promise I can keep. Business is going well, and there are some very exciting developments coming out of MoederKip Creations - so stay tuned for some updates very soon!

In the meantime, here's a little sneak peak of some of the creations that I've been working on...

(sorry that the quality of pics is a bit crap... but I figured at least this way I'm blogging something!!)

(template for hand-embroidered butterfly comes from Sublime Stitching)

(Thanks to Twinky Dezines for the owl template that I based this needle felting on)

Daddy Days

2009-05-24T21:17:00.009+10:00

Six months ago, when I started doing some work outside the home again, we decided that Paul would go to working 4 days a week, so that he could look after Bradley while I worked that day.

At first this was a trial run, and this month we needed to decide whether to continue on or go back to Paul working full-time.

Given my work days and hours are variable, and Bradley is a bit older and more comfortable staying with other people, it did occur to us that maybe we could get a nanny instead.

But after much discussion, we came to the conclusion that we didn't want to change. You see, these Wednesdays are about much more than 'Daddy Day Care'. It is a whole 8 hours where Paul and Bradley get to spend time together, one-on-one, and just enjoy each other's company doing 'boy stuff'... whatever that may be!

So while Mummy might miss him terribly on that one day a week, Bradley is doing just fine with Daddy, thank you very much.

And the proof is in the photos that Paul has been taking ...

Soy Baby Cino...

Checking the Garden...

Making Very Important Calls...

Outdoor Stuff...

Bird Watching...

Model Trains...

Taking Out The Rubbish...

Running Away...

Kicking the Footy...

Playing Dress-Ups.... (just to show it's not all rough and tumble)

Yep, I reckon Daddy Days are here to stay.

Peas Please Mum

2009-05-14T09:32:00.003+10:00

It has come to my understanding that the breakfast of choice for discerning young toddlers these days is 'Strawberry Yoghurt with Peas'.

I do believe our son has all the markings of culinary genius, and one day will discover the next great taste sensation.

Today, however, was not that day.

Mother's Day 2009

2009-05-10T22:48:00.007+10:00

It's amazing how many emotions can fit into a single day.

First of all, I woke up this morning to Paul and Bradley bringing me coffee and poffertjes (Dutch pancakes) in bed, which is just about the best start to the day I can think of!

Then I was spoilt with flowers, presents, and - best of all - an endless supply of cuddles and kisses.

The highlight was a beautiful little photo book that Paul made by gluing paper onto wood blocks, and stringing them together with ribbon. Then he mounted 10 photos onto the boards - one from every couple of months since Bradley was born. The result was absolutely spectacular, and is something that I will treasure forever.

I also got a subscription to the wonderful Ottobre sewing magazine, which I'm delighted about... the patterns in these mags are just gorgeous, and I'm going to have so much fun picking out some new creations.

So that was my day as a Mum.

But of course it was also a day for Paul and I to think about our own Mums, who are no longer with us, and are missed so much - particularly knowing that Bradley will never get to meet his beautiful Nana and Oma.

It would be so easy to let the day be overtaken with grief, and so to counter this, we have decided to maintain a tradition where we plant something in the garden to remember them by (they both loved their gardens so much). This also gives Bradley a chance to get involved.

So part of the day was spent going to the nursery, where Paul picked a beautiful white waterlily for the fishpond, in memory of his Mum (Bradley's Oma).

And I chose a native Swan River Pea to honour my dear Mum (Bradley's Nana).

It won't bring them back, and we'll still miss them terribly. But this simple little ritual will help to keep them alive in all our hearts, and makes the day that little bit easier.

Happy Mother's Day - and don't forget to tell your mum you love her xx

Boy Stuff

2009-05-08T17:58:00.005+10:00

While mummy has been sewing, Daddy has been working hard on the outside.

To start, he was busy with our first crop of potatoes - which were picked, cooked, and eaten in record time ... simply boiled with some butter and thyme (from the garden of course). I wish we had a photo to share, but they were so good they didn't last that long!

So the garden (and butterflies) continues to flourish under my darling husband's green thumb.

Still lots to pick, but plenty of space for the next crop...

The dogs have also been doing their bit, guarding the harvest from the local rabbits.

The second project that has kept Paul busy was building this little fish pond.

I'm not sure who gets the most wonder out of going out each morning to see the fish - Paul or Bradley. Or maybe it's me, as I watch these 2 people that I love so much take such joy in each others company as they explore and discover the world around them.

So Have We Actually Been Making Anything?

2009-04-25T09:52:00.006+10:00

When this blog started, it was going to be largely a place to record the things we were making - mainly sewing, but also some woodwork, cooking, gardening etc.

It has evolved well beyond that, which we like! However I did think it was time to share some of our creations with you.

Tannah's Pants - for a friend's daughter's 4th birthday. This was my first attempt at applique using chenille on cord, and I'm now totally hooked.

Pepi's Pants - for another friend's daughter. We really thought these bright and sunny colours would be just perfect for a spunky little girl.

Bradley's PJs - totally addicted to these Oliver+S Pjs. So comfy and cosy, and super-easy to make. These ones are particularly special, as they are made out of a couple of flannel blankies that were given to us when Bradley was born. We wrapped him in these blankies so much when he was a tiny baby, so it is so nice to see them making an appearance again now that he's bigger.

Jessica's Bag - the girl child (who by the way is growing up waaaay too fast and so will from now on be known as 'The Young Lady"!!) chose this fabric for a bag.

Mama's Hat - I had a bit of a moment last weekend where I was feeling a bit tired and grumpy, and needed to do something for me. So I made this hat, which brings a smile to my face every time I wear it.

Finally, the Man has also been very busy around the HenHouse. His work deserves a blog entry all of it's own, so will get to that shortly. But in the meantime, here's a sample of his home-grown produce.

MoederKip - Domestic Goddess

2009-04-20T20:19:00.003+10:00

Those of you who know me well, would know that I failed 'How To Be A Good Housewifey 101'.

Try as I might, 'keeping a tidy house' is just not my thing.

In fact, even Bradley has realised if he wants a clean toilet, he has to do it himself.

Today however I was a veritable Domestic Goddess.

By lunchtime I had...

Baked some cookies (50 to be exact).

Washed the dishes (my goodness, that's a lot of plastic).

Done some washing (three loads).

And gotten the little boy to sleep.

All in a day's work for most. But for me, it was a big achievement. Made all the sweeter by eating a significant proportion of those choc chip cookies.....

Mmmmm. Cookies.

Thanks to Bec for the awesome recipe - here.

A Very Bilby Easter

2009-04-13T08:47:00.013+10:00

The Easter Bilby made an appearance in the henhouse yesterday, and Bradley was impressed. Chocolate for breakfast... I think I'd be impressed too. Well, we figured he'd never had chocolate before, so if you're going to have a treat, breakfast is as good a time as any!

Look what I got!

Shhh, don't tell Mummy and Daddy I'm eating chocolate for breakfast

Where are you hiding the rest of the chocolate?

I want more

Next up, this little nest of eggs was left for Paul. Now the egg thing always confused me about Easter. I presume these were left by the Easter Chicken, and not the Easter Bunny, as I've never seen a rabbit lay an egg. But the Chicken never gets any credit. Hmmm.

And last, but definitely not least, this treasure was left for one very happy Mama.

Ahhh, does it get any better than this.

(OK, I'll admit there's nothing handmade in this post. But stay tuned... we'll be back after a short break, with some crafty updates!)

Blame It On The Coffee

2009-04-09T13:24:00.005+10:00

Oh dear, I've just noticed it's been 3 weeks since I last blogged.

It's just that we've been so busy, and a bit tired, and not sleeping terribly well.

I blame it on too much coffee....

So sorry for being a bit slack in keeping things up to date, but will be making an effort over the coming weekend to get on here and post some updates on all that's been happening in the HenHouse.

Until then,

MoederKip

(disclaimer: Paul, I don't really feed our child coffee while you are at work. It was soy milk. Promise.)

A Change in the Air

2009-03-21T21:06:00.015+11:00

It is the Autumn Equinox, when day and night are equal. It is the time to say our goodbyes to summer, and greet the darkness of winter.

As such, it is a time to balance our emotions. For many, we feel grief at the loss of light and warmth. But it is also a time to reflect and give thanks for what we have.

I have always dealt with this change of season better when living in the Northern Hemisphere. In fact, Autumn in Canada is probably my favourite time, with the beauty of the leaves, and the cool, crisp air. Maybe also because sunlit days are in shorter supply, the summers were filled with an absolute joy and energy, and there was something quite peaceful about the slowing down that came with Fall.

However in Australia, I tend to take the summer more for granted. And when it ends, it seems a rather rude surprise. And instead of finding beauty in the season, I tend to sulk a bit and retreat.

And so this year, I decided to make an effort to spend the day of the Autumn Equinox looking around me, and finding images of beauty, and things to be thankful for.

Not surprisingly, there was a lot. And tonight I find myself at peace with the season.

A few selections from my day.

1. That first morning coffee that my wonderful husband brings me in bed to warm my body and my soul (note the small child doing somersaults on the end of the bed, another source of joy!)

2. The joy of a child kicking fallen leaves

3. Wood, just delivered and stacked, and ready to warm our home over winter

4. Our first raspberries almost ready on the vine

5. Piles of newly purchased fleece, washed and ready to be sewn into the snuggliest, cuddliest clothes ever.

Life's good.

About a boy

2009-03-17T12:32:00.001+11:00

As I write this I'm sitting on the edge of our driveway watching
Bradley run up and down, collect sticks and stones, wave at the cows,
and just generally be a little boy.

He really is such a joy, and so this will be a short post, so I can get back to sitting, and watching, and just generally being a mum.

Oh... and check out his new favourite stripey pants... made from a fabulous old sheet found in our local op shop. I wonder if Paul would let me make him a matching pair... :-)

The best thing about cooler weather

2009-03-12T15:16:00.005+11:00

Months ago I bought some lovely soft Thomas material to make some pyjamas for Bradley - but I just couldn't find a pattern to inspire me.

Then last week, I saw the perfect pattern on the fabulous and always inspiring Little Munchkin blog.

So I ordered the pattern, which arrived early this week, and I finished sewing them up last night. Unfortunately Bradley was already asleep by the time I finished, and Paul wouldn't let me wake him! But it was a cool and wet start to the day, and Bradley had a bit of a temperature, so that was all the excuse I needed to dress him in his pyjamas for our outing to the local cafe!

Is there anything more snuggly than a pair of flannel pjs on a rainy day?

I think not!

MoederKip

How Far We've Come

Starting Again

Reality

Step One...

Looking Back, Looking Forward

We Did It Our Way

MacJournal for iPhone

What Happens When I Sit Back and Relax

Santa is coming to Daylesford!

To Market....

My Creative (Son's) Space

My Creative (Frilly) Space

Who says

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 8

My Creative (Dressed Up) Space

My Creative (Nature) Space

My Creative (Packed) Space

My Creative (Memory) Space

New Additions

KidStyleFile - MoederKip Featured

Meet the Maker

My Creative (Magical) Space

My Creative (Promising) Space

Packaging

Hey There Little Red Riding Hood

Mother's Day 2010

I Want To Exercise

My Creative (Messy) Space

Under The Wing

Story Time Magic

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 7

Doll-Making

Real Men...

Oh My .... It looks like we have a website!

Stage 1 is up and ready to view (just click on the image below).Stay tuned for Stage 2 next weekend, when you'll be able to browse and shop :-)

Run, Run, As Fast As You Can...

This Weekend...

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 6

My Creative (Corduroy) Space

Op Shop Delights

My Sewing Room Has A Hangover - First Market Report

When Life Gets Really Busy

Hellooooooo.... Anybody out there?

Of Endings and Beginnings

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 5

Bradley's Life Lesson Number 4

A Weekend's Work

Bicycle Tyre Chic

Pimp My Pillowcase

My Creative (Learning) Space...

Sew Sew Sew

My Place and Yours - That's nice, that's different, that's unusual!

My Creative (Laundry) Space...

Update from the Henhouse

Giveaway Winner ... and some tips on how to conduct a very official prize draw

Tired but Happy

My Place and Yours - My Collection

Feeling the Love

A Confession... and a Giveaway!

7 Projects In 7 Days - How I learnt to stop making excuses and just do it!

Best of the Rest - Holiday Report Part 7

Cheese and Clogs - Holiday Report Part 6

Happy Birthday Bradley!

Holiday Report Part 5 - There's Animals in Them Thar Hills

Holiday Report Part 4 - Introducing Cletus, the Slack-Jawed Yokel

Holiday Report Part 3 - The Foodie Edition

Travelling with a Fabric Addict - Holiday Report Part 2

Travelling with a Toddler - Holiday Report Part 1

We took HOW MANY photos???!!!

It's all Dutch to me...

Daddy Daddy Daddy, Oi Oi Oi

Touchdown!

Take-Off

A Change of Seasons

Going Home

Another Perfectly Imperfect Moment

Perfectly Imperfect

Kids In The Kitchen

An Australian Beauty

Stage 1 is up and ready to view (just click on the image below).
Stay tuned for Stage 2 next weekend, when you'll be able to browse and shop :-)