Vintage hankie quilt

A little while ago, I received a commission from someone (all the way over in Boulder, Colorado!) who asked if I could make a quilt out of hankies that belonged to her grandmother. The quilt was for her daughter, who is named after her great grandmother and whose initial is embroidered on some of the hankies. I was quite moved by the idea, and also a little daunted... it's one thing to make a quilt for someone with fabrics from a store, and quite another to make a quilt out of someone's family heirlooms.

But a couple of months later (I have very little time without my two little ones around and so I'm still getting used to managing to do anything other than save lego constructions being eaten etc) and the quilt is finished. And happily, everyone loves it. It was such a lovely project and so lovely to be able to create something meaningful and something that will hopefully be treasured.

50/52

Goodness me, it's been a while...

Last time I posted we were in France. Anouk was 6 months old, she's now almost 9. She's grown heaps (as they do) and is now a vivacious, energetic, curious and happy little girl. We love her.

Leo has struggled slightly with her mobility, namely her newfound interest in his lego, and has had a recent surge of testosterone. It has brought a whole new set of issues, usually kept under control somewhat by vigorous exercise! But generally, he's his lovely old self, approaching his fourth birthday.

I can hardly believe this year is almost to an end. It's been a good one...

Leo: How old are you going to be on your birthday, Leo?

Anouk: Cheeky little monkey. 

linking in with Jodi. 

36/52

There's a lot of love going on here. 

Linking with Jodi. 

some frenchy snippets.

Hello from the very lovely south of France. Its pretty tough having family here...
We are spending our days visiting family, having evening aperitifs, helping Papy in the gardens, searching for mushrooms, having long lunches and afternoon naps, late afternoon swims and late dinners. Much of what we do seems to revolve around food!
The time is going too fast...

35/52 (in France still)

A portrait of my children each week - when I get around to it - in 2014

Leo: Oh this photo fills me with myriad emotions. A father passing on his skills and passions, a little boy growing up, looking expectantly and with complete trust at his papa, a glimpse of what potentially lies ahead, a mother's worries!

Anouk: This little cherub. 

Linking with Jodi. 

33/52 from France.

Goodness me, it's been a while.
And all of a sudden here we are in Summer! We have escaped a Melbourne winter to spend six weeks in France, introducing Anouk to all the family. Of course, I am enjoying all that that has to offer... cheese (bien sur), fresh produce from the abundance of Papi's gardens, willing baby sitters and the beautiful weather of Southern France.
I might even get around to posting some more photos shortly. In the meantime, voila... mes enfants.

Leo: Helping Papi to pick apples and pears from his orchard.
Anouk: my beautiful baby girl is melting hearts all round (and growing way too quickly).

Linking in with Jodi.

26/52

A portrait of my children, each week, every week in 2014. 

Leo: I walked past to find him hiding here looking sheepish. 

Anouk: And then found her like this. 

I've dropped the ball on this 52 series. Not feeling much like being online and not finding that I have picked up the camera much either. Three and a half year old behaviour challenges have been taking up much of my time and energy, as have a bit of sewing and a bit of work. But we've been trying a few different things to address the whining and tantrums and I think we've turned a corner. Fingers crossed. 

Bubs... well, she just continues to be a dream. 

And in other news, how did we get to 26 already? Half way through the year... seriously?!! 

Linking up with Jodi

Conversations with Leo

How fun is a three year old?!
And also how infuriating, how intriguing, how clever, how energetic, how frustrating etc etc.

Leo is full of imagination, often in his own little world having conversations with his cars and toys and making up stories. For the fourth day in a row now, I am "mama horsey" and he is "farmer" and the day starts with "horsies... I'm getting up now to go and work in the barn". Funny little thing.
His language amazes me and I've started writing things down so that I don't forget them and recording conversations we have.
It has taken me only five months to put this one from Christmas together and post it. Thought I'd share it here. It's incredible how much he has changed in the time since then and his language is so much more complex. But I'd better start at the start.
Happy Chrimmas!

21/52

A portrait of my children, each week, every week in 2014

Leo: A gift of a kaleidoscope provided some pretty funny photo opportunities as I tried to teach him how to use it. 

Anouk: This little cherub just melts my heart. Not sure how I made it into this week's portrait, but anyway... hello! 

20/52

A portrait of my children, each week, every week (well, almost) in 2014

Leo: He's becoming such a little entertainer with a vivid imagination, always with a story or a performance or a game. And always trying to rope me in as one of his characters. 

Anouk: While Leo and I play, she sleeps. Always sleeping. I got super lucky with her! (you might have seen another version of this photo on instagram). 

Linking in with Jodi's portrait series. 

18/52

...A portrait of my children, each week, every week in 2014...

There's a LOT of this going on.

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series.

In recent weeks...

Taking a glimpse back at recent posts, you'll notice that I haven't managed much more than the portrait series, and even then I haven't posted each week. So I'm attempting to remedy with a few shots from recent weeks. Life with two children is funnily enough, pretty busy. Even when one of those is a baby who is pretty bloody cruisy... sleeping, feeding, sleeping, feeding. My biggest challenge at the moment is not the newborn but the 'threenager'. Most of the time he is a delight, and he's gorgeous and gentle with Anouk. But at times lately, he's been quite the challenge. I guess it's partly the adjustment of an extra person in the house, and less attention on him. And partly, just being three.
Still, quite annoying when he wakes up during the night more frequently than the newborn!

From The Top:
* Sleepy bubba
* When we started our veggie garden after moving in to our new house, I planted cosmos seeds, not realising that they grow to be MASSIVE. They've only recently flowered but flower they have. In fact, they've gone a little bananas. But they're so gorgeous and they make me smile.
* Hold your horses, it's a new quilt commission.
* You just forget how teeny tiny they are!
* Feeling so over getting around in my pregnancy clothes and tracksuit pants, I went shopping. I might have accidentally spent a bit of money in Gorman (there was a sale on!!).
* Holiday house easter egg hunts are the best.
* As are spending lazy afternoons in winery cellar door gardens with a cheese platter, a glass or two of a top drop and a view.
* Pretty heart warming...


...Joining with Em...

17/52

...A portrait of my children, each week, every week in 2014...

Leo:      "Mama, look at these paper flowers"
Anouk:  Sleeping on Liberty flowers.

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series.

15/52

A portrait of my children each week, every week, in 2014

Leo and Anouk: When Leo was a few weeks old, we painted his feet and made footprints on cards for family. So we thought we'd better do it again and get Anouk's feet captured and do a little update on Leo's foot growth! Leo of course wanted in on the action.

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series.

13/52

A portrait of my children each week, every week, in 2014. 

Leo: Pretty fun having his Papa around to organise outdoor painting sessions!

Anouk: Eek, can't believe I'm writing that! I spend most of my day gazing at her while she sleeps. sweet, sweet little poppet.

I tell you what... second babies are the bomb. A hundred times easier than the first. At least it has been for me anyway. Having had such a better and easier labour and birth, everything has been smoother. She feeds well and sleeps well and I am feeling good and like things are actually under control! Amazing. I can't quite believe the contrast from Leo's birth and those first weeks with him. I was hoping it would be easier, but I think it was hard to believe that it really could be. But for anyone approaching their second birth with some trepidation... it's true - it really can be!

I'm cheating slightly this week... the bottom photo was taken by my hubby, Vincent. Not bad, love.

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series. 

12/52...

And she's here!

A portrait of my CHILDREN!! once a week, every week, in 2014

Leo: Proud big brother!

And introducing...
Anouk Isabelle Puech

Born on the 20th March 2014. She kept us waiting, but once she'd decided she was ready, she didn't take long at all. 3 hours in fact. Her birth was in complete contrast from Leo's birth, and although it was probably a little too quick and intense, it was what we had hoped for... drug free, natural, in the beautiful homely surrounds of the family birth centre (just!) with our wonderful midwife assisting. And now we are home and I'm feeling great and all is well with the world!

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series. 

11/52

A portrait of my child(ren) each week, every week, in 2014. 

Leo and the bump: As we hit the 41 week mark, motivation for anything much - other than meeting this baby - is waning rapidly. So I'm afraid this week's portrait is a phone photo of us watching 'The Gruffalo' together. Not that exciting, but I kind of love it anyway... the close cuddles ("it's a bit scary, mum"), the hands on each other's legs, the simple domesticity of these weeks of waiting.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 series.

10/52

"A portrait of my child(ren) once a week, every week, in 2014."

It's week 10 in this portrait series. But it's also week 40 in the pregnancy. Bubs is cooked and now we just wait for it to let us know it's on its way. So this week's photo is a combined Leo/bubs portrait!
We're pretty lucky to have our new house backing on to parkland, gumtrees, a creek and walking/bike paths. So warm evenings are often spent walking, balance biking and exploring. Especially now, I'm trying to walk as much as I can to get this baby moving! And a hot curry is on the menu tonight.
Stay tuned...

Linking in with Jodi's 52 series.