Are you a Clever Mamma?

Busy times have been had in the Teacups camp! Between a house move and usual mum/work stuff, I've just started a new exciting venture.

It's called Clever Mamma and is a way for all those super amazing mums who run their own small business (and a household!), to connect to each other. It started from my own business where I often needed to hire someone to help me out with various bits and bobs. I've found it hard to find someone like-minded who understood me, my business and my personal responsibilities, so I decided to start an online directory where mums like us could find each other and help each other out. I've met some amazing mums through my own clients and always found that when you understand each other the end product is always a success.

Clever Mamma has been about two years in the making but finally happening and so we'll see where it goes from here. Fingers and toes crossed!

PS: We are getting all Gen Y and even have a Facebook page too. Yippee for social networking!

playing catch up

After spending a lovely afternoon catching up with this super lovely crafty-lady and her hubby, I feel all inspired to do my own bit of catching up in the teacups world. Mr Monkey has been finished for a couple of months now and is the secret to mummy getting up to a good three hours quiet time during the day. I'm very pleased to report that Little Mr Teacups has grown very fond of his little friend but I have been warned to make Mr Monkey the 2nd in case of emergency! Lucky for me there is enough fabric in the stash to do so, but finding the time... well that's another story.

ahoy it's a party

Little Mr Teacups has turned 1! We had a lovely day with sooo much scrumptious food, very special friends and family, and a yummy monkey even popped by. It was my first trip down the cake decorating train but I even impressed myself! The little fella had lots of fun in an overwhelmingly-fun way and was lucky enough to pick up this handmade treasure.

the coolest doily in town

The minute I saw this rug I wanted it. Unfortunately the Teacups budget is not stretching that far, but if you have the $$ it would definitely be money well spent. Buy it here.

have you heard about daisy lane?

The swap card's making a comeback!!!! As a crazy swappie-lover I am very excited... can you tell?? What's even more exciting is that I was able to work with Lark in their latest and greatest venture. This is the logo I designed for them as well as a pattern that will be used across the range. There are a whole heap of very cute products. If I were you I'd boot-scoot over here to check them all out and read all about this amazing story (trust me it's worth it!).

finally a craft project

Before Little Mr Teacups I was very good when new babies were being born, making little softies as presents. And yet with my own I have never found the time... I am determined though! Before we have the 1st birthday (in about a month) Mikey the Monkey WILL be made... Maybe this post will be the encouragement I need (or guilt me into it!). I am co-ordinating fabrics now from my stash which in itself could take a while. You can find the pattern here.

fancy a walk with the ducks?

The latest ad for Duckcloth designed by me (with the help of some very beautiful fabric, including Lara Cameron's Birch Forest in Robins Egg).

a great big world

I have decided that now that I watch children's tv, I may as well enjoy it just as much as Little Mr Teacups. Enter... Justine Clarke's 'Great Big World' DVD! With art direction by the super talented Beci Orpin it's a visual feast for bubs and mums alike. I think I may have even gotten over the thought that Alf Stewart might pop up at any minute.

swap card goodness

If you'd like to sneak a peek at my very treasured swap card collection, I'm very happy to report that the lovely Allison from Lark has featured it on her blog. There's lots of my faves on there but I do think this one is still my bestest ever.

it's been nine months...

It's been nine months... since my last blog post. Shocking I know! Little Mr Teacups has kept me busy but I'm loving my new life and just wishing there were more hours in the day for everything else. Thankfully working from home has meant I can wear my mummy and graphic designer hats all at the same time. It's still very challenging but I think I'm doing okay so far. I've finally found the time to update my website folio (for those wanting to waste some time... umm.. I mean research take a lookie here). Needless to say, crafting has taken a back seat for the time being... Maybe one day soon... I hope...

my latest (and most beautiful) creation

I'd like to introduce you to the latest addition to the Teacups family. Little Mr Lucas Nicholas Teacups is now just over 3 weeks old. He kept us all waiting, arriving fashionably late ten days after he was due. We are very slowly settling into our new life full of feeds, sleeping (or lack of), changing nappies and general baby chaos. No crafting in this household for a while...

some new additions

Introducing Little Mr Oliver and Little Miss Maya. Both of these cuties are on their way to new homes where they will get lots of cuddles from their new little owners. The Baby Chibi Doll pattern is by the very talented Jhoanna from One Red Robin... Can you tell I'm trying to finish all projects before my own bundle of joy arrives?

my very first finished quilt

With my due date fast approaching (less than a week now!) I thought I better show the finished baby quilt before time truly gets away from me. I'm really happy with the finished result and was even able to make a matching pillow and lampshade with the remaining fabric... looks like baby is taking after mummy's co-ordinated ways already!

baby quilt progress

I'm finally making some progress on my baby cot quilt. It's been sewn, appliqued and all that is left is a very good iron and quilting. I'm a bit scared about the quilting part but as a quilting newbie I'll be crossing my fingers and toes!

oh my goodness, oh my goodness...

The day has finally come that I can say I have completed my crochet blanket. After a few nights working out the scallop edging it is officially finished and now takes pride of place on the arm of my couch ready to keep me toasty warm. The final size isn't quite as big as I first intended due to the weight of it (and my under-estimation of the amount of wool I'd need), so it sits at just over a metre by a metre thirty. It is such a relief to have it finished as I don't like to have too many projects on the go at the one time, plus my pregnancy brain can't handle too much these days.

super-simple quilt

I've always admired patchwork quilts but never been game enough to give one a go... until now. My very first baby project is a cot quilt. The design is super-simple with strips of fabric and if all goes to plan some circle bits too. Currently in progress but hopefully not for too much longer.

249 granny squares... but who's counting

I have been going a bit crochet-crazy in the last few weeks and granny squaring up a storm! I'm very happy to report that all 249 granny squares are now complete (and joined thanks to my lovely mum), and all that is left to do for my crochet blanket is a scalloped edge. Now I'm sure you can guess what I'll be doing for the next few nights... hint, it may also involve the couch, a cuppa and a chocolate (or two or three).

can i resist?

So far I have been very good and not gone too baby-crazy... BUT I have just spotted these very cute booties. Can I resist the temptation? Handmade by Pedrosprout they are super-cute and are even made from recycled plastic bottles. So not only will Little Miss or Mr Teacups look adorable but they will be helping the planet too... Now where's my wallet?

crochet inspiration

After seeing this absolutely amazing crochet blanket by Smosch, I've got the inspiration I need to finish this one off. Stay tuned it WILL happen!

can i put my feet up?

It's got to that time of the day when all I want to do is put my feet up... I must keep going though, there is work to be done!