Updated Upholstery samples skirt

A-line skirt, made from upholstery samples plus arm-band - Updated

A little while back I wrote about a skirt that I made from upholstery samples. Well now I've added to it. This time I'll write about it in a little more detail.

I went Reverse Garbage where I found upholstery samples. I found 3 of the same set for $1 each. This is what I started with.


When I got home I overlocked them and washed them. Then I overlocked them together and used that as though it were a piece of fabric. I got one of my fav skirts and used it to cut out the skirt and then sewed it up and sewed in elastic. This is what I got (front and back).

Then last week as I was cleaning out my fabric stash, I found the scraps. I thought I would make some embellishments. I set the sewing machine to small zig zag stitch with a stitch length less than 1. I then sewed a shape of a flower (which I had already drawn and just followed) then cut the out and sewed onto the skirt. Thet will fray up to the point of the stitching. I also sewed some onto an armband that I made with a velcro fastener. Here's what I have now.

Owen the spunk!


Owen borrowed his Aunty Mindi's glasses - he's so cool :)

Why I love CLOTH NAPPIES

I LOVE my cloth nappies. I have trouble understanding why people immediately dismiss cloth nappies as being too hard or other reasons.

Cloth nappies have changed. They are no longer confined to terry towelling squares with PVC plicher covers (though some people still do it this way and don't have any problems). Now, putting on a cloth nappy is just as easy as a disposable, but you just don't throw it out when you've finished with it.

Why I love cloth nappies:

1. SOOOO much cheaper - buying disposable is so expensive. The initial cost of buying cloth may seem expensive but it only takes a month or two to pay themselves off when compared to buying disposables. Even cheaper if you make them yourself (like I do). Some people argue that they are time intensive because of washing and drying, but if 30 mins of my time a week (hanging and folding) is going to save me in excess of $30 per week, that is a choice I am happy to make

2. More environmentally friendly - Some people say that studies have shown that disposables use just as much energy and water as cloth nappies due to the water and energy used to wash this. This is a cop-out excuse to make themselves feel better and is SO LAME.

• This website is great for outlining the differences between energy/water in cloth and disposable - disposable vs cloth

• Cloth nappies significantly less to landfill (well duh - you don't have be a rocket scientist to work that one out)

• It seems that cloth nappies, when considering washing, are more energy efficient (and less greenhouse gases result), but seem to use more water. While water is a precious resource, at least it is renewable (as our state government is just about to prove with the introduction of recycled water).

3. My cloth nappies LOOK so much better than yucky digustables (I mean disposables). They are pocket nappies (a cover with a pocket in it where half a nappy goes for absorbancy) and are so easy to use and look awesome. The pattern was devised by my friend, and on her website has put together an easy to follow lesson and pattern to show how to make them - nappy tutorial.
I have been using this nappy for nearly two years on Owen and haven't looked back :)

Here are some photos of my cuties in their clothies :)
more photos to come

Here is another new skirt that I made for Aaliya. I love these tiered skirts because they are so easy to make.

I made it out of the remnants from a pouch sling that I made. I had long strips of fabric that I needed used and this the result.

Ain't she cute :)

Happy Birthday Stu :)

Stu's birthday was in this past week. He turned 29 this year - next year being the big 30!

It was just a quiet one - a few pressies, dinner at his parents house with a few family and friends. A Jaffa mud cake made by Kara.

Here are a few photos....

Happy Birthday Stu :)

2007 - The Year of "WAKE UP PEOPLE, YOUR KILLING THE PLANET".

There seems to be a real wake up call in the last few months about the environment - well duh people! Climate Change, calls for reduction in greenhouse gases and energy consumption are all over the media.....

It seems that Al Gore has made a great impact on people with his documentary "An Inconvenient Truth". Great job Al, you deserve a MASSIVE pat on the back. Glad you have thrust these issues into the spotlight. Makes me feel a little better too, cause now it seems to be quite fashionable to be environmentally aware - YAY - my ramblings are cool and I'm not being paranoid :).

Our aim, as a family, is to try and live as green as we can, without completely compromising our lifestyle - to be modern day greenies. Keep in mind that we have a young family - so convenience to some degree is still important or else I would lose my sanity.

It's easy. Things we have done (a while ago) to start was change our lights from incandescence's to fluro's. We have tried to buy energy and water efficient appliances. I try feed my family fresh foods in order to minimize the energy spent on creating packaging, not to mention reduce landfill. I am becoming quite conscious about how much packaging some foods come in and try to make appropriate choices.

Today we are getting a heat pump hot water system, which was recommended as the most energy efficient system for our house (over a roof mounted solar hot water system).

What are you doing? I need this planet healthy for my kids.....

Camping trip to Hastings Point - Aussie Day long weekend '07

We went on another camping trip - 2nd one this month. We went to a caravan park just south of Tweeds Heads at Hastings Point called North Star Caravan Park for 3 nights over the Australia Day long weekend. You can check out the place in detail here.

My parents use to take our family there when we were kids. I have vague but fond memories of the place. It had changed a little since I was last there (must be about 20 years ago!)

This place is made for families. It has a shaded playground, an indoor play centre with supervised activities, a great pool with waterslide and shaded toddler pool and a games room. Amenities are nice too and has a good camp kitchen. So all we really needed to take was our accommodation :)

We had a nice time. We went to the pool everyday. Owen is a little cautious of water but enjoyed the toddler pool. Aaliya also started out not liking the water but became quite a water baby by the end of the trip.

I should mention that while we were away Aaliya mastered the crawling and sitting milestone! These things happen so quickly.

We also had friends come and visit us on one day and then Nanna Gregory came and visited us on another. It was a nice relaxing weekend :)

Pay attention Mum! - Children and food colouring

This is what happens when you don't pay adequate attention when there is food colouring about!

At the time, Owen was saying he was busy making pork chops - or "chalk pops" as he says it.

Aaliya was just having fun getting into whatever she could get her hands on!

Wardrobe Refashion '07 - I'm doing it !

I've signed up for the Wardrobe Refashion '07 challenge.

See the pledge in the sidebar..... For more info, check their link here

Basically, no buying new clothes for 6 months. The aim is to try and refashion and recycle existing clothes and pieces of fabric into new things. I've been doing this over the last month or two anyway, so I thought I would have a crack at this challenge.

Anyway, I'll be documenting my attempts at refashioning on this blog :)

Viva le refashionista :)

My new skirt from upholstery samples :)

Ok, so I listed in my interests section that I'm currently into making reconstructed and recycled clothing.

This is one of my projects. I picked up some fabric sample cards (3 of the same) at reverse garbage for $1 each. They sample cards probably were for choosing fabric for a couch or something.

Anyhow, I took the sample cards apart, washed the fabric, overlocked it together and then used that as a piece of fabric to make a skirt out of. I don't have a pattern for a skirt, I just layed out one of my skirts and just cut it from that - it is a simple A-line skirt.

The material is a little heavy for summer but it will make an awesome autumn or maybe even QLD winter skirt.

Total cost of this skirt was a $3. It also put those sample cards to good use, instead of going in landfill - so bonus points for that

Owen earning his keep...

Owen actually enjoys helping with household tasks. Some of the things that he can do include hanging upwashing, drying cups with a tea towel, he puts all his dirty dishes in the sink when he is finished with them (he has plastic bowls and cups) and his latest thing now is to wipe things down with a cloth

We certainly don't discourage him. At first, while he is learning to do something it can be a little frustrating as things can take three times as long to do, but once he gets the hang of it, it's actually a help. Not only is he contributing, but he is staying occupied long enough for us to get things done too

To help Owen help us, we have set up an Owen size washing line and we have placed pictures on his drawers so he know where everything goes....

Not bad for a two year old!

Owen's favourites toys by far is a little ukulele that he was given when Aaliya was born. He has pretty much played with it for 8 months straight.

Owen's biggest influence is Murray Wiggle but he also takes inspiration from a guy we watch at the Rocklea Markets when we do our fruit and vege shopping.

I'm sure if Owen understood the concept, if we asked him what he would like to be when he grew up, he would want to be a guitar player in a band.

Here are some photos:
1. One if of Owen sitting on a chair, singing into a microphone just like the guy at the markets.
2. Owen making our family into a little band, with Owen featuring on drums, mum on guitar and Aaliya as lead singer

I love being a parent. I love watching my children learn and grow, whether it be things that they learn on their own or things we teach them.

What makes me sad is that I can't remember every little detail. It would be wonderful if I could, cause there are so many that are worthy. This really hitting home as I watch Aaliya achieve things and I think "I have a fuzzy recollection that Owen did that but I can't remember when or where". It'll be the same - as time passes I'll forget the sweet details and it sucks knowing it.

So I am resolving to take time to enjoy the moment, knowing that I'll probably be forgotten, but hopefully retain the general memory of enjoying every little moment....

Such is the journey of being a parent

All these thought come as I watch my baby girl crawl over to something, easily pull herself up to standing and getting into whatever she can. Owen use to do that and amaze us. I can't remember when, how old he was or what particularly he use to get into but I know that we loved every moment

Hervey Bay Camping Trip

It was the first time we have been camping with the kids and it was a great success. We lived in comfort (thanks to a caravan park with good facilities) and the weather stayed relatively fine. The only things was that the children were a bit out of sorts - they were both teething (Owen was getting his 2yo molars).

Anyway, we had and blast, Owen enjoyed the fact that there were other kids around to play with/watch. the beach at Hervey Bay is lovely and gentle, being sheltered by Fraser Island. And it didn't cost us a packet to spend eight nights on holiday....

Happy New Year!

Ok, I'm going to write down our New Years resolutions with the hope that it will keep us motivated and honest

1. Well, we are going to be greener. We are going to reduce our energy consumption. We have watched "An Inconvinient Truth" and read a book called "The Simple Life" and have been given a lot of good ideas about how we can do this without changing our lives in a big way. Lots of small changes should add up significanty.

2. We are going to learn how to grow and then EAT at least one vegetable. I am hoping for something leafy and green, but we'll see how we go. We had a go at a little vege garden last year and while it was fun, we didn't really get a successful end stage, that is eating it.

3. Kara is going to start her own business.... She IS going to DO IT and sooner rather than later Mind you it isn't going to rule my life and if it gets too much I'll pull the plug - family comes first...

4. Get ourselves organised. Get the house organised. The everlasting New Years resolution. Don't know how we can prove it, but I can tell you that we are better than we were this time last year, but there is still a lot of room for improvement .

There might be more, but I can't think of them right now. Will update as needed. But here is to a good year

Look what Owen can do!

He learnt it last night. Up until then he has only been able to put up his thumb with other fingers there, usually his pointer finger. He is really impressed with himself.

I think he likes being able to do it because the wiggles do it and say "beauty mate!"

The Kids Developments

For the first time in quite a few weeks, everyone in The Harding Tribe are relatively well (i.e., free from sickness). Yay!!!

Thought I would document a couple of the kids developments.

Owen (21mths) is absolutely obsessed with the Wiggles, however he does seem to be learning from them. He now knows his colours, though he doesn't refer to colours by their name, rather by corresponding Wiggle. But considering he refers to each Wiggle by a trait or interest, then it can all get quite abstract to outsiders. Doesn't matter, makes perfect sense to us!

For example, if something is yellow, Owen will sign 'sing' because the Wiggle that sings (Greg) wears the yellow shirt. If something is purple, Owen will yell his version of "Wake up Jeff" because Jeff, who wears the purple shirt, is always falling asleep and is woken up by the other Wiggles.....

Very smart our boy is!

Aaliya is almost 8 weeks old. We are starting to get a lot of smiles from her. She has also been discovering her hand - which is amusing because as she tried to gain some control of her arm movements, she can end up clocking herself in the face! We love watching her grow up!

We'll keep you updated on the kids developments.....

Time for some photo's!!!

Our gorgeous darling Owen at 20mths old
Our darling Aaliya at exactly 1 month old
Kara and Aaliya

Aaliya hasn't done a poo in a coule of days.... I was asking her when she was going to do a crap. I looked over at Owen and he was doing the sign for "crab". He obviously doesn't know what crap is and went for the closest sounding word that he does know.

I just found out that if you read "poo" on a thai menu, then it is referring to crab - maybe Owen just is super intelligent and translating for me!

In any case, I'll have to watch my language.....

Now that The Harding Tribe has been introduced, time to start with.....

THE ADVENTURES OF THE HARDING TRIBE

Today, Harding Tribe member, Owen, is feeling extremely worse for wear and Daddy has taken the day off work to help with doctors and x-ray appts. It appears that our little man (Owen that is) not only has a pretty nasty cold and a fever, but also a raging ear infection and a suspected chest infection. Mummy has not been the greatest herself, attempting to recover from a gastro bug while she has the chance.

Stuart and Aaliya are well so far (although who knows how they will be in a couple of days???). Aaliya has been feeding constantly, making sure that mummy's milk supply does not dip too much while mummy is ill.

But, let's look at the positive. It has given me the chance to start this blog, and hopefully keep a running record of The Harding Tribe's family life.

Upcoming adventures will include our move to the townhouse we have recently purchased. We are looking forward to living there, but not neccesarily to actually moving. Other adventures will include "Can Kara keep the satisfactorily clean and tidy and keep her sanity!". We'll see how that one goes! Also the day to day advetures of Owen and Aaliya as they go through their amazing growing, learning and developing.