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test drive day

March 5, 2011 By corrie 25 Comments

Well it’s Sunday morning and normally we’d be madly scrambling to get out the door for church. But we will do church tonight. The nanny is on her way over so that retro daddy, elodie and myself can head over to the other side of the city for a little test drive. Of a people mover. At first I dismissed this ~~car~~ bus but the space is drawing me in………..

and as I said on my facebook page, wouldn’t you love to be a fly on the wall when I park it. Parking, not one of my strong points. I am definitely one of those ladies that does a little drive around to find the perfect spot to drive into. And don’t ask me to reverse in. Any other bad parkers out there? Oh yes and didn’t you know that will be us heading off for a weekend on our very own yacht once we get the new ~~car~~ bus….

Filed Under: my car died, we're getting a new car

ready to party

March 5, 2011 By corrie 10 Comments

Starting school has also meant more birthday party invites coming keira’s way. And picking out what to wear is part of the fun since Keira has a wardrobe bursting with pretty clothes. Shopping for my little ones is my addiction…..ok one of many addictions.

um where has my smiley preschooler gone.

Today the weather was a little chilly so we picked out a new gymboree wool dress with cute ruffles and a little bit of ‘bling’ and pearls

silver saltwaters….love how my girl knows how to pose her feet!! We actually had little black patent party shoes ready to go but it turns out that miss keira has been growing since last winter.Who knew? So time for some new party shoes.

We accessorised with some pretty matching clips with pearls for her hair and then it was party time. And we do it all over again with a new dress next saturday afternoon.

But someone needs to have the chat with keira that the serious posing with attitude can wait until high school.

Filed Under: gymboree, parties, school

stylish japanese fabric

March 3, 2011 By corrie 15 Comments

Well here is the reason I’m not ready to give up selling japanese fabric just yet……because beautiful bolts of fabric like this arrive on my doorstep. And I’m already imagining lovely cushions for my lounge that look straight out of home beautiful or a lovely home magazine.

And I’m going to do things a little differently from now on, once I have a few new fabrics together then they will all be listed in the store for a few days as bundles. This just means I can make up orders in one hit, post them off and have nothing but precuts and patterns in the store for the rest of the month.

I hope you understand but it’s just one little way I can simplify things at home.

Filed Under: cosmo, fabrics, japanese fabrics, retro mummy store

elodie update

March 3, 2011 By corrie 32 Comments

Long time, no elodie update! And what perfect timing since my parents gave me my birthday present today – a 35mm macro lens for my camera.

This little one just keeps getting cuter and cuter. There are moments where I think I’m looking at keira as a baby. She also has the same happy and easy disposition. Nothing really bothers her unless one of the twins comes up and screams in her face – she lets out this very loud scream to match theirs and starts crying but that’s it. And sometimes I feel like doing that when the twins scream at me too. But miss elodie is happy, happy, happy 24/7.

You can’t ask for more than that in a baby! She falls asleep in a flash, loves to hold her feet, reach out for toys on her playmat, loves cuddles and kisses and is just about the sweetest little girl you could ask for. Oh and she’s chubby, I’ve always loved chubby bubbies and this little miss is already in the 6-12 months clothes and I must admit has a better wardrobe than I do.

And you know what else, you know what I’m going to say don’t you. I look at these pictures and think that maybe in a few years time I want just one more little cutie pie. I mean it would be wrong not to have another baby this cute and adorable…………………………

Filed Under: baby, large families, macro lens, olympus

breaking the craft book diet

February 28, 2011 By corrie 18 Comments

One of the first crafts I took up and really enjoyed was cross stitch. I spent many a late night during my university holidays doing cross stitch. It was portable, easy and fun and my mum got me onto it when they were living overseas to keep me from shopping! Ha, that was obviously a temporary measure (retro daddy would agree) but it was the early start of another addiction…….CRAFT! The last time I did some cross stitch was almost 2 years ago when I was stitching a russian doll that remains unfinished (oh the story of my life and my craft projects.). And because I obviously have loads of time for cross stitch I just ordered a new cross stitch book for my library.

I think it breaks the craft and book diet but thankfully doesn’t break the food diet. I can stitch sweet little goodies to my hearts content. I just think that the designs are so fresh and lovely and the french just know how to do cross stich so well. I adore my other Made in France cross stitch book so much and I know I will love this one. In fact as soon as I discovered it online I ordered it in a flash. And until then I’ll be stalking the postman for it’s arrival.

All images found here

And remember, all care taken no responsibility accepted. If you want to buy the book I didn’t tell you about it! I am not responsible for you breaking your craft or book diet either. No sir, not me. Could you imagine if our long suffering husbands/boyfriends/loved ones got together in a room to talk about craft addictions…. what do you think they would say?

Filed Under: cross stitch

february giveaway

February 27, 2011 By corrie 553 Comments

Oops, oops, oops! So much for my giveaway per month……ok it’s almost the end of February so here it is, just sneaking in by a whisker. A Hunky Dory honey bun and a selection of 1/2 metre pieces from the hunky dory range as well as some quilters muslin in pink and white.

You’ll be able to make a lovely quilt or various projects with this fabric. ~~And all you have to do is leave a comment to go in the draw….too easy! Entries close next sunday (give or take a day).~~
CONGRATULATIONS TO NAYS PLACE FOR WINNING!!!!!!!!!

Filed Under: giveaway, hunky dory, moda, retro mummy

The ‘I need more time’ sale

February 27, 2011 By corrie 14 Comments

School, new baby, teething, housework, twins, tantrums, appointments, meetings, emails, blog, meals, nappies, laundry, driving, groceries, the gym, family, bills, church, volunteer jobs (can’t believe I volunteered at school too), husband, ironing, quilts for queensland………………that is pretty much my life right now and forget craft or trying to run a store. I just need more hours everyday and finding time to cut up orders and get them out in the post is just killing me right now. So it’s about time for a huge clearout of everything, EVERYTHING on the bolts right now to reduce my stock to the bare minimum and take a little break from my store.

I emptied these bolts in a night!

Don’t worry, I’m not closing up shop as I still have new fabrics on order but I’m just giving myself a breather to refocus on my blog, home, family and LIFE! And the best way I know to clear stock is to reduce it at or below cost and get it out of here in big bundles. So I’ve made up huge 1/2 metre bundles of fabric that are to die for. A mixture of old and new and sorted into girly japanese, linens, floral lovers, greens/blues and reds and I’m sure I’ll come up with some more combo’s. I’ll list them up in my store very late tomorrow night and will give you an ETA tomorrow. There are 3-5 bundles in each category which are identical to make it easier for me and all orders will be posted out at the end of the week…………….phew!

Filed Under: cosmo, japanese fabrics, kokka, lecien, retro mummy store, sale

a nice day

February 25, 2011 By corrie 14 Comments

Why thank you for all of those sweet birthday messages. I had such a nice day which started with an early morning call from my dad and my mum who said I was turning 105! Oops, she corrected herself but it was pretty funny. I could have done without Finn’s tantrums (he’s taken over from Tillie in the tantrum department and tends to do his best work in the aisles of my local Coles) and the worst zumba teacher I’ve ever had. Honestly, if you can’t keep to the beat and are making it up as you go with the same cha cha for every single song then please don’t teach zumba!

And after eating almost an entire bag of chocolate freckles before school pick up, retro daddy then came home with a carton of macarons so I could spoil myself some more and break my normally strict diet for a day. So I’m all sushied and sugared out and watching Hannah Montana the movie while thinking that my iphone is the best birthday present……………ever! If only for the hipstamatic app which I used for all of these photos. OK and I’ll admit it……………………angry birds!

Filed Under: birthdays, iphone, sushi, tantrums, twins

thirty five

February 24, 2011 By corrie 101 Comments

Thirty five! Today I am 35! Get out of town, I still feel 25 until I find more little wrinkles on my face!!! I’ve packed a lot into my life so far and the last few years have been crazy. I had my first baby at 30 and all 4 of my babies by 34. It’s been quite the ride even if my tummy has seen better days…….tummy tuck for my 36th birthday perhaps? And so how am I spending my day. The school run, a zumba class, catching up on laundry, dinner at my favourite sushi train with my little family and maybe a glass of champagne and piece of cake to finish the day. And if I don’t have to make the cake, well that would be nice.

little retro mummy! Man, I wish I had that dress for one of my girls!!!

And so today while I reflect back on all of the things that have happened to me so far, it is a total cliche that the best thing I have ever done and the best present I could ever ask for is to have my own little family around me. And having a little baby of my own to cuddle on my birthday, well it doesn’t get much better than that. It’s not an easy or quiet life here, but at the end of every day I am so proud of this little family of mine. I never could have imagined that I’d have four gorgeous children who I just treasure, a wonderful husband who is one in a million (ok, except when he doesn’t bring flowers on valentines day) and the family we are raising.

Filed Under: birthdays, me, retro daddy

my fashionista

February 24, 2011 By corrie 17 Comments

Ok, first things first. Mark your diaries for the 15th March when all will be revealed about my exciting day yesterday and a giveaway. I know you all looooove a good giveaway. And so last night I was trying on some clothes and before I knew it my miss keira had quickly put on a new dress and accessorised herself head to toe.

when she gets dressed up she always calls out ‘fasheeeeeeeeeeeern’ and hides around the corner before calling out ‘introducing, for your entertainment pleasure, the one and only Keiraaaaaaaaaaa Emilieeeeeeeeeeeee (insert our surname)…….’ and then she struts her stuff down the hallway. Now the twins are copying and it is the funniest (and cutest) thing ever. You just can’t keep a straight face when she does this……..I’m guessing this is all my fault for loving to dress her up from head to toe from an early age.

Filed Under: everything else

somebody pinch me

February 23, 2011 By corrie 23 Comments

I’ve been teasing some of you over on facebook about how fabulous today was going to be. I can’t share too much with you YET but all I can say is wow, wow and more wows. It’s not often that I get a day away from the house and my responsibilities, but today retro daddy was left in charge of the homefront, school run and the little people.

the very glamorous hair and makeup room

He did a fabulous job and I had an a-m-a-z-i-n-g day and have so much more confidence! I know a few of you want some sneak peeks so here is a teaser and as soon as I’m allowed to share I’ll be revealing my whole day with you……..

Filed Under: hair, shopping

another favourite

February 22, 2011 By corrie 10 Comments

Skye reminded me the other day that I’d left off another TV show I’ve been watching lately. Now before you tell me it’s trashy, I know that. But I do find it funny and after a day with my four….well you just need to watch something light and trashy. And laugh.

Especially as it reminds me of my time working in London. There were lots of young lads and some older ‘birds’ from Essex in the back office of the investment bank where I worked. They were a world unto themselves.

Filed Under: I love tv, the only way is essex

iPhone questions

February 21, 2011 By corrie 23 Comments

OK, so I’m starting to feel like maybe I’m not in the right demographic for an iPhone. I really should have been identified at the store as needing some extra support, like an iPhone support group for the clueless (or blonde and clueless). And when you’re going to leave the store they have a quiet word with you that perhaps you might need a bit of extra help. Honestly, I’m only 34 but sometimes while figuring things out I feel like I’m 84.

So here’s my burning question of today – I’m using the phone on wi-fi at home and if I am sending photos or emails am I using up my monthly data limit (1GB) on my phone or am I just using the home internet and I can download to my heart’s content. Don’t laugh, I really am blonde and clueless. And why can’t I access my hotmail when I’m out? I used to be able to do when I was on my old phone but not on the new one. And please don’t call me, I have absolutely no idea how to answer my phone if it starts ringing.

But it is making my life easier, Monday is my crazy day where I’m in and out of the house all day but I’ve been able to quickly check emails throughout the day at home without opening up the laptop, seen what’s happening on facebook and try to keep the twins entertained with a few games while watching keira at gymnastics. And favourite games so far are Talking Tom and Angry Birds…thanks ladies for the tips.

But now I’m going to go and do something I know how to do….and I’m good at it. Have a big cup of coffee and some mini muffins so kindly dropped off by this nice lady with some quilts generously made by her quilting group for Quilts for Queensland. I could smell the honey as soon as I opened the box and then she lets me know that the honey comes from her cousin’s country hives. Well that would explain that delicious smell.

Filed Under: hipstamatic, I'm an old lady in disguise, iphone, quilts for queensland

i have iPhone

February 20, 2011 By corrie 28 Comments

Well I’m probably a little late to the party but I finally got an iphone 4……an early present for my birthday next week and don’t even go there when I first told retro daddy what i wanted for my birthday. Just don’t do there. So I’m loving it but feel like an 80 year old learning how to use a computer for the first time

I’m just a bit clueless! Or a lot. But boy waiting for school pick up just got a whole lot more exciting….so many apps, so little time. Unfortunately Keira has quickly found her favourite games and wants to take the phone out of my hot little hands at any opportunity. But she won’t be doing that until I visit the mobile phone store tomorrow for a case and screen protector! Love to know your favourite apps too………

Filed Under: I'm an old lady in disguise, iphone

best books for quilting

February 19, 2011 By corrie 15 Comments

A couple of you lovely readers have been asking me for recommendations of where to start if you want to quilt. And lucky for you because there are some great books out now which I really wish were available when I started quilting a few years ago.

First up has to be Oh Fransson’s ‘The Practical Guide to Patchwork’…….it has such a great intro section packed with lots of tips, photos and the basics explained. It is just perfect for the beginner to the more intermediate quilter looking for modern projects.

There are some beautiful quilt patterns in this book and it is definitely my favourite at the moment. Even if Australia Post totally stuffed up the amazon order and it got delivered to a photographer in manly who hoped that I had his book! I didn’t. He wasn’t happy but Amazon refunded me and I got the book for free (when it eventually arrived), compliments of Amazon for Australia Post’s mistake. Nice.

Next up I love this book which also has a great intro section (not as long as the book above but covering the basics) and a lot of modern projects. This one is also great for all levels as it will test the more experienced quilter to try new ways with their quilting while having some great little projects which are perfect for weekend quilting when you want something quick and easy. Amen to that.

And here is my lovely pile of quilting books…I also have a huge pile of magazines and japanese quilting books too. Yes I like my books and these are just the quilting ones…….I haven’t shown you the japanese craft books, the sewing, the knitting, the crochet, the softies and so on.

My favourite places to buy books are fishpond, amazon and book depository. And of course my local bookstore too, Berkelouw . They have a small but good craft book section.

Filed Under: books, free motion quilting, japanese craft books