Christmas week.

Yay for Christmas.
I so enjoy.
This year as well as last, will be quiet.
I love being around all my family (extended) at Christmas.
I'm being very tested this year and last. We probably won't see any family
around this Christmas. Very sad about this. But, will have my 6 and 3 year old
and husband here.
I love the excitment children have on and around Christmas day.
Hopefully not long after Christmas we will add two more to our precious family:)

I'm so tired of being pregnant, it hurts now!

Baby Bump.

30weeks

Well the two are great sizes, both are now around 4 pound each. This is normal sizes for single babies.
At the moment they are enjoying kicking each other and all organs they can reach. Both are still breach and I really can't see how one could turn and be head down at this very squished time.
I'm now 31 weeks so less then 7 weeks to go if I make that far:)

Have a happy week:) and enjoy the Christmas Season.

Still alive.

Today I have taken more photo's of my belly bump....
I feel a little nervous posting them considering the size
and do people really care to see?!

I've also been finishing sewing projects I have promised to people.
I feel very satisfied when I finish little pieces of sewn goodness.

I thought it best to cover the bump...

To Market, to market...Change!

To put it bluntly....to market I did not go!


Instead, all the lovelies that have been sewn found a rack to hang on
at THE STORY TREE shop, Boonah.

So, into THE STORY TREE shop you must go if anyone would like to browse
POLLEN clothing.

There are new designs, more sizes in the one design and colour way and yet still unique which is so very POLLEN.

Be encouraged, go have a coffee, tea, relax & something yum to eat and take a look at
what is filling THE STORY TREE racks and shelves.

POLLEN love.life.passion.

Ok, Tanya and I have been sewing up a storm....well we think so anyway.

Soon, like hopefully in the next month, we are going to get serious about etsy and

start listing baby, children up to size 10/12 and ladies clothing!

We have nothing for sale yet as we are heading off to our local, once a year big village markets

which are named 'Kalbar Country Day'. I love it... I love a good fete/market. There are hay sculptures

 popping up in peoples front yards and paddocks. This is a competion and a way of promoting the event.

So we are heading there first to support the locals and fingers crossed the locals support us!

After this we will be listing! and promoting and learning heaps on the way I'm sure....

Tanya learnt a valuable leason the other week.....never leave sissors and the finished clothes garment

low enough for little fingers to practise co-ordination using sissors!! He did a fine one inch precise cut on a

 gorgeous ladies top!!!! It rendered Tanya speachless:(   He did this only minutes before Tan's husband

finished putting up a rack, high up, to hang her finished products!

My sister has been staying up for a

few days with my gorgeous three nieces.

Before they went home I thought we could do a little photo shoot. Hmmm, now I know why you don't work with chidren or animals with a camera. (Unless spontaneous).  We went from meltdowns, to cups of tea, too baby chicks.....

Olivia evetually relaxed and stopped moving like a robot!!!

Grace will never let me dress her up again for photo's, I think she has been scared for life! They are so much fun to have around my boys and I will miss them.

Inspiration

Endless inspiration is flooding into my little sewing room...

I am trying to keep up:)

Birds, flowers, checks, spots and castles for the boys.

So much to inspire, better go have an afternoon siesta so I have the energy to create.

Soon there will be enough to start listing on etsy!

New Blog Background

Spring is finally here, i have changed my blog background to welcome spring in.

We also welcomed 2 new little baby chickens over the past two days...
hopefully the other three eggs will hatch in the coming days.

These are the first ever my chickens have hatched.
They are Aracana (they lay little blue eggs) crossed with silky.
VERY CUTE! I will try for a photo tomorrow, the mothers are being very
protective! We don't call them mother hens for no reason!

Morsels of Delight.

 This is a new apron style dress for the girls...
First one made, so this is for my neice Grace.
Made using vintage fabric from my Grandma's stash, it is very light and cool fabric for summer.

Hi there,

Haven't blogged for a while, I've been growing babies and sewing.

I think I've been visiting other lovely blogs also.

Tanya, sewing friend who also is the other half to POLLEN...has been sewing up lovelies also.

We are both hopeing to get enough stitches done to actually list them on etsy!

I will list some photo's of some finished stitches soon. I have to remember to take pics.

What has been made so far...

Little girl pleated skirts, with little pleats

Linen pleated skirts for little girls, with big pleats

Strappy little girls tops, in two different styles.

Boys summer PJ pants with singlet, will be sold as set.

Uni-sex linen pants, made for boys in mind but I tink girls could also wear.

Girls a-line tunic tops.

Boys gorgeous pants which are just busting to be worn. They may bark, but wont bite....

Tanya has wiped up the most devine ladies strappy tops. Navy with white spots and they may not even get seen as we may just have to keep them!

There are load more things on the cut out table just waitng to be stitched....time, we need more time!!!

We will let you know where and when they are available.

I must go do those wedding flowers now.

Blogger Award!

I can't quite believe I received this from Monique at Blueberries in the Fields.Here are the rules to follow for the versatile award:


This is now what I am ment to do....
1. Thank and link back to the person who gave you the Versatile Blogger Award.

2. Share 7 things about yourself.

3. Pass the Versatile Blogger Award along to 10 bloggers who you have recently discovered and who you think are fantastic for whatever reason!

4. Contact the bloggers you’ve picked and let them know about the Versatile Blogger Award.

Thank you Monique from the delightful blog http://www.blueberriesinthefields.blogspot.com/ Monique makes to die for dolls and other gorgeousness, go visit her etsy shop which I love:)
 
7 things about myself:
 
1. I love living in Australia, it is a beautiful & free country.
2. I have been a florist (flower designer) for 17 years. I have worked in this industry in Sydney, Byron Bay,
London. I love working with flowers.
3.At the moment I have 2 boys aged 6 and 3 with twins on the way. Finding out Monday if they are going to be blue, pink and blue or pink bundles!
4.Horse riding is a passion .
5. My vegie patch makes me happy when I can put fresh home grown produce on my families plates to eat.
6.I grew up in a country village near Byron Bay, Australia called Clunes.
7.Sewing, craft, kniting, making are all delights of mine.
 
I must go and hopefully will get back to pass this award on another time.
 
Enjoy and thank you again Monique.

Pleasurable happenings....

Here is our new Pollen label (for the inside of garments). Thanks to LillaLotta (thank you Anna).

So much quicker then hand stamping onto fabric.

This will save so much time. I would sit there, whilst stamping, wondering what the heck I was doing hand stamping all the labels. I am so pleased I found lillalotta.etsy.com

Here is my pile of finished! I am quite proud of all my finished little garments and I have even added to them since taking this photo:)

Work in progress....while Eliza (Tanya's youngest) slept we thought we would start making some bunting from all my scrap fabric. We had fun sorting through all the colours and even had time to cut out our squares before little one awoke.

When fabric is all out like this I get so inspired:) A happy mess....

Lastly I thought I'd add a pic. of my growing belly. While writing this they are having a kick and having tummy pats from their older siblings. They are both growing nicely.

Sewing!

Considering my last post, I feel like I have accomplished a lot in the past day:)

I finished  a pair of pants for Anna (lillalotta). When I find my camera will take photo to let you see!

I also have almost finished a size 4 skirt in a gorgeous pale blue floral. I also cut out a pair of pants

which I'm seeing will be quick and easy to fit into my plan of.... keeping it simple but still very me.

I don't even feel out there tired!

The two have started to move...So very excited about this:)

Poor Pollen!

Well Pollen has been a little more then a 'little' neglected of late.

Tired has not been my friend.

Yes, growing two babes is hard work on the body!

Never did I think I could sleep 3 hours in a day then go to bed at 6 pm & sleep until morning.

Made some maternity pants for myself & to, which I needed as all my pants just don't fit anymore:)

I have also cut out a skirt and am frustrated because I am sick with head cold & am to tired to sew it up....

I am really missing sewing, so my aim is to sew and sleep:)

Oh, I also finished two tops which are very cute and will go to the Kalbar Country Markets in October.

If they don't sell there, you will be able to see them on our etsy store for sale.

I am now 14 weeks and 4 days along in my pregnancy:)

TWINS...

12 Weeks 3 Days...

Ok, went to visit my baby doctor for my first appointment...
Whilst having a chat about fabric, sewing and fabric shops...my lovely doctor was glad I was lying down...

I thought this to be a little strange a comment, until I stopped thinking about fabric and took a look at the monitor!

I didn't see one little body, but two!

Now it is too planning.

I have to make two of everything.

If anyone has ANY tips, let me know. I would appreciate them:)
Here are the two wee babes.

Fabric.

I have a problem.

I think I need to own a fabric shop, I can not possibly choose from all the gorgeous fabrics out there!

I have myself in a spin trying to choose what to buy to make.

I have just spent who-knows-how-many-hours trying to pick fabric for a dress I am about to make. I only need three different prints! I have about 30 to cull back!!!

It is a nice problem to have:) I can not complain.

Back to work.

Back to work at the flower farm today.
Packing 'Stock' flowers and then picking 'Sweet pea' flowers...they smell devine.
I actually didn't feel sick today, but work did make me tired. Will I be able to keep it up?

Tanya and I have decided to focus on sewing for the etsy shop.

We have to decide whether to shut the 'mandiknit' etsy shop and start with a fresh new shop. I think this is where we are headed. We have some lovely idea's for the clothing, we now just have to get on and sew!

I need a PA to stand over me and keep me focused!

It is a personality traight of mine to do three or more things at once. Or I just get side tracked. Like now I am on the computer when I should be down sewing a funky little teal coloured dress, it should be in The Story Tree shop for sale...  

I need a break, lets take a walk...

Male bonding, inbuilt from an early age...

Little girls Apron Dress, view from the back.

Lazy Days and Packages from Around the World

Lazy days were spent at my Mum and Dad's house, with my two boys.
It was freezing down there (Tamworth) and I now realise we aren't quite equiped with the correct warm clothing which is needed.

Most days I slept the afternoon away! Yes, this babe growing is taking it out of me!

We had a lovely time in the park one morning with my sisters children also, I have worked out children must have very good circulation as they don't feel the cold. They know to keep moving....

I returned to packages. My gorgeous LillaLotta custom made tape arrived! What a great trade we did.

Now I have a little boy. What a cutie he is, with his big eyes and red striped top.

THANK YOU LILLA-LOTTA .... here is her shop http://www.lillalotta.etsy.com/

If you would like to see the pants I made for Anna's little girls, go have a look http://www.lillalotta-blog.blogspot.com/

Trip to Matilda's Market

Tanya & I went to Matilda's MArket today.
We wanted to see if our little business would fit in there.
(I.E Is the clothing we are making good enough?)
Good to know we think it could be. We have come back home inspired.
We where looking to see if we could come up with a niche market, I think we could.

Within minutes of walking through the doors we recieved comments on the skirts we were wearing, yes,
we had made them. We have learnt that we can be walking advertisments for our own label:)

I think this was the highlight of the day for both of us!

There were some beautiful childrens products there. We had a lovely day.

Big thanks to both husbands for taking the hands of the wee ones for the day.

I also found a great place to buy re-usable nappies, all made out of 100% organic Bamboo.

Must go do some sewing:)

HAPPY DAYS!

I've Been up too.....

I've been sick last week so haven't been very productive on the sewing front.

Did get a pair of Red & White stripe pants started & finished...which I really enjoyed making.

Also started & finished a top for my friend Kathie's daughter, Amber.  Hope she loves it.

Tonight at Brown Owls I also cut out my husbands corduroy pants he so wants badly...and another
dress is cut out ready to be sewed up for sale soon...I now have a lot of sewing to do!!! I have another number of sewing projects on the way as well:)

Now all I need to do is find my good scissors which wont hack at the fabric. I put them somewhere safe!

Tanya & I and another friend, Justine had a lovely Wednesday chatting, sewing and watching children all at the same time. So glad women can multi-task.

I must also get a new needle and cutting blades for my over-locker. Then I must send sewing machine & over-locker on a holiday to have a service. They need a little TLC, they have worked hard in the last year!

I will post some photo's soon:)

First 'BIG POLLEN' SOLD at The Story Tree.

Whoppieee, how excited am I!!!!

Massive thanks to Rachel for stocking them in her gorgeous shop.

Isn't it funny when I second guessed myself on fabric combinations, the first skirt sold is the one I
least thought anyone would love....I can't quite believe my little dream is becoming reality.

Some dresses will be arriving soon:)

Pollen Photo's-Clothes at THE STORY TREE, Boonah

All lined up in their similar, but one-of-a-kind pants.

Solomon, third from left, is wearing corduroys which Tanya is busy sewing more and should be for sale at THE STORY TREE very soon....

Hayley in Red Chandelier Apron Dress.

'Lets go for a Walk' tie waist skirt made from a heavier weight fabric, great for winter with boots.

Stripes and spots, what could be more fun!

Thanks to Sarah Ruthvern for tackling a photo shoot with children...

The skirt, Apron dress and boys pants are all available at The Story Tree, Boonah.


This is the only place where the OOAK 'POLLEN love.life.passion.' can be purchased.
Hand made with love.


We had so much fun doing this, the children were fantastic. The boys ran around for the whole time, stopping occasionally allowing Sarah to capture some great shots.

I wanted to be able to show how the clothes look on, and layering options available with different styles. Especially the Apron dress. Here we have the Apron Dress with a short sleeve, through winter a long skivvy & coat will keep your child warmer.  Little Eliza wears her Apron with jeans.
Yes, Tanya's skirt will also be coming soon....

Oh, I also dropped three new, adult sized skirts into the The Story Tree. So mums, aunts and grandma's now wont miss out either!!!

Neglectful Me....

I have neglected my cute little blog all week, I have been busy... sewing....

I have photo's to show of the photo shoot we had at The Story Tree, in Boonah...

I also received my Poppy Longstockings just now...will take photo & show...

Must go into Boonah, show off my new strippy stockings & try & find some flowers for this Sunday.... the cold weather has slowed the flowering on the farm, thus, can't just go & pick them...big sigh right here:)

Cutting out...

So many skirts, and a dress & I'm sure a few others under the pile.

I now have to seriously start putting head down, tail up and sew!!!!

Finished one skirt, half way through another with Tanya having to find the third thisafternoon for me....

I went to show her the fabrics I had choosen for the skirts...couldn't find one for nothing!!!

Tan, bless her, found it in the draw which I can now remember throwing it into.

I really need to get some order into my little sewing knook.

I have taken 4 days (more like one day) after returning from holidays to get some serious piles and mess happening. Mind you, my folding, ironing (am i kiding myself!), washing, stacking of clothes is all in there as well.

I think tomorrow a few hours are going to be put aside for some re-arranging:)

Off I go to make a coffee, sorry, tea... and think about how I will re-arrange my little fabric corner....

Much goodness to you all...

BIG POLLEN! (for adults)

Ok everyone, Tanya & I have got together & are now busy making adult clothes....

I must admit it is all whilst looking after children, shopping for yet more fabric, cleaning,cooking, feeding animals, blogging, shopping on etsy, etc. etc.

We did do a trip today to a fabric shop Tanya knew about, & I didn't, Tanya has opened up a whole new world of fabric shopping locally to me:)

What will my husband say?!!!

So, Tanya & I have been putting together fabric combinations & choosing what to make with what.....
very hard when all fabric is just so yummy & we don't know where to start!!!

Soon we will have some skirts ready for adults to go to The Story Tree.

Then we are also making some pants for the men in our lives, we might even get some into The Story Tree as well....

Better go & get ready for Brown Owls in at my favorite place (yes, The Story Tree).

Visiting Grandma's House

Ohhhhh.....what a wonderful lunch I just had....

With my Grandma, Poppy and my husband and two little boys.

I love visiting my Grandma, I use to just about live there when I was growing up.

My sister and I filled our days mainly horse riding, but also cooking, sewing, and playing.

My Grandma taught me to knit, whilst at a very low point in my life.

I so love and respact my Grandma and Poppy.

Today was only a few hours spent with Grandma, but ohhhh what treasures she gave me:)

From old magazines, buttons, cotton thread and fabric. My Grandma knows my heart. So much vintage

goodness. This is my Grandma who hasn't thrown out anything! It might just have a use some day...

She even gave me a quick lesson in crocheting.

I LOVE MY GRANDMA...

HAPPY:)

Ok...I think I could be getting the hang of blogging...

Yes, I fixed my header, & the overall look of my log all by myself. This is a huge
leap for me in the world of blogging.

Blogs are blogging me down

I can not get my header to line up properly:(

I might have to take it into Shannyn when I go to Brown Owls on Thrusday....

So Shannyn if you read this I'll do a batter- I'll put pockets on your apron dress if you centre my blog!!!!???

Shannyn Apron Dress for MADDIE

Here is a sneek peek of the Apron Dress I am making for Maddie...

Has that got you thinking?

My favourite thing at the moment is dressing the girls in at THE STORY TREE-Boonah.

And, I'm glad to hear Sally loved her Shannyn Apron Dress...

MY BOYS, and little birdie....

They are so precious....

My two little boys....

Even the pusst cat was in for a snuggle this morning.

When they sleep in with us they have to get as close as possible...mummy was in Eric's bed, Daddy had arisen for the day. They had each other.....

This little birdie flew into our balcony window, became very disorientated. They are so fragile, we placed him in the tree where all the little neighbourhood birdies live.

BUSY,BUSY,BUSY.

Mother's Day yesterday.

I had a wonderful day...

I received a mug full of lollies (which my boys loved eating...I'm not much of a lolly eater!)

A bath bomb (which my boys loved having a strawberry flavoured bath last night!)

Some body wash (which I did get to use:)

I also received a devine French book...'FRENCH ESSENCE...ambience, beauty & style in provence"

By Vickie Archer ohhh lala......

I am spoilt...

I also was able to quite a bit of sewing...

Fabric choosen!

Ann-Marie's Skirt....finally made it for her...

I even added a pocket!

With vintage button from Grandma's button tin.

I am so very tempted to keep this for myself...but I promised to make her one")

I Loved making this skirt...

Also, made this little OOAK skirt. It is  for that little girl who adores a good tea party:)

I decided to add a vintage button to the pocket..

Listing!!!

Finally......

I have listed something else at my etsy store.
http://www.mandiknit.etsy.com/

My etsy store doesn't come under the name of 'POLLEN love.life.passion.'
for a very good reason!

I can't remember the password! Before everyone starts telling me to just reset it, don't waste your time....
I can't remember the email address where the reset password has been sent to!!!!

So, for those who live far away from me, here is where you can purchase a little bit (or a lot) of POLLEN.

I hope you enjoy:)

Don't forget I love doing custom clothing.

My Apricot/Pink pile....one of many!