miffys world

A Birthday and Party x 4!

2 August - Darcy's 5th birthday! And as I always say, "If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing"... so she had 4 parties.

1st - Dinner at Fancy Pants Restaurant: Family dinner - always entertaining. Since our world trip last year, both Jack and Darcy are reasonably well behaved when we take them to a nice restaurant.  (Thank you Mr Nintendo!)

  Nanny has been in town for the week to enjoy the celebrations too.

  Jack has far more interesting things to do than pose for multiple pics. Darcy ordered the very posh Passionfruit Soufflé which made a lovely birthday cake. She is getting to be quite assertive with Jack as you can see...

A rare photo of Momma and Poppa Stuart!

Then Friday at Kindy was celebration number 2. As you can see, I spared no expense with the Supermarket bought cake.  Embellished with a handful of Smarties and voila!  Birthday cake for under $6.  Yes - I know it only looks like $4 worth - but hey - they are 5 year old... It was a serious business going through the kindy birthday ritual. Intense... FIVE candles to extinguish and a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to Darcy to endure... the pressure was on. (Darc hates the birthday song! Always has - fingers in the ears every time...)

Darcy contemplates her task with extreme focus.  The crowd is hushed...

She blows....

...and blows...and nothing...  The crowd erupts in laughter and Mrs Ford worries if Darcy will cope with such hilarity at her expense....

  With grace and aplomb, Darcy graciously laughs at herself too.  This is a FIRST!!!

  Then success at last!  Thank goodness for that!

Party # 3 was the great Kung Fu Panda Party. 9 as it happens (I had no idea how many girls were attending) played Kungfu Musical Statues, played, nibbled party food (Are they watching their weight at 5 already??)  You'll notice Darcy's entourage in attendance - dressed as Kungfu Masters... Jack, Ethan and Ryan who led proceedings.  Jack and Ethan seemed to have more fun than anyone! Darcy was given a Bubble Machine from Em - my Trainer aka Mistress of Pain. It was THE gift on high rotation all weekend! 

All the girls were given a chance to do some wood chopping kung fu tricks!  They LOVED it!!!  Ryan got to show off a bit too...

Ethan and Jack had their very own little party it seemed.

Notice Kristy one of the mums in the background...is that a champagne glass?  Yes - Peach Bellinis for all the Mums!  And as I told you - here we go with the fingers in the ears for the Happy Birthday song...

Phew...on to Party #4.  The Big Kid's party.  I used the same kungfu panda invites I had whipped up in Photoshop and our friend Liza - whose hubby is in Baghdad - thought that it was totally themed and came in her kungfu gear!!!  We laughed - with memories of that Bridget Jones movie where she turns up at the rather posh party in her Playboy Bunny outfit!  Yep - a group of adults all casually dressed - and one in kungfu jammies!

  She is a good sport our Liza.  Rather a different party to the one we went to for the diplomats in their apartment in Trump Tower in Manhattan last year!

Sarah Robbo has asked a few of us to do a 100km (60mile) bike ride for charity in October. She needs a bike and I offered her my spare.  After a few nice wines she hopped on the back and we gave it a spin...

So - after the world's longest blog post and 4 parties, Darcy is now 5. Hip hip Hooray... Back to work now...  

Doing the Coffee Shop Hop

What better way to spend a cold Monday morning than hopping from coffee shop to coffee shop?  Darcy and I had a lovely morning - firstly at Rosalie for coffee at Salt with Amanda.  Where you get not a cup of coffee but a handle-free bucket!  Which in this weather was most pleasant and hand warming!

Then it was onwards to Toowong to the Newsroom Cafe to meet the lovely Lily of Blockaday http://www.blockaday.com (as you can see - I still am unable to include a link using this not so clever new Typepad... 

We chatted for ages.  Darcy - being 4 - had 2 visits to the loo. What is it with little folk and their strange fascination with public loos? I am horrified!  Hate a Public Loo - unless of course it is the Loo at the Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast!  I could move in there but otherwise, I am strictly a hold on til you get home kind of gal!!  Anyhoo - where did this become a post about public loos?

Lily is to run some (actually heaps!) of classes at Peppermint Stitches.  And I am going to do a few.  She makes the most exquisite pieces!  Interesting, creative and with wonderful colour.  Darcy was on her best behaviour -she quite likes coffee shop hops it seems!  Not one "Poo poo" was heard!  Mind you, it was a visit to the Doctor's this afternoon with another chest infection - asthma, bronchitis thing.  It was a lovely morning out at least!  Lily - I hope we get to sew together some time!  I will bring the vino!

The Darcy Show!

Some of you diehard Miffys World readers might recall back in May when Darcy and I spent a day at Montrose to feature in their Corporate Fundraising Video.  Well, I found out today that it is actually available on their website for one and all to view!  I don't have to run off a CD and post to all of you!  Darcy and I are throughout the video - with my super nasally Aussie voice banging on about how wonderful Montrose is!

  Montrose caters to the physically challenged kids of Queensland.  It has been offering services for 75 years.  Anyway - their http://www.montroseaccess.org.au  is where you can see us (movie is on the frontpage).  Darcy is super cute!

Speaking of today - we were guests at a Montrose Fundraiser at the Races.  I am crap at horse betting.  Darryl as it turns out is rather good!  He had a system - "What would Darc bet on?" Worked as good as any system - remember that study where the chimpanzees did as well on the Share Market as the Stock Brokers??  Yes today was strangely similar to that experiment!! He even had a win betting on the nose!  (Why did he do that - well he thought Darc would put it all on the nose - which is probably right!)  Needless to say, he blew most of it getting a little smart on the last race and taking a boxed trifecta (what on earth is that?) 

And as this blog post is titled The Darcy Show, I would really appreciate some feedback on which of the following photos of Darcy you would prefer to see on my new website frontpage.  She is of course madebymiffy and wearing madebymiffy!!

 

     

A Slipped Halo or maybe a Ring of Confidence?

Glow Sticks are such fun!  Leftover from the Great Pirate Party of July 2008, Jack and Darcy are lucky enough to get 2 each night to take to bed!  As I went to bed last night - here was Jack with his glowing halo or ring of confidence!  Yes - that is his Blankie.  Sssssh... apparently all the boys in 2K still have them and a gorgeous 11 year old boy who shall remain nameless (you know who you are!!) apparently still has his!  They say that kids who hang onto their comforter deal with stress better later on.  Jack will be ace - he plans on never giving his up!  When he was a baby and first clung to his blankie - my Mum had the lady who makes these lacy machine knitted confections churn out a dozen - hand towel sized blankies - so we always had one on the interchange bench.  But as Jackie tells it - it is the holes that he loves - not the knitted part!

Also seen in Jackie's room after dark - night before.... Taungoo the Sock Monster had struck again!

He eats holes in socks!  Mainly Jack's socks.  And mainly when he is especially peeved with us.  Evil Taungoo!  He hops into Jack's closet drawers and stealthily attacks!  Funny little cat - looks like a demon - dark brown Burmese.  A danger to stockinged feet everywhere!

And.....drum roll please... Here are the fruits of my labours of the past few blogless weeks of holiday mayhem here.    And... but wait, there's more...

 Like the covered buttons? 

  And some dresses too...

  I am loving bias tape around arms and hems at the moment and last night, pulled my trusty bias tape maker from it's dusty pack and made me some bias - it is a nice result....

  And before I go, gorgeous Lily from Blockaday (damn you Typepad - I can't do links on this new Beta test version I am using... Blockaday is over in my blogroll - you all know Lily anyway - I have blogged about her before.)  Anyhoo - where was I....  Ahh yes, Lily has bestowed upon me some blog awards!  Isn't she sweet?  Or perhaps clever and making me feel guilty for being such a Blog Philistine for the last month!  I have to away to the Janome - but more on the award - my required acceptance speech and a list of new recipients to bestow accolades and blog bouquets upon!

Hooray for a houseful of Pirates

So tonight was the pirate party for Darry;'s birthday. We all dressed up - kids, adults - all looked ridiculous!  And if it is your birthday - then it is only right that you look the most ridiculous...

 

And if that is so - then it is a wifely duty to look almost as silly...

The problem with my pirate outfit is that I felt as a pirate - I looked an awful lot like Captain Kirk from the waist down.  Do you remember those flared skin tight capri length pants with the tall boot?  let me help jog your memory....

Yes - the old mobile phone even passes for one of those doo dads he used to call back to the Enterprise with and then get beamed up...  Hang on - this was a pirate gig...

  And as the birthday boy - you get to accost the little girls too. 

A fun night in the Stuart household - and yes 2 blog posts in one day.  Why?  Because I ate so much crap party food that I may burst by tomorrow...

And just so you don't think it is total craziness here...

A gorgeous apron for my pirate friend Jen - see her above! Some Swell fabric by Urban Chicks teamed with some lovely Moda Dottie.  And...presentig to you...

My very own Label!!!  Darrylwas surprised that I sew them on the outside - but they are too cute too hide!  And in detail - the pocket finish...   And that my friends is the finish... Now let me go and quietly explode...

Happy Birthday Darryl

Today is Darryl's birthday!  And as he ain't getting any younger, his fitness regime comenced today!  You see, Ms Emma- Mistress of Pain - Personal Trainer and I have been cooking this up for weeks!  And to compliment his new regime - came some fancy new exercise threads... As it was around the 70s since he last exercised - I bought him some retro gear.  You know, KT 26 runners, stubbies (cause I can't for the life of me find anywhere that still sells Scoops - or those fitted t shirts in beige with 'Go Faster Stripes' on the shoulders in brown!)  v neck raglan sleeved t shirt, footy socks, a terry towling giggle hat, and so it goes on!  Em suggested that he couldn't bring water - too trendy - he should bring one of those Coolers with a tap on the bottom - polystyrene - filled with either red codial - or Tang!!!  We have had such a laugh...

He also got Guitar Hero 3 for the PS3 as I always get accused of buying gifts for him that I want... so if I am going to be accused of the crime - I might as well get some enjoyment from the gift! 

Tonight is the Pirate Party Revival.  We had one for his birthday 2 years ago and had a ball!!  Kid's party food and pirate hats, eye patches... so it is off to the party shop for Darcy and I today!

Yesterday, Jackie graded for Martial Arts.  It was a very nervous start... then 2 hours of drills.  No photos of this as Mummy had to leave as Jack was so nervous he kept coming over to me and telling me that he shouldn't have been here.  Darryl suggested I go shopping.  Who was I to oppose this idea?? So on return, they had to wait and wait as all the senior grades were presented first.

Jackie - always one to make himself comfy...  Then drumroll please...

The little guys all still need help with their belts... And a very serious talk from Sensai Matthew... Don't forget the secret handshake...

And it wouldn't be complete without a manly hug...

Of course, a good old fashioned aussie sausage sizzle was had as well as a bring a plate feast.  Aussies have this saying that everyone knows what is expected of them.  Bringing a plate does not indicate a rummage through the china cabinet.  It means to bring a plate of food to share!  Nice concept eh?  I bought along a lovely plate of sangers - smoked salmon, egg, ham - not all combined.  Others brought along a packet of chips (crisps)  Now - that doesn't fit the bring a plate requirements where I come from???  Mind you - the kids thought the masses of chips and cheezels was great!

My new website is humming along.  My sewing goodness is dazzling.  So the next post or soon anyway will be showcasing some new Indie sewing goodness.  Off to the Party supplies store for me!

Is it obvious that Dad is away?

Yep - Dad is in Singapore this week.  So we get to do things that he doesn't like.... One of our favourites is the mouth-filled-with-canned-whipped-cream-trick!  Jack almost chokes on it as he is trying not to laugh whilst I fill up his mouth!  Great fun for us and even more so because Darryl doesn't like us doing it!!

Sewing action... Lily, look at this!  Lily ordered an apron in this divine Japanese fabric. I love the pocket and the mad clash of colours. It was heaps of fun to sew. Thanks for the inspiration Lily.  Now we need to arrange the personal delivery over coffee!

I promise to be a better blogger. I promise to be a better blogger. I promise to...

...be a better blogger. Really I do.  Here are my excuses.

1. Kids - an oldie but a goodie.  Yes they are always there and yes they always keep us busy.  Get over it Louise and get organised you say.  OKAY!  But jeepers - my Palm Pilot is full of red commitments (that's Jack) and not to mention Pink commitments (that would be Darcy!)  Very light on in the blue commitments department, they would be mine!

2. Sewing.  Yay!  That is a great excuse.  I have had a flurry of orders in my etsy store . As well as some custom orders.  If you love gorgeous sewing, visit Blockaday . Lily does exquisite work.  She has ordered one of my half aprons in a very cute Japanese fabric and polka dots. I will post a pic when it is done.  I have also received orders from Leisa. Now I have not met Leisa, but I know her sister Meagan.  You see, Meagan owns a shoe shop and I love shoes. So you could say I have come to know Meagan quite well!  Sadly though she is closing down and we are all rather sad about that.  Leisa has a great blog where you can follow her journey to adopt.  She seems like a fun girl too!

3. Procrastinating. Hmmm... an article to write for Design Dazzle. Yes, an article about the drawers I decorated for Darcy - you remember the ones that Darcy shows so little respect for and everyone else thinks they are lovely?!  Well, Toni, it is on its way soon.  Soon...

Photos - you want to see photos Dad??  Yes, my Dad doesn't contact us much anymore- he catches up on Stuart chaos via the blog.  Easier really isn't it?  And you get the nice version!  I mean you don't get the whingy whiney version. You get my lovely hot coffee, sitting in my sunny office looking at the most glorious winter sky version!  So with that in mind here come the pics...

Sleepover. Yes these 2 argue, fight, and generally act like 2 very close in age siblings. But it warms my heart and offers some relief when they want nothing else but a sleepover in each other's rooms! So for the past 2 nights, Darc has slept in Jack's room. Very cute and I love the 2 for 1 bedtime story deal this arrangement offers!!

Rugby on Saturday. An outing for the clan. Including Mrs Mosely who loves rugby because there are about 300 small folk to play with!  Oh, and 1 big one who takes her for a fast run across the park. Jackie was a bit out of sorts this weekend. He did go for a few runs and made a few good tags. Mind you, they are Under 7s but the air must be fresher out Kenmore way - just look at the size of some of the opposition boys!!

There was a cheersquad too. Darcy and Hatty cheered so loudly for their brothers. Go Jack Robertson, go Jack Stuart sung by their sisters. In only a few years it will probably be reversed with the sisters cheering the other girls' brother!  So cute.

And from the sewing department, we have this:

  Notice anything different about this photo of Darcy in one of my hats??Yes - she is smiling!!!

Additionally, I have been introduced to the joys of stretch fabric sewing! I am almost finished a Donna Karan Vogue pattern for an asymetrical tunic shirt. Very swish.  Will share some pics as soon as it doesn't look like a mish mash of funny shaped pieces!  I tell you, it is an architectural marvel how she puts these patterns together!  Classified as easy - it is anything but.  We figure that 'easy' relates to the quantity of actual seams sewn.  There are few of these - but easy the pattern is not! What is strange for me is the lack of colour. The fabric is a gorgeous slinky black.  Not my usual sewing style - but definitely my winter apparel colour it seems.  Oh - along with white.  Bye dear blog readers - if you have made it this far - thanks!  And I do promise to be a better blogger....

Thank you lovely Lisa!

What a surprise today... I finally got to the Post Office to collect a parcel that had been waiting for me for a few days.  And there - a gorgeous apron for me - made by Lisa.  Thank you Lisa.  I will take a photo and include it here - as it features a beautiful vintage embroidered runner.  Lisa also included a gorgeous towel - also vintage that coordinates beautifully.  Now why you ask did I receive this gift?  Well it was the summer apron swap organised by the tireless Lucy.  What a job - chasing slackers like me who leave it til the last minute then get swamped with other stuff.  Yes - there are 2 words for me - TIME MANAGEMENT..... Mind you - it is so NOT summer here at the moment.  But we Queenslanders get glimpses of summer all year long - just not today!  So summer apron swapping is what we have all been doing.  Mine is on its way to Europe. Swapping is a wonderful way to make the world a smaller place.

So thank you Lisa :)  And thank you for reading my blog and learning about our crazy life!  Please send me your email too!  And get with it girl - blog baby!!!

Jamaican Bobsled team robbed of medal

Brisbane Boys College Junior School Quiz night was on Saturday night. Funny.  Imagine 200 normally sensible, socially responsible adults turning up kitted out in Olympic themed outfits to sit and answer inane questions about, well, just about anything useless and impractical!  There was much food, too much wine and some spectacularly ridiculous outfits.  And I think it fair to say that Grade 2 K parents - the Jamaican Bobsled Team were the most ridiculous.

 That would be a picture of quite normal people - a Dentist, a Barrister, a CEO and a former Wallaby,oh and a Miffy, but what happens when you dress people up in a theme and give them a few vinos, yes silly - they go silly.  Mihaela looks like a cheap Ho, I look like a pasty white rasta granny - and the others - well just ridiculous.

It was heaps of fun.  Mihaela (that would be the one and same Dr Petrou - and I had made bags and bags and bags of fake marijuana consisting of a lovely mix of parsley and camomile tea. We rolled and rolled rolled 100s of parsley spliffs. 

These Performance Enhancing Drugs were handed out far and wide on Saturday night!  There were a number of tables who went as the Drug Testers - which suited us and our fake Jamaican hooch well! 

Darryl actually has a 1976 Australian Team Track suit - and he loved to tell people how he got it - and how it still fits!  He was in the 1983 Australian Team at the Hot Air Balloon World Cup (yes he was 12 at the time *wink*) and the team got leftover Aussie 76 Olympic trackies.  Very retro in 2008.

That would be Mark and I doing a fake drug deal.  Evidence Mark, evidence...

 

The only downer of the night was that we didn't win the best dressed table.  Now we had the most ridiculous looking people - I think a prerequisite for a fancy dress prize - we had reggae music blaring from our boom box, we had fake dope, incense, snowball marshmallows and who could forget our bobsled... But not good enough.  Beaten by a bunch of 70s dressing badminton players.Robbed!

 That just could be Sean's Dreadlocks...  He looked the part with his boombox and joint.

Another bobsled pic. Darcy is well impressed with Mihaela's box collage!  Darcy is if you recall the queen of box collage.

The highlight for me was Hugo.  I laughed myself silly - his bouncy afro wig and Puma running pants - well, what do you think? Those pants are a worry - he owned those before the night...

Fake spliffs in mouth.  Seriously going for a fake bobsled run.  Ridiculous... Grown men - really.

Eva and Hugo having a ride on the sled.  Now, here is my favourite pic of the night... Kinda blurry - laughing far too much...

This was the Me Too card. Featuring Aussie Prime Minister Mr Krazy Kev Rudd who having never had an original useful idea in memory inspired the card tables could pay $20 to use to gain as many points as the School Principal's table on a topic about - the school Principal!!

There was also a Prize auction and silent auction.  Great fun.  I bid here, I bid there.  Heck I even bid on a Camper van for 7 days in New Zealand.  There were no airfares included but that didn't seem to matter on the night!  Phew - lucky for me I was not the winner.  I think that van may well have become my home!

But what happened when they read out the winning bids on - a telescope, a beauty package and a piece of jewellry.  Yep - me - I was the winner.  Which meant Darryl Breadwinner Stuart was the loser!!!  Auction Slag is my new name!  But I think that even though the telescope is not the Hubble it shall  be really nice for Jack.  The beauty pack and the jewellry will be lovely too...  So glad I didn't have to pay for the Campervan prize too....

Last but not least, here is Belinda, Grade 2 Ks teacher in her new Madebymiffy apron!   I also donated a custom apron in the auction as a prize.

Oh - there is a Badminton player in the background - the winners of the best dressed table. Robbed I say!!