Family

In loving memory - my darling Dad

April 04, 2013

 
My darling Dad, John Patrick Hingston, died yesterday morning.  He was diagnosed five months and three days ago with Stage IV lung cancer after heading to hospital with some shortness of breath.  My Dad smoked most of his adult life.  I never saw my Dad smoke.  It was something he was not proud of and an addiction he did not want people to see.  Of course we all knew and although we didn't like it, we accepted it because we loved him. 

My Dad was an amazing man - an amazing husband and father to six very proud children.  He was a teacher who inspired so many students and when I look at the life he lead I feel so proud of what he has achieved.  He lived a life of simple values and lived his life right.  He was a loving man, a funny man, an extremely intelligent man, a fun Grandpa and such an amazingly wonderful person. 

My dad turned sixty five two months ago and we had an amazing celebration for his birthday where he shared great conversations with friends and family and where he also heard many affirming things about himself.  This was such a fabulous opportunity for him and us.  He also shared a special day with us at my sister's wedding just two and half weeks ago.  We were all so fortunate that he was well enough to enjoy in such a magical day.

I love my Dad and will miss him incredibly.  I am so glad to be here with my amazing family.
 
John Patrick Hingston
3/2/1948 - 3/4/2013
 
 

Family

My sister's wedding - a very special occasion

March 18, 2013

My beautiful sister Elizabeth married her gorgeous fiance, Michael on Saturday.   
It was a magical day for all of us, not only because Elizabeth and Michael were married but also because my gorgeous Dad was able to walk my sister down the aisle and share in this day with us.  As some of you may have read here, my beautiful Dad is not well and so these moments were extra precious.
For those who have followed my blog in the past couple of weeks, you will have known that my sister Jules and I have been busy making these lovely little flowergirl outfits. My older sister, Jacinta wanted to help too and she made the gorgeous head wreaths from fabric roses, leaves and ribbons.  The ouftits came together so well and all the kids looked so cute. 
Little Juliette overcame her self consciousness and walked down the aisle with Lil.  So sweet.  Lil wore a different dress than was originally planned as she is now expecting.  The other two lovely bridesmaids, Josie and Alicia wore beautiful mint green dresses that matched the flowergirl sashes.
Elizabeth looked so amazing.  Her dress was handmade and was absolutely stuning.  The bridesmaids all looked so pretty too.
 
Oh so angelic! 
We managed a not too bad family photo, although Juliette managed to find her finger (her comfort habit I need to break!).  Emily and her little cousing Poppy also wore the same outfits as the girls - just for cute factor!!  A rare moment for me to see stefan in a suit - I am used to seeing him with his tool belt and a cap on!
Mum and Dad with the happy couple.
Love.
 
 

Dresses

Happy Birthday Emily!!

March 04, 2013


Our gorgeous darling little Emily turned one year old today.

 
We met with my Mum and Dad, sister and Emily's cousins yesterday for a picnic at the lovely Collingwood children's farm.  I quickly snapped some pics of Emily in her new birthday dress before it got covered in dirt, orange juice and cake.
 

Here is her birthday dress washed and ironed today.  I used my pattern again - using size 1 for Emily.  The pockets and sleeves I printed myself with cut up apple and fabric paint on calico.  In training for Leslie Keating's handprinted fabric swap!

 
I started this softie a few months ago after being inspired by this gorgeous one I found on pinterest.  He sat for a while in my 'to do' bag and finally was finished a few days ago for little Emily.
 
 
I made the pattern myself.  He is made from leftovers from Isabella's winter jacket.  I knitted the little scarf from lefover 3 ply wool from Isabella's first ever little bonnet.
 

I made Emily a little long sleeve top from some sweet jersey I picked up at Spotlight.  I havent' decided if it's too 'pjamarish' or not!


Love my twin stretch needle for stretch edging.


Emily getting acquainted with her new friend!



Happy Birthday sweet darling!! Emily is on track for walking at my sister's wedding - took her first steps yesterday!
 
Linking up here for the first time.

Family

My Dad

November 20, 2012

 
Here are my beautiful parents, John and Catherine.  My Dad was diagnosed with lung cancer three weeks ago.  We are waiting for him to start chemotherapy and cherishing time with him and all our family.  I am one of six children and have had the most amazing upbringing thanks to these two beautiful, caring and selfless people and my awesome two brothers and three sisters.  I feel so lucky to be part of such a loving family. 

Sewing posts may be a bit scarcer in the coming months as we will all be trying to spend as much time with Dad as possible.

Here's a beautiful photo of Mum and Dad 40 + years ago when they first met.  So cute!

Birthdays

A Royal Party

July 29, 2012

When I suggested a "Royal" theme to Isabella when planning her fourth birthday party, she was super excited - mostly about having a castle cake.  Of course I should have taken a better photo before all the guests arrived and I was too busy to take the time, but anyway, here it is.  I spent most of the day on Friday in the kitchen.  The girls and I were up to our eyeballs in cake mixture.  Five x cake recipe = 5 cups of flour, 5 cups of sugar, 10 eggs, 200g butter, 200g cocoa, 1 tablespoon vanilla essence, zest and juice of three oranges and 2 cups of milk to be precise.  The icing was made from cream cheese, icing sugar, cocoa and orange juice.  Issie and Juliette thought it was the best day ever.  Licking beater after beater clean of choc/orange cake mixture. Yum! 

Issie and I worked on moulding the mushrooms, doors, windows, flags and princess from royal icing a few days before which was lots of fun.  I finished the cake Friday afternoon and then had the evening while the kids slept to ice it. Unfortunately by morning, the ice cream cone turrets were looking a bit limp from soaking up all the icing, but they managed to stand up to the heat blasting from our heater on the day and all the kids were still impressed!
Isabella loved wearing her princess dress which I made from a recycled skirt, topped with some apricot tuille. (Note the tissue mopping up a runny nose!)

Overall, I think the Royal party was a success, although I think my birthday princess was a little overwhelmed with a house full of people - 16 kids (plus adults) all inside due to bad weather!

And I have to show off my sister Jules' crafty work.  While I was busy making cake, she was busy making this beautiful gift for Issie.
Knock, knock...
How cute is this??? Two little felt girls in their bed with a chest of drawers full of clothes!

Thanks Jules - such a gorgeous gift!
Isabella still in her dress five hours later, enjoying playing with one of her gifts after a big, big day!
Happy Birthday to my first beautiful girl! x




Family

Humpty Dumpty

April 01, 2012

I've been rather absent from Blogland lately but have a sweet creation to share.  I made this cute little top for Juliette from some great nursery rhyme fabric I picked up at Spotlight last week (for only $10.49 per metre I should add).
I only bought 30 cm of it and another print (The three little pigs) as I was being very controlled and did not have a project in mind. Because there was not quite enough length in that to make a top, I added the red and cream trim to the bottom which I think works nicely!  I traced the pattern from a sweet top a friend gave us for Emily and enlarged it.
Juliette is looking so grown up - I can't believe she will be turning two in a month's time.
The 'big girls' enjoying exploring Montsalvat this morning on an expedition with 'Nanny England' (Stefan's Mum is staying with us for a month visiting from the UK).  We've never visited there before - a really lovely spot for breakfast and an explore around the beautiful grounds.

Baby

This week

February 02, 2012

Here are a few things that have been happening this week...
Cuteness in the vegie patch...
Great success in cooking my first ever batch of macarons!!
The last three squares for my evolving scrappy quilt completed...
One gorgeous cream cardi from my beautfiul Mum for our babe...
Five weeks to go!!

Baby projects left to start (and finish):
  • 1 x chocolate brown mohair teddy bear (eagerly awaiting supplies in the mail)
  • 1 x small nappy bag with change mat to keep in the car or pram
  • 2 x appliqued bodysuits
  • 2 x nurses outfits and a doctor's case for the girls to play with as a gift from me when they come to visit me and their new brother or sister in hospital! Isabella is getting right into performing 'check ups' on her little toys and I know she will love a little outfit, some colourful bandaids and some doctors tools to make the play complete!
I'm linking up today with Our Creative Spaces.

Dresses

Monkey Man and some bits and pieces

January 01, 2012

This is Monkey Man - one of my homemade gifts for Christmas.  This one was made for my little nephew, Hamish.
Another Hop Skip Jump pattern.  I also made one for my other nephew, sporting navy overalls - but I didn't manage to get a picture in the Christmas mayhem. 
Here is a dress I made for Isabella's little friend - also for Christmas.  I made the pattern up - just shirring around the top and some little tie straps.  I added scalloped lace along the hems and pockets.
Issie unwrapping her Kangaroo and Joey (see post below for details of their creation).
Back from a lovely week in Warrnambool.  Beautiful weather. Arrived home to Melbourne yesterday to four days of 35 + degrees - not fun.  Thank goodness for air conditioning.