Tuesday, February 2, 2010

While the man of the house is away...

The Beloved, who this year is entering the Land of Full Time PhD Study (let us never speak of it again!), has abandoned* us for almost two weeks. In order to stay sane, I have bribed my good friend, upstairs-neighbour and refashion-recipient Sonia to do a little babysitting. I'll be paying her back handsomely, but I sweetened the deal by making this little obi-belty-cummerbundy thingamy... before I asked her to drop down at 7am so I could get out for a run!







This all fits in with my playing-around in order to find a good gift to make for friends this year. I'll do a few different things next time - perhaps leave out the padding, widen it a little for those of us with slightly more generous waistlines, and play around with the gathers. But mostly, I'm happy, and so is she. Apart from the babysitting bit.
*gone far away to locum and earn some money in order to support our family. That's the definition of abandonment, isn't it?!

16 comments:

  1. Oh Gina - feeling sorry for you guys, here I was feeling a bit sad 'cos Stu is away tomorrow for one night! Let me know if you need any company/zoo trip etc. Hope the locum goes smoothly and is worth it.

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  2. I love it! A friend made me a Japanese fabric patchworky (I know it sounds awful but it is wonderful) obi a few years ago and I love it. I wear it all the time and with everything. I think it'll definitely sweeten her up.

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  3. Looks so good, does she get the dress too, nice match?? All the best as 'dual solo' parent, that's what the military call it. Feel free to chat to me, i have over 300 days without my husband this year, he's a soldier, enough said. Lucky you to have a friendly neighbour, my 4 are in school now (year 1 to year 6) so that's my time off, when i go to work. Happy sewing, it's a nice way to pass long lonely nights, it's how i got started as a young Army wife still at Uni, but left on my own, a lot!! Love Posie

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  4. Yep, definitely abandonment, not responsible adultness. I am still walking-challenged but we must playdate!

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  5. wow this is great, i really like the gathers. i'm a bit slow... i just sent you an email explaining how i made mine! i really like the dress in this photo, too.

    x isis

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  6. What a lovely gift.... I wish I received handmade goodies for babysitting duty!

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  7. Know the feeling and yes, how can it not feel like abandonment no matter what the reason... the problems start when you get along just fine without them! ;) The obi is just gorgeous and your friend sounds lovely too :) K

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  8. Hope all goes well for the next couple of weeks! Cute belty thing too. I've been thinking of making something similar for some time, even have a pattern somewhere. Shame I have completely lost all sewing mojo- but I know it will be back!

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  9. Ohhhh, you made me drool. That is FANTASTIC Gina. Love, love, love it.

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  10. I would babysit at 7am any day for a cool gift like that.

    Feeling for you big time at the mo, I find it hard enough living with a writer but I couldn't imagine doing it with a full-time PhD-er!

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  11. I love the obi belt it is really cute! I am feeling for you with your husband away, and with his PhD. I hope you kids are good to you. If I was in Melbourne I'd totally babysit for a an obi!

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  12. Maybe a less bulky padding...but I love red and spot... I must also get around to making one of these hehehehe

    xo Steph

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  13. Hope you are surviving without your love. The belty-thingamajig looks fabulous. xx

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  14. what...you need another babysitter??!! very nice.
    hope the time flys quickly & the abandonment is no more!

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