Monday, October 5, 2009

6 weeks and counting!

Rachel and me

Grace and Rachel

Grace, Liam, Rachel and Joshy.

Hello friends and family, hoping you are all well and keeping out of mischeif. To all those of you who have been enjoying the recent dust storms, lol, how did you fare? Hopefully no body was too seriously stricken by the dust. We seemed to just cop sore throats and dry eyes. We kept the windows and doors shut when we could stand the heat as to not welcome to much into our home.

Well my little princess Rachel is 6 and a half weeks old now. Been a little bit unsettled of late, but nothing she won't get through I am sure. Bit windy is all. She is so delightful and is talking and smiling at us when we focus our attention and converstation her way. The top photo of her and I was taken a few hours ago on the web cam, but the other ones of the kids were a couple of weeks ago. She looks different to that already. Alert and strong and very aware of what is happening around her.

The two big boys are on school holidays, well one started back today actually. It has been lovely having them at home, and at Grandma and Grandads. Matty (hubby) took the two boys away for a week to a job he had in Sarina, and the eldest three have spent time off and on at my parents, so all in all a lovely relaxing holiday for everyone, especially me lol.

Ok, Rachel must have sensed i had sat down to type, as she has just woken up crying. I tell you, I can do housework, cooking or anything but sit down and she won't wake, soon as i have some ME time, she wakes up wanting my attention. Oh well, that is what it is all about isn't it. I shall enjoy the time with her this little while i have it. Ok friends, that was quicker than i had planned but it is a good excuse to come back and do another one real soon. Let you know what I have been up to in the crafty department. Much love to you all, Ali

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Welcome Rachel Bethany !


Hello lovely friends and family. Sorry to take so long to announce our Princess. We welcomed Rachel Bethany into our hearts and family on Friday at 11.06am. We ended up going in on the Thursday night for an induction but nothing happened during the night, so in the morning my waters were broken and another two hours went by with still nothing. So with the threat of the syntocin drip I headed out to the stair well. Before long I was in the middle of 2 minutely contractions with which I waddled ever so slowly back to birth suite where I anticipated all sorts of interference. Thankfully they could tell I was in proper regular labour, so they left me to it. I hopped straight into the shower and stayed there till she slid out. From beginning to end of labour was 1 hour and 22 minutes. So it was intense and effective and ever so unfomfortable lol. But out she came all 7lb 9ozs of her. She is just delicious. She seems so very tiny and fragile and my other three kiddies seem so much bigger than they did only a few days ago. My husband has been such a blessing and has been getting in there holding the fort while I recover and spend time with our little one. He was fabulous during labour and came in the shower with me fully dressed mind you, and rubbed my back during each contraction and sprayed the warm water where it hurt most. It was very comforting knowing he was with me and I felt like it was a team effort this time. Treasured memories for sure. Ok well, so pleased to have the labour and birth behind us now as we look forward to our future with our ever growing family. Blessings to you all as you embrace what each days brings to your families. Much love to you all. ox Ali

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

10 Days overdue

Hello friends, well, just a quick post to let you know what is happening with this baby. I am 10 days overdue now and booked for an induction in less than an hour now. So thought I would take one last pic (with my video cam lol) as I am hoping to come home a little smaller in a few days. I had my first two boys induced and then my daughter came on her own and now number four reverting back to induction. Not sure what the go is there but at least I know the time till I meet her will be short. (hopefully). So this is me saying goodbye and hope to talk to you soon. Will do a post when I get home from Hospital with my special news and photos. We think it is a girl, but now I am starting to wonder if maybe it is a boy, late like the others. Anyway, we shall know soon. We covet your prayers as we go and face this adventure. Blessings to you all and will be in touch soon I am sure. oxox Ali

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

6 weeks to go!


Hello friends. It has been ages I know and I do apologise for that. I won't go on with how slack I am etc, you understand I am sure. Well i have been rather busy in fact. I have realised that when I am pregnant or just had a baby I tend to get creative and start something. Well this time has been no different. I decided in the end to start making my stationery and giftware once again and only offering it wholesale through my old domain Miss Ali's. I got it up and designed and stocked this week and it didn't take me long at all. I had been using a paper catalogue which I had done up recently so it made the whole process so much quicker. Anyway, I now have to turn around and actually make the products up and hope to do so before this little girl is born. So if I do get any orders around that time I can simply pop them in a box and be done with it. So if you were a Retailer of Miss Ali's products in the past or would like to be in the future be sure to pop on over and sign up for your Wholesale account. I am not officially open yet but will be able to start filling orders in the next couple of weeks. I have some new product ranges too which is fun and offers a nice selection for Retailers accross Australia.


PS. Baby Lily has been renamed lol. My hubby hadn't warmed to that gorgeous name and has chosen to call her Rachel. So Rachel it is, he chose our other daughters name as well, and I figure it is a great way to have him feel included as so far it has all been me enjoying ( and not so enjoying) the adventure.

New! Ribbon Plaques

Monday, May 4, 2009

And the winner is...

number 6: Carol at Antique Rose Designs, for her daughter. Many thanks to all who commented on the clips post below. Carol if you would like to contact me with your choice of the sets below cutie and your address and I can send those out to you shortly. Congratulations!!

Monday, April 27, 2009

100th Post Blog Giveaway

My little angel modelling some of my newest creations - hair clips!


- Precious Lily Handmade Vintage Design -
is my new logo for my handmade products.
Inspired by my little bump Lily.


Hello everyone, I have been itching to sit and blog, but being at number 100 post, I kept putting it off till I had something to use for my giveaway. I still haven't thought of anything big or amazing, but have been making some gorgeous little yo yo hair clips and thought I would show you those. If anyone would like a set, then make a comment on this post and I will draw a name out of the hat next Tues. I know they won't be everyones cup of tea, as they are probably more suited to the little princess in your life, or I guess could be worn as a brooch to spruce up a cardi or something for you. Anyway, if anyone would like to enter, then comment here, and the winner will be notified next Tues and will be offered their choice of the three sets shown below. That is it. Simple as anything.

Set 1

Set 2

Set 3


This photo shows the back of one of the clippies.
Strong alligator style, pinch and slide on, then let go.
And these tiny little ones I made for the little baby girls at TLC in Africa where my precious friend Tammy has just gone back over to a few weeks ago. TLC is a loving orphange that take in abandoned babies and looks after them and most of the time finds loving adoptive homes for them. The precious babies have black afro hair as you can imagine so I made these with black tiny clips which will be camoflage in their hair and will just be a burst of colour.

Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Back in the Saddle!

Boy it felt good yesterday to have a lovely friend over and to start getting creative again. It has been soooo long since I have done any designing or creating. Pretty much since late last year. So yesterdays fun was very welcome and has helped me to enjoy a side to me that I had just about shut out. I just realised this post is number 99 so out of tradition, I will try and make the next one a giveaway post. Will have a think about it and let you know. Ok, as I promised in the last post, I have included some photos of my card making yesterday. I may look back in a few months and cringe at my first attempts lol, but hey, it has been about 6 months since I have done anything at all remotely creative. So here goes, be kind... ox Ali










Here are some of the coordinating envelopes I did for each one. Ciao for now lovelies. ox Ali

Sunday, April 12, 2009

How blessed are We?

It has been so very long since my last post and for that I apologise. I just have felt like I had nothing worth sharing. But seeing as I got a new background image from a very generous lady and made myself a new matching banner, I thought I better share something with you.

We have just sold our house and had it settle a couple of days ago. We have moved to a new suburb and we are in and so happy in our new home. It is much bigger than the last place we called home. We have been so very blessed and our Precious Father has had His faithful hand over this whole process.

Matt has been away a lot of late which has been hard to take. My emotions have been all over the place with the move and the pregnancy and then being left alone with the three kids so much of the time. To be honest I started to come undone today. I cried alot of the day with so many mixed emotions and a heavy heart. I am yet to find my purpose this year. I have felt so lost and not sure what to do with myself.

Anyway, I won't let it beat me, and will make sure I overcome this heaviness soon. Thank you to all of you who visit me even though it has been so long between posts. I have just started to sort out my new studio here at the new home and have been starting to collect card making things again. I am going to try my hand at real handmade cards without my trusty computer, so that should be fun. I have a friend coming over to get creative with me so that will be nice. See what we come up with and I may post some photos of our first lot of creations if we can come up with some on Tues.

Our pregnancy is progressing well. We have named our little bump Lily already, so we don't have to say 'the baby' or 'it'. We shall see whether she keeps her bump name or takes on a different one as we get closer and more serious about names. For now, Lily sits well with us and it is such a dear name. I am 23 weeks pregnant now and time is going rather quickly. I have been more tired this time around and out of breath a lot of the time. My fitness has hit rock bottom I am afraid and I am already dreaming of the day when Lily will be in my arms and I will be able to get fit and healthy and feel myself again. Counting down the days...

Well I truly hope you are all well. I have been lurking around some of your blogs of late and they really do help me. You inspire me to be creative and I just love looking at all of your finds and creations. I don't seem to get out much so seeing your adventures is the next best thing.

Love to you all and talk again real soon. ox Ali

Saturday, February 14, 2009

Expecting....


Hello, hello after so very long. What a year already hey? Just wanted you to all know that I was still alive. I know it must have seemed as though I had dropped off the face of the earth. I am sorry that I haven't been around for ages. Lots has happened since we last spoke. The day after i announced the closure of Miss Ali's late last year, I found out I was pregnant with our fourth baby. That kind of through a spanner in the works as far as this years plans were concerned lol. I should have learned by now not to put to much weight on MY plans. I have had a very rough and crook last few months. Morning sickness this time started at 5 weeks and came with a vengence. It is only just starting to subside in the last couple of weeks thankfully. Some days i feel ok and others just awful. I have popped out earlier this pregnancy too and already look pregnant at just 15 weeks. Bub is due early August. We are very excited to welcome a new little one into our home.

I started the year home schooling my eldest, but unfortunatly it only lasted two weeks. I then decided that it was the best thing for him to go back to his old private school. It is a fantastic school and he was showing many signs of boredom. So he and our younger one were enrolled again and now i find myself sitting home, growing and doing nothing of what i had planned for this year. I have my little princess home with me and we have been enjoying our days together. She is looking forward to a baby to look after also.

I have had a lovely break from Miss Ali's and designing etc. I haven't really touched any of it since I closed the website and I must say it has been so nice to be free from the pressure of it all. When I began feeling awful I was so thankful I had closed down just in time. I am not sure if I will do anything work wise in the near future. I will see how my days unfold. For now I am enjoying just being wife and mother.

Ok well that is enough from me for this first post back. I don't want to shock any of you lol, that is if any of you still visit. I will attempt to post often and keep in touch with you all. Hoping you are all well and not being affected by the financial crisis worldwide, the floods, fires and every other disaster that seems to be present the world over. Has anyone else been thinking the world has gone mad. I think we are seeing the beginning of the end of the world as we know it. Much is said in Scripture about this very time we are in. Don't be ignorant of what is coming friends, open your bibles if you have one and see for yourselves that much of what we are seeing now has been foretold for our benefit in Scripture so that we might be prepared. Blessings to all of you who seek the God of Israel. Ali xo