I love my girls. Love them. They are beautiful and funny – but more importantly they are sweet-hearted human beings. I always imagined being a mother to boys – but life had other plans and I’m more than OK with that.
This post seemed timely as I’m actually solo with the girls at the moment as the husband is away in Malaysia fishing (no he didn’t fly with Malaysia Airlines) until mid next week.
My girls… Giselle and Zoe – the very best of friends. Just a random shot one night when they were being funny and sweet to each other. I love the spontaneity and love in this shot.
I made them some tops for the girls earlier this year – then I lost my blog drive (now recovered – and I save everything to Google Drive now!). It’s on the long list of things I need to blog about… and I’m finally getting there… unfortunately it’s been a long hard road this year, in every sense – but I will get there.
It’s The Little Truck Stop Top by The Makers’ Journal from Stitch56 (and sent to me by Stitch 56). It’s such a simple little pattern – perfect for using up your scraps and sending the kids to the remanent bin to find fabric for their next one! More about the make later in the post.
It’s so cold this winter and I need to channel some virtual sunshine into my life – so here they are. And I’ll probably be making more this spring and summer for them.
The crazy kid on the left is Giselle – she is going to need a riot squad as a chaperone when she grows up. She is a beautiful, generous soul with a wicked sense of humour… She ‘brings me back’ with a hug and a kiss when ‘Mummy looks far away’. I’ve always described her as the child that God trapped a ray of sunshine inside and it’s so true. She was an adorable little tot, always giggling and smiling… and making me giggle and smile… she still does…
She’s always been so joyous…
this one kills me every time. So beautiful.
… and the one on the right is my ‘big girl’ Zoe Rose. She’s so sombre and serious at times. She saves her money – and buys shares as investment… she’s a beautiful dancer… she studies hard… she’s one of the most driven individuals I’ve ever met. What makes me most proud? She stands up for the kids that can’t stand up for themselves, even at her own personal expense. She’s got opinions about bullies, boat people, gay marriage and discrimination. She’s quietly extraordinary. The world needs more people with big hearts and open minds like my beautiful, brave Zoe.
She’s amazingly poised & elegant for her age
I’m terrified of her growing up, she’s too gentle & soft to get her heart broken.
The LITTLE TRUCK STOP TOP by The Makers’ Journal…
There is always water somewhere nearby! People get married every weekend at this beautiful place and now padlocks are appearing on the wires with the couples’ names engraved on them.
Such a simple and quick little make this Little Truck Stop Top – these will pop up a lot in their summer wardrobes. They are loose through the body which makes them cool and easy to wear – and hence very popular with the girls. Zoe also loves to throw her top over her leotard between dance classes.
I opted not to attach the frill to the hem – my girls are not the frilly types. While Zoe may dance obsessively, she’s got a rock ‘n’ roll, boho personal style thing going on (she loves leopard print and wears a fedora in summer) and Giselle is a low-fuss gal. That said, I think the frill is gorgeous – but perhaps on girlier girls than mine 🙂
Once you attach one edge of the binding strips to the arm and neck you then leave the other edge raw. It creates a really cool little finish as the binding curls over a little. Making the tops look a little bit cool’. The hemline is just finished with the rolled stitch on my overlocker. They take no time to make and kids love them.
With Zoe’s top I rolled the binding over on the sleeve edges as an experiment to see what a clean edge would look like. I prefer the raw edge finish TBH.
Zoe is tall and very lean, so she wears her top with a singlet underneath (she’s also a layering junkie like her mother – must be in the DNA).
The pattern is beautifully presented. It is vacuum packed and printed on environmentally friendly recycled paper. It’s also got detailed instructions and comes complete with some fabric swatches so you know that types/weights of fabric will be suitable. You can see the packaging here on the Stitch 56 site.
We recently had a road trip together, just the three of us. We had such a lovely time… we did the much-wanted trip to Dreamworld… which despite all the anticipation wasn’t quite what they hoped… although we had lots of laughs which I needed…
Yes, Giselle is always slightly crazy…
I couldn’t figure out if Giselle was trying to save Zoe… perhaps not…
and the things they loved the most on the road trip?
Staying on the top floor…
I confess I wasn’t a huge fan of the ‘water view’, the river is brown! #spoiltcoastal girl
Walking along the river at night…
They loved our evening walks before dinner – there was lots of games and giggles.
Visiting my grandfather’s house Glengallen (my grandfather was born in this house) near Warwick on the Darling Downs in Queensland…
I was always captivated by this house growing up – it was amazing to finally walk through the doors and see it partially restored. As a child I had only ever seen it derelict with the verandahs collapsing and windows smashed. I had always wondered about the house & the lives lived here – it’s just magnificent, I’m so glad we visited.
Horseriding for the first time…
I was shivering behind the camera – so cold! Thank goodness my cousin Megan is made of tougher stuff than me. #spoiltcoastalgirl
Staying in a little tiny cottage – even though it was freezing cold…
Yes, let’s all play ‘spot the ‘townie girl’ car’. I stayed in this cottage often as a child. It was referred to as Camp David. LOL. It’s been spruced up and there are even stairs into the cottage – I used to clamber up via a big rock – which was quite a feat… I was absolutely tiny as a child.
Feeding beautiful birds on a cold winter’s morning…
Rosellas at Queen Mary Falls
They are already talking about going back…
like the Little Truck Stop Top… the simple things in life are the best…
Thanks for reading 🙂
MAKE DETAILS
Pattern: Truck Top Tee, The Makers’ Journal from Stitch 56
Fabric: remnants from Spotlight & Lincraft!
I love this dorky picture – it’s just happy.
and beautiful morning view at the holiday cottage…
Such a beautiful cold clear morning… although they need some rain…
Sew Busy Lizzy 
Such beautiful girls you have! Perfect tops as well. 🙂
Thank you so much – I’m a proud mum 🙂
This is such a lovely post. You are blessed twice, by your girls, and your ability to realize what a treasure they are. I’m glad you are feeling better!
Thanks Becky, I decided the best way forward was to get busy and focus on my happy moments. It’s easy to get swallowed up.
What a lovely post and your girls are gorgeous.
Thank you xo
Loved this post….enjoy your girls Lizzy!
It was a joy to write. Love my girls
Lovely post! Beautiful girls and beautiful tops.
Thank you 🙂
Gorgeous girls, gorgeous post. So glad you have these lovely treasures brightening every day and your words about them will certainly be treasured by them in years to come
It’s so easy to let the moments slip by, forgetting about the simple little moments but that’s where the greatest joys are to be found.
Your girls are beautiful girls. I adore the way you talk about them. Such love. With three girls of my own, I get that.
We are lucky mums 🙂
What a lovely post – I’m sure your daughters will love to read this when they’re older, to see how much they mean to you.
Beautiful post Lizzy and beautiful beautiful girls – their spirits really shine through in your lovely pictures! Love their tops and that ol’ Queenslander! Amazing! Chris’ parents are from Warwick, so I’m in that part of the world reasonably often. I love those old Queenslanders…makes me want to sit on the porch all afternoon with a XXXX…make that a Coopers 😛
This is such a beautiful post! Your girls are amazing!
Treasured girls in lovely tops made with creativity and caring!! Such fortunate girls and Mum!
Thanks so much for sharing your skills, touching pics, and your country with us!
I know sometimes it’s so hard to get going. Appreciate the gumption you wrestled up!
From across the world in Texas where it’s 100°℉
Aw I loved reading this post Lizzy, especially finding out more about your beautiful, BEAUTIFUL girls! They look fab in their new tops. So glad you all enjoyed your road trip. xx
Awwww your girls are so adorable, cute, and beautiful all at the same time! And they look so much like you! Lovely post 🙂
Such beautiful girls…inside and out. You are right to be proud of them.
I love how your describe your girls, such love and admiration. These tops are darling and your daughters look so cute wearing them.
What a treat to see and read about your two remarkable girls. I love their individuality and independence. They’ll both do well in the world. I recognize a lot of myself in your oldest daughter. I know she’ll be fine, but understand your worry, too. In the end, we have to be true to ourselves.
Lovely, lovely, post.
this was a joy to read & see!!!
Your girls are so beautiful just like their mama. You should be very proud (and you clearly are!). I have a tear in my eye after reading that!
They are both gorgeous girls!
Your girls sound wonderful, so strong and confident. I also have a daughter who marches to the beat of her own drum. At times when she was younger, it did my head in but now I realise, at 18, she has the skills and strength to deal with anything life throws at her! I am loving being part of her life as she goes out into the world as a young woman.
Kia Kaha Lizzie (means stay strong in Maori)
You have such gorgeous girls! I’m trying to make things for my boys, but I’m still to much into the girly thing. Will have to change my ways eventually….
Your girls sound just lovely. Love hearing about them!
They are both so incredibly gorgeous and such distinct personalities too! It sounds like a great trip, I love hearing how you’re all doing!
Lizzy. Next time you’re in town with the girls, come over for a Greek dinner.
This made my heart melt. That is all 😀
You have beautiful girls and there is so much love between them, it’s a treasure. Happy mum! Enjoy
Lovely post and such beautiful girls!! Looks like you had a lovely trip.
This was a beautiful post – you are one lucky mum to have 2 beautiful girls….I have a very strong willed 2 year old who has a wicked personality and I’ve been on the fence about having another but you’ve pushed me over the edge hearing how much they get on and care for each other.
They adore each other… so much so they still share a bedroom – they could have their own room but they prefer to be together. They refer to each other as Big Sis and Little Sis. So cute.
Beautiful 🙂 It’s great to hear the love behind your words!!
Your girls seem wonderful and it is lovely they get along so well.
This is such a great post! You sound like the best kind of mum – proud but willing to let your daughters grow as independent & strong individuals – no wonder they both look so happy! They sound like wonderful girls and your post has made me look forward to my wee boy getting older rather than dreading how quickly he’s growing!
A very touching post, indeed! Lovely girls in a loving family.
It seems like you had a wonderful time together, and the girls look wonderful. I can see why they make you so happy. Funny how you thought it would always be boys – life never seems to go to plan but sometimes that’s for the better. Enjoy your time together and the tops look great! Loving your blog. Take care x
I discovered your blog when looking up the Anna Dress by By Hand London. I love finding Aussie sewing bloggers!
My Great Great (Great?) Grandfather had the store at Glengallen! and a such many of my relatives were born there too!
That’s AMAZING! It’s an interesting place to visit these days… although I was fascinated by the photographs of my grandfather & great grandparents that are there!