Malachi
Day trip with Daddy
Jul 30th
Malachi and Daddy went on a day trip of sorts a week or so ago – Daddy needed to study for youth group so the little man got to go along for the ride These photos were taken at Mt Glorious.
Mid-year update
Jul 24th
After having a few people (lovingly of course) provoke me, I am finally here updating our blog. The last three months have been an absolute whirlwind, Jeremy had three work-related trips to SE Asia (Hong Kong and mainland China), we had conference at church, youth camp and Jeremy had a trip to the USA for a church conference in California! Of course that was on top of the usual craziness of life in the Smith house! Jer has resigned from his job at Pool Systems (effective 17th August) and is taking a full time position on the church staff as youth and music director. We’re all very excited about what the Lord has coming up for our family!
The children are all growing quickly – Malachi is such a little man now. Brianna is being challenging but is enjoying learning to read and some early numeracy skills. Ellia is … well, Ellia – she’s unique and wonderful, hyperactive and incredibly affectionate!
Now for some photos… My camera has been out of action since earlier this year due to me losing the battery for it (and no I have no idea how I actually managed to do that). However, last month I got a new phone and it actually takes pretty decent photos – not as good as Jer’s new phone… but that’s not the point!
This key rack was made for Mr and Mrs John after Mrs John mentioned they needed to get a new one as the old one was getting a bit tired in it’s old age. We were hoping to have it done for her birthday but it ended up being about a week later! From L-R the handprints are Bella’s, Binna’s and Malachi’s. I did a practice run of Malachi’s on a piece of paper which worked wonderfully only then he didn’t want to do it again on the “real thing”!
This pelican lives outside Mr and Mrs John’s front door – the girls think it is designed for riding on, so of course Malachi has copied them. He got off before I got the photo tho! So cute!!!!!
This photo was taken mid July while we were at the airport waiting to pick daddy up from his trip to the US.
Chariot Rides
Feb 1st
Daddy gives the best rides!! Malachi thought this was just fantastic. (Ellia thought it was more important than putting pants on!!!)
Nappy Tutorial
Jan 29th
I’ve been asked a few times now for a nappy tutorial – here it is!!! This is intended for people wishing to make nappies for their own use – not for sale. Please let me know how you go if you try it!
I know there are prolly way too many photos – but thought it better to have too many than too few! It will probably take longer to read the tutorial than it did for me to make the nappy.
The explanation for each photo comes before the photo itself 
You’ll need:
25x40cm PUL
45x40cm Fleece or Suedecloth
24cm loop side of velcro/aplix
6cm hoop side of velcro/aplix
approx 50cm of 6mm elastic
Cut out the pattern as indicated on the pdf. (1x fleece of each part, 1xPUL of body piece). Cut the hook side of your velcro in half, and 2 x 3cm portions off the end of the loop side so you have 1x 18cm and 2x 3cm.
Pin the right side of the front waistband to the right side of the front of the PUL nappy body – making sure the centres are aligned.
Straight stitch 4mm from edge (this is just to keep it in place for the next step)
There are two ways to do the next step, I’ve included on here and will do another post later for the other way.
With the fleece on the bottom and right side of the PUL facing down, fold the PUL in half and half again, then one more time making sure you keep the excess PUL at least 1cm from the stitching.
Roll the PUL over one more time until it is small enough for the two edges of the fleece to be brought together again. Still making sure you will be able to stitch approx .5cm from the top edge without catching any of the excess PUL.
Pin the two edges of the fleece together (right sides should be facing IN)
Straight stitch one of the short sides and the long side, stopping before turning the corner for the remaining short side.
Pull the PUL body piece back through the open hole, push the remaining tail thru once PUL is out.
It should look like this:
Fold the PUL in half to check if there is too much fleece on one side (don’t want it being lop-sided!!) – you need the unsewn edge to be 1cm longer than the sewn one, but not more than that.
Fold the edges of the open end into the tube 1cm and pin.
Straight stitch shut.
Now pin the right side of the back waistband to the right side of the back of the nappy body.
Pin the other edge of the waistband to the back of the fleece body piece. Right sides together.
Straight stitch along both seams. Laid out flat it should look something like this:
You may need to trim some excess if the fleece has stretched (or if you realise that you cut it wrong to start with – oops!!)
Sew a 1cm hem on the front edge of the inner body piece – I usually use a zigzag but you can do whatever suits.
You should now have one long piece with all parts sewn together. Fold in half, right sides together, ligning up the back waistband edges with each other.
Straight stitch down each side, making sure the fleece doesn’t stretch.
Trim each of the back corners slightly so that they’re not too bulky when you turn it in the right way.
Attach the elastic. Starting at the back, at the edge of the body piece (not on the waistband), sew the elastic into the seam allowance. Once it is attached by a few stitches, stretch as much as you can as you sew.
Stop once you get to the front waistband and cut the elastic.
Do the same on the other side.
Turn the nappy in the right way – nearly done!!
Attach the big piece of loop to the back waistband – again making sure the centres match.
Attach the small pieces of velcro/aplix to the flaps on either side of the front waistband – hook on the outside, loop on the inside.
That’s it!
Model it on an extremely cute baby!!!! 
Let me know if something’s not clear… otherwise – have fun!! I love making these nappies, they fit so well, aren’t super bulky and last so long – We use the one size here from early infancy thru to the end of their “nappy days”.
