Christmas in a Nutshell

The Before -

Caleb baking cookies for the pressie giving red one. Thankfully Santa only needed a couple as I think most of the batter didn't make it in the oven.

The During -

Lots of special goodies, Poppy ended up a little overwhelmed and decided to open her pressies in stages after everything got a good check through first. Santa and his delivery of bikes was the most impressive I think. Poppy loved that she had her own pink one after tootling around on Caleb's for the last few months.The After -

We have all been enjoying having some rare time off together and I have not really been at the computer much at all. There has been a little sewing, but a lot of sleeping (!), playing games, everyone getting colds and lots of Lego construction. Family trips to the zoo, park and beach and it is all going too quick for my liking.

Hope you all had a great Christmas, I am hoping to give you

Picnic Rug - Part 2

Hopefully these photos are a little clearer.

This is a great way to use up fabric scraps. I just made a template of roughly the size I wanted each 'window' to be, pinned in whatever grouping I thought looked good and sewed them all up. Once I had done that I found the smallest one and cut all of them to the same size (super easy if you have on of Kirsty's Mulit-tasker). Then you just sew them up with your contrasting strips, which was the only material I needed to buy along with the oil cloth for the back. I used polester filling as I wanted it to be quite sturdy but you could not even use batting if you didn't want as the oil cloth adds quite a bit of structure. I used some basting spray which didn't work fab on the oil cloth but enough to hold it still while I tied the knots. I sewed the binding on to the oil cloth side, even though it was the back and then hand stiched the front, much easier on the fingers.

Used these knots

Oilcloth from Amitie

One present down - Don't ask how many to go

Poppy's picnic blanket all done in it's crazy pink and red glory. I used knots to quilt it together and I think that they give it a really fun look. I have lined the back with oil cloth which I don't think they recommend you put through the wash but have on good authority that it should be fine. It is quite big 2m x 1m and more than enough room for everyone or lots of dolly tea parties or trips to the duck pond or backyard alfresco dinners. Lets hope she loves it as much as I do.

Sorry I am a bit late posting but my computer decided to die a horrid death yesterday morning thankfully it wasn't too bad and I finally got it back today - yippee but I have had to take the photos at night, I will see if I can get some better ones tomorrow

Summer Daze

Tree trimming this week to the dulcet tunes of Caleb singing -

You wish for a Merry Christmas and a happy new ear

Good night, sweet dreams to you and your teeth

Good tidings for Christmas and a happy new ear

So I think it is dentures and ears all round this year for Santa. I had to try hard not to laugh but recorded it for prosperity.

More summer goodies at Jodi's

My Creative Space

So I may be a little late, well perhaps a lot, but in the Christmas spirit - lets not worry too much. So the last week was all about the pirate, I made the hats, sashes, party bags, cake. It was on Thursday and Caleb had a great time so that was the important thing. Poppy had a blast running around as a little pink pirate too, complete with painted on moustache. Unfortunately it rained so lots of the games I had made we couldn't use but after the initial excitement of 20 super excited kids in the lounge room it seemed to calm down a little. Glen as Captain Grumpo helped keep them all in check too. Thankfully we had enough of a break in the rain to get the treasure hunt done, even if we were left with 13 very muddy holes in the yard after everyone dug up there goodies.I have been getting good progress on Poppy's Christmas picnic rug, hopefully finished pictures tomorrow.

More creative people, that have been patiently waiting since last Thursday over at Kirsty's.

Summer Daze

So much excitement this morning as we caught the tram into the Wiggles concert. Poppy went for the quiet excitement and Caleb had a ball joining in. I think it might be one of the highlights of Poppy's summer already.

More summer highlights over at Jodi's.

Five Things

So one of my favourite ladies, the Potty-one herself has asked if we wanted to join in with our 5 essentials.

1. Family, whom without I don't think I could go on. Many lessons and love and laughter.

2. Chocolate - hmmm, such a sweet tooth

3. Sewing - I love the creative outlet that it gives me after such a dry 9-5 job.

4. Blogging - Sure I could live without it, but I do love the friends that I have made, things I have learnt, confidence and support, not to mention Brown Owls and Perle 8s

5. My Life - As cheesy as it sounds. We rent but it feels like a home, we have food on our table, we don't have heaps of money but we have enough. I think this is one of those ones where if you have it, it doesn't seem like much but if you don't it is everything.

My Creative Space

First up - progress on Poppy's picnic blanket for christmas. I am hoping to get the top finished this week. I have decided to not make it so random but have squares within the red fabric.3 shirts for Glen's Chirssy presents and a looming deadline.

Most importantly preparations for Caleb's 5th birthday pirate/mermaid party extravoganza. Invitations sent, pirate goodies to be made and one excited boy to please.

More creative goodies at Kirsty's place.

Summer Daze

Thankfully the sickness seems to of passed us and I hope to stay away for the rest of the summer which started yesterday. Since I am in December denial I completely forgot that it was here. I did though jump in to Jodi's photo celebration (I do so love Che + Fidel and was one of the first blogs that I followed), so every Monday for the season I will be posting my summer daze. Pop on over and let her know you want to join in, I think it is going to be a fun one.

Melbourne weather, she is a fickle mistress, after some sweltering heat that could of melted your eyeballs, it has been a little cooler with some glorious rain. What you can't see though is that Poppy is running doing her rain dance sans-pants.