Friday, July 30, 2010

Another quilty thing



I made this little tied quilt with a pink minky backing for a new little friend by the name of Elisabeth. I can't wait to meet you Elisabeth, though I suspect we will only get to meet you after we have met our own girl baby, as you live a little too far away.


Monday, July 26, 2010

A very pink cake


One of the items on my to do list yesterday what "Do something fun with Jems." It's a bit sad that I needed to list it, but sometimes I get so caught up in what-needs-to-get-done that I just leave her to her own devices, or drag her along with me to the shops or what-not.

I asked her what activity she would like to do, and she wanted to make a cake, which boiled down to "decorate a cake and eat it" with further questioning. So we bought a sponge from the supermarket and decorated when we got home. A bit of a cheat, but she still got to lick the spoon so she was happy.

By the way, I have changed my header to a photograph taken by my sister a month ago or so. I have more to share over time but this is one of my favourites. It really captures Caleb. Can't wait to get this one on one of the (still bare) walls at home.

Saturday, July 24, 2010

Not the most uplifting post, but LOOK, PANTS!



What a time it's been! In the last 3 weeks we have basically packed up our house into the garage, had new paint and carpeting done, and put everything back in (well, nearly everything.)

Emptying one's house is a really interesting exercise. You start to see your space differently and appreciate different things about it. It will surprise no-one that the first thing we noticed is that we have too much stuff, and have been appreciating some more space around the place as we slowly work out what will go back from the garage, and what will be moved on.

I have a mega list of stuff I want to do in the next 5-6 weeks before baby joins us. It won't all happen, but this little project from MADE was maximum priority. Pants are so easy to make that I really didn't want to buy more this winter, but with everything going on I only got to them this morning. My nearly 6 year old boy was hanging out in capri length trackies, and while he didn't mind at all, I could hardly stand it anymore.

I have to say I struggled a little with this (very easy) project with the biggest hurdle getting mixed up half way through as to what was the front and what was the back. I also sewed over my finger for the first time, fortunately not through a nail or anything too gruesome, but it really hurt. The chunky cord was a little fiddly to work with too. I got very frustrated with myself thinking that with 2 years of sewing experience now I should be better at this!! I may even have said something like, "if these pants don't work out I am going to cry, chuck them in the bin and go to Kmart."

BUT

I made pants. And my boy is happily wearing them right now (even if he wasn't thrilled about getting his photo taken). And they look OK. Too bad, Kmart.


Friday, July 2, 2010

Grass Heads


Caleb and Jemima went to a party a couple of months ago and the fixings of these little fellows was their take home loot bag. I'm sure we have all seen/done this in some form or another, but I thought I'd share it here because I thought it was a great idea to be reminded of! (Especially if you have a party coming up yourself.)

In the bag was a bit of pantyhose, grass seeds, eyes and a bag of dirt. All we had to do was spoon the dirt in, pop the grass seeds on top and tie it up. Then the kids stuck the eyes on and we watered and waited. When the hair was long enough, the kids gave them haircuts, which was a highlight of the project for sure.

I think they are great- and it was nice not to get more lollies at the end of the day!