2010 Sewing Challenges

I have been struggling with what to do to organise my sewing for 2010 when the wonderful Carolyn comes along with this great idea of 12 months 12 challenges.  Pop over to her blog to find out more (the button on the right -----> should point the way).

As my machine has been packed away for the move I will not be officially signing up for January and with the UK trip I don't think I will be signing up for February either but in March I will be back in full swing.

Now I just have to work out if I am going to make any resolutions and if so what are they.

Take Care and I hope you all have a great New Years Eve (I will probably be in bed by 10)

JotsMum

Our Christmas - Image heavy

Just a few images of our Christmas here in Melbourne.  It was a nice day and very relaxing.

The day starts

Choosing which present to open first

Our Christmas Cake (not a currant in sight)

R playing with Jots presents

The end of the day

Hope you all had a good day too.

Jots Mum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 24

Well I made it!  I did 24 days of blogging.  Not exactly one a day but still 24 posts at the end of it.

The only thing left for me to do it so wish you all a Very Merry Christmas for tomorrow and I will see you all on the other side.

Merry Christmas

Jots Mum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 23

I got some time today when Jot was asleep to get stuck into her quilt again.  Spurred on by the arrival in my letter box of the fabric for ther reverse of the quilt.

So the white sashing is done.  I used some lovely starry white stuff I had in my stash and I think it has worked really well.  I was originally going to add another border made up of 'coins' (half charm squares 5" x 2.5") in the same materials of the main lines but I am not so sure now.  I think it looks really nice and an additional border might make it too busy.  What do you think?

(yes I know it looks wonky but it is my first ever quilt and half the rows were done before I got my 1/4" foot for my machine so I had to square it up - not that I think I have done a very good job of it but Jot won't mind)

I plan to bind the quilt with this yellow dot from the same line of fabric.

The reverse of the quilt is going to have two rows of charms similar to the ones in the top with either a panel in the middle of just some of the patterend fabric from the same range.  Still to be decided when I get the fabrics out to have a closer look.

So let me know what you think.  Should I add an extra border or not?

Many thanks
Jots Mum

Advent Blog-a-long

When I got back from dropping Jot at childcare today I found that R had collected the boxes for the move.  So we now have a van booked, 30 odd boxes, 4 rolls of bubble wrap, numerous rolls of butchers paper, three rolls of packing tape and a tape dispenser.

I wonder now why we thought January would be a good time to move.  We have Christmas, New Year, my in laws with us for the month of January (with the exception of the week we move) and a wedding in Daylesford the weekend before.  I also wonder why the move from the UK didn't cure me completely of ever wanting to move again.  In fact I distinctly recall saying I wasn't going to move again for at least 5 years (we made it to four).

So on Saturday 16 January we have a babysitter booked and the move planned.  Has anyone got any hints or tips to make it easier?

I do have to say I like our new house, it is in a quiet street which seems to be a nice area but I don't know if I am ready to leave our great little unit.  This unit is our first real home.  The home we have lived in the longest since we got together 14 years ago and the first home we have owned.  It is going to be sad (and hard) to leave.  We are hoping to be able to rent it out so we don't have to sell it but we will see what the market brings.

I supose I should get started packing atually I reckon it can wait till the w/e as R will be off for four days.  So I am off to read my book.  Oooh the luxury!!

Jots Mum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 21

I got so excited when I saw this lovely gingerbread house in a shop window yesterday (this is only one end of it - it was trhee times as long) that I thought what a great blog post and then promptly forgot to post it last night.  Sorry!

---- Sent from my 3 mobile

Advent Blog-a-long Day 20

The decorations are up and I am still not feeling very Christmassy.  I did enjoy the Carol service this morning even though Jot got stroppy and we had to go sit in the crying room for a bit.

I have the bunting up too but as I took photos I realised quite how messy our bookcase is so you have a close up of only one area.  It looks good though.

I also finished off out Chritsmas treat.  We have

Peppermint Bark

Dark Choc Orange Crisp

Milk Choc Orange Crisp

Now to eat it!!

JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long - Day 19

The Grinch has gone for now.  I guess the run up starts so early now that I am over it before Christmas actually arrives.

I made more treats today (hope to photo them tomorrow) and am now watching the Carols in the Domain which is nice.  We have our Carol service tomorrow morning which always gets me in the mood as there are such great carols.

The tree goes up tomorrow too so we should be back in Christmas spirit by Monday.

Have a good evening
Jots Mum

Advent blog-a-long Day 18

I'm feeling like a Scrooge today or maybe a Grinch.  More a grinch I think as I am not obsessed by money but I really dont want the commercial mess that is Christmas to be here.

The end of the year is a time to relax and recharge your batteries ready for the new year and what do we insist on doing.  Try to cram as much into the last two weeks as possible, parties, family visits, end of school concerts, plays etc.  We leave shopping (whether gift or food) to the last minute and then grumble cause we can't find what we want to give Aunt J or the magic ingredient for the wonderful relish passed down through the ages and for what?

A day where we spend the whole time chained to a hot oven in boiling temperatures to please a dozen people who you see two or three times a year and who you will spend your entire Boxing Day cleaning up after.  If you are lucky enough to be going elsewhere this Christmas Day you will be fed far too much rich food and spend the day biting your toungue over well meaning comments from well meaning friends and relatives on how to bring up your children.

I get like this every year and I hope in another year or two Jot will be old enough to help me see the fun side of it again as right now it is one long big chore that will end in family feuds (although this year it will just be the three of us - can I cause a feud with a 15 month old?)

So right now I believe the Grinch should steal Christmas.

Bah Humbug to you all.
Jots Mum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 17 - No Sew Bunting

Having seen the ladies on EB make up bunting by the dozen (or so it seems) I decided to have a go BUT I wanted to do a tutorial for it.  There are load sof tutorials out there in the ether for sewn bunting and I decided that some people want to make things but don't have access to a sewing machine so I figured I could make it without any sewing at all.

So here is the tutorial for my No Sew Bunting.

(Please excuse the quality of some of the pictures my ironing area is not well lit and we have a thunderstorm here at the moment)

You Will Need

Fabric (I had three patterns of Christmas fabric approx 35cm each)
Bias Binding (I used 25mm wide and had a 3m pack)
Heat n Bond Ultra (No Sew) 1 Yard
1 Roll 22.2mm Heat n Bond Ultra

You will also need a pencil, scissors, iron, pinking shears (optional) and some hairgrips.

Process:

• Mark your flags onto the Heat n Bond.  I choose 20cm at the base and 20cm to the point.
• Apply to fabric following manufacturers instructions

• Cut along the lines you drew on the Heat n Bond

• Apply triangles to second fabric as per manufacturers instrcutions

• Trim tirangles with pinking shears for a nice edge
• Apply Heat n Bond roll to open Bias Tape

• Measure the base of your flags (after trimming mine were between19 and 19.5cm)

• Maths time - Times the base measurement (19.5) by the number of flags (12) and you get the length on Bias you need to accomodate all the flags (234).  Take that figure away from the length of your bias (300) which gives you the amount of spare bias tape you have (66)  Divide that figure by 2 (33) which gives you the length of you tails and where to start inserting the flags.
• Remove paper from Heat n Bond attached to Bias
• Place your first flag at 33cm (according to my calculations) fold Bias over top flag and secure with hair grips (Pins will get all sticky if used at this point)
• Place succesive flags with base corners touching in the same way.

• Iron the ends of the bias in half

• Iron bias to fuse Heat n Bond as per instructions

• Let it cool
• Enjoy your Bunting

I will post a picture of it up once the decorations go up at the weekend.  I have to say I am rather proud of it and hope it will be around for many years yet.

advent blog-a-long day 16

Today was my birthday.  I had a nice day.

Jot decided to allow me to have a sleep in (till 8:30am), we went for a walk (till it got too hot), had a nap and then went to see R.  This evening we have done nothing except read and watch the Simpsons.

And so if you are waiting for the tutorial, I'm afraid you will have to come back tomorrow as it's my birthday and I don't want to figure it out.

Good night all
JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 15

Another late post which wasn't my fault.  Well wasn't entirely my fault.  We had some internet issues last night but if I hadn't left it till the last minute I might have managed to post on time.

I had free day yesterday.  R at work and Jot at childcare so I had a day to try to catch up on numerous things and try to get some sort of control over the move.  What could I do with all that free time?  Yup you guessed it I sewed.

I decided to do a tutorial for some bunting (which I am just waiting for Jto so go to sleep tonight and I will finish it off and hopefully be able to blog it tonight as well) and got most of the way through it before realising I was missing a vital ingredient - nothing to hang it with.  Doh!

So then I finished off a commission item for a friend.  A cute little toddler backpack from blueprints. which I am really pleased with.  I did a similar one for my nephew for christmas but I can't show that till he has opened it.

After that I still had soem time before collecting Jot so I quickly whipped up a little christmas tree decoration, I will be making a few more of them so I will wait and blog the lot together (besides that way I get another days post without thinking too hard).

Right will do todays post after Jot is in bed and it will hopefully be the tutorial for the No Sew Bunting.

Have a good day

JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 14

It is my birthday on Wednesday and at work we usually have birthday teas for each person. As I don’t work Wednesday they have booked my birthday tea for today so I made myself a cake (I don’t get much chance to bake at the moment)

I was looking for a chocolate cake recipe and came across this one from the Pioneer Woman. But while finding this one I came across her Coffee Cake recipe which changed me mind. So here it is! I got a little impatient with the icing (hence the camouflage) but on the whole I am happy with it. 

It is very very coffeey (is that a word)

I did have to convert the recipe from imperial cups (US) to metric weights so it probably didn't turn out exactly right but judging by the extra cupcake I made with the end of the batter it doesn't matter.  I also made it in one tin and sliced the thing in half horizontally (as I don't have two sandwich pans) so I had to extend the cooking time to 40 minutes (or just over as I lost track of time as Jasmine was feeding and her head was lying on my timer on my watch and I didn't hear it go off).

I also had an idea to make it more decadent by adding coffee liquer to the cake but I couldn't find any Kahlua in the cupboard (not like me at all) so I will have to reserve that idea for next time I make the cake.

M (from work) told me I was very adventurous in a) making my own cake and b) trying out a new recipe on the team - my reaction well with this much coffee I can't try it out on Jot.

I have had a number of really nice comments and one person even thanked me for going to the truoble to make it in the first place. 

Have a good day

JotsMum

---- Sent from my 3 mobile

Advent Blog-a-long Day 13

Yes I know this is early but I am off to a Hens day tomorrow so really doubt I will either remember or be in any fit state to post when I get home.

A few days ago I talked about christmas outfits and said I was making Jots.  Well it is now complete and I am really pleased with it.  It is a touch too big but still looks great and we will get a lot of wear out of it this summer (as long as it doesn't fall to bits) starting tomorrow at the baptism of a friend of Jots.

So here you go photos of the dress and my cherub wearing it.

Please excuse her trousers under the dress. She wouldn't let me take them off so I didn't bother.

Have a good Sunday

JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long - Day 12

Advent Reflections

As I walk around Melbourne this holiday season the spirit of the modern Christmas is alive and well.  Children know we are celebrating a birthday (although some think it is Santa's) and that it is a special day but I wonder as Jot grows up whether I can differentiate the spiritual from the material for her.  Modern Christmas cards contain pictures of Santa Claus more often that the baby Jesus, fewer and fewer places are showing nativity scenes.  The Myer windows in Melbourne this year feature Olivia the Pig.  Have we lost touch with the spiritual meaning of Advent has it just become the expectation of presents to us all.

This year has seen me reflect more on the spiritual meaning of Advent for myself and for Jot. 

I don't believe in forcing my religion on anyone else so feel free to stop reading here.  For those of you who would like to know more about Advent I encourage you to visit your local Church one Sunday in December you never know what you might discover. 

Here are a couple of bits of information that you might find interesting.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the season in teh Christian church is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent.  This is not to be confused with the 12 days of Chirstmas which occour after Christmas from Boxing Day to Epiphany (6 Jan).

Colours of Advent - Traditionally the church uses Purple in its alter coverings during Advent, however some churches are moving away from Purple to a Royal or bright Blue to distinguish this season from Lent.  Purple has long been held to be the colour of Royalty the saying "born to the purple" means born to rule and goes back to the days of the Romans.  Secular colours of Advent are traditionally Red and Green, these derive from older European practices of using evergreens and holly to symbolize ongoing life and the hope that Christ’s birth brings into a cold world.  They are never used by the church as they are used at other times through the Christian year.

The Advent Wreath - The Advent Wreath is an evergreen wreath with five candles (traditionally three purple, one pink and one white - the coloured ones are on the wreath with the white one inside the wreath).  The Evergreen boughs symoblize the new and everlasting life brought through Jesus the Christ.  The circle of the wreath reminds us of God Himself, His eternity and endless mercy, which has no beginning or end.  The candles symbolize the light of God coming into the world through the birth of His son.  On the first Sunday of Advent one of the outside candles is lit, on the second Sunday two are lit and so on.  The White candle (known as the Christ Candle) is lit of either Christmas Eve of Christmas Day and serves to remind us that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.

If you would like to make an Advent wreath for your home there are plenty of options out there.  Here are a few I have dicovered:

A Childs Wreath (no open flames) from Pure Joy
An Easy Advent Wreath  from Two Square Meals
A PomPom Wreath (probably not a good idea t use candles with this one) from Huckleberry Prairie

I don't have an Advent wreath and I won't have time to make one for this year but I hope that by the time next Advent comes round I will be ready and able to start to teach Jot the difference in the hope of presents and the hope of the light of Jesus.

Advent Blog-a-long Day 11

I decided I needed to do another chirstmas post for today so thought about searching the origins of Santa .  I'm fraid I got a little distracted by this great little site called the North Pole.  It celebrates the holidays with dozens of activities for children and families. A child-safe, award-winning holiday site, promotes a traditional look at Santa’s Secret Village at the North Pole, but with high-tech, creative features to keep children and adults entertained—all for free.

So instead of researching the origins on Santa Claus I have been browsing Mrs Claus' cookbook (some interesting looking recipes in that) and checking out the tools such as the Good Deeds Calendar.  Santas Den has a list of books by age, movies and music for you to peruse as well as buy (through amazon).  The Elf Pal Academy has a lot of kids games and learning tools to use as well.

I have bookmarked it for next year (at 15month Jot is still a touch young for a lot of this)

So back to the origins of Santa.  You know what that can wait till another day.

Have a good afternoon all and enjoy the fact we are only 15 days to Christmas.

JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 10

I can't believe it is day 10 already.  Still got so much to do and not enough time to do it in.  And I will admit to some serious procrastination.  This week I haven't felt the need to do anything on my list (which of course means everything is going to be that much more pressing next week).

In fact I am even using the blog a long as an excuse not to get off my butt and go finish Jots christmas dress and the christmas bunting and Jots quilt.  See told you I was procrastinating ! and that's just the sewing I have been putting off don't even get me started on the stuff I still have to do for the move.  Oh well I am at work tomorrow and I can fill my lunch break quite easily I think!

OK that's it, enough procrastinating!  I will finish at least one sewing project tonight!!!

Advent Blog-a-long Day 9

I was a great planner and organiser before Jot arrived. I would have all my christmas shopping done in time to catch the sea mail around the world (usually end of Sept), christmas letter would be written and ready to go by the start of November and Christmas cards would be written addressed, stamped and waiting by the door to drop into a post box on 1 December.

Not this year.

This year Christmas presents were sent last week, Christmas letter still in my head, and I haven’t even bought christmas cards this year so do I make an effort or write the whole debacle off as a missed year. I know I don’t really have time to write the 50 odd christmas cards and I doubt we have the funds to send them all to the UK.

I have made a decision to declare this year a missed opportunity and vow to do better next year.

To assist me in being better organised (including cleaning the house which I hate) I have decided to make a plan. I will get it ready this year so it can go in pride of place in the new house alongside my new menu planner and house orgaisner so I don’t foget about it come September next year.

However, one small problem has arisen. I have no idea what to include in said planner (or rather planners but that is the subject for another post). Time for a quick jaunt on the interweb thingy and what do I discover …..

…..

…..

The wonderful Cynthia of organized home has done all the hard work for me. Alll I need to do is choose the pages I want, print them off and find a binder for them. She has the 2009 and 2010 forms already developed and best of all it is all FREE! She also has loads of ides to simplify your christmas, handmade gift ideas, recipes and loads more.

Over the next few weeks I will be creating my very own Christmas Planner for 2010 and getting organised well in advance in the hope of actually remembering that with Crhistmas comes things like the letter and the christmas cards.

Thanks Cynthia for an amazing tool for us time strapped Mums around the world.

And thanks to Cynthia for my first new tradition (well from next year) the Magic Elf. Now I have 365 days (or thereabouts) to find or make a good looking elf.

Well enjoy your day and I will be back tomorrow with something new (no idea what yet so this should be fun)

Bye
JotsMum

Advent blog-a-long Day 8

Yes I know it is late but sometimes I hate computers.

I spent ages yesterday writing this post (I kept getting distracted) only for the computer to crash at 10pm.  By which time I was exhausted and compeltely lost my patience so I went to bed.  Sorry.

Party Dresses

Do you buy a new dress (outfit) for christmas each year?  Do you have a special outfit for the kids to wear at Christmas?

My answer to both of those is a resounding No - usually followed by don't be so ridiculus why get something new for one day.  This year is diffierent.

We have three weddings to go to in the first quarter of 2010 (all in different countries and different seasons) so I decided I should start looking for a dress (originally I was going to make one but I am running out of time to find a pattern I like).  I discovered one the other day and have made the decision that I will wear it on Christmas day.  It will work well for the southern hemisphere weddings in Jan and March but the UK wedding in February may need some more thought.

Jot is getting a new dress for her to wear on Christmas because I had enough of seing her quilt yesterday and wanted to try something new so I decided on a nice summery dress for Jot.  She can wear it for the weddings as well including the UK one (with a long sleeve top underneath).  I used the Oliver + S tea party sundress  pattern.  It didn't take me that long until I realised I don't have two matching buttons.  A trip to spotlight for me tomorrow.  I will hopefully be able to complete it tomorrow but we all know that time can get away from us so maybe at the weekend.

I hope to do a christmassy themed post tomorrow so make sure to come back and see me again.

JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 7

What to discuss?

I think I have to admit defeat today.  I have no idea what to talk about and even less inclination to do so.  A long day at work has robbed me of my energy and all I want to do tonight is sleep.  So I am off to do that.  I promise a better post tomorrow, with research and everything.

Night all
JotsMum

Advent blog-a-long Day 6

I can't believe that I am still going strong.  Not that I have anything new to write about today.  Sundays are our one family day of the week so I spent the day in the park with Jot & R and it was lovely.  Back now and R is about to feed Jot and then once Jot is in bed some adult time.  R has lost his voice so I get to talk at him all evening  - what a treat :).

The candied peel of yesterday went really well.  Photos below.  I am probably going to dip them in chocolate too but I need to do that much closer to Christmas as then they will need to stay in the fridge and we never have room in our fridge.  They are delicious and I took about 2 hours from go to woe and I would recommend them to anyone.

Well that is all I have to say tonight so I am off and will try to figure out a more informative post for tomorrow.

Take care

JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-log Day 5 - Christmas Candy

Each year I have these grandiose ideas to make my own christmas candy, then I leave it too late and run out to the shops and buy some very overpriced artificial stuff at the last minute.  Not this year!!

Thanks to the wonders of the internet (and I have been following this lady for so long I no longer remember how I found her in the first place) I have stumbled across The wonderful Hungry Mouse (Jessie).  On a regular basis a delicious recipe finds its way to my Google reader and therefore my to do list.  Well I am doing.  As I type I am in the middle of making her Candied Fruit Peel at the request of R.  I am blanching the peel at the moment and I will report back tomorrow (hopefully with a arty picture if R doesn't eat them all when he gets home).

I have only one recipe that I make regularly for candy at that is my easy Peppermint Creams.  I found this recipe when a friend was pregnant and couldn't have the regular Peppermint Creams as they contain egg white and I have never looked back.  They don't dry out as well as the egg white version but I love them a little squishy.  I won't be making them this year as there is no room in my kitchen (long story) but I look forward to embarking on them next year in my new kitchen in my new house.

Peppermint Creams

450g Pure Icing Sugar
4 Tablespoons Condensed Milk
Peppermint oil to taste
Green Food Colouring (optional, I like to do half and half)

• Sift icing sugar into a bowl
• Add condensed milk
• Mix until smooth and creamy (you may need to add a bit more icing sugar if you have been generous with your tablespoons)
• Add Peppermint oil (& Green food colouring)
• Work mixture with hands till flavour and colour are evenly distributed
• Dust a board (or counter top) with Icing sugar
• Roll mixture out to approx 0.5cm depth
• Cut into rounds using a cutter (if you don't have a cutter use a knife and cut into diamonds - this is easier)
• Leave in a cool dry place to set
• Once set (this can take upto 24 hours) you can dip them in melted Chocolate for a more decadent experience.

I might also try this recipe from the Brassy Apple if I can find somewhere that sells Orange extract.  A mission for tomorrow I think.  Also this one for Peppermint Bark from Alice at a Savory Sweet Life.

Off to check on my candied peel.
See you tomorrow
Jots Mum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 4

I am an avid reader of the Sew Mama Sew Blog from which I get a lot of inspiration including that for Jots quilt (although I ended up amending a deisgn to make it easier for me to complete in time for Christmas - not that I am making much progress).  That is beside the point though I really just want to introduce you to them and to point out they are having their annual giveaway day (or rather four days).  There is a list of all the blogs out there in blog land taking part  and you get to go and discover hundreds of new blogs and enter to win some truely gorgeous items from bags to toys to mobiles.  There are such talented people out there.

So go on over and have a look and enter a few (or all if you have a lot of time).

Good night all
JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long Day 3

Christmas Carols

Jot and I went off to our last Mother Goose session (a songs and rhymns session run by the City of Melbourne) this morning and as it was the last session before Christmas we got to sing Christmas songs and Carols.  As we were singing a light bulb went off in my brain and I realised I had todays blog-a-long topic.

I think the music is what I love most about Christmas.  I prefer the traditional Christmas (or Advent) Carols such as Silent Night, Once in Royal Davids City and of course O Little Town of Bethlehem but having said that the popular music of the mid 20th century also really ring my bells.  Who can go past Bing Crosbys' White Christmas or I saw Mummy kissing Santa Clause by Teresa Brewer without a smile.

Christmas carols always bring a smile to my heart as I remember past Christmases.  Back in England my family live in a very small village with a big church however the congregation is petite.  My sisters and I are blessed with decent voices and were all sopranos in school choirs so come the carol service it was our 'job' to sing the descounts.  Imagine if you will three nervous girls, some very bum notes (espeically as age changed our voices) and a lot of giggles.  It was all worth it though when we were complimented at the end of the service.  The one for O Come all ye Faithful was particularly challenging but the one we loved doing the most (so long as the carol came at the end of the service).  I hear the choir at church sing the descount and wonder who is singing it back in England.  I hope someone is keeping up the tradition.

Take care
JotsMum

Skirt

Well as I am going out tonight I decided to do a quick and dirty hem on my skirt while Jot was eating her dinner.  Doesn't look good close up but I reckon the only person going to get that close to my hemline is going to be under 5 so I don't think I need to worry.

It should really also be taken in by about 1/2 inch but it will do fine for tonight and I will play around with it over the next few days (and figure out what I need to amend on the pattern to get it fitting first time next time).

Have a good evening
JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long - day 2

I sat last night and tried to figure out what I was going to post each day in the run up to Christmas and came up with .....  Not Much!  As this is meant to be a crafty/sewing blog I wondered if I had to stick to that or if I could (and should) head off into the unknown that is my life and loves.    I have decided that I can (and will) be introducing you to more of my life and loves as a good way to actually provide something interesting (otherwise it could be a very boring month for anyone bothering to read this)


So day two of advent blog-a-long is the day to contemplate Christmas traditions.  Since moving down under in 2006 our christmas traditions have seemed too much like hard work (too much cooking in the heat) so this year, Jots first Aussie Christmas, I have decided to start some new traditions.  She will be 15 months so we are starting them early.


The problem is I can't seem to think of any (this is begining to becomae a recurring theme, I do have a brain I promise) and so I need some inspiration.


Do you have any Christmas traditions? What are they? and can I steal them?


Hopefully by Christmas day itself I will have decided a starting point.


Take care
JotsMum

Advent Blog-a-long - Day 1

I saw the Advent Blog-a-long mentioned by Anna at Sew Busy Mama and decided it might be a good idea to join up.  I figured if I had joined I stand a chance of actually remembering to post.  Something I am notoriously bad at.  So the challenge is a post every day for 24 days now to Christmas.  Some days you might even get two !!

Jot is (as of today) in childcare two days a week and I will not be adding another day at work for a few months (too many holdays booked to make it worthwhile) so I get a free day.  What will I do with myself?  Never fear I have a long list of "to achieve"  (I hate To Do lists).

Today was dedicated to Christmas and although I haven't got time now to get them in the mail presents for family are all complete (I had to whip three up today), wrapped and addressed so tomorrow on my way from A to B (a busy day tomorrow) I will drop them off at the PostOffice and send them on their Merry way hopefully to arrive in time for Christmas.

I still have to figure out waht to get R and more importantly to whip up a dress for Jot and to finish a skirt ad top that are sitting in pieces on the dining room table (annoying R).

Got to go and collect Jot so see you tomorrow

Great Giveaway at The Handmaden

The Handmaden has teamed up with Retromummy and is giving away a $50 voucher to spend in her shop, just in time for Christmas!  She has the most adorable hand made knitting needles and some great Lecien fabric at the moment.


Enter here --> The Handmaden: It's giveaway time!

Quilt progress picture

Well after posting yesterday that I had managed one row of the quilt I have now done 5 of them.  According to the pattern this is all that are required BUT I think the quilt might be a bit small if I leave it at this so I am going to do another 5 (3 for the front and two for the back).  I am aiming for a Cot sized quilt (approx 50" x 60") but if it eands up a little smaller so be it.

So here we are, 5 rows of my first ever quilt which I am now determined to complete before Christmas so it can be Jots pressie.

 (I have to say I am really liking the new way to import pictures on Blogger, very easy)

Right Jot is having a nap so I think I will go grab my book for 30 mins and see if I can get through the chapter I seem to have been stuck on for some time! 

Have a great weekend

JotsMum

Started the quilt

I have made a start on Jots quilt.  I was waiting for the water to boil for my pasta the ohter night and thought I would just see how far I got.  One row later the water was boiling - how quick was that.  Anyway I haven't yet done any more rows as life has got busy again but this evening (or weekend) I will try to finish them off.

A quick trip to Spotlight tomorrow (on a saturday aaaaarrgghh) to pick up some nice white material for the sashing and the batting and then I will be waiting for the backing material to be in stock.  How come charm squares and other precuts are available in advance of yardage?

Anyway I also helped a friend choose fabric for a skirt the other day which has me inspired and I will be looking at patterns tomorrow (although how to keep Jot amused will be interesting) as I have some nice Amy Butler coming from the US.

I really want to get the quilt top done so I am going to concentrate on that this weekend and then do the last of my Christmas pressies and get them all in the mail (I hope).

Have a good weekend all

Jotsmum

Make it Perfect Mega Giveaway

Toni from Make it Perfect is having a mega fantaistic giveaway.  She has three prizes on offer which are great and I have my fingers crossed for second prize (all those lovely patterns).

Pop on over and enter too - On second thoughts don't then I have a better chance of winning.

JotsMum

I want to post something

I know it has been over 10 days since my last post but all I am making are christmas presents and I can't post them (I know I am starting to sound like a stuck record).  I may do some sneak peaks tonight.

So while I have spent the last week in 30+ temperatures and avoiding my sewing machine as I get too hot, I have spent it cutting out my next couple of presents and the start of the top of my first ever quilt.  I also found this tutorial for a soft ABC book which I believe I will attempt for Jot for christmas.

I am also two rows into a knitted oritenal lily dress for Jot for our trip to the UK in February.  It might be finished by then.  I have been beyond row two twice already but had to unravel it as I made mistakes that I couldn't work out how to fix.  Typical of my knitting style, I am now a bit scard to try again as I knit in the evening when very tired and it requires a fair amount of concentration that aftr a hot day with a grumpy little girl I don't feel up to.

I am also planning this weekend (Jot allowing) to compile a list of UFOs (UnFinished Objects) and a list of To-Dos for the remainder of 2009.  If it isn't too long and scary I will post it.

Anyway I hope you all have a great weekend

JotsMum

Birthday Presents

Well my little sisters' birthday has been and gone so she is another year older.  This means she has opened her gift (which she liked by the way) and I am now at liberty to post pictures on here.

I made her a wallet, coin purse and travel card holder with some gorgeous japanese fabric I had in my stash. 

Wallet closed

All three items

I was really happy with them and I am stoked that she liked them to.  I have been working on Christmas presents again so I am not able to post pictures yet but this week I am hoping to get some dresses made one for Jot and a couple to gift so I will post pictures when they are done.

Have a good week and I hope you all win some money on the Melbourne Cup.

JotsMum

My swapee

I really did take photos of my swap item that I sent off to Miss L but I can't find them so either I have accidently deleted them or I just thought I had taken them so luckily Belinda took some photos on opening.

The bag pattern is the Buttercup Bag from Made by Rae and the little cat puppet was from Puppet Pub (but I can't find the exact page to link to).

BBJB got a Coffee Cozy (I've always wanted to try one of these but I don't drink coffee so what a good time to try it out) and a zip purse.

Right time for bed

If I find photos tomorrow I will add them

Night all

JotsMum

Opening Day

I woke up this morning so excited as it is opening day for the EB Beginners Sewing Swap.  My package hadn't arrived but I logged on to EB to see what everyone else had got.  The quality of sewing is great out there and there are some great swap items flying round the country.  R picked up my package from the PO this afternoon wo it was waiting when I got home from work.

The lovely Emma made a great flowery fabric basket and filled it full of soft building blocks for Jot.  One has a bell inside and another some crinkly cellophane and the other 4 have ribbons on them.  I love them and so does Jot.  The swap was meant to be for a stocking filler but I couldn't resist giving them to Jot early so she has spent the evening playing with them.  Great for after a long day at childcare. 

So now for a couple of photos to show them off.

Before Jot got hold of them

and after.  She couldn't decide between the one with the bell or the one that crinkled.

Thanks Emma not only for the lovely gift but also for organising the swap.  I think I might be addicted!

I will blog about the items I made for my swapee once I know she has opened them. so I will be back over the weekend.

JotsMum

I want to post

So I have had to find something to post about.

I have just finished a couple sets of car seat strap covers for Jot.  One Funky Monkeys for her pusher and the very hungry caterpillar ones for her car seat.  They are so easy that I will do a tutorial when I make another set (in a couple of days as I want to gift some at Christmas).

Bye for now

JotsMum

More fabric

Well my EB swap is complete and ready to be sent off to its recipient. Opening day is 30 Oct so you will have to wait a little longer to see the results of my hard work.

In the meantime my dream of making a quilt for Jot is one step closer with the arrival of the charm packs of fabric for the quilt top and my decision on what quilt to make. I have decided to make this Stacked Coin Quilt. It only took the designer 2 days to make but I am in no rush so I think it will probably take me two years :). Anyway the fabric for the stacked coin bit has arrived from the US (loving the exchange rate at the moment). The rest I have to wait till the US shop has the yardage.

So here among my other purchases is the fabric for the quilt can you guess which one it is?

Yup it is the Love U by Deb Strain for Moda.

I have lots of plans for the other material and you will have to stay tuned to find out what it is. There might even be a tutorial in there somewhere.

Bye for now

JotsMum

Ten Days later

Since starting this blog and really getting back into the sewing I have felt dissappointed when I have nothing to show on here. So I am pleased to have two small things to show today as the big things I have spent the last two weeks making are winging their way across the oceans to their receipents in the UK. Watch this space, as soon as I have confirmation of their arrival they shall appear in these pages.

In the meantime I have started on my EB stocking filler swap and with the scraps of fabric I made this ball from Grand Revival. I plan to donate it to the toy box at church as Jot seems to be demolishing all the toys in there at the moment.


Look what R bought me. I have a tendency to overheat quite quickly (even in winter) and my old fan has been broken for some time so my gorgeous man saw this and bought it to keep me cool this summer.


and so I had to make something to keep the gorgeous thing safe in my handbag (which I swear is breeding rubbish) as I need it with me at all times.


I had no pattern and the first attempt needed to be unpicked but this one works well and will keep my lovely fan safe and sound till I need to use it.

I am now back onto Christmas presents so might have to tuck in a couple of other small things for us just so I will have something to blog about, but there will be a lot on here come January.

Bye for now
Jots Mum

Sneak Peak

I haven't got anything new to show off this week all my works in progress are still that so I thought I would offer a sneak peak for the EB Stocking stuffer swap I have signed up for.



I have changed my mind about what to make about four times so far but I have now made a decision and I love the fabrics I over bought on all of them so I could make something for Jot aswell (not sure what yet :))

Daylight Savings start this weekend which hopefully means Jot willbe waking at 7am rather than 6am but then one less hour in bed for us. So don't forget to change your clocks.

Jots Mum

Inside of the bag

Well my mates on EB remarked that they need to see pics of ths inside of my lovely bag so here they are.



I have had three comments on the bag from people who didn't know I had made it myself so it obviously looks good.

I also started a knitted teddy for Jot a couple of weeks ago which is now complete. It is a little lopsided but I don't think she minds much.



Well off to wrap up a birthday pressie for one of Jots friends - I was going to make something but have run out of time oh well next year.

Bye for now
Jotsmum