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