A tale of two trucks...

While I've been busy sewing, Paul has been having great fun, and working very hard, in the backyard. I think he'll be glad when his holidays are over and he can go back to the office!

First of all, a truckload of sand arrives, and next thing I know, Bradley has a sandpit!

How great is this. Not only does Bradley love it, but every single adult has also had a reasonable turn building sandcastles in there. The dogs also had a go, although I don't think we'll be encouraging that, or who knows what little treasures we may find!

Anyway, next up yet another truck arrives (much to Bradley's delight), this time with a load of soil. So I go outside, and it looks like we almost have a vege garden!

I'm especially loving the little pathways in between the rows so I don't stomp on the plants... I love how this man thinks of everything! All we need to do now is finish distributing the soil, put up a fence to keep the dogs out, and we can get our plants in. (of course, when I say that 'we' need to do all this, what I really mean is that 'Paul' needs to do all this... but you knew that didn't you!!).

Bag Lady

Well, Christmas is over, but the presents are still hanging around.

We decided to make some bags as gifts ... and as usual, the most difficult thing (aside from not finishing them by Christmas!!) is actually parting with them.

These two will be sent off to their new homes next week. Sad to see them go... but on the plus side, that does mean that I can maybe make a new bag for myself.

The first bag is the Margaret Bag, made with this delightful handbag print. Merry Christmas to the Devine Miss M, and hope you like it!

And this one is the "I'll have one of everything bag" (yes, yet another creation from Seams to Me). Made with love for Little Miss S.

I'd love to say that's all my Christmas presents for 2008 - particularly as the New Year is almost here, but I have to admit there are just two more that I need to finish making... so stay tuned for the final installment!

A bowl of vintage cherries

I'm so in love with this little fabric bowl I made using Farmers Market Vintage Cherries and coordinating red. Very Christmasy, but not so much it can't be on display all year round.

We thought it would be perfect for storing small knitting pieces in, so put it together with some yarn and needles and gave it to my sister-in-law for her birthday on Boxing Day. Happy Birthday Marie!

I can see so many uses for these around the house, so I think I'll be making a lot more. Mmmmm, storage solutions.

Christmas 08

Well, Bradley's asleep, the left-overs are in the fridge, the wine is empty, and the wrapping paper is in the bin (not too much this year, thank goodness!). Christmas must be almost over!

We had a lovely day. While Nathanial couldn't make it as he had to work (Paul - your baby is all growed up!!), Jessica and Lachlan were here, so a very special day for us all.

Paul cooked an amazing traditional hot lunch, with ham, turkey (and not-so-traditional grilled haloumi for Bradley and I), gravy (gluten-free), roast potato, onion, carrot, peas, beans, and mashed sweet potatoes (with marshmallows of course). How yum is that!!!

We then had Rum-Soaked Boiled Fruit Cupcakes (thanks to Retromummy for the fantastic recipe and inspiration! http://retromummy.blogspot.com/2008/12/crafty-christmas-idea-14teeny-tiny.html) - so good with heaps of fresh summer fruit, whipped cream, and brandy custard.

Now for a nice long sleep... Merry Christmas all, and hope you have a safe and happy holiday season.

Pink Ruffles... Who'd have thought?!

Another project from 'Seams to Me'... I think I'll just work through the book one at a time! This one is the 'Bo Peep' skirt, and will be mailed off tomorrow as a Christmas present for our dear little friend Abi.

Was so nice to find a project for this gorgeous Alice in Wonderland material. When I saw it, I just had to buy it, but wasn't sure how I'd use it (I didn't think Bradley would appreciate it so much ... and it's not a good colour for Paul or I!).

It's a pin cushion, but not as you know it...

I found this pattern for a pin cusion caddy in Anna Maria Horner's book 'Seams to Me', and just had to make it... after all, a girl can never have too many storage solutions!

It was going to be a gift for somebody, but I think I might end up keeping this one, and making another, as there's a few little details I'm not 100% happy with.

This one really tested me, as there's some fiddly little hand-sewing, which I normally avoid wherever possible! But nice to challenge myself a little bit, and I think the next one I make will be much easier.

How does your garden grow...?

While I was at work today, Paul and Bradley had a wonderful time outside playing in the garden, and Paul took some great photos of their exploits (and the harvest), so I thought I'd share.

Our vege patch is actually on hold until we can get some decent soil in, however Paul has managed to get some potatoes coming through, and the tomatoes and strawberries are looking pretty healthy. Bradley's already figured out that strawberries taste better when you pick them yourself!

A Yarn of Things to Come

Ok, it isn't something I've made, yet.

But I just had to share this gorgeous wool that we picked up from the bargain room at Bendigo Woollen Mills on the weekend.

Maybe not such a bargain when you add on the petrol to get there! But was a nice day out, and really looking forward to getting these knitted up. The green and the blue (16 ply) will each be used for soakers so we can finally get Bradley out of his night-time disposable. The others (12 ply) will probably go into some longies for daytime use.

Bradley's Bucket Hat

Well, I finally did it. I fought the bucket hat, and I won. Well, maybe not won, but finished sewing a functional hat at least.

The story - Bradley had outgrown all his hats, and so I decided to make him a new one.

I seriously thought this was going to be sooooo easy, and perfect for my first blog entry. Now let's see, where could I have gone wrong...

1. Easy peasy tutorial - check

2. Cute material (Michael Miller Frog Chow) and all the notions - check

3. Working sewing machine - check

4. A functioning brain able to clearly follow directions - whoops!

Oh well, after binning my first attempt, and walking away for a few days, I was able to come back and start again. The original tute went out the window, and I made up some very questionable sewing techniques with bias binding and all sorts of tucking and folding, and eventually got there.

Now, if I can just remember how I did it!