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I have been so busy getting prepared for the craft fair I have a stall at next weekend. I seem to be a very busy bunny but still have a long way to go before I have enough to take with me!

I thought I would wet your appetite with what I have prepared so far.

Cards

Various Sized Gadget Case

Felt Gadget Cases

Russian Dollies

Felt Rings (need more of these!)

Utility Apron

Regular Half Apron

Everything so far, all, together

Hopefully I can get everything finished and ready in 9 days! Wish me luck!!

Crafting

It's been a little quiet on the craft front for a while, been a busy bee what with work now. But now that Anna knows she is having a boy, I have no excuses for not getting busy with my sewing!

A few weeks ago was my lovely boss' birthday, she is a lady who relies on her Blackberry so I thought a media case would be a nice little gift.

I adapted (big time) a pattern from the CK Sew book, but it was a simple pattern, with wadding and lining, that took me an evening. Then I went on the hunt for a little toggle to close it. Toggles are very cute!

Since then I have been trying to think of things to make for Baby Splodge! I needed to think of something, so I have made a little drawstring bag, using all the fabrics I have acquired for him. I figure it will be something that can be used for anything. This time I made the pattern myself, and it is a little wonky, but I don't think you would notice once it is in use :) Adds to the characteristics ;)! It is fully lined and feels lovely.

 Anna had a wonderful idea to make a blanket for Baby Splodge, but realised that she didn't have that much time to do it. So why not recruit all her friends and family to knit squares to make a blanket! I think it is the sweetest and most lovely idea, and couldn't wait to be involved. Even Sam has vowed to have a go, as has Dan! So here is my first square. I have done two now and am going to start another one when I have finished this post!

12/01/11

So the other day I went to John Lewis and treated myself to this beautiful fabric with some money I was given for Christmas. I saw it when I was in with Anna and fell in love! It is quite simple but I love the colour and I love all the little birdies on it :) Although it is just standard cotton, I am going to go ahead with my plans to use it for a bag, it will need lining though (and Nana thinks she has something perfect in the attic so that is wonderful!). 

Louie has now discovered that it is wonderful to tip his ball pit/tent up and on itself! He thinks it is rather fun to chase the balls around the floor as opposed to playing in the tent. (Much to Papa's dismay as he is the one to clear it all up! Tee hee!)

Just showing off my walking boy wearing his Jungle Fever Cushie Tushie!

 This evening I finished off my little project of a needle case. I went really quite wrong and used the cardboard the wrong way around so you can see that I used a box of Asda's 'Ready Oats' which is a shame, but it will be fine and do the trick. At least I will have learnt from my mistake.

As you can see it looks fine from the inside, with all the needles all pretty and straight :)

2010

So its a New Year, and a time for new endeavors.
Last year was such an amazing year with so many changes. Louie was born and he has brought us so much joy. I actively tried to change my lifestyle to promote a more green and ethical way of living. I do believe every little helps but I think I have made a very good start!

So a new year, a new job!
I have been offered a job at Fill Your Pants, the online nappy shop. I will be working for two days a week, where I will be leaving Louie for one day with his Nana and one day at Nursery. I feel ready to return to the world of work now, although I would class myself as an attached parent, and would love to stay home with Louie for ever and ever, but needs must. And nursery will be so good for him. It will be one day a week, so it isn't like he will never see me! And he loves children and playing and he will have a ball.
We will still have 5 whole days together, and will still be able to do our Tiny Talk class :)

Now for Christmas, I was a very lucky girly. Many people cottoned on to the fact I was making my own Christmas gifts and I was given some lovely crafty gifts myself! Dan bought me my very own sewing machine, which is amazing, more than I ever thought he would get me! And he gave me the 'Stitch' Cath Kidston book. And my sister gave me the 'Sew' Cath Kidston book! So for my birthday, I think I would like a bigger sewing box, because mine is tincy tiny.
So there will be lots of new projects starting soon. My first project will be for my sister, something she saw in the 'Sew' book ;) But with new babies arriving, I have found some fabric to make some patchwork delights for them.

Back Again!

I really have been neglecting my blog, and for that I am sorry! I have been a busy bee, busy with nothing interesting enough to blog about!
Christmas is coming and the decs are up, this year we have a beautiful advent candle which I am hoping to keep as a tradition, instead of chocolate calenders! I am starting to get excited for Christmas now, the presents are starting to pile under the tree, the snow has come and gone again, but is promising to show its face again before Christmas day!

For months we have been saying, Louie will be walking by Christmas. At 9 months he started but swiftly gave up on the cause, refusing to even stand up or walk with help! The stubborn mule! However, just as I was talking to his Nana about it, he decided to show off, he can walk! And rather proud of it he is too.

Look at those tegs!

My big boy, 10 Months old

Mama's toys are the best toys!

All of my Christmas gifts have been completed now, wrapped and given to their recipients. I am a bad blogger and forgot to take photographs of the finished articles. But hopefully I will get some photos on Christmas day, although I won't be around to update for a week or so.

Winter!

Winter has certainly been thrust upon us this year! I absolutely adore all this snow, I could really get used to it. However it is on its way out now, and I can't wait for some more to fall.

It certainly has been feeling wintery and we haven't been going out so much, just staying in all cosy in the warm. Yesterday we had a big kitchen clean up and Dan suggested that we needed a bag to put our rags in. So last night I put together a little bag to hang under the sink for all of the dusting cloths. I used a scrap of muslin I had lying around and some ribbon, it took me the best part of an hour.

Today I have managed to get the sewing machine out *Praise the Lord!* and have sewn the pockets on to the pinnies. I have cut the waistbands for them too, but not sewn them on yet as our machine is so noisy and little man is fast asleep.

I have been desperately searching for a big oversized cream coloured knitted jumper at no avail. Well I saw one I loved in Gap that was £70 so that was out of the question. But I did find what I wanted eventually online and treated myself. I figure it will last me a life time, and I will definitely need it if the weather is going to stay sub zero much longer! And as the next day delivery was only a pound more, I treated myself :)

Tomorrow Dan, Louie and I are going to the Clarendon Park Christmas Market. I wanted to go to the Matlock Victorian Christmas Market but with the weather as it is, I didn't want us to go all that way to have to turn back because of bad roads. But it should be a good day out. We are going to Lockwoods for our Sunday lunch afterwards too, as we are in that neck of the woods. I am hoping to get a nicely crafted decoration for Louie to give to his Nana for Christmas.

Catching up on projects, nonsense and rants!

 I went to the tourist information centre yesterday and bought this book. It is so detailed and I can't wait to start practicing some of the walks. :)

Yesterday Mom and I spent AGES trying to figure out the sewing machine. It must have been an hour to get it to do a zigzag stitch, running stitch was okay mind. We had the wrong thread and all sorts. I have had to settle for white cotton because we don't have any pink but its okay, it doesn't look odd.

This morning, my buttons and lavender came, so I can start on my lavender bags now. I have lots of scraps of muslin left over from when I made Louie some sheets in the summer, so I am going to make little pouches for the lavender then sew it inside the hearts. Best plan of action I think.

So here are some pictures of how we have been getting on.

A gift from a friend, my new sewing bag as the old one was too small!

Tomorrow we are going to Twycross Zoo with Anna, Sam, Nade, Paul and Emmanuel. I am SO excited. I am making soup to take in a flask and am going to make some bread rolls and apricot and white chocolate cookies. Mmmmm!

It has been such an interesting week!
I really don't understand why people fight on the internet. I have a freedom to express my opinion and get slated when I don't want an argument. I have not been rude or offensive to the other party and have received a large amount of abuse back. When are people going to learn to stop taking things so seriously and behave like adults. I am happy and secure in my judgments and choices in my life, and don't wish to force myself upon anyone. I live my life for myself and my family and friends. If you don't agree with me or like my choices, you don't have to get involved. Turn your cheek and look away.

Christmas Presents, Part Two!

Ahh the love of Pinking Shears!


So, last night, I finally finished hemming the first apron. This has taken me AGES! It really is difficult finding the time these days. I wish I could just sit and get it done but it isn't that easy.

I am still waiting for fabric I ordered which seems to have gotten lost in the post so I decided to start the smaller apron whilst i am waiting.

I used my noggin this time though, and used the pinking shears to cut it out, meaning I dont need to hem it!
Then after spending quite some time negotiating the lace, I asked Mom to pin it for me, as I was making a meal of it!

How cute is that!
I also pinked my hearts, as I have had a better idea of making them. I need to get some aida!