Attempting to be Organised

After much searching last year for a diary/planner that would suit our family, I decided to make my own. I did it in publisher - just because I know how to use that programme with out having to think about it too much. The front & back covers are patterned cardstock, and have a protective cover over them of clear plastic.

It is set up in a weekly spread.

Public Holidays were all marked in yellow, and the school holidays in pink.

There is a space for each of the family, a meal planner and a few spots to jot down things to remember/do etc

At the beginning of each month there is a double page which includes a mini calender, things to do list, and a blank page to write 'stuff. There is also a full year calender inside the front cover along with some blank 'just in case' pages.

This is what it usually ends up looking like by the end of the week!'

I plan on dong the same thing again next year. It worked really well for us, and was SO much cheaper than any of the ones I looked at.

Grosgrain: Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: Made by Rae Jackpack Backpack GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

The Handmaden: GIVEAWAY!

Just another couple of cute givaways!

The Handmaden: GIVEAWAY!

quilts

Today my beautifully machine quilted cot quilt was personally delivered home by the lovely Sharon from Patchwork on Parade .- now I just have to bind it...I had planned on binding it in the same pink as the backing fabric, but after seeing how pretty the quilting pattern on the back looks, I think I might use the other patterned fabric I originally got to be in the quilt. That way it will look prettier on the reverse side too!

After flapping around in the breeze while I tried to get a photo, I tried it on the cot - Jazz wanted to hop in, and was facsinated by the quilting and all the little birdies...she kept wanting to cuddle them...

...soooooo cute.

I also took the chance to get a photo of Calebs quilt that I made him way back when I started making quilts. I made it for his 5th birthday (in 2002) - he still loves it and will often curl up on it watching TV or playing his DS.

I also planned one for Nathans 5th birthday - well thats been a WIP ever since - only problem was I discovered scrapbooking (and had another two babies) and the quilt making took a back seat. The top has been complete, except for finishing a bit of the blanket stitching around the appliques, for years...it really must get finished once I get the cot quilt and the DQS done. Im so enthused right now Im even going to have a go and machine quilt it myself!

I will leave you with this image of my little princess - Isaac let her outside to play with him the other morning. Like everyone of my kids the first thing she heads for is water ~ of course the muddier the better. Got to love that Id only dressed her about 20 minutes prior to this. The fine bark chips and dirt were all through her clothes and even inside her nappy, she was soaked through everything - it was a bath job ~ which excited her as that was more water to play in...needless to say she was not impressed when she realised that Mummy was just washing her down in the bath and didnt even put the plug in !
She was very proud of herself though - she was stomping in yet another icy cold puddle (with her bare little feet) she had discovered up there when I took this picture!

Vote to win

As I mentioned previously, this photo of Caleb & Nath has made the finals of the centro smile competition.

The next round of voting involves a peoples choice winner from each centre…online voting opened this morning, so for all of those asking how you can vote for them, here is the link

http://www.smilephotos.com.au/

Alternatively if you are near St Agnes, you can also view the photos and vote there!

Hopefully Im going to take the boys down to see themselves on Saturday – what do you think the chances of them standing next to the enlargement in the middle of the shopping mall so Mum can get a photo are ? I think Im going to have to come up with some serious bribery to pull that one off LOL

Thanks for your support…This part of the competition is based purely on the public votes for each centre. I know the boys would be very excited if we could actually manage to collect enough votes to win – we really need all your help (votes) to even be in with a chance!!!

Let the voting begin

more inspiration....

some more favourites for inspiration for the dolls quilt swap - this time from etsy

HE sews

OK, this one knows the way to his Mummys heart. Last night we were chatting about a school project Nath has to do for technology - they have to design and make a toy, he had choosen a puzzle, but commented that he could have made a teddy or something like that, but he couldnt sew. Of course my ears pricked up.

I showed him some pictures of some softies and his face lit up "can you show me how to sew Mum?" Craig was out, Calebs on camp and the little ones were asleep - how could I refuse!

He looked through and drew a picture of one that he liked as a pattern. He cut it out from felt and I showed him how to hand sew - he did a great job, and sat stitching for about 45 min. I had to help a couple of times and it was tough going in a few places - we put a bit of glue on the pieces to hold them while he stitched - BAD idea...mental note to self - not easy to stitch through glue!!!!
He only had the stripe and the eye patch to go when he asked if he could try sewing the stripe with the machine - he did a great job with this too - after straight stitching the stripe, he then zig zagged it as well, and then managed to zig zag around the eye patch too.
While the machine was out he stitched around the outside, stuffed him, and closed him up - he started hand stitching around the outside and is going to finish that at school today. All up it only took him about 2 hours to get this far - pretty good effort I think. Im really glad he is going to hand stitch around the outside as well - there is something really appealing to me about the way kids stitch - its not easy to relpicate the look of the stitching of a child - its so careful, yet random - very cute! Oh and he still plans on making the puzzle as well!
I will post an updated picture of him when he is finished and when Nathan has decided on a name!

EB doll quilt swap

Playing around with fabric, and decorating Jacintas room has really re-ignited my passion for patchwork and quilting. Ive pulled out a few ufo's - a table ruunner and some fabric coasters, and Im working on them. I also decided to join in a doll quilt swap - Im really looking forward to it. I cant wait to find out who my swap partner is and start planning! Anyway these are some pics from flickr to give the person who will be making 'our' quilt some ideas of the styles etc that I prefer. Of course there is lots of pink, flowers and birdies! Wow there is some awesome talent out there - I could have spent hours trawling through all the gorgeousness !

Of course there is lots of pink, flowers and birdies! My little obsession with pink is not showing any signs of waining just yet (Ive got 12 years of boyishness to make up for !!! )



Maybe someone really special - like her Grandpa ;) might make Jazz a little dolls cradle/bed for Christmas?!?!?!!?
(heheheheh I know my Dad reads this!!!!! so what do you reckon Dad????? it will be just like old times when you made cradles for all of us!!!!)

Then the only thing missing will be a gorgeous doll to go in it -

I still have one of these absolutely beautiful dolls like this sweetie

from Little Jenny Wren on my wish list!

And speaking of quilts, I got a phone call Friday that Jacinta's cot quilt is done - its been off at the quilters getting a wandering daisy and hearts pattern quilted over it.

This isnt a picture of her quilt, but the a picture of a blanket from Etsy which is where I first saw and the gorgeous Penelope pottery barn kids fabric that I HAD to use as the main panel of her quilt!!!!

I will pick it up this week as soon as it arrives back at Patchwork Apple and get stuck into binding it - I cant wait to get it on her cot! Then FINALLY I promise I will share some pics of her room completed!

Centro Smile Competition

I entered some photos in the centro smile competition at St Agnes, and this one has been choosen as one of the 16 finalists. The winner as voted by the public at each centre (you can vote in person at St Agnes Centro, or on line starting from next Thursday) wins a camera, and the overall winner, which I believe has already been choosen by the judges but isnt announced until the end of the competition, wins $10,000. Im so glad this photo was choosen, its one of my all time favourite photos of the older boys, and for the public to vote it is enlarged and mounted for display, at the end you get to keep it!!!

For those scrappers who recognised this pic, my LO featuring it

appeared on the cover of scrapbooking Memories .

from pillow case to tote bag

I got this quilted pillow case a while ago on clearance at spotlight. I thought it was really pretty, but it didnt go with anything in the house, and so its been sitting around ever since. Today I decided it was time to give it a new life - I turned it into a bag for my mum...just a little thank you for all the times she watches the kids while I have an appointments etc - I really do appreciate it Mum ! Hopefully she doesnt see it here before I give it to her tomorrow.

It started as this...

I cut it up...

used the scraps to add a pocket to the lining, and make some handles (which she wanted long enough to go over her shoulder)...and then stitched it all together...

Hope she likes it!

18 months

To my gorgeous little girl,

One and a half - so much more the age of a toddler than a baby, and now that you are finally walking, you really have become a toddler. You seem so much older, toddling around, exploring the world. Looking at you walking, its hard to believe that only three short weeks ago you were still crawling - it seems like so long ago!

You new found method of getting around means that now you are always wanting to go outside - you stand at the door - "ide, ide" - if anyone goes out and leaves you standing there, you quickly disolve into a tearful mess, plop down onto your bottom, and bang on the door, as your tear filled eyes plead with the person on the otherside to let you go out.

You are constantly babbling and holding conversations with us all. The very animated babble is occasionally punctuated with a word we can understand - mummy, daddy, up, or the funny little noise you still make if you are hungry or thirsty. There are so many new words starting to break through the babble - oof (woof), ack (quack), es (yes), coot (cute), shhs (shoes), ummy (dummy). Your face lights up when we are able to work out what you are trying to tell us, and you are able to answer questions with "es" or the shake of your head. The later is becoming more common as you realise it nearly always gets a good reaction from people. You can follow simple instructions such as "where is your other shoe?", "go and find some socks", "where is Isaac?".

Your love of books is growing. You are always grabbing a book out of your basket and bringing it to me to read - you still prefer turning the pages to actually listening to the words. You love your dummy and blankie, and often sneak into your room and pull them out from your cot. We try to keep them just for sleep time. Usually you will have few sucks and then go and put your dummy back in your bed when I ask. Your favourite toys are still the boys matchbox cars and Isaacs big blue Lightening McQueen car - you know where all the buttons are to get it to talk and make noises! You also love Isaacs Teddy and will sneak a cuddle with him whenever you get the chance - I think its because you see how much Isaac loves him. Isaac is OK with you having a cuddle, thank goodness!

You are still transitioning between two and one sleeps during the day. Most mornings wake at around 7ish, you are happy to play in your cot and so usually you stay in there for at least half an hour while the boys eat breakfast etc. I get you up, nappy changed and dressed, and then you like to have your breakfast straight away.. Most mornings its 3 weetbix, but sometmes its toast or porridge or a cheese sandwich. Morning tea is fruit or crackers and a cup of milk, and then your ready to go back down for a sleep by 10am - most days you will have a good 2 -2 1/2 hours. Lunch is mostly, a toastie, or pasta, of finger foods. I try to put you down for another little nap in the afternoon so your not so grumpy by tea - mostly its just a rest time - its hard to settle with all the after school chaos! Tea time is 5pm - you have some sort of tummy timer that goes off at exactly 5pm...and that is when food must be served or we have to put up with a grumpy whingy little girl until it is. You usually have what we had the night before, I dish you up a serve and pop it in the fridge all ready to go the folowing day, that way I dont have to try and have our dinner organised that early, just so I can serve yours up! I usually bath you and Isaac just before tea. After your tea you have a bit of a play while I do bits for our dinner, and then its off to bed at 6pm. I put you in your sleeping bag, pop dummy in your mouth, blankie in your arms to cuddle and close your door right over. Occasionally we have to go in and lay you back down, but mostly your straight off to sleep for the night.

When ever we visit Auntie Vic, you love playing with all the magnets on her fridge.

At home you have taken to collecting things in your walker.

I find all sorts in there, from cars, dolls and books to drink bottles, pieces of toast. The other day a half eaten bananna stashed in there -YUCK!

You love spending time outside with Isaac - playing with the water and stones in the water feature, exploring the yard, learning to climb and play in the sand pit, and generally getting wet and dirty at the moment. I cant wait until the weather warms up and we can be outside a lot more.

Peek-a-boo continiues to be a favourtie game, along with round and round the garden. You start dancing when ever you hear music.

We all love you so much little princess!

Mummy xxx

whats in the bag?

Rememeber the PJ bags from the last post? I thought I would share a pic of the finished product.

Ive made quite a few pairs of PJ pants this winter and the kids all love them! Ive not attempted tops as yet, but I figure its just as simple to find a cheap matching T Shirt and embellish that! I think these would make great and simple gifts too - especially with the matching bag.

the signs are there...

...that spring is on its way.

The first of my minature daffodils have burst into flower.
There is the occasional day of warm sun and juicy, sweet watermelon.

Saturday was the most gorgeous warm day - such a nice break from the bleak days of winter. The sun was shining, and if you could find a place out of the wind, it was just lovely. It was a perfect day for short sleeved T Shirts and shoes with no socks

and being allowed to play with the cold, wet rocks in the water feature!

I love spring! Beautiful warm days, and cool crisp nights.

.

It was just a sneak peak of what is to come though - by Sunday the rain was back and the fire was alight again...winter was reminding us it had not yet had its time!

While the sun enticed us outside to enjoy it on Saturday, the cold on Sunday provided a good excuse for inside activities. Jacinta had two good sleeps, Isaac was happy to potter around, Craig, Caleb & Nathan were out all day with footy carnivals ij the morning, and the Port Power game after that. I took the chance to sew some more. I did some more of my raggy alphabet letters and I made another little bag - it was going to be a gift, but Im not happy with the quilting on it (serves myself right for being to slack to change the thread colour on the machine!!!) so its going in my room. Its made from extra pieces I had lying around from an unfinished quilt top.

This morning I made these for my sisters Jodi's kids. They each have a pair of flanny PJ pants in the same fabric as the bag in them. Ive had the fabric here for ages, but not got around to drafting patterns the right sizes and making them up. Firstly I decided to make Jess a bag, but decided since they were so quick and easy - not to mention cute, decided the boys sholuld have one each too!

Grosgrain: Sew Cute Shop Amy Butler Birdie Sling GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

another cute giveaway!!!!

Grosgrain: Sew Cute Shop Amy Butler Birdie Sling GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

a little dose of cuteness

Since a friend posted a pic of the gorgeous little bag she made other day, Ive not been able to get it out of my mind. I checked out the tutorial she followed , decided it was well within my capabilities, and added it to my rapidly growing list of things Id like to make.

When I had a few hours to fill this morning before going to have lunch with Kathie & Jamie (finally) I decided to make a start on one. I used the scraps from the fabrics Ive used in Jacintas room. The tutorial was great to follow - and it was pretty quick to do - I finished it off when we got back!
Its even cuter now that Ive seen the size - I cant decide if I want to add a handle or not - at the moment its on the shelf in her robe holding Jacintas brush and comb - Im thinking another to hold the spare dummies, and just because you should have an uneven number, another for hairbands etc.... a larger one, using the same principle, would make a gorgeous library bag...and some more little ones made up in christmas prints would be perfect to hold small gifts - can you tell I think they are really cute!!! and a fantastic way to use up scraps!

ETA - another quick pic to give you a better idea of the size

...and for anyone who gives these a try - you wont normally see the little strip of lining fabric around the top. I wanted it to show, and so didnt fold it right back over and in when I tucked the lining back in - this does mean that the lining doesnt sit quite as nicely as it should inside though. Next time I will probably add an extra 1/4" to the lining to make it all sit perfectly.

he, she, me

He....

....loves his new fish tank

....always requests his apple - "cutted up and in a little bowl"

She....

....loves being outside and always ends up with wet muddy knees and bottom at the moment

....loves filling her little walker/pram with treasures, and has a very cheeky grin!

Me....

..... I am back on the sewing machine - this is a sneek peek of my current project - I will show you more when they are finished...its what Im making with all Jacintas baby flanelette wraps that I was going to turn into a raggy quilt - I decided, considering we already have many cot quilts, to make these instead.

oh and what about the rest of them you ask ? just the usual- work, footy coaching, school, footy training, karate, guitar, footy playing, friends, footy meetings - and lots of mums taxi & maid service being utilised these days!

Grosgrain: The Pod Swaddler Pattern GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

Grosgrain: The Pod Swaddler Pattern GUEST GIVEAWAY!!!!

How cute is this - would make a perfect gift for a newborn baby - ahhh and all the gorgeous fabrics that you could use!