Kiddies Christmas Party

Our annual all in Mother's Group Christmas party was this morning. The first time in ages we've managed all 10 kids and it was so much fun. This little group have all known each other since they were in their mummy's bellies when we met at our hospital ante-natal classes and have become great friends.

All the kids

Off on a lolly hunt

Super fun in the swimming pool

Little Liam having a ball

Pressie time

Princess Bella's presant from the group

We all are going to sleep well tonight

Dancing Princess

Isabella's daycare Christmas Concert was yesterday and she had SIX songs to dance and sing to and she did soo well, we were so proud.

Waiting patiently to begin.

Waiting not so patiently.

Posing with Sherri her beloved carer who watched her dance and sing with us. Afterwards she got one of her favourites for lunch as a treat, cucumber sushi.

Taxi Tote Bag

I got my hands on the Anna Marie Horner book Seams to Me a couple of weeks ago and it is Fantastic.

This is the Taxi Tote from the book made to go with a present for Isabella's main carer at her daycare. The fabric is also from Anna Marie Horner and is one of my faves and it's lined with a pale pink. I hope Sherri likes it.

Eye Spy ... What I want for Christmas

So sadly This Is has finished but Bugandpop has started her own "Eye Spy" for Sundays so I'm joining in for the ride.

This week is Eye Spy What I want for Christmas...

Magazine subscriptions are high on my list of wants this year, Real Living, Instyle and Who are on my list that went to Santa but I'd be happy with anything!

If I had my pick of Etsy I'd get this for my kitchen. But of course with the Aussie dollar so yuck at the moment Etsy buying has pretty much died. Maybe I could attempt to make one myself. Hmm maybe not.

Note: Thanks Betty for the heads up on the super cheap red one at Barter Books, I headed over for a peek and next thing I know a nice bright red one is on it's way to my house! Red was my very first choice but I thought maybe I'd been going a little red crazy lately. What a bargin AUD$15 including postage. Apparently Barter Books were the original printers of these posters in WWII. Since I've bought that now, should I pick something else??

Most of all I'm wanting more of this, snuggles from my babes and a day of fun and the looks on their faces. This is Isabella's first proper Christmas when she's loving Santa and excited about the whole day.

Re-furbished Cans

I've been saving Liam's empty formula cans for "something" and here they are... all dolled up in bright spots for holding pencils, crayons and other kiddie-craft stuff. Pretty happy with the outcome, armed with some Modge Podge which I haven't used before and these rectangles of fabric and voila, it worked! Wonder what else I can "Modge Podge" around here.

Christmas Table Gifts & Cards

Every year we buy a little something for on the Christmas Table. I normally end up coming home with some kind of body cleanser/moisturiser thingy or an address book or something else I just never end up using. So this year this is what we are all going to get...

Little pouches/wallets for Mum, Me & Aunty Clare. These are big/small enough to hold all those excess of cards we seem to accumulate, every shop I walk into seems to have a loyalty card of some kind. They are made from some of my fave Amy Butler fabric and some linen. Isabella will be getting a little purse too, but hers will have cupcakes on it. The guys always gets a Chocolate Orange and yap on about it all year so they'll be getting them.

I've started wrapping Christmas Presents in fear of little people finding things. Well and big people cause Dean is a big SNOOP. Yes I know you read this blog Dean, don't deny it, any bags laying around for more than 60 seconds around here are inspected especially this close to Christmas. The man can SNIFF Christmas presents have entered the house.

My new gift cards, like them? I made them at Mum's on Tuesday. I ended up having to make her a couple of dozen as well. She thought they needed colouring in but I like having just the one little colour accent on them. Plus I have too many to draw to bother colouring them in.

Off to try finishing the top of Isabella's quilt thats for Christmas. If anyone has seen a stack of all sewen up squares wandering around looking lost can you send them home cause I can't find them for the life of me. This is why I normally finish a project in one sitting cause otherwise things just go AWOL when it's weeks between sewing them.

How to Amuse 2 Children for an Afternoon

Supposed to be a clown. Isabella & Dean were impressed, I think I made her end up looking more like the Joker from The Dark Knight.

Isabella decided Liam should be a bumble bee. He sat still for one and a half stripes.

Taking turns pushing each other as fast as possible in a wooden cart. How there were no tears I will never know, but heck it kept them amused for an hour and laughing hysterically.

Perfect baby-bottom sized seat. He looked pretty comfy.

Thank goodness no one came knocking at the door cause they would have wondered what kind of circus I have running out of our home during the day.

Aunty Cookie Sketchbook Cover

I bought this super bright and full of cuteness fabric from Aunty Cookie with no idea what to make with it a while ago. The fluro pink and red and cute sayings like "crafting genius" and "you clever thing you" made me do it.

After an upgrade to a new sketchbook needing a new pretty cover, I took scissors to it with tears in my eyes and praying it would all work out because as always, no pattern or measurements with me and no patience to research that kind of thing.

Thankfully it worked. The scrooge in me wanted to savour every last inch of the Aunty Cookie fabric for something else, no idea what that else is but I have fabric if I need it, so I lined it with natural linen.

Family Day

Hubbies work had the annual Family Day yesterday. We braved the wind and rain and rocked up ready for some fun. Unfortunately with about an hour to go it got canned, it was just too wet and the wind had started blowing furniture around but we still had a great time.

Dean took the kids on the big slide while I manned our position in the queue for coffee. Spots in the coffee line were prime realty because of the cold!

Liam reallly likes corn

Isabella was happy with a cupcake. And 3 sausages. And salad. And a large bread roll. And a banana. And an apple. And biscuits. Where do these children put all this food?

Spotlight Haul

Handed with my spend $100 get $40 off vouchers for Spotlight I headed up Saturday afternoon.

Spot spots and more spots

Soft pink flannel, cupcake fabric and matching ribbon to make another ribbon blanket

Lovely florals

Nice & bright. Check out the little fishes!

And a very funky new rotary cutter

Ssssh, don't tell anyone but I ended up having to use TWO vouchers but I still reckon it was a bargin.

Picnic Roll

My Mum & Dad love picnics, I remember going on many many picnics as a child and last week we took the kids on one which was lovely. Mum had her big fancy picnic basket full of food and how did she bring the cutlery? In a plastic bag. So I came up with this for them which they'll get at Christmas.

It holds a teaspoon, fork, knife and big spoon and has space to even be a placemat. The spots for the cutlery are big enough to hold two place settings if they are out picnicking with others.



Now to write down all the measurements for everything or if I have to make them again I'll have forgotten.

More Beautiful Shots

Aren't they beautiful shots? To all my family we don't see often the children always act this well behaved and so impecably groomed. To those who we see often please keep the truth to yourself!.

Thank Yous

For some of the lovely ladies who look after the Princess on a Friday. She has grown so attached to these wonderful people and has so much fun every week.

A tote for one.

And zippered pouches for another the others.

I made a matching tissue holder for this one, it is for an extra special lady. Isabella never leaves her side and they spend much of the day one-on-one. At our last parents night we were told "I don't have favourites, but shhhh I really do, I love Belle". I think I could of cried. How sweet, she loves Isabella just as much as Isabella loves her back.

Wrapped and ready.

Plans for fancy gift cards went out the window as it's only an hour before we have to be out the door so I just drew these little guys on in pencil.

Photo Shoot

Yesterday we did a photo shoot with a good friend, an attempt at "nice" photos to send to relatives and for our annual Christmas Card I am yet to design.

We got some beautiful shots and managed to avoid the heavy rain. A big thank you and well done Tanya for managing shots of BOTH my children in one frame, it was a task with Liam, he was Mr Speedy-Gonzlaez all day.

These were just the sneak peaks Tanya sent me, and I can't wait to get the whole CD. Check out over here for Tanya's site and also for some more fantastic shots of my beautiful children. Not that I'm biased at all.

Christmas Top

Appliqued t-shirt for the Monkey boy to wear tomorrow night to go with the Princess' dress.

Close up. I used the Red polka dot fabric and then the tree is cut from felt.

My first applique on a top and I loved it, can't wait to jazz up some singlets for Liam for summer.

Advent Calender

All done in time for Christmas. All I need is some dowl, hopefully our Bunnings can cut it to length.

We don't give the kids lollies so for the pockets I was thinking of making up some little cards with an activity for each day for us to do. Of course days we do swimming I get to cheat and use that as their activity!

Amitie Mailout = Joel Dewberry yummy fabricy-goodness

My first Amitie VIP mailout arrived last week. Check out this Joel Dewberry Ginseng fabric, yum!

I happen to have some of his Ginseng in the same colour but different pattern left over from a top of Bella's and would love to use them together for something but not sure what, I don't have a huge amount of either.


Another Christmas present done, a pin cushion for mum using the tutorial on Heather Bailey's blog. It matches the sewing bag I made her for her birthday.

Christmas Dress

This Friday night is Isabella's day cares Christmas Disco and the letter that came home said to wear something "Christmas-y". Of course eveything from last year is now well and truly outgrown so I picked up some fabric and made up this dress for her. Liam needs something to wear too since the whole family is going so I think I'll make him up some super quick shorts and a singlet/t-shirt with something appliqued on it.

More Wrap Skirt Pics

More on this wrap skirt, this time during day time. (It can either be tied up on the side or at the back) I love this skirt, and whoo hoo so does Isabella!. Oh yes that is Buzz Lightyear and a dolly she's holding. Buzz spent most of the day rescuing dolly from all sorts of perils.

Liam at the "big table" on a "big boy chair" today while we were out and about grabbing coffee. He's growing way too fast for my liking.

Quick Sewing Fixes

Last post for the day, I promise. A few quick projects finished in the last couple of days.

A wrap skirt for Isabella with denim and Heather Bailey fabric that I just LOVE and bought especially for this. I was going to put an applique on the skirt as well but after she wore it yesterday I kind of like it plain. I am going to make a matching top of some kind with the same fabric to go with it. Pretty proud of myself for doing it with no pattern and it fitting so well.

An apron for a Christmas presant for a lovely old lady in the UK. She happens to be the new Great-Grandmother to this little princess born today. Bit hard to see in the photo but it has two little matching pockets on the front.

A sling carrier for Isabella's "baby". She was so happy with this and it took me about 10 minutes to make.

A New Baby Girl

hotos from our playdate today with friends...

Isabella, Liam & Amelia were running a little shop selling strawberries & bananas & chocolate cake. Unfortunately all I was getting for my hard earned money was leaves that I had to pretend tasted like the real thing. (They didn't and all the talk of chocolate cake made me hungry!)

After our playdate we went to meet a gorgeous little girl born early this morning. This little sweet heart is the closest thing Dean & I have to a niece/nephew since I am an only child and Dean's only sibling passed away 5 years ago. I can't wait to spoil her rotten. You are going to be sick of me little Lily with all my squishy hugs and kisses!

Dolls Quilt

Isabella put in a request for a blanket for her "baby's" new bed we got last week. This was my first attempt at a Dolls quilt and it looks OK but I really need to work on my basting. Yesterday she asked me for a pillow to go with it, so maybe tomorrow if Liam has a big nap while she is at daycare I will get it done for her.

Holy Moly I'm on Whip Up

Yes that's right folks, I updated my list of tutorials last night and this evening while checking out my bloglines there I was in all my posting glory! A mention from Whipup and linking to my tutorials list. Can anyone wipe the smile of my face?? Not a chance.

This Is... My Favourite Quote

Hmm this was a hard one, hence the 3 days lateness but the one that keeps popping into my head so I'm running with it cause before I know it it'll be Sunday again and then I'll have TWO "This Is" to do... "Life is what you make of it"

Thanks to Angela for hosting and Strawberry Kisses for the theme.

Gift for a Friend

Finally received (hmm my old friend Australia Post. I'm sure they have it in for me).

A little pouch of a design thought up while I was literally sewing it, with an embroidered front. (Yes there is a nasty big smudgy mark on the corner of the pics. You can all thank the budding photographer Isabella for that.)

Another New Website.. No New Sewing..

Boo hiss no sewing to show for the past few days, I've been busy with a whole stack of new customers and old ones wanting things done too. Here's the latest, a website for a lovely lady who has a guide for Single Mothers.

Another couple new sites and some Search Engine Optimisation to be done, if only I had an extra 10 hours a day to get it all done then I could go get re-aquainted with my sewing machine.

An Opping We Will Go

My second ever succesful op-shop adventure today, the first was on the weekend when we found some books for 50c and $1 including a book from The Incredibles movie (Isabella's current fave movie) and a few sewing patterns for $2 each. Not alot but we were impressed with our finds.

Today on our way home from the shops we drove past a huge sale that the Salvation Army were having in a big car park. So quick u-turn and a park, loaded the kids into the double pram and off we went for a browse.

If you wanted old-style furniture you were in heaven, I wish we had more space cause I would have bought up the place, but I was restrained and came home with an ottoman for Liam to use as a seat and a handmade wooden dolls cradle.

The Ottoman has gorgeous fabric with animals on it, and while in perfect nick, it's a bit grubby. Rather than completely upholstering it I made up a slip cover so I can whip it off and throw in the wash when it gets yucky.

Just a big circle of fabric I had on hand that I sewed elastic under and then overlocked the edges. I couldn't make a casing like normal for elastic as I needed every inch of the fabrics width to make it fit. Pretty happy with the outcome!

Now to make a replacement matress cover for the cot and maybe a pillow and quilt. Best of all the ottoman was only $8 and the cot $15.

There was THE most adorable chair there for $45 that I kept circling around but I left it cause we just have no where for it. Maybe if I "happen" to drive by on Sunday and it's still there I'll have to "save" it. Does that sound plausible??

So much for working on Isabella's quilt today!

Full Steam Ahead

More on Operation Getting Ready for Christmas 2008 from yesterday.

Two of Bella's Christmas Pressies, a super hero cape cause everything is "super hero" at the moment. Even the poor lone Barbie she was given has become Elastogirl from The Incredibles. The little bag is from the Melly & Me The Owl and the Pussycat bag pattern my Mother-In-Law gave me a few months back.

An apron for my Aunt.

And not for Christmas but been on the to do list for a while, another plastic covered bag for myself.

This is... A Favourite Recipe I'd like to Share

OK so I don't have "A", I have 4 of our favourites and most used... The thing I love about all of them is the prep time is all less than 10 minutes. We have so many favourites that I couldn't pick, a herbed chicken schniztel, Chicken & Bacon parcels, Fresh tomato and garlic spagetti, Peppered Salmon with Asian Greens... hmm

Sausage Bake
6 sausages (we like our Butcher's Italian sausages, yum)
2 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
2 rosemary sprigs
1 punnet of cherry tomatoes, halved
800g potatoes, chopped
1 loaf turkish bread, cut into bite sized pieces
1 1/2 teaspoon of paprika
Salt and pepper
Virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 210°C.
Place sausages, garlic, potatoes and rosemary in a roasting tray, sprinkle with the paprika, salt and pepper and oil.
Cook for 20min then put in tomatoes and turkish bread and cook for a further 20 minutes.

The NY Times No Knead Bread
3 cups plain flour
1/4 teaspoon instant yeast
1/4 teaspoon salt

In a large bowl combine flour, yeast and salt. Add 1 5/8 cups water, and stir until blended; dough will be shaggy and sticky. Cover bowl with plastic wrap. Let dough rest at least 12 hours, preferably about 18, at warm room temperature, about 70 degrees.

Dough is ready when its surface is dotted with bubbles. Lightly flour a work surface and place dough on it; sprinkle it with a little more flour and fold it over on itself once or twice. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rest about 15 minutes.

Using just enough flour to keep dough from sticking to work surface or to your fingers, gently and quickly shape dough into a ball. Generously coat a cotton towel (not terry cloth) with flour, wheat bran or cornmeal; put dough seam side down on towel and dust with more flour, bran or cornmeal. Cover with another cotton towel and let rise for about 2 hours. When it is ready, dough will be more than double in size and will not readily spring back when poked with a finger.

At least a half-hour before dough is ready, heat oven to 450 degrees. Put a 6- to 8-quart heavy covered pot (cast iron, enamel, Pyrex or ceramic) in oven as it heats. When dough is ready, carefully remove pot from oven. Slide your hand under towel and turn dough over into pot, seam side up; it may look like a mess, but that is O.K. Shake pan once or twice if dough is unevenly distributed; it will straighten out as it bakes. Cover with lid and bake 30 minutes, then remove lid and bake another 15 to 30 minutes, until loaf is beautifully browned. Cool on a rack.

This is from the NY Times

Lemonade Scones
1 cup lemonade
1 cup cream
3 cups self-raising flour
Jam and cream to serve

Preheat oven to 210°C.
Place all ingredients in a bowl and mix until just combined.
Place on a benchtop lightly dusted with flour and shape into a rectangle about 3 cm high.
Cut out with a scone cutter and place on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes or until the top is golden.
Serve with jam and cream.

Cinnamon Tea Cake
60g unsalted butter
145g caster sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
155g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
80ml milk

topping
3 teaspoons caster sugar
ground cinnamon
10g unsalted butter

Preheat the oven to 180°C
Beat the butter and sugar with electric beaters until pale and creamy.
Add the egg and the vanilla and stir together.
Sift in the flour and baking powder, add the milk and mix until combined.
Pour into a greased and lined 20cm cake tin and bake for 20 minutes or until a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. Leave in the tin for 2 minutes before turning out onto a plate.
Mix together the sugar and cinnamon.
Dot the warm cake with butter and brush to melt.
Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar and serve warm.

Thanks for Angela for hosting AND nominating this weeks themes. I am busily collecting receipes from everyone.

And the winner is...

Drum roll please for the winner of my little embroidered notebook cover and matching pen holder....

CurlyPops!

How appropriate, the very organised CurlyPops who kept us all up to date with all the giveaways running during Blogtoberfest. I'm pretty chuffed that CurlyPops won cause it's a way for me to also say Thank You for all her efforts.

Now... I didn't mention it at the time but I was also working on a couple of other embroidered notebook covers (which I managed to finish off this evening) and so when I used the random number generator thingy I pulled 2 more names out of the virtual-hat.

The one on the left is going to Leni & Rose and the one on the right to Anja.

Could all three lucky ladies please email me at lcbella@hotmail.com with your addresses and I'll pop them in the post.