Goodbye 2010 - Looking Forward to 2011

As much as I have been sewing a lot more this year (a positive) there are been a few things going on in the background here to cause me to 'misplace' my focus at times.

2011 will be about "moving forward". In regards to family, James will start school in February.


He also started dancing this year, and will be continuing in 2011..... Hip Hop, Contemporary, Ballet.... it has given him a real boost to start something that he enjoys so much.

Layla will also start dancing - yep, I am loving having a little girl!

James also went to Drama classes again this year, which finished off with a fantastic Christmas party.... one of the highlights of our year.....




Layla turned 2 at the beginning of the month..... my little angel.


Then we could start to focus on Christmas....



And to finish, a quick pic of my nephew in his new hat that I made.


I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and I wish you all the best for 2011.

The Countdown to Christmas

Well, my husband decided to put the Christmas tree up early this year. Apparently the tree lighting in Martin Place means our tree can go up. Using his theory, we could probably start putting up decorations in October. I should explain that he did not grow up in Australia, or really celebrate Christmas growing up. For the first 6 years or so that we were together he would ask the same question every year.... "Which day do we have to give presents?". I think he 'gets' the present thing now, as I am sure he hears me answering the same question from James.

The tree going up definitely put the wind up me though...... so much to do, so little time.
First up, I needed to finish the stocking for Layla.


Then I finished some Christmas bunting.


And a dress for Layla (although this is not the official photograph, just a happy snap that Alex took).


After all that I needed to sew something for myself (I get selfish like that). A dress. Yet to be photographed.

Finally, I thought I would add in a picture of a drawing that my husband completed. It will be going to a family member for a Christmas present. Apparently the pencils he is using aren't the 'right' pencils though, so he is getting new pencils for Christmas.


The next few weeks are going to be a sewing frenzy. I have completed some Christmas presents, but still have a long way to go.

Christmas Present Sewing

Since my niece is off to school next year, I thought I would make her a party dress as a Christmas present (for all those birthday parties I hear Kindy kids go to) rather than buy a toy that she will be much to busy to use.

I used the Kyoko pattern again. It really is very easy to sew up. I am a 'slow/particular' sewer. I am not into rushing a project. But this dress only took me a day to cut and sew - obviously I am not sewing all day, just when the kids are in bed. So it is a pretty quick sew really.

Since my sister won't visit this blog, I will post a picture now (on the hanger) and hopefully a get an action shot after Christmas.

He Who Shouts the Loudest.....

Since Layla doesn't know any better (yet) she tends to miss out on getting new things at times. As much as I do sew for her, if James wants something sewn for him, he wants it now! So Layla tends to get the 2nd version of things I make (sometimes a few months later).

In this case, James saw me preparing the Christmas Stockings and wanted the first version....... so here it is......


Not too happy with how the fabric shows through in this picture. It is not as bad in real life though, so I think I will live with it.

Off to work on Layla's stocking now.... after all, I don't have a few months to complete this version.

Flowerpress

A few weeks back, I entered a giveaway from Flowerpress - never expecting to win! This is what I received in the mail......


A teatowel and a piece of fabric (surely that will end up in a garment for Layla). I am loving all the lovely printed teatowels around these days. It is a much needed splash of colour in our black and white kitchen.

Thank you Susie!

Sydney sees Summer.....

Well, it seems it was a short lived excitement, as the clouds are rolling in now. But this morning we woke up to a very warm day. After James' dance class, I thought it might be time to bring out the Slip and Slide we bought earlier this year. The kids had a ball. Until the fights started over the mini-boogie board. At this stage Layla ran inside into her bedroom and was madly trying to get the cushion that Cass made for her when she was born (it was in her cot)..... she seemed to think it would make a good alternative to the boogie board. Hmm, no.

And the Stash-buster Giveaway Winner is......

Congratulations Karen!! I don't think I have your address, so I will be in contact to get it from you!!

Mini-Giveaway Winner

Well since there were only 2 of you who entered this giveaway (Renae was excluded since she can't sew a stitch, haha) there was a 50% chance of Andrea or Little Betty winning. Feeling terrible that there can only be one winner for this one, but the lucky girl is Little Betty.
Congratulations! Let me know if you would like me to pop it in the post, or meet up one day.

Andrea, my next ordering stuff up is yours!!

Thank you!

Thank you to all of you who commented on my post from yesterday. Where possible I will try to reply directly to you. But I don't think I can reply to Joni, so just wanted to say thank you. I am also hoping to get back to playgroup next year with my daughter (who currently has no activities of her own or any friends to call her own).

Now, I ordered a bundle of patterns from the Vogue/McCalls/Butterick group a couple of weeks ago. About a week earlier I had been to Spotlight and paid around $40 for 2 patterns. I know, I am an idiot!! When I saw the prices on the US website, and the current exchange rate, I couldn't resist. Despite the fact that I paid $25 for postage (now what a rip off is that!), I still managed to have 7 Vogue and McCalls patterns delivered for $50. However, silly "never-even-been-bleached-blonde" me accidentally ordered 2 of the exact same pattern. So, I will give one away.



It is a bit specific though..... the pattern is Vogue 1120, but in the larger size range (14-22). Also, since I have already paid a heap in postage to get it here, I might just make it a local (Australian giveaway). I will keep this one open until Friday night. And I guess just to keep things separate, any entries for this giveaway won't be entered in the bigger/destash giveaway (just in case the same person were to win both - I would prefer to spread the love). Of course, everyone is welcome to enter both separately.

So to enter this giveaway, just leave a comment on this post! Good luck!

So I have been MIA lately. Just from the blog. To be honest, it all comes down to motivation, and trying to work out my place in the world. Basically, I think I have been retreating from society over the last few years, and have come to a point where I don't really know where I fit in.

I am sure other stay-at-home-Mum's must go through this sometimes, but at the moment, there are weeks when the only interaction I have with other adults during the day is a wave to other parents at daycare drop off. There are no phone calls or emails to get me through the day. No courses to go to, no meet-ups to keep me going.

Days are filled with driving my son to dancing, daycare, swimming, Cantonese lessons and drama class. On the quiet days we get to do the grocery shopping. I live in an area where I never just bump into people I know down at the shops, so even chance encounters are incredibly rare.

The only thing that I do for myself is sewing. Once again a solitary event. In a room away from little hands.....