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.

New Year, New Haircut

Happy New Year to everyone. Not much happened around here last night.....although we could hear fireworks in the distance. Does that count?

Most of our friends have little kids now, so I am guessing that they were all at home like we were. Or were they all out, and we just weren't invited??

Anyway, Christmas was just like it always is...busy. I have mixed feelings about Christmas. I enjoy all the food and I love giving presents. But I hate the stress of the cooking and the stress that some people put themselves through to buy a perfect present. Most of all I hate being asked, "What do you want me to buy you for Christmas?" I also don't like being told, "If you haven't bought anything for me yet, you can get me....." Anyway, that is my little vent over for the year....well on the blog anyway.

Alex bought me a new little camera that I can keep in my bag. Our other camera takes great pictures, but is a little big to carry around all the time.
So let me present some pictures......

Firstly, my sister took a family picture of us.


The Chocolate Cream Berry Pavlova.....too, too good!!


And James with his new haircut. Despite sitting there while the hair was being cut, it was still quite a shock to see him with hair so short. He looks SO grown up now. All day yesterday and today, Alex and I have been looking over at him and just shaking our heads in disbelief....is that the same boy?