A Finish!

Sadly not my tree skirt - that is at the point of being half quilted (It is my first attempt at free motion quilting, and I am still terrified of it!) It might make it under the tree by New Year.

I have managed though to complete two crayon folders as part of the Christmas presents for some dear friends' 2 little ones.

I fussy cut a picture from some of the fabric used inside and raw edge appliqued it to the front - this way they can always tells whose is whose! That and the different coloured elastics that keep them closed. I considered putting their initials on the front, but I am struggling to find a font that I like that increases to the size I want with the proportions I'd like!

They nearly didn't get posted though - I discovered that my box of brand new crayons mysteriously didn't contain enough to fill them both, so there was a mad dash to buy some more on the way to the post office (I am currently very thankful for Gift bags) where we just got to in time, by the skin of our teeth

(By the way, they are much better than the first one I made - I used a linen fabric for the outer this time and paired it with a lightweight fusible fleece - I also used a lightweight interfacing on the inner fabric and the whole thing works so much better)

Funny Old day

Feeling a little odd today - kind of bereft. Our office is closing at the end of the week, and I have cleared out and packed the contents of my desk and filing cabinet. Most of us are relocating to other offices within the organisation, with only a very few becoming redundant.

It just felt strange to walk out and say goodbye and know that I will hardly ever see many of my colleagues again, yet it is all happening so quietly and calmly.

Birthday Season has begun!

I am tired - the two week countdown felt very long...... and I was up very late last night making this:

 

Looks quite innocent doesn't it - with a tasteful decoration of mini smarties? Tea ended up being quite late, and once it was cut:

there was no way the children were having any so close to bed time! They all want a slice in their packed lunches though (As does my husband despite the fact that he is not taking a packed lunch tomorrow as it is his office christmas do!)

I first saw it on Sue at The Quince tree's blog, and then forgot all about it until I stumbled across it on the Whisk kid's blog a week or two ago - perfect timing!

Birthday cake season has begun!

Christmas Sewing

I am hopelessly disorganised - and an expert procrastinator, so although I have nearly always have plans to make things for Christmas, it rarely happens - even when I wrap lots of presents early it seems to make no difference at all and I am still up past midnight on Christmas Eve wrapping. (You get the general idea)

This year though, things may be different! I have joined the Sew Mama Sew! Christmas tree Skirt sew along. (Ok so they call it pants but I am sticking with it being a skirt for obvious reasons).

I have actually cut out all the pieces for the top.

And here is a completed block! Block 2 came to life this evening, and I have done a pile of chain piecing as well.

You know, I really think I might stand a chance of finishing this before Christmas.......

Not holding out any hopes on the wrapping though.

Naming Day Gift

What do you give a little boy for a naming day gift? We live in a small town, and the limited selection of traditional gifts (in our budget!) would likely already be turning up. So I did some sewing and made him a travelling art folder - inspiration and instructions culled from a myriad of finished items/tutorials on blogs (and Pinterest........). I can't remember them all - but I did refer to this tutorial when actually making it.

It turned out quite well - but I wish I had used some iron on interfacing on the lining fabric -or even added some wadding - I didn't think it would need it as the outer fabric is denim, but the folder is a little floppy. It should be possible to use the art folder for colouring pencils instead of crayons as there is enough length.

I hope it gets used and abused - chucked in changing bags etc - always handy for those unexpected long waits at the Doctors, in a cafe...... once he's old enough to hold a crayon that is!

Autumn is coming

The summer has long gone it feels - the nights are drawing in, there is chill and dampness in the air (and the doors are starting to stick again, sigh). But interspersed there are warm and sunny patches.

Our new climbing rose is blooming, looking beautiful with the not-so-early morning dew that autumn brings.

The Littlest Wednesday thinks it smells of raspberries.

A Caravan Cookbook

Here is one of my latest purchases (good old Book people!):

Sadly we haven't been out in the caravan since I bought it - but we have tried out some of the recipes at home - I can highly recommend the whole chicken in cider (though as we don't have a slow cooker in the caravan - and won't be getting one - it will remain a cook at home dish.)
 The spaghetti bolognese was also extremely good - it had an unusal ingredient in the form of adzuki beans (or in our case a tin of aduki beans that had been sitting in the cupboard so long it was dusty). We have also made the sausage,leek and mozzarella rolls - very yum.
I do struggle to think of things to cook whilst away in the 'van - and there are some things in the book that I wouldn't attempt in a caravan kitchen (or the ingredients are just a a step too far for the children's conservative palettes), but I'm hoping the food on our next trip away is going to be a bit more interesting...

If I actually try to make one of the bread recipes I'll let you know, but don't hold your breath.....

Fathers Day Popcorn

Ok - I confess - it is because I wanted to eat it, but Father's day was a good excuse!

I found a recipe for cinnamon pecan caramel popcorn and that was it - I needed to make it, and I did.

It was delicious, but suprisingly rich - and I think next time I would leave out the white chocolate. I have plans for a nut free plain caramel version, and maybe using the caramel on just nuts........