Advent Blog-along–Day 11

Today however I do have a wonderful present to share with you all.

I was lucky enough to receive a Secret Santa gift from Ruth for the EB Newbies Secret Santa

Inside all those packages were these items

Some candles, coasters, material (three from Love Birds and one from All Star, I think) a pot holder made into a cone which held some hand cream and chocolates, a some soap (home made?), a babushka key ring and a notepad. Very spoilt wasn’t I

I actually sent to Ruth as well as received from her, however in my rush to get the present in the post, I forgot to take a photo, therefore I will have to wait until she opens and blogs for you to see what I sent her

Advent Blog-along–Day 10

Tonight we went along to the Casey Demons Christmas Party (Casey Demons is a supporters group for the Melbourne Football Club)

And following on from my last post about Bastian gaining more confidence, I was pleasantly surprised when he not only asked to go on the bouncy slide, but actually climbed all the way up and slide down all by himself.

Advent Blog-along Day 9

I have decided to just blog when I can this festive season, to many other things going on in the background that I don’t want to bore you all with here. So some of these post may be a bit delayed (like today I have three posts for you)

In many ways my darling Bastian is a normal rough and tumble boy but then he also has an overall cautious side that prevents him from sliding down slides by himself or climbing to high. So you can imagine my delight when he worked out the other day that our driveway makes a perfect slope for his little push along bike.

At first I felt I was a bit overprotective worried that he might come off and scrap his legs/feet or even worse go on to the road, but do the fact that we are very slack and our driveway does still not line up with our crossover (we have only been in this house for 9 years) he worked out the perfect way to stop himself.

(does anyone know how to add video to blog posts without uploading it to YouTube)

Advent Blog-along–Day 8

I know, I know only 8 days in and I have already missed a couple of days
I have to admit I have been having a bit of trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year, only reason I can think of is that life it so hectic I find it hard to stop and smell the roses (or maybe it should be Christmas tree ) at the moment. However last night thanks once again to my wonderful parents I was able to finally decorate our tree and the place looks a lot more festive

I also went out shopping yesterday and was very happy that I was able to find and purchase on this, which seem to be quite popular at the moment

Lastly while out shopping my Mum reminded me of one other tradition I have and that is to purchase from Dusk a Christmas candle ornament each year. The last couple of years I have been a bit wary of purchasing anything to breakable, so have stuck to the novelty candles, which get lit on Christmas Eve while watching the Carols. Here is this years purchase, cute isn’t he.

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 5

Sorry for the lack of post yesterday but we didn’t get home from the city until 6pm (and that was after leaving at 7am) so as you can imagine we had two very tired and somewhat grumpy little boys as well as tired Mummy & Daddy. As always the Wiggles Concert was fantastic we had great seats, on the floor 7 rows back from the front.

You can see in background of this picture how close we were to the stage. Both boys enjoyed it, well Bastian loved it, Andrew has video photo of him going crazy when they come out in the Big Red Car, Lachie just enjoyed jumping up and down on our knees and then of course fell asleep in my arms at the last song.

I had to include this one of Anthony just because I could

After the concert we walked up to Crown Casino and had a look at there Christmas display, I was actually a bit disappointed as they have not changed it much in the last 3 years, however Bastian loved it, especially the hanging monkeys that come down from the ceiling. We then caught a tram to Myer and went to Santaland

Where he got to go on a ride on Santa’s train and then after 45min waiting, we went and met Santa. I must admit when I was told how long the wait would be I was a bit hesitant but it was well worth it.

Both boys look a bit tired as it was towards the end of a long day, and Bastian was not too sure about Santa, but at least he sat there which was a change from the last two years. We mentioned to Santa that Bastian was going to give him his dummy’s and Santa told him that Rudolph has just had a little baby who could really use some dummy’s so that would be lovely if he left his out for him. The only problem we had was that Bastian wanted to know why he didn’t get any of the things he was wanting off Santa, but more about that on a later post.

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 4

Once again I have decided to join in with

and here are my selected words

Advent	angel	carols
Christmas Eve	Dancer	Deck the halls
family	Frosty the Snowman	Jingle Bells
jolly	Hallelujah Chorus	ho, ho, ho
Marshmallows	ornaments	Quilts
Rudolph	silent night	sleigh bells
Sugar Plums	tinsel	traditions
tree	turkey	White Christmas
wrapping paper

Why don’t you join in to…

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 3

I had planned to be able to show you a picture of our decorated Christmas Tree tonight, however my darling husband got a better offer tonight then to come home and decorate the tree, he has gone to see U2 in concert, and actually got to meet Bono very briefly before the concert.

So now hopefully we will find some time over the weekend to decorate the beautiful fresh cut Christmas tree which I went out and chose today.

Tomorrow is definitely the start of the crazy part of Christmas for us, up at 6 to get ready and catch a train to the city to see The Wiggles concert, into Crown complex to have a look at there Christmas display, have a look at the Myer windows, trip to Santaland, including a ride on the Santa train for Bastian & hopefully a photo with Santa as well.

All that means that hopefully I will have some pictures for you tomorrow. But in the meantime I will leave you with another one of my favourite Christmas Songs

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 2

As far as Christmas activities today we did zilch, well if you count cleaning up the toys so we can get the Christmas tree tomorrow a Christmas activity then we did that.

However I thought today I would list my Christmas traditions, and as you can see from the list I am big on Christmas traditions –

1. Wiggles concert in the city – followed by the Myer windows, Crown Christmas display, and a visit to Santa and Santaland at Myers
2. Local Carols concert
3. Christmas Eve Santa comes around on a fire truck and throws out lolly for the children
4. Christmas Eve we make cookies for Santa, last year was the first for this one, and was a bit of a failure but I am confident that this year will be better
5. Watch Carols by Candlelight while madly wrapping the rest (read most) of the presents

I am sure there is more and as the boys get bigger they will change some what

Finally here is the picture that was taken while reading last night Christmas story

2010 Advent Blog-along–Day 1

2008 I managed 7, last year I managed 16 posts so lets see what I can do this year. In case you are wondering what I am waffling about, it is this

So come on join in over here, I know you want to.

Tonight I started my tradition of reading Christmas story before bed, this time it was a bit different to prior years as I had one of each knee. Andrew took a picture but it is late so I will leave that for another post.

I will however leave you with one of my favourite Christmas songs (would not call this one a carol, what do you think?)

Wordless Wednesday

more here

EB Doll Quilt Swap – What I sent

Now that my swapee and received there quilt I can show some pictures I what I sent.

I had this quilt in mind for a while now but had not had the chance to make it, so when my swapee asked for something pink and girly I to0k the chance to make this design.

One of the reasons I liked this design is the piecing is the main attraction and the quilting is quite plain (easy) I know I really must improve my quilting skills and stretch myself, next time I promise

Sweet Broderie

I have been eyeing off this range every since a sneak peek of it was shown on Rosalie blog so when I saw that the lovely Corrie at Retro Mummy was having a giveaway I just had to sign up.

There have been so many lovely quilts designed in this range already the hardest part if I won would be deciding what to do with it

Spring has sprung

Today was a lovely Melbourne spring day so I took the chance to get out into the garden and take some pictures of our lovely flowering plants

EB Doll Quilt Swap Opening Day - What I received

Today was the day I had been looking forward to all week, I have had a parcel sitting next to me on the computer desk all week, taunting me saying, Open me, Open me and today I was finally able to open it. It was from the lovely Nic and it contained this wonderful wall hanging

Nic truly spoilt me and the boys, as not only did it contain the wall hanging, which will look amazing hanging up next to the one I received last year from Car, but she also sent me a book for Bastian, some socks for Lachie (that matched his outfit he had on today so went straight onto his feet) and some goats milk soap and some pretty heart topped pins

as well as all of that the wall hanging was rapt in this frog material that is just to cute

Now hopefully my recipient has gone down to there post office to pick up there parcel so I can blog what I made and sent tomorrow.

Blogtoberfest – Day 19

Today we went to the Zoo and in the words of my three year old we saw

Raffs

Baby aleefunt

Blogtoberfest – Day 18

I know I said at the start I would try to include more then just pictures of my boys but when they are this cute it is hard not to

Lachie has graduated from the baby bath and today was his first bath in the big bath, Bastian was keen to join him but might wait until Lachie is a bit stronger, otherwise I can see it ending in tears.

Tomorrow we are off to visit the new baby elephant at the Zoo so I am sure I will have plenty of photos to share with you then.

Blogtoberfest – Day 17

Sorry failing here at the moment with my blogging.

To much stress here at the moment which I don’t want to bore you with so I will leave with a photo of my littlest monkey 

Blogtoberfest – Day 15

Okay it is actually the 16 today but I ran out of time yesterday so you will have to have two posts today.

In order to combat my lack of time issue I decided to set up my current project on my sewing table and try to do a little bit here and there between other household chores, work and baby feeds. However I soon realised that when having small children in the house you need to be careful with what you leave lying about.

The other day I was doing something in another room when Bastian comes up to me and says “Mummy I cut” okay I am thinking his paper scissors are safely stowed away so I am not sure what he was talking about…. Then he comes and gets my hand and leads me to my sewing table, points at my laid out material and once again says “See Mummy, I cut like Mummy”  uh-oh

Luckily it is only a 1 1/2 inch square and I have heaps of that material left so I have truly learnt my lesson and all sharp objects are now stored away from little fingers even if I leave my machine for a second.

Blogtoberfest – Day 14 (My Creative Space)

Another sneak peak of the EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo

Blogtoberfest – Day 13

 

Self Portrait Day

Want to see more, have a look at Tinniegirl’s blog

Blogtoberfest – Day 12

A couple of weeks ago I was having a think about blogging and what information I put out there for the world (if they are interested) to read. I realised strangely enough that unlike a lot of people I feel more comfortable putting information here on a platform that I have no control over who reads it, then on Facebook a platform which through privacy settings I know exactly who may be reading it. I suppose it comes back to sometimes you are more comfortable talking to strangers then people that you know, I know strange isn’t it.

However today thanks to the world of Facebook I was able to catch up with three lovely ladies that I went to primary school with, one of which I don’t think I would of seen since primary school (over 23 years ago) Maybe there is some merit in Facebook after all.

I was also made aware a few weeks ago that there are two kinds of people when it comes to blogs, those that blog or read blogs and those that don’t. How did I come to this conclusion, I was introducing a non-blogging friend (A) to a lovely blogging friend (B) and of course one of the first things A asked is how I knew B, when I explained through a craft forum and her blog A looked quite puzzled almost as if I had been internet dating. Maybe A is like other that feel that blogging is narcissistic, however I love blogging and been able to share my thoughts however random and crafty pursuits.

What do you think?

Blogtoberfest – Day 11

Bastian is a truly fussy eater, I know a lot of people say that there is no such thing as a fussy eater and there are ways of making a child eat vegetables, such as hiding them in other things he will eat. But when the list of healthy things he will eat is vegemite sandwiches, toasted cheese sandwiches, pork or chicken sausages, yoghurt, apples, strawberries & bananas then it is hard to hide other things with them.

So you can imagine my surprise when were out at a 4 year old birthday on Sunday and he polished off all of the grapes that were on the cheese plate and then later on in the day he took a huge slice of watermelon and proceeded to eat 90% of it, only stopping after he accidently takes a bit out of the green rind which he didn’t like one bit.

Then to further impress us last night he sat down to a dinner of chicken schnitzel and a few slices of carrot, mash potato and a piece of asparagus, assuming as normal he will take one look, maybe eat a piece of chicken and push the plate away, only to have him eat all the asparagus and carrot and take extra carrot of daddy’s plate.

Looks like all our recent talks with him about how he is 3 and a big boy now not a baby might be working.

Blogtoberfest – Day 10

Woohoo I actually got this one done on the right day, well it still counts if it is with 19 mins till midnight doesn’t?

And I have a good reason to be posting this so late, I actually did some more sewing today, except I realised that when you are making more mistakes then not it is time to pack up and go to sleep.

So with that I bid you

Blogtoberfest – Day 9

Opps I totally forgot to do this post yesterday, after a full day sewing at the monthly MMQG Sit and Sew day, I came home and had a early night and only remembered about the post while feeding Lachie at 3am this morning.

I had a lovely day at our Sit and Sew day, I was able to finally make a good start on doll quilt for EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

Anyway I can now reveal the block that I showed a sneak peak of back here

This is Esther block for the MMQG bee “Oh Beehave”

I have also got almost all of my material together for my round, just waiting on two small amounts of Kona solids to tie it all together

Do you think I have enough material?

Blogtoberfest – Day 8

A couple of weeks ago my little boy turned 3. Every year I always say, while preparing for his birthday party, “He is not going to have a party every year” and then it comes around and I change my mind. I am starting to think that maybe I just like throwing the parties.

He currently obsessed with Toy Story so I decided to run with that theme, which made me start to think of a cake. Then I saw this post over here (who in turn was inspired by these two posts) and the decision was made.

Please excuse the dodgy photo is was taken very quickly before it was time to sing Happy Birthday

Here you can see it in all it rainbow glory.

I did have other party sweets planned but they all ended up being half finished or finished off just moments before they had to be served. I learnt that it is incredibly silly to try and throw a no-holds bar fantastic birthday party for a child when you also have a baby to look after

Also for any of the new Blogtoberfest readers I have a 2 spots left in a PIF, see this post for more details

Blogtoberfest – Day 7 (My creative space)

A sneak peek of the doll quilt I am making for EB Quilters Doll Quilt Swap #4

For more creative spaces head over to Kootoyoo

Blogtoberfest – Day 6

Wordless Wednesday

More here

(yes I did miss Day 5 I will be back later with a catch up )

Blogtoberfest – Day 4

Deadlines…..

I have signed up for a few swaps over the next couple of months so therefore I now have some deadlines

Esther’s block for Oh Beehave (MMQG Quilting Bee) – due 15 Oct

EB Doll Quilt Swap 4 – due Oct 31 (in progress)

Gina’s block for Oh Beehave (MMQG Quilting Bee) – due 15 Nov

EB Newbie Quilters Secret Santa – due 1 Dec

MMQG Christmas Stocking Swap – due 1 Dec

So now I just need to find out how to stretch another 5 or so hours out of each week so that I can get it done.

Blogtoberfest – Day 3

Today was once again a lovely sunny spring day, we had swimming in the morning and then as a treat we took Bastian for milkshake and to feed the Pelicans.

Once home I was able to finally get some sewing done, unfortunately I can’t show you a full picture of it until after next Saturday.