A Busy Time

I have been so busy the last week or so trying to get thing s made for Christmas and also I have found Facebook. I'm on there everyday and can't believe how many of my old school friends I have made contact with. Some of them it has been 25 years since I last saw them and the strange thing is we don't seem to have changed that much, well the lads have lost their hair and perhaps the girls have put a few pounds on but nothing major. Our kids will never loose touch with their school friends because they are always on Facebook, MSN, or myspace.

Back to the few things I have managed to make. A fleece dressing gown for my niece, an apron for my Sister-in-law out of Simple Sewing by Lotta Jansdotter (this is a good book full of useful patterns). Haven't got photos of these yet, mind you the photos of the other things I have are not very good as I have had to have the lights on in the house most days. I made my brother an apron with Wife's Little Helper embroidered on it for a laugh as he doesn't do much cooking.

I have managed to embroider around 30 Christmas cards on my Janome machine. I had all the card apertures from Craft Creations last year and didn't get round to using them.

I kept all the cards we were sent last year and recycled them into new cards for this year. I think they have turned out quite well, just hope I don't send the same card back to last years sender.

(Got two of this photo as I don't know how to delete it. Perhaps someone else does)

This afternoon I have managed to make Sophie an elasticated waist skit. You use 2 inch wide elastic and sew the material onto this. She hasn't tied it on yet as she is getting ready to go out so I will probably know the verdict in the morning if she likes it or not. Have just cut her out another skirt from a pattern off the Burdastyle website but it is in black so will have to wait until tomorrow to sew it as I struggle sewing black in artificial light.

Hope to be back soon with a few more makes.

Oh, I forgot I also made a wheat bag each for my aunt and uncle.

Little Nan

Yesterday was my Nans 82nd Birthday. For her present I made her a cake, some of my plum jam and a couple of puzzle books to pass away her time. My Grandad died 15 years ago so she has been on her own quite some time. Apart from being a little forgetful she is still capable of looking after herself. It was my Nan who got me interested in sewing. She has an old singer treadle sewing machine and she can make anything with it. For about the last 12 months though she hasn't done any sewing but she always like to have a look at what I've made. We took her out for lunch to Gardenland, we managed to persuade her to go in a wheel chair so as she could have a look around all the Christmas decorations, I got some ideas for my own decorations form here. When we got home, about 3 O'clock she said she had had a lovely day and was ready for bed.

Remembrance Sunday Parade

Not much happening in our household this weekend, Jack came back from Uni so most of my time was spent doing washing and ironing. I don't mind though, it was just nice to have him home for a while. The Remembrance Sunday parade passes in front of our house each year. Mos t of the neighbours stand outside to watch it go by. Each year you notice the old soldiers getting less, this year there seemed to be a lot of younger people marching and there was one young lad in his Navy uniform who looked very smart. The Brownies, Guides, Cubs and Scout packs out of the Village all march too. I used to have walk with Sophie when she was in Brownies.

Whilst I was standing watching I noticed the Daffodil bulbs coming through in my pot in the front garden. Couldn't believe they were so high already.

I Think I Got a Bargain

Whilst I was doing my shopping on Saturday I had a look on the local second hand shop and I saw this bird bath. I had wanted one for a while to go in our garden and for £12 I thought this was a bargain. Managed to take a photo but its a bit dark as it's not got light here for the last few days. I think November can be a depressing month, it always seems dark and damp. Hope the birds will like it.

Spent yesterday morning up the loft sorting out my stash. I have things I had forgotten I had bought. I am going to try and make quite a few Christmas presents again this year and hopefully use some of the material which is up there. I have made a start by recycling an old top into a teapot cosy (I'm sure aunt Val will love this).

This is the before.

This is the after.

Have also made a tea cosy for Mom in law too. Not quite so pleased with that one, could have been a bit bigger.

I have finished my coat also, I will try and get someone to take a photo of me wearing it so as I can post it soon. Saw Jack on Sunday, he's lost a bit of weight but says he's ok and enjoying himself. He raced at Grimley and managed to come second. We were all freezing all day long, I was so glad to get home in front of the fire.