Snailblazer

We had a great Christmas which lasted until Boxing Day. The kids had great fun, the adults ate too much and we're all exhausted. Here are some shots..............




I had been very busy making gifts too and finishing some long-overdue works in progress

Thank you so much for visiting my blog this year. I love reading all your comments and I hope to see you back again next year,

A few months ago I went here and decided I would treat Charlotte to High Tea for Christmas. We had a great morning and Charlotte really thought she was a big girl drinking tea and eating petite cakes and sandwiches.She then went for a ride on Santa's Express in Myer, we finished off some Christmas shopping and as we were waiting for the bus home a free city loop bus came along and it was an old double decker so we decided to jump aboard and sit upstairs of course. It was great and we ended at DJ's to see their Christmas windows.

I have been very busy lately making heaps of gifts. I made these totes for the pre-school teachers as it's Charlotte's last year and pot holders for the secretary and aide. I had to laugh at Charlotte the other day because I let her pick which teacher got which bag. I actually wanted to give her actual teacher the green one (John Kaldor fabric from Belinda ages ago) but Charlotte said it was too trendy for her so it had to go to someone else.


We also made some Magic Reindeer Dust to give to the children for christmas.


And what is this you ask?
Yes it's another bagI made this for my elderly neighbour from the kids so that she can easily carry it when she goes to the shop. I had previously made this bag but found it very fiddly so I made this tote instead. I am really happy with it and it only took about 1 hour once I figured it all out.

And here's a picture of Charlotte at the races on Saturday wearing the skirt I made late Friday night. Not the best picture (sorry)

My EB Sewing Secret Santa arrived today from the lovely and very generous (check this for the beautiful quilt she made Lucy) Helen. I was very lucky to receive:
- heaps of Michael Miller Hula Huts fabric
- 3 Fat Quarter
- 3 vintage Secret Seven books
- a lovely frame which is perfect for my desk at work
- a copy of Handmade Magazine
- some great shells from (80 Mile Beach)
- a handwritten ornament for Charlotte and Lucy (that look great on our small, dodgy tree we have on the wall unit this year because of little miss Lucy)
- Charlotte also got a lovely pouch filled with Lavender (I think) with 3 cute pins in it. I think I might have to make some of these because I need to add more to my christmas list (not).
- a gift for Mr Cass from Mr Helen (which I have refrained from opening)


I feel so privileged to be part of this wonderful group and I have made some wonderful friends, some I have met, others I have not but I feel very lucky to know them all. I also can't wait to meet some more of them in the new year - Leah (just after Christmas) and Helen and Adds in March.

Charlotte had her pre-school christmas party today and it was great fun. The kids did lots of songs and dances for the parents and we were presented with lovely memory books and the children going off to big school got a certificate. We were going to try and get some Santa photos today but Lucy fell asleep as soon as we left pre-school but we did get some when Santa arrived at pre-school so they might have to do this year.

I made some things for a friend of ours who recently had a baby number 3, a beautiful little girl called Laura joining 2 wonderful brothers. She is now 8 weeks old and I finally dropped the gift off today. I made a bag using some fabric I got from the lovely retro mummy, 2 appliqued singlets, a baby rug and a snail softie stuffed with cellophane to make it crinkle. I really hope she likes it.We just had a huge hailstorm and this is our neighbour's front yard.

The teachers at Charlotte's pre-school have been asking me to bring some bags up for them to look at so I have been making a few new ones to take up tomorrow. The pictures aren't the best as I had Lucy screaming at the door.

I have been part of this cd swap and have been receiving some great cd's from some great bloggers lately including Cher, Erin, Crystal, Justine, Dana, Steph, and Cath. Still a few more to arrive and I can't wait. I am also participating in this one and the first cd arrive today. Mine are already to go tomorrow.
I popped into an op shop near Jeff's parents today and picked up some more Golden Books, some 45 records and this Dr Suess book in French. My mind is buzzing with ideas.

Lucy has decided she only needs 1 sleep a day but it all got a bit much for her last night and she fell asleep having her dinner.

We ventured into the city today to the Sydney Christmas Parade along with the rest of Sydney by the looks of it. It turned out to be very hot but there was a bit of a breeze near the water. Here we are on the ferry (well not me because I'm taking the picture)

Of course Charlotte couldn't see so Daddy's shoulders became a great seat
There were lots of floats, bands, dancers and of course Santa.
It all got a bit too much for Lucy!
We had a great time though and look forward to next years.

I finished my softies and they are on the way here. Overall I was pretty happy with them although they were supposed to look like monster superheros but Charlotte thinks they look like cats! next time I think I am going to make them look more like people.
Charlotte is pretty happy with the small one I made as the test so I think I will make her and Lucy one and put a superhero emblem on them. They have a cape on the back as you can see here.