A first birthday

Oops, nearly forgot to show you the cake! I made one of these which I'd seen around blog land and had to try (icing was supposed to be purple, but looked a bit grey). It tasted, and I got a heap of compliments for the part guests which was lovely! I do love a challenge...

(2nd pic a bit blurry, but shows more colours)

 We ended up having both kid's birthday parties on the same day- Henry's first birthday from 11am to 2ish, and the my girls from 5pm onwards. 4 friends slept over, what an experience THAT was!

But the little man's day was lovely, great weather, and a very happy chappy with his balloons!

 His party outfit was a bit of handmade by me stuff, which was cute. I love making him stuff, as he actually has to wear it (unlike a tween girl). Here he is munching on some BBQ corn, it was an amazing feats of slow cooked meats and salads, and vegies. YUM!

And he loved all the fuss, of course (who wouldn't?)

I made some bunting for the party, which is now in his room. I found all these fabrics precut into squares in the stash (the stash in the garage, that is). I think I planned to sell it at one stage- good for Henry I didn't!

 Bright and cheery!

His present arrived about a week later (and I still haven't made the hat- oops!) It's a Kinder Boy, whom I named Neville. A great pattern, and not toooo fiddly for my fat old fingers! It was a lot of fun picking the fabrics (OK, that may have taken me one whole evening). I used the Doctors Flannel as recommended in the pattern, which is totally worth the hunt for. Easy to work with, soft and you can tell it's durable (it's 100% wool but the non itchy kind).

 I gave him cowboy undies!

  and some spinal surgery. He's a red head, as it was the only wool felt I had in the stash, and I didn't want it to go all pilly like acrylic felt.

Very cute!

 

He was gifted with this perfect basket I found at the oppy

and a mattress and blankie, too.

  

His favourite bit was the tearing of the paper- hesitant here at his birthday, but 2 weeks later at Xmas there was no hesitation!

An action shot from my sister the next day, I just wanted to check it was in use haha

and our Boxing Day proved just as much fun, the excitement he had about his own 

maraca and bells was contagious!

Just beautiful!

Birthday Quilt

So my Little Miss is 10! I cant believe it, which I'm sure every parent says! I was particularly touched that she asked me to make her a quilt for her birthday; I had recieved some vintage fat quarters along with my Snap Press, and also went into a swap, so was arranging them (in colours, of course) and testing out this pattern for myself when her request was simple- "One of those in purple please"!

 

  I enlisted the help on Instagram to pick the pattern (the left one); 

 and got to work! I managed it in about 4-5 days; Using the time she was at camp for layout and basting, and after she was asleep for the quilting.

I accidentally (no, really, it was)  used the same pattern binding that I used for this quitl; I love the coincidence, as does she!

And the full thing

and backing. My girl and I love fake moustaches, and  this print was perfect for the back. Some different quilting patterns gave it a lot of interest.

 A perfect fit! (Teddy approves).

I'm baaa-aaack!

 I didn't mean to have such a long break, sorry! I was just bloody exhausted after Blogtoberfest- just wrong timing I think, starting in a new area at work, and an extra day a week, I also found the blogging tiring! I've realised I like to share stuff I'm happy and passionate about, not just blogging for the sake of it- and I'm OK with it. We all change. But I thank all the peeps involved with Blogtoberfest 2012, and will be back with a wrap up post (I hope!)

Rather than try and go back 2 weeks, I thought I'd start with today! This year, my birthday is a bit more cheery, my sister is in town and helping me have a good one for a change!

We headed out this afternoon for Afternoon Tea, sometimes called High Tea. 

Jess may look a bit different from these pics.....

Hooya!  34 weeks at the moment. The niece or nephew I'm soooooo excited about!

 The girl was loving it! I only stopped her once I knew she was heading to the i-think-I'll-be-sick-if-i-keep-going stage. Cos I'd have to deal with it later!

  There were flavoured mini profiteroles (above) and an ice cream bar we likened to Willy Wonka land! These were actually sorbets, mmmmm.

A glass of champers for the grown up, and lemonade, water and tea. And the treat at the end was the kiddo was half price! Which wasn't mentioned on the web site, so an extra bonus! We definitley recommend the place!

And a beautiful afternoon out in the sun too boot!

The finished room

I only realised as I was tidying the other day that I hadn't done my finished room reveal! This was started back in November when i bought myself the bookshelves and desk for my birthday.

I eventually got the cupboards for the shelves, so everything is nicely hidden away! (Thanks to sister Jess and her drill fro helping with that job. Think I know what I need next birthday!)

This is DEFINITELY after a tidy up!

The 'vintage kids collection' stash; overlocker storage and 3 channel tv!

Laptop handy for movies, tweeting etc.

The messier corner. a box of patterns, UFO's on top of that, and things that don't seem to fit anywhere else.

A peek at the stash...

It was actually worth tidying it all up, as I got stuck into some overdue projects that night.

Her Birthday Part 1

So a kid having a birthday on a Tuesday, in the middle of a full week of work was not what I call practical! and I din't want another big party, so planned some fun things for the Sunday before it.

We were lucky enough through Girl Guides to receive some free tickets to an advance screening of this movie. I knew nothing about it, and wasn't sure if the girl would like it, but- AWESOME! The only thing it doesn't have is romance, but as the 'tweenie' movies of boy-meets-girl are already are hit in this house, I was kinda glad! Jokes, action, thrills, we LOVED it, so do yourself a favour when it hits the screens!

The we headed home for 'afternoon tea' with a few close friends.

Preparation began last night...

sewing is my love, not baking anymore, but I realised I have a young girl to teach, who's a willing student....

and then the cutting!

2 sleeps until she's 8!

Ta Da!!! I have seen many of these in blogland over the year, and knew I had to try it. Mild panic last night had me ring my pal for advice- thanks Cathie!

I had a pavlova too, hey, why not?

I decided to give her an early treat, the (god damn) softie she's wanted for yonks. I had to buy a new printer to make him, as there were no inkjets at work, and my old one wouldn't work with the new laptop. Jodie's instructions were great; I still managed to stuff up the first one, and was so happy the 2nd one made it!

 (excuse the blue food colouring finger, that's nothing compared to the day before!!)

that says "you're awesome-sauce', by the way.

Stayed tuned for more....