Even More Bunting...

...Because the two sets I have made already just were not enough, I decided to make some for a good friends little girls too.  

Sodastream

This Christmas I may have mentioned (when prompted) that I have always* wanted a Sodastream.  Imagine my surprise when my husband got given one instead of me.  No matter, I won't let that hold me back from introducing 'my' new Sodastream!

This is the Dynamo model in the metallic colourway.  I do like it a lot!

So far I can give a BIG thumbs up to the sugar free cranberry-raspberry flavour and lemon-lime. Cola (the regular one) is also good.  I am slowly working my way through the sample packs that came with the machine and I did buy some extra bibs and bobs on a trip to town yesterday so I am good to go and planning mixers and fun for the rest of summer.

*I remember my babysitter had one when I used to go there and I thought she was wonderful so Sodastream became synonymous with 'awesome' as far as I was concerned.  Current ad campaigns seem to agree with my first impression.  

Edit: Flavour updates!

Cranberry Raspberry sugar free - great

Lemon-Lime is great

Orange is also great

Cola regular - good

Grapefruit and Pomegranate is just ok.

Ginger Ale is AWESOME

Apple is great.

Lemonade is great

Cola sugar free - yuck

Esther's Baby Quilt

A quilt for a special baby girl.  When AJ heard Esther was having baby #3, another sweet little girl she asked our quilting group if we would like to each make a block that she would turn into a quilt and send down.

We each made a pink block and sent it up to AJ, she has blogged the details here.  I didn't get a photo of my own, I was so busy that I made a block and posted it but didn't grab any photos.  

I grabbed this photo from AJ's blog:

Simple flying geese.  I was pretty happy with my points in this block. 

Esther took this photo of the finished quilt when she received it, you can see the blog post here.  

It looks great and I think AJ did a wonderful job of putting it all together which would not have been an easy task.  

Little things

In between birthdays (both the Mr's and mine) and exams there has been small amounts of crafty stuff happening.  Not much, but a enough to keep me happy.

{sixteen} Secret Santa

A small screen printed panel from The Red Thread.  Wonky stitches and perle 8 thread.

I need a frame to suit it and I can pat myself on the back for starting to think about small gifts to put away.

The Red Thread was also a sponsor of Sew it Together this year which is where I picked up this little panel.

Bitter Sweet

Today I get to meet the special baby who I knitted this Milo for.

I wish it was under happier circumstances.

Catching Up

I have finally finished these two blocks that Sheridan has been waiting for.  They were December blocks for Around the Block and I have only just finished them tonight.  Lucky Sheridan has been away on holidays which let me get away with tardy behaviour!

In other block related news, I sent two blocks to Abbe at Copper Patch which have arrived. I am really looking forward to seeing all those blocks come together into a quilt for her friend.

Blogtober #15 ~ In

Awhile ago Ingrid told us about a cushion project she was working on and asked if anyone had some spare fabric could they help out. I sent off a few FQ worth of stuff I had no use for..

This is what I got back in the mail the other day. A surprise package as a thank you!

I can't wait to see the finished cushions, and hope that the fundraiser makes a lot of money for the Kinder.

How is your your Blogtober going? I have missed a couple of days so far...

Show Off

I am showing off today! Kylie sent me a parcel which has given me the perfect chance to post another picture of Baby Bug wearing his new little knitted shirt that she sent us.

What a great pattern, I love the cable detail on the front to one side, very dressy and he looks so cute wearing it! I wish my knitting was half as good as Kylie's, I can't put together anything more complex than a beanie!

In addition to the knit, there was also some packaged creams and a horse figurine which Miss Possum is running around the house with to cries of 'neigh'. We had to set her straight as she started with 'woof' which was embarrassing if you consider that she has an actual pony and as such should know better ;)

Kylie, I know you are VERY busy with packing, moving interstate and family matters, thank you VERY much for taking the time to send us this package. We really love it :)

Thank You

We have been very lucky with baby number two. I have heard it said that the second one often misses out. Not Baby Bug! We have some wonderful friends and family :)


Sheridan sent Baby Bug a beautiful fabric cube, complete with appliqued initial and a bell inside. I have just noticed in the photo that it is upside down (ooops!). We love it with it's bright colours and little tinkling bell :) Thanks Sheridan, it was a surprise package which made my day.


Our good friend Tracy of Traron Alpacas sent Baby Bug a beautiful set of Alpaca knits. There is a beautiful navy jumper and booties pictured above as well as a light blue set of booties modeled below. Possum was lucky to get a lovely alpaca knit beret in the same package! Alpaca wool is so lovely and soft, I can't say enough good things about it!

My Mum made Henry the little play quilt that he is lying on in the picture above. Mum is very clever and loves whipping up quilts for everyone. Mum deserves a blog post of her own showing off what she creates.... Remind me to do that soon!

Cuteness

All going well here with lots of baby gazing and cuddles. Three weeks old already!


Thanks Kate, what a beautiful beanie you sent, a perfect fit to ward off the spring chills along with the matching booties and little shirt.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy 1st Birthday Nephew T.
I hope you like your book, and the card that Miss Possum made her mark on:

And also the hat that I made for you to wear on all your outdoor adventures!

Hope your birthday is full of fun and goodness

xxx

Introducing baby...

Jayla!
My cousin Dannii and her husband had a baby girl on Tuesday! She had told us that it was a girl in advance so I was able to sew a present in a suitable theme but I just found out yesterday the little one's name.
I will now be able to write on the card and send off the above parcel with a Black Apple doll and a little Ribbon blanket. The photo above shows two Ribbon blankets but that was just to show front and back in one shot, one is a spare (organised aren't I!).

I hope Jayla likes her little gifts and I can't wait to meet her, I have it on good authority that she is beautiful!

Is anyone else starting to think I need to find a new doll pattern...?

New Years Resolution

I am the organised type, and as such have been thinking ahead to 2009.

There are so many things I would like to achieve in the New Year. I have been slowly learning to knit and more recently sew. To help these endeavours along I have decided that 2009 will be the year of the hand made gift.

I hope I progress quickly as at this stage everyone will either get a tea cosy, a scarf or an oven mitt :) All perfectly fine as gifts but would like to keep it interesting for everyone, myself included.

I have decided that committing this thought to writing, and calling it my New Years Resolution will help to ensure the success of this task. Wish me luck, and feel free to send me easy ideas to help me out!