Monday 28 December 2009

Presents for Little Boys

I made eight of these for my sons and nephews for Christmas. Actually, I lie. I made seven, the eighth one (which is brown) is sitting in my to-do pile. I was up until 4am on Christmas morning finishing these off.

Apart from the applique on the front, all the other stitching was done on the industrial machine. I used my regular machine for the appliqué as the industrial machine only does straight stitch.

The main fabric is corduroy from my stash, and the appliqué fabric was a freebie from Retro Mummy. I used the eyelets that came in the packet with my eyelet pliers. They aren't flash, but they were fine for this job as the back of the eyelet is not visible.

I used one long length of fabric and folded it in the middle to make the bottom edge of the bag. (I know this means that half of the corduroy has its nap the wrong way, but I don't think it really matters). The sides are done with French seams. The cord on these two bags were the handles from a dress shop bag. I actually bought some extra cord from Spotlight to do the others.

The bags were a hit. My Dad didn't really get why they were so popular until we explained that they each had a couple of match-box cars inside. (Tee-hee!) The idea is that the bags are to be used to store matchbox cars as my kids and their cousins have an awful lot between them and they all sink to the bottom of the toy box.

Sunday 27 December 2009

A Well Received Christmas Gift

I spent a few late nights in the lead up to Christmas working on this hat for my partner, Maxx.

He loves his new red fedora (I know, it looks pink in the picture, but it is actually red.) The pattern is from Nicole Mallalieu, and the fabric I bought the last of what was on the roll from Brunswick fabrics.


It was kind of fun sneaking around to finish this on time. The kids weren't playing along very well and most afternoons, one or both of them were avoiding their naps. So it was off to the sewing room, where I worked on other things until Maxx went to bed, and then switched over to his hat once the coast was clear. There was much cleaning away of scraps, and another project was started in similar fabric to cover my tracks.

I finally finished the hat at 5:30 pm on Christmas Eve. I still need to add a hatband, but it will happen in good time.

Monday 7 December 2009

Strapped!


Thanks to the magic of sewing, my friend's dress, which was once strapless, now has straps!

Hi Kez, *waves* I hope your concert went well yesterday!

Sunday 6 December 2009

Sunday Stash



Cogsmo,
originally uploaded by Liam's Mummy.


















I bought the top half of this from GJ's who currently have a sale on, I think it ends Monday or Tuesday, so if you want to save, you should get in fast! I was a bit early for the sale, but saw this fabric when I visited there a couple of weeks ago, and as I have been wanting this stuff for ages, I had to get some.

I then made a plan, which meant (as any good sewing plan does) that I would need to get some more fabric. I was very lucky to get in on the Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving) sale and bought the bottom three from The Quilter's Studio. I must say, I was very impressed with their service. I ordered my fabric on Saturday morning (still Friday over there) and it was here Thursday!! I got 4.5 yards, which actually measured closer to 4.5 metres, and including postage, it cost me $50 altogether. It would have cost me around $100 to buy it here (that's if I could find it!).

More Sunday Stashes here.

Saturday 5 December 2009

Wordless Weekend


for more Wordless Weekend, visit Little Munchkins

Sunday 29 November 2009

Brilliant!

My new lamp arrived from Buyster Lighting on Friday morning. It has made SUCH A DIFFERENCE to my dark sewing room. I have attached it to the Industrial machine table, as the machine has no light, and wowee, it makes the whole room brighter (there is now a gleam coming from under the door).

The lamp is a Cobra Desk Lamp by Brilliant, and the energy saving fluorescent globe was incuded. It also has a G-clamp base, so it can be attached to most tables and it bends and swivels in HEAPS of directions, so I can get it right in close to my machine while I am sewing, or I can raise it up and point it towards my ironing board while I am pressing stuff (way better than ironing in my own shadow) or even point it over towards my embroidery machine if I want a bit of light over there.

I have found myself dragging all sorts of projects over to the new lamp to work under. I can see heaps better now. Do yourself a favour and invest in some good lighting for your craft room, your eyes will thank you for it.

Handmaden/Retromummy Christmas Giveaway!

The Handmaden has teamed up with Retromummy and is giving away a voucher to spend in her shop, just in time for Christmas!

Enter here --> The Handmaden: It's giveaway time!

Thursday 26 November 2009

My Creative Space

I did a little trip to Melbourne on Monday for an Advanced Purse Frame workshop with Nicole Mallalieu (more on that another day...). While I was there, (and without any kids) I took the opportunity to indulge in a little retail therapy.

I came home with a few pieces of Cogsmo, by Cosmo Cricket for Andover Fabrics, which I have been coveting for some time. I have spent a little time making up a plan of what to do with it, by cutting and pasting images I found on the internet.

Haha! I have started yet another quilt (actually two quilts, I am doing one each)..... I still need to get some fabric together and I still don't have a free motion foot for my machine yet... or know how to do free motion quilting. But I have a plan. And some fabric.... and making the plan and buying the fabric were fun just by themselves!

For more creative spaces, visit Kirsty at Kootoyoo.

Wednesday 25 November 2009

Lamp shopping

I have some good news! I have managed to get my industrial machine going! I am absolutely gobsmacked by what this machine can do. First of all, it is VERY, VERY fast. Lightning speed in fact. Oh and it will sew through ANYTHING! Even 32 layers of calico....

Only problem is, it is a little dark in my sewing room. The overhead light is really not very good. The industrial machine comes with it's own table, and since the lamp I use for my other machines is screwed to the wall, I can't use it for this machine. So it's daytime sewing for now. With two little toddlers running around, daytime sewing is kind of limited.

There is more good news though. Maree from Buyster Lighting has offered me an opportunity to review one of their lamps! I will be back soon to tell you all about it! Aren't I lucky?!!

Sunday 22 November 2009

My Latest Addition!

There's been a new addition to the family. In the way of an industrial sewing machine. Can anyone tell me what an acceptable number of sewing machines in one household is?

Currently there is a domestic sewing machine, an overlocker, an embroidery machine and now an industrial straight stitch machine all living in my sewing room. (There is also an additional machine in the shed, but we won't talk about that one...).

I think I'm becoming one of those people. You know, for some its cats, for others its.... well, sewing machines! Don't worry, it's all perfectly justified. They all have their uses (except for the one in the shed, but we aren't talking about that one, remember?)

It's a Yakumo DSN-165.

It has a motor on the OUTSIDE of the machine. When you unplug the machine, it continues to run, for quite some time!

It also has a SUMP! I must apologise, I really had no idea about industrial machines until this one came to live with me today.


I just need to work out how to use it....
Is anyone familiar with this machine?


Thursday 19 November 2009

My (well actually, Liam's) Creative Space

Things seem to be following a certain theme around here lately....




While I was cleaning up the Sudocrem mess, Noah was wanting out of his cot. Quite desperately (and loudly) actually. Once Liam was cleaned up, I got Noah up and changed his nappy. I then went into the kitchen to find this....



All I can say is, it's lucky he is cute!

For more creative spaces, visit Kirsty at Kootoyoo!

Saturday 14 November 2009

Wordless Weekend



Thursday 12 November 2009

My Creative Space



My Creative Space this week involves beginning to justify the purchase of my snap press. I used it to apply snaps to an Oliver + S Puppetshow outfit that I have made for a friend's new (well, newish) baby.

One of the wonderful advantages of a snap press is that it is almost silent. Unlike the way I was previously using a hammer to apply snaps.



They look like angels, don't they? (Heh, heh!) There was a mishap with the tunic. I was ironing a shirt for one of the kids to wear to the library, and Liam snuck in behind me and snipped half an inch into the bottom of the tunic. The result was a slightly shorter tunic. I hope it is long enough!

For more Creative Spaces, visit Kirsty at Kootoyoo.

Mischief!


This is what happens when two toddlers are left alone for two minutes. (I wasn't neglecting them, I went to the toilet).

It's milk powder, we use it for bread making, but apparently it can be used for other things... Liam was driving his matchbox cars through it. Noah was mostly eating it. According to Noah its UMMM!


I washed the couch cushion covers yesterday, I am SO glad I hadn't put them back on the couch yet.

Tuesday 10 November 2009

Tuesday Tip #4 - Pattern Storage


Do you have trouble getting all of the pattern pieces back into the envelope? Especially after you have traced them, and there are extra bits?

Pop your pattern, and all of it's bits inside a zip-lock bag. I also will throw in anything else that has helped me to complete a project, (such as printed out tutorials) inside the bag.

After I have completed tracing out all of the bits, I place the original pattern sheet back inside the original envelope, so as not to lose it. The other pieces get thrown back in the zip-lock bag as we go - safe and sound!

Do you have a useful sewing tip? Join in! Post a Tuesday Tip on your blog and link to it here -

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Tuesday Tip #3 - Don't cut the Original!

When using purchased patterns, it is a good idea to trace or copy the pieces you need, rather than cut the original pattern piece. I actually do this for all of my patterns now. Sometimes patterns can become damaged through use, or pieces become lost, so I copy what I need and place the original back in the pattern envelope so I don't lose it.

For patterns that are not multi-sized, I usually just photocopy. If it is small and I plan to use it a lot, I might stick it to a piece of a cereal box with a gluestick before cutting it out. This makes it easy to trace around with either a fabric pen or my rotary blade. I have taken entire patterns to Officeworks and had them copied for me.

There are many things you can use to trace or copy patterns, but one of my favourites is sew-in interfacing, which you can purchase in a 10m roll from Spotlight for about eight or nine dollars. The interfacing is easy to see through, so useful for fussy-cutting things, and sort of clings to most fabrics, almost eliminating the need to pin.

Do you have a useful Sewing Tip? Join in and share your tip with others....




Saturday 31 October 2009

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 31 ....and the winner is....


Here we are on the last day of Blogtoberfest. I have enjoyed finding new blogs to check out, and seeing new people visiting mine.

On day seven of Blogtoberfest, I reached my 100th post and decided to celebrate by giving away a purse, custom made for the winner with an embroidered and beaded monogram of the recipient's choosing.

The winner is comment number 32,

Miss Muggins said...
Gotta love a sweet little purse, especially when it features your very own initial!

Congratulations Miss Muggins! Please email me your postal address and the letter you would like monogrammed onto the purse.

Wordless Weekend


Friday 30 October 2009

My Creative Space


A little unpicking...

Thursday 29 October 2009

Check out this Blogtoberfestive Giveaway!

I was just checking out the links on Curlypop's blog to all the wonderful giveaways that are happening as a part of Blogtoberfest, and I happened to come across this one.

I first spotted one of Melanie's creations on Nikki's blog. I then saw more of her lovely creations on the Flickr group.

How awesome would it be to win anything from this lovely lady?!

Wednesday 28 October 2009

Noah's New Hat!

I literally had to chase Noah all around the back yard to take this photo. Here he is peeping out through the apple tree. I love the structure the pinwale cord gives this hat. I made the binding myself using the Trefle, it was a little short, so I unpicked, trimmed and re-stitched. I used the medium-heavy woven interfacing from Nicole Mallalieu Designs, and placed two layers on the upper brim. It's a little big, but I know it won't be by the end of summer.

Lining Fabric: Trefle by Kokka, purchased from Retro Mummy
Main Fabric: Brown Pinwale Cord purchased from Lincraft (online)
Embroidery: Radical Robots, purchased from Embroidery Library (I chose different colours to suit my fabric)


Tuesday 27 October 2009

My Big Five!

Something I have been meaning to do all through Blogtober, is to tell everyone all about my favourite blogs.

I follow heaps of blogs, but these are the ones I never skip past... (interestingly, they are all Australian, hmm..)

You Sew, Girl - Nicole Mallalieu's blog. Heaps of great bag, hat (and other) tips and tutorials. I have read EVERY post on this blog. I guess by the way I rave on about her here, you would probably understand that I am a bit of a fan... If you haven't checked out this blog, then you ABSOLUTELY MUST!

Ric-Rac - Jodie of the Selvege Dress fame. I went in search of this blog after seeing the Selvege Dress in person at the Melbourne Stitches and Craft Show earlier this year. Jodie makes really cute softies with clock parts and other bits and pieces, and then she goes and makes these beaut little stories with her softies as characters. We all keep telling Jodie that she should publish a book, but she thinks we're all mad - check it out for yourself!

Badskirt - Amy makes Hippo, Kiwi, and Dog softies out of really cool fabric and sells them at markets. I'm not sure what it is that keeps me coming back to her blog. She is very friendly and seems to have a pretty good sense of humour (it might be the humour). Go and check out her blog and come back and tell me what it is that has made me become so addicted.

Curly Pops - Ok, another blogger that I can't stop myself from following is Cam from Curlypops. Cam likes to recycle things she finds at op-shops, and makes really cool bags out of discarded skirts and table cloths. Cam also has this really cool Superpops challenge on her blog that you simply must check out. I don't know how she does it, she must have this really cool magnetic personality thing going on, because I cannot see people making SuperCarmel's (that would be me) and entering them in a competition... Somehow Cam manages to keep it exciting.

My Black Cardigan - Nikki Cardigan. I first came across Nikki as I was checking out something she was pattern testing for Nicole Mallalieu. Like Curlypops, Nikki also recycles op-shop finds. Something I like about Nikki is the honesty of her posts. She will tell you about the stuff-ups as well as the things that go well. Nikki also will take a stuff up, turn it around and make it into a success. Nikki made a man's jumper into a ladies' cardigan, and when that didn't work out, she then turned it into a pair of pants for one of her twins. Nikki is warm, friendly and sweet. Check out her blog, trust me, you will love her....

Who are your BIG FIVE? What blogs can't you go past?

Giveaways

The Fabric Shoppe is Having a Giveaway of some lovely fabric.

Romi at Inspired is also hosting an amazing giveaway of a voucher to spend at Buyster Lighting

Also, there are heaps and heaps of Blogtoberfest giveaways listed on Curlypops blog, Blogtober is almost over, so those that are left end soon!

While we are on the subject of Giveaways, don't forget to enter my giveaway. It ends at the end of the month. You could win a lovely monogrammed purse with your initial on it. For those that asked, the purse is machine embroidered, but the beads are sewn on by hand.


Tuesday Tip #2


When sewing a 4-hole button, you can make it extra secure by sewing first one side. Tie the thread off, and then sew the other side.
This way, if a thread becomes broken, only one side will unravel, leaving the other side to stop you from losing your button!





Sunday 25 October 2009

Radical Robots

Here's a sneak peek of my next project...

I was lucky enough to receive a $10 voucher from Embroidery Library for my birthday (way back in July). I chose to spend my voucher on the Radical Robots design pack. I may yet go back and get the smaller one as well. If you want to see something super cute, you should check out the Radical Robots Stuffies on there!

Embroidery Library give away two free designs every month, and also have lots of other special deals.

Friday 23 October 2009

Looking for Inspiration...


These two beautiful fabrics have been in my stash for a couple of years. I have about 3m of the one on the left, and about 160cm of the one on the right. They weren't bought together, and until I slapped them down on the table next to each other the other day, I had never considered they may work together.

I am unsure of what sort of fabric they are, the one on the left is fairly lightweight and a bit like crepe? The other is sort of shirred and has sequins and frilly bits. I don't normally wear sparkly things but it's quite pretty.

I would love to hear what others would do with this fabric.

I should add, I want to make something for me to WEAR.

Thursday 22 October 2009

My Creative Space

My Creative Space this week was largely dominated by this Laptop Bag. Actually, to be honest, my creative space was dominated by a pair of toddlers. I don't know if it is just me, but the stronger my desire to get into the sewing room and get something done, the more desperately the kids want my attention. I need to practise acting more cavalier...

The laptop bag has a large patch pocket on the front, and a divided pocket across the inside at the back. I made fabric straps out of the pinwale corduroy, and I added a little hook (not part of the pattern) so mum can put her keys in there without losing them. I've added my hand made label to the facing above the inside pocket. The bag also has a hard base and purse feet.

As always, I learned some new things and developed some new skills whilst making this bag. The first may help clarify the previous blog post...

Sometimes it is difficult, or even impossible to use pins to hold things together. There are various things you can do to get around this, like paper clips, bulldog clips, hair clips, sticky tape... anyway, Nikki advises using sticky tape to hold various things in place throughout the project - which is a really, really, good tip. I used sticky tape and then sewed over the top, through the tape (along the entire length of the seam. I am not really sure what the cause was (Nikki uses tape from Officeworks, mine was Scotch Magic Tape, or maybe my needle was a little blunt?) Removing teeny tiny bits of sticky tape from pinwale cord isn't fun... so here's a tip; Use tape in place of pins where required, but remove it before your presser foot reaches it. Actually, another really good tip is to read all of the instructions before you begin a project, because Nikki does advise this in her instructions!

Another thing I have learned from this project is, if you have a machine that struggles with wadding (the feed dogs on mine totally ignore wadding), a walking foot can be your saviour. You will still need to backstitch your ends though, and I have been advised that walking feet are like emus and kangaroos, they don't do backwards, so you need to swivel your project, and sew back in the other direction, and then swivel back again to sew in the correct direction.

Beware of velcro, as it may stick to your clothes, parts of your project, and other items laying around the sewing table, and unguarded sticky fluff removing devices can also stick to projects if you don't put them away. I was having major dramas with everything in my sewing room being stuck together this week!

Sometimes it is nice for things to stick together though, and due to another tip in the pattern, I actually used the applique spray that mum gave me (ages ago), and wow that stuff is brilliant! I will be using it again - LOTS!



If you want to see what is happening in other people's creative spaces this week, wander over to Kootoyoo, and take a look!

Tuesday 20 October 2009

Tuesday Tip #1

Don't sew over sticky tape, unless you like picking teeny, tiny bits out with tweezers...

Join in! What is your favourite crafty tip?

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 19 - Just one word

Inspired by Kylie...

1. Where is your mobile phone? Handbag
2. Your hair? Blah
3. Your mother? Clever
4. Your father? Wise
5. Your favourite food? Cheesecake
6. Your dream last night? Forgotten
7. Your favourite drink? Coffee
8. Your dream/goal? Business 
9. What room are you in? Dining
10. Your hobby? Sewing
11. Your fear? Kids' safety
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? Here
13. Where were you last night? Sewing room
14. Something that you aren’t? Bored
15. Muffins? Lemon Poppyseed
16. Wish list item? Yudu
17. Where did you grow up? Winnindoo
18. Last thing you did? Sewed
19. What are you wearing? Jeans
20. Your TV? Off
21. Your pet? Gone :(
22. Friends? Supportive
23. Your life? FANTASTIC!
24. Your mood? Relaxed
25. Missing someone? Julie
26. Vehicle? Lanos
27. Something you’re not wearing? Jewellery
28. Your favorite store? Here
29. Your favorite color? Turquoise
30. When was the last time you laughed? Now
31. Last time you cried? Empathy
32. Your best friend? Maxx
33. One place that I go to over and over? Parents
34. One person who emails me regularly? Maxx (yes, even from the next room...)
35. Favorite place to eat? Deck

Monday 19 October 2009

Let's Go Shopping!!

Want to fill up a shiny new shopping cart with patterns and bits and pieces for making bags, hats and purses?

Word has it Nicole Mallalieu's New Shop is up and running!

Visit if you dare!

Saturday 17 October 2009

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 17 - Laptop Sleeve

Thursday nap-time was great for sewing. I also completed this padded laptop sleeve for my mum's laptop. The pattern is the free Nicole Mallalieu Laptop Sleeve tutorial available from WhipUp. The instructions are also included in the Laptop Bag pattern.
Nikki also includes instructions as to how to adjust the size to fit different laptops. I wasn't sure about the size, but I measured my mum's laptop and found it was the same size as Maxx's. I made the sleeve first, as I figure that if the laptop fits in there okay, then it will fit in the bag too. It turns out it is a really good fit if you leave the pattern as is.

Hopefully, in the next day or so, I should have the bag completed... wish me luck!

Friday 16 October 2009

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 16 (Woohoo! Check out this belt I made!)

Yesterday, a lovely little parcel from Nicole Mallalieu Design arrived with the supplies I needed to make this belt.

Nikki has a lovely tutorial on her blog which tells you how to make this belt, and it really is quite easy and very quick to make.

I whipped this up whilst the boys were asleep yesterday afternoon. Now I have to make another one...

Edited to add ~ I have had a few comments on the fabric I have used. It is available from Retro Mummy's shop for $9.95 per half metre. Retro Mummy has free shipping to anywhere in Australia.

Thursday 15 October 2009

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 15 (My Creative Space)

For last week's My Creative Space, I showed a corner of my sewing room. There is more of that to show, but we'll save that for another time.
There is another part of my house that is also used for creativity, and it sort of helps me to be a little more efficient. It's the kitchen bench. I do heaps of cutting out here, and I can do it whilst the kids are up and about, and still keep an eye on what they are doing. Let's face it, if I was restricted to only sewing while they were asleep, I would either get nothing done, or I would be a walking zombie. The bench is also at a good height for cutting out, and is way easier on my back than cutting at a table.

One of the selling points of our home for us (we purchased in January) was it's large central kitchen. From the kitchen, I can see out through the sunroom to the backyard. Even though it is in the middle of the house, there is plenty of natural light and there is also heaps of bench space.

Wednesday 14 October 2009

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 14 - PROOF!

I was going to skip blogging tonight. I spent a little time sewing instead. I was all set to go to bed when I heard an email arrive in my inbox....

I want to see the whiteboard list - so I can be reassured I am not the only craft mad person in the world!!
Go on - post about it!


Cheers
Karen


Haha - here it is! Just for you, Karen. In all it's messy glory! (And sideways too, for some reason, the photo won't rotate - imagine it rotated clockwise 90 degrees) See the bit up the top right? That used to be a shopping list, I haven't wiped it off yet. Oh, and you've gotta love the red whiteboard marker.... The list over to the right, down the bottom is Ottobre Patterns that interest me, mostly pants for little boys. The list above that, is things to order from Nicole Mallalieu. I might get rid of that list because I have most of it now - just the hat pattern to go. I need to put more things on there, though.

The idea of the whiteboard was to get it all out of my head so I could use my brain for things other than storing lists. I still have lists going on in there too. Oh, and I picked up a barrel purse pattern off my ironing board that hasn't made the list yet.. and ummm... there are more things on their way here now that also haven't made the list. Notice that neither the belt, nor the tie have made the list. Also, I want to make t-shirts for the boys. And something for me....

So Karen, I too, am a crazy, red-marker-wielding, whiteboard-using, mad-craft person! Are you going to show me yours?

Tuesday 13 October 2009

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 13 It's Tuesday and I Can't Wait....

....to go to my violin lesson tonight. I even practised!


















To see more things that people can't wait for, visit Buttons by Lou Lou.

Monday 12 October 2009

Blogtoberfest - Day 12 (My Ever Growing List of Things to Do!)

I am very fortunate to have two little boys who both usually will have an afternoon nap. Things have been a little stirred up around here lately, and between trips to the hospital and the doctors, unplanned interstate trips, as well as the usual Mums' group things, and grocery shopping, etc, etc... We have kind of shaken up th eroutine a little, and as a result, I haven't really had a lot of crafting time over the past week or so. Hopefully this will soon change...

I am working on a Nicole Mallalieu Laptop Bag for my mum. Mum bought the pattern and the bits and pieces to make it. Then she asked me to do her a favour and make it for her. I said it was a deal if I can keep the pattern. Sound fair? Anyway, I am about half-way through completing the sleeve... This is on the top of my list of (crafty) things to do.

A friend from Mums' group had a baby girl about six weeks ago - so I have to make a gift for her. I have a plan, so stay tuned!

Noah's head is getting too big for his current sun hat, so I have a hat to make.

My Sister in Law has a baby boy due in only 4 weeks, so I need to make something for him too.

I bought myself some new sunglasses recently, but the case that came with them, although lovely, is a little big for my bag, so I have to make myself a sunglasses case as well.

So my list (in order of priority) is
     1. Laptop Bag
     2. Baby Girl Gift
     3. Sunglasses Case 
     4. Hat
     5. Baby Boy Gift

I have a HUGE list on the whiteboard in my sewing room of things that I want to do, but I think what I have written here is enough for the month of October. I dreamed up more ideas whilst driving up north and back so I may have to add some of those to my great big list. One of these ideas included some embellishment techniques (inspired by a dress) that I really want to try out. Nikki also blogged a tutorial on how to make a kid's belt that I want to do, and Christie also just blogged a link to a tutorial for a really cute kids tie that I now feel the need to make. If I get through my list, I may add these to it.

I really don't need to be on here, looking for inspiration right now...

What is on your LIST OF THINGS TO DO?

Sunday 11 October 2009

BLOGTOBERFEST - DAY 11 (Catching UP!)

I've gotten a bit behind with my Blogtoberfest Blogging. Things went a little haywire when we took an unplanned trip interstate to attend a funeral. We left Thursday and arrived back yesterday afternoon. I'm almost all caught up now and thought I would do a little mish-mash of a post.

First of all, here is a picture of Noah wearing his Ottobre outfit...

This is what we did today. The original plan was to do it yesterday, but it is done now and next weekend will involve getting rid of it. It had to be done as it was touching the line that brings power to our house. The tree was looking a bit shabby, as it was trying to grow beneath an elm tree, so was a bit bare on one side anyway. It looks very different both from the house and the street, I am glad we did the curtains first!











Also, I never took photos of the bibs that Sarah won in my giveaway. I ended up sending two bibs, I was feeling a little generous. Sarah has blogged one of the bibs here.

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