UFOS

Julie over at narioka.blogspot.com threw down the challenge to share UFOs in the hope that it might provide the motivation to finish them.  So while it feels a little scary to do so, here are my biggest UFOs:

 Nessie's baby quilt which is in need of just a few squares stitched and then a border.  The sweet little stitcheries are from Alicia Paulson's lovely book.  I've decided to change the original quilt a bit and put a border - only problem is that I can't decide on what border and nothing in my stash seems to suit and a border is going to necessitate a pieced back.  This little quilt is also suffering from second child syndrome in that I am feeling guilty that it is made from my scrap pile when Nessie's first quilt was one of my all time favourites and part of my obsession with red and white and the Feathered Friends stitcheries.  Any suggestions welcome.

 This was a Katie Jean knockoff and just a bit of fun on some old sheeting.  Really should just spend a couple of hours playing and then give it to Maddie for her doll's bed (the whole thing only measures about 25x35cm)

 Aarggghh! This began as a gift of someone else's half started applique project (all of the pieces were lovingly cut and basted)  I took it on as a challenge as I had not really done hand applique before.  It was a labour of love but I thoroughly enjoyed it.  The friendship braids were orphans that seemed to match.  The scrappy blocks are made up of some really old and ugly fabrics.  The problem I have now is that I know it would look best with a wide border of the cream (in the bottom left corner) with some appliqued birds and vines/leaves in opposite corners.  This is where it has just stalled because I need to learn how to use my bias maker, and mess around with arranging all the bits and I get to the point where I seriously can't be bothered!

Emmy Lou's Braids - started as a class to learn machine applique.  I LOVE the fabrics in this quilt and to be honest, in my brain, this quilt was much further along than I thought.  I was quite disappointed when I dragged the box out and found that I still had so much to do!!!

Not photographed are the 2 pairs of socks (each still missing a mate), a cardigan that Maddie will have outgrown by the time it is finished, a fluffy hot pink baby jumper that was started for my 11 year old niece when she was a baby, a smocked dress also started for the same niece when she was a toddler - if I finished it Maddie could wear it now, a Christmas wall hanging that was purchased at a craft fair when I lived in Melbourne a decade ago, a Leanne Beasely "Merry and Bright" stitchery, and my MIL's scarf which just needs the tassels.

On the "to do" list is a Very Hungry Caterpillar cot quilt for my other bestie, an owl panel for my soon to be new niece (her mother doesn't really appreciate quilting so I am quite happy to just quilt a panel) and I really want to make some more root babies (one rabbit for Maddie for next Easter and half a dozen as little pressies    for when I need them!)

It really is scary when you list it all like that (and no doubt I've missed some out too!)

This year I am not writing formal resolutions because I never keep them anyway LOL.  I heard on TV that over 80% of New Years Resolutions are broken within the first month and less than 2% actually see out the year!

Thinking about a "to do" list for 2012 I do want to spend more quality time with my small son (he really is suffering being squeezed between the bossy big sister and the adorable and charming baby sister)

I do want to worry less about inconsequential things and prioritize my life so that the things that are important get the most attention.

I want to continue to declutter and simplify.

I want to write more letters.

I want to teach myself to knit 2 socks on 1 circular needle (I have a book that was bought but not yet used)

I want to learn how to "pin" on pinterest

I want to use social media more for my Creative Memories business

I want to have an attitude of gratitude for the small things every day

I want to spend less time trawling crafty things on the computer and more time actually crafting

I'm sure there is more but I want to go play with my sewing machine before it gets too hot to be in the one room without air con (going to be another scorcher here today!)

Happy New Year!

Keep smiling,

Nell

Favourite glimpses of Christmas

Wishing you all health, happiness, and peace for 2012.  I know I should be listing my New Years Resolutions but I have a migraine and am feeling very bah humbug about New Years (think I will probably be in my jammies and snoring by 9pm!)

Layout a Day Challenge Pages

New (January) double heart border maker.  Odd colour combo but this is a page for our Sunsation workshop so I had to work in a limited palette.

Using "Think Pink" and the new zigzag trimmer blade.

Picket Fence border maker with Discover ribbon woven through.  The cream stripe is the old Romance pack.  I like to use old and new together!

Jumbo Scallop Circle and Fabulous paper

Birthday parties are always a challenge - too many photos LOL - this is busy but it works as a simple way to get lots of photos onto a page.

My favourite from this lot - Hummingbird paper and some of the new Love range.  Helps that it is a great photo!

Oh it feels good to be getting caught up in my albums!  I am finding it a challenge to sneak time with 3 little people underfoot but during the day the new room is a bit too hot to scrap in anyway!

Back soon with favourite Christmas shots!
keep smiling,
Nell

Merry Christmas!

Well, that is it from us for the next few days as we celebrate Christmas with extended family.  I will be back in the quiet lull between Christmas and New Year's to show you my layout a day pages.  Ahh, the time between Christmas and New Years are some of my favourite days of the year - slow lazy pace, nothing that "has" to be done, thinking ahead to the New Year, reminiscing all the good memories of this year, and the dust might even get blown off the sewing machine LOL!

A bright and merry Christmas to you.  May peace be in your heart.
Nell
xxxx

One handmade present

This year I have not done nearly as much "handmade" for Christmas as I had hoped so I was really delighted to get this special present finished last night!  Maddie will have her own special Steiner/Waldorf dolly under the tree this year.

Judging by the delight she was taking sticking pins into its face yesterday this dolly is sure to come in for some tough loving.  I had to laugh that at one stage she nicked off with just the head and the disembodied limbs and when I went looking for them she had tucked them all safely up in bed and told me "Sshh! Dolly asleep!"  Hopefully that means she will bond with dolly.  Unfortunately Hannah and Daniel really don't play a lot with their Waldorf dolls at all.

We had a truly horrendous day here yesterday.  I am thinking of an acquaintance who lost her battle with cancer and has left behind a little toddler so I am not in a very positive frame of mind.  The kids were total terrorists - broken and drawn on books, drawn on walls, lots of tanties and fighting and nagging and dobbing. Last night I read a bit of Soule Mama and decided to adopt a slower pace today so we had a leisurely pancake breakfast and then some gardening.

Heart glad Mummy moment when a baby magpie showed up and started warbling.  The seven year old " Hello Mr Magpie, thank you for singing us good morning"
The five year old "That is such a lovely song you're singing"
The two year old just stood in awe with her hands behind her back and a face full of wonder.

You've gotta love a garden!
Now we are off to wrap presents and make felt ornaments and rocky road!
Happy thursday!
Keep smiling,
Nell

Layout a Day Challenge

Okay, so we all know how super organised I am this Christmas (eh hmm...not) which is why I can't believe I have come up with this hairbrained idea!  I really need to catch up on my kids albums and I have noticed that I seem to feel like I have accomplished more (or something) on the days that I have a layout or two to show for it...so, over the school holidays I am committing to a layout a day.  Because I rarely do a single page in a sitting I might sometimes have a few layouts to show.  I am giving myself permission not to have to blog it every day, and I am recognising that over Christmas I might not get to scrap (so those extras can count for those days!)  If you are into scrapping then feel free to play along (and you can leave a link to your pages in the comments if you like?)

I have been enjoying using up some old stuff like the Great Escapes paper and old chamois cardstock!

This is the new Nancy O'Dell "Love" series - which even works for boys stuff!

"Think Pink" and the Love series - seriously love this photo but not sure this page is "finished" yet!

First of three using the same photos and the Love series (which just fitted perfectly with these photos)  Even if I have the same photos to scrap 3 times (once for our family album and once for each of the girls) I will still do different pages (coz I just don't like to have to do some things more than once!)

Layout adapted from December's CM crop talk.  Still not sure if I like the white space on the left hand side but I think I will live with it!

LOVING the new Creative Memories scallop tearing tool! Such yummy dimension on the page.  I also really like the ephemera effect on the Love paper.

  Now I am off to try today's page before the two youngest wake up ;)

Special things

In a world where there seems far too many lovely people suffering sometimes it is the totally unexpected things that can create sunshine in your day.  You know my obsession with red and aqua?  Well look what I got from a beautiful kindy mum (who also has this fabulous blog bananarunkin.blogspot.com )

Amy, your little owl will be treasured.  I want you to know that you totally made my day!

New Layouts

Some recent scrapping - using old bits of ribbon and mismatched stickers.  Also returned to natural pages (which I haven't used for a while!)

Middle layout is using the new Autumn Additions pack and last month's Gratitude range with our classic farm stickers.  The bottom one is my favourite - new Think Pink Paper Pack along with lots of old favourites like the blue from the Discover pack.  This incorporates two of my favourite techniques - pen sketching and tearing.  It also helps to have a cute little model!  Tomorrow I hope to make a start on some Christmas preparations!

Two, and my new favourite photos

I know I am wildly biased but how seriously damn cute is this 2 year old?  Not sure if it is the piggies, or the soft lighting, or the soft pink cardi or just pure nepotism but this is my current favourite shot of the birthday girl.

And this one, well it is just my current favourite shot of my current favourite people!
Hope you are having a great week!
Keep smiling,
Nell
xxx
p.s. got my scrapping mojo back saturday night so will have some recent layouts to show you next time!

Doing Nothin'

Sitting here feeling sorry for myself.  Full of the 'flu.  Not even going to my quilty friends Christmas breakup (and I LOVE those girls and the inspiration and support and fun and friendship that they provide!)  I am 2 blocks away from finishing my bestie's baby quilt.  I have a full box of new exciting Creative Memories products calling to me.  And yet I am doin' nothin' !

I have not even contemplated handmade presents for anyone this year.
I am just hanging in there for kindy to finish, and school to finish and then maybe I will find my crafting mojo and my scrapping mojo!

Oh, and in the meantime, the baby girl turned 2 this week.  TWO!!!! WHERE DID MY BABY GO?!?!