Four birthdays and a christening

As my previous post hinted, I've been super busy with present making and its given me the opportunity to be creative which is always good. I can be a little lazy if I don't have a deadline to meet. Procrastination is a (not so) good friend of mine. Im not sure if anyone else feels the way I do... I couldnt be bothered going into the sewing room but once there, I cant get out. On the odd day I do venture in, hoping inspiration will miraculously appear and it doesn't. Those kinds of days leave me avoiding the fabric, cotton and machine until a birthday or some other important event creeps up. I'm constantly getting frustrated with myself. Does anyone out there do this to themselves too?

Here are my offerings for the past two weeks. Alittle meagre considering more than 2 weeks has lapsed since my last post but they are presents and they are all done and delivered... and Im happy with them.

Firstly, I finished my last little offering for a young man who's christening I attended (and made the pants and hat for in the last post). It was made to match this quilt which was a present for him at birth.

For birthday number 1 , another space pillow for one of Miss G's little friends. His mum saw this pillow made for another young man and commented on it. So I decided to make him one too. I love making pillows (if you couldnt half tell) and the kids seem to get a kick out of seeing their name or initial on something that is their very own. Certainly when this young man saw the cushion, he was very happy (and so was his mum!) :)

Ive hand embroidered this one (as opposed to machine applique which Im not great at) and I think it looks neater.

Birthday no. 2 was a kinder friend of Miss G. For this birthday I made a new and improved pencil roll. I'd had feedback from my last batch (and infact from my own experience) that the pencils would fall out. So Ive incorporated a flap at the top that is folded down before being folded up. Yes, my explanation sucks. Here are some pictures:

I did make another letter cushion for another young man who celebrated his birthday but forgot to take a picture! I do remember thinking 'i should take a picture' but somewhere I've just plain forgotten. Probably a small child bugging me to be fed or watered was involved.

Finally, a present for a young lady (another of Miss G's friends) who celebrated her birthday on the weekend. I'm loving this cushion so much that Im going to make one for each of my girls (who will be celebrating their birthdays very soon). So simple. I strugged with what to make for this young girl for some time. She is shy and quiet and I sat for atleast an hour laying out fussy designs that just didnt work (and didn't seem to suit her). I was about to give up when a illustration in a book caught my eye. A simple flower. It worked and look no longer than an hour to design, cut and assemble. Ofcourse it is hand stitched so it took some more time to finish (again, bad time management skills). We went to the birthday empty handed but happily delivered it this morning at kinder.

Back of the cushion. Simple envelope opening. I didnt have enough fabric to do a solid colour so I used two different fabrics.

So its off to the sewing room once more as we have another birthday this weekend. Miss G and Baby A have a very busy social calendar in August and September!