My creative space #1 2011

Hope everything in your part of the world is good. Its been pretty crazy weather here in Melbourne (and, quite frankly, everywhere along the eastern seaboard of Australia). Floods in all states along the east and days of horrible humidity followed by cool weather. Today is one of the few days of the summer I remember as a kid (think blue skies, 30+ degrees and bugs!). Im glad its finally arriving.

Koo's creative space entries have started again and I will endeavour to post at least once a week to coincide with it. It will (hopefully) ensure that I do take some time out for creativity during the week.

Here are a few more things finished up this week.

These are covered photo albums made for some of my friends daughters for Christmas. I am ashamed to say that I just finished these (almost the end of January) but I rarely get to see my girl friends and their kids. Well they were made on time for delivery. I hope they are well received.

Another birthday girl who's siblings had each received a letter cushion last year for their birthdays finally received her own. I found the letter alittle tricky and it took me some time to work out how to turn it. I ended up having to stuff via the space in the middle of the A..... made sewing it up very frustrating but it turned out nicer than i'd anticipated.

On the kiddies front, we've been doing alot of indoor crafts as the weather (as mentioned above) has been quite wet. Here is one crafting session that went well and they were interested in for more than 5 minutes! Sure its messy but letting them experiment with the paper and glue was fun to watch. Miss G decided that rather than stick flat bits of paper to the window, it would be nicer if they were made into 'flowers'. I'd never have thought of that!

One of the above mentioned flowers can be seen in Miss G's hair (its the blue thing).

The girls being able to work together side by side was an added bonus of this activity.

Finished window.... and very sticky fingers!

Another year begins

Well a Merry christmas and happy new year to you all. Its been a pretty hectic December and im not sure where the month went. It was definately a sprint to the Christmas / new year break and I'm still wondering when it happened and where it all went. Ive had my hubby home for two weeks and its been fantastic. Even though I dont get a holiday from my job, having an extra pair of hands around certainly has made it easier.

On the creative front, I didnt get as much as I wanted done (yes this is a familiar story). Despite knowing exactly what i wanted to make and for whom, best intentions arent the only thing you need with Christmas barrelling toward you. I did manage a few things though:



some very simple handmade christmas cards made with paper I picked up in Japan years ago.



A couple of travel document pouches for my mum in law (pictured) and uncle in law (for some reason I didnt photograph) who are both avid travellers (and who happened to be me and hubby's kris kringles). Included in the pouches were some vouchers. In retrospect, I should have added a little description as Uncle Charles was alittle confused by it :) On a side note, these were the first zips ive ever done, and they were not hard at all!! (you were right Tab).
If you'd like to make one, the tute can be found Here




Some gift voucher pockets (only one photographed... im not sure why i'd forgotten to photograph all of them) which could be used for carrying around anything (think lippy, perfume etc). I used the tute found here for the gift card below and then thought that it was a waste of fabric (and my time) if you couldnt use it again so I created the pocket version (above).



I also managed to make these notebook with colouring pencils for a friend's two little girls (well she has three but the third is alittle small for colouring). I monogramed them and made each notebook with the girl's favourite colour.


I also made dresses for my girls for christmas day and i'll include a pic in the next post. I need my hubby's computer for photos and he's busy killing bad guys :)

Lastly, here are some pics of my little girls on christmas morning. Santa had hidden a present each in their room. The remaining presents were left under the tree. The girls got a kick out of leaving some choccie biscuits and a carrot for santa and the reindeer only to find crumbs in the morning. So cute!


The morning started very early with Miss G finding her present from santa hidden under her bed. And what did he bring her?... her very own sewing machine (which I have only just worked out how to thread.. the bobbin was really difficult to work out!).


Miss G had jumped into Miss A's bed with the present santa had left. I dont think these smiles stopped all day!


Later in the day at Grandma's house, woody and buzz dress-up clothes were the biggest hit. Here is a pic of woody and buzz having a cuddle.

Hoping 2011 is the best ever year for you and your family.