Kids Christmas Swap 2010

Do you have children who sit by the mail box waiting for something to arrive?

Do your children get upset when you recieve something in the mail and they don't?

Do your children enjoy crafting and creating?

Then this is for them.

So this is the plan.

Imagine the joy and excitement on your little one/s face/s when a package arrives in the mail just for them.



What you will send: An Envelope (no bigger than A4 size) filled with goodies for another little child, that has a Christmas Theme.

Ideas:  Paper, Paper/Foam Shapes, Ribbon, Sticky Tape, Material, Card stock, a ready made craft kit, beads, yarn, stickers, recipe for something Christmassy....   The list could go on and on.

    Create something small to add to the parcel.  It is your choice whether this is created by your child or by yourself.

The idea is to have fun it putting this together and creating with your child.  It is not meant to cost the world - but will mean the world to both your child/ren when they are making it or when it is recieved at the other end.

Sign up's CLOSED

Ages:  12 months to 12years (although I am open to making allowances) and where possible your child will swap with someone of a similar age. 

Other Information:  I will email you with your partner/s on Monday 15th, Included will be the address/adresses that you will require (your address will not be shared with anyone else)

Parcels to be posted on or around November 27th so they arrive at the beginning of December.

For those with more than one child. Are you happy to send to individual children - I know that my two would love to recieve their own parcel in the mail.

At My House

November - how on earth did that sneak up on us.  Just a year ago I was all packed up and on the road. 

So a year on - looking back I now feel so slack that I have done nothing to the yard or garden.  We have such a tiny yarn compared to previous postings and the tree's were already established so the joy of saving every drop of water and nurturing was not there.  And after 7 moves in 7 years the garden was the last thing on my mind. 

Amelia mentioned just the other day that she missed having her Vegetable Garden.  I planted out herbs in the garden between the other plants and trees within the first week of being here.  They are doing well, but it is nothing like what we had in the garden last year.

Today, we enjoyed our first Strawberry.  Cut up and shared between the three of us, I realised the joy that the kids get out of being part of a garden and enjoying the product of our hard work.

So, after pulling out some old pots and clearing out the spiders we headed to Bunnings and made it home in time to plant out 6 more strawberry plants, a passionfruit and a tomato plant.

Fingers crossed I dont kill the things in pots - I am not a huge pot gardener - things live here if they are in the ground and sort of take care of themselves with a little water provided my the kids, the skies and myself on odd occasion.

I am going to have a break for a day or two.  I am going to get the Kids Christmas Swap organised and will be back on Wednesday or Thursday with the details.  If you are handy on the computer and know such things as making a snazzy little button I would love to hear from you. 

I also have somthing up my sleeve for Movember.  Fingers crossed I have enough hours in the days.

Playing along with Lou

Day #31 - It all comes to an end

One month of full on blogging.  How did you go.  I missed 2 days - not a bad effort.
Thankyou to all those that came to visit.  The old regulars that comment on every post and those that were new to me.

I had huge plans on visiting every blog that participated this year - Think that I managed to get down to about 60 on the list (plus the regulars that I often pop by and say hi too!) 

Today, the kids and I headed out to a market - oh my - why has it taken me until almost November to catch on that fruit and vegetables can be bought at a market literally a few kilometers up the road.  I walked away with a weeks worth of fruit and vegetables for $11.60!  That included 3 (yes people 3) punnets of strawberries - lets just say that we will be going back next weekend.

Home for a rest and then off to see DH (he lucked out and had to work today)  a few rounds around the oval and then a bbq together under the trees.

For those that were committed and did the whole entire 31 days - Well done.

and on the subject of commitment.  DH was awarded this just the other day. 

15 years of serving his country - we are all very proud of him.

Thanks must also go to tinniegirl Thanks so much for hosting and I look forward to the fun that 2011 will bring.

Day #30 - Red Olearia

Another Christmas gift completed (I even have the book to go with this one) 

I love this pattern.  It is the Olearia by the ever talented tiKKi. It really is one of my go to patterns at the moment.  Amelia is still yet to have one grace her shoulders so I may have to do something about that.

I asked my SIL which version she prefered and the reponse was "the plain one"  but could not help myself and had to add a little detail at the base.

I love it.  And looking forward to seeing in on Miss Vivi when it fits her. 

Pattern: Olearia by Georgie

Neddles: 3.25 and 4mm Circulars

Yarn: Bendigo Woollen Mills, 8ply Luxury in Sunrise

Time Frame: October 16th - 28th 2010 

And while I am on the subject of showing cute knits on Nieces - this arived in my inbox this week. Miss Vivi in her Aunty knitted beanie.   

How cute is she! 

Day 29 - Jump Jump

Tip:  If you want a good finished photo, DON'T ask the five year old to stand on the tramp.

New PJ's made from an opshopped single sheet that was too narrow for modern day beds.

Sleeve detail.  A doily cut in half and stitched onto a cheap singlet.

What's better than enough fabric to make a pair of long pants for both the girl and her Mumma.

Popping this in for my entry in the Creative Collective Spring Craft Challenge.  Inspired by all of the Jacaranda's  in flower.

Day 28 - My Creative Space

today I am feeling a little like this

I need sleep.  One sick little boy + one sick big boy + no sleep for this Mumma = Grumpy Mumma

I am off to play in the sun and jump on the tramp in the attempt to wear out sick little man (and give him some much needed sunlight) and then we can both have a sleep (fingers crossed)

After that, I am hoping to get a few things finished.

For more exciting creative spaces pop over to Kootoyoo

Day #27 Valentino

On Saturday I caught the train into the city and meet up with Marie.

Together we walked around, pointing, ohh and ahhing at the wonder that is Valentino.  What an amazingly talented man and designer. He really is the man behind the ruffles and bows.

On the way out I shouted myself a pattern making book.  Looking forward to sitting down and reading it soon. 

If you are thinking of going, go, and you best hurry - you only have until the 14th of November.