Made by Jots Mum

I want to sew

2012-01-11T17:21:00.001+11:00

but how can I when this is the only way I can get CT to sleep at the moment.

Instead I will be using this time to fill my gift ideas folder for sewing later in the year.

WIPs

2012-01-01T19:58:00.002+11:00

AJ is running a 12 WIPs in 2012 challenge to encourage people to finish at least 12 WIPs that they have sitting around. Great I thought a challenge (not that I am very good at keeping to them).

So I looked at the post she wrote and started my list. I only have 3 genuine WIPs! I can't believe it.

I guess the morning sickness and renovations in 2011 stopped me starting all these great ideas I have been having.

So I can't enter AJs challenge but to ensure that I get these WIPS complete this year I am listing them here and on the right hand side so I can tick them off.

Genuine WIPs

Laras Quilt - Top finished
Mondrian Quilt - blocks complete
Fandango Quilt - blocks complete

WIPs in Planning stage

Central Park Quilt
Quilt for Nephew O
Ruby Wedding Quilt for M&D
CT Quilt

In addition I have plans for Christmas and Birthday presents for the majority of the family to get done. Once again I will be attempting to do a couple a month (and get beyond Easter this year).

We have no plans to renovate this year so I should be able to get my machine out in every month and get these things done.

The Baby - Is a ....

2012-01-01T19:40:00.001+11:00

Boy!

CT was born on my birthday (what a great gift) at 11:34am weighing in at 3.8kg (approx 8lbs 7oz).

He is a gorgeous little boy who looks a lot like his sister. We have been having a quiet two weeks getting to know him and really enjoy watching the interaction with Jot (who is constantly demanding to hold him then desperate to hand him back after every burp or spill).

We are so grateful to have him in our lives as he makes our little family complete.

Welcome CT

Just discovered ...

2011-12-01T15:22:00.001+11:00

A fantastic new Bakery Cafe in South Melbourne.

Brasserie Bread has been running as a supplier to the catering industry in Sydney and Melbourne for some years but their Melbourne Cafe only opened ten days ago. It is tucked away on a side street in South Melbourne and for those willing to go the extra mile to find it it is very worth it.

After dropping Jot at childcare today we decided that a breakfast out was a very good idea (to be honest neither of us can remember the last breakfast out we had that wasn't for three people). So R gave me directions and off we went.

Wow is all I can say. The room is clean and very new, there are samples of bread and jams and pastries on the counter space for you to nibble on while deciding on what to buy and there is a great menu of Breakfast and lunch items (all of which I believe are available no matter what time of day you visit).

R kept it simple with the Croissant with Jammery Jams but I don't go out to breakfast much so splashed out on the Sourdough Pancakes with Stewed Berries and Honeycomb Cream.

Oh My! The pancakes were divine. Very light and nothing on the plate overpowered the other elements. Now I am not a food critic or a big eater (normally) but I cleaned the plate and only allowed R one small mouthful to try. If it was socially acceptable I might have licked the plate too, I restrained myself.

They also run free Saturday Baking Classes for kids aged 4 - 12 (so Jot is still a little young) and next year will be starting adult classes. Each Class starts at 10am and bookings are essential.

You can find the Cafe at 150 Thistlethwaite Street, South Melbourne. The cafe is open from 7:30am to 3pm from Monday to Satruday but is closed on Sundays and Public Holidays.

Disclaimer - The don't know me at Brasserie Breads but once again I just had to pass on the word about a great place to go. All images are taken from the Brasserie Bread website.

Awfuls and Beautifuls

2011-11-30T16:08:00.001+11:00

As part of the Cognitive Behaviour Therapy I am undertaking to address my Antenatal Depression I have been asked to fit more beautifuls (things I enjoy doing) into my day to balance out the awfuls (those things I have to do).

While I was working I struggle to do this although I think I read more than I have done in years. Now I am maternity leave I am finding it easier to squeeze them in as well as finding pleasure in more things.

Unsurprisingly the main one I have tried to get back to (and mostly succeeded) is the sewing and quilting. Although I am still quite limited in the fact that the sewing machine has to share desk space with my computer until February and therefore I have no storage for any fabric or notions so if I need anything I have to get them from the garage, I have been able to get back into it.

I have finished the last Oh Beehave Quilting Bee Block for Kirsty (was meant to be sent in September).

I have also finished my Nephew J birthday quilt (his brithday was about 2 weeks ago) but stupidly didn't remember to take a photo of it complete before I sent it to NZ so hopefully my sister will take one for me when it arrives.

I have also finished the MIL quilt for her Christmas present (well still need to attach the label but it is virtually complete) but no photos of that until after she has opened it - not that I think she knows about the blog but I would rather err on the side of caution.

Finally Jots childcare is having a red and green day tomorrow to celebrate the start of the festive season (Jot keeps asking if we are going to have a tree and where Santa lives - they seem to be linked in her mind). And having had this fabric in mind for a festive skirt for her for over a year I decided to pull my finger out and finished it about 15 minutes ago All ready in good time. I just adore the tassles. I used the Oliver & S Lazy Days Skirt free pattern which can be found on their blog. One I have used a dozen or so times in the last tow years.

Now I am going to whip up a Oliver & S Popover Dress for her to wear this summer (another free pattern from their blog). I have some great Anna Maria Horner Little Folks Voile that I have been sitting on for a while. Time to cut into it.

Anyway, I am finding it rather easy to balance my awfuls with my beautifuls at the moment (I am not going to detail all the things I have to do here) and it is really helping me to keep some focus. Now I really need to find a way to keep it up once the baby arrives. I wonder if I can sew with the baby in a sling. Worth trying maybe.

Nappy Bag

2011-11-20T17:12:00.001+11:00

A long long time ago (roughly 30 years) my Mum had this fantastic red bag that she used for air / train / car travel. Given that at the time she had to have entertainment (and spare clothes etc) for three kids I remember said bag as being huge. It probably wasn't but I was only little at the time. I remember the bag as having two main compartments with two outside compartments (one of which always held our passports).

So when I stumbled across this beauty online it reminded me so much of Mums red bag that I knew I had to see it for myself.

I was able to track one down at the local Baby Bunting store and as of Friday I am the proud owner of one OiOi Red Faux Lizard Carry All Nappy Bag. It comes with its own change mat, bottle cooler, wipes case and wet bag as well as multiple pockets (including one for passports).

I love it and although at the moment it is only doing duty for one child and doubling as my handbag, it has a long life ahead of it as a nappy bag. As well as continuing as my handbag/travel bag for many years to come.

In actual fact it is nothing like Mums red bag but I am so glad that everytime I look at it I remember travelling as a family and as a kid. I hope that some day my children will have as many fond memories as I do about travelling and maybe some of them will be triggered by My Red Bag.

Disclaimer: Oioi have no idea who I am I just love this bag and had to tell someone (or everyone) about it.

Blogtoberfest - The last day

2011-10-31T12:53:00.001+11:00

Well once again Blogtoberfest is over today and I have to admit I did very poorly indeed. I started off well but fell by the wayside just over half way through. Seems to be my limit.

I'm afraid I had more posts planned but I had a couple of really bad days followed by a week with my sister from the UK and I didn't want to waste any of the time we had to write a blog post. She left yesterday and now it is back tonormal around here. Well nearly.

The kitchen is still not finished (only small things left to do) and it is starting to annoy me. We have the final inspection on Wednesday so R and I need to go round tomorrow and make a list of everything we think isn't done right.

My little sis J spent two full days of her visit with a paint brush in her hand (bless her) and we were able to finish off two rooms and get half way through a third which is great for us. Now to try to polish off that one and at least one more before the in laws arrive on 3 December. We had originally hoped to do a further three rooms but I need to be realisitc as there is not much I can do. I managed about 2 hours of painting before my body said I had done to much and although there is not much left to do in the room that will become Jots we still need to do a number of things that I can't do alone (like the ceiling).

So I am starting to focus less on the paint job (that will be R's job to worry about) and more on the soft furnishings for Jots new room. I am thinking of getting some girly fabric and some embroidery hoops and making hanging art that way, then we can change the fabric when she wants to. I also want to make her a book sleeve but need to refind the tutorial which I bookmarked some time ago.

After Jot has moved rooms we are on to the nursery. No idea about this yet as I haven't even started the babies welcome quilt and don't really know what colours to choose. No idea on gender of baby (although I am starting to sway towards Blue) so don't want to pink it. Then again I don't really want it to be green or yellow either so I might just blue it regardless - I think that is what we ended up doing with Jots nursery in the old house.

My Christmas Plan is coming along well. I am about to organise a baking day at the end of November to stock up the freezer with cookie dough and cakes ready for the silly season. As well as making some foodie christmas gifts. Hoping to rope in a friend or two to join me so the kids can entertain each other and we can catch up.

I also have a list of things I have to make before Christmas as well as another list of things to do and shop for but I have a feeling that some (or possibly all) of those lists will not happen. I am getting very slow now and with only about 7 weeks to go I am feeling very ready for a break.

Finally, I hope you have a happy halloween tonight. Are you doing anything? We are planning on a quiet night in and have a bucket load of lollies in case we get any trick or treaters (doubt it as we had none last year and I ended up eating all the lollies). Have a good one.

Jotsmum

Blogtoberfest Day 19 - The Move

2011-10-19T11:17:00.003+11:00

I am soo very very very glad to be home.

The move itself went well. I actually didn't have to do anything. I packed at the unit and then R loaded the car, drove home (dropping Jot and I off at Mainly Music on the way), unloaded the car, cleaned the rooms we were using last night, washed out the fridge and collected us from the train station.

We have discovered one or two little downsides to moving back mid renovation:

1) Dust everywhere
2) No kitchen (R has set up a temporary kitchen in the garage but I am thinking that takeaway food sounds so much better at the moment)
3) No laundry machine - did finf the nearest laundromat though so will need to take a trip on Saturday to start on the mountain of washing I have
4) No ensuite - well it is all there but the tiler hasn't finished and so we are not sure quite how water tight it is - luckily we didn't renovate the bathroom this time so we can at least have a shower.
5) No power to half the house

So far the plus side to the renovation is that we are able to use the indoor toilet (Thank you God). Although as R pointed out the new placement of the door means that if we leave the toilet door open (which those of you with a toddler will know is sometimes not your choice) the neighbours can see you! Once the ensuite is fully functional this will only be a problem for the youngest member of our household and as she is used to toileting in public I doubt it will bother her much for a while.

I was very pleasantly surprised to have the stone workbench for the kitchen fitted yesterday (after being told it was likely to take another 2 weeks) so I am now a little hopeful of a functional kitchen in the next 10 days. Please keep your fingers crossed for me. I do love the new kitchen though it looks very swish and with all these slow closing doors and drawers I can see a lot of fun ahead for us all. Jot has already marked one drawer for hers so that will be our plastic drawer - why has she chosen the largest one?

Before and After Photos will follow but unlikely to be part of Blogtoberfest. I just doubt it will all be finished in time as we still need to paint.

Blogtoberfest Day 18 - International Shopping

2011-10-17T17:26:00.000+11:00

Getting in a day early as I know I will not get a chance to post tomorrow as it is MOVING day!

I am all for shoping handmade and ideally locally so when it comes to birthday presents for my wonderful family who live across the ocean I am sometimes stuck for choice.

I know about
Etsy - Mostly USA but also worldwide
and
Madeit - Australia

But now I have found
Notonthehighstreet - UK
and
Toggle - NZ

Edited to Add from Comments:
Folksy - UK
Oz Handmade - Australia

This should make Brithday presents easier to purchase.

I will be AWOL tomorrow but will be back to regular programming on Wednesday (I hope).

Blogtoberfest Day 17

2011-10-17T12:44:00.000+11:00

Help

I am drowning in packing. I got so distracted by it this morning I forgot to check my fasting Blood Glucose Level (which is the most important when dealing with Gestational Diabetes). I have sent R and Jot off to swimming with a full car to drop off at home on the way back and come to work. A much more peaceful way to spend the day. However I know how much we have to get done tonight as we have to be out of the serviced apartment by 10am. No lie in for me tomorrow :)

Timing of leaving the apartment works quite well though as we have Mainly Music at 10am and while Jot and I are participating R can take the full car home and empty it. Then all I need to worry about is a day of unpacking and organising and trying to figure out how to live without a kitchen (oh and where we are going to sleep). I have demanded that the washing machine is plumbed back in (chances are a little slim) as I have no idea where our nearest laundromat is (although I am hoping for one to magicaly appear on our local shopping strip).

I think the nights are going to be interesting as Jot has been on a cot mattress on the floor for the last 8 weeks and over the last week we have found her on the floor next to it more often than not. I am hoping going back into her single bed will mean that there is more space for her but also think that she is going to fall out of bed a lot over the next week. It will be nice to see how she goes in her own room again too. I have loved having her close by BUT the fact I wake with every little squeak means my sleep is getting severly disturbed.

I am looking forward to my bed and hoping I can actualy sleep in it this week - we haven't decided where we are going to be sleeping yet as I think we are planning to decorate the master bedroom before we move back into it. Fingers crossed for my bed (whereever we put it).

Blogtoberfest Day 16

2011-10-16T17:31:00.003+11:00

Another day and another titleless post. I just have no idea what to call them at the moment as they really are just my ramblings.

I decided on this skirt to knit for Jot. Ok I didn't decide Jot did as she saw in the picture that it was purple. It is actually kitting up quite quickly. I am on the middle tier already and really want to get this finished in the next week but I know that won't happen.

Tuesday is moving day. We are moving back to our house after 8 weeks living in a serviced apartment in the city. I have enojyed the convenience of the flat being closer to both R and my work but living in a one bedroom flat with a 3yo is trying at the best of times, throw in an over tired and emotional pregnant mum life has proven to be interesting. I am looking forward to being back in the house surrounded by my things (even if they are in boxes) but I am not looking forward to the fact that the renovations are still not complete and we will be living without a kitchen until they finish (and I have not been given a finish date yet!).

On the plus side we will have space again and that is what I am looking forward to most I think.

My sister arrived from the UK a week today and I am so excited to see her. I saw her last February at her wedding (blimey that can't be the last time I saw her can it!) and although she is flying solo this time I am so looking forward to catching up with her (and hopefully getting some free babysitting). Jot is excited too and that is great. We have plenty of work planned for her though and the poor thing will be living in a building site - hope she doesn't mind too much.

Little Sis is with us for a week and then I have an extra day of work before heading back for two and half weeks until I go on Maternity leave. I can't really believe that it has come round so fast, yet on the other hand I am desperate for it to be here. I am (as you may have guessed) a bit over the pregnancy this time round.

My planning for Christmas has hit a snag. I got distracted by everything I have to do before the baby arrives so I have made an executive decision. This Year is going to be able the kids. If we don't already have a gift for the adults (and I have made one or two) then they will not be getting one. I am just too tired and time shy to do the shopping. R is in charge of the Christmas Dinner ( I will be in charge of the newborn :) ) and my Mother in Law has agreed to make us a summer pudding for dessert. All I need to do now is to make a plan for the baking etc that we usually do during December for gifts and see if I can't allocate some to Grandma time and step back completely just to supervise :).

Blogtoberfest Day 15

2011-10-15T12:29:00.001+11:00

I did think about this post over the last couple of days and have been wondering trying to decide if I post about it or keep it private. I know R believes it should be kept private but if no one talks about it there is always going to be stigma about it and that is not right.

I am talking about Antenatal (and Post Natal) Depression.

I suffered with PND after JOTs arrival for about 12 months and it is actually what got me back into sewing and blogging as part of my recovery. I had 12 months of counselling and still don't feel completely free of it. The long and short of it for me was the disconnection I felt to Jot. Don't get me wrong I never wanted to give her back (except maybe at 3am) but I didn't feel that first rush of love that you are always told about when about to become a new mum. I just felt like we were in a bubble, the problem was we were in different bubbles. I breastfed for 20 months and during the first 11-12 months it was the only time I really felt connected to her. I am thankful for the support of my family during this time (as much as they could provide being overseas) and especially for the way R has always thought about how I am coping when planning anything. I also am grateful for the support of the Melbourne City Council who provide free counselling for struggling parents as well as a great Movement and Music program and the Maternal and Child Health Nurses who noticed something wasn't right.

For me it is I think linked to my sleep patterns so I have better days when I have a had a good nights sleep, it is also linked to my socialisation and I realise that there is no way I could be a SAHM (and I admire all of you that are) as losing my identity as an individual and just becomeing JotsMum was a shock to me and I really struggled to link what I had been to what I had become. Going back to work and making connections online helped enormously and gave me an outlet to be me again (not the old me but not just Jots Mum either). People were interested in me as a person rather than as an extension to Jot.

Anyway when we decided to try again I was expecting a long journey like we had with Jot (in total it took about 4 years of trying to get my gorgeous girl). This time round though we were surprised by a positive test on our first month of trying. A great surprise but quite a big one to get my head around.

With the speed that this all happened, the morning sickness, the getstational diabetes (and of course the insulin), the stream of overseas visitors (which have been a bit of a blessing) and of course these renovations it is not surprising to me that I have been struggling lately. About a month ago I walked home from work in floods of tears for no apparent reason (or not one that I can remember) and I made a decision to do something about it NOW before baby arrives. I am terrified of suffering PND again as this time it is not only me and a baby I have to look after but Jot needs me too.

So I did some research and am now self referred to a research program being run by the Parent and Infant Research Institute run out of Heidleberg. I start the first of 8 weeks of congnitive therapy on October 24. This should mean I finish up just as the baby is due to arrive. I already feel a bit better about it all just knowing that I am doing something about it.

Now I am also putting it out there to everyone who comes by to read my musings. I hope it doesn't change peoples opinions of me but to be honest if it does I hope they ask for more details. It is not something to be hidden away and if my talking about it brings just ome more person to seek help then I have helped.

Blogtoberfest Day 14 - Whoops Nothing to see

2011-10-15T11:58:00.002+11:00

Only remembered I hadn't posted at about 11:30pm last night and by which time I was in serious need of some sleep.

I therefore decided that Day 14 (nearly half way through) could be considered a failure.

Blogtoberfest Day 13 - Christmas is coming

2011-10-13T13:05:00.002+11:00

The goose is getting fat.
Please put a penny in the old mans hat.
If you haven't got a penny a ha'penny will do
If you haven't got a ha'penny then God bless you.

Every year around this time someone says to me that Christmas is coming and the little rhyme above pops into my head. I love it and had to google it today to see if I could find its origin. It seems to me it should come out of a Dickens novel but it seems to be an old English nursery rhyme popularised by The Kingston Trio and also by John Denver and the Muppets.

Well I opened my blog reader today to be reminded that it is only 10 weeks till Christmas and that organised people are well on their way to planning the holiday. I have to say at this point I am not one of them. I thought that maybe I should try to get more organised this year as we will have a new arrival just before Christmas and it would be nice to have everything ready to go before I go into hospital for the birth.

So I am using this great 10 weeks to Christmas plan from Planning with Kids as well as one or two posts from Organized Christmas they have some great printable checklists to help etc This site is American so you will find that in some cases everything is finished in time for Thanksgiving. A little confusing to me but the checklists are still very useful.

So tonight once Jot is tucked up in her bed I plan to plan! I want to get a basic 10 week plan down on paper taking into account all the visitors we have coming, the move back to the house and of course everything I have to get ready for the baby. Oh boy I really do need a plan.

Are you planning for Christmas?

Blogtoberfest Day 12 - Simple Living

2011-10-12T14:05:00.000+11:00

Well so far I only have one link in my kids section but lots more in my Simple living section so I am posting these today and will hopefully get round to adding more to the Kids section before I post it on Friday.

Simple Living

Homemade Ricotta
Homemade Yoghurt
Yoghurt secrets
Homemade Soap
Preserving
Home Management Notebooks
Olive Oil Soap
Lotion Bars
Insect Repellent
Furniture Polish
Deodorant

Blogtoberfest Day 11 - Sewing

2011-10-12T14:00:00.000+11:00

Yes I know I am late again but here is the current sewing list of starred items. I will be adding to this as and when I get time to go through the remaining items in my starred items and of course all those bookmarked pages on blogs I don't usually follow.

Sewing

Wallet to Tote
Mini Tent
The Pea Pod Carrier
Kids Teepee
Hostess Gift Box
Co-worker gifts
Car Caddy
Bedtime Storybook Caddy
Fitted Crib Sheet
Panel Curtains
Two Handed Pot Holder
Binky Leash (or Dummy Saver)
Plenty of Pockets Tote

blogtoberfest Day 10 - Cooking

2011-10-10T21:14:00.001+11:00

I went through some of my starred items in my reader and once I got over the fact that I have nearly 500 starred items. I didn't get through them all this weekend but I do plan to finish them in due course. I think I will add them to this list and book mark this list in the side menu on the off chance I will get a chance to actually try some of these recipes.

Cherry Sherbert
Watermelon Granita
Ice Coffee
Rhubarb Cobbler
Milky Way Cake
Red Velvet Sheet Cake
Cinnamon Rolls
Grasshopper Pie
Homemade Ketchup
Pumpkin Pie
Three Cheese Mashed Potato Casserole
Hot Fudge Sauce
Texas Sheet Cake
White Choc and Macadamia Cookies
Christmas Cookies
Baked Beans
Cranberry Orange Coconut Cookies
Taco Seasoning
Rainbow Cake

As you may be able to tell the Pioneer Woman is a huge inspiration to me. Shame I never get round to trying any of the recipes :)

Blogtoberfest Day 9 - All caught up

2011-10-09T07:46:00.000+11:00

I love weekends as it gives me a chance to catch up from the week and in this case catch up on my Blogtoberfest posts.

I have decided that I hate smoke alarms. Yes they are a valuable piece of life saving equipment BUT seriously when they run out of battery does it have to be the middle of the night when you don't have another battery in the house.

Since 5:25am this morning the smoke alarm in the bedroom of the 'special' house has been beeping every 24 seconds - yes I counted it. It has been driving me nuts but funnily enough both R and Jot slept through it. In fact R is still sleeping through it (or at least hasn't got up in a huff to stop it). Jot woke at her usual time and then came into bed with me for 10 minutes so I could put my hand over her ears to stop the 'bell'. She was scared to leave the bedroom, didn't realise that the bell was in the bedroom.

So high on our shopping list this morning is a battery for a smoke alarm. Not sure how we are going to replace it though as it is right over our bed and the ceiling is too tall for either of us to reach just standing on the bed.

BlogtoberfestDay 8

2011-10-08T22:06:00.001+11:00

We don't have foxtel at home (and are not planning on getting it) but while we are in the 'special' house we have foxtel and as there is nothing on TV tonight (that I can settle to) I thought I would channel hop Foxtel and I have found Lifestyle Food and more specifically 'Ace of Cakes' and 'Cake Boss'. Both of which are dedicated to decorating cakes. Wow there are some amazingly talented people out there.

So I am now being inspired to make a cake - problem is Jot has just had a birthday and mine is the next one that comes around where I will be 37 weeks pregnant. I think I will have to try to keep this inspiration for Jot next year unless I find another reason to bake a special cake between now and then.

Chances of a special cake being made - slim to non existent - but a girl can dream can't she?

Blogtoberfest Day 7

2011-10-08T09:45:00.002+11:00

I have an excuse for not posting yesterday evening to ensure I caught up as was my original plan.

I moved desks at work yesterday and although I was really careful about lifting and moving things I think I did too much. It took 3 hours to move 3 people and then I had to unpack my own desk and get it sorted. I was fine till the walk home (usually takes 20 mins) but suddenly mid walk I started to hurt and itjust got worse and worse. I even had to call R to come home from work to put Jot to bed as I couldn't get down to her level (she is sleeping on a mattress on the floor in the 'special house'). I also rang the ob to check all was ok and he seemed to think it would be but if it got worse to go in to the hospital and he would meet me there.

Luckily it seemed to settle down a bit after some panadol. Back this morning but another dose of panadol will send it on its way.

So I really will catch up today as there isn't much to watch on TV tonight. I just need to make sure I don't overdo things again today.

Blogtoberfest Day 6

2011-10-07T10:20:00.000+11:00

I'm a day late already - how is this happening? Actually I know how it happened I went home expcting the laptop to be there and R had taken it to work so I couldn't post. Now I am playing catch up and I hate that :(.

I haven't got very far with my lists for next weeks posts either but I am working on it. Hope to get some time over the weekend. Who am I kidding I will need to delay knitting to get it all done. I have however decided on my categories for next week.

1) Cooking - Monday
2) Sewing - Tuesday
3) Kids Stuff - Wednesday

Ok that is as far as I have got at the moment so I still need two more lists for Thursday and Friday. I need to get my thinking cap on. I might split the sewing one into two as I know that I have far too many of them bookmarked.

Blogtoberfest Day 5 - Knitting

2011-10-06T09:52:00.002+11:00

I am about to start a new project (which knowing my track record will still be on the needles in blogtoberfest next year).

I want to knit Jot a skirt. She wants Purple and White and she has already chosen the wool. I have the needles I just need to find a pattern.

Ravelry is my favorite location for patterns and so far I have narrowed it down to two. I really need to be careful about how long it is going to take me to knit though. I want something that is actually quite quick and simple.

Twirly Girly Skirt - I love this one and I think it great taht it can be knitted up in the round and also in other yarms - I might try this in a bamboo cotton for summer

Twirly Skirt remix - This one I really like because it is a closer fit and I think that is lovely on small kids. Luckily Jot will fit the remix size.

I have downloaded both and I am looking for some opinions as to which to make first - I know I wil probably end up with both but until I know the gender of the baby my knitting is limited to Jot.

Other knitting patterns currently in my ravelry To Do list are:

Monster Chunks - I love these and I really must knit some - BUT want to get the skirt done first.
Bloom - This one I have been meaning to make for an age but I am still a little initmidated by it.

Blogtoberfest Day 4 - Mainly Music

2011-10-04T16:47:00.002+11:00

Tuesday is fast becoming one of Jots favorite days (and mine too if I am honest) and is is mostly down to a group just started at our church. We have just started a 'Mainly Music' group.

Our church (St James Old Cathedral) is in the heart of Melbourne right next to Flagstaff gardens within easy reach of public transport (Parking is not great due to some building works but spots on King Street open up at 10am) . It was just round the corner from our old flat and when we moved we just prefered to stay with the congregation we knew well.

So back to our Mainly Music group. It is run by us (a group of around 5 volunteers headed up by Jenny our choir director) who take turns each week to do various jobs to make the session run. All of us have pre school children as the group is open to anyone under the age of five.

It only started three weeks ago and so far only with members of the church as we wanted to iron out the teething issues we may have (just one or two so far) but we open our doors to all comers next Tuesday 11th October.

It is an exciting venture for us as not many people even know the church is there let alone that we have a great kids music group like this. Jot has a blast and to be honest I use it as a bargainning chip to get her into bed on a Monday night (for some reason she is particularly reluctant to go to bed on Monday).

The program is very simple:

10:15-10:30 - Arrival
10:30-11:00 - Music Program
11:00-11:30 - Morning Tea and Playtime

Although today we got distracted chatting and didn't leave till midday.

The music is great and is very catching. There is one song about dancing feet that I am still humming to myself now (5 hours later). I took some photos the very first week but can't get at them - I might add them later if I remember.

It always exhausts Jot and that is not an easy feat any more and she is usually asleep by the time we have finished at the market afterwards. The group is such fun and event he adults get a bit of a work out.

If you are in Melbourne, have preshcool children and want to join us next week please pop along. All we ask is a $5 donation to the running of the group (all money raised is put back into the program) and some smiling faces.

If you would like to come along please contact Matt Williams (03 9329 0903 or info@sjoc.org.au) as spaces are limited.
I hope to see someone new there.

Take care
Jots Mum

Blogtoberfest Day 3 - A plan (maybe)

2011-10-03T22:07:00.000+11:00

I really enjoyed doing my week long series last year on simple living and really wanted to have a plan this year for something similar. Something I can post about without a camera. I have to say I haven't come up with anything yet - But I will so expect a series of some sort towards the end of the month.

Instead I have another plan.

Are you like me? Do you read 150+ blogs on a daily (or almost daily) basis? Do you see hundreds of things you want to cook, sew, knit, try? Do you bookmark them and then promptly forget what they are (or worse where they are)?

Yes - I thought so.

So my mini plan for this month is to review all those posts I have bookmarked (or starred in my blog reader) and

a) make a list here
b) action them (this might need to wait till I get back into my house with a working kitchen but I can try).

This will be next weeks plan as the first thing I need to do is to look at them all and categorise them. According to my blog reader I have over 200 posts starred and this doesn't even take into account those I have bookmarked elsewhere. This may take some time.

Blogtoberfest Day 2 - Royal Melbourne Show

2011-10-03T08:54:00.000+11:00

Its only day 2 and I am behind already but I stick with the theory (as I did last year) that until midday it is Day 2 somewhere in the world and therefore it doesn't matter I am a few hours late.

We spent yesterday at the Royal Melbourne Show (so tempting to put Royal Norfolk Show - the agricultural show of my youth) and I have to say that tired does not begin to explain how I was feeling when we got home.

Pregnant ladies should not spend 5 hours in the sun pushing their three year olds around in the buggy - they should be pushed around in their own buggy for 5 hours :).

We had a great time. Jot loved the animals and was running round like and idiot when she saw the cows and the sheep. She sat quietly on our laps to watch the horse jumping but wouldn't sit through the monster trucks (too noisy Mummy).

The queue for the showbag pavillion put me off completely so I got to sit in the sun with the buggy while R took Jot in and magnificently came out 25 minutes later with two bags and a pair of fairy wings for Jot. By the time he came out the queue was twice the size as when he went in.

We caught up with a couple of R's mates who were working at the show this year and although I looked for ladies I knew at the CWA canteen I didn't see anyone I knew. Probably all hard at work behind the scenes making scones.

I have to say it was a great way to pass the day and the only thing I will change in the future is NOT to let Jot fall asleep in the car on the way home (a bit hard as we had to go via the house so it took twice as long as it should have) as she was up till late Maybe a good thing with the daylight savings change.

So one very exhausted Mummy, a tired Jot and R who wanted to stay longer :) A very good day.

Blogtoberfest Day 1 – What to talk about?

2011-10-01T17:08:00.000+10:00

Day 1 of blogtoberfest and already I am at a loss at what to write about.

As I have no plan yet (might try to figure that out tonight) I thought it might be a good idea to follow up my pregnancy vent of the other day with some things that I am enjoying right now (in no particular order).

• Jot and her incessant demands to knit. At three I am not sure how to get her started so any ideas would be gratefully appreciated. We tried one of those French knitting bees and she never got interested in it. Presumably because it is not like the knitting I do.

• The never ceasing movement of this baby. I know he/she/it is well as I am constantly being pummelled and it more than makes up for the rest of the stuff my body is going through at the moment. We are still at the stage that as soon as R places his hand on the bump all movement stops which I find incredibly funny but R can’t remember the same happening with Jot.

• My gorgeous hubby R who is taking on more and more of looking after Jot (when she lets him) so I can get some more sleep, have a bath, throw up or just sit on the couch and put my feet up.

• Time to think. We are currently living in a serviced apartment in Southbank as we are renovating our house. Everything is packed and although I really want to be back home I am enjoying the short walk to commute to work (and Jot childcare) and the fact that I am not surrounded by my stuff. That sounds silly as it is what I am starting to miss BUT as I don’t have my sewing machine here I can sit on the couch in front of the TV and design quilts, think about maybe starting my own business, names for the baby (really not getting far on this one) and just generally having time to think without the constant pull of 101 UFOs.

• Family – My fantastic Mum went out of her way to find a new ‘Daisy’ comforter for Jot when our Daisy decided to jump out of the buggy and go exploring around Melbourne. So about two weeks after we lost Daisy she returned having visited grandma in England

So although I have a number of days each week when this pregnancy sucks there is much for me to be grateful for and the good certainly outweighs the bad.

Blogtoberfest starts tomorrow

2011-09-30T10:35:00.000+10:00

And I have signed up. I have no idea what I am going to post on each day (or how for that matter) but I aim to get a lot further along that last year when I went over on my internet allowance about middway through the month. If you are interested pop on over to tinniegirl and join in the fun.

Pregnancy Sucks

2011-09-28T10:44:00.000+10:00

Why oh why am I not one of the lucky ones who falls pregnant and breezes through the next nine months glowing?

A colleague recently told me ‘it was your choice – stop complaining’.

How does it follow that just because I chose to have a child I automatically have to suffer in silence if my pregnancy is not what I expected it to be.

Yes I chose to have a baby. I did not choose to have morning sickness for 20+ weeks, back pain, insomnia and insulin dependant gestational diabetes.

Why can’t I let off steam when it all gets too much for me to deal with, when the end still seems so far off and the reward still seems so unreal.

So here I am letting off a little bit of pregnancy steam.

THIS PREGNANCY SUCKS!

Oh My!

2011-09-18T08:33:00.000+10:00

It has been six months since I last posted. Sorry, there has been a lot going on and to be honest I am not sure where to start.

Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild Oh Beehave Blocks

My Mondrian Quilt - blocks made by the lovely Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild Oh Beehave Quilt Bee

And the main reason I have not been online.

This little tyke is due in January.

We have also had visitors from the UK and packed up the house and moved out while renovating (hope to be back in in mid October)

We have more visitors from the UK in late October and again over Christmas and witht he renovations and everything else going on I have not had time to sew much. Trying to do some knitting though but it is all going really slowly.

I have some photos of finished quilts on my camera but we packed the cable so can't get them onto the computer. Typical.

I promise not to leave it so long next time and I will plan to take part in Blogoctoberfest to get me back into the habit of regular posting.

Take care
Jots Mum

Fandango - Progress

2011-03-27T13:58:00.001+11:00

Well the blocks are finished and the layout decided now thanks to some rather dodgy cutting on my behalf which resulted in this block

I need to trim them all down before sashing. Now just to work out what size they are going to end up. Something for another day I think. I am about to start playing with my MIL quilt design which I am really excited about. I really hope she likes it :)

Jots Mum

Whoops - I have been busy :)

2011-03-25T19:56:00.001+11:00

Whoops I can't believe it is nearly a month since I last posted. I guess working 4 days a week really makes time fly. It is still exhausting and in fact I have been off sick for the last week and a half which of course I am blaming on the 4 day week :). I have shingles and for those of you who haven't had it before it hurts!!! I am due back to work on Monday (really have to go back as I don't have any more sick leave left) but I am still incredibly tired and in a fair amount of pain.

But all that aside I have been busy crafting.

I have finished 2 quilt tops

for a baby due August 2011

for my nephew J bday in November (the applique was needed as Jot took to the quilt top with a pair of scissors)

Finished off J&T Wedding Quilt (still need to put on the label)

Front

Back

MMQG Oh Beehave blocks for Rachel

Burp cloths for numerous new babies.

And lastly I have knitted two hats for Jot. I am not going to show a picture of the first as it is about two inches too short and it really badly made (but in my defence I was knitting while feeling my worst)

I am in the middle of my last 5 Fandango blocks and although I would like to get the top finished this month realistically I won't really get the chance in the next week (I will try though).

I was meant to make my big sis bday and xmas gifts this month too but the materials needed haven't arrived from the US yet. So I have been focusing on quilt tops this month and will focus on birthdays and christmas for both my big sis and my niece (for whom I think I have everything) in April.

I also designed my MIL quilt for her Christmas present as they will be with us at Christmas and I would love to see her face when she opens it and have also been working on a design for a quilt for my parents ruby wedding anniversary (which is in two days - I was convinced it was next year so have talked my parents into waiting for their present :) ) Not sure if I am going to go with something I design myself or some sort of an Irish chain. Lots to think about.

For now though I am think I might curl up in front of the TV and attempt to make Jot some mittens to match the hat. This could be amusing :)

Have a good weekend

Jots Mum

Things are changing and February Reckoning

2011-02-28T15:01:00.000+11:00

Things are changing round here wth my increase in days at work to 4 a week. I have been at it for two weeks and I am really feeling the shift. I think maybe three days a week was where I should stay but we will see how we go for the next couple of months.

This has meant that I have had got very little done in February and so I am going to re-evaluate my goals for 2011.

February

BIL1 & Dad - B'day and Christmas gifts - Not Done

Sampler BOM - Block-a-palooza at least two blocks - Not Done

MMQG Block February - Done

MMQG August Sample Block No2 - Done

Fandango Quilt - Piece at least 5 more blocks - Done 3 (I think)

Bind J&T Wedding quilt this one depends on when it comes back from the quilter. - In progress

Bind Jots Doll Quilt - Done

Finish last leftover item from 2010 - Not Done

And there have been no additional things made this month. I am exhausted a lot at the moment with the 4th day at work and juggling Jot on the train each morning. So although I am having a number of no technology evenings each week I am usually curled up in bed approaching sleep and I am feeling completely behind in my goals. So here I am after two months revising my first two goals of 2011.

Goal 1 - Family

I am amending this one by cutting out all the handmade gifts for the men in my life. This cuts the list down by 6 people. I was struggling to find the research time for gifts for men (they are so much harder than for women) So in 2011 we will be buying for the men but I plan to reinstate the boys for 2012.

New list:

Jan - SIL (Mar)
Feb -
Mar - Big Sis (July)
Apr - Neice (July)
May - MIL (Sept)
June - Mum (Sept)
July - Jot (Sept)
Aug - Lil Sis (Nov)
Sept - Nephew 1 (Nov)
Oct - Nephew 2 (Jan)
Nov & Dec - Xmas stocking fillers and Kris Kringle as well as CC gifts etc.

This makes life much more managable.

I am also going to revise Goal 2 - Me which was to piece, sash and bind a sampler quilt. I really wanted to get onto this one but as I am completing one block a month for the MMQG Oh Beehave Quilting Bee I am getting to try new blocks as we go. I am therefore retracting this goal but replacing it with the following:

To complete at least 5 quilts in 2011 (to gift in 2011)

I have a list of 8 quilts I will be attempting in 2011 and I am now determined to complete (and gift) at least 5 of them.

My general life goals we are better on track for. I do need to do the Feb actuals and the March budget but on whole we are tracking well for this. Growing our own food is also moving along happily, we are over run with Zucchini and the Pumpkins have started already so I am now on a search for pumpkin recipes. Finally my no technology time, these are actually being helped by my extra day at work I just wish I had the energy and mental capacity to sew during them rather than sleep but I am sure this will come as I get used to the new routine.

TV Unit Face lift

2011-02-13T19:31:00.001+11:00

Some time ago (about September last year) we decided that it was silly not to use the 'good' sitting room on a daily basis - I mean what was I thinking if you have a room use it! When M&D were over from the UK we put them to work with a paint brush and roped them is an furniture movers. We had everything how we wanted it with one exception. The only TV aerial is in a corner - usually not a problem but due to the position of the doors and windows a long TV unit (like we have) is not going to work. We have been on the look out for a corner unit ever since.

Just after Christmas we came across one in our local Salvation Army shop for $50, rescued it and brought it home. It really didn't go with our nice white furniture so it needed a face lift.

Before:

Its not totally before as we had already taken the doors off for painting but this was as soon as I remembered to take a photo.

A few coats of paint later - no matter what it says on the time one coat is never enough over dark wood - it looks like this and sit nicely in our sitting room.

I love it but Jot is not impressed. She has the whole cupboard to put her stuff into but hates the fact she can't reach the DVD player to change whatever it is we are watching in the middle of a crucial part.

I hope you all had a good weekend and I will be back later in the week with some sewing (I hope). Have a good week.

JotsMum

January reckoning

2011-01-31T19:15:00.001+11:00

Well here is the end of the first month of the year and already one of my goals has been pushed back.

However my creativity has been flowing and I am so excited about all the new quilt blocks I tried this month that I am not upset that my sampler quilt block hasn't been done.

So January is looking like this:

January

SIL - B'day and Christmas gift - Done - Christmas gift will be finished tonight.

Sampler BOM - Hole in the Barn Door - Not done but have decided to follow Quilt Dads Block-a-palooza instead from 1 Feb

MMQG Block - Done

Finish left over items from 2010 (x2) - 1 done

Bind Jot Dolls Quilt - not done but have at least attached the binding now.

* Fandango Quilt - Cut and Piece - 5 blocks down 11 to go

* Quilts for Queensland Blocks x10 (4 log cabin, 3 disappearing nine patch and 3 stars - not quite sure of their exact name) - complete and will be sent to Corrie at the end of next week

* Sunhat for Jot - done

* Childcare Sheet Bag for Jot - done

* August MMQG Block - The first of my two sample blocks have been made and I am now really excited about this quilt. I will do the other one next week but you may have to wait till I get my blocks back in August before I show it off :).

The starred items were not on my original list for January so I have done well.

So as off tonight my February list looks like this:

February

BIL1 & Dad - B'day and Christmas gifts

Sampler BOM - Block-a-palooza at least two blocks

MMQG Block February

MMQG August Sample Block No2

Fandango Quilt - Piece at least 5 more blocks

Bind J&T Wedding quilt this one depends on when it comes back from the quilter.

Bind Jots Doll Quilt

Finish last leftover item from 2010

Lets see how I go and what else I get distracted with.

Have a good week everyone.

Creative Juices are flowing

2011-01-19T19:35:00.002+11:00

I have managed 3 more blocks for Retromummy and Quilts for Queensland which brings me up to 7 so far. I am going to try for three more which will be 10 but as my Mum arrives on Saturday and I am working for the next two days I am not certain if I will manage it.

Sorry the pictures aren't that great.
I also finished up a bag for Jots sleep sheet at childcare. Now I see it I realise I should have used a simpler pattern for the letters and a more complicated pattern for the bag. Oh well you live and learn and Jot likes it so that is all that counts.

And a close up of the applique (my machine is having some tension troubles so I decided to hand applique the letters and I am really happy with how my even(ish) my stitches came out.

So now I am off to purchase some fabric for my month of the MMQG Oh Beehave and try to figure decide what to make my SIL for Christmas as I only have 10 days left of January to finish it in.
Take care
Jots Mum

No Technology Evenings

2011-01-16T20:00:00.002+11:00

As part of my 'big' Goal for 2011 I decided to limit my use of the tv and internet and wow it has made a huge difference to my productivity at the sewing machine. I will show the results shortly.
In addition to time spent at the sewing machine I have a knitting project on the go and have read 5 books! Yes you read that right 5 books (nearly 6) in 2 weeks. I will admit they are all books I have read before but we finally got round to unpacking our books at Christmas (only 50 weeks after we moved in) and it has been great to rediscover them. I am reading the Sword of Truth series by Terry Goodkind and am now on Book 6 of 11 'Faith of the Fallen'. I will also admit to getting so engrossed that I have forgotten to eat dinner a couple of times and been up well past my normal bedtime most nights. I think that I need to pace myself a bit better.
At the Sewing table I have:
Completed my MMQG Oh Beehave Block for Anna

Create 4 blocks for Quilts for Queensland run by Retromummy

Started on my 'Fandango Quilt' one block complete and 2 partially finished but wanted to get the Q4Q blocks finished before I went back to it

One Sun Hat for Jot for Childcare (she refused to model it for me but she does like it as she chose the fabrics)

And I made my SIL birthday present (now I just need to figure out her Christmas one)

I think that is it :). I have also made up a Kids Tool Belt for my nephew O (who has a Jan birthday) but was in such a rush to get it in the mail to NZ that I forgot to take a photo of it.
I just hope the creativity continues as it makes me feel good about myself and more importantly keeps me away from the chocolate.
Take care
Jots Mum

Its been raining

2011-01-16T08:03:00.001+11:00

It rained a lot last week down here. Nowhere in the region of what they received in Queensland or in parts of regional Victoria that have suffered with flooding but more than I have seen in a while.

The wheelbarrow was empty when we parked it up there on Wednesday evening. Jot was running her cars around the inside like a race track.

Yesterday morning it looked like this:

Jot got very wet but enjoyed playing in the water for a change.

Take care

Jots Mum

Quilts for Queensland

2011-01-15T12:14:00.000+11:00

It was suggested on my previous post that I use my leftover Fandango squares to make a 'Quilt for Queensland' as run by RetroMummy. Unfortunately due to the time frame and a lot of things already planned for the next couple of months I think a full quilt is beyond me. Instead I am going to do up some quilt blocks and send those off so I can still do my bit.

To all of you up in Qld or in the Victiorian towns that have been hit overnight. Stay safe and we are praying for you all.

Jots Mum

I'm feeling stupid ...

2011-01-11T18:35:00.004+11:00

Want to know why?

In my lunch break yesterday I carefully worked out how many 5 inch squares I need for my 'FANDANGO' quilt. I need 108.

So why am I feeling stupid - you ask?

I just cut 180!!!

So do I:

make more blocks with the extra squares and make my quilt much larger
use the extra squares for a small lap quilt
use the squares for something else completely random.

Jotsmum

Jots Quilt

2011-01-01T17:43:00.003+11:00

I mentioned last month that I have actually finished Jots quilt that I started in October 2009.

I had been struggling to find decent weather (in fact I still haven't had a nice day here with not much wind) to take a photo so the other day I gave in and photographed it on our sofa. Please forgive the photos they really don't do it justice.

I gave it to Jot at Christmas and she loves it even asking for it at bed time so I think it is a hit.

My very first completed quilt. The first of many more to come.

Today we will mostly be eating ....

2010-12-31T17:25:00.002+11:00

Figs from our neighbours tree and peaches from our own.

2011 Goal 3 - General

2010-12-31T10:40:00.001+11:00

Finally (and this is a big one for me) my general life goal of 2011. Most of my ideas that didn't sit in either of the two previous areas were too small to become measurable or are dependent on things outside my control to come to fruition. So I decided to lump most of my small goals under one heading and work towards them slowly and be degrees. This goal is not attainable in 2011 as it is more of a long term goal but at least part of it is attainable.

So my General Goal is:

To live a more simple and frugal life.

Not very specific at all is it. So I have some supporting goals which I am going to mention here (and a lot more that I will hold over to another year)

1) Limit Technology - I spend far too much time on the internet (browsing forums, facebook - the biggest time waster on the planet and playing games) and watching TV (I often find myself channel hopping because I can't think of anything else to do but there is nothing on I want to watch) so I am limiting both. I currently do one or the other (or both) every day and I plan to reduce that to 4 days in 7. So on 3 days/evenings I will have no internet or TV. More time to sew, knit and read.

2) To Budget - To set a budget with a strict savings policy. To buy second hand where possible. To buy food in bulk and utilise various methods to preserve it for the rest of the year (this crosses over into my next supporting goal). To save up for 'big ticket' items such as our new kitchen and bathroom.

3) Food - To grow as much of our vegetables and fruit as possible. To buy in season and in bulk utilising R work suppliers where possible. To eat less processed foods and less sugar. To plan menus and eat with Jot. To prepare meals in advance and freeze. To create a 'recipe folder' of healthy recipes that can be used to plan menus.

As it is tough to set most of these into a time frame as life is ongoing I am going to give each of the three supporting goals a timeframe of 6 months and review my progress (or lack thereof) at the end of June 2011.

In wrapping up my three (well five really) 2011 goals I wish you luck in setting and attaining yours in 2011.

Happy New Year.

Jots Mum

2011 Goal 2 - Me

2010-12-30T09:26:00.002+11:00

I struggled to narrow this group down to one goal as I had loads of ideas and things I want to do for my 'development' doing things I love. After much consideration I decided to focus on expanding my skills in my newest hobby - Quilting. So my 'Me' goal for 2011 is:

To complete (piece, sash, quilt and bind) a 9 block sampler quilt

I was hoping to do this as part of a class but I don't think we can fit one in in 2011 so instead I am setting it as a challenge to myself. To make it 'SMART' I am going to do it as a Block a Month from Jan to Sept with the remaining months for the sashing, backing, quilting and binding with the goal to have it completed in time for NYE 2011.

I think this will be a great way for me to develop my piecing and quilting knowledge and combined with the MMQG Quilting Bee I think I will end 2011 with more knowledge and confidence in this very satisfying art.

I am thinking about opening this up as a quilt-a-long challenge to anyone out there so if you are interested leave a comment and I will figure out how it is going to work. It will be a fairly simple BOM as my skills are fairly limited at the moment but I hope to choose more complicated blocks towards the end of the quilt a long.

2011 Goal 1 - Family

2010-12-30T08:39:00.003+11:00

I have used this goal to cover my extended family as I have been toying with this idea for the last couple of years.

My family Goal is:

To Hand make all Birthday and Christmas presents for all extended family in 2011 (this will include any special occasions that crop up births, marriages and the like).

So to make it Measurable, Attainable, Realistic and Timely (SMART) I have decided to allocate 1 or 2 members of my family to focus on each month. The month in brackets is their birthday month.

Jan - SIL (Mar)
Feb - BIL1 & Dad (June)
Mar - Big Sis & Niece (July)
Apr - BIL2 & FIL (Aug)
May - R (Aug)
June - MIL & Mum (Sept)
July - Jot (Sept)
Aug - Lil Sis & BIL3 (Nov)
Sept - Nephew 1 (Nov)
Oct - Nephew 2 (Jan)
Nov & Dec - Xmas stocking fillers and Kris Kringle as well as CC gifts etc.

So my goal is to make 2 gifts for each person in their month. One gift will be for their birthday and the other for Christmas.

The calendar above will be incorporated into my side bar once I have written up my Me goal (which is also split by month) and had a look at what extra quilts I want to make this year so I can allocate them as well. I will then recap at the start of each month what my goals are and at the end of each month see how well I have done. (It will also be pinned above my sewing machine so I don't get sidetracked which is far to easy these days)

So heres to a very productive 2011.

Christmas Day

2010-12-27T10:30:00.002+11:00

We had a great day and Jot started the day perfectly by sleeping in till 7:30am so we all rose together well rested and ready for a busy yet calm day.
We first had to see if Santa had been. As Jot is terrified of Santa it took a little coaxing to get her to go near the suddenly full stocking and tree surrounded by presents. But she soon got the hang of it.

We managed to distract her from the main presents until after Church (and her nap as she fell asleep on the way back from church) by making a big fuss of breakfast and showers and getting ready.
After Church we nipped into town to view the Myer windows. I think Christmas day is the best day to go, yes there are not ropes to herd the crowds but then there are hardly any crowds either (and for future reference there are ice cream vans.) Jot got to see all the windows by sitting on R shoulders, I think they were better this year than last (but that's because I feel the Nutcracker is a more Christmassy theme that Olivia the Pig).
We even managed to get our annual family picture taken before she got into the presents (you can see by her face we are pushing our luck here)

After presents we left Jot to entertain herself (not hard considering all her new toys) and got our Christmas meal ready.

My first attempt at Baked Ham (and yes it is huge for just the three of us and we will be eating it for weeks) but I am really happy with how it turned out and can see it becoming a bit of a Christmas tradition (I never did like Turkey much and Goose is too expensive over here). We followed it with a Summer Pudding which as you can see was demolished before I could get the camera out.

Jot was in bed as normal by 7pm which was great as R and I got to chat (it seems to be a rarity in this house with his new job).
So another Christmas over (is it right to heave a sigh of relief) and I wonder if I dare consider the next one yet or put it off and off and off till 1 Dec 2011.
I hope you all are having a wonderful holiday (regardless of your religion) and taking the opportunity to unwind and recharge ready for the year ahead.
Take care
Jots Mum

More on goals

2010-12-21T14:41:00.000+11:00

I thought I would let you in on some of my thinking regarding my 2011 goals. I have been brainstorming this week (well where possible as Jot is quite busy at the moment) and have thrown literally hundreds of goals down on paper. Most of them are probably going to end up as the smaller parts of a bigger goal.

If found I was not able to stay focused and all sorts of goals were popping out, the weight one, the work one, the pie in the sky one, the child one, the life one and they are all getting muddled up and confused. So more work is needed and I think I am going to limit myself to Three major goals this year each backed by a number of smaller time linked goals. Each of my Three goals will have a 12 month time frame with the smaller ones that work towards the larger one having much shorter timeframes. Sort of stepping stones if you will.

I have decided that my three major goals need to be in different areas of my life.

ME - this one will be about developing myself as a person through something I enjoy doing and has been the easiest to decide on and easiest to figure out the mini goals for.

FAMILY - this one is rather dependent on others as well as myself so figuring out the mini goals is proving tough but I am getting there.

GENERAL - this one I only have the bare bones for so far as it is by far the largest this year and the mini goals could go on for ever as I get carried away so I will par it back quite tight and maybe use it again in 2012 for the remaining mini goals.

I am feeling really positive about this process this year as I have taken the opportunity to really think about my life and how I would like to change it. All the ideas that flowed out through my brainstorm were fascinating and a lot were longer term goals that I don't have the time or the mental and emotional capacity for at this point in my life.

The way I am going I may even be able to post my 2011 goals before January but I don't think I will hold my breath as today is my last day at work for the year and I know how busy life gets at home when there is no work to break up the chaos.

I will be back over the next few days with details of our Christmas preparations as well as the last of my Christmas sewing. I am determined to complete a dress for myself in time to wear on Christmas day as long as the weather cheers up a bit.

Take care

Jots Mum

Gifts

2010-12-19T20:45:00.001+11:00

One of my friends became a grandmother last week. Welcome baby Grace. I really wanted to make Grace a quilt but as I have never met her mother or father I thought it might be a bit odd so instead I made something for Graces parents to use.

One of the things we ended up buying (while J was still in disposable nappies) was a nappy wallet. A small folder that had room for a set of wipes and a few nappies. It got a lot of use for the first 8 months and then got sidelined by the cloth nappies it has however resurfaced for all our travelling this year and once again has proved a lifesaver on many occasions.

So I decided to make one for Graces parents. I found just the right material in my stash and got up the courage to cut into it - my only piece of Farmers Market by Sandi Henderson - and here it is:

I have to say I really really like it and I hope it gets some use.

I have also been busy making gifts for Jots carers at childcare. Last year I didn't know any of them very well so they just got a box of cherries to chare but this year Jot has been in the same room for nine months so I know them all a bit better.

I decided to make some little zip pouches for the three assistants and a bag for the room leader but really couldn't find a material I likes (I was being very particular) then while look through my stash in a panic as I realised that the room leader would not be around next week I stumbled across a couple of Ikea tea towels which are lovely and turned them into these:

I also really wanted to get Jot involved so decided to bake some Snowballs for them as well. They are meant to look like this:

Any ours looked like this:

They are yummy though so I just dusted them with icing sugar and called the Hazelnut Crisps instead.

They went down a treat on Friday so I can now relax and get on with some holiday clothes sewing for both Jot and myself.

Have a good week

Jots Mum

S.M.A.R.T Goals

2010-12-14T10:48:00.000+11:00

So returning to my theme of a few days ago I a little closer to setting my 2011 goals.

At work we are required to set goals each year and this year we were informed all out goals had to be SMART goals. SMART stands for:

Specific - A general goal would be, "Get in shape." But a specific goal would say, "Join a health club and workout 3 days a week."

Measurable - Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward each goal you set.

Attainable - Plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps

Realistic - To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work.

Timely - A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there's no sense of urgency

So I am using this system to set my 2011 Personal Goals. It may take some time to get them right so I will post my 2011 goals at the start of January (unless the are finalised earlier). For each Goal I will have a set of mini goals and a timeframe. I might even make a couple into challenges for the year that you can join me in.

JotsMum

I have been creating

2010-12-13T20:19:00.002+11:00

Before I show you what I have been up to I need to send out another Thank you to Nic who sent this lovely doll to Jot as part of my Secret Santa

She has been virtually everywhere with Jot today and in fact we nearly lost her at in the pond at Church. Luckily a friend has very quick reflexes and saved the baby doll (Jot on the other hand got a little wet :) )
Now on to my creating.
Jot and I were invited to a 40th birthday yesterday and I realised on Friday night that Jot didn't have a clean party dress that fits her so I grabbed a new pattern to me (The Molly Peasant from Sis Boom) on Saturday morning and started sewing. I cut it out in the morning, put the bodice together while Jot was napping and finished it off once she was in bed. All in it took about 3 hours to make from printing the pattern to ready to wear. So simple and easy and I have already bought the adult version for myself. She wore it today and it was great.

The weather on the other hand wasn't good so she spent most of the day with a pair of leggings and a fleece in addition to the dress
The fabric is a voile I picked up from Spotlight on sale a couple of weeks ago for $4pm and it took just short of a metre to make the dress (but I fussy cut to make the skirt all the main pattern). So the dress cost me (in materials) about $5 to make - bargin.
I have finished a quilt - but I am soo excited about that and it is getting its own post later in the week once I have been able to get good photos of it.
And my last creation is my birthday cake. We have a birthday tea at work each month and as my birthday falls in December I decided to take my cake in to work today. I try to not go too traditional each year. This year I am trying a new recipe for me a Lemon Sour Cream Cake. I even enticed a non cake eater into trying it (and he went back fro seconds) so I am happy with the result. It is kind of like a Madeira cake and very yummy.

So on that note I am off to eat cake and will wish you a good week ahead.
Jotsmum

Christmas time

2010-12-12T20:20:00.001+11:00

Ok so I am starting to feel a bit Christmassy. It always takes me forever to get into the spirit of Christmas but yesterday we did lots of Christmas stuff (mainly to keep Jot amused and not whining).

Firstly we attempted a visit to Santa. I think I will forgo the one at her childcare on Wednesday as she screamed. She even screamed when I put on the Santa hat at home later on. Obviously not ready to enjoy that part of Christmas.

Then we came home and decorated the tree. We usually do this en famille but with R working long hours at the moment I decided that he wouldn't mind missing it for one year.

Please ignore the empty bookshelf behind it (yes we have been in the house for nearly a year and no we are still not unpacked)

After a nap (for Jot not me) we had a go at decorating the Gingerbread house kit we purchases at K-mart a few weeks ago. This is the start of a long tradition I think as we both had a lot of fun and I swear Jot ate more lollies than made it onto the house.

Today at Church (and this might have been what has made me feel more like Christmas) they sang 'O Come all ye faithful' with the descant and made me wonder who if anyone is attempting it back home as my sisters and I are not there this year.

Amazing!

I still have more stuff to show off so I will be back tomorrow but I hope you all have a great Sunday evening.

Jotsmum

Its like buses

2010-12-11T20:02:00.001+11:00

You wait ages for one and then three come along at once. That is how I am feeling at the moment. I have had nothing (or very little) to post about for so long and today I have loads so I think I will split it up over a couple of days so you don't get sick of me.

I am lucky enough to be part of a great online bunch of girls who are known on EB as the newbie quilters and we ran a secret Santa this year. I have been truly spoilt by my ss who I swear must be able to read minds.

I received this package on Monday (or was it Tuesday) from the lovely Nic

We had been waiting till everyone received their package before opening so it has been sat unopened on my desk for the last 5 days. Today I broke (but I don't feel too bad as others broke before me) and opened it.

I received loads. A recipe Journal (I will use this as I need a way to keep them organised), a clever little folder to carry sewing related stuff (which will be perfect for my MMQG meetings) and a pouch full of goodies (three bias makers, one magnetic guide, 5 freddo frogs (down to 4 already) and some really cute Heart pins). The pouch is currently home to the lovely folder which contained some hand quilting needles (I wonder if that is a hint to try something new :) )

Thank you Nic. It is all great and I will get a lot of use out of it all.

Nic even threw in a little something for Jot but she is tucked up in bed so the contents of that will need to wait for another day.

I sent to Belinda but I am not sure if she has opened yet so I will wait till I know before I post pictures of what I made for her.

Take care

JotsMum

What a difference a day makes

2010-12-07T16:01:00.000+11:00

I woke this morning with the start of a migraine so I did the only thing I could do. I rang in sick, lined up R to do the childcare run, took the strongest migraine medication I have and went back to bed.

Four house later I woke up feeling a hundred times better but still not great so decided I couldn't face the computer but could face the sewing machine. Until I walked into the sewing room/playroom and saw this:

What a mess! My beautiful daughter is a home wrecker! (ok so the mess on the sewing table is mine but the rest was created by my whirlwind)

So two hours later after much cleaning, tidying, sorting, sifting and chucking it looked like this:

Much more conducive to a little creative time.

I sat down to my sewing machine and have knocked another two Christmas presents off my list which means there is another parcel waiting to be sent and I am down to one (but I am not happy with it and trying to decide if I dismantle it and start again or finish it and send it as is).

I also took the opportunity of being Jot free to put the binding on her quilt (that I was planning to give her last Christmas) so now I just need to hand sew it down. Wonder if I can finish it off in time for this Christmas.

After all that though I am exhausted (and think I may have pushed it too far) so going to take another pill and nip to bed for a bit before R and Jot return this evening.

Take care

Jotsmum

2010 Goals - Review

2010-12-06T10:47:00.000+11:00

It is that time of year again for me when I review the past year and set goals for the next.

Way back in January I set my 2010 goals and well see for yourselves how I did:

Me Time
12 sewing challenges in 12 months – 1 of 12 complete
12 knitting challenges in 12 months – not started

Home
Create a family organiser (and Christmas organiser) – started but never finished
Set a budget and stick to it – Ongoing work but mostly finished and in use

Family
Do Watch wait and wonder with Jot three times a week – not done
Have a monthly date night with R – I should be so lucky

As you can see I really didn’t do too well.

2011 needs a different approach I feel.

EB Secret Santa Sneak Peak

2010-11-28T19:14:00.000+11:00

Here is a sneak peak of for my EB Newbie Quilters Secret Santa.

I hope she likes it.

Better late than never :)

2010-11-28T17:39:00.000+11:00

OK so here are the photos of the objects I got completed while we were internetless.

A summer top for Jot - she did not want to pose for me.

A crayon roll for Jots friends birthday

My November MMQG Quilt Bee Block for Gina

I am working on my Christmas present list but am getting nowhere fast.

Only 1 month to go and I have to send the overseas gifts off this week - they aren't ready.

Life without the internet

2010-11-10T19:43:00.000+11:00

It has been peaceful here recently and I now really realise how much of a time waster the internet is. Seriously I had so much time to read and sew etc etc etc. I think if we didn't have the internet for Skype I would be tempted to do away with it completely - doubt R would let me though.

In the last couple of weeks I have made:
1 summer top for Jot (that is too short so I might gift it)
1 pair of denim pants for Jot
2 skirts (1 for Jot and 1 for A)
1 crayon roll
and I quilted Jots quilt (pictures will follow when I have added the binding)

I have also been teaching Jot how to thread beads. Everytime I go near my sewing machine she follows me saying "sew, sew, sew" so I thought it time to introduce her to a needle and thread. She is only two so I tried lacing cards (she doesn't really like them) and then stumbled across the big wooden beads at Spotlight and decided that they would do (she has only tried to eat them once). She is getting really good now and is quite happy to thread beads while I am sewing on the machine. At the end she has something to wear for the rest of the day (and once she has gone to bed I cut the thread and replace all the beads in the jar for another day.

In addition we had to transition Jot to a 'big' bed. She was not impressed with her cot infact the terrified screaming could, I'm sure, be heard from the other end of the street. We are still not in a bed but on a mattress on the floor and my hope is that we will be able to pick up the bed before Christmas and can officially be in a big bed then. That way I can give her the big bed quilt for Christmas.

I'm back

2010-11-08T15:00:00.004+11:00

Yes our internet is re activated and I have lots to show but you will have to wait as I keep forgetting to take pictures.

Instead I have just come to the shocking revelation that it is 7 weeks till Christmas (well it was on Saturday) and I am not finished with all my christmas gifts. So rather than sewing what I want each time I sit down at the machine I am going to get my act together and finish my pile of Christmas presents. As most of them need to get to England I will focus on them first and will get them sent off before the end of November.

My list is as follows:

For England
5 cushion covers for my sister
Something for my dad - the problem here is I have no idea what to make/buy

For NZ
1 Teepee
2 Super Hero Capes
1 Crayon roll

For Aus
1 Secret Santa gift - ideas are slowly appearing (to be posted on 1 Dec)
4 teacher gifts - again no idea yet of what to make
Finish Jots Quilt (only binding to go now)
2 dresses (1 for Jot and 1 for me)

So now the list is done I will start at the top and work my way down. Hopefully keeping you informed as I go.

Blogtoberfest - the end?

2010-10-19T09:46:00.000+11:00

Yesterday as I got home and tried to upload my blogtoberfest post for Day 18 I came across a small problem. We have exceeded our internet allowance for the year (way too much blog surfing!) so I am admitting defeat for this October (but will be back with a vengance next year). I will post on some days but my regular daily posting is now impossible (R is going to kill me when he sees the excess usage charges).

But for today I want you to go check out the Robin Street Market blog - they are having a giveaway if you comment by midnight tonight (Tuesday 19 October) and while you are there check out the market site as well. Some truely gorgeous stuff. It is your online store for unique and handmade gifts from around the world.

Check out these earings - these are going on my christmas list

Have a good week

Jots Mum

Blogtoberfest Day 17

2010-10-17T20:29:00.001+11:00

No pictures today as I have not been able to finish anything (yet) but I have two items sat on my ironing borad for some ironing and hemming.

In the meantime I am going to sit in front of the new series of 'Bones' and knit my face cloth which has been in the works for nearly a month after Jot hid one of my knitting needles (discovered yesterday inside one of our heating vents - I wonder what else she has been posting into them around the house)

Hope you had a good weekend.

JotsMum

Blogtoberfest Day 16

2010-10-16T19:31:00.001+11:00

Have you ever had one of those 'Doh!' moments where the answer to an issue is just so obvious you wonder why you were having the problem in the first place? Well I had one last weekend.

A few months ago I got Emma Hardys' book Making Childrens Clothes out of the library and traced the patterns for most of the clothes. I didn't have time to photocopy (or even note) the instructions so when the book had to go back (it was reserved by someone else) I was a little stuck. Anyway I forged ahead with making a Nightie for Jot (which she loves) with no instructions, I figured it would be easy as I could remember what it looked like. I cut the pieces out of flannel and attached the two arms to the two body pieces - simple I hear you say. Well not quite - this is where I came unstuck. It didn't look right and so rather than put it aside and wait till I got the book back I did a patch job and cut off about 2in of fabric and then pinked the raw edges rather than hemming or putting elastic in.

So roll on to last Saturday and having borrowed the book again I though I would attempt it again with some lovely fabric I won in a giveaway from Retromummy way back at Easter ( which I don't seem to have ever posted about - whoops). Got the instructions out, cut out the pieces (2 arms and 2 bodys) it still didn't look right when I laid it out before sewing. I looked at the other sizes I traced and - this is my Doh! moment - I forgot to note on the pattern that the sleeves were meant to be cut on the fold. No wonder it didn't work right.

I didn't have enough fabric left to cut another sleeve so I used some plain cream I had in my stash (which I think might have been ear marked for something) and the end result - want to see it?

OK OK sorry couldn't resist:

I love it as the main fabric is THIS double gauze and so incredibly soft.

I love the pattern to (now I have figured out my issue) and am already half way through the top version which I hope I will get to finish tomorrow sometime. I also have a pair of pants from the book in progress as well (I just can't be bothered to get them done tonight, too much folding, ironing and threading of elastic for a tired Mummy.

Hope you all have a great Saturday night.

See you tomorrow

Jots Mum

blogtoberfest day 15

2010-10-16T08:36:00.001+11:00

Luckily for me it is still Day 14 in Hawaii so I figure this counts as yesterdays post.

Yesterday was a work day for me and was for some strange reason rather manic. It was pouring with rain (and that is probably an understatement) so I dropped Jot at childcare and then went to park the car in our normal car park. Of course I forgot to get the buggy out so at the end of the day had to reverse the process which meant I was at least 45 minutes later picking Jot up which equals one very grumpy and tired little girl. Managed to get her home without her falling asleep in the car which was an achievement in itself.

I am now all prepared for the influx of people at 10am for my Phoenix Trading Coffee and cards (I hope) so I should probably get myself ready or do you think they will appreciate finding me in my jammies.

I will be back this evening with todays post as I have been sewing again.

Hope the weather is good for you (I am over all this rain)

JotsMum

Blogtoberfest Day 14

2010-10-14T20:09:00.000+11:00

Wow I have made it for two weeks!! Celebrations all round. Now to make it to the end of the month.

I have found it harder to blog this week, whether it has been the lack of structure or just lack of motivation I am not sure but I think I will do another series next week which I hope will get me back in the saddle so to speak. Any ideas for topics? I may just do some trawling through the web and see what takes my fancy enough to write about.

I found the self portrait challenge yesterday great as all these great bloggy ladies who I follow religiously have always been some random blog picture in my head and now I know what you all look like. That is a fantastic bonus for me.

Right Jot is brewing something nasty I think so I am going to grab some dinner and head for an early night as I know we will be up during the darkness hours.

Night all

Jots Mum

Blogtoberfest Day 13 Self Portrait

2010-10-13T19:59:00.000+11:00

Tinniegirl threw out a challenge for everyone doing blogtoberfest to put up a self portrait. So here we are -

It was the best of the bunch and Jot has just distracted me

Blogtoberfest Day 12

2010-10-12T13:49:00.001+11:00

I have lost my mojo today. I am feeling overworked and under appreciated so I am looking forward to knock off time in the hope that Jot will go to bed easily and I can get my sewing machine out.

However, I have reached a point where I can't figure out what to start next. I have a number of things on my list but none of them are really inspiring me at the moment. So do I start on my new summer skirt, quilt one of the quilts waiting, make my nephews Christmas present or find something new to start.

Watch this space and if you see my mojo please send it back.

Thanks
Jots Mum

Blogtoberfest Day 11

2010-10-11T12:52:00.001+11:00

What do you do when you look in your fridge and find an unopened carton of Buttermilk with an expiry date of tomorrow?

You do what any self respecting person would do and track down recipes to use it up. As the majority of my cookbooks are still in boxes in the garage (I will unpack them before we have been in the house a year) I resorted to my good friend the internet.

Specifically the Tasty Kitchen website which is run by the Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond. It is an American site so all the measurements are in Cups which is slightly confusing to me but armed with my new set of cups everything is suddenly so much easier.

I was specifically looking for buttermilk pancakes but on my first search on Saturday evening with a cranky toddler I couldn’t find one (why I just didn’t search for Buttermilk Pancakes I don’t know) but came across this one for Buttermilk Biscuits instead. They are kind of like scones but are lighter and are still edible this morning (day 2 ½), unlike scones which I find go hard very very quickly. We made one batch and ended up with about 32 biscuits and one bad mummy moment.

Jot tried to take a hot biscuit off the pan as I was removing it from the oven, which isn’t like her as she knows and understands that things from the oven are hot, and got the side of her hand against the pan. She is fine though and nothing a cuddle from Mummy and a play in cold water couldn’t fix. Looking back there was nothing I could have done to prevent it as she was just too determined to have a biscuit (and I had both hands full) but at the time I felt decidedly like an irresponsible parent.

But back to the biscuits. I realised that having 32 yummy biscuits in the house was quite dangerous so I have frozen 20 of them for a Phoenix Cards open house I am holding this weekend. The proof I feel will be how well they defrost as scones never defrost well. Success and ½ the Buttermilk was gone.

So last night when R asked what was for dessert he had the choice of a banana or buttermilk pancakes (which I still didn’t have a recipe for), what do you think he chose. Back on to the Tasty Kitchen and I found this recipe for Buttermilk Pancakes (I used the right search term this time). I made the mix but R was in charge of the cooking (I always burn pancakes) and they are yummy. The batter made about 10 smallish pancakes and we kept four back for Jot for today. I think it would be a great recipe to make up to freeze pancakes for kids snacks but we don’t have a big enough freezer for that yet. Another success and ¾ of the buttermilk is finished.

So what do I use the rest of the Buttermilk for?

Well how about

Buttermilk Banana Bread
or
Peach Buttermilk Sherbert
or
Brown Sugar Buttermilk Pound Cake

Way too many choices now!

Blogtoberfest - Day 10

2010-10-10T15:58:00.000+11:00

Determined not to miss a day despite feeling rotten. so here I am with pictures of some taggies I made for two new baby Jacks that have entered the world in the last three weeks.

and a sneek peak at our neighbours Fig tree. Every branch looks like this so we are hoping for a nice big crop (which we get to share)

Blogtoberfest Day 9

2010-10-09T12:57:00.001+11:00

I have been sewing.

Way back last year I made myself a bag to cheer myself up after returning to work and I recently decided that I needed to make a new one as well I wanted a new bag. So I used the same pattern at 85%, put the back pocket on the inside and Voila, a new bag:

I love it. It is bright and summery and the denim goes well with most things.

So it is nice to have been productive again and there are a couple more things on the go which I am hoping to complete today or tomorrow so another crafty post then perhaps.

Have a good weekend

Blogtoberfest – Day 8 (part 2) – Resources

2010-10-09T09:35:00.000+11:00

Somewhere in the world it is still Day 8 of Blogtoberfest so here is the resources post. These are just a very few of the tonnes of links out there but they are the ones I keep coming back to again and again and that I think is the sign of a good resource. I will add to this post as I discover new resources so it should always be up to date.

Books (I buy most of my books from the Book Depository as it has free international shipping and the prices are really reasonable)

One of my favourite books at the moment is Stephanie Alexanders Kitchen Garden Companion and one of the reasons I love this book so completely is that it is Australian and therefore you do not have to do any calendar swapping in your head for it to make sense. This book tells you how and when to plant and harvest the plants you would traditionally find in a Kitchen Garden. Not only that but it gives recipes for all of them (some obviously have more than others).

The Self Sufficiency Series - I only have two of these at the moment Household Cleaning and Soap Making both of which I have mentioned before but do have a number of others including Preserving & Cheese making on my wish list for the future. They are very well written, simple to follow and have all sorts of bits of information that are in some case rather shocking. The household cleaning book contains a section on the ingredients in commercial cleaners which is quite confronting when you realise how often some of these products are used around yourself or your children.

Another on my wish list at the moment is Grandma's Ways for Modern Days which I am hoping some kind soul (who is married to me) will purchase for me for Christmas

Websites and Blogs

Down to Earth Blog and Forum - Rhonda inspired a lot of my move to a simpler life and her blog is one I keep coming back to again and again and again - it has a great search function.
Towards Sustainability Blog - Julie is doing a photo a day challenge at the moment so select a label on the right hand side of the page to jump to a different area is you wish.

Education

Online Courses for Self Sufficiency or Permaculture - This is a bookmark on my machine as I will get round to it eventually.

Blogtoberfest – Day 8 – Harvest

2010-10-08T13:22:00.001+11:00

I had planned for today's post to just be a round up of useful websites, blog and books that can help you on your way to a simple (or simpler) life, however on Wednesday (perhaps foolishly) I promised to give you some ideas for your harvest so I have split today's Post into two. I will do my best to post the second part this evening but I might not get round to it till tomorrow.

When harvesting you garden you will at times end up with thousands of an item as all your plants bear fruit (or veg) at the same time. I for one am over Pumpkins after about 2 weeks so the need for preserving you harvest comes into play.

Harvest can be preserved a number of ways but the most frequent are:

Cold Storage - This involves placing food in a cool dark environment with varying levels of humidity (some foods need moist, others dry some warmer others cooler) which must be taken into account when deciding where to store food. A root cellar is a good place to start but not very easy to find in most of Australia.

Canning - The principle behind canning is to destroy the microorganisms that cause food to spoil and to create a vacuum in which remaining bacteria cannot grow. Essentially you are pasteurising your food so you need to make sure you get it right.

I have never attempted canning, but my grandmother always used to can fruits and veg.

Drying - This was one of the earliest methods of food preserving where sun was plentiful. It is by far the simplest and most natural way of preserving food and if you are fortunate to live in a warm, dry climate all you needs is fresh food and a little time, for the rest of us a dehydrator or an oven is all that is required.

FRUIT LEATHER RECIPE

Freezing - Although freezing does not stop the clock, cold temperatures considerably slow the deterioration of food and postpone spoilage by temporarily stopping the growth of organisms. While the initial outlay for a good freezer and the electricity to run it can be expensive it is superior to other preserving methods. More nutrients are preserved and texture, colour and flavour are better than other methods.

TIP: Always remember to label your items well and create an inventory and/or a map of your freezer so you (or the man of the house) can always find what you are looking for quickly and easily.

TIP: Freeze citrus juice in ice cube bags and use the juice to flavour dishes throughout the year.

Jams and Jellies - It is never too early or too late to learn the art of jam and jelly (Jellies have no chunks of fruit in them) making. You can create a seasonal ritual by going to a pick your own and then letting the kids help you to make the jam and then enjoy it throughout the winter. The basic recipe is simple and contains Sugar, Fruit and Pectin in varying amounts, for example raspberries will need more added pectin that blackberries in order to set.

HOT PEPPER JELLY RECIPE

CINNAMON PEACH JAM

Pickles, Relishes and Chutneys - These wonderful meal accessories add interest to a main course. They are far from nutritious on their own but make nutritious food much more delicious to eat.

MUSTARD PICKLE RECIPE

If you do not have a garden yet want to try any of the above methods buy your food stuffs in bulk when in season. Lemons can be bought cheaply when in season or ask around odds are you will know someone with a lemon tree who is desperate to off load some.

Gosh this has turned into quite a long post so I hope you all get something from it. The recipes I have linked to I have not tried (yet) but they are on my to list for the right time of year.

Have you liked the series of posts? Would you like to see another one next week?

Blogtoberfest – Day 7 – The Household Cleaning

2010-10-07T09:20:00.002+11:00

I have found that you really only need a handful of products in your cleaning arsenal and they will cover pretty much anything (with a little elbow grease)

Baking Soda (Bicarbonate of Soda)- It cleans, deodorizes, scours, polishes and removes stains. It is an effective oven and hob cleaner and brings a shine to baths and sinks. It is also really good for your skin so kill two birds with one stone and put some in your bath, clean you and clean bath! It is non toxic to humans and can be used on most surfaces and fabrics (use it in the laundry to get rid of perspiration smells.)

Club Soda - Yes it is a drink but always keep a bottle handy as it lifts all sorts of stains, red wine, blood, and grease can be fizzed away from fabrics and carpets with Club Soda.

Essential Oil - Tea Tree and Eucalyptus are antibacterials and lavender is relaxing. All of these can be added to your cleaning products to leave a nice smell. Lemon added to an oven cleaner is lovely.

Lemons - Lemons are very versatile. They are antibacterial, will cut through grease and have a mild bleaching effect. Lemon juice also helps break down limescale.

Microfibre cloths - I picked mine up from Ikea for $9 for 4 cloths but they can be bought in any supermarket.

Salt - Salt pulls moisture to itself and so is useful for getting out stains from carpets. A pre-soak in salt water will help remove perspiration stains on laundry.

White Vinegar - Very useful for cleaning windows, mirrors and glass. Mix 50/50 with water and it is a multi-purpose cleaners. It can descale and when mixed with baking soda (Bicarbonate of Soda) it can clear blocked drains

I also have (but rarely use) Borax - It helps inhibit the growth of mildew and mould and removes grease and ketchup stains. It can be used as a laundry booster and is a useful disinfectant. Borax is harmful when ingested so keep it away from children and pets and make sure you use gloves when using it as it can be a skin irritant.

Ways to use them:

Sanitize your chopping board: Wipe over your board with the cut side of a fresh lemon (or lime).

To remove brown tea stains from cups: Mix some salt and White vinegar into a paste, wipe around the stain and rinse thoroughly.

Simple oven cleaner: Lightly spray oven with cold water, sprinkle a layer of bicarb over the oven floor, lightly spray with water again and leave to dry (or leave overnight). Spray again with water and use a sponge to wipe away. For tough areas use a palette knife or fine steel wool. Rinse well with hot water or spray a 50/50 water white vinegar solution to clean away the powdery residue.

Dishwashing without bubbles: Dissolve 1 tablespoon bicarb is a bowl of hot water and mix in juice of 1/2 lemon. There are no bubble but there will be clean dishes.

Remove Grass stains: soak garment in 50/50 cold water and white vinegar overnight, rinse and wash the following day.

Toilet Bowl Fizzer: pour 250ml white vinegar into the toilet bowl and scent with chosen essential oil (if you wish). Add 250g bicarb to toilet bowl, leave overnight. the next morning scrub with a toilet brush before flushing.

Remember that these products are natural and will need some elbow grease to get the same results as a chemical cleaner.

Blogtoberfest - Day 6 – The Garden Plan

2010-10-06T13:55:00.001+11:00

We are lucky here to have a garden, coming from a unit with a balcony smaller than our kitchen table it is nice to have some space for Jot to run round in. Our front garden was made into a very low maintenance garden by the previous owner (presumably to make it look good to sell) and we have yet to agree what to do with it although we have agreed it needs some colour so we are on the lookout for some Bougainvillia, this is one of my favourite plants and we had petals as confetti at our wedding (not very easy to get hold of in the UK) and it will look great along the front wall.

The back garden is a small patch of grass and a larger patch of concrete. The plan is for a number of raised beds on the concrete and to leave the grass as is. At the moment we are thinking of Apple Crate beds on a crop rotation basis. This area of the garden is a long term project though and we are in no immediate rush.

We are lucky in that just beyond our back gate is an easement (it cannot be built on as the water board need access to the pipes under it) on which we have been allowed to plant a few trees (our next door neighbour has the most amazingly huge fig tree which we are allowed to help ourselves to) and so our Orchard has taken shape. We now have a Peach, Plum, Cherry and a Lemon tree all along the back fence which will hopefully provide fruit over the next few years, they all seem to be doing quite well although the Cherry is a little slow to realise spring has arrived.

Inspired by an episode of the SBS show Costas Garden Odyssey R and I decided that the raised bed by our back door should be a wicking bed. We didn’t have a lot of money to spend so Costas corrugated prefab raised beds wouldn’t work for us. Luckily we were able to upcycle some wood planks we found into the raised bed. It took us a few months to get the cash together to fill it but all in all (not including plants) the raised bed has cost us about $300 (rather less that Costas $875 each). However maybe we should have done a garden plan before we made up the raised bed as I am not so sure we have chosen the right plants to put in it. Never fear I am sure we can move them at some point without too much drama.

So the wicking bed in pictures:

Before

During

After

So we are planning to plan our garden and I am looking into gardening/permaculture courses that will give us a head start in making it work for us and be productive.

Further down the line (some 5 years away) we are looking at animals. Needless to say if we want to get a pig or a cow we will need a bigger plot of land but we plan to start off small. Chickens are probably the way to start for us (although I would love to keep geese if only for my Christmas dinner) and I have found a great way to try before you buy here in Melbourne. Book a Chook let you rent the chook and paraphernalia that come with them for as long as you want ($165 per month).

You will probably have noticed that I have not mentioned water here at all. We do not have a water system in place and are trying to figure out just what it is we need. A Water tank for harvested rain water would be a good idea but there are some rather large logistical issues we need to figure out before we get it, like where to put it.

WEED TIP: I have found that white vinegar sprayed onto Dandelions kills them after two or three applications.

What to do with your harvest will be the subject of Fridays post so pop back then to see what suggestions I can find for you.

Jots Mum

Blogtoberfest - Day 5 – Home made toiletries

2010-10-05T15:31:00.000+11:00

I love this part of my simpler life. It is fun, great to use and the possibilities are endless.

I got interested when an online friend (I think it was Ruth) attempted to make soap sometime last year. I was intrigued but nothing came of it. It took two more friends to attempt and succeed before I figured I would bite the bullet.

The first attempt cooled down too fast and although it was useable (and I still have a couple of bars) the second attempt was so much better. The recipe is this one for Cold Pressed Soap from Rhonda from Down to Earth. I had to half the batch as I don’t have a big enough bowl for that much liquid and ran it through the Soap Calc to ensure the ratio of lye was correct before I started. All the ingredients I found in the supermarket or the health food shop and for my everyday soap I do not use essential oils. This is because both all of us use the same soap and I don’t think R would appreciate the scent I like and I know I don’t want to smell like the ones he likes.

I have used this recipe and have made a lavender soap using lavender essential oil and dried flowers. It smells divine and is much creamier that the everyday soap (therefore it is used up faster).

I wanted more options from my soap making so I started looking for books. None of my local libraries had anything good for cold pressed soaps so I went online and discovered a series of books on self sufficiency including this one on soap making by Sarah Ade. The series also covers household cleaning, preserving and hen keeping among others.

This book has a number of recipes I am planning to try. I have already made the shampoo bar (my hair is undecided at the moment although it smells divine) and the shaving soap (which is still curing and not yet ready to use).

Is it worth it? Yes I think it is, financially each bar costs about $1 to make (the basic recipe is less and the shaving soap is more), it feels nicer on the skin and is nice to know that I am not introducing anything harmful to Jots skin.

I have also made deodorant from Jessica at How About Orange. A very simple and quick product which I love to use. I made up the amount specified in April and still have some left 6 months later. The only gripe I have is that in winter it is completely solid and an absolute nightmare to get out of the tub I put it in. It is starting to warm up now so hoping it will be a little easier to use over the next few months. I am looking for a deodorant recipe for a spray deodorant but so far I haven’t got very far, might have to try devising my own.

There are a couple of other recipes I have noted that I would like to try but I need to find some time away from Jot where I can concentrate on something new:

Calendula Salve from Passionate Homemaker

Lavender Water from Fiolinn and the Handy Gnomes

Lip Balm and Toner from Beautiful with Brains

Blogtoberfest – Day 4 – Simple Living

2010-10-04T16:55:00.001+11:00

As mentioned yesterday I have in mind to run a series of posts this week (and if it works I will choose a different subject for each week this month). It will run from Monday to Friday (to leave space for my crafty stuff at the weekend) and this weeks series will be on Simple Living.

There was a British Sitcom in the 70s called ‘The Good Life’, starring Penelope Keith and Richard Briers. This show is about a couple who, tired of the rat race, decide to turn their suburban back yard into a small holding completed with Chickens, Pigs and a veggie patch much to the horror of their neighbours.

My revelation was not as the result of a mid life crisis (as Toms was) more of a subtle shift as a result of Jots arrival. I am steering us along the road to ‘The Good Life’ slowly and by degrees and I hope that in a decade (or two) we will be fairly self sufficient although I doubt our destination will be quite extreme.
The need to protect Jot from harmful chemicals and to create a better world for her to live in (even if we only affect her immediate surroundings) has driven a number of changes within our household.

Our big shift has been to install a Solar Photovoltaic (PV) system on our roof to provide us with our electricity. We found our supplier through Solar Choice and have ordered a 3kw system. This should generate around 13kwh of power a day (more in summer less in winter) and will hopefully provide us with about 80% of our electricity. We ordered back in July and due to some supplier issues for the inverters (they are coming from Germany) we are still waiting for the installation. I am really excited about this as it will help us financially as well as provide a much smaller carbon footprint.

We now have a garden (after 9 months this is still a novelty to me) and are making plans for raised beds, wicking beds, an orchard (do three trees an orchard make?) and a veggie patch.

I am also trialing changes in the house. I have started to make my own soap, deodorant and cleaning products. I use cloth nappies on Jot (although I am hoping this will not be the case for much longer) and I am shopping more locally and once a month I do a bulk shop at Costco.

And of course there is my crafting. I am sewing more and more of Jots clothes, knitting was cloths and warm clothes and this year I think I only need to buy 2 things for Christmas presents.

Over the next 4 days I plan to introduce you to some of these aspects of our life, some of the very cool websites and books I have found to help guide us (me) along the way and some of the benefits I have found.

Day 3

2010-10-03T19:49:00.000+11:00

Today has been exhausting but in a good way.

Our clocks changed last night so we lost and hours sleep this morning although it didn't make any difference to Jot and we were up with the larks again (when do they stop thinking 6am is a good time to wake?). So I decided to get some excercise in and went for a walk. 2.5km later we arrived back home to eat all the calories I had just burnt off with Crossaints (yum).

On the spur of the moment we then decided to go out and headed to the ABC Gardening Expo which was held at Caufield Race course today and on the way back we stumbled upon the Hard Rubbish collection in the Hawthorn area. Lets just say we came back with bounty for the garden and for the house!!!

We have spent the afternoon in the garden and dealing with a very over tired 2 year old. Full on tantys this evening of the "I'll scream and scream and scream until I'm sick" variety. In bed now and I hope asleep but I am at work tomorrow so she is R's responsibilty now.

All of the above isn't actually what I planned to post about today and since I have a series of posts planned for this week (as long as I can get some research time in over my lunch break tomorrow) I will save my planned post for next week. I will say though that I sat at my sewing machine yesterday and created something I really like.

Happy Sunday.

Jots Mum

Oh Beehave - October Block

2010-10-02T12:15:00.002+10:00

I know I have mentioned this somewhere before, I am a member of the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild (MMQG) and they are running a Quilting Bee. Now I have never made a block before so thought this would be a very good idea to get me to challenge myself and to learn new skills (and maybe be a little more carfeul with my piecing) so I signed up.

October is Esthers month and now she has received the block I made I can post a picture of it here. I have no idea what the middle block is called but I think it is my take of a disappearing nine patch with a window frame. Esther asked for 10.5 inch blocks and I am really excited to note that mine were exactly that.

So here it is - my first ever block

I wasn't too sure about it at first but the more I look at the picture the more I like it.

I still have to figure out my fabrics and block requests but my month isn't till August so I can think about it until the fabric deadline in February.

Have a good weekend

Jots Mum

Blogtoberfest is here

2010-10-01T10:13:00.001+10:00

Last year I watched and read as friends (and strangers) got involved in Blogtoberfest and wondered if I would ever have enough to say to blog every day. Well this year I am going to try.

Kids Tool Belt Tutorial

2010-09-30T12:14:00.005+10:00

When I was trying to decide what to make for my nephews J & O for Birthdays and Christmas (all within 3 months on each other) I got stuck. J will be 4 and O will be 2. After a conference call with my sister we decided on tool belts for them, apparently is J has one O HAS to have one to.

It was easy to find a tutorial for a tool belt for O as he will grow out of this one very quickly and I settled on this one from Mauby. I had some cut Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric which I used. Not too sure how 'boy' it is but I like it anyway.

Now J's belt was harder to find. I found a number that didn't seem to be quite right so in the end I decided to bite the bullet and design my own so here it is the Kids Tool Belt Tutorial.

This makes a tool belt that will fit an average 4 year old (although I am guessing alittle on that as I don't have an average 4 year old or even and unaverage one).

Requirements

2 contrasting fabrics (known from here on a Fabric A and Fabric B)
1 set D rings
Twill Tape or Ribbon
Fray Stop
Coordinating Thread
Sewing Machine

Note: All measurements are in inches and include a 1/2 inch seam allowance unless otherwise noted

Cut

Fabric A (I used black) - 2 pieces 14 x (8 + width of twill tape) 9.5
Fabric B (Spots) - 1 Piece 14 x 10
Twill Tape - 1 piece 36 inches
Twill Tape - 1 piece 4 inches (Hammer loop)

Process

Apply Fray Stop to the ends of both twill tape pieces.
Fold Fabric B in half to measure 14 x 5, Iron and top stitch along fold
Measure pockets and mark on right side of Fabric B. Mine measure 4.5, 4, 2.5, 3 from the left edge.
Place Fabric B right side up on to Fabric A1 aligning bottom edge, Pin well
Sew along marked pocket lines from bottom to top of Fabric B backstitching at the end.
Take Fabric A2 and measure 3/4 inch from the top on the wrong side. Align the top of your long twill tape here ensuring 5in extend from the left hand side. Pin and Tack into place.
Fold small twill piece in half and pin onto Fabric A1 just above the top of the pocket line (right hand side)
Place Fabric A1 & A2 Right sides together (ensure ends of long twill tape are inside the sandwich)
Sew around edge leaving a 2 in gap on top edge
Trim corners
Turn
Press
Top Stitch top and bottom of twill tape through fabric
Top Stitch (1/4 in) around all four sides
Remove tacking from Twill tape
Thread D Rings onto short end of belt and secure

Now you are finished.

Here is another one I made with thinner Twill Tape so the measurements for pieces cut from fabric A were 14 x 9

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial and I would love to see any that you make.

You can download the PDF from here

Take care
Jots Mum

P.S Sorry about the spaceing something has gone funny and I can't seem to correct it.

Not much Craft going on...

2010-09-25T13:17:00.000+10:00

That I can show you anyway.

Christmas presents for the family are coming along slowly with almost all finished (2 to go). I need to buy a couple of things to complete them and print off some labels then we are ready to post.

I have one birthday present for my sister which I need to suss out and then on to Christmas presents/Birthday presents for Jots friends and Childcare workers. Any ideas?

I have also signed up for a quilting bee through the Melbourn Modern Quilt Guild and have just finished my first ever block. My quilts are usually just squares of fabric with sashing so to actully make a block (and have it the right measurements) is rather exciting. This October block is for Esther and I really hope it fits with the rest.

The November block (for which I already have the fabric) is for Gina who has given very detailed instructions and sent some lovely solid fabric to work with. There is loads of inspiration on her blog so I am off to take a look.

Hope you have a good weekend and I hope to have more to show you soon.

Take care

Jots Mum

Jot is TWO!

2010-09-16T13:26:00.002+10:00

Yesterday was Jots second birthday.

Meeting Jot for the first time

6 months old

1 year old

The morning of her second birthday (couldn't resist the photo she will hate for the rest of her life)

My beautiful little girl
You have bought such joy into our lives and we love you so very much.
With love
Jots Mum

September already!!

2010-09-02T17:12:00.000+10:00

Someone tell me where this year has gone. In just 13 days Jot turns 2, Yes you heard me right 2. It is weird to think that I have been back at work for over a year now and we have been in the new house for 8 months (should I stop calling it new and finally finish unpacking yet?). I still feel like it should be the start of winter not the start of spring (not that the weather thinks it's spring)

I have been working on J&Ts quilt and have now finished piecing the back and am now trying to decide whether I do the quilting myself (could be interesting) or whether I get it done on a long arm. I would really like to be able to say I had done it all myself but I know my quilting is very poor standard and I want it to look good. Decisions, decisions (I have to get it done by January 2011).

I have a couple more presents finished too. My Mother in laws birthday pressie and my nephews bday pressie (well half of it anyway).

I had a lovely delivery of fabric yesterday from Kimberly at FQS. A quilt kit for the next boy born in the family.

and 5 yrds each of Kona White and Kona Snow

In addition I got the first half of the fabric for my quilt and I have to say the internet doesn't do it justice. You will have to wait for a picture as I am expecting the remaining fabric to arrive this week and I can't just show half now can I. If we weren't watching the pennies I would fil my stash with this collection as it is utterly utterly gorgeous and I plan to add a bit more to the stash in a month of so (if there is any left).

I let Jot open the packages as she was feeling abit under the weather and as soon as they were open she started stroking the fabric - wonder where she gets that from.

My parents arrive on Saturday so most of my sewing time will be spent with them but I hope to get the last knitted face cloth off my needles while they are here.

I am really tempted by the September challenge (see right ==>) as I really need to replace mine, but not sure how much time I will have so I think I will unofficially join and just do what I can.

So I am off now to try to get something else under my belt tonight and to get dinner ready.

Happy September everyone.

Jots Mum

I'm late I'm late

2010-08-24T12:03:00.000+10:00

I meant to write and post this before R and Jot returned so I could update you all on my progress while they were away and I have failed miserably, in fact I am a week late (yes they have been home a whole week) so here goes:

The list:

5 batches of Soap - 3 complete
1 Tutu - Done and a bonus dolls tutu to go with it
1 Art Smock - Not done and my sister said probably not a good choice so will remove this from the list
1 Art Wallet - Not yet done
2 x Boys birthday pressies which I have no idea about yet - now I have lots of ideas to choose from so these will be easy
Finish my MIP Skirt (Yes I do know how long I have been saying that) - Done
Piece J&T Wedding Quilt Top - Done (now working on piecing the back)
Sandwich and Quilt the Dolls Quilt for Jots birthday - Snadwiched still to be quilted
Sandwich and Hand Quilt Jots quilt - sandwiched still to be quilted
Knit 5 Face washers - Done with one more on my needles

And no I didn't get time to paint the spare room or make curtains for Jots room. I did however make Lime Cordial which even though I do say so myself is completely divine.

I did get to the movies once, read 3 (yes 3) books and spent a great day sewing at the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild day.

So now I am moving on and my to do list for the rest of the year (4 months) looks like this:

Quilts
J&T Quilt - Piece Back, Sandwich, Quilt and Bind
Jots Quilt - Quilt and Bind
Dolls Quilt - Quilt and Bind

Christmas and Birthday Presents
Art Wallet
Kids Tool Belts
Super Hero Capes
Teepee
Cushion Covers
2 Batches of Soap
Passport Cover

Other
Bag for me
Dress for Jot
Skirt for me

I am pretty sure there were more things to add but I am not at home and therefore can't remember what else is on my list. I am focussing on the Christmas and Birthday presents first as it would be great it I could send some of them sea mail this year.

Jot and R are both still feeling the pain of international air travel with the jetlag hitting them more this time round (or so it seems). I spent last week with a very cranky and clingy toddler but it will end when she gets back into the swing of things. She is sleeping really well so I am hoping the rest follows shortly.

Progress

2010-08-07T13:19:00.001+10:00

Firstly I must say I am missing R & Jot very very much. When I suggested that R take Jot with him on this trip (over a year ago now) I was still suffering Post Natal Depression and really didn't think I would miss her at all. What difference a year makes. I have been skyping with them in the UK and she looks so grown up, I know its only been a week but still I think she will have changed a lot by the time they get back (9 days to go).

Progress on my long list of things to make has been happening, however, I have done something silly to my hips and sitting at the sewing machine is farily painful. I am getting it sorted out and it is soo much better today, might try sewing tomorrow and see how I go.

So halfway through I have completed:

My MIP Versatile Wrap Skirt - how exciting is this it has only been in the works for two months. The downside is that this one is too big too!! I will still wear it as I have the last one but the next one will be a small. I did make it reversible though so I will get a lot of wear out of this one.

I also finished the Popover Dress that I had planned for Jot to take to England. It is all ready for her to wear this summer. And I have bought some fabric for another 1 (or 2) as they are really sweet and quick to make.

Quilts

I have sandwiched Jots quilt that I started way back last year and I am hoping to strat quilting tomorrow. I was going to hand quilt it but I might do a trial sandwich and see how the machine quilting will look. It has a Minky back so not sure how easy it will be to quilt on the machine.

I have also started on J & T Wedding quilt. I decided to make a simple quilt from FQs and deicded on Avalon from Material Obsession (If you click on Google Previes under the image you can scan through the pages of the book). I have resized it to 9 FQs rather than 12 as I have no idea what colour their bedroom is I made up my mind to do a lap quit for their sofa instead. I am using Tanya Whelan Dolce fabrics and I love them. I am not sure I will be able to part with it once finished. I am hoping to finish the quilt top at tomorrows meeting of the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild .

What else was I meant to be doing? Oh yes Soap - the ingredients I ordered over a week ago now still haven't arrived so I am unable to make my fancy soaps but I have made two batches on my everyday soap and it has come out soo much better than the first batch I made. Very exciting.

Finally I have been busy knitting. I find that as I don't have to talk to anyone I can sit and knit while watching TV in the evening (especially as I can't sew right now). I am also taking the train to work which gives me an extra hour a day to knit (even sparked a lively debate with a girl the other day that it was a dying art! - ended up with her saying she was going to find a way to learn but I doubt that will happen). All this extra kitting time has meant I am now on face cloth 5 and 6 (I have different needels for the train which are shorter) They are so quick and easy and I am now aiming for 7 so I can have a couple in reserve for when ours need to get washed.

So that is it. It didn't feel like much till I wrote it all down and now I am feeling quite proud of myself. I have had a rethink about my nephews christmas presents and after a disucssion with my sister I am now looking at making dress up clothes for them - starting I think with a couple for superhero capes, now just need to find a good (and ideally free pattern).

Tomorrow I am at the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild meeting which will give me time to finish J&T wedding quilt top (I hope) as well as try some FMQ on the trial sandwich with a minky back that I am going to make up today. I will quite cheekily take my knitting for the morning as I have no hand sewing that needs doing at the moment (although I might also take the no sew tutu I am making for my niece).

I am hoping to get more done next week as this week I have had a shocking cough gifted to me by Jot before she left which I think is now on the mend. Just over a week before they get home. I'm really looking forward to it.

Hope you have a good weekend.

Jots Mum

It seems to have been forever...

2010-07-31T12:29:00.000+10:00

since I posted! Sorry.

There has been some sewing going on but mostly there has been packing, preparing and cuddling. R & Jot are now on a plane somewhere over Europe due to land in London in about three hours and I am really hoping that the flight went well. On Thursday we discovered Jot has a chest infection and and ear infection so the flight was looking very long to R when we went ot bed that night. The antibiotics kicked in really very quickly and by Friday afternoon when I left them at the airport she was pretty much back to her normal self if very tired.

I did try to get some sewing done for her while she was in England but I a) forgot to add the seam allowance when tracing an Ottober pattern and b) ran out of time when she wouldn't sleep and just needed Mummy, so the two dresses are still in pieces on my sewing table along with a pari of leggings for her. I wonder if I will be able to get to them before they get back.

So I now have two weeks ahead of myself to fill (well I will be working for 6 days so only 8 days to fill) and I am making list of all the crafty things I want to get done. I have decided to focus on Christmas in these two weeks and hopefully will get all the Christmas (plus two end of year birthdays) finished before the get home.

My list therefore consists of:

5 batches of Soap
1 Tutu
1 Art Smock
1 Art Wallet
2 x Boys birthday pressies which I have noe idea about yet
Finish my MIP Skirt (Yes I do know how long I have been saying that)
Piece J&T Wedding Quilt Top
Sandwich and Quilt the Dolls Quilt for Jots birthday
Sandwich and Hand Quilt Jots quilt (I will have this at least started as I plan to take it to the next Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild Meeting just before they get back)
Knit 5 Face washers
If I have time (who am I kidding) I would like to get a start on painting the spare room and making curtains for Jots room.

So that is my very over ambitious plan for the next few weeks. In addition I also plan to go to the movies at least twice (although I have no idea what I am going to watch) and to read at least 1 book.

I had better get cracking then hadn't I. I think I will start by procrastinating and clean my sewing table.

Have a good weekend
Jots Mum

I think I got it nearly right

2010-07-17T21:32:00.000+10:00

Well I changed the measurements and design on my drawing wallet for Jot and I think it is nearly right (but I am not going to redo it) as you can see by the outside photo I am maybe 1/4 in short but I can live with it and I doubt Jot will even notice.

We are out for Yum Cha tomorrow with friends and I decided (as you do ) to whip up a skirt for Jot to wear. I hadn't tired the O&S Lazy Day skirt before but having looked at the pattern new it would be really simple and quick. It is a free pattern too and that just made my day.

I was right. Now I just need to hope we have something in her wardrobe to go on the top half.

I think I will try their popover sundress next as Jot is finally getting to a size where she will fit these great patterns. In fact I might print it now and see what material I have here so I can run it up for her for her trip to the UK.

Hope you are having a good weekend.

Jots Mum

2010-07-14T19:26:00.000+10:00

I got my lovely Name badge in the mail today for our Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild swap. I have no idea who made it but I love it anyway.

I have also attempted the June 12 in 12 challenge details on the side ===> something self designed or drafted and attempted to make a drawing wallet similar to many I have seen on Etsy (but now cant find) and well as the picture shows, I may have got the measurements wrong.

So rather than re attempt it immediatly I decided to make something I know I can do. I made this lovely zip pouch for my grocery money. It fits my monthly cash in it as well as all the receipts from the month. Love it.

I have not given up on the June challenge and in fact I think all I have do do with version two is topstich and stuff and then hope everything fits. I thought it would be good for R to take on the plane to England to keep miss Jot entertained. I am staying behind and will be tucked up in bed at home.

I will hopefully get the chance to finish it tomorrow and then will blog it at the weekend.

Lastly, No I have still not finished my MIP versatile wrap skirt. I have it on the list for when R & Jot are away as there are things I need to do before they go so they can take them over.

Hope you are all having a good week.

Jots Mum

More craftiness

2010-07-06T21:02:00.000+10:00

Sunday was a fun day. Jot refused to get out of her Nightie for most of the day so I decided to go with the flow (I did get dressed) and we spent a relaxing day. A trip to the Supermarket where Jot was laughed at by all and sundry for trying to carry a shopping basket that was nearly as big as her and wave bye bye at the same time. Wish I had had a camera there but you will have to make do with my poor description.

On our return I decided that I needed to find something to kill some time so I made up some no cook Play dough. So easy and quick and ten minutes later Jot was playing quite happily at the table with the green play dough as I coloured the other balls.

I have also completed my name bnadge for my swapee in the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild (MMQG). It needs to go in the post tomorrow as I can't make the meeting on Sunday. I'm not really happy with it but I have run out of time. I think I could have done a much better job but I hope it ticks all the right boxes and that my swapee likes it. I apologise now for the wonky stitching.

Hope to get more done over the next few days I really need to find some tracing paper to start the Rush Hour quilt and I have to finish my MIP skirt ( I know I said I was going to finish it at the weekend but as always I got distracted).

Jots Mum

Finished something at last

2010-07-04T13:46:00.000+10:00

Yup I have finally finished something. I started it about a month ago but with sickness, tiredness and the confusion that has been created with the start of R's new job (and finish of his old one) I am not getting my usual time at the machine. Will be more diligent over the enxt few weeks.

Not sure if I should post a picture but am pretty sure my sis doesn't read this so I feel safe - C if you are reasing this close this screen NOW!!!

I decided to make C a MIP Versatile skirt like the one I have made myself recently for her birthday at the end of July. Haven't decided what to make my BIL K yet and his birhtday was two weeks ago!!

Hope she likes it. And now I really must finish my second one (as wel as my name badge for the Melbourne Modern Quilt Guild meetin gnest week),

So I'm going to sit at the machine right now!

bye
Jots Mum

Nothing Crafty to report

2010-06-23T17:02:00.001+10:00

and it sux!!

Life is a bit up in the air at the moment with R's work day changing. He is now off on Monday and Tuesday (which are days I work) so I seem to be stuck looking after Jot on my own the rest of the time. I love her dearly but I need a break sometimes! It has meant that I am so tired each night (and when she naps) so I just collapse in a heap on the sofa.

I have managed to finish some knitting

The big grey one is a face cloth for R and the little one is probably going to be gifted as I am running out of time to do anything else.

And last week I make Toad in the Hole - So excited about this I always thought it was really complicated but it is so easy even I couldn't stuff it up.

The little ones on each end were for Jot and the others for us.

So I am looking a a pile of WIP and thinking about ignoring them all and in fact adding to them with another quilt catching my eye over the week.

If I plan the next couple of months I can get everything finished. Can't I??

Hope to be back at the weekend with something crafty.

bye for now

Jots Mum

Quick Project

2010-06-13T18:45:00.000+10:00

Jot has been ill this week which has meant a lot of time spent with a clingy toddler sat on me and this is going to sound cruel but I love those types of cuddles, just wish she didn't have to be so ill to get them. We are over the worst of it now (I hope) and today I felt the need to be crafty but was not up to attempt the next step of any of my Works in progress (WIP).

I have been looking at creating a dress up box for Jot for some time and have been meaning to make a tutu for the box so did a internet search for a no sew tutu and stumbled across this one from Plumtickled dated 2007 but decided it was quick and easy enough even for a very tired Mummy with a toddler attached to her ankles. One trip to Spotlight later (where Jot had the final decision) and we were ready to go, luckily R got home about then and took Jot off to plant our new fruit trees so I was able to cut tuille in peace. Half an hour later this is the result:

About 10 minutes later

and she didn't take it off till bath time.

Hoping this week is better and full of crafty time.

Enjoy your holiday Monday

Jots Mum

Productive Weekend

2010-06-02T11:53:00.000+10:00

last weekend was very productive.

Jot slept for 3 hours each day (I am not quite sure what has got into her but I'm not turning it down) so I got a lot of time at my sewing machine.

First completed was my first attempt at the Make It Perfect Versatile Wrap. According to the measurements I am a large but when I tried it on the button hole (for the ties to go through) is in the middle of my back so for my next attempt I will be doing the medium. These aren't the fabrics I showed before because I didn't want to use them till I was comfortable with the pattern.

As mentioned above next time I will make the medium rather than the large and I think as the material is thinner I will have a go at making it reversible. That will be later this month as we are away this weekend.

I was then on a roll so I finished of a toddler backpack for Jots cousin A whose birthday is in July. Hope she likes it (still haven't heard if they liked their christmas presents)

Lastly I decided to attempt to knit some cotton dishcloths (well actually this one was meant to be a face washer for Jot but has turned out a little small) and am now 3/4 of the way through my second. They are so quick and easy and so soft too.

I also started the quilt top of a dolls quilt for Jot hoping to have it finished and quilted and the binding half on to take with me this weekend but I think that is being optimistic so I will take some more cotton and knit instead.

Hope you are all having a good week.

Jots Mum

Being Crafty

2010-05-28T20:32:00.000+10:00

I sat down to write this and couldn't remember how long ago I last posted (how sad is that) especially as it has only been 5 days!!

This week has been fairly insane due to our bi annual work breakfast for 250 clients which was held yesterday. Lots of work got done and the event went off without a hitch which is fairly rare for one of these breakfasts.

However, I have also been fairly crafty this week.

On Monday night I finished this little guy (I bought the kit and stitches and craft from Claire at Craft Schmaft). I found him really easy and there is enough of everything in the kit to make a second one - but I need a new sock.

Then last night after Jot retired to bed (a very exhausted little girl) I made soap. Yes you did read that right I made soap. After making my deodorant last month (which I still have tons of by the way and am still loving it and using it every day) I decided that soap couldn't be that hard and I would like to give it a go. So I did and it isn't hard and is slightly addicitive. The girls at work can't decide if I am a) impressive or b) nuts - time will tell.

I didn't grease the ice cube tray well enough and I can't get them out so I am hoping that a few more days drying will make it easier. If not I think they will go in the bin and I will not use the tray for soap again.

Now my next thing on my list is a MIP Versatile skirt for me (actually I want to make two) ideally by next weekend as we are off to the Mornington Penninsula for a weekend with a group of friends for a 40th birthday (or is that two 40ths - I can't remember now). The first will be made in a green cord and yesterday I went and bought this for the second. It is by Donna Wilder for Fabric Traditions and I found it in SPotlight and can't find it anywhere online to link to so you have to make do with the photo below.

The main panel of the skirt is going to be the blue and the ties will be in red.

Ok if I am going to get the pattern cut out tonight I need to get going.

Have a good weekend.

Jots Mum

Two posts in one day - miracle or forgetfulness?

2010-05-23T18:56:00.000+10:00

I can't believe I forgot to mention the inaugural meeting of the Melbourne Modern Quilters Guild that I attended yesterday morning (where I got truely stuck into the binding on that tablerunner and so finished it last night).

It was good fun. There were 29 ladies present (and 3 children). The first part of the morning was taken up with 'show and tell' and boy are there some amazingly talented quilters in Melbourne. I forgot my camera but I promise to take it next time.

If you are looking for a bunch of quilty friends of all ages (our youngest member is in year 12) the join us by followin the link on the right = = =>

Can't wait till the next meeting it is on a Sunday and I have negotiated the full day with R so I am now planning what to take.

Hope you all had a good weekend and have a good week ahead.

Jots Mum

I fixed it!

2010-05-23T18:10:00.000+10:00

I fixed my lovely sewing machine today! R told me I had to save up before I can get it serviced and given I have a bike on lay-by and a quilt worth fo fabrics to save up for I decided to see if I could at least clean it on my own.

So this is what I saw when I took the foot plate off

Full of fluff

So after ten minutes and a large amount of brushing it now looks like this:

Not quite like new but pretty darn good.

To test it out I made another little FQ skirt for Jot, this time with birdies on it but I don't know when she will wear it.

And I have finally finished the binding on my skinny verna table runner that I made (but decided wasn't right for my friends wedding)

It has been a productive weekend.

Jots Mum

I have sewed!

2010-05-19T20:41:00.000+10:00

On Sunday we were off to welcome a new born boy into our midst. Welcome Oliver! and as I got up and was sitting with Jot at 6am on Sunday I suddenly realised we had no gift. Not on!

Not knowing whether the baby was aboy or girl (R was still asleep and he had such information) I started on two taggies. As my machine is still in need of a service (I am really hoping to get it there tomorrow afternoon) I was really grateful he work up before major sewing had to be done to tell me the baby was a boy.

So at the end of the day we were able to put this Tagggie amoung the pile of gifts at his head wetting!

My first use of Minky and although it won't go down as being my favorite fabirc to work with, I have dealt with worse.

As I was looking for this photo to post I found this one of a fat quarter skirt I whipped up for Jot that I don't think I have posted yet. So quick and easy (or would have been if my machine was well)

Afraid I can't remember what fabirc it is but its really cute!

I am off now to get some dinner but I have a poll for you tomorrow (or maybe Friday if I am too busy tomorrow) to help me narrow down the choices for my Sisters wedding quilt. Please come back then and help me out.

Night all

Jots Mum

A future sewer

2010-05-09T12:27:00.000+10:00

Perhaps Jot will grow to love it too

Stitches and Craft Show

2010-05-06T13:32:00.000+10:00

I went off to the Stitches and Craft show in Melbourne yesterday (it is on at Caulfield Racecourse till Sunday) and Jot and I had some fun wandering round looking at the stalls. Not a whole lot of fabric or quitling (just a few stalls) but that is a good thing as I still managed to spend nearly $100 (shhh don't tell R) but that included the entrance and parking. In fact I bought most of my things from the Incubator and area of the show that highlights small businesses most of which are bloggers.

I got to meet the wonderful Jodie of Ric Rac who by the way is lovely and gave Jot a beautiful little keyring and I met Claire (I think) from Craft Schmaft who gave Jot a little owl sticker (which reminds me I must take it off her top before it goes in the wash). I also popped by Ink & Spindle, Oz Handmade and Two Little Banshees all of which looked fantastic (I forgot to go back to Two little banshees ot pick up the quilt pattern I was eyeing off (oh well some day soon). I was scared to go near Nikki's stall as it had the most people round it and I was dealing with a buggy but her samples look great and I think I will be visiting her shop in the next few months.

So my purchases:

From Ric Rac

the cute little keyring Jodie gave Jot

Sock Softie Pattern and Kit from Craft Schmaft

The wrap skirt pattern I have been after for a while. From Earthgirl Fabrics who had some really nice fabric but by that time I had already reached my spending budget for the day.

I was only there for a couple of hours (Jot didn't fancy a longer stint) and as I had Jot in tow wasn't able to do any of the workshops or craft bars I wanted to but that I can save for the next year when I will go solo.

Hope you are having a good week.

Jots Mum

Phoenix Trading

2010-05-03T15:14:00.000+10:00

Well after some umming and aahing I have taken the plunge and am now an independent Phoenix Trader.

Phoenix Trading provides greeting cards, gift wrap, invitations, postcards, etc at up to 50% of ones you can buy in the shops. The average Australian sends 28 greeting cards and year and cards usually cost between $5 - $7 each that is a minimum of $140 a year.

I will be launching my new role in a couple of weeks time but in the meantime I am doign the soft foot approach and contacting a couple of close friends to see how they react.

Phoenix Cards

Wish me luck on my new enterprise. I think it may eat up my sewing time quite considerably but it looks like fun.

Have a good week
Jots Mum

Some Sewing

2010-04-29T13:03:00.000+10:00

Yay I fixed my machine. Didn't take much in the end but was time consuming tracking down the issue.

To test it out I cut out a Pinafore dress from Making Childrens Clothes. I used the smallest size (2-3yrs) and it is still far to big for Jot but she will fit it next year.

I made it up in fleece as it was for winter. I didn't bother to line it though (shame as I could have used it as my April challenge)

I like it and so does Jot, I tried it one over her clothes yesterday and she didn't want to take it off. So this pattern will be used again. Now I just need to figure out which bits to adjust to make it fit her now. I suk at drafting so I may wiat till she fits this size.

I will be doing this again not just for Jot but for my niece A whos birthday is in July. An english summer birthday so I think a lightweight quilters cotton would go down well. Now to have a look through my stash and decide what to use.

Happy sewing

Jots Mum

Catch Up

2010-04-26T11:35:00.000+10:00

I had been meaning to write this since my last post (which I can't believe was a week ago) but life has as normal got in the way. I can see it doing that more often when I return to work for a third day each week at the start of May.

So here is what I have been making recently

Two more passport covers one is in use by me and the other is destined for a birthday present (but not entirely sure who to send it to yet)

I have also made four curtains for R work but have not yet had a chance to see them in action so no photos. I thought about it but they just looked like a pile of black fabric so through no point. I still have two more to do but my darling sewing machine has thrown a fit (probably because it didn't get a trip to NZ) and won't sew properly. I am working on it.

In the meantime I have been baking

Apple Flan - not as good as it looks so that recipe has been consigned to the bin

Anzac Cookies - these are divine. I swapped out some of the butter in them for Coconut oil which is much better for us and I have to say that it really worked. If anyone wants the recipe leave a comment and I will try to track down where I got it from.

Lastly I made some deodorant. "WHAT?" I hear you shout, not exactly my thing but I figured why not while we are watching the pennies why not try to make the stuff I usually buy (I might try soap next). No photos of this as it is not very photogenic, and it has gone completly solid and I am using a chisel to get it out each morning. I really like it though. I got the recipe from here and I can say that I have had no problems with white marks on my black clothes, no smell (although it doesn't stop you sweating) and I have even used it immediatly after shaving (not something I usually do with commercial products).

So I have been doing things just not sat at my sewing machine. I will remedy that shortly. Jot is currently asleep and I am going to trace out some patterns now so I can get sewing once I have fixed my machine.

Have a good week
Jots Mum

Wedding Present

2010-04-14T14:16:00.000+10:00

We are back from New Zealand and had a wonderful time. The weather was good, we caught up with old friends, a great wedding and a reception without having to chase Jot (yay for babysitters).

I decided to make Kat & Als wedding present and the first attempt is still incomplete as once I had got most of the way through I realised the fabric choice was all wrong so on to take 2. I know they have opened it but I have no idea if they like it. I do so I hope they do to.

I used the Make Life fabric that arrived a few weeks ago to make this double sided table runner.

I just did straight (ish) lines on the white area on the front so the pieced bit in the middle stands out a bit. Not to sure about how the back looks but most of the time that won't be seen will it.

I'm happy and it has given me confidence to try other things as well.

Hope you all had a good Easter

Jots Mum