Birthday Card

It was my brother-in-law's birthday yesterday. He was 30 but he told my sister that it was the '9th Anniversary of his 21st Birthday'!! So I thought that I would make this into his card.

I'm pleased with how it turned out and think that he rather liked it!!

I used paper from the Sassafrass 'Serendipity' range and make some of my own emblishements. I think the darker colours help make it more manly even if there are a few flowers on it! The strip is Fancy Pants 'About a Boy'. Had these for a while and wasn't really sure where to use them as they're so dark but they're perfect here.

Hi to the Holiday Makers!!

Welcome to New A Zealand!!

So far all quite here in NI. Hoping to go over and have lunch with Andrew this afternoon. Anne has taken Charlie out for a walk and I'm trying to get through 3 lots of ironing and tidying the back rooms in that time!! Geeking about on this is eating into that time a bit!!

Charlie doing well - no teeth yet but sleeping and eating great! Weather ok here a bit dull with light rain on and off but that's to get worse by the weekend!

Ask the New Zelanders if they're on Facebook cause I can search for them and keep in touch that way maybe!

Enjoy!! Chat soon!

Embroidery Hoop Picture

I thought that I would give an embroidery hoop picture a go. I checked out some of the groups on Flickr for simple ideas as I've never embroidered before and I got an A-Z of embroidery stitches out of the library!

I liked the way some people had used felt as well and thought that I would use some felt. (Check out my Favourites on Flickr)

I stitched on the wee house firt and then used the chain stitch to 'write' home. finally I added a few buttons. It's a wee bit skew wiff but I think that adds to it's charm!

Chuckling Charlie!

This is Charlie's first real laugh and I hope that you enjoy it as much as me!! By the end of the silliness he's not sure whether to laugh or cry! Please excuse the singing!!

Nana's Brag Book

I have just completed a Brag book for my Mum as she's going away on holiday and is going to miss Charlie!! I used the SEI Chick-a-Doo collection. I splashed out on the epoxy and puff stickers. The kit I bought also had iron on velvet stickers - Gorgeous!! I'm only going to post a few pics here but you can see them all on Flickr or Two Peas in a Bucket.

I also made a wee bag to store it in and keep it from getting torn. I used a Maya Road Coffee Break Album. This worked well, although as I used a lot of 3D stickers the book had to expand a bit so the back cover doesn't close over properly. You can't really notice it.

I am now about to purchase some great fabric off etsy to make Charlie a cot bumper to keep him cosy over the winter. Yeah!! Can't wait till it arrives and I can start making it. It's quite expensive but just look at those dimples!!

Weaning! HELP!

What is the crack with weaning? Charlie's on solids and we've not got a clue how to mix milk and solids! When we give him some YUMMY baby rice(!!!) do we give him less milk in the bottle or just the same as usual? He's getting 5 bottles a day so do we cut this down???

I'm scared of over feeding him - my Mum thinks I'm turning into a Feeder!

Also he's eating a lot of bibs, paper, soft toys, my hair and anything else he can get squeezed in but I don't suppose those things count as a meal?? He's sitting on me knee at mo trying to eat a small furry rabbit and the computer desk! Delicious!

Latest Additions to Charlie's Book

I've finally got around to scanning the latest pages of Charlie's scrapbook, all about the pregnancy etc. I have only two pages left to do and I can really see the changes in my style of the last year. I've really enjoyed noting all the changes and things I've felt and hope that Charlie like reading it when he gets big enough to understand. Hope you like the pages!

Missing in Action!

Feels like I haven't written anything in ages! Which is about right! Just got back from a break in Cornwall, England and I absolutely loved it. I didn't want to leave. It is so beautiful there, the wee villages are so cute with thatched roofs and tiny streets! We're hopefully going to get back some time when Charlie's a bit older.

We'll be starting building work on the house at the end of October and I can't wait for that to start. I'll still be off on maternity so it shouldn't be too stressful. (She types hopefully!)

I have a few pics I want to post but it's getting late and I really should be off to bed! Hubby and Charlie are already there! Night!

Scrapbooking Zombie!

It's 12:30am here and I'm just about to head to bed after a srcapbooking frenzy! Haven't done any scrapbooking since Charlie was born so I thought I had better catch up. Got 4 pages done for his mini-book and have a few more ideas up my sleeve to finish it off.

Charlie got some injections today which went ok. He weighs 16' 12.5"! He's a bruiser!! He will be 16weeks old on Friday and I can hardly believe time has gone so fast. He has changed so much and he's giggling and screaming like mad!

I'll scan my new pages in tomorrow, but now off to bed!

A Home in the Country!?!?

You would have thought that it would have been legal and quite possobly a SANE decision to want to build a new house on land you own in the country!! Seems that it's not so simple!

We applied for planning permission in March 09 to get a replacement dwelling on this site. The planners want to turn us down as there are only 3 walls substancially intact. CRAP! We have proof that it was a house from 1897-1964 but this is doesn't seem to matter. We met with them this morning to try and convince them to let us have permission. We don't feel that hopeful and we'll have to wait another few months to find out their final decision.

We really want to be country but their is nothing else we can do. We will have to leave it in God's hands.

This is a few pics of the farm we want to live on. It's all surrounded by trees and absolutely lovely!

"Mama Sew" Stamp

I have just received my new Mama Sew stamp this morning and I'm really pleased with it. I bought it off Love to Create Stamps on Etsy. Todd was great to chat with (I mean email with) and he produced a great stamp for me and at a better price that I could get here at home in Northern Ireland.

I really love the faded colours and think that I'll use the blue one for my labels.

PS just worked out how to add a hyperlink!

Temporary Computer Setup!!

If you can call it that! With one now not starting up (Yeah!!) and the other going dark every two seconds I have come up with the following solution. Although I must give some credit to my husband Ian for thinking of it! I now have attached the moniter of the home computer to the laptop so when the screen darkens, as it just has, I can continue using the computer!! It seems to be working relatively well at the moment!

I Hate Computers!!

I have decided tonight that I actually want to physically harm a computer! I fancy using a baseball bat and thumping it up into tiny little pieces!! I'm trying to sort out the operating system on our home computer, which turned out to be counterfeit after having an upgrade, but it won't allow me and if I'm totally honest I don't understand half of the stuff it's asking me to do. On top of that my work laptop has decided to turn the backlight off on the screen and I haven't a clue what that's all about!

SO I would really, really like to smash a computer up into wee pieces - just for the fun of it!

(Actually just writing this has been helpful. I don't feel just as manic now!)

Kirsty's Accessories

These are the wee flowers that I have made for my brother's fiancee, Kirsty, for my cousin's wedding on Friday. I used the flower pattern from Pink Paper Peppermints to make the flowers.


I doubled up the flowers for her hair piece and stick it to a clear plastic comb.

I'm really pleased with how they have turned out. The wee flower on the shoes look really great.

I'll post some pics of the wedding when I get them!

My First Quilt

I can't believe that I have actually finished my quilt for Charlie. I started it about 4 months ago but then he came along and put a spanner in the works! I'm really pleased with how it looks, although some of the stitching is more than a bit ropey! But Charlie won't notice! I love the Alexander Henry fabric and would love to make some more things with it.

I decided to make one after going to a geeky craft show with my other nerdy friend!! There were loads of quilts on display which were really modern and trendy and then I discovered Flickr! WOW!! There are millions of quilts on this site! I spent hours looking through them and finally was inspired to design my own. Now I know it's not fab and my quilting definately leaves a lot to be desired but for a first attempt I feel it's not bad! Hopefully as I make more I will become more skilled and they will begin to look more professional!

Just noticed the other day that the matt finish on my changing mat has gone shiny from use! Will know for again just to use the vinyl with the shiny finish to save any hassle. I fancy making one of those cot bumpers to match my quilt but not sure if I can manage it.

Rosette

I made this for a plain navy t-shirt after spotting that my niece's similar t-shirt hade been embelished with badges. I just used circles of fabric to make the 2 rosettes and then added the button to hold them together. I like the way it's off to the side, I think it makes it more quirky! I'm going to make a few of these in different colours, with and without ribbon so I have a variety to wear!

Charlie talking to Aunt Kirsty!

Charlie's Baptism

Our wee baby boy was baptised on Sunday. It was a really lovely service and Dad was able to bring us into the service and pray for us after Charlie was baptised. It is daunting to realise that we as Charlie's parents have promised to bring him up as best we can and teach him about Jesus.

There are so many times when we don't have a godly attitude towards each other but as Charlie grows we are going to have to be more aware of the Christian examples we will be to him.

We just pray that God will grant us the wisdom to be good and faithful parents who will draw Charlie to Jesus and that one day he will make a committment to Jesus himself.

Charlie's Changing Bag

I finally finished Charlie's bag. It has turned out ok but I wish that I had added padding all the way round. The sides are a bit floppy. I might re-do the sides if I get time. I pleased with how the handle turned out as this is the first time I used rectangle rings and a slider. It means that we can either carry the bag or hang it on the buggy. I quilted a few stars onto the front but you can really see them. I should have used a brighter coloured thread. If I take the bag apart again I will sort out the quitling. The bag is bunged already with all of Charlie's bits and pieces.

Mama Sew Label

This is my new label so that when I start making things to sell people will know who made it!

I think that it turned out well. It's amazing what you cna do with a little twill and some transfer paper. I didn't come up with the idea. I got it off the web and when I remember where I will credit them.

My First Doorstop is Complete!

TA DA!! My first doorstop is finished! I think it looks pretty good, even if I do say so myself. Though I have managed to put the pattern on upside down on two sides. I think I will call that a 'design statement'!

I filled about 3/4 of the doorstop with stuffing then used Tesco's own brand rice (at 33p per kg) to fill the bottom! Ruth - I did not have to raid Bachelors!

I'm going to make a few more of these, but a little smaller. I also want to make two out of oilcloth for my outside doors.

Giant Doorstop

I have begun my first doorstop using a pattern by Lotta Jansdotter. It's gonna be quite a large doorstop! I'm gonna need about 2 tonne of stuffing to fill the top half then apparenly about 5lbs of dried peas for weight.

Ruth - I could use those 'cards' as filler! Shred them for me and I'll lift them later!!

Bag Making Marathon Take 2!

I managed to finish the bag I started at the course and have started Charlie's baby bag! I'm pleased with how my first quilted bag turned out. There's not too much quilting, just a little around some of the circles. If I was doing it again I think that I would add more.



Charlie's bag is coming along. The brown star fabric is the outside along with a blue spotted front and sides. The green spotted fabric is the inside lining. I'm going to add a few pockets for bits and pieces. I am using a pattern from 'Sew Many Bags, Sew Little Time" which has quite a few nice simple patterns.

Bag Making Overload!

I am on a bag making marathon! I was at a bag making class yesterday, which I really enjoyed. I didn't get my new bag finished so I had to complete it tonight. Got that done and then have started making Charlie's new baby bag. It won't take long to make, it's just getting the time at the moment! Hoepfully I'll get it done tomorrow night.

I'm also going to the hairdressers tomorrow to get a long needed injection of style into my hair.I can't wait! It's got so long and it now takes forever to dry. Hopefully a chop will sort that out!

Charlie Saying Hello!

My parents were on holiday for a few days last week and were getting withdrawal symptoms from Charlie so I had to send them a pic or video every day.

This is Charlie saying hi to his Nana and Papa. He was just getting into cooing at this stage and his arms and legs are flying about like crazy!

Owl No. 2

This is my second fabric owl. The first was a gift to my new (as of last weekend) sister-in-law to be. I used the darker colours on this one as it's going to hang over Charlie's rocker. I'm also going to make a new baby bag out of the star fabric.

Chubby Cheeks!

I can't help laughing at this pic of Charlie!! He looks totally taken by surprise! Look at the chubby cheeks. This was taken last week and his cheeks have expanded rapidly since then.

He is 9 weeks old today and it is so hard to believe! Charlie is beginning to get into a wee routine and he's smiling, cooing and talking away. It's great!

Ian and I could stare at him for hours! We have been truly blessed by the gift of our son!

Exhaustion

Charlie has roasted the last few days due to our heat wave!! So he's been very clingy and I'm exhausted! But he's lying beside me now sleeping and you would not give him back!! He looks so peaceful and quiet.


I have a mountain of ironing to do and 3 pair of jeans to patch for my little brother but I think that I will just relax here for a wee while and then start into all of the above!


I feel like I need a sewing fix. I want to use some of my new fabric but I just can't get the time. I think I need to be more organised! When does the routine stage of a new baby kick in? Ever?

Fabric Stash

Phew! I've finally got around to taking a pic of my new fabric!! Charlie does take up a lot of my time - what did I use to do with it all before he came along!

Fabric Stash

Have just purchased a great selection of fabric and can't wait to use it to make stuff!! I going on a bag making course in July so I'll maybe save some for that but I may sneak in a new bag pattern from 'Sew Many Bags, Sew Little Time'. I haven't tried this one before so hopefully it will turn out ok. I want to use it as a funky bag to carry all Charlie's paraphernalia in. I may also try one of the free Amy Butler patterns ( check out my favourite links).

I'll post a pic of my new fabric stash tomorrow.

I have been trying for ages to purchase Heather Bailey Fresh Cut Fabric from the Spring range. If anyone knows where I can get it in the UK please let me know. Thanks.

Bags, Bags, Bags

This is the first bag I made using a pattern from a magazine. I made a few since and have also used a pattern from BurdaSytle.com which is a great website offering loads of free patterns.

To date I've made about 6 bags and I have lots of funky fabric waiting to be turned in more bags!

Wedding Album

I created this album for my sister and her new husband as a keepsake of their day. I left blank spaces inside the scrapbook so they could write their own thoughts and feelings.

I really enjoyed making this and created some of the background papers using dingbat fonts to get the effect that I wanted.

For a closer look inside check out my posting on Two Peas in a Bucket

http://www.twopeasinabucket.com/pg.asp?cmd=display&layout_id=1496894&f=n

Introducing Charlie

This is Charlie! Now I know that I am a bit biased but I do think that he is a wee cutie! He is now 5 weeks old and starting to smile and coo at us which is really lovely!

I should be writing the thank you letters for his gifts but I'm skiving by customising my new blog.

He's just drifting off to sleep beside me after a feed.

My First Blog

I have spent ages recently looking through Flicker and reading loads of blogs. It really made me want to start my own. I'm not ever sure if anyone will read it or if I'll just use it to write down my thougths!

I've just had a little baby boy, Charlie, so I'm a new Mammy! Which may mean that this may not be the best time to start a blog! I'm married to Ian and I'm a teacher in a Primary School.

I thought that I would use the blog to show off some of the things I've made recently. I started scrapbooking about 2 years ago now and have also tried a bit of dressmaking and quilting! I'm ok at the scrapbooking but still need some practice at the dressmaking and quilting but I feel that I've made a fair attempt! I leave it up to you to decide what you think!