Jot

I've always been one of those people who like to jot things down, however in this technological age its so much easier to bookmark it.  Finding myself with a huge list of bookmarks I decided that a blog could be a better way of jotting things down.  And so Jot was born - I'm still not 100% on the name but it will do for now.  Take a look - maybe one of your projects has inspired me and it's already up on the blog.  I'm slowly making my way through the list.

At my house...

We're fighting an eye infection and a random virus presenting itself as pin prick dots all over the face - quite scary because they don't fade when pressed like spots normally would.  So we spent Sunday afternoon at Starship just to be sure it wasn't anything too bad.  Thankfully we were taken straight through to an isolation room as our referral had been faxed through earlier, which meant no waiting in the waiting room with all the other sick kiddies.

We did have a nice weekend otherwise, with Friday night being a fundraiser for HomeCare 4 Kids.  It was a great night out and the fireworks were amazing.  Saturday was spent with cousins who came up from Katikati - Elijah had such a nice time playing with Charlotte who is 10 months younger.  We managed to get some great photos of them together, not an easy thing when Charlotte won't sit still!

We also put the Christmas tree up yesterday but it's looking a little sparse so no photos yet!

See whats happening at other's homes here

eek Christmas is now less than a month away!

I had good intentions this year (just like every other year) but somehow I've managed to get through November without buying or even thinking about presents!  Well that's not entirely true - I did whip a few little gifts that are just waiting for their sweets.  So today I set about making what I think Elijah will really enjoy.  I've only just started so can only provide sneak peeks but I'm aiming to have it finished quickly so I can move onto the next gift.

We're off to Albany tonight to watch the skies light up in support of HomeCare 4 Kids.  We received wonderful support from the HomeCare nurses when Elijah was finally discharged from SCBU.  They provided the special bottles he needed and more visits from the Speech Language Therapist who helped with feeding.  They also made sure I was happy with his (feeding) progress before discharging him from their care. If you're out that way and have nothing planned for tonight, head along to Westfield Albany.  They'll be lighting the 12 metre high Christmas tree at 9pm followed by a fireworks display.

Wow! They just looked so much better in my head...

Sometimes things just don't go as I had envisioned.  When I sew, I sew blind - meaning I don't use patterns (well sometimes I do but it's rare) and I like to work things out by myself.  I guess once they're hanging on the Christmas tree they'll look ok - I hope!

Oh and did you hear Megan is having another giveaway!

So head on over and enter

And don't forget I'm hosting a giveaway on KMB - I will be sending out plenty of reminders ;)  Your chances are pretty good right now too

Giveaway on Kiwi Mummy Blogs

It's my turn to host a giveaway on Kiwi Mummy Blogs!

Busy hands are never in want...

Crafting keeps my mind off so many things - my cold, food, sleepiness - and when I eventually pluck up the courage to take my wares to the market I know I'll have plenty to sell.

My table is a mess and I had help from Elijah

Mini pin cushions

Coin purses

This one was an experiment - an oversized Xmas deocration

And another experiment - a bottle keeper for my sister

Is it bed time yet?  

Blanket Storage Bags...

Now that we finally have the house insulated and the weather is warming up I can finally put away some of the many blankets we needed over the Winter.  I have very little storage in this house so I have to use the space wisely.  I had planned to use some of those vacuum seal blanket bags but why spend money when I have a wardrobe full of fabric I can use instead?

Sorry my photo is a bit slap happy as is the stitching but they do their job.  For each single sheet you can get three large blanket storage bags and if you can sew a straight line then you can make these.

Snickerdoodles...

The great thing about the blogging world is the wealth of information about anything and everything.  I came across a recipe on Delissimon for snickerdoodles - they looked quite simple to make and I knew I had most of the ingredients so this afternoon set about baking them.  I replaced the nutmeg with mixed spice and I halved the mixture knowing that if I made two trays of biscuits then Elijah and I would eat said two trays of biscuits.  They are so delicious and easy - I would put them in the 'no fail' category for non-bakers.  Monica - I think you may have solved my Xmas baking worries where I have to take into account a cousin with a severe egg allergy.  Check out the rest of Monica's baking and her brave cancer journey here

PS - I just noticed my reflection in the jug (pic #1) kinda creepy :o

The post where I have nothing to say...

I just realised it's been almost a week since my last post.  I have good reason - I'm onto my gazillionth cold for the year despite being in a newly insulated home.  I'm just so exhausted.   It's just so typical of the change of season though, isn't it?  So I'll leave you with a few pictures from our week.

These are the flutes I was given as a 21st present!

And that is sparkling cranberry juice (which is really nice if you're a non-drinker like me)

Don't you love how he remembers to put the small touches on - like the seats, steering wheel and flames out the exhaust.  

How cool would it be to have a pet duckling?

Clearly there is no way you'd be able to get past Mummy Duck though

Elijah's strawberry patch is throwing out a decent crop this year

PS - Blogger is doing strange things to my post gahhhhh hopefully I have fixed it now

New clothes for the baby...

Elijah's baby has worn the same clothes for the last two years.  I thought he probably needed some new clothes because Elijah likes to undress them.  I came across a lady on Felt selling sets for $5.50 including postage!  I'm impressed because, even though they are made for a slightly taller doll, they fit perfectly (apart from rolling up the cuffs) and he now looks pretty cool.

Xmas Prep - Spud Stamped Gift Wrap

Self-explanatory really.  Since the majority of my gifts will be small handmade ones this year I thought it only fitting to make the gift wrap also.  I wish I had some silver pain for the star but no, so I went with the traditional red and green.  I'm planning on getting Elijah to make the cards to go with them.

Devonport Craft Market

 We finally made it over to the Devonport Craft Market last Sunday.  It really is worth the trip and I got to meet some of the wonderful ladies I know through blogging. Melanie, Jennie, Sarah and Dione - your stalls all looked wonderful and I wished I could buy something from all of you!

This I Spy bag had to be the purchase of the day - already it's had hours of use and is great at keeping Elijah occupied in the car.  Buy one here - they're only $12!

We were also quite taken by Itchy Fingers stall where she explained and demonstrated how to make felted toys - amazing!  So needless to say we had to bring a couple of finger puppets home with us.

I'm saving for the next market in two weeks time.  On my 'must-have' list is some Nutty Honey Bars from Gretel's Gingerbread to add to Christmas presents (or as a supply for myself!)

I just had to have this wee coin purse that Jennie made - I also raided her Bargain Bin and found this notebook which I'll use as an inspiration book.

                

And this brooch by Plastic Fairy called to me - you know, just in case you didn't know I was a girl.  Check out her range on Felt, Etsy or Toggle.

The next market is on the 21st November - I'll be there for sure!

Devonport Craft Market blog

My Creative Space...

I have a few things I'm working on this week trying to get ready for Christmas (which seems to be approaching far quicker than I imagined) - so record bowls with sweets for the boys and coin purses for the girls.  Easy peasy matey!  (oh yes that's the saying of the week - have you seen the Freeview ad?)