More Christmas Presents

Well I was inspired by a blogger I follow ____________ (please you NZ bloggers tell me who it is. I have spent the night going through everyone's blogs looking for the right blog to reference) and have done a little ceramic painting.

This blogger had some features of her gorgeous painted mugs in the NZ House and Garden magazine too. So I have been collecting white plates, cups etc and last night before the rugby I started to tackle the project. Mine are a lot more "primitive art" but I am thrilled with them and I know the kids will too when they get a personalised cup and bowl for Xmas.

As instructed I found the pens in Spotlight in NZ. Only $9.95 each. But you do need to shake the packet and make sure you can hear the ball bearing clattering in the pen, if not then that pen has dried up.

The porcelaine pens

A lot of bowls to do

A pile of cups to finish

I link to these places

Super prepared - making Xmas Presents

Finished. 

Well I have started the mission that is called the Christmas Present List. Tick off the second. (The first was some zip pouches). Last year I made my first apron from an Op Shop (Charity Shop) man's shirt. A lot of kids that I have among my group of friends have admired it. So I decided that it totally fits my ethos for Christmas presents.
1. Does not take too long
2. Is not expensive (I got this shirt for $1)
3. Utilises what I have on hand
4. Is useful
So I am now going to Op Shops with this present in mind. I sewed this one in the hour while waiting for dinner to cook. I have one more cut and ready to go. Should finish it tonight. I love getting things on my list actually completed!

To keep it looking good I would have used Red bias on the edges and for the ties, but I did not have any in my stocks and I want to use what I have rather than go shopping.

The shirt getting chopped - use a sleeve to make a pocket

Adding a bit of trim to give it pizazz

I link to these places.

Ambitious Plans

The first complete purse

I still have not learnt the plan great achievements! My plan for the school holidays was to finish all the christmas presents for the females. So far I have only stitched 4, sewn the edges of three and finished one completely. I am using my book "the bag making bible" to learn to do zips and fully lined purses. So Amiria's is finished but the rest are not. Ah sigh.

Part completion of others

The shelving I have installed in Eli's cupboard

I had also planned to finish Eli and Jakob rooms by getting all the shelving done and toys sorted. I have started by getting shelving up into the top of Eli's cupboard, which took me a lot longer than I thought it would and I was super careful about where to put screws as there is plumbing behind the walls. But the rest is another unfinished item. Lots to do, Lots to do.