Finito

Finally, I have finished Ziya's cross stitch.
Some of you may remember it from these previous posts (If not, you can take a peek over at flickr 1, 2,3 & 4). I was starting to worry that I'd still be dilly dallying around with this come his first birthday. I worried so much that I peeled myself up in the wee hours of the morning to finish it off a couple of nights ago. It's such a great feeling to complete a piece like this, especially seeing that it's been waiting ever so patiently........... for way too long.
Now for the framing!

Missing in Action ....

Ziya's new bedside table and spinning toy bought on a recent trip to Newcastle.

I'm sorry for dropping off like that. I just vanished into the craziness of the last couple of months. To-ing and fro-ing between Sydney, Melbourne, Lorne, Newcastle, Pearl Beach and The Blue Mountains. Each time I returned home it was enough just to regroup, relax, sort out the endless amount of washing and repack. Alas, there was no time for craft. I'm totally out of touch with what's been happening with all the crafting peeps out there.
We've been making the most of our last weeks in Sydney and ticking off all the places we listed as 'must do's' before our return to Melbourne at the end of February. While we pack up here and head home posts could still be a little few and far between but I'm looking forward to picking up blogging momentum once we return.

Given the recent bushfires in Victoria and the enorminty of loss that has occured there I think it's wonderful the Craft Blogging Community are banding together to help the people of Victoria rebuild their lives with hand made treasures a plenty.
Head on over to:
The Toy Society who are asking for people to make and donate toys for children in effected araes and
Meet Me at Mikes who have a full listing of crafty way to get involved and help out.

Finally, my first gocco print

Inspired by Suzy I finally plucked up the courage to try out my gocco printer (embarrassingly, I was given the gocco last year for Christmas) and made some Christmas cards. They are slightly smudged and the first screen was a bit of a fizzer so I think it will take a couple of sessions to master but I'm pretty happy with them.
My crafting has been slowing down here due to Ziya & I having head colds, fractured sleep and planning for our 3 weeks in Melbourne (I feel like there's a lot to plan...with a baby) and then there's the unfinished projects beckoning.....
I can't wait to lie on the beach and drink campari in the afternoon sun.

Here's a snippet of my Flickr favorites. For a closer look and links to the individual artists take a peep here. It's all very inspiring and great motivation for those handmade Chritmas decorations!

Keeping me busy

2 single quilt tops and a cot quilt top.... now ready and waiting to be basted & quilted pre Christmas.



a cross stitch. Hooray, the end is in sight.



and, a couple of pairs of new pants for the Little Fella to kick around in. It was quite a productive week. I hope this week is too, for everyone.

Frock revisited

Remember this frock I made last year? Well, I love it. It's so comfortable (it may not look like it hanging up on there on that wire hanger but it's relatively flattering....even post baby).
So I've decided I'd like to make another. I started hunting around at Tessuti Fabrics and Belsize Square, looking at all of the amazing fabrics, trying to decide what I'd like and now I'm totally confused. Maybe just a simple black with grey trim? You can't really go wrong with that.

We received a gorgeous parcel in the post last week from Bekka (considering Rebecca's little Elsa was born on the 16th November, it's a wonder she had the time or the inclination to complete, package and post presents at this late stage of pregnancy. I'm amazed and very grateful. Wecome to the world Elsa!).
The parcel was a gift for Ziya, as part of Hey Bubbles' Online Baby Shower Swap. This sweet hat was one of the gifts, which I just love. He looks like a real live May Gibbs gumnut baby and I just want to squeaze him.
There was also a great play matt which we take everywhere with us. With handy ties it rolls up perfectly to fit in the bottom of the pram.

The quilt tops for Ziya and Angus are coming along (I promise to post more photos soon. Thanks you for all the lovely comments). They're just waiting on the borders. Ella's fabirc has arrived and waiting in line for my attention. So much to do and Christmas is fast approaching. Oh, my. One month today.