My parcel had all of these lovely things in it. I didn't manage to photograph things separately as I had to hide the chocolate super quickly (it was yummy - guess where I hid it?!) and Islay claimed the beautifully embroidered pincushion and card. The earrings will bring a smile when they are worn and I am saving the gorgeous fabric and buttons for something special - let me know if you have any ideas.
Thanks so much Sarah. I really enjoyed the swap and am pleased to say I have finally sent my parcel off to you, and completely forgotten to photograph it's contents - oops.
I have been trying to catch up with my sewing backlog and today sent off two bee blocks. Both are for the Quick Christmas Bee which has just five of us in it. Maria requested these beautiful and clever patchwork pockets to make an advent quilt. They were fun and simple but quite fiddly, in that there was a lot of steps for each one, so I can really see the benefit in doing this one with a bee and not having to make 24 yourself! The photos are dreadful as I took them late(ish) last night before parcelling up the blocks for posting.
Lynz asked for wonky stars. I haven't made stars before (or all that much else for that matter!) and found it to be a great little project.
I'm next up and have a block in mind. I'm trying to be economical and use mostly fabric I already have but I have ordered a little more to make it a bit more Christmassy. Once it arrives I'll need to work out how on earth to judge how much to send to each person.
Islay went to her first proper birthday party this weekend and had a lovely time (I made the dolls blanket pictured below as part of the present). All of a sudden she is being exposed to girly things, rather than the fairly limited amount we have at home. She is talking about 'barbie girls' and all sorts of other pink plastic, not really my cup of tea, but I guess I'll just have to go along with it to some extent......now, count to ten Julie!
Something that has surprised me is how much I am enjoying her pleasure at going to ballet classes (today is the third week). She asked all through the summer if she could go and is absolutely loving it. I was kicked out of ballet at her age (I just wasn't that kind of girl, I'm afraid) and wasn't sure about her going, but she is having so much fun I can't help but be happy too. And here she is showing off her new 'ballet slippers'.
Gosh, I sound like a real old grumpy, meany mummy. I think its just that I'm not a huge fan of plasticy toys anyway and when they are pink too I find them really hard to get my head around - however I will try and be open minded about it........but just encourage her to go along to judo and mini rugby with the boys too! Which at the moment is right up her street as well as climbing trees, riding bikes and getting as grubby and scabby as possible (and combining girly with tomboy can't be a bad thing can it?).
16 comments:
The blocks look great Julie and I really like the dolls blanket, what a lovely present :)
The blanket seemed to go down very well (I did ask the wee girl's mum before I made it - it seemed safer that way).
Hope you are happy with the blocks when they arrive. Juliex
I think it gets to a point sometimes when you just have to give in to some plastic pressure, lots of our toys were hand me downs and when the boys have finished with them we hand them on to someone else so it doesn't feel so bad.. Glad you liked your swap :-)
Oh, Julie, I could have written that myself a few years ago! As a devout tomboy I was NOT impressed with the Barbies, Polly Pockets et al but y'know there's worse things than a bit of pink tat. I have a girly tomboy, too, when she was 6 she went to ballet (pink tutu!) AND was the only girl in the local Scout troop! She's 8 now and is in the cubs, loves climbing trees, her horseriding and pink clothes but wears them with skinny jeans and baseball boots. And I just took a whole bunch of plastic to the charity shop! It will pass and they're only little for a wee while, aren't they? Some things just have to be endured!
And my blocks look fantastic, thank you!!!
Lisa - you're right and it does always feel good to hand on toys or give them to a charity shop. Juliex
Lynz - that makes me feel so much better! I will carry on enduring! Juliex
Oh my I am just catching up and here that Massive congratulations are in order. What wonderful news
oh you did make me smile re pink plastic!
Pink was/is my fav colour ~ until I had a girl ~ !!! And then I was all pinked out!
And as for girls toys: we have kitchens, vacumns, washing machines, stoves, etc etc grrrrrr I want pink hammers, drills, nails, etc tee hee hee
I love your blocks and the blanket. The fabric is just beautiful! I was not a "girly girl" growing up either, so I totally understand about the pink!
Hummmm Lindt chocolate and with orange as well.
Loving the blocks, especially the idea of a advent quilt, might have to take a peek at that when it's done.
As for the pink and plastic, I have a friend who is so un-pink/girly but her girls are smitten by plastic princesses (in fact the recent pink bunny purses are for them). She has resigned herself to it now and lets them have what they want. I guess it's the same as my boys only wanting plastic superhero tat.
Don't worry about the ballet, I loved it as a kid but was also climbing trees and getting dirty outdoors so it's not exclusive.
Bethx
Beth - good to hear you can mix ballet and outdoors! Juliex
Hi Julie, I've just found you through Simone's blog. I agree with everyone else about the plastic ... it's just a phase. They're only little once. My very 'girly' girl (now 23) played with Sylvanians and went rock climbing with her dad. Just try and keep some balance!
Love Kathy xxx
Love the wonky stars by the way!
Kathy - thanks for visitng, I haven't had a chance to pop over and 'meet' you but I will do so soon. It's very reassuring to hear what you and the others say. Thanks! Juliex
My girls have a huge box full of barbies which I can't bear, so it gives me great pleasure when they decide that Barbie needs to partake in a game of mud pies...best thing for her in my opinion!
Abby - brilliant! Juliex
Aww glad you liked the swap Julie, I loved mine too and will blog about it soon!! Lovely makes
Twiggy x
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