Some scrapbooking - Sofia's album

This week I got inspired to start Sofia's scrapbook (even though I'm yet to even get to Alex's 6 month page... oh well, something else to add to the 'to-do'/unfinished projects list!). To begin with, the title page:

I did Alex's page very similar (and had a similar photo of him) - I just wanted to keep it fairly plain. I think my favourite part of scrapbooking is adding the embellishments at the end... simple little flower brads finishing off this page nicely.

It seems I'm not the only one who likes embellishments. Alex had a great time playing with my container of brads. He was pulling them out, lining them up, grouping them, putting them back in... I remember doing something similar myself as a child but with mum's buttons!

While I had all my supplies out I also did Sofia's "Just arrived" page. It was nice to revisit photos of when she was born, and the memory of when I first met my baby girl. She was soooo tiny!

I think one of the great things about scrapbooking is being able to preserve some special momentos... I have kept both the kids' newborn bracelets from the hospital. 

Can't believe my baby girl is already 3 1/2 months! 

Until next time x

Only a few weeks til Christmas...

Can you believe it's just over a month until Christmas?! I love getting into the spirit of things at this time of year, and so, all other stitching projects have been sat to the side and the Christmas projects pulled out. Remember my 'Merry' bunting I started last year? This Rosalie Quinlan design will eventually be a bunting showcasing each of the letters in 'Merry'. I only managed to complete 'M' and 'E' and part of the first 'R' before Christmas 2012, and then it got put away - I'm not great at continuing Christmas projects when it's not the festive season. 

But it's out again this year and I've nearly finished the second 'R'! It's a cute reindeer :)

Just the 'Y' to go and then I can assemble it. With only 4 1/2 weeks to go until Christmas do you think I can do it? I'll try! Would be great to get it done - that way next year I can start Rosalie Quinlan's 'Christmas' bunting to match :)

Also on the to-do list are a couple of plush toys for the kids as Chrissy gifts. For Sofia I'm planning on making Melly & Me's 'Little Lola' - I have the panel so stay tuned! I think I'll also choose a Melly & Me softie for Alex... but yet to decide which one. 

Last but not least... a mummy brag moment. I've recently had professional pics taken of Sofia as I had some done of Alex at a similar age. Michael O'Keefe Photography here in Hobart, Tasmania, did a great job, here's just one of the gorgeous photos... 

Until next time xx

A warm house

Yesterday the sun finally came out after a couple of weeks of us having returned to winter. And I couldn't ask for more perfect timing for lovely warm weather as I had a small get-together to warm up my new house :) It was just a low-key housewarming, with family and close friends stopping by to have a cuppa, soak in some sun in my backyard, check out my home and of course cuddle the kids...

Alex was so excited having so many people over, and had a great time playing with a friend's little one-year-old, showing his cars to my cousin, and reading books with another friend of mine (now apparently his friend)...

Sofia was eager not to miss out on the fun, and after a brief nap was rather content soaking up the limelight and having cuddles, particularly from grandparents...

Such a great afternoon!

Until next time x

Perseverance and restraint

Of late I've been practising some serious restraint - I've been itching to start a new project and even have the fabrics picked out, but am trying to persevere with some of my many unfinished items. While I really should be working on the stitcheries for Alex's quilt, it's been cross-stitch that's captured my attention recently.

As with my quilting, I have various cross-stitches on the go at once. One such project is 'Tempting Tango' by Vervaco... one that I'm really hoping to actually finish one day and hang on the wall! It shouldn't be too difficult - it has a pre-printed background (first cross-stitch I've worked on that has this) and no backstitch. Over the last couple of weeks I went from having the gents hat completed...

To having two faces :)

Hopefully I'll have upper bodes before too long!

And remember my Seaside Cottages? This has been plodding along also, and has gone from this...

to this... almost 2 houses complete!

I'm so lucky - both my little ones go to bed at a reasonable time, leaving me to a few hours of stitching before calling it a night. It's so great to have a bit of 'me' time. Here they both are having a play together this morning (Alex is convinced he can get Sofia to play with him and his cars soon - here he is trying to put one in her hand)!

Until next time x