Christmas Stockings...finally

I've finally got round to making the kids some Christmas stockings. We've been using skiing socks for the past few years which works OK, although it was a bit hard to squeeze the presents in.

I used this pattern (very easy) and just used old fabric I had around the house.

I thought Joe wouldn't like a ruffle so just did a plain cuff.

Please excuse the dodgy photos! I just didn't have time to muck around this morning.

Ducks Dux of the School

Edited to say: who knew that people from outside Australia wouldn't know what Dux (pronounced 'ducks') is so just to explain, it's when someone tops their school academically for the year. Hope that clears it up :)

Last week my niece got Dux of her school (actually she got joint Dux because they couldn't split her and her friend). I asked Joe if he wanted to make her a card for becoming Dux of her school and this is what he came up with...

It's now in a frame on her bookshelf.

This was her present from her parents...

She said it didn't hurt too much. I wouldn't know, I've never had mine done.

I got her this as well. It's not due to arrive for a few weeks so she'll have to wait.

Love you darling, we are so proud of you! xx

Turning Two!

Yesterday my gorgeous little nephew turned two so we spent the first day of school holidays lazing around at my Sister's place.

I bought him a Chunky Chooky softie (thanks Cath!) which we wrapped in about four boxes just like a pass the parcel.

His Mum and Sister made him a cute cake which we had after dinner.

All in all a lovely start to the school holidays. I hope you've all had a nice week. xx

Tree Climbing

The kids just had fun climbing the Jacaranda tree out the front of our house.

Meeting Jenni

Yesterday, me and Ella went down to the local Mall and met up with Jenni from Baa-me Kniits. It was such fun meeting another blogger in person. Her two boy's were there as well, what great kids. The three of them (the kids that is) were running around the coffee shop chasing each other, luckily it wasn't very busy.

Look what I got for a present. A gorgeous crocheted christmas decoration that is now hanging just above Reindeer Hollow and a cute little charm that I'm going to hang on my handbag. Thanks so much Jenni!

We must have been too busy talking because we totally forgot to take a picture!

Trip to the Tip

We've been doing a big garden clean up this weekend so a trip to the tip was in order. I'm apologising now for any trailer envy caused by this post...sorry.

Here's us arriving at the tip and removing the tarp. Shane likes to think he is the best tarp tie-er downer-er (??) in the world, no movement from that little sucker all the way to the tip. He also managed impressively not to jack-knife the trailer as we backed into position... not that it was close or anything.

Next the back of the trailer comes off...now here's where your thinking the rake comes out, we climb into the trailer and start pushing it all out, yes...

...no. Ella (fairy dress and all) starts winding the trailer...what??? a tip trailer??? Here's where the trailer envy starts I'm afraid.

All tipped up and now all Shane has to do is get back in the car...drive forward a tad...

...and voila, the neatest pile of garden waste you've ever seen. See all the people behind us in the line...they're all using rakes and getting all dusty (not that we were having a giggle or anything).

We don't even have to take a broom to the tip to sweep out the trailer. We just tip it back to horizontal, chuck the tarp and straps into the back of the car and we're off.

I should mention that the trailer is homemade by Shane's Dad, brilliant design. Now I have to pack it full of all our camping stuff for our next camping trip.

Hope you've all had a lovely weekend. xx

PS - check tomorrows post where I write about meeting another blogger!

The Christmas tree, another disco and morning tea

On Saturday we put up the Christmas tree, I say we but really the kids pretty much did it on their own which produced this...

The tree is about 10 years old and on it's last legs and it has a big gap where there's no branches so Joe made 'Reindeer Hollow'...

Can't wait to get a new live tree that we can just bring inside each year.

Ella's finishing up day care this year to start 'big school' so there was an end of year farewell disco on Friday. She was happy to wear the same outfit as the last disco and had her face painted just like a butterfly...so cute.

Me and Ella had a lovely morning tea this morning catching up with Jenine from Made by Jenine. Thanks for the lovely food and chat Jenine!

Hope you're all having a great Monday. xx

Shane's Birthday

It was Shane's birthday today (hubby) and look at the adorable card Joe whipped up for him. The only question he asked while he was writing was "does world have an 'e' on the end?"

Happy Birthday

I love you Dad, you're the best person in the world

Hope you all had a nice Saturday. xx

My Creative Space...

How slack am I?? No blog posts for over a week!

Oh well. I have a bit of an excuse, a new toy, my very first iphone...yay. I love it, so today I'm going to make it a case. Just one for when it's floating around in my bag.

What iphone app can't you live without? or which one do you just really love?

Check out more creativeness at Kootoyoo