Christmas 2010

This year has flown by so fast that I can't believe it's Christmas already. I celebrated Christmas last Saturday with some of my family and had Christmas lunch and afternoon with my Nephew Philip, his wife Melissa, my great nephew Jake, my mother and Melissa's family. I'm looking forward to a relaxed day today after the busyness of the last few weeks. I have spent far too many late nights cooking and sewing. Christmas eve I was up until 2am (yet again!) making mini Christmas puddings, mini mince pies and some special chocolate crackles.

I am also looking after a dog for some friends for a week. He's a big Labrador who is well behaved but just a lot bigger than my Charlie. I took them for a walk last night - they look like a mismatched pair sitting side by side at the curb.

This year I decided to make presents for some of my great nephews and my great nieces. It was a good in theory but something I should have thought about starting earlier in the year. I spent many a later night sewing rabbits, sheep and bags. I haven't made many toys or bags before but really enjoyed making these things.

I made these rabbits called 'Pocket and Floss' by Melly & Me. I gave one to a lady at work who had a little girl. I gave her 'Pocket'. I gave 'Floss' to my cleaner's little granddaughter for Christmas. She is looking after her grand daughter full time while her daughter is trying to get help for a drug addiction.

'Black sheep, White Sheep' also by Melly & Me are for Lachlan and Lucus. For some reason I had in my mind I was making cows.. well I guess at 2am it does get a bit hard to know what your making!

I saw a pattern for bags earlier in the year. I loved the bright colors so decided to make these for Sarah, Hannah and Olivia. The pattern is called 'for the girls.. Little Frilly Bag and Love your Heart Bag' by Janelle Wind.

It was lovely to get this photo sent to me of the children with their presents.