A child's apron/smock

A friend sent me the link to this tutorial for a child's apron/smock a while ago and as I have a few presents for 2-year-olds to make, I thought I'd give it a go. It was really easy to make, looks really cute and covers the front of the clothes well. The first one I made was a little small (the tutorial is for a size 2T but Matilda at 2 years 4 months was too big for it). So I added cotton tape at the end of the straps where they tie at the shoulder to make it more adjustable. I then made another one but this time made it a little wider and longer in length and also did the cotton tape ties. Both were made with Ikea fabric backed with linen (from a pair of unwanted curtains) and a scrap of more expensive fabric (possibly Cath Kidston - I can't remember!) for the pocket.
Here's the first one, which will be a Christmas present for my youngest niece:

Pinterest and planning

I feel like I've been fairly productive of late. I borrowed a preserving pan from my parents and have since made a few jars of damson jam and a few of spiced damson chutney (using fruit very kindly picked for me by my neighbours from their damson tree). It's the first time I've tried any jam or chutney making and I have to say I really enjoyed it. The first batch of jam took a while to reach the setting point, but the second batch worked perfectly and tastes delicious. But we'll have to wait and see how the chutney tastes when it's finished its 3-month 'mellowing'.

Hopefully some of them will be suitable for Christmas gifts - although as we are having a very quiet one this year I don't have to worry too much about presents. I've started planning for Christmas already - just in terms of things I'd like to make - as I feel like I need to get organised if I'm to stand a chance of making Christmas presents/decorations as well as things for the baby. We are also halfway through decorating our spare room and as part of that we'll be fitting some shelves for storage of (among other things) my sewing/crafts supplies. I'll also hopefully have a dedicated sewing/craft table in there, so I won't have to keep tidying it away all the time, meaning I should have more time for actual crafting!

I've been using Pinterest to get some ideas and also keep tabs on my plans (not much room in my brain for this kind of thing at the moment!). Here's my Pinterest page if anyone's interested: http://pinterest.com/carrots/


In other news I have finally grasped the basics of knitting thanks to some patient tutors at our WI meeting last week. I'm off now to carry on with the knitted flower we started making - need to make sure I keep it up so I don't forget what I've learnt! I'll try and upload a photo soon! Not sure I'm up to knitting anything for the baby yet, but my friend has offered to knit a cardi or something if I buy the wool so I just need to decide on a pattern and yarn for it!

My handmade Christmas

In an effort to use my new skills, save money and give meaningful presents this Christmas, I attempted a handmade present for everyone in my family (I only give presents to my immediate family so it's not too many). In fact, the only person who didn't get a handmade present from me this year is Sam (his present - a log bag - was handmade, but by a Mummade colleague rather than myself!). I don't have a photo of the linen laundry bag I made for my brother and his wife for their travels (they are currently spending 3 months travelling round SE Asia and Australasia) but here are the photos of the rest:

The doll I made for Matilda - complete with a dress that matches hers.

Drawstring playmat for my nephew

Shoulder bag for my sister

Fingerless gloves (made from jumper sleeves and lined with fleece) for my other sister

Baby doll for my 14-month-old niece

Crayon/pen roll for my 5-year-old niece (plus matching roll for her doll)

Wine cork board for my parents (who run a winery). Frame from a charity shop, painted to match the winery colour scheme.

Making presents for everyone was fun (if a little time-consuming!), and they seemed to be well-received - I'd love to keep it up next Christmas if I can!