The end of an era

 Today is the last day I will have a child in pre-school.  A sign that our family is growing up.  Sophie went laden with gifts of homemade fudge in sweet little boxes for heer teachers, very excited to give them out too.

 Ethan will miss his teacher, Miss Rose.  She has really "got" Ethan, and has even seen his cheeky side, which is a sure sign he is comfortable around her.  I made a needle felted brooch for her, styled on a rose, which I felt was appropriate for Miss Rose.

 Luke has his last day at middle school today.  He too went laden with gifts for the teachers that have given him inspiration and support. He seems to be taking the whole move to high school in his stride, and is looking forward to the adventure ahead.

Alec hasn't taken any presents in, as he will be having the same tutor throughout his time at middle school.  That isn't to say things won't be changing for him.  His best friend is moving to a different school, and I know Alec will miss him alot.  Fortunately though, he only lives around the corner, so hopefully they will still be able to see alot of each other. 

We are all looking forward to the summer break, with little adventures planned, and the opportunity to work to our own timetable (ie not racing round like headless chickens first thing in the morning!!)  Hope you all have an enjoyable Summer break too, and look forward to the adventures ahead.

Good things come in three's.

It just so happens that there are three projects and three books this week for Ginny's yarn along.  So let me introduce you...

This rippling star is going to (hopefully) turn into this, a jacket.  I had seen the pattern ages ago on ravelry and then asked for the cotton for Christmas from my Mum.  It has been picked up and put down as things with shorter deadlines have come and gone, as is the way with doing something for yourself, it never seems to be high on the priority list.  But this week has seen me pick it back up, and I want to get it finished in time for a wedding in September.   Without a deadline, despite it being a gorgeous pattern, I don't think it will ever get finished, as is the way with how I work!

Another two projects I have been working on.  A present for Ethan for his birthday next week.  It WILL be a minecraft creeper, like this.  But for now it looks more like a mallet!  I have used three strands of different coloured green DK yarn to try and get a pixel effect, like in the game.  It seems to be working out ok.  And the little pokeball keyring is a little something I put together from this pattern, as a gift for Luke to give at a party he is going to at the weekend. 

 As for reading, I am still picking up Car Sick, and Knitting Yarns and Spinning Tales.  But my book of choice has to be Radical Homemakers.  I had seen Jacqui reading it a while ago, and checked out the library, but to no avail.  But then was able to pick up a second hand copy the other day online, and I am loving it. 

A Teenager in our midst!!

 I know it is a cliche, but really, where does the time go?  That tiny 6lb 8oz baby, that turned our lives upside down, pacing back and forth in the evenings wishing that the colic would go away, gazing in wonderment that we could be blessed with such a beautiful baby, but scared that we were going to get things wrong.  It certainly doesn't seem 13 years ago.  But it is!  Luke is now 13!!

He was rather disappointed that the first day back at school fell on his birthday, but looking on the bright side, he decided it was probably better than a few days into term where he would be expected to do some work!

The war gaming theme continues throughout his birthday.  The cake with dice that add up to 13, along with point counters.

 We decided that a key to the house would be a symbolic gift for him turning into a young man.  We commisioned a key fob with the Protectorate of Menoth symbol (Luke's current WarMachine army) on it from Pippa.  He was absolutely over the moon with it, and was more excited about that than the surprise Xbox!

The day before his birthday was RedWarSoc (the wargaming club), so they took some cakes along that we had decorated with a template of more WarMachine symbols and cocoa powder.  It went down a storm with the geeks!  So simple too!

 And just to show what happened when I got complacent about knowing the recipe for the cake!  Added baking powder by mistake!!  It did make for a nice flat top on the cake though!!

Christmas Plans

Sorry, but I've got to do it, with just two months to go til Christmas, I've got to think about what I am making. Well, to be truthful, I haven't stopped thinking about things, and am trying to find enough people to give all these wonderful ideas to. In reality though, I doubt I will get to do all my ideas!

Here's the ideas:
Crocheted baskets filled with homemade lip balm, tie dyed hanky, and some of Shells wonderful soap - WIP
Winter hat - WIP
Felted bag - WIP
Felted pencil cases -WIP
Crocheted guitar strap
Paint brush roll
Selection of damson gin, sloe gin, and redcurrant rum in Morsbags - WIP
Chutneys and jams in Morsbags - WIP
lemon curd
Felted book marks
Cross stitch book mark - WIP
Noticeboard made from spent wine corks
Padded slip cases for scalextric cars
Crocheted blanket for dolls - WIP

Still got to think of some things for specific people, but this should keep me busy in the meantime!