[Tamara]

Speaking of gift shopping throughout the year, I think I have made a head start on next year already. I decided this would be the year to seriously downsize on the amount of money I spend on my kids. I generally have a limit for extended family members but go all out for murray and the kids. This year, not so as doctors visits have taken quite a toll on the budget. Instead I have gone for book club orders through school. I have used the majority of Imogen’s smiggle (stationary store) wishlist to fill two stockings and have just bought little extras, making sure they are on their list of course to fill the gap and pop under the tree. Mobile phones and laptops featured on one list but they are definitely staying at the shop.

My son on the otherhand has been gifted a hornby train set for his birthday and since then he has been rattling off the names of some locomotives he would see as “being nice to have”. I was a little late in ordering one we have been looking for for ages and bought it just the other day because it was the last one.

I figure that his birthday gift for next year is now completely sorted!

We did alot of gift vouchers this year. Probably the reason for that is because the recipients didnt express what they would really like and one young lady in particular is very definite in us NOT buying things for her – she has her own distinctive style. I cant blame her really, it saves on having to return stuff.

Whilst I dont have as many to shop for as Nicole, the list of people shrinks and then grows. My step mil has insisted on us not buying her anything. But I think we will get her something nice for her birthday instead. Then there are her little great grand daughters – perfect excuse to make more pretty dresses but maybe next year. Especially when the little one decides to walk!

[Sarvi]

I’m pretty disappointed as we’re doing a gift exchange and my draw didn’t update her list until yesterday. I didn’t realize the items on her wishlist when I shopped (early for once!) were last year’s and I can’t return them. I hate the idea of disappointing her and I’m usually a pretty good gift giver.

[Nicole]

Oh no Sarvi, what a pain!
(And I can vouch for your excellent present giving skills)

My baby is growing too fast, I just lay her on my bed after changing her and she rolled over and pushed herself up on her hands, in a bulky cloth nappy!

My others have all been ‘late’ babies. Late to roll, crawl or walk. I really hope she is not the exception…..

[Sarvi]

Don’t you wish there were a pause button?

[Nicole]

Yes!
(sob)

[Tamara]

It could be a once off fluke situation Nicole. My hubby is hoping this one will “take after him” – we will have to attend a wedding when she is ten months old so she can run to the keg if this is the case then.

Trixie sounds like she is gaining in strength which is a good thing but (with fingers crossed), it doesn’t mean she will be running by nine months or anything. What a surprise for you though.

[Masha Richart]

I finally got my sew-jo back (with a vengeance too) and we are departing in an hour for the airport to go visit the inlaws. No sewing for me for a week! I packed some knitting to keep myself busy but I just got some new knits to make leggings for the girls and I really want to do that!

[vothgirl]

SO EXCITED!! I was given a very generous gift card by my MIL for Christmas to treat myself to some nice fabric (I’m so blessed to have a MIL I get along with so well!), so I just ordered my first Liberty! I was able to get enough for a Weekend Getaway blouse, as well as some lovely indigo linen to sew myself a Bistro Dress for Easter! Of course I don’t own either of those patterns yet so I’ll have to get on that… 😉

Any tips for sewing with Liberty? I already have microtex needles for my sewing machine – any thread recommendations (I usually use Guterman) or other advice?

• This reply was modified 9 years ago by vothgirl.

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[dubhels2003]

A fabric gift is pretty much my dream gift, lucky you! I just use a fine needle and guterman, I’ll be interested to know what anyone else uses.

@justsewit Really looking forward to seeing your little arrival in her new and beautiful clobber!

[Sherry]

Nicole, I hope the fires are not in your area. You will definitely need that pool with all the high temperatures you are getting. Stay safe and cool (if thats possible) . I hope all the girls in Victoria are also safe and have a cool spot.

[Sarvi]

I use the same needles I use for everything else and Gutermann, not for any special reason, just because it always seems to be on sale at JoAnn. If you want to splurge on the good stuff, this’d be the project. Maybe think of getting some special buttons?

Liberty lawn is a dream to sew: holds a crease perfectly and it’s so obedient, it’s like sewing paper — but when you wear it it’s as cool and smooth as silk.

[Nicole]

@mim22, thank you.
We had a scary and vigilant few days but the weather has broken now. We had a huge fire last year and lost a lot of fences, crops and sheds so we had cleared a lot of trees and scrubby undergrowth in anticipation.
My sister, who lives in the Adelaide Hills, was evacuated but her home was not burnt.

I love sewing Liberty, I use a #10 needle and Rasant thread.

[Tamara]

Well we have just returned from hospital this morning after a delightful and relaxing six day stay.

The birth, by caesarean, was traumatic and painful! Very very different from the other two but it produced a very beautiful 8lb 10oz baby girl. Both of us are doing well now.

Her name? Chloe Jayne Elise. She is very different compared to my elder two – she has dark hair! But she is the most delightful baby and (without sounding too dramatic) I am so very very lucky to have her.

We all made a list of names. The kids liked a different middle name each so we blended the two together. She is not named for anyone (or she’d have ten middle names) it is totally original in terms of combination – we chose what we liked from the list and agreed (somehow). I didn’t get my Jemima or Matilda but I did get my Chloe Jayne Elise.

• This reply was modified 9 years ago by Tamara.

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[with love Heidi]

Congrats Tamara! Very excited to hear about your new baby girl! 🙂

[thejennigirl]

What a great way to start the new year! She’s precious and perfect (both of which I am sure you already know)