Ana Sofia

I made the jacket in a thick, soft knit (almost like fleece) and lined it with lightweight wool jersey. It was so comfy looking.
I also goofed and sewed the body parts into tubes and the sleeves into something else. Thick, soft knits are nightmares to unpick! Pay attention to the instructions!

You are so sweet Jane. I hope you get some more sleep soon.

I used a rigid rugby knit for Trixie’s jacket, it is very warm.

@Jane I don’t know what it’s like where you live, but round here they say the average leaving home age is now 27!! :0
Makes sense to have some kind of plan to work towards improving things before then!
My daughter was a really early riser for the first two years. There was no chance of her going back to sleep, so we took turns putting her in the…[Read more]

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…[Read more]

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…[Read more]

I will admit @vothgirl, I shopped and wrapped throughout the year as I didn’t know how easy Trixie would be. It has made for a very easy Christmas and I will do it again.

I have a lot of gifts to buy, think 50+ people, so I am always on the look out for lovely,practical things.

Books and Belgium chocolate featured heavily this year.

My brother…[Read more]

I will admit @vothgirl, I shopped and wrapped throughout the year as I didn’t know how easy Trixie would be. It has made for a very easy Christmas and I will do it again.

I have a lot of gifts to buy, think 50+ people, so I am always on the look out for lovely,practical things.

Books and Belgium chocolate featured heavily this year.

My brother…[Read more]

Ooh yes, no need to finish the seams for felt. Clever.

The lunch box with a drink is genius! I wish I had thought of that!

@meleliza, you are such an asset to this forum with your fitting know how!

Thanks Shelley!

I am with Sarvi on this one. I let my children use sharp knives, scissors, pins under supervision, from a young age. They learn how to handle them and are often better as they work better then blunt.
Otherwise, it sounds awesome.

My only suggestion is some pre-cut felt pieces so they can get stitching straight away.
How lovely, what a special…[Read more]

ps She didn’t really sleep well until Matilda moved in with her, they share a bed.
I think she was about 6 then. We co-sleep, like Sarvi.

Different children settle at different ages. Liddy took a long time to sleep through the night. She would wake up and miss me.
In the end I put a cot mattress under my bed and a quilt and told her she was welcome to make a nest on the floor but to please not wake me.
I think by 5 a child is old enough to have explained you need sleep to be a happy…[Read more]

How about washable fabric pen/chalk for marking off patterns, measuring tape, quilting ruler (again, for marking straight lines on fabric, such as for a pillowcase), one of those needle threaders like so:

http://www.gonesewing.com/catalog/CLQ4000-1.jpg

Maybe a magnetic pincushion? Elastic and elastic threader for a Lazy Days skirts? Seam…[Read more]

How about washable fabric pen/chalk for marking off patterns, measuring tape, quilting ruler (again, for marking straight lines on fabric, such as for a pillowcase), one of those needle threaders like so:

http://www.gonesewing.com/catalog/CLQ4000-1.jpg

Maybe a magnetic pincushion? Elastic and elastic threader for a Lazy Days skirts? Seam ripper?

How about washable fabric pen/chalk for marking off patterns, measuring tape, quilting ruler (again, for marking straight lines on fabric, such as for a pillowcase), one of those needle threaders like so:

http://www.gonesewing.com/catalog/CLQ4000-1.jpg

Maybe a magnetic pincushion? Elastic and elastic threader for a Lazy Days skirts? Buttons for…[Read more]

Yes there is a great product that could help if it is behavioural. Its called the Gro clock. Its a clock that you can set the time to and it acts as a sleep trainer. It has a sun and moon picture and stars that disappear. The idea is the child has to wait to see the sun pop up on the clock to indicate the time they can get out of bed and this is…[Read more]