Catchup on Social and Family!

Its been a while. So I'll do two posts. This one is a summary of what we've been up to without mention of me crafting!

First up - end of October was Sashas Hen do.

 

Michael Jackson Tribute Night +Wyboston Lakes 

It was a good laugh, even though the food was pretty bad. They ran out of potato (who runs out of potato?!!) So gave me extra aubergine. Lucky me. 

When we complained, they gave us luminous green risotto to go with our beef instead. Mmmm....

I did get to wear my Hell Bunny pansy dress which was originally meant for mother in laws wedding though :) Bit tight on me (not the dresses fault) and I had to sew the straps down because for some reason they fasten at the back with buttons. That's a disaster just waiting to happen

Just a garden centre shot. Cos I like it.

There was an overnight trip to Bewilderwood at half term...

...followed next day by a visit to Norwich Castle

There was a Halloween Party @Houghton Mill 

With a walk by lantern light (or disco-ball-on-a-stick in Noahs case)

There was a Halloween Party at the Comrades Club - almost missed it as I thought it was on the Saturday when in fact it was on the Friday. Found out half an hour before it started. 

I still won best dress adult though, simply by putting this frock on (bought on sale in Sainsburys in Norwich the day before)

We had an afternoon at Nene Park in Peterborough...

...and another trip to the garden centre

It was my 'babys' 6th birthday. He had a bouncy castle party for all heroes and princesses.

My Captain America (yes I forgot his costume for his own party - daddy had to dash home and retrieve it)

He got a lovely shiny keyboard...

...and a beautiful red haired doll (complete with Anna outfit I bought from China)

I can't believe my lovely boy is six already :)

We visited the Cambridge science centre. Joey looks good in a space helmet - no?

I only bought ONE dress in the sales (and it wasn't on sale) This is Lindy Bop. I wanted to go festive for the upcoming Christmas Market

And most recently, we visited @Wimpole Hall where they are currently doing lots of lovely christmas activites. (Its free for National Trust members, which we are)

The boys put on a light puppet show

Made pomanders and lavender bags

Decorated gingerbread shapes

had a wander to the walled garden, past huge christmas trees

then had a massive tantrum because the hot chocolate was finished and the crafty cottage shut as we arrived too late. We won't go into that...

Finally - it was decoration day at school last Friday. They all wear festive jumpers and make decorations all day. The parents are allowed to come in and help

And our tree

Two bags, one tree, lots of decorations and a little bit of in-cinema puking...

First things first - I completed two bags this week!

Quite a while ago, I won a pattern from Emmaline bags, called the Spring Sling. I love the shape although the patchwork panel on the front was never something I was going to attempt, so I used a piece of my Cath Kidston toadstool fabric instead.

 

I did partake in some quilting though, which is something I've never attempted before. It went ok. Slightly wonky but nothing major. I love the look of quilting I have to say.

The top of the bag is supposed to have oval grommets for the straps to slot through. I do have the oval grommets. Infortunately I was unaware when I bought them, that I'd need the tools as well. I haven't got 20 quid spare right now, so sadly I've had to leave them off.

 

I've had the lining fabric for ages and I can't remember when or where I bought it, but it seemed like the right one to use with the cotton linen I got from Doughtys online. The entire outer edge of this bag is bound with hand made binding and then hand stitched on. Took a while! I really like this bag and I will probably make another whenever I get the chance :)

Second bag was this alexis mini satchel style. I'm sort of pseudo happy with it. I wish I'd done piping around the main bag area and not just the flap, because it feels a bit meh without. This is also made from Cath Kidston fabric - there's an outlet near where I work and I'm always popping in on the off-chance there's something bargainous to be had. Its all relative of course but I'm happy to pay £6 a metre for this lineny stuff (instead of £14)

The lining is purple polka cotton. I've attempted to home-make some side tags/labels. I'm not hugely enamoured but they are ok. Do you think it looks kind of wierd sticking out there?

 

 It was decoration day at school this week. You go in for two hours and help the kids make decorations for the school. They do a morning and afternoon session, but I only had half a day off work, so I had to split a session between both of them.

Noah was first (he's in reception) He made a very. VERY glittery angel. He wouldn't wear his christmas pudding hat because he is five and he decided it was beneath him.

Then I popped over to help Joey and we made a felt bauble with beads. Which looked kind of like ravioli, but he was happy! He wouldn't wear his christmas pudding hat as apparently there was a splinter in it at break time. No idea how that happened. (its a wooly hat made by nanna Maxey)

On Saturday morning I was awakened (as I am every single morning) by a bouncy Noah demanding we get the christmas tree down from the loft. I could only put him off for so long, so we did get  it, and we decorated it. Joey was feeling off colour, so he stayed out of the chaos.

Sunday we went to our local garden centre - they have animatronic polar bears this year. Noah was v. happy. 

They both liked this display, which is up every year.

Then Noah noticed the ice rink. We weren't going to take them skating as its exorbitant, but when Noah gets excited its hard to say no. So £34 later we were all on the rink. 

Ten minutes later there were tears and blisters and aches and pains. Hire boots are DREADFUL. Even Noah wanted to leave. Lets not bother next year.

Sunday afternoon I took them to see Paddington. Which is a great film. Unfortunately Joey started coughing and then did a bit of vomit, which I handily caught in his popcorn cup. Lovely. Took him home and packed him off to bed. He manages to look pretty even when poorly sick. Wish I could say the same about me...