52/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Stella: bathing Jack. She is awed by the teeny tiny perfection of him.

Ruby: Christmas morning. Handmade sheep; from wool recycled from one of my old loved jumpers.

Joining in with Jodi, at Che and Fidel

This year my children have grown and changed. Through my photos I've realised I don't have little girls anymore, I've got living, breathing, independent beautiful strong young daughters. Each with their own personality, quirks, tempers and wills. Onwards and upwards I say.

Goodbye 2013. 

See you all in the New Year.

Just some stuff from Christmas making

There was sewing: 

dresses for little girls....

skirts...

shorts...

bags for teachers: 

three sets of PJ's for three sisters..matching t-shirts not shown..

(and two mini sets for my girls)

a dress for my mum...

There was making:

reindeer ornaments...

 wrapped in reindeer paper...

Christmas cards...

 gift tags with twine and pretty tape...

Clay pieces rolled and cut with cookie cutters; decorated with recycled beads...

printed with nature...

made into hearts...

finished with macrame...

A dreamcatcher (driftwood, twine and beads.. this one didn't make it off my deck; it's a prototype for more, I hope...)

There was baking...so much baking...

mince tarts...

 gingerbread men...

and afghans and shortbread...multiple batches.

There were beanies...lots of beanies. Probably nine or ten; I lost count. 

There were baskets of sugar scrubs and homemade goodies.

There was red wine with gluhwein sachets...

Each piece or item made with love; 

made for family and friends.

51/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Stella: 

working away on a weaving project. Santa hat optional but very cute.

Ruby: 

she makes, she bakes and she does it all without a recipe. We cook it and it's always edible.

Big week. I wish I could post all the things I have been crafting, but there's little eyes everywhere. I will wait three more days. I do have a few IG photos up though. If you're keen to see, I'm on deb_sunshinetime. Not sure how to link it up or add it as a gadget/widget or whatever. Note to self; improve computer skills in 2014.

Happy festivities, everyone!

See you next week for the final link up

5.30pm

 It's 5.30 and I'm sitting on the deck, hemming by hand.

Why?

Because my mum mentioned it, briefly, in passing, and when I got to that point in the dress, I realised she was right. 

My mum has had this material for almost forty years. Forty years!! And now she's entrusted it to me, to turn it into a summer dress for her, for Christmas. So I want it to be perfect.

So often at this point I'm on the home stretch and I just zip around on the machine. It's quick, it's easy, and it's often covered up under lace or trim.

But this dress has a large hem; as I've left the option to lengthen it.

So, as I sat and hemmed, my daughter was making biscuits in the kitchen.

All by herself.

There's no rush. It's holidays.

 Dinner can be simple. pasta in a tuna tomato sauce. 

It takes ten minutes to make and the same to consume.

After dinner, we'll have homemade biscuits for dessert. Yum.

52/the ones that got away

Stella:

Ruby:

I've got 4 kids home this morning and yet, perversely, I have time to sit and meander through my photos from 2013. 

Some observations from this activity: 

The girls seem to be wearing the same clothes in most of my shots. Which begs the question; why are their drawers so full? 

There are lots of beach photos, garden shots and general activity/outdoor shots. 

They seem happy and healthy with big smiles and glowing skin.

There's lots of photos of hairstyles! Long hair, haircuts, bobs and do's.

They love animals. Cats, kittens, guinea pigs, horses....

And ice creams...lots of ice cream shots.

They are growing up fast. 

This project has been fun. It's also kept me on track; some weeks it would have been easier not to blog at all, but if I know anything about myself, I'm better working to a deadline. I do like to finish something I've started. I'm happy to say I think I'm going to make it across the finish line this year. Having said that, I'm not sure if I'll be linking up next year. I'd like to, but as the girls get older I'm more aware of their need for privacy and the fact they may not enjoy being posted every week. I'll see...

I will continue to blog, though. I've seen so much this year online. I may just shift direction somewhat; turn and take a different tack...

See you all next week.

50/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Stella: brushing Pepe. This is what she loves best; horse time.

She and I spent a night on my friend's farm. One night, but such a restful trip.

Ruby: swimming-pool eyes. Back in the water after an enforced ten day break

She might have to go easy for a while.

This week the girls finished up at school. A magical six week holiday stretches in front of them. We'll still be working of course; this is PK's busy time, when the town is flooded with holiday makers. But, oh, the relief of not having to get up and make lunches and shunt them off to school. We will look for some small pleasures close to home. Ice skating, a pantomime, beach time, friends, family and some new baby time

Just being, without deadlines. Yes.

Hello Jack

Two days old... my niece's son, Jack. (I guess that makes me a great-aunt...!)

He is divine.

49/52

"A portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013."

Stella: one of those (increasingly) rare moments where she's happy to play up for the camera.

Ruby: post-op recovery lemonade in her Dad's t-shirt with her new owl toy.

This week has been a big one. Emotionally and physically, it's taken it's toll. Ruby underwent a minor surgical procedure under a general anaesthetic. You'd think I'd be relaxed with this, as it's something I do everyday in my line of work (not on people though!). But although I held it together until we entered the surgery and they put her under, I was a blubbering mess on the way out. I take my hat off to those anaesthetists. Goodness, the pressure...

My blog posts have been scant, of late. My days are taken up with work, family and crafting. Soon, soon, I'll be back with something other than the portrait project!

Linking in with Jodi, at Che and Fidel