Birthday Dresses

Years ago when my children were young someone gave me a copy of this book, Little Clothes for Little People. Igot it out again to make some dresses for the twins. I used a fine needle cord fabric (see earlier post) I am really please how they have turned out, my daughter asked if I would make some waistcoats too so I decided to make these reversable, putting buttons on each side and making loops out of velvet ribbon. I used very old glass buttons on the black side that I had in my button jar. They are coming to stay tomorrow on their way to visit our other daughter and her family in South Africa. We can have a fitting and if any adjustments are required I have time to do them before their birthday in February.

Launch of the first Orphans House

Yesterday saw the launch of Project O's first zero carbon footprint, 100% self sufficient orphans home.There is a wind turbine to generate electricity. Two of President Jacob Zuma's daughters arrived to help with the launch. A cow was slaughtered and barbiqued and lots of vistors and television camara's were there too. A helicoptor was there to take guests and very important little boys up and over the valley for a better view.

The house

Zulu dancers

Our daughter and some guests

The village chief, Gugu Zuma and Martin our SIL

One of the quad bikes which are used to deliver food and clothing to the orphans living in remote areas

Check out the handbags!

Grandchildren

I thought I would post a few photo's of the grandchildren, Joseph will be 4 at the end of October, Jesse turned 3 in September and Primrose & Maggie will be 2 in November. I have just started making some dresses and waistcoats for the girls birthday. I bought some lovely fine cord material from the local Oxfam shop and I have used patterns from an old book I had when my children were young, its called Little Clothes for Little People.

My daughter put this photo on her blog...obviously considering how it would effect her twins..especially as they are crazy about puppies!

This coming week end we are off for our church 'Week End Away' we go to stay at a Christian conference centre about 2hours away and they don't allow dogs to visit. This tme last year we had just moved here for my husband to take up the pastors job. Our youngest son got married just before we moved and we suddenly realised that we had no one to look after out dear old dog Daisy. She had never been in kennels and was nearly 16 years old so we wouldnt leave her with someone who didnt know her. So...we snuck her into the centre, thankfully she was so old not many people realised she was there. Well today as I have been preparing all the administration for the weekend I received this photo by email from one of those few who did know Daisy had come along. It was a lovely surprise especially as we had had Daisy put to sleep a few months back, she had come to that time in her life that everything was a struggle and her main organs were giving up. We have many happy family memories of Daisy.

Cushions

Yesterday I managed to make 10 cushions for Christmas gifts. I have over time bought sample fabrics from curtain/upholstery shops, I then bought some cushion pads. I don't like inserting zips and I find using Velcro a little fiddly so I wasn't sure how to make the closures for the covers, I came across this idea in a magazine and used the buttons and ribbon that I bought in the Cloth House in London. I am really pleased with how they turned out and think I may keep some for using on our Ercol Daybed when it is finished. Of course this means that I shall have to make more for Christmas!

Busy Busy Busy

I am cracking on with the cushions and will post some photo's tomorrow but in the mean time just click on this link and see some new photo's of the twins...they are so cute!

http://andrewmorrall.typepad.com/missing_fillmore/