Christmas budget

Well. Christmas is almost here and I am frantically trying to get all my gifts. I was somehow foresighted enough to know that money would be tight and arrange not to exchange gifts with friends. Did I think about the presents I would have to buy? Of course not. Because if I had I would not be here, one week before Christmas trying to MAKE presents. Oi. 

In times like this I always believe I have these mad sewing skills and can sew presents. But after 3 hours of trying to make a cute smockette for my niece, courtesy of www.themayfly.com I am wondering what I was thinking (it took 3 hours because I was watching the Biggest Loser finale). The last time I sewed I made a pair of boxer shorts under supervision in Home Ec in 1994. The smockette did not go well. Mainly because I am not a fantastic sewer and cannot read simple directions about what kind of fabric to use. 

I am still thinking that this gift might be possible given the right kind of fabric and some focus. A smock doesn't have to be perfect; it is for getting dirty. Not to mention she is 18 months old, chances are she'll never remember it. 

I also found another gift that requires work. But it met the budget requirements, so it came home with me. Hopefully I will be able to post pictures of these things after they are given. I am afraid to do so now and spoil the surprise. 

Also, since this blog started with the garden I feel I should give my roses some praise. They are still blooming. It is freezing at night, 40 degrees all day, and the damn roses have 40 blooms. All I can figure is the previous, crazy gardening owners of this house are sneaking into my yard at night and feeding the roses crack. The hubs also cut down the banana tree tonight. It was time, but it is my favorite part of the house and I miss it until spring.