those purple bags

Want to know what was in those bags?

These!

It's a bit gloomy here at the moment - it is winter after all - so this photo doesn't depict the bright, cheery colours as they really are.

We had a dozen girls spend a morning with us during the week tie dying shirts. Since tie dying is not really a group activity, while they were waiting for their turn with me at the kitchen sink we (well, Zoe!) organised some other activities for them to do.

In addition to some board games, the girls enjoyed making a flextangle (these are very cool - have a look at the video on how to make one!),

 painted mints using food colouring and a toothpick,

decorated biscuits 

 and made a Christmas tree ornament (it's never too early to start preparing for Christmas, right?) using a rubber bouncy ball, pins, beads and sequins.

We had lots of fun! But I am glad to be rid of the purple bags from my kitchen!

bits on the side

 

I have managed to go near the sewing machine again. Woo hoo! I even tidied up around it. Double woo hoo! Two weeks of school holidays has been wonderful (despite having to unblock a toilet approximately every three days and about 57 dental, orthodontic, specialist or other appointments). I feel like I have caught up on quite a few tasks that I just don't have the luxury (!!) of getting to during the school term. Come to my house and I'll show you my (now) clean grout between the floor tiles (so easy to clean if you use white vinegar and a stiff scrubbing brush)! Such a luxury being able to scrub grout!!!

Anyway, I digress. I have always wanted to make some flying geese, so when I came across the Summer Solstice Quilt-A-Long, with it's wonderful flying geese tutorial, I couldn't resist joining in.

My plan is to turn these strips of flying geese into a quilt top. It would be nice to finish it before school goes back, but who am I kidding? I'll try not to fling it on the unfinished project pile and give myself until the next school holidays to complete it.

I also managed to go to the post office and mail two lots of these:

They are the items I have sent my Pay It Forward volunteers. I made two travel tissue holders and included a few other bits and pieces that I thought they each might like (including a teeny bit of chocolate. So good.). Hopefully I will hear from them in the next week or two saying that their little package arrived safely overseas.

My daughter pointed out that I was a tad late in sending them (thank you daughter), but I hope that Anthea (who sent me my lovely arm chair sewing caddy) won't mind.

I've had a few bee blocks go in and out, including these that I made for the relevant Queen Bees.

Terrible photos really!

So, before I head off to unblock another toilet, what do you think I/we did today? Here's a clue:

Lots of bags on my kitchen bench that will sit there for 24 hours.

Can you guess?