Forgive me for gloating for a moment, but I am actually quite impressed with myself. I always have big plans to make handmade gifts for all the children at Christmas, but time always runs away and I never get started early enough.

But not this year! It's still only October and I've already made the starting point of 4 of my nieces' and nephews' gifts.

The rabbits are all done, as are the fabric baskets. I just need to make a couple of gifts to put in the baskets. Just something little. Nothing too challenging or demanding on time.

So, I am quite pleased with myself. And I'm hoping to even get started on a little something for the grown-ups too. Ok, so now I'm gloating...

I wasn't quite expecting to get Jack and Jacketta done quite so swiftly. I honestly thought that I would be making them way past midnight the day before they needed to go.

Even when I started to choose and cut the fabrics on Sunday evening while we were all sitting watching X Factor, I assumed the pile of cut pieces would sit on the shelves for a few more weeks.

I should know really that I am the most impatient person on the planet when it comes to a project waiting to be completed. I can not switch off from knowing it is there. Strangely, I don't have the same compulsion with a pile of ironing...

I should also know that I get rather absorbed when doing something for the first time. The excitement of the challenge, along with wondering whether I will be able to do it is something I can't switch off from when trying something new.

My creative journey is on the whole an organic one. Lots of trial and error. Plenty of making it up as I go along. And certainly a distinct lack of formality of following a pattern or anything of the like. I could never have had the confidence to tackle something like this a couple of years ago. But I am pretty confident with knowing my way around my machine, fabrics, the lingo, so I didn't feel too daunted by the prospect. I did however wonder whether they would come out as they should, or even half-way rabbit-like.

And since I've never ventured into the world of making clothes either, I did wonder whether they were going to come out right too. Needless to say, I have now started yet another obsession and am making shorts and skirts for all of Ruby's teddies!

So when they turned out like this, I was more than just a teensy bit delighted and am now so excited to give them to my niece and nephew that I'm actually wondering how I will manage to wait until Chanukah. I'm just only too pleased that Chanukah this year starts December 1!

How gorgeous are these little guys? Completely irresistible I'd say.

After a heads up from Kate about how she's got her Christmas gift making under way, thanks to the fab patterns from Fiona, I decided this couple of rabbits would be the perfect gift for my little niece and nephew.

I am DETERMINED to get them done in time.

So, having purchased the patterns, off I popped to Saints & Pinners to get some fabric essentials, including Cloud 9s white flannel. This was typically the only colour I didn't pick up in my selection last week.

Whilst I was there I threw a few extras into the basket. Well, it's illegal to not purchase more than you need. Isn't it?

I'm really pleased with these 2 Darla Ditty pieces that were in the sale. They'll work great for my kits and I always like to pick up nice fabric for the kits. (See, thoughtful after all)

And I just love this Joel Dewberry's Herringbone. It's so fresh and striking. I'm thinking it will work super well as the skirt for the girl. (See, so not indulgent...pure necessity)

So, there, I've laid it on the line. I am making these for my niece and nephew. For this Christmas. That's 2010. So you are well in your rights to hassle me about the progress. In fact, please do, I think I might need it.