Merry Christmas

It's almost Christmas time - this little guy came by to brighten my home this week - he'll hang out there for a bit and share some cheer. Remember to enjoy this time with family and friends.

Happy Christmas to all may yours be a safe one.

Christmas Swap Delivered...

Last week I showed what I recieved in my package and now that it has been delivered I can show what I sent to Nicola in the Handmade Christmas swap hosted by Heart in the Country - A Christmas bucket - entirely constructed from recycled or gifted materials - oh yeah, I filled it with some little gifts too... A crocheted snowflake decoration to hang on the tree,

Some sewing essentials - the pouch had the chocolates inside (they are sewing essentials) although Nicola tells me they didn't last that long.

Because it is winter there, they even have snow, I made this knitted scarf/collar out of a super soft mohair mix with just a little sparkle - it was hard to part with this, lucky I have enough yarn to make something similar for myself!

There was also a treat each for Nicola's little people. She is happy with her package.

Only 4 sleeps and counting - hope you are ready!

Happy Creating

Introducing...

Well I matched the legs and bodies I had last week, I made some clothes and painted and embroidered faces and now I have three new friends. I'm not sure I want to part with any of them but I guess I will and just make more. The first who has been flitting around here already is Candy Cane Annie from a pattern by the talented Brenda Greenwalt of LillieMae Crafts. Next is Sweet Annie - another design from Brenda Greenwalt - I'm not sure what I did with this one - but everytime I look at her I can hear Ms13 telling me she looks evil. She really looks sweet in the original pic, so maybe I should follow the directions sometimes?

Last is an oldie but a goodie - a design from Petals and Patches which I have made more than once before - she is petite and oh so cute with that raggy hair.

all 3 together for a group shot - they sure brightened my week.

I finally feel like I have been a bit productive and Christmas may not pass by without me noticing.

My wish is that you're relaxing and enjoying the company of friends and family this Christmas season.

Happy Creating

Wrapping with Annie

Annie helped me get the packages wrapped ready for posting. We gathered all the goodies - some paper, scissors, ribbons, tape and those pouches for the little and big girls. I decided to use plain wrapping paper this year - lucky there are a lot of girls on my list as pink and silver seem to be my favourites at the moment, guess I'll find something else to wrap the two boy presents in, or maybe not? She is such a good wrapper - look at that pretty neat bow and some sparkly stars all ready to go to Ms6.

Ooh.. some more these ones are off to my sister and nieces - pretty tags and some sparkly stars for decoration.

I posted these today - wonder how long they take to get to their destinations? Hope you're enjoying the weekend wherever you are.

Happy Crafting

Where was I?

I am finally making some progress on my Christmas preparation - all I can say is luckily no one is relying on me to feed them!

I was working on some dolls and had the thread box out choosing colours before there was an accident and the box was upside down on the floor - these are the threads that remained in the box...

And these are the threads in a nice pile on the floor - just saves me getting them out of the box I guess. I am going to put them away when I am done later tonight.

Yesterday I spent a lot of time at the sewing machine and made more of these handy little pouches.

Now I am relying on the post people getting them delivered in time - okay so the pressure is on and I know they don't like working so much but we wouldn't want them all napping under the shade of a tree like the one I saw today - that would be why we pay so much for our inefficient post.

I have braved the big shopping place today and believe I am done there are a few items to be completed here but I can do them at my leisure as I do not have many commitments in the next week.

Hope you are all enjoying the last days of creating and celebrating. Have a great weekend.

Happy Crafting

Christmas Comes Early...

I recieved my package in the Handmade Christmas Swap from Nicola - will you look at all those packages... when I took the bubble wrap off this is what I was greeted with - lots of red Christmas goodness - yippee I love red anything.

As Nicola had labelled all the packages I opened the decoration first - oh my goodness how cute is this - I just love him - the colour is perfect - come to think of it everything is perfect.

This here is what all the other packages contained - a gorgeous framed picture stitched by Nicola - just so sweet - and there were some extra goodies included too - a cute handbag notepad that will be very handy, chocolate - essential at this time of year, some way cute fabric and threads in my fav - Red and purple - and look at that Christmas card - more red and sparkles.

Thanks Nicola you have been an amazing swap partner.

There has been some activity in the creative space since the offending tooth was removed - three sets of legs just waiting to be attached to....

these bodies - yes they are three different doll patterns.

I hope everyone is enjoying some crafting time between all the activity at this time of the year.

Happy Crafting

Decorations

I made another snowflake from a different design - but as the only cotton I had was cream I decided to add some paint and glitter to this one to give it some colour - I am really happy with the result. I used Jo Sonya's Satin Varnish to give it a nice finish. I can see some more of these decorations in the near future. And look what I did with the Christmas Tree - It has a home. I sewed it to some fabric and used a white Snow flake button to decorate it.

I am enjoying using softer colours in amongst the regular red and dark green of Christmas.

Now for the decorating of my space. I flicked through a magazine today while waiting for yet another appointment and saw some cool ideas for making tree shapes on the wall - maybe I could put one on the back of the door?

Enjoy your week.

Happy Creating

Christmas Cards

Finally some Christmas crafting achieved - albeit slowly. Tags for some of the presents I will give- I love my tag punch. and Some cards that I really need to get in the post shortly - or they will be late again!

Rudolph - with his big red nose and some cool snow flakes

Ooh.. I played with softer colours and more snow flakes this was fun.

And another cool colour, the background card is a soft blue/green and the colour in the top corner is actually a metallic gold... I like a lot!

My wish is that your Christmas Crafting is progressing well.

Happy Creating

Another Tree...

I have been busy playing with some different needles and thread this week. Anything which did not require too much movement from my lounge chair while I endure a big toothache. There is this great grandma tree from the Royal Sisters blog - the same one which had the grandma star, and she has a grandma all round too. I made the round it just didn't get into this pic. She has done a great job on the tutorials with clear directions and pics. Thanks A little sewing in some bright colours and knitting in a beautiful soft mohair blend. Hint, Hint Nicola. I have also enjoyed a little online chatting with some like minded ladies over on Pins and Needles. Here's hoping you all have an enjoyable weekend with lots of creative opportunities. Happy Crafting

Shopping and Crochet

These are the three pieces of fabric I ordered from Earthgirl fabrics last Wednesday and they were in my mailbox on Friday. I have just looked at them and patted them so far but I will be washing and cutting soon. There is about to be a flurry of activity in the sewing room. Saturday Jindi's mum joined me on a trip to the Geelong Mad Quilters Hat Party - the exhibition for this year - there were lots of inspiring pieces there but sadly lots of signs telling visitors not to share on the internet. Sad that it has come to that - hope they have some of them displayed on their site as there were a lot of different styles and some amazing pieces displayed. What did I get - well there was a stall selling fabric and I just had to have a couple of pieces as a souvenier - right? This shop was Threadneedle from Daylesford - seems we may just need to go for a drive in the country sometime soon and check out all of her wares. I got the birdie fabric above in another colourway and the matching spots - should find a use for them sometime, either that or I can continue to just look at them they are so pretty. While I have been busy at the sewing machine, I can't show you yet as Nicola knows where to find me, I need to keep it as a surprise. So I played with some different threads last week and made a few crocheted ornaments, I'm too excitable and they have not been blocked yet but I made a lot of the stars which get displayed as a garland and then just one snowflake. Both designs are quick and easy.

The pattern for the stars is over at Royal Sisters and the snowflake I found on Fave Crafts website. There are two more snowflake designs on the pattern sheet that I need to try out.

The snowflake pattern calls for Crochet stiffener - yes it is an American pattern does anyone know of anything similar here?

Hope you all enjoyed your weekend.

Happy Crafting

Feeling a lot like Christmas...

I made these two Christmas themed bucket bags, great to use instead of gift wrapping. I like the way the Angels turned out - I borrowed the idea from a simple papercraft Angel garland project which was published in our Saturday paper last weekend. I just traced around the template and sewed around it twice with the sewing machine. And two little fabric dishes for holding yummies - oh yeah, I ate the yummies I bought for the photo's before I took them, best go get some more!.

Back to the angels the template is made using this Fiskars flowers template -the bell shaped petal becomes the dress, the small circle is the head and the larger of the apostrophe shaped petals makes the wings. I already had the template which has seen lots of use in papercraft projects but was glad to be able to use it for Christmas decorating too.

Now I've done the containers, best get on and make some presents.

On another note hop on over to Earthgirl Fabrics as she is having a sale and the prices are good! And no shipping charges for us in Oz. I'll show you what I ordered when it arrives.

Hope everyone has had some time this week for some Christmas creating. Happy Creating

Blue Day

I did a test drive today on this little number - super cute and super easy - and it comes out of scraps - requirements say fat 1/8 but really it is much less than that. Another free pattern that can be found here. Oh, what is it you ask - Simple Sewing Companion - just big enough for a small pair of scissors, some thread, a little pencil and it comes with a pattern for a little needle book which fits snuggly in one of the pockets - there are three. Trace, Sew, turn and fold - Simple is a very apt word for this beauty.

Finished stitching the last panel of the Blue Christmas last night and put together the top today - think I should have taken a tad more notice of the directions this time, got myself in a big muddle when cutting out the completed stitcheries, but I like the result - much better in real life but the colours make it very difficult to photograph with my camera.

The verse says "What is Christmas? It is tenderness for the past, courage for the present and hope for the future. It is a fervent wish that every cup may overflow with blessings rich and eternal, and that every path may lead to peace. " Agnes M. Pharo.

The pattern for this series can be found here. Thanks Shell.

Hope you had a creative Thursday. Happy Crafting

Destination SA...

Okay, so I waited until the last possible day to send out my Stitcher's Angel package, (actually I posted it one day late on 31st October), but I thought it wouldn't be so bad it was only crossing a state border, not headed for those countries experiencing the striking postal workers. Obviously I was very wrong - it appears that Australia Post has joined their international colleagues. What other explanation could there possibly be for the 10 days this package took to go about 850Km? So I duly wrapped the gifts and packed them in a bag, The bag features the design from Tozz's corner, which was meant to be an applique, but well I'm sure any one who comes here often knows my story about not being good at directions.

The packages included this sewing organiser, complete with a Bronwyn Hayes stitchery from her Miss Millies Flower Patch book.

Oh, inside I included a few sewing essentials in the pockets.

There was this covered notebook embellished with the rose stitchery from Helen at Hugs and Kisses, complete with an attached bookmark.

The last package had the Cinderberry Stitches Needle wallet designed specifically for this swap, but it appears I did not photograph the completed item? Naomi was my secret stitcher, go here and say hi.

Little happening in the craft space at the moment. I seem to have been afflicted with the "it's too hot to do anything" bug that is going around these parts at present.

Happy Creating

Collecting Fabric

As my work hours have decreased in the past couple of weeks I have been spending lots of time here... Yes, that's right getting to know my pillow better. This past week I have been out and about, and just happened upon some places to collect fabric - I was restrained and only collected two pieces from each store I visited. Left to right, very pretty white and pink with silver from a range called Fairy Floss (I think), Attic Quilts at Berwick, some peach and blue from Sewing Connection in Pakenham and Pink and Purple from GJ's. I intend to use these fabrics in my Christmas sewing projects.

More of the triangle pouches completed this week. Yes, there will be even more soon.

Well the sun is shining and the flowers are blooming bright, Summer will soon be here!

Wishing you all a bright weekend.

Happy Crafting

Is it too Early put the Tree up?

I successfully avoided the chores this weekend taking the opportunity to get a start on some Christmas decorating... This tree is from a series by Shell over at the Raspberry Rabbits. I traced all 6 of the designs so I am looking forward to stitching a few more this week. It has been slow going as the fabric is a coarse weave and whilst I used pellon behind it I think I should just have used stabiliser. The thread colour is DMC 827 which is a soft blue and the background fabric is white. Enjoy the week ahead with lots of creative activity.

Happy November

Stitching the day(night) away

This bucket bag featuring a serious shopper from the Loralie Harris Sewphisticates panel is winging its way across the waves to Jantine as the winner of my recent giveaway. You'll have to wait for the post people to do their jobs as I did not take pictures of the sewing treats included. Played with my new thread acquired on my travels around the state earlier this month. Just a peek at this design from Red Brolly found in the Miss Millies Flower Patch book. The thread is from Cottage Garden Threads and the colour way is Muscat, it was fun to stitch.

I got distracted last night and completed this stitchery. Remember how bad I am at following instructions - this design is the Butterfly on My Heart design which Vicki of Tozz's Corner shared on her blog, I know, I know it is supposed to be an applique pattern, I hope she doesn't get upset with me? The thread is DMC 4220 and the background is light green. Pushing things to the limit - I have packed my bag and will be sending this lot out to my Secret Stitcher tomorrow - yes, that is the last day for posting. My package just needs to cross a state border, no waves this time so I shouldn't have to wait too long for the post people to do their thing.

Thanks to Helen for organising a fun swap and to all the generous designers who freely gave the designs for us to play with. Hope their is time in your day for some creativity.

Happy Crafting