Ho ho ho

Merry Christmas creative types! My homemade tree decorations are looking sweet, especially with the massive baby toys underneath.

I've already been naughty and opened a present from a friend (it was Cath Kidson's book 'Sew') - so exciting. However, the hubby had to make an emergency trip to the shops to exchange his version he bought me. Bless.

Fingers crossed most of my pressies are craft related - the joys of having a new hobby.

Be good to Santa.
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Homemade Christmas

It's a good thing I started making Christmas decorations as we haven't a clue where we packed the real decorations during the move. It looks a little amateurish (new word!) but kind of sweet. Below are some photos. I've attempted threading popcorn together to replace our missing lights and tinsel. 

One of my first stockings

From Paper-and-string's Reindeer kit

I've probably overkilled it on the stocking front

I managed to get a few hours to myself this week and hit the charity shops in search of cheap fabric. I found a gorgeous scarf which I'll attempt to make into a cushion. I also bought a pink zip for the patchwork cushion cover I made the other week. Will need to Google how to sew a zip in! This is where I need my Mum living in the same city/country/hemisphere so she can teach me. 

Too cute to stick pins into!

My latest projects have been some cute bunting (just waiting to get the bunting tape to put it all together). Nothing like an easy project like that to get the confidence up! I also made a new pin cushion which I might give to my sister as a bonus present as she's started cross stitching. Creative bunch!

Practice practice practice...

Stupid snow

Well so much for moving from a top floor flat to our own house so we can go outside easier! We've been snowed in this past week - car snowed under, pram useless and the baby carrier gets heavy after thirty minutes, and I'm clumsy as hell walking in snow.




Still, I've just cheered myself up by purchasing gorgeous fabric from M is for Make

I started a quick project last night of making some bunting to hang up for Christmas. Although I need to get long material/tape to join it all up.

Which means going outside.

Sigh.


- Posted from my iPhone

We made it!

Holy snow Batman! Who in their right mind would move house during blizzard conditions? Wednesday was 'move day'... And 'snow day (again)... Leading to 'Granny the babysitter is snowed in and the bridge is closed' day. Which meant we (being me) were lumped with an eight month old baby to entertain/feed/keep alive AND frantically finish packing/cleaning/going mad. After that anything is possible!

So we're settled into our new abode which I love! Going from a top floor flat to our own wee home is my idea of heaven. Even though the place needs lots of work to bring it into this century (!!!!) we can't wait to put our stamp on it. Below is our new front and back yard. Snow included!





I haven't seen my craft box in ages though! It must be buried at the bottom of the pile. Boo. Still, with a million things to organise I probably shouldn't be taking time out to play with lovely fabric anyway.

We need to get the phone/Internet installed which will take a few weeks so I'm writing from the iPhone till we're up and running. But I just wanted to say thanks to Penny for writing a lovely comment in my previous post. Made my night.

Righto. Unpack woman!

- Posted from my iPhone

All packed up - Boo

Seeing as we move into our new house this Wednesday I've had to pack up all my lovely new craft goodies into a boring old box.  I've been itching to try some Christmas stars as mentioned in a previous post but there is no time with all that is happening. As I've been packing up the flat I've seen things we've had for ages and thought "I could make this prettier!" Still, when we're settled I'll be let loose on the borrowed sewing machine from the in-law! Can't wait.

We had a break from packing on Friday (hubby had the day off) and we went to the Hopetoun House Christmas Market. I was a little disappointed as now I have the attitude "I can make that" to a lot of pretty goodies on sale. Still, we managed to buy a lovely wee chalkboard which we'll put up in the new kitchen.

Righto, I'll have my last nosey at other gorgeous blogs before the computer gets packed away too. (Sob sob)
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I have blisters

Ouch.

Working on this new pillow hurts. By not having a sewing machine (yet) I've been doing it all by hand which is great practice for me. However, I have a blister on my thumb and index finger from pushing the needle through a million times and it was throbbing last night. But look at how pretty the pillow is becoming!

Beauty is pain

I've learned some lessons from stitching this together so far.
1) I forgot that the squares of the charm pack aren't equal in length - hence my squares don't all line up
2) It definitely pays to iron as you go.
3) Wear plasters!

I'm tempted to wait till I get my hands on my M-in-law's sewing machine before finishing this. I don't think my fingers have room for more blisters! Plus, I need to learn how to insert a zip which make take a few lessons.

Oh the joys of learning a new hobby!

Have pins... need pincushion

Well, as mentioned in my previous post I decided to make a quick pincushion for my brand new pins (oh the joys of being a newbie.... everything is still all shiny!)

What fun jabbing him with my pins

Continuing with the tortoise theme (my hubby sat me down and explained the difference between a turtle and a tortoise) inspired by paper-and-string I came up with this little guy in no time. Pretty much identical to the tortoise on the felt box I made the other night... only this wee guy is smiling! He obviously enjoys being stabbed with my pins.

I've now started a new project of attempting a cushion cover... making it up as I go. (Instructions? What do I want instructions for?!) It's being made from some Moda charm packs (of course) and all hand sewn as I've still to get my mitts on my mother-in-law's sewing machine. Still, I need all the practice I can get on my stitches. Still wonky... but I'll improve one day.

In the mean time... look how pretty these are: stars by Emma
I'm definitely going to attempt some of those (although ten bucks they don't end up looking that pretty!)