Merry Merry

Looking through some shops last weekend I came across this bird, and immediately pictured him perched on our front door. I knew those wreaths would come in handy!

Such a simple project, which turned out just how I imagined it. I picked the ivy almost a week ago and it's holding up remarkably well with no water.

We are off on our holiday soon, packing up the car and the dog. Both of our last days at work were today, and we can't wait to hit the beach! Wishing you and your loved ones safe and happy holidays, wherever you may be.

Peace xxx.

On choosing a bottle of wine.

This year Grandad chose alot of books to give as gifts, on the principle that the best books have the nicest covers. If it doesn't have a good cover, he doesn't pick it up. He did very well.



Lately I've been taking the same approach with wine- choosing a bottle by it's label.

All the better if it's embroiderable I say. (Embroiderable IS a word!)

Zippered purse for my cousin Sophie

And the wine wasn't bad either!

Merry Christmas

I hope you all had a lovely day. This year our day was not filled with excess food and excess consumerism, which was a nice change of pace, that we made up for (in the food department) on Boxing Day, when my sister celebrated her 17th birthday.

Redcurrants from Mum's garden

One and a half weeks of Holiday left.

:: Thankyou all for your lovely comments on my 'Last Minute Gifts'. I hope it provided some inspiration in the 11th hour ::

Last Minute Gift #3

The Pillowcase Bag

I've amassed a bit of a collection of floral pillowcases and took the opportunity to turn them into totes for a couple of gifts. I made a fully lined tote with this tutorial, and for the other one just cut off the top of the bag, hemmed it and added handles. They're both wrapped up, so no pictures, but just an idea to rattle around- maybe it will give someone some inspiration?

Last Minute Gift #1

I've got all my gifts finished, and wrapped, as I left Auckland for Golden Bay yesterday, though it was a mad dash to get it all done (isn't it always?!). I want to share a few last minute gifts I made in the hope it may help you out.

The Man-Shirt

My sister and I had the same great idea (independently, I might add) to make our brother Sam a shirt with a deer on the front. We even picked the same t-shirt from Hallensteins to do it on, though luckily in different colours!

I found a stncil image on google an traced around it to get the shape, them cut it out in 'Steam-a-Seam', and ironed it onto the fabric, this is linen.

Then I cut out the shape in the fabric and ironed it onto the t-shirt.

(Sorry for the crappy image, I've only just realised it's a bit blurry)

Then I zig-zagged around the image, giving it a quick press before the photo shoot and wrapping it up. It took approximately 1.5 hours to make.

Luckily I executed mine first, so Olivia's planning a new theme for her shirt!

:: I'm on holiday in Golden Bay till the 8th of Janruary, so expect coverage to be patchy. I hope you are all enjoying the wind-up to the festive season with family and friends ::

Christmas Ornament Swap Roundup

Angel by Helen, Pohutukawa by Louise (Thanks for organising the swap!), Knitted Bauble by Nikki, Flower by me!, Robot by Jenny, Owl/Tree and sock by Dione

Thanks girls! This was fun, and if I was having a tree this year these ornaments would be all over it like a rash. Merry Christmas!

My Mojo came back

I didn't realise it was missing until the last 48 hours when I made two reversible aprons, a singlet top (with pretty pretty lace on it), 6 quilted coasters, a chives embroidery, a baby blanket and hat, a batch of playdough and two loaves of bread. Whew!

Granted, I didn't do much housework, but the dishes were done, I cooked two dinners and the dog wasn't (too) neglected!

Incidently 24 bound corners gave me the opportunity to master miters. Funny that.

Click to enlarge

Now I must go, I need to make a christmas cake, banana loaves and a batch of biscuits.

Christmas Crafting

I've been crafting up a storm lately. I love this fabric *cough* sheet *cough*, and copied a motif off it to embroider on an apron for Michael's Mum.

I've also been making stacks of cards with my photos on the front. Any excuse to use my 'spinning a yarn' stamp which has been sadly languishing lately!