Happy New Year

An early morning hike yesterday. Up to the top of a snowy mountain. Ate a packed lunch.  Back down by early afternoon. 

Thank you for your support, friendship, positive comments and encouragement throughout 2011. Without it I know I wouldn't be nearly as productive in my creativity. For that I am very grateful. Thank you.

May 2012 be a good year for you with happy times and wonderful adventures.

x x x

Handmade Christmas: Sweets!

The last of my handmade gifts. For each family member I made florentines or truffles. For the truffles I used this recipe and for the florentines I used Nigella Lawson's recipe from 'How to be a Domestic Godess'. Delish!

Handmade Christmas: Pot holders

This is the green set of oven mitts and pot holders which I mentioned. I had hoped to make all the pot holders in the star quilt style but that was the first bit of 'proper' quilting I've done and it took longer than I expected. I had to just revert back to my usual 'casual' style patchwork. I was happy with how it all looked. See how one of the fabrics is a detailed map? I love that fabric.

Homemade Christmas: Shopper bag

A few months back my mum told me she'd lost here shopping bag so she needed a bag which folds up flat in her handbag. Voila!

Handmade Christmas: Hot water bottle cover

From the collection of fabrics I've been printing recently I made a patchwork hot water bottle cover for my good friend Joseph. The photos aren't good quality as it went dark by the time I finished it. This was a project which involved lots of swear words. After making the entire thing I realised the hot water bottle didn't fit! Lots of cutting, mumbling and re-sewing made everything alright.

Handmade Christmas: Photo Album

My parent recently went on a trip to New Zealand so I made my Dad a photo album using all different papers. The cover was from an old album I picked up years ago and then I changed the pages. I painted a design on the first page with pictures of the wildlife they saw on their trip.

Handmade Christmas: Oven mitts

I hope you had a happy and enjoyable day with your loved ones yesterday. My day was spent with my family and consisited of eating, drinking, lots of excited present opening by little ones and a little woodwork in the garage, you know for some quiet time : )

I managed to make most Christmas presents for family and friends this year and those which I did buy where mostly from Sonia's or Melissa's shops. So I was happy and looking forward to giving them out on Christmas day. Over the next week I'll show a present each day which I made. I'll start with the pot holders and oven mitts I made for my brother and his wife. I loved making these and made another set in green for my other brother and his wife. What presents did you make this year?

Happy Christmas

A Christmas tradition of my sister in law's, little marzipan fruits.

Wishing you a happy Christmas.

Hope your day is filled with cheer.

I'll be showing photos of the gifts I've made starting tomorrow. Hope to see you then. x x

In Scotland

My grump didn't last long. I was hit by pre-Christmas handmade present meltdown which resulted in me turning the living room  into a workshop for two days straight. But thank you for the cheering words, they did help. The presents all got made and I'm very pleased with them so I look forward to showing you pictures.

I'm in Scotland now, looking through knitting patterns and craft books with my Mum. I don't have wintery pictures of Scotland yet (there's no snow, or even frost, even though it was -15C or 5F last year!). Anyway, here are some summery Scotland pictures from my visit earlier in the year. It's always lovely here. 

And whilst I show summer photos I hope you are cozying up with a mulled wine and starting to relax. Enjoy.

Festive cheer

I'm in a right mood today. A cold. Presents still to make. Having to go to 'Europe's busiest shopping street' this morning. Say no more.

At least I've got glitter on my nails and I'm making gifts out of vintage fabric flowers.

I've been taking photos of each present I've made so I'll get to show them soon. Hope each of you is remaining cheery.

Bright Corners

I've finished work for Christmas now. School broke up yesterday. I now have five days to make presents and do anything I want to do before leaving to go and visit family. I've spent recent evenings laying on the couch so haven't any craft projects to share. I'll photograph the presents I make and share them after Christmas. I've mentioned how much I'm enjoying being at home at the moment. So I thought, rather than just being silent, I'd share photos of the 'bright corners' with you. Sorry I didn't tidy for you : )

Wont you come in?

A very handmade wreath on our door.

Come straight into the living room and we'll put the fire on (although I'm pretty terrible at lighting fires!)

My good friend Jo Blaker sends me the most wonderful cards

My Gran wove this rug and I think she dyed the wools too. I've decided it's our Christmas rug to come out only for a few weeks a year.

 Choose a book from our little library? What to cook?

Christmas cards still waiting to be sent.

One side of our living room is taken up with my crafts. My desk is a busy (and messy) place.

Necklaces I've made and necklaces I've found and treasure.

Inspiring books I've borrowed from the school library, filled with wonderful photos and illustrations.

Pretty shells hanging from the wall.

And through the hall way to the kitchen.

Look out the window

Study the plants.

Don't look at the dust whilst waiting for the kettle to boil.

Hope you are having an enjoyable and cosy weekend at home (avoiding those shops!)