losing momentum

Yes Folks, it's finally happened and I've hit the wall. Last night I only managed 3 (very pretty) hearts and started a tree. I did spend the afternoon cutting the last of the felt shapes out and finishing the snowmen too. The current decoration count stands at 84 done with 23 to do. I decided to vary my colour scheme a little last night and use coloured buttons on the trees and also do a blue and white heart. I loved the way it turned out so much that I made two. The great thing about it is that it could be kept out all year.

So there are the last of the snowmen all wrapped up for the chilly weather. I brought the blue heart buttons ages ago and finally I've managed to use some of them. I'm a bit odd when it comes to the buttons in my tin. If the button has come from a piece of clothing or was brought specifically for something, I only want it on something special like a biscornu, something that I know will be treasured by either me or it's recipient.

My button tin

Anyway the close up of the hearts...

The last picture is of Monday's creations. This was another day where bits got finished off. The snowmen got warm, except for the one who just got a mouth, just in case anyone is worried, He was in the group of four finished off yesterday :-) I put brooch backs on the trees and gingerbread men, put the ribbon on the red hearts and white band on the stocking and lastly made up the white hearts and fabric panels. That was the last of the fabric panels I needed to do so all 35 are complete.

Thanks for reading everyone. I hope you all have a good day, and hopefully for you one that's filled with crafting. I'm hoping for a more productive one!

Second post of the day...

Having braved the rain, I've just got back from town and I had to share my Santa with you. I needed to get the googly eyes. I love how he's turned out. He was worth the effort even if he took 40 mins to make. I have since shaped his eyebrows a little!

So I'm going to spend the afternoon finishing off the snowmen as they were getting chilly without their hats and scarfs, along with the last of the fabric sachets, 2 hearts and a stocking. Thats my plan.

Have a fab afternoon folks and thanks for reading. xx

Generous friends

Morning friends,

I hope today finds you all well. Yesterday morning I was stopped on the way into church by a lady I've known for about 18 years but only in passing. She mentioned to me a few weeks ago that she has some cross stitch bits she wouldn't use and would I like them. So here is what the bag contained. I was amazed by it's content, I was expecting a couple of battered half started kits, maybe some threads or cheap stuff.

Aren't they all fab, the kits are all anchor kits and the card one is kind of embelished embroidery. I love the two bookmark kits. All are in perfect condition and unstarted. A big thanks to Jo.

As for the Christmas fayre. I promise only 10 more days of you having to hear about it. I'm right on target and I only have 40 decorations/brooches left to make (Laura - I forgot to add the brooches when I told you my progress this morning). I got a stack more bits cut out yesterday and tried a santa design, that looks fab so far but needs a couple of finishing touches. Off to town later for a few final supplies. I need to get my price list sorted and find all my display stuff this week too (read steal mug tree from Mum's). Next Monday I could be cross stitching again, now that would be a treat!!! So here's what I made yesterday. I may try and get to bed before midnight tonight as I'm somewhat sleep deprived!

Have a great week one and all. xx

Progress report

So 2 days since my last post and here is the progress. I'm on target pretty much with what I need to do as long as today is very productive. Yesterday was a rather productive day with 23 phone charms/zipper pulls made, 6 christmas puds, 6 snowmen and 1 and a half hearts. I say 1 and a half as I couldn't get the blanket stitching right on the second one. The fact it was 1.20am may have had a bearing.

Phone charms made with metal charms and 6mm miracle beads

As you can see since my last post I've used alot of the ready cut shapes so today's plan other than the stitch-a-thon is to cut the rest of my shapes. I have plan for a santa face and an owl along with a larger stocking (6") to fill with sweets. Tomorrow I will be off to town for more felt, ribbon and buttons (again). At this time of year I'm in and out of my two local shops 2 or 3 times a week. (and stand at the counter dithering about how much ribbon I need) When I pop into the shops I also keep my eye out for little bits to put in my Christmas gift exchange parcel for Laura. I'm pleased with what I've got so far.  

So here is the latest group of pictures. I've already sold 3 which is great and have been offered a place at a 3rd fayre but i've declined that as I don't have the time to make any more and I'd rather be stitching my christmas gifts for my family and friends. (read 6 biscornu, a coaster and a Christmas ornament for an exchange along with 3 ATC's) Oh and the 2 christmas stockings for the children.

The snowmen just need hats and scarfs now

So thanks for reading, leave me a mesage if you can. Have a lovely Sunday. xxx

x

Christmas Fayre update

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for all the wonderful comments you've been leaving me lately. I love reading them. I hope today finds you all well, and despite not that much sleep I'm on fine form this morning. It's my day for voluntary work in the cafe and I do love fridays. (that is unless we have a local over 55' group in who are known affectionately as the old age toddlers and can be a handful!)

Well I cracked on yeterday with the decorations and I have a third done and 1 week left to get the rest done - 43 decorations in 4 and a half days not bad really! I've got most of the shapes cut ready, buttons sorted, ribbon lengths cut. It's been these little things I do in the day so when the children are in bed I just sew, sew, sew. I'm waiting for an order to come from the Brighton Bead Shop as I want to make some phone charms/zipper pulls and needed brooch backs too.

I've machined round 3 sides of the fabric sachets so I just have to stuff, add ribbon, buttons and slip stitch them shut.

So here's the progress so far and I'm really pleased as when I laid it out I realised I had more than I thought. So here's to the final 88 that need doing!!!!

Have a fab day folks. Thanks for stopping by, I'd love you to leave me a message even if it's just hi. xxx

The big Christmas decoration make

Welcome to my new follower Steph. Check out her blog here..Its fab.

I've been persuaded to have stalls at 2 local Christmas fayres. I've given myself the imposible task of making enough Christmas decorations in 2 weeks, By my guestimation I need to make about 100 decorations to stock my stall. The current count stands at 15 felt tree decorations, 15 brooches, and 1 fabric sachet. I also have a further 17 fabric ones that just need sewing up once stuffed and and 5 felt ones that just need a little finishing off.

A handful of the makes so far 

I'm also going to make a few zipper pulls/phone charms with a christmassy feel and some slightly larger stockings too that are around 6" and put some sweets in.

This was last years stall at the fayre.

So many ideas...So little time, so now it's time to go for a Job interview and then into town with Mum for a little retail therapy...well if Christmas shopping can be theraputic, I'm not so sure about that one, but I'll certainly enjoy getting some fabric, beads and ribbon.

Have a great day, Thanks for stopping by. xx

Birthday treats

Well today is my birthday and I've been very lucky to recieve some gorgeous cards and gifts from my crafty friends. So cue alot of pictures of the lovely cards and presents made by my very talented Bubble friends.

The wonderful Laura sent me this amazing parcel of Giraffe themed presents. I do love my Giraffes and I was overwhelmed with these. As you can see there is a very cute ami that my daughter would like to claim, Fab card, earrings and phone charm and crochetted brooch made by Laura's Mum. There is also the most amazing biscornu, designed especially for me by Laura, using a Giraffe design from an old Cross Stitcher. So here are the close ups...

And the back...

The Earrings

The phone charm and crochetted brooch...

Here are the handmade cards I've recieved so far from the Bubblers in the Thread Exchange.

Well, thanks for stopping by, I'm off to town with the family, Thom wants to go to the local Muesum. Have a fab weekend everyone. xx