Giving and receiving

I have some last Christmas things to share before the new year starts tomorrow.  Michelle and I have been partners for the year for Mrs Martin's Lets Celebrate swap and I have loved giving and receiving gifts with Michelle.  For the Christmas swap I made her a tablerunner, a Santa and a felt bird ornament: all the projects are from Marg Low's All Things Christmas book which I love.  Michelle gave me a Molly Makes magazine which is one of my favourite mags, some of her lovely patterns, threads, gorgeous little handmade ornaments and a beautiful button garland.  She definitely spoilt me again.
I also received a lovely package from Florence who sent me a Simply Vintage magazine, my other favourite mag, and some gorgeous little tree ornaments.  I have sent her a Homespun magazine in return but I'm not sure it has arrived yet.
These weeks after Christmas are some of my favourite of the whole year: the crazy, busyness has past, the city quietens down, and the usual tasks and work are on hold.  Just lovely. The last three photos are taken by my son and I thought he did a great job catching some images of our week, Wendy xx

Christmas week

Glorious sunshine;  Vintage project basket handy;  Sewing a navy skirt;  Making crochet flower coasters for work colleagues;  Choosing our Christmas tree;  Christmas tree meringues (original idea here but my meringue recipe);  Making platters for a fundraiser;  Last minute Christmas shopping;  Special Christmas church services and singing;  yes, it's Christmas!  Wishing you all a peaceful and joyous Christmas, filled with everything and everyone you love, with much love and best wishes, Wendy xx

 

Decembery again

It doesn't seem that long ago that I was writing about last year's December rush and here we are again ... this year has flown by!  My father in law gave us his piano recently and I bought a little white tree to sit on it to display my handmade ornaments.  It has become one of my favourite spots in our house.  I finally got the last of the decorations out today and also did some baking; shortbread and chocolate chip cookies.  The recipes are on my recipe page if you would like them.  It's starting to feel like Christmas (insert big smile).  Wendy xx

Bits and pieces

Anyone for ice cream?  My colleagues and I hosted a vintage ice cream afternoon tea for the people we share our office with and I made a crochet badge for each of us to wear.  The pattern is from the Mollie Makes magazine, issue 29.  This week I also altered my Truffle dress: after wearing it for a day I noticed the neckline still gaped a little so I hand sewed a tuck then added one of my mother's vintage buttons. I like the dress even more and it is nice to have a little bit of my dear mum with me as I wear it.  The rest of my sewing time has been Christmas projects.  Life seems to go a bit frantic here in December with all the end of year meetings, get together's and school presentations, not to mention work deadlines.  I am hoping by the end of next week things will start to slow down!  Wendy xx

November Christmas item and an outing

Narelle from Pins and Whiskers has reminded us that it is time to show our Christmas make for November and it's the last official month before the big event!  This month I made a gift rather than my usual decoration: a newborn sock hat and Saartje's booties, both free patterns from Ravelry here and here.  My niece's baby is due on Christmas day and these will be extra gifts to go with the cot quilt I made.  Thanks Narelle as always for being our Chief Elf and encouraging us along each month!
Sunday was a lovely day, I was able to take ladies from my church to visit Julie at Threadbear Cottage.  We had such a nice afternoon: sitting under trees, drinking cups of tea from old china and enjoying yummy nibbles.  We also got in some shopping from her gorgeous little shop, the bottom photo is what I found to buy, some things for me and some for a friend.  Julie was so kind and gave me a gift - a lolipop of fabric, gardeners soap and Christmas decorations.  I love them all and will enjoy using them.  We had a stop on the way home at a nearby lavender farm, the scents and sights were beautiful.    Wendy xx

A handmade wardrobe

Colette Hawthorn

Day to night drape top and whole wheat cardigan

Peggy sue cardigan and truffle dress

I thought I would finally do a catch up of the clothes I have been making.  It looks like I have made a lot but this has been over quite a few months.  I am really enjoying the process of a handmade wardrobe: the planning, purchasing the fabric, and doing my best to get a good fit.  One of the steps I love is pre-washing the fabrics and seeing them hanging on the line, I love to imagine how the pretty fabrics will be transformed into something I can wear.  Once I have caught up with my Christmas sewing, next on my list will be a couple of skirts and a summer dress, I definitely need more cool clothes as it has been quite hot here lately. The sun was streaming in the lounge windows on Friday afternoon and created a lovely light around Barney as he slept on the back of the couch, he's such a cutie! Wendy xx

Summery

It's been feeling very summery here with most days in the 20 degrees (Celsius).  So nice to see the different flowers blooming and to spend time on our deck, I love the look of the fairy lights twinkling in the evening.  We have had a prickly little visitor most afternoons this week and we rush out to give it some cat food.  It looked like a petting zoo the other day as our two cats, three hens and the hedgehog shared the same space, happily ignoring each other but in close proximity.  Very cute.
Aren't the first two blocks in this post gorgeous?  They are my gift from Michelle for our Let's Celebrate swap.  I can see them as cushions and I think they would look perfect on my bed.  Thanks Michelle, I love them!  In return I made her the sewing machine block which is a free pattern here.
After speaking of unfinished things last post, I am happy to say I have ticked a few things off.  The first being the cot quilt for my niece's baby which is due on Christmas day!  It feels good to have finished this one.  I am really happy with the backing fabric I found, it is a soft flannel and yesterday I hand-washed the quilt so it feels soft and cuddly, ready for the new arrival.  I have finished a few clothes recently but am less comfortable in front of the camera than behind it.  I will try to get some photos soon though, Wendy xx