Slowing down....

With Christmas over and done with it's now time to rest...I'm looking forward to a New Years eve gathering with family then it's time to slow down the pace before the school year starts again.  With one starting high school, another starting prep and a new baby arriving early in the year there is going to be a lot of changes happening around here in 2012.

 My Christmas sewing has kept me quite relaxed over the past couple of weeks. . .

I didn't quite get everything finished that I wanted to but I was happy with what I achieved.  Little Pincushions were sewed and gifted....

Soap was cured and fitted into these snug little soap on a rope bags I had been crocheting of an evening...Lavender Bath Soap and 

Tea tree oil Garden Soap

Suitable also for some gifted jewelry.

Then there were the DOLLS . . .

  It was this time last year that Queensland was hit with a devastating flooding, many families lost their homes, their possessions and sadly their loved ones.The lovely Mrs Moo who has creatively inspired me on many many occasions was responsible for hosting the Queensland Flood Dolly Appeal and these lovely little dollies have been on my mind since then, I just didn't realise I had the patience to make them.  Dolly Donations  is an amazing website that donates homemade dolls to less fortunate children all over the world.  You may have noticed the special little dark skinned dolly in the group, I am hoping Sarah may be able to use this for an upcoming dolly drive.

My vegetable garden continues to supply us with a good picking each week but sadly it will need to be turned over soon and I don't quite know if I'll have the energy to continue it over the next couple of months.I'm sure I can round up a few little people willing to get their hands dirty.    : )

 I hope your enjoying the slower pace that usually follows Christmas
I'll be back again sometime soon . . . Happy New Year

Just in Time...

I sewed and I sewed and I sewed and I sewed, and I sewed and I sewed and I sewed, and then I dreamt about sewing....Now I'm taking some time off  to spend with my loved ones who haven't seen much of me this past week....

I'll be back after Christmas with an insight into my newly found love of making Dolly's and more show and tell handmade gifts.

Sending warmest wishes to you all. Thank you for your support, friendship and inspiration over the past twelve months, it's been an incredible blogging journey for me.

 Have a safe holiday and 

Very Merry Christmas  

What a Challenge!

Christmas Elving is in full swing around here at the moment, every spare second of my time has been taken up with my 

Homemade Christmas Challenge. 

I wish I had another 12 days of Christmas left on the calendar. . .

 I'll leave you with a few sneaky peaks and hopefully have some finished products to show you next week... 

 

  

  

 

 

 

Shopping or Elving?

The Clock is Ticking . . .

On My Mind...

I can't stop thinking about Christmas presents, Yes already!!! 

For many years I have struggled to get to the shops at that time of the year and when I do, I often come home empty handed after hours of roaming around mindlessly looking for affordable and suitable toys, trinkets and keepsakes, just for the sake of having to give a present! Aghhh! It makes me frustrated just thinking about it!

My mum always told me to start buying presents through out the year, "When the sales are on" she says, "then it's never so overwhelming when Christmas comes around"  This has never worked for me . . . I think I just dislike shopping!

I am a practical person and I like to give a gift to somebody that has a bit of meaning or purpose to it and I do like the added element of surprise!!   On certain occasions I will give a gift card as a present, as impersonal as they are they do allow the recipient to purchase something that they do desire opposed to receiving something that is not to their required taste, colour or style! 

How many presents have you ever received that have ended up hidden in the cupboard for years then eventually passed onto a charity store.  Can you imagine how much money gets wasted on unwanted gifts at Christmas time? 

 I much prefer to give somebody just a Big Warm HUG! 

This year, I will not be purchasing presents for Christmas, for anybody! It will be A Handmade Christmas. 

I guess it still doesn't necessarily mean that everyone will like what they get, but it will be made and given with LOVE!

It worked for EASTER!

I have given myself plenty of time and have many a project 

On my mind  . . .

 With Hubby at work, the big kids at school and the little ones off on a play date today, I am hoping for a productive morning in my laboratory, happily mixing and molding.

Can you guess what I'll be making? 
Here's a little hint . . .

Hanging out to Dry...

Welcome Sunshine...We are ALL happy to have you back...

 

 The warmth of the sun has been missed this last week with bucket loads of rain falling day and night....however I must add that the rain and cool air has certainly brought with it a different feel to the Christmas break this year, it makes a nice change from our usual hot and sticky December. Everything around here is  wet and slushy, parts of my garden are waterlogged other areas flourishing...We are lucky to live on a steady slope so we have no major water problem areas, our biggest disaster would have to be the chook coop...My girls are drenched and it will take weeks for their coop to dry out...and the smell...just like a muddy ol pig pen! Pew!  They are extremely happy today to be out in the sun for a bit of drying time...

and that was Christmas.......2010

 If Christmas makes you happy clap your hands..

If Christmas makes you happy clap your hands..

Christmas time comes once a year,

everyone is filled with cheer

Santa's coming everyone so clap your hands..

If your happy and you know it and you really want to show it

clap your hands and sing a Christmas song with me...

Wishing you a Very.....

Are you sure there is only 4 sleeps till Christmas....???

My list of "Things to Do " is slowly getting done...

So much Baking....So little Blogging.....

This year I am hosting Christmas...It's all so very exciting, we have always traveled away to family but not this year.

We've put out our invites and the family are all on there way to our place...

At least the kids are ready!!!

Christmas Cones

         

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

 Rudolf with your nose so bright...won't you guide my sleigh tonight....

Crafty or Crazy??

So here is the start of my Christmas Craft, not something I usually do, but thanks to all the inspirational crafters out there in blogland I am now ready with needle in hand to create my own handmade memories for my children, It's even rewarding already to think about how much effort I will be putting into this.It does mean so much more to give a present when you know how much you've  put into making it, as is receiving such a gift generously made with Love... Blood, Sweat and Tears....