More Christmas Crafting!

The past couple of weeks have seen me busy making Christmassy things for special people! My son Spencer is moving on to college next year, and as a thank-you to his two wonderful teachers I made a necklace for each of them. I have recently had a go at resin embedding using tiny dried roses from my garden, and I think these turned out okay!

I admit I had a few disasters trying to get it right!

This is an owl bag I crocheted for my 17 year old daughter...

Her friend asked if she could PLEEEZ have one too, so I made a variation...

Then of course the little daughter wanted one! This one however went a little wild!

All three girls are very happy with their bags. I think it would be fun if they all went shopping together! I'm tempted to make one for myself, but I'm sure the teenager would tell me I was 'uncool' or something...

 Having recently taken part in the Christmas ornament swap, I'm feeling very proud of our Christmas tree. There are now more unique hand-crafted decorations than gaudy store-bought ones, and I'm determined to go 100% handmade next year! Here are a few of the decorations the children have made over the years...

I particularly like this peg reindeer made by Cleo last year, very clever!

 Humphrey Hare is enjoying being our Christmas Angel this year, although I think his halo has slipped!

 This bird is my most special decoration, as it belonged to my grandmother.

This little bird is so sweet, I think I will have to crochet him a nest and some tiny eggs!

This is the kid's advent calendar, which I made a few years ago. The light isn't very good, as it's hung in the stairwell which is a bit gloomy! I went for the Kiwi Christmas theme rather than snow and Santa. I think I should have made the pockets bigger, as stuffing in lollies for the three kids can be a challenge!

 Finally, a thank you to my friend Kate, whose pattern for Christmas baubles has saved me! My balls were always a bit wonky (gosh that sounds dodgy doesn't it?), as the pattern I was using wasn't quite right. But these are a breeze to make! 

Only a few days to go now until all the planning, shopping, making, credit-card-melting and wrapping comes together in a brief flurry of excitement. I can't wait!

Happy Christmas xxx

Oh Christmas Tree...

Here are the amazing Christmas tree baubles I have received in the Ornament Swap!

Made by Christine

Created by Debbie

A button Santa and snowman made by Michelle

Made by Lex

Made by Dione

Adorable mini bunting made by Tracy

One happy Christmas tree!

Uh-oh....busted!

Christmas Baubles

I can now safely post photos of my Christmas Ornament Swap creation!

So much fun to make eight of them, and each one slightly different.

I'm wondering if I can try and make extra tiny ones and turn them into earrings!

Happy Tuesday xxx

The guts of the matter...

I've been busy crocheting this rabbit for my littlest daughter Cleo (9). He is based on a neat idea by my bloodthirsty friend Kate...

...with removable guts!

Lungs and a heart...

...stomach, liver, gallbladder...

...intestines with carrot...

...and kidneys!

I suppose as a science experiment, he really does give 'Learning Media' a whole new meaning. Cleo is very happy with him, and has christened him Steve, I'm not sure why. She can be seen happily disembowelling him in front of the telly.

On a more pleasant note, because my house is generally a bit of a mess, I try to distract people with nice flowers from my garden! Maybe no one will notice that my cats have been dismantling a bird and there are feathers all over the carpet...

Finally, The Husband is under the impression that I am an avid collector of useless objects and am slowly filling our house with Junk.

I wonder what on earth he means.....

xxx

It's Wool Jim, but Not As We Know It

I Made Wool!! I took two shades of purple fluff, spun it onto two bobbins, spun it again to ply the strands together, and produced something that vaguely resembles yarn!

It's lumpy, bumpy, thick and thin, uneven and inconsistent, and BEAUTIFUL 'cause I MADE IT all by myself! I feel like I've solved the mysteries of the universe. So as suspected, it's going to take a whole lot of practise to get better at it. But for now, the teenager, Diva, has requested a Ron Weasley jersey made out of this lumpy burgundy-coloured stuff, which is the perfect shade of Gryffindor and will have that wonky hand-made Mrs Weasley look about it. I'm not sure whether she wants a 'D' or an 'R' stitched on the front though. I think she might be slightly in love with Ron, but then, who isn't?

This may look like a book...(because it is, in fact, a book)..

...but open it up, and it's a bomb!!! No, seriously, it has a secret hidey compartment and a torch (the bulb shines through the top of the page edges). My son Spencer made this. He's destined for great things, that boy.

Cleo (see above) is relaxing on the sofa today as school was cancelled due to lack of interest....actually, she broke her toe playing dodgeball yesterday. Bad timimg really, as she has a karate grading this weekend, not quite sure how that's going to work...! Out of all my children, she is the only one to regularly break herself as she speeds, tackles and climbs through life. Little monkey. (See above).

This year I'm taking part in the Christmas ornament swap, and have been busy making six little festive creations to send off to my group. It's so much fun! I have just posted them off this morning, and have received one in return. I will post some photos once they have all been 'swapped'! Please check out Sew Funky and be inspired to take part next year!

Cheerio for now and have a happy day xxx