Changes & New Creations

A lot's been going on, new house - bit of a project, work, new crafts, a sewing class and Shakespeare Richard II...so it's all go!

Many things in the house need sorting (not least to say a new kitchen!) All in good time...I keep telling myself, got to watch the ££ it's a busy and costly time of the year!

We 'inherited' some chickens, who desperately needed looking after, that's an ongoing project and the garden seems to have been a dumping ground, so more clearing and sorting there, just want the worst done before the really cold weather sets in!

Potential for a decent garden - just get rid of the 'dump' at the bottom, sort the chicken's pen, sort the hedges and tree, get some more light in, get up the paving slabs, demolish old shed, build new larger shed, get a veg patch in, flowers etc...this may take a while!

I have had a little 'me' time in between, so my sister and I attended a lovely sewing class at Guthrie & Ghani in Moseley. See more here.
I also was fortunate enough to get tickets for Stratford to see Richard II with David Tennant- we had excellent seats, so close. The play was very good and had light hearted comedy moments, and parts of the play are relevant to today, so Shakespeare was well ahead of his time, that or the problems of then are still with us today!

I have been crafting I can, which isn't often enough and sometimes I'm too tired to craft- which isn't on! Anyway I have agreed to make a few items for The Donkey Sanctuary, a lovely charity looking after neglected/abandoned Donkeys I hope to make a few items for them, it's just fitting it in around my crafting too!

Crochet - as well as various donkey themed items, I have been working on some cute crochet creations including owls and robins. 

Felt - again I have been making donkey items as well as some robins here, which I hope to make into brooches/decorations/hair clips...hopefully in time for Christmas!

Lavender scented donkey sachets - typically my felt robins have gone walkies, I can't remember where I put them!

I have also got some background projects I have been working on, including some bouquets I hope to finally put together, it's all a bit experimental, but involves crochet, beads, buttons, vintage pearls and various bits and bobs. I would love to get something finished this year, but with robins in need of making and turning to Christmas - hand made decorations...who knows if I'll have time!

I'm also considering a craft swap...may be join one or organise myself? I'd like to, but it all boils down to time - if only we had more of it!!

Crochet Flowers

Vintage bead earrings

Shells - making into Angel Wings & Butterflies

Headband - button centre

A Handmade Christmas

Over the past few years, each Christmas myself and my family have been breaking away from the standard Christmas decorations in favour of more unique handmade crafts- both brought from craft fairs and items we crafted ourselves.

There are so many ways you can go with decorating your home and so many wonderful things to make and buy that really you are spoilt for choice, this year there is defiantly a more vintage and traditional feel- with a few modern touches. Take a look!

 Wreath- made with real holly, ivy, beautiful tree branches, mistletoe and even some hand-dried oranges. Simply buy a plain wreath (ours was wicker) and using gardening green wire attach the various components layering up the wreath as you go. Additional items can be added such as the dried orange slices (cut an orange into slices and roast in the oven at the lowest temperature for several hours). Complete the wreath with some optional ribbon and bows.

Paper chains – so simple, take any paper, cut into strips and loop together. We used some old vintage styled scrapbook paper that hadn’t been put to use.

Scented Christmas ‘baubles’ – these not only look vintage-like but have a wonderful aroma which you can choose to match your own tastes, we used a mixture of dried cloves, juniper berries and star aniese.  Take some fabric (we used white linen and hessian) cut into circles, place your herbs etc into the centre of the fabric pull fabric together and tie thread or ribbon around to hold it together. To attach to the tree use wire, attach to the ‘bauble’ at the back and make a loop, hook onto the tree. As an option you can decorate the ‘bauble’ or leave plain.

 Decoupage tree decorations – another quick and easy decoration. Using rectangles of card (red and green colours) add a Christmas themed image to the card (optional on both sides) add a little glitter, make a hole at the top and thread some ribbon through to make a loop- hang on the tree! 

Pom Pom ‘Snowballs and Icicles’ – use a pom pom maker, or make your own circle for creating pom poms. We made blue pom poms to represent ice and white for snowballs. Make the pom poms in various sizes and ensure they have a loop on them. You can use them in various ways; I simply attached them to some stretch magic and hung them by the window for the illusion that they are falling. 

There's still time to try some of these crafts!!

Please look out for my follow up blog on handmade Christmas gifts…it’s a little too early to be giving them away yet, but I have managed to make a few this year and possibly receive them too? (well I have been good this year!)