We’ve had another busy weekend preparing for Christmas. We had our own Christmas meal yesterday, I even made some cranberry sauce! We finally got around to having a real fire in the lounge and put our Christmas tree up. The tree is laden with handmade ornaments from the swap – I recently received two more: from Heather in San Diego and this cute monkey from Lucy Byrd
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I have been a lazy blogger since the end of November! Over the last few days I have received some wonderful handmade ornaments: An xmas oddity from Camilla This cute octopus from Jennie in Brooklyn, NY and this lovely parcel from Lina
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Yesterday I received my first handmade ornament from the swap I am participating in. It came all the way from New Zealand and is a pukeko, or New Zealand swamp hen.
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I finished my handmade ornaments for the Handmade Ornament swap this evening. I’ve made little stockings with a jingle bell! I hope my partners like them. They’ll be put in the post sometime this week.
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Not quite the craftiness I was planning but better than nothing. I fully intended to make a start with the handmade ornament swap today. Instead I got stuck doing a whole load of other things. We visited our local farmers market in Palmers Green this morning. It was small but there were a variety of stalls and we picked up some delicious pastries as well as some local flour, milled at home on the Isle of Wight. This afternoon I finished some swapbot swaps; handmade Christmas cards and Christmas ATCs. I must remember to head off early to the Post…
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I have joined another seasonal swap called Homemade Ornament Swap hosted by freshly{blended} and Cake & Pie. This sounds like so much fun! You make and send 8-10 ornaments and receive the same back. I love Christmas and am always on the look out for unusual decorations to decorate our tree. This year we are spending Christmas in a lovely hotel but hopefully we will still decorate the house. I am going to sew my ornaments, probably using lots of felt (my new favourite material).
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I am feeling much better today. I skipped my course but am bored of being at home, so I know I should go back to work tomorrow. I have spent the day making some Christmas ATC’s and spending copious amounts of time on the internet where I came across nablopomo. I have decided to give it a go as I love a challenge! I finally received some goodies from my swap partner in the Vintage Book and Handmade Bookmark Swap today. Two lovely books, a bookmark (Mary Poppins umbrella) and some lovely handmade cards. My swap partner Gretel Parker is…
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I recently participated in a doll quilt swap on swapbot. This was a good opportunity for me to make a dolls quilt which so many people have blogged about recently. Here is the one I made for my partner. I used lots of vintage fabrics which gave it an autumnal feel (I hope). The pattern is from Little Quilts All Through The House and called Celebration Flag, I love the little house block. I had completely forgot that I would be receiving a quilt too so was pleasantly surprised when this was waiting for me this week. The colours are…
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In between a hectic few days I have been busily working on the doll quilt. I think my swap partner might be surprised by the fabrics I am using but I have gone for an autumnal feel with lots of browns and greens. In between sewing I have been catching up with friends; a newly engaged friend on friday night, and friends with new babies yesterday and today. I wish I could say that this coming week was going to be quiet but it’s not. I have a huge deadline on friday but I’m hoping that come 5pm on the…