All things Christmas

Small cheer and great welcome

makes a merry feast.

- William Shakespeare

Is this not a great day? I've had the best day. I was so excited about getting some new chooks, I know, I'm a bit funny. This morning I woke up at 5.30 am to go and visit my new girls. I haven't taken photo's yet but I will. There they were not really knowing what to do, as they are ex-battery hens. I hope they give that battery hen idea a miss soon, I wouldn't like to be stuck in a cage all day. Their little necks are featherless but like the first three chooks, it won't take long and they will be all good. I've caught my darling hubby spending time at the chook house admiring them. Ha Ha.

I've still got that Christmas bug you know, and I've just gone mad making different christmassy stuff.

The embroidery above has turned into a bag to pop a present into. There were some lovely little embroidery designs in one of Heather's magazines, Handmade, I think, so I did a few embroidery designs and will attach them to something - bags, wall hangings, whatever crosses my mind at the time. I also have made other decorations from scraps and simply looking in magazines and drawing patterns onto paper and making them up as I go. I love this little reindeer that is hanging on our tree. I also saw a tiny picture somewhere that used buttons to make a christmas tree decoration, so that is on our tree as well. Oh look there are those hearts!

 

Just between the two top hearts is a christmas decoration that has strips of red, yellow, blue and pink, that was my Mum's.  Mum has been gone for 20 years now, but just because our loved ones have to leave us, they can still be with us. How big and red is that nose on the reindeer hey.

I have made this lovely little mini wall hanging of Santa, and I found the pattern in one of my favourite books. There are lots of simple and quick patterns, and the book has been around for a while.

One of my treasures around the house is this lovely old iron. I can't believe my Mum used to have to iron with this old ancient artifact the poor love, oh and look after a heap of kids! I'm fascinated with the old  household equipment women used to use, it kind of makes you stop complaining about all your ironing and housework. Actually I've just had a thought, My husband is probably about as old as this iron. Ohhhhh!

I've made this great little cup carrier for one of Cory's school teacher's who is very nice, and I have put a nice cup and chocolates in it for her. I got the design for the cup carrier from Bev's blog. You can make the design by just following the simple instructions, I enjoyed making it. It is an older posting though, so you might have to dig a bit. With Brandon being at high school, you don't get to really go all out with the present giving.

As promised, I have some more toys to show you. The children love coming into the library and touching them. I enjoyed making this family of cats. I love their eyes. It is funny to see how the children arrange them around the library, that is a big laugh and joy to watch.

  

 

I should try and remember where I get the patterns from when I make these things so I can share with you. The funny little doll is always dragged around the library and the girls love the colour of her skirt. I love her hair too. Now I do know that I got the pattern from a Handmade magazine, which one I don't know but the animal shape could be made into a cow, sheep, or a reindeer. I made two of these Sheep and they sit above the book shelves. I have such a great job!

Drats, talking about jobs, it is getting on to tea time and my three treasures no doubt will be hungry. I know I will have to get cracking shortly and get on with it. Oh better just check my chooks first, I get so egg-cited about them. Have a terrific night and catch up soon. Kind regards, Anita.

Busy little bee

It is not what we take up, but what

we give up that makes us rich.

- Henry Ward Beecher.

I had made a start on my next project, but I haven't been able to get on with it, why? Because I keep making everything else instead. Christmas is always a fun time for me and I seem to want to make everything christmas. So my little embroidery that is not christmas, is just sitting there patiently waiting for me.

Sorry! the photo hasn't turned out too well, but, at least my fingers aren't in the way!! I have made more of the little christmas hearts that I found at A Spoonful of Sugar and oh no! I have just noticed they have done a new posting. Have to check that out! These new hearts will go on our christmas tree, maybe I'll have to make some more.

I decided I would love to show you the toys I had made for my library. when I found out I had the job in November last year, I was stoked! I new that I had to make a start on the toys, because there weren't any in the library. So what fun I had. The first thing I had to do was knit some toys.

 

I found the teddy patterns in one of the Guardian Angel booklets that are given out at chemists every year. I used up lots of scraps of wool that I couldn't throw away and they came in handy. I made about six of the teddies. The big colourful guy in the back was fun to make and I found that pattern in a tiny Vogue knitting book that I ordered from the library. All that toy stuffing that was laying around the house sure got used. I made three matching mini wall quilts, that had lovely sayings on them. Some one had given me some buttons ages ago and I just didn't find the right piece of work to use them on, until now.

 

  The buttons are dragonflies and they have been used on these quilts. The material used for the edging of the work is ladybirds and the children always have to touch them. It's funny to watch. The children always ask if they can touch the toys and I tell them this is their library and the toys are for them to hold.

And here is Mr Octopus. He lives near my desk or where ever he gets carted to. He is the grand Poobah of them all. This is Mr Popular. How many little faces have been snuggled into him, I have lost count. There is no pattern to Mr Octopus. I thought him up out of my head, which is frightening. The underneath of his legs has been made out of calico and a long row of different buttons were used to give the tentacle effect.

I better flap off now, because the housework beckons me. I'm happy to ignore but you know how it is, the housework is loyal it waits for you. Hoping today is not as hot as yesterday 43 C under the shade, and it was already well hot mid morning. Enjoy what is left of the weekend and catch you next time round. Kind regards, Anita. 

  

Meeting new friends

Offering hope to others through a loving word, a thoughful act,

or a simple smile is the surest way to lift your own spirit.

- Lain Chroust Ehmann

Last night was the first of many wind ups for the year and it was for my husband's workplace. I met some lovely new friends and learned lots of new things. There are many South African people who have joined my husband's work place and I loved listening to their accent. There were a few people from the UK as well, and it is really interesting to hear how they speak. I just love it. I met a lovely lady named Janet who is a very keen patchworker, so we had ourselves a great chat about patchworking. In fact I met so many wonderful people last night. I could see my husband having a great time too, he had smoke coming off his tongue talking so fast. Ha Ha.

I have been busy making christmas things and below is the end result from what I displayed in my last blog. I got this pattern from Among the gum trees and is so simple to  make. This one will be given as a gift filled with other lovely homemade items.

Of course well and truly in the christmas mode, I have also made these lovely material and felt hearts. I found the pattern for these cuties at A Spoonful of Sugar, go there and see for yourself. There are other wonderful freebies to check out as well.

I'm in love with these beautiful hearts. Some will go as part of gifts and some will stay on our tree. I have rounded up some scrap bits of calico, sprayed them with parisian essence and embroidered christmas symbols on it. I will be making christmas bags with them, so I will be cranking up the old sewing machine big time.

I did promise a picture of Mrs. Perkins and here she is below. Hey Vickie, had no trouble with the legs, but those horns really had me going. She was fun to make. Mrs. Perkins lives in my library now and the children love her.

Went to visit the local library and picked out some great books. I lovely patchwork and applique book that I'm going to have fun getting ideas from, and also a book about vinegar. It is amazing how many uses there are using vinegar.

  

Oh I have just spotted the time. Have to collect two petals from school and soon my honey bunny will be home from work. That means a nice afternoon tea and catching up on the days news. Have yourselves a lovely day and catch you soon.  Kind regards, Anita.

November challenge

The Earth is our Mother, and

we are all her children.

- Hindu proverb

This month's challenge, with Bev ,was to do with love. You can view Bev's lovely work on her blog. Love Bev's piece of work. I opted for a cute little door decoration. I am in love with hearts as you can tell from my works around the house. My heart was done in redwork and a little bit of applique. I have used just scraps as that is part of our deal in this challenge. Not to buy anything, use what we already have, that makes it interesting.

A girlfriend of mine made the cute little stick doll for me ages ago and I'm quiet taken with the little sweetie. I love the little twig legs. 

This shot came out a bit bright, but if you put sun glasses on you'll be right. The material is just calico leftovers, and the ribbon I have used to hang the heart. It is now sitting happily on the door of our passage way.

What is this? It is part of my next project I'm on to right now. but you will have to wait to see it. I'm almost finished and will show the end result in my next posting. I'm off to work today, last working day of the week for me, sadly. But I hope you all keep well and see you next time. Kind regards, Anita.

 

Easy weekend

Love is to be fortified by many friendships. To love and

to be loved is the greatest happiness of existence.

- Sydney Smith

I was the best little house wife anyone could ask for over the weekend. Cleaned, washed, ironed, dusted etc. And the best bit about that was that it stayed that way all weekend, you know, no one there to mess it up (Cory). Two of my darlings had the last round of go karting for the year. After all  my chores I did all the things I wanted to do.

Isn't Heather a clever lady. I was given this as a gift last year and I just love it. Heather comes up with some great ideas and this lovely piece hangs in my lounge room.

Late Saturday morning I just had to go back to the Op shop and cross my fingers that the bag of toy stuffing I didn't grab the day before was still there. Yay, joy it was still there, so I quickly grabbed it. While I was at it I spotted a cushion that would look nice in the library, so that came with me. The total cost of all that was $4. Bargain! When I got home I found there was 2 bags of toy stuffing in one bag and the plastic bag has a pattern of Humpty Dumpty on it.

  

Look! one of the new girls laid a lovely egg.

 

For the first time ever, my fingers are actually supposed to be in the photo! Talking about fingers, I can't even show you my finished Mrs Perkins because my fingers took her head off in the photo. Will show and tell another time soon. I have been busy again sewing, another little creation is this small bag I made. This is Natalie's creation and it is so pretty. The bag will be for me. I used pastel colours because of the material I was using.

 

This is Max our dog. He is such a sook sook.

 

I went to the local library on Saturday as well and had a scratch around and returned one of my books I finished reading. I have found another book called 'It helps to be stubborn', Australian history. Have to make a start on it.

I'll have to get a chug along as the sun is starting to set and all my darlings will be starving, and so am I. Up for another big day tomorrow at work. Getting things ready to do my first stock take, and what a task it is. I like being busy at work, the day just zooms, though it is such a nice work place that time could even go slow. I'm going to try and take some more photo's without my fingers in the way this time and I'll catch you all up in a couple of days. kind regards, Anita.

 

Busy hands

 There is nothing on this earth more

to be prized than true friendship

 -Saint Thomas Aquinas

I've made an early start today with my blog. 6.22 am and I'm at it. Infact, since I've started blogging, I've sprouted hairs and warts on my nose, my finger nails really have turned into claws and you have to peel my fingers off the keyboard to get me off the computer. We all have to take turns at the computer, but I don't want to now. I have been very busy this week in all aspects, work, housework, crafting, gardening and it goes on.

I have finished this great cushion cover, that I had a stack of fun making. It will go to a friend of mine who is a sweetie. Oh drats, I've just spotted my fingers again. I will have to stop doing that. 

Yesterday I went to the shops and purchased some bits and pieces to make Heather a little Christmas gift. I also went op shopping and found some great treasures.

I couldn't go passed this lovely pink felt and the beautiful ribbon. Oh and below are my finds from the op shop. Can you believe it! Look at those buttons, I could go into a frenzy.

The white bag with the blue embroidery was also found. I mean, I just love it when someone goes to all the trouble of sewing things that are beautiful, giving them away to the op shops and then I find them. Can't get any better really. I look at all the work that goes into some things, and then they are given away. It's blissful....for me.

In a few more weeks it will be school holidays and boy am I looking forward to spending the holidays swimming, crafting and relaxing with the boys. Cory loves coming with me in the mornings to check on the chooks, and saying hello to Max our dog. My hubby won't get holidays over the summer, but he only works 15 days a month anyway, so he'll be buzzing around home mostly.

Pixie and Cory have already left at 5.30 this morning to do the last round of gokarting for this year. Yes, I've already started my worrying, travel, are they alright...etc. Can't help doing that, it's a mother's instinct. Did my washing, folding and a bit of ironing yesterday, so today is ahead of me to sew. Will catch you guys all up soon and hopefully we will all have a lovely weekend.

Kind regards, Anita.

Lyn's Cup Stack

There is no medicine like hope, no incentive

so great, and no tonic so powerful as the

expectation of tomorrow.

- Orison Swett Marden

I've been having the best time lately making gifts for my workmates. My photo below is for Lyn, who by the way doesn't know about my blog. Hehe! Lyn is a lovely lady I work with and has been such a support to me in my first year at this job. Her office is next to my library and I notice when I go into to drop something off at her desk, often there will be a bit of a collection of cups!

Needless to say that when I saw this pattern somewhere, I made a free hand copy and stitched like made. Laughing all the while. When I hand over the present I'm going to tell her my alter ego Devilina made me do it.

 

The only part of this wall hanging I purchased was the decorative hook. It cost me a whole $1.20.

 I have been busy making other things as well. This next mini hanging is going somewhere, not sure where to, but it will find a home. I found the pattern in an older edition of Homespun. I had to use some material that Heather had given me, and they went well together, so it turned out lovely. I enjoyed making that.

I just love that cheeky face

A little while ago I saw a pattern for an sewing machine apron and determined I was going to make one. Well it went down sista! I couldn't help it.

 

 Once again I didn't purchase anything to make this little number, just bits out of the cupboard. I hope I'm coming across as a thrifty and frugal person. It's just a ploy to empty my cupboards out a bit, and show my husband and then sook sook so I can buy some more material!!!

This will actually go to Heather as part of a chrissy present. The great thing about having a friend that is not connected onto the internet is that they can't look on the computer and find out what they're getting. Ha Ha Heather. I love that girl to bits. The pattern for the sewing apron is in Handmade Vol 27. No.5.

Phew I've been busy! I managed to get my hands on a couple of chicken scratch books and had a go at it. I love the craft it is very relaxing. I didn't have any white embroidery thread so I just used some thin cotton thread. The white work is a bit stiff and the circles are a bit square. But I imagined how it would look if I'd used the right stuff and the white squares would have looked like circles. When I do a proper copy it's going to look lovely. Have a go at chicken scratch. 

Talking about chickens, I love my new chooks so much I have ordered another 10 of the little champions. Can't wait until 7th December, that is pick up date. I better go now because I've gone on like the brook today. Have a special night and catch you all soon. Kind regards, Anita.