Swap Gifts Sent, Getting Organised and an Update on Josh

After showing you the gorgeous gifts I received in swaps this year I thought I would show you the gifts I made and sent.  This lot went to Karol-Ann in the UK in Chooky Blue's SSC Swap.



This is the bag I made for Melody in our online friendship group's 5 things swap.

And because I enjoyed making it so much I made another one for Shez as her final gift in the advent swap.  The bag was one featured in Jenny's Elefantz Home Magazine last month and it is a breeze to make.  Jenny's step by step tutorial makes it a pleasure to stitch.  Because I love this bag so much Jenny made me one too - Check it out on her blog.

I am on leave until the middle of next week so I am taking the opportunity to get a few things made in readiness for some of the plans I have put in place for the coming year.  I have made lots of these Lavender Sachets.

And I have been playing around in my Book of Lists again.

Writing myself a January To Do List and doodling ........

I have been cutting, folding and wrapping lots of bundles of Fabric

If you are a newsletter subscriber then you will have heard by now why........

Because I have a stand at AQC in April - Yep Stand No 8 is all mine !!  I will be attending a few others and will let you know which ones in the coming weeks.



Thank you once again for all of the thoughts and prayers for Josh.  He is doing well.  Look at his new leg.  Today I took him to another prosthetic fitting and watched him walk.  I can't explain how wonderful that felt to see him walk again.  His smile says it all.

I want to wish you a Happy New Year.  Stay Safe.

Hugs - Fee XX

The Christmas Decorations in our home have already been packed away but I had to leave these gorgeous birds made for me by Shez in the advent swap up for a little while longer.

They are all so cute and it is very hard to chose a favourite.

Even though christmas is over I have today listed these vintage christmas decorations over in my Ebay shop. 

In 2012 I will be parting with lots of my treasures and vintage finds and will be attending a few estate sales to find new pretties to list.  I now have a link to my Ebay Store just under my blog banner.

Now here is one treasure I stumbled across today which won't be going anywhere.  It is large enough to hold a few of my current projects inside and is perfect to sit beside my chair.  I love it !!

I have been very busy cutting fabric.  Bolt after Bolt of fabric !!

If you are a newsletter subscriber check your inbox to find out why.  It contains a few offers as well as the sharing of a little bit of my news and changes for 2012.  You can subscribe FREE at any time using the form at the top right hand corner of my blog.

Hugs - Fee XX

Swap Gifts Received

Christmas Morning was so much fun in our house.  One of the highlights for me was being able to open my swap gift parcels.



Michele was my partner in Chooky Blue's SSC Swap and she spoilt me rotten.  I received this gorgoeus hanging crystal.

This sweet little elephant pin cushion

And this divine cat quilt.  You all know that I just adore pussy cats and this wall quilt will be hung with pride in my entrance hallway.  Thanks so much sweet girl - I feel very spoilt.

And look at the gorgeous label.

My online friendship group that I am a member of had a 5 things christmss swap and this is the table runner that I received from the lovely Jeanette.  It was used on Christmas Day on one of our dining tables.  Thanks so much Jeanette.



And last but certainly not least is this gorgeous bag from Shez in the Advent Swap.  I also received a phone cover and a tissue cover in the days leading up that match perfectly.  Shez calls it a Bra Bag.  It will be having it's first outing tomorrow.

Next time I will show you some of the gifts I sent.

Hugs - Fee XX

In The Home Straight

It's Christmas Eve and almost lunch time and I have just stitched the last few binding stitches into this quilt as a gift for my teenage niece.



I am so pleased that I have stuck to my schedule as I wanted this afternoon and tonight to be easy going and not full of deadlines and stress.

All I have to do know is wrap it.

Last night I finished this little baby quilt too for my baby niece. 

This will be my final post until new year's eve so I want to take this opportunity to thank you for visiting with me, for your friendship and love throughout the year and for sticking with me through thick and thin.



I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and I hope that Santa is kind to you.

Love and Hugs,

Fee XX

Some More Gift Ideas

One of my favourite things about Christmas is the giving and receiving of handmade goodies.  I like to think that the time I have taken to make something for someone is appreciated and I in turn am always thrilled and grateful to receive something handmade.

Have you been following along with Kerryanne's Simply Christmas?  Putting the handmade back into christmas.  If you have then you would have seen these gorgeous little christmas puddings made from Tim Tams and Cream Cheese covered in milk and white chocolate and topped off with a cherry.  I made a whole tray full tonight.

 Tomorrow is my last day at work before christmas so tonight I put together some gifts for my fellow workers.  I bought some gorgeous little christmas coasters and wrapped it up with 2 little puddings.

Wrapped a ribbon around it's middle and tied off with a bow.

They look so cute.

And for the girls in the office I put together a home fragrance pack which consists of a little paper bag full of tea light candles, a ceramic tart burner and 6 scented soy wax tarts hand poured and scented by me.

I tied them up with a bell, some ribbon and a wooden ornament.

 And now I am all ready for gift giving tomorrow.  I have just 2 gifts left to finish and a mountain of pavlova making to do.  I wonder if I will finish in time?

How are you going?  Are you getting any closer to being able to relax?

Hugs - Fee XX

Wall Organiser Tutorial

My Wall Organiser was very easy to make and the inspiration came from some bargain shoe laces from the discount store.  They were just gorgeous and 2 pairs for $1.00.  I don't often wander the isles of this particular store but these laces jumped out at me and are perfect for the project.

So this is what I purchased that day - Some shoe laces, Some stationary clips in pretty pastel colours and a 2 pack of artists canvases each measures 20cm X 50cm (8" X 20")

You will also need a rectangle of backing fabric - 13" X 24" - or there abouts + a staple gun

Lay your rectangle of fabric right side down onto a hard surface and lay the artist canvas on top centereing it with the right side down.



Starting at one of short ends fold the fabric over to make a nicce neat fold and then attach to the end with staples.  Repeat for the second short side but make sure that the fabric is pulled tight but not taut.

This is how it should look from the back

And the front

Fold each corner in as you would when wrapping a gift and put in a staple to hold in place (on all 4 corners)

All of the folded fabric left of the staple on the corner can now be cut away.  Then fold the fabric on the long sides over to give a nice neat finish and staple in place all the way along.

This is how it should look from the back.



And the front

Now cut off the plastic tip from one end of a shoelace and attach it to the side of the canvas on the short side about 1/3 down.  Repeat on the other side making sure that the lace is pulled taut across the front of the canvas.  You can measure and mark this on both sides if you want.  I used 3 staples for extra strength.  Repeat with the second shoe lace but this time it will be about 2/3rds down.  You should now have 2 strips of shoe lace across the front of your canvas.

With the off cut of one of the laces make a hanging loop from the top of the canvas.

Then just simply place your clips along the shoe lace to hold your notes etc.  Little pegs would look great too.

You can play around with colour and themes - There are some gorgeous childrens prints out there and some wonderful colourful laces but it had to be pink for me - You do understand don't you LOL

You could of course use any size canvas or even tip this size canvas up the other way and have lots more rows of laces.  I hope you enjoy making one - It takes about 15 minutes from start to finish and makes a perfect gift.

Hugs - Fee XX