EEp!! Last Day of the Year

I Just need to squeeze in one more post before the end of the year.

Hope you all have a fabulous day and get to see the

New Year in with a Bang.

May 2011 be a wonderful one for you and your families.

Secret Santa - So much Fun...

As part of the Etsy DUST (down under street team) that I belong to we are having a Secret Santa. This year I put my hand up to organise it, and it has been lots of fun . The photos have started to roll in as the presents are being received and they are all just so gorgeous. DUST has many talented members and you just can't go past handmade gifts.

My Secret Santa was Julie-ann from Julie's Jewels.

And this is what she sent me!!

Black and Red Cinnabar Necklace with glass beads.

Matching Black Cinnabar Earrings

Pink Polymer Clay, Lucite and Sterling Silver Earrings

Lucite, Czech Glass and Sterling Silver Phone Charm

Pink Toiletry Bag.

A personalised Card made by her daughter with a little teapot inside.

All in my favourite Colours - Thank you Julie-Ann

Just a little song to remind you to make time.

It's December - where is the year going!!!

We are all so busy this time of year. Why is it that everyone wants to catch up in December? We just cruise along for the rest of the year and then all of a sudden it is a social frenzy . So with all the socialising, the christmas pressie buying, keeping creative, doing markets, keeping up with the kids....blah, blah, blah...Its exhausting!!

I am envious of so many blogs out there that have inspirational posts, gorgeous pictures, awesome tutorials and I aspire to be like one of those ....one day! So thankyou to all my readers that hang in there with me, despite my short, unsubstantial posts. I will try to do better next year.

I will share with you a Christmas Pudding or two that I made.

Aren't they so adorable

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

After seeing these cute wooden reindeers made on Better Homes and Gardens TV show last night we decided it would be our weekend project.

Hubby and the kids got to work on them today and here they are grazing on our lawn.

Love them!

Stop and Smell the Roses

What girl doesn't love roses

They are just so pretty, feminine, romantic, and smell beautiful.

Today I have been making some fabric roses that can be worn in your hair or as a brooch.

They are going to look gorgeous at my market stall next week.

In the vase are roses from my garden

Beneath the vase are roses that I have made

Each one has a sweet vintage button sewn to the centre

Do you like?

Junk Love - I am back!!!

My little" junk love club" may think that I have deserted them, but don't fear - I have been still loving junk.

At the moment it is verge junk collection in our town ,and to most people it just looks like junk, but not to me!! I love picking things up that people have no use for.

This box of old glass light fittings just might get a make-over for Christmas. I think with a candle inside and some decoration they will look great on the outside table!

I also picked up an assortment of wire stands, I am guessing they were plant stands but I have other ideas!

This one is nice and solid and has 3 baskets. It was covered in cracked white plastic but I blasted that off with a high pressure water cleaner and today gave it a coat of black spray paint.

So the rusty old verge junk is now my brand new market display! I am still thinking of an idea to line the baskets with, but perhaps just some black fabric.

And this stand has been made from the base of an old stool or tall table - it was pretty shabby. So I unscrewed the top and painted it black , then got some ply wood to make shelves.

I am in the process of doing a mock set up of my market for next week to see how these display ideas will look.

In need of inspiration - Market Stall

With the big school music production all done and dusted I need to focus on my 3 day market next week!! I am seriously behind with this but don't want my stall to look "thrown together".

The Dynamics have changed since my last market as I have lots more crochet work. I have funky hats and slippers but I don't want my stall to look "nanna-ish"!!!

So today I plan to sit down and draw how I would like it to look and then try to action this plan.

I think for a start I need to find a hat stand!!

Also I need some way to hang up my banner, as it is an indoor market so no canopy.

I need to learn how to make use of small spaces!

But most of all

I NEED HELP.

Bespoke moment...

In the post today I received my first edition of the Bespoke Zine . It is chock full of handmade gloriousness and I love it. Well done Jess.

Pictured is what is on my tableside - ruby booties, buttons and bespoke

The most adorable little mary janes ready for market

and lots and lots of funky hats - slouch , newsboy, cupcake, puff, christmas -

Checking iN....

Just to let you know that I am still around.

I am madly getting prepared for market.

I am in the middle of the school music production with 3 shows to go.

I am busy!!!!

Happy Birthday To Me.....

It is my Birthday Tomorrow

LET'S BLOW UP THE BALLOONS

Print by The Light Fantastic

AND PUT ON SOME PARTY SHOES

by PolkaDotBungalow

AND ON WITH THE PARTY HAT

by DELiciousDesignz AKA ME :0)

OH AND OF COURSE THE PARTY DRESS

from one of my fav shops Lirola

DID SOMEONE SAY CAKE!!!

YES PLEASE.

And if I am lucky I might get a present. Although I do seem to have got alot of "early" birthday presents this year , which is great at the time but not so great when it is actually your birthday.

xoxoxo

With a little imagination - Clay can be anything

Clay can be whatever you want it to be. I love to see what my kids make when given a blob of clay.

A Man on a Motorbike

A Minion Robot

And speaking of Minions, here is another crochet minion that I have made. Of course with two kids I couldn't just make one!!

I was requested to make this one the Minion who wore a wig and sang Karaoke at the shops!! (you would need to have seen the movie to know what I am talking about here)

Rolled Hem....

When I took on the job of costume co-ordinator for our school musical production - Sheik, Rattle n Roll , I had no idea of what was ahead of me.

There are about 130 kids involved and we are on the count down to opening night.

20 days to go.

Along the way I have found new skills and refined old ones.

All in all it has been a great learning curve and I can't wait to see it all on stage.

Today I got the hang of roll hemming on an overlocker on these satin headscarves.

Jingle Bells

Today I finished off some crochet hats

I just love this Christmas one

A Denim coloured newsboy

Lightweight and feminine, perfect for spring

Teal and Gray Beanie that is just a little Chic

I promised to show you my little creation....So

He is a little bit Shy

C'mon little guy, it's ok - these guys are friends they just want to take a peek at you

There you go -

I am really pleased with how he turned out - After seeing Despicable Me in 3D during the week my girls just loved the little Minions

Perhaps there could be an army of minions at my next market -

What do you think?

Minion........

1. An obsequious follower or dependent; a sycophant.

2. A subordinate official, especially a servile one.

3. One who is highly esteemed or favored; a darling.

Of the above definitions for a minion, my preferred one would have to be #3.