Hand made bling

After scouting around my craft room, looking for bits and bobs

to make things for the tree this year, I found a crotchet little thing with a round

hoop, sewed on some shiny flowers, and huzzah, hand made oddity.

The blue one is made from a napkin ring, covered in vintage raw silk and then bejewelled.

Still working on this wreath .. needs more, can't be all minimal at Christmas time.

I've used a plastic plate for this, cut the centre out, wrapped it in thick silky trim,

wrapped some shiny, almost bridal type bling around it (I have no idea how this trim

came to be in possession, most likely a job-lot at the Oppy). Think I'll hang some baubles from the bottom of this, and then hang it on the front door.

I've said it before, and I'll say it again,

Don't hold back on your tree,

go wild - put anything on there - no poncey colour schemes okay?!!

Getting all Nanna-ish

I found a full set of these place mats at the Op shop, gorgeous, hand stitched, made to last!

As Christmas fast approaches my mind turns to sweat shops again.

Whilst I'm not going to make the full hand made pledge this year

I am going to be mindful of landfill (and where/how it's made).

I think we all need to think about it at least, specially

at this time of year. We really do live in a lucky country,

but I'd like my child to be more aware of the world

around her, I'd like her to appreciate that clean,

running water is a luxury, not a right.

I'd like her to appreciate that not all kids

get bucket loads of toys and stuff at Christmas.

(Hell, I'd like a lot of adults to appreciate this).

It's just so easy to get caught up in all the retail madness.

Our lives won't be any less worthwhile if we don't

have the latest swing tags!

So why not recycle last years cards into this years swing tags?

No one will think you're cheap,

They'll think you're really clever!

Right. Off my soap box.

I love this time of year for blogging,

I especially like to trawl through all my favourite blogs

to see what all the crafty types are making!

I've a few little hand made oddities for the tree.

I'll post some pics soon.

Oppy and stuff.

Found this print at the Oppy, dead cute it is!

Spotted this knit-up in a tree in Rozelle. I particularly like the

paper hearts hanging from it. The world needs more love.

More love and more hand made stuff!

A couple from Halloween

Little P as psycho nurse, and our neighbour as a demonic dolly.