12 Weeks of Christmas - 5th Week of Christmas

Kathy from Sew-Happy House is hosting the 12 weeks of Christmas on her blog.

I have been following along each week to see what Kathy has been doing, making, sewing and cooking. You can look HERE to read Kathy's post and see who has linked up.

This week I started some Christmas sewing and unrolled my Kate Spain 12 Days of Christmas Jelly Roll which has been hanging around in my cupboard for ages.
I found a site called FREEBIES FOR CRAFTERS a while ago and subscribed for updates via email. Last week it shared a link for a Table Runner which is what I have been making this week - not quite finished yet and have made it a little bit smaller than the original pattern.

My friend Mhairi pointed this out to me - so I wanted to share with you:

Starting on November 1, Sew Mama Sew has 30 days of tutorial, recipes, free printables and giveaways - sounds really good! I will be checking this out tomorrow!

See you next week - need to start thinking about Christmas recipes soon

Digital Scrapbooking - A Freebie from The Urban Fairy

Who doesn't love a pumpkin?
The Urban Fairy has made a Painted Pumpkin Freebie for digital scrapbooking.

To get these pumpkins via direct download - go to The Urban Fairy HERE

Guest Blogger at A Collection of Thoughts

Today I am thrilled to be Guest Blogger at  Tamar's lifestyle and crafting blog  A Collection of Thoughts (Some of you may know her from Tarisota)

Layout I made for Tamar

I have been following Tamar's blog for ages and check in daily to see what she is blogging about.
She is an amazing woman (and blogger) who has been an inspiration to me in many ways (including blogging) and who started me on my digital scrapbooking journey - for that, I thank you Tamar.

Tamar is the Nuffnang's Featured Blogger of the Month for October 2011.
You can read all about her post on being Featured Blogger HERE and why she started blogging and what it means to her.
On Monday I wore pink for Pink Ribbon Day in Australia in honour of my blog friend Tamar who has recently been diagnosed with breast cancer and is into her second round of chemo.
Walking with you Tamar- step by step.

12 Weeks of Christmas - 4th Week of Christmas

Kathy from Sew-Happy House is hosting a series of 12 Weeks of Christmas on her blog.

I have been following along and visiting other blogs to see what others have been doing to prepare for Christmas - you can linkup with Sew-Happy House HERE

I am showing you some of my very favourite ornaments - the one's made by the children when they were younger.
These are so very special to me and I will still be putting them on our tree when they have grown up and moved out! Then I will be remembering the looks on their faces and their joy when we hung them on our Christmas Tree for the very first time.

Found these whilst looking for Christmas ideas at the Martha Stewart website

- Martha Stewart's Easiest Christmas: Easy Christmas Ideas from A to Z
From Angels at the Table to Zesty Garnish - lots of great ideas in this post.
- Christmas Tree Photo Card - will definately be making some of these!
 Could easily get lost on her site for an afternoon - there is so many great ideas there!

See you all next week

The Urban Fairy

Exciting news to share!
I have just joined the Creative Team for The Urban Fairy (exclusive designer at Digiridoo Scraps) and I have been having a wonderful time making some layouts with one of her kits.

I am going through a bit of a PINK phase at the moment.

Theme Challenge - What Day Were you Born?

Available at Digiridoo Scraps

And PINK with lots of purple!

Calendar Challenge

 Fabulous kit! Off to make some more layouts!

Wednesday Without Words

12 Weeks of Christmas -3rd Week of Christmas

I am following Kathy at Sew-Happy House for her 12 Weeks of Christmas countdown.

She is sharing all sorts of wonderful ideas with us and showing us what she is making for her "home-made Christmas Challenge"
This week I spent some time going though craft magazines and blog tutorials for some small gift ideas for Christmas.

Last year for an ornament swap I made a "Christmas Ornament Birdie" from a tutorial by Robyn at Daisy Quilts Have a look around her blog - it is full of all sorts of loveliness! Tutorials, recipes, online shop and more. And she has a gallery of scrappy quilts!
For my ornament swap I added a few more birdies to make this for my swap partner Sharon, and used some "feathery" wool at the bottom with the coloured bells

A string of birdies

Close up of the bottom birdie

Thought I might make some more this Christmas.
And Kathy - just in case you were wondering!

See you all next week.
Edited to add - Just had a Facebook post from Stay At Home Mum - the Secret to Living on One Wage about a FREE downloadable Christmas Ebook being released this week - sign up for the very first newsletter (top right hand side of the blog HERE) or on Facebook (VIP Specials & Bonuses)
You can see my post for the 2nd Week of Christmas about Stay At Home Mum

Monday's Show and Tell

Show and Tell for today is my lovely scissor keep I received from my swap partner Anita, who lives in the Netherlands.

Anita totally spoiled me with my scissor keep and she made me a needle keep and a special purse to keep them in. This was all wrapped in the gorgeous butterfly fabric that she chose for me and tied with some white ric rac - all my favourite things.
Thanks so much Anita. My scissors and I are very happy!!
Thanks Sandy from Cookies and Cream Craft for oganising this Scissor Keep Swap - another skill you have taught me!

Once Anita has received her parcel from me - I will show you the very first scissor keep I have made. 
Sandy has a Scissor Keep that she made for her Show and Tell for a different swap.
And to see another Scisssor Keep - My friend Florence from France has the Scissor Keep she received from her swap partner Maria on her blog Chez Princesse Nounouche

To see who else has some Show and Tell today - have a look at Cookies and Cream Craft

Christmas Quilting Block Swap Australia

I joined this swap group in March 2011 and every month I have a new partner to sew for.
I have received seven beautiful 12 inch star blocks in traditional Christmas colours from my partners - thanks so very much ladies.

I have sewn different blocks for my parteners with Log Cabin being the most requested (who doesn't enjoy a log cabin block!)

I have made this Layout of my patchwork by using a free template from The Coffee Shop Blog called To the 9's Template and Loading Actions
I used the Black and the White templates in Photoshop CS4 and dragged my photos under the template and free transformed them to fit - really quick and really easy. There are instructions how to change the colour as well.

Wednesday Without Words

Week 5 - 15 Minute Challenge

Linking up with Kate at Life in Pieces for the 15 Minute Challenge
I am enjoying these 15 minutes of sewing every day which are turning into sometimes and enjoyable hour (or two!)
My weekly report:

Hopefully soon will be able to share the "secret sewing" - after it has arrived at it's destination!
Hope you have been able to fit some sewing (no matter how little) into your day - I know I feel better for it!

12 Weeks of Christmas - 2nd Week of Christmas

Last week Kathy at Sew-Happy House started her 12 Weeks of Christmas. It is now the second week of this and I must say I am not anymore organised than I was last week!!

Talking about Christmas - thought I would share another good blog that I found last week.
Stay at Home Mum- the Secret to Living on One Wage
There is a whole section on Christmas (decorations and decor, food, gifts, logistics, xmas activities, xmas meal plans) and there is a great forum with all sorts of things being discussed.

 
Starting to think about Christmas and wondering what shift Hubby will be on this year for Christmas Day??? (always works half shift 7-11am or 11-3pm or 3-7pm or 7-11pm) Has been this way for years so we just fit in with whatever shift he is on and plan our meals accordingly. So no travelling for us.
Linking up with Kathy at Sew-Happy House HERE

Where did the first half of 2011 go?

Before you all think that I have gone completely mad - I will explain.
Today I found this draft blog post from July 3!

"Can you believe it is July? I can't. I really don't know where the first six months have gone. Sometimes the days seem to drag and other days are gone in a flash."

Now I need to change that to
"Can you believe it is OCTOBER? I can't. I really don't know where the first NINE months have gone. Sometimes the days seem to drag and other days are gone in a flash."

Is time going faster the older I get? I really do think so!
Where in the world did these THREE months go??????

Digital Layout made with Divine Digital Download-A-Day Free Kit (Spring Flea Market Frolic and Journey) designer Royanna Fritschmann (Studio RA Designs)

Wednesday Without Words

Week 4 - 15 Minute Challenge

Four weeks of 15 minutes a day (or in some cases, more than 15 minutes) spent joyfully stitching my little heart out!! I have only missed one day in this time and for a very good reason - Family visit to the Melbourne Show on Monday.
Here's how I filled my week in:

Linking up with Kate of Life in Pieces - come over and have a look how everyone went this week.
Come and join in!

12 Weeks of Christmas - 1st Week of Christmas

12 Weeks of Christmas started today with Kathy at Sew-Happy House - go HERE to see what she has posted about today - there are only 12 more Mondays until Christmas - can you believe that?????

See my earlier blog post for a few more details

I think I am having a mini panic - thinking about this!!

I have subscribed to a website called 101 Days to Christmas  (started on September 15) which sends daily emails with ideas to help you get organised for Christmas - well worth a look! (only 83 days left  now!)

On Day 91 there is a "Gifts to Make Inventory List" - a printable PDF which can help you keep track of gift making.
Day 93 - set up a Gift Closet - and a printable PDF to help keep track of gifts already brought/made and stored in your "gift closet" (which if you are like me, is actually a box hidden in the cupboard!)
Day 99 - Christmas Planner  - with many printable PDF sheets to include in it. A great organisation tool - just need to remember to use it!
And many more ideas to help have an organised Christmas.
This week I will have a SERIOUS think about Christmas and share a bit more with you next week.

Confession - The other day I found some things from last Christmas which did not get into the "Christmas cupboard" after the Christmas Tree was taken down! Oops!

 Linking up with Kathy at Sew-Happy House 12 Weeks of Christmas - 1st Week of Christmas
Come and join in!

Monday's Show and Tell

Different type of Show and Tell today!

A beautiful Spring Day 20deg C

A yummy Spinach and Cheese Golzeme

Magic Circus

Monkey clowns !!!

Sky Flyer - too scary for me!

Animal Nursery

Cutesy calves!

Rock Star - Rob & Madeline in centre of back row

Having trouble watching!!

Definately can't watch now!!

Happy about this one!!

Too true!

Lovely day had by all - lots of fun, rides and showbags (and fairy floss of course!) One very happy, but tired girl tonight.

Have a look at Cookies and Cream Craft with Sandy to see who else has Show and Tell today

Dream a little dream ...

Yesterday I purchased A Day in My Life digital scrapbook kit by Jen C Designs and I used Jen C Designs Splitsville Template for this layout.
The Word Art included in this kit ("dream - dream a little dream") was the inspiration for this layout of my sleeping baby girl ... so long ago ... such sweet memories...

12 Week of Christmas with Kathy at Sew-Happy House

Kathy is having 12 Weeks of Christmas on her blog Sew-Happy House. She will be sharing some more information tomorrow (Sunday) and will be starting on Monday.

"no commitment, no snail mail - just lots of Christmas spirit and a community of sharing"

I'll be joining in with all the fun - hope you will too!

Kathy was my swap partner with Christmas Quilting Block Swap Mug Rug Swap http://whirlingbutterfly.blogspot.com/2011/08/mondays-show-and-tell_22.html )