It's been 4 years ...

... recently Emma posted her first LOs and so I thought the timing was apt to share mine - as you can see they are Autumn ones.

I had a single Basic Grey collection pack and buttons, I obviously hadn't cottoned onto proper journalling - using poems I'd found - and none of the pictures are dated! Still I think they're OK!!

Attitude of Gratitude ....

... well I didn't even get off the ground with Learn Something New Every Day in September. I had started my album covers, cut up lots of paper and started writing a note on a scrap of paper each day, but with my Nanna's illness and passing, I just lost any motivation with it.

So as I have a pile of paper waiting to be made into something I thought I'd join in with this -
a month-long tribute to thankfulness and expressing your gratitude. Hopefully a month of calm reflection but a month of craziness!

Operation Thirteen: Part 3 ....

...so these are the last of my makes. The bunny creature has rice inside so that you can microwave it and use as a hot water bottle.

a bookmark

and a little bag.

This poster has been designed by the fab SJ, such a great product and price and a completely personal design service. You can find out more here.

Operation Thirteen: Part 2 ....

... a few stationery items. Making these I realised that I'm not very good at cutting out or sewing straight! So I bought myself a rotary cutter (blunt already from much use!) which is helping a bit!

I've not applique'd before, so why I thought I'd try on these presents I'll never know, but at least the recipient isn't critical of my work!

Just need to buy some rice to finish the last present and then I'm done. Have a real sewing groove on at the moment, have also made the girls a nightie each at the weekend.

Operation Thirteen: Part 1 ...

... my sister turns 13 at the end of November. Some of you may remember that I made her a scrapbook album when she turned 10. For this milestone I've decided to make her 13 presents.

Here are the first 6. I've another one on order (handmade, not by me, but I'm still counting it!) So just another 6 to go.

The purse clasp and pattern came free with the latest issue of Mollie Makes, very cute, but very fiddly to make.

10 Things: Christmas ...

.... yes I used the 'C' word, but I have to admit that Christmas is firmly in my sights now so here are my goals relating to the wonderful time of year!

1. Go see The Nutcracker performed by The Birmingham Royal Ballet Company (tickets booked!)


2. Visit the German Christmas market in Birmingham

3. Make each nearest and dearest at least one handmade present each

4. Make an Activity Advent Calender - did this a couple of years ago and the girls loved it, had daily activites like 'Paint each other's toenails', 'Take a drive to see the neighbourhood lights' etc

5. Buy a real tree this year (or at least put the artifical one up, last year we didn't have a tree due to a new puppy.)

6. Go to a Christingle service

7. Listen to live Christmas Concert

8. Plan a get together with friends (in the planning stage)

9. Go ice skating at Somerset House, London

10. Each family member to perfom one Random Act of Kindness at some point in December

New hat ...

... today is the first day I've felt vaguely human in about 10 days, I've been completely zapped of energy and have even watched daytime TV whilst slumped on the sofa!

However I've still had itchy fingers, so yesterday I decided to get my crochet hooks out - something I've not done in over a year. And this is what I made snuggled under my duvet.

I think it could do with blocking to uniform the shape, however I don't have the equipment for that, so I'll just have to go with it. In my haze I must have got confused with which was the right way out, not sure if I've stitched the bow to the wrong side or not as I've got loose threads that I've tidied up on both the inside and outside of the hat!

Think I'd like some handwarmers to go with it now.

Don't scrap when you're poorly ...

... I have not feel well for a few days now, the start of a cold and real lack of energy. But having itchy hands yesterday I thought I'd do this week's Starting Point.

It started out OK (haven't followed the exact design this week)

but then I start making silly mistakes - the flower in the corner is covering up a smudged painted butterfly; there's a spot of brown paint in the top middle splattered from were I was trying to correct smudged butterfly; and I also kept creasing the paper as I was scrapping on the edge of my desk.

Hey Ho, think it came out OK in the end!

A quick card for you also - I've used a great printable from SJ, I'm always struggling with how to do sentiments on cards, so these are perfect.

Whilst making it I commented to Mia on how much I loved the corduroy brad in the flower to which she replied 'Why are you giving it away then?'!