~ getting my craft on ~

This time of the year brings out the craft in me
Except I'm not very crafty.  Or creative.
I wish I was.

So I turn to pinterest and IG and get inspired and then tend to leave half-finished projects all over the house well into the new year (and lets not mention the hexie quilt that is gathering dust as I type..)

I've been watching Sonia from Dandelyne make her delightful hooped jewellery and wall hangings over on IG for months now ... and then last week I was tempted by a 5 pack of tiny hoops at her gorgeous Etsy shop and this week I've actually been getting my craft on.

I'm determined to finish the other two and make some more of these gorgeous reindeer tree decorations this weekend (as well as host a party for an 11 year old) - wish me luck.

Are you crafty?
What's your latest project? 

 ♥

~ love is in the air ~

We're not big on celebrating Valentine's Day around here.  Are you? 
It's a bit like Halloween for me - an American tradition that I haven't really jumped on board with.

In the last couple of weeks though,  I've been feeling the love.

I joined Sarah's lovely good mail club last year and have just sent off some heart/love themed mail to brighten up some letterboxes.

I filled my envelopes with little papery treats - origami hearts, Moo mini cards and stickers. 

I also made very quick and easy heart garlands from little hearts punched from paint chip colours and twine.  I had intended to send these too but the girls fell in love (!!) with them and they stayed here.

I'm hoping for some lovely mail this week.
Are you celebrating the 14th?  or are you more about celebrating the everyday like me (those little rainbow hearts are making me smile every time I walk past)? 


♥

~ the unexpected bonuses of blogging ~

This week I've made a recycled Christmas card garland

 packaged up lots of reindeer noses

and made a felt ornament for a friend.

I blame blogging.

I've been blogging for about 6 months.

I started because I wanted to write, to remember and record, to connect.

All good.  All safe.  All ticked off.

But I've also found friends, a latent desire to craft and the cooking bug all over again.

I've spent hours admiring beautiful photos, been inspired by words, thoughts and deeds and discovered pinterest.

I've laughed and cried, been made to think, to ponder, to wonder... and won a couple of awesome prizes.

78 posts down and I'm loving it.

 ♥

~ grateful for ...Christmas craft ~

I simply adore the little handmade creations my children bring home from school. 

Made with clumsy hands and big hearts.

 

I am so grateful to their lovely teachers with their big imaginations and boundless patience.

I am extra grateful each Christmas when I unearth these treasures from the Christmas box and get to have the on display all over again.

 

 

{Joining with Maxabella this week (and often) to express gratitude for the little things and big things that make life better} 

 ♥

~ my creative space - advent calendar ~

I only just got this finished and on the wall last night.

The squeals of joy made the late night scramble all worthwhile.

 

 

Totally inspired by others I've seen but don't have the links for.

I used Kikki-K stickers and other bits I had lying around.  So happy with how its turned out.

Planning to find lots of little treats and surprise activities inside (but may well resort to chocolates).

Joining up for the first time with loads of  clever people here.

 ♥

~ work in progress ~

It's been a month since I started the quilt project.

I'm really happy with how things are going.

 

The downsides are the rough callouses on the tips of my fingers from pushing the needle through (soft I tell you) and the missed reading time (the pile of books next to my bed is growing tall).  I've also misplaced 2 needles that I hope no-one sits on.

I am refusing to calculate how many hexagons I'll need (and what on earth I do round the edges and on the back) for fear of depressing myself. 

(I am well versed in denial.)

My September project (the whole first ever gym membership thing) is going well too - the special deal elapsed and I've signed on for a whole 12 months.  I'm aiming for feeling healthy and some gentle toning.  Hopefully achievable.
 

♥

~ the October project ~

{the beginning}

For the longest time I've been thinking about making a patchwork quilt.

I started once...years ago....with mum's scraps.  I remember ghastly pastel florals (I'd probably love them now as vintage) and wonky stitches all of which got shoved in a bag and forgotten when I made no progress over what seemed like months.

But now I'm feeling game.

I want to craft, to make, to do.

To pour some love and effort into something tangible.

The girls are already bickering over who it will go to....I've warned them not to hold their breath.  I'm under no delusions that this is a long-term project.

I'm hoping to tough it out this time and get it finished.

I can see I'm going to be obsessed for a little while.

I'm feeling hopeful though...and inspired.

I'll keep you updated.

What's your latest project?

♥


{my September project was all about me getting fitter and feeling better about myself.  I joined a gym for the first time ever.  Somewhat surprisingly (to me, at least) - I've been going regularly - swimming, spinning and stretching.  I'm feeling good.  No teeny tiny waist yet... it's obviously a w-i-p}