September/October brings change of season, and fresh starts and frivolity and seriousness too. So for a break from whipup realtime I am introducing a few weeks of guest bloggers to liven up your crafty experience. To bring you something fresh, and hopefully invigorate you to make and do and be and think! Its going to be a fun few weeks so come along for the ride.
Today I want to introduce you to another fellow Australian craft blogger Kate who blogs at one flew over and contributes to the quarterly online quilt mag Fat Quarterly. Kate is a super nice and an excellent quilter – I know these things because she recently agreed to do some sewing for my next book – without having ever met me – these are the things that I love about the craft blog world.
According to my mother I have always been a ’5 minute wonder’. As a child I attempted every activity under the sun, none of which stuck. Two years ago and after the the birth of my second child, I went to an embroidery workshop at Prints Charming and never looked back. Embroidery quickly turned into a love affair with all things crafty. A sewing machine was purchased, fabric was collected and on most nights (to the annoyance of the rest of the family), you are likely to hear the whir of the machine or see the hook working like mad… which makes it pretty difficult to watch the TV.
Today I want to introduce you to some early gift making ideas. With Christmas just around the corner I’m sure there are many of you who have started thinking about making Christmas gifts or who are looking at uncovering some unique handmade items. I always intend on making a few handmade gifts myself and have listed below some of my favourite projects that I look to for inspiration.
I can’t wait to make these girly pretty lights [they are pretty simple to make with just a trip to the hardware store and some scraps you can find in the house], they will be perfect under the Christmas tree at night and I think my Mum would love a few to jazz up the Christmas dinner table.
This bag is very far from my own knitting capabilities but I delude myself and think I may be able to, one day do something like it. My younger cousin would love it [you can purchase it here]
My four year old spotted a Poppy Doll at a friend’s place a few weeks ago and hasn’t stopped asking for one! (photo courtesy of Pigeon Pair).
The house can always do with a bit of a spruce up and each Christmas I like to add to our decoration collection. These crochet snowflakes would be great stand alone or as part of a garland.
If you are handy with the sticks – although I should be thinking about gifts for others, I spotted this Mara shawl for me. I think it is just beautiful and will be a gift for myself.
If you are anything like me, it is highly possible that the gift making may be left to the last minute, in which case I have listed below some favourite purchased items that always seem to please! … These ceramic thread spool vessels hhave been on my shopping list for ages, the perfect gift for the crafter in your life. … My daughter was given a set of these wooden ‘blank’ dolls last Christmas, they were a huge hit.
So make or give handmade this christmas – hopefully these few ideas will help you get started!
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