Salt Dough Handprint Decorations

It's Christmas Eve!!!  

I just wanted to get in one more post before Christmas.  And I saved my favourite christmassy make 'til last.  It was my favourite because it was a joint craft project with Bo - his very first craft project!

We made salt dough decorations, with Bo's teeny-weeny handprints on them, for family Christmas pressies. 

Here they are.....

I wanted to do something to preserve them, so that they'll last year after year.  So I gave them a couple of coats of acrylic varnish.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the varnish will make them last a long, long time! 

Of course, I made one for us too - and hung it on our tree.....

Now, all I have left to say is MERRY CHRISTMAS to you all!!!  

And see you in 2015.....

Hugs,

Carly

X

Gorgeous Gifts

Last week was MEANT to be my last week at school (had I not been signed off 4 weeks early).  And, to my surprise, Simon came home with this amazing basket of gifts for me (from my lovely class and their parents).....

The whole thing looked so pretty, I was reluctant to start opening any of the goodies to begin with.  Look at the toadstool paper!!!  

I'm not normally an overly-emotional person (and I COULD always blame my pesky pregnancy hormones), but I was really overwhelmed by the gifts as I opened them up.  Clearly, those little kids and their parents know me SO well, and put SUCH a lot of effort into selecting things that I'd love.  There MAY even have been a few tears.  

Here, have a little look at my gorgeous gifts.....

[a knit-your-own-teddy-bear kit]

[a red and white spotty Cath Kidston mug]

[pearly, heart-shaped buttons]

[pretty ribbons]

[a 'thank you teacher' bookmark]

[a cute toadstool ornament, now on display in my crafting room]

[a box full of multi-coloured buttons]

[and a precious book made up of pictures drawn by each of the children]

What a wonderful leaving present!!!  And what a lucky teacher!!!

Just in case any of the Owls' parents happen to be visiting, THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!  

Now I'm off to start on my knit-your-own-teddy-bear (I think I might well be able to do it laying down).....  :-)

Carly

x

   

Fabric Baby Book

As promised in my last post, I wanted to show you the fabric book I made for our Little One.  
It took me aaaaages to make!!!  I really enjoyed designing each page, and doing the applique and embroidery bits.  But then, turning it from a few pieces of fabric into a book was NOT so much fun!  There was a lot of un-picking and re-doing, and a lot of naughty words along the way.  

But I managed it in the end.  And here it is.....

One smiley sun:

Two friendly clouds:

3 birdies on a branch:

4 eggs in a nest:

5 little toadstools:

6 pretty flowers:

7 caterpillars on a leaf:

8 black spots:

9 colourful flags:

10 red apples:

Another thing for the baby drawer!  

After the Easter holidays, I only have another 4 weeks of work to go before my maternity leave starts.  So I've already started on my 'to make' list for then.....  ;-)

Carly

x

Baby Crinkle Toy

A sewing project show-and tell this time.....

I've been making a few toys for our Little One.  The first one I made was a cuddly cloud (which you can see here).  

The second was a crinkly patchwork square.  I used high-contrast colours, and added some little textured ribbony-bits around the edge.  To make the crinkle sound, I used a piece of cellophane wrap in the middle.  

A quick, easy and fun-to-make project!  And another little something to add to the 'baby drawer'.  

My third baby toy was a fabric book.  Not no quick, and not so easy!!!  I'll save that for next time.

Until then.....

Carly

x

      

Birthday Candle Cards

It was my sister's birthday last month, and my mom's birthday last week.  I wanted to make cards for them both.  So I did what I always do when I'm seeking inspiration - visited Pinterest! 

I saw a card with a birthday candle on it.  The style of the card wasn't really 'me', but it gave me an idea. And here's what I came up with.....

For my SISTER:

And for my MOM:

I got to use buttons, pretty papers, ribbons, and my letter stamps - so many of my FAVOURITE things..... to make birthday cards for my two FAVOURITE ladies!!!

Carly

x

A Perfect Parcel in the Post and a Bit of a Blogging Break

The Postie delivered a promising little parcel the other day.  Inside, I found this cute-as-a-button package.....

It was from my fabulous friend, Lisa.  She's both a blogging buddy (you can check out her little homes on the web here and here), and a real-life pal too.  As a fellow crafter, she knows how to make me smile - by sending me these.....

          

  

Measuring-tape washi and ribbon!  

Thank you, lovely Lisa!!!  :-)

As the school holidays have just started, I'm going to be taking a bit of a break from Blogland for a while.  I have some posts that I've already written, which I'll schedule to pop up over the next few weeks.  But I may not be popping over to visit you, or stopping by for email-chats as often as usual.  Please don't think I've forgotten you - I'll be back and participating in blogging adventures with you all again soon.....

Happy, sunshiney summer to you all!!!

Carly

x

Pretty Pressies

A little while back, the postman brought me a package, from my friend Paula (of the beautiful Sugar Sweet and Pink blog). 

And, of course, I had to share some photos with you.  Let's take a peek inside.....

Such pretty, pink, spotty tissue paper!  And, inside it.....

More prettiness.....

Some Martha Stewart yarn - in SUCH lovely colours.....

And the sweetest sweetie tin EVER!  And inside.....

Some cute cakey buttons.....

And the presttiest of sweet, vintagey prettiness (tags and ribbons and handkerchiefs and fabrics)!  Surely NOTHING can be sweeter?!?

Oh YES it can!!!  This is Miss Pistachio - and NOTHING is sweeter than her..... apart from Paula!  ;-)

Thank you SO much for all of my WONDERFUL pressies, dear friend!!!

So, what do you think I should knit (or crochet) with my gorgeous Martha yarn???

Carly

x

Re-purposed Necklace

A few weeks ago, I sorted out my ‘jewellery’ draw.  It consists of brightly-coloured bits of plastic, wood and fabric.  A burglar would be VERY disappointed by its contents but, to me, it’s full of precious treasures!

There were a few things in there that I don’t wear any more, and others that I’ve never worn.  So, I decided to do a bit of re-purposing.  I took all the beads off the necklaces, and turned them into new ones.  I’ve worn ALL of them since – so I’m glad I didn’t just chuck the old necklaces in the bin!  

This one’s my favourite:

It’s just a few wooden beads, a few plastic beads, and a length of gingham ribbon.  I love necklaces with ribbon closures, as I can wear them as long or as short as I like (depending on the neckline of the top I’m wearing). 

Putting on my glittery head-scarf, looking all mystical, and gazing in to my crafty crystal ball, I see more jewellery-making projects in the not-too-distant future.  Watch this space.....

Carly

x