Handmade Christmas Swap!

Joide at The Haby Goddess recently ran a red and white themed handmade gift Christmas swap.

Here was my effort for Lesley....

 and then wrapped because I do love wrapping a noice parcel... complete with red and white candy canes....

and my lovely gift received yesterday from Cathy!

A good (machine embroidered!) tea towel is always handy. Gotta say I do love a Christmas one too.

I love the little paper photo frame for the tree, and of course no handmade gift is complete without the handmade card.

(Nb, I made my card above too!!)

Thanks Cathy, I love a parcel in the mail and participating in a swap is always a bit of fun.

Quilt cover

This is my first attempt at a quilt cover, no pattern or insturctions, I just winged it!

A friend had an odd sized quilt bought overseas that no linen could be bought for in this country, so I offered to help out and custom make a cover for her baby girl.

I am happy to report it went swimmingly, no mistakes, no unpicking, it fit like a glove and there was no dramas with buttons or buttonholes. All things considered, for me this is amazing!

Woollen softies

I know it's been a while, not sure what's been taking up my time! ;)

So softies, made from a woollen blanket I started embroidering yeeeears ago, and finally decided to make them into something instead of a half finished blanket that was never going to end.

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Mermaid dollies!

My latest little treasures is a trio of mermaids for three little girls I know all turning one this month!

In their (almost) natural habitat,

I'm afraid we are a bit far from the beach!

One is already gifted, these other two will find new homes in the next fortnight.

Made using an adorable pattern I purchased from Bit Of Whimsy Dolls.

Thankfully...

they made it safely! After a hairy almost lost at the post office experience, my 6 little dolly gifts made it to their next step in their journey. I can't wait to hear when they are distributed. There is still time to donate a dolly or a softie if you are interested, click on the dolly button for more info.

Meanwhile, it seems I am addicted to dolls, stay tuned for some little gals I have been working on for 3 little ladies I happen to know whom are all turning one in the next few weeks! I do love making a gift, and I am extra excited about these ones....

My dolly donation

Here are my dollies for the dolly drive monkeemoomoo is doing. I used the simple pattern provided by the original dolly donation site and altered it a little to give thumbs and feet. I also got inspired and added pig tails for the girls which I really liked the look of. Plus a little pocket on the front.

I hope some special kids get some joy from them.

Boys...

Girls...

PS this was a great little project to use up scraps of fabric I can never throw out!

Christmas dresses

A dear friend inspired me with some gorgeous patterns to make my girls some Christmas dresses. I must say I was quite pleased with the result. I have never really made clothes for the kids, these easy pieces have encouraged me to do some more.

First up, the Wrap Around-yet-elasticised-waist skirt (a must for tinsy waisted girls like her, and it's still a bit too big) for my Big Miss.... In Michael Miller Christmas Critters fabric and coordinating star inspired contrast fabric.

she clearly loves to model for me!

Then the reversible (I know!) Christmas pussycat dress for the Little Miss with cream and golden stars.

Version 1.0...

Version 2.0!

A closeup of my appliqued Christmas tree; the kitten placing the star at the top was a last moment inspirational choice!

not that keen on modelling, this one....

 This shot was the best I could get with many cranky expressions deleted straight from the camera!

and finally....

Ta da-aaa! See I can model when I want to Mum!

Made from patterns by Wink Designs