Wreally Small Wreaths!

As we hurtle towards the Festive period, I like to try to make as much as possible, to prevent getting sucked into the commercialism of it all. I hand make my presents and cards, and try to make whatever else I can. I decided this year that I wanted to have a go at making my own wreath. I normally buy a handmade fresh wreath, I like Blue Spruce, with white decorations. My front door is red, so holly wreaths just disappear and I think that green and white look more sophisticated. As the BF persuaded me to get a fake tree (pah!) - he says he's allergic to pine needles - I like to have the smell of a fresh wreath to greet you at the door. Anyway, I bought a moss wreath from eBay ready to make my own. It was a bargain, buy one, get one free, I envisioned soaking the moss for a few days, taking a long leisurely walk in the woods to collect stuff to make the wreath with, it was going to be perfect. It was only when the wreaths arrived I realised with horror that I'd misread the 8 inch wreaths for 18 inch and they were far too small to hang on my door. Ah, well. I'm going to have to try to find a ring elsewhere now; unfortunately there's aren't any florist sundries suppliers out there who will serve the public. I might have to tackle eBay again. The moral of the story? Never shop on eBay when you've had a few drinks *lol*

Anyway, inspired by an idea from Ysolda's blog, I wondered if anyone out there would like to do a Christmas card swap, handmade or bought if that's all you have time for, but it would be lovely to exchange Yule greetings with my net buddies and blog readers. Email me at samsaradesigns@hotmail.com with your name and address and I will return your email with my details. Lets spread the love out there *lol*

Happy Holidays!

After a day marking mock tests and two days in Study Hall, Saturday M and I went to MK shopping centre for a wander and surprise surprise, the Christmas display is up. This years theme is the Wind in the Willows, one of my favourite childhood books. They had adorable moving displays, Toad's car flying from the ceiling, Ratty's house, Moles House, a massive Toad Hall grotto and a huge vintage Carousel. It was really Christmassy!

I finished Knitty's Muff which is so cute and very warm. I'm still debating on adding a cord to hang it round my neck. What do you think?

And here is my newest toy, an iPod shuffle in my favourite colour. A belated birthday present from M. I filled it and listened to it all day Sunday at the Craft fair - it's so cool, it clips onto whatever you're wearing and is so tiny and light!

I usually take a knitting or crochet project to craft fairs with me for the slack periods (better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!) This fair was not as busy as in previous years, so I managed to get this hat done for a friend for Christmas. It was crocheted using a 10mm hook and an aran weight and DK weight yarn together, so it worked up pretty quick. I inspired all the older ladies on the stalls round me to take up crocheting and ended up giving little lessons *lol*

And although I've finished Knitty's Flora, I still haven't got around to putting the flower onto the scarflette. I did however make a matching hat in the same yarns. Well, I ran out of one of the colours, but I had a similar colour which blended in perfectly. I like the little point on top, it kinda reminds me of the Cottingley Flower Fairy hats. It has a nice roll brim and is super warm as it's made with 3 yarns together *lol*

Here's another Christmas present I started. It's the One Skein Scarf from the Happy Hooker. This is so easy I'm surprised I haven't tried it yet, mind you, I've had loads of WIPS on the go!

This week I pretty much finish work till January. I had loads of holiday to use up and school finishes next week, so I'll have a lovely long month to chill and craft my Christmas presents! I can't wait! :-)

Beads!!

Guess what I've been doing today? This is where I spent most of the day. This is a corner of my friends studio, she works in glass and she was showing me lamp working and Tiffany soldering. I've done some Tiffany before at home but I wanted a few professional tips to refine my technique. This is the lamp working section of the studio. She's so lucky, she has a big barn in her garden with loads of space for working.

And these are the beads I made! My very first ones! :-) I keep looking at them, they're so pretty and I'm so proud of them!

The flash flared a little off them, they're a deeper blue colour irl. Molten glass is such good fun, maybe it's the pyromaniac in me!

And this is one of my current WIPs, it'll be a pixie hat when it's done!

I also received a DIY sock knitting kit from Annchen, so I'll be able to attempt my first sock very shortly! :-)

Packages galore!

Whilst digging out my winter wardrobe, I came across my Star Blanket, so I put it on the bed whereupon it has instantly been claimed by each cat in succession. Here's today's occupant, Keilo. It's funny how they each lay exactly in the middle of the star *lol*

Saturday was pretty crappy, I had a nightmare journey to a craft fair in the middle of no-where, was stuck next to the most aggressive sweet seller ever, who kept blocking off my stall and poaching all my potential customers. Saturday night I was supposed to be having a few friends come round, but no-one made it. There was everything to fillings falling out, to deaths in the family. Unfortunately no-one thought to let me know, so I wasted my Birthday waiting in for people who didn't show up. It's not like they don't have mobiles. If they'd have let me know earlier, I could have arranged to do something else.

Sunday was better, M and I went to the earlybird showing of Stardust at the pictures. I like going to the flicks in the morning, it's cheap, it's not as full, and you don't get the temptation to stuff your face with popcorn, although that has been known *lol* Stardust is pretty good, it's a Neil Gaiman film and it's a visual spectacular. I love Robert DeNiro in it, and Michelle Pfiffer is great too. It was like a who's who of British talent too, Mr. Weasley was in it, Rupert Everett, Peter O'Toole, Sienna Miller, Ricky Gervais, David Walliams, and loads of others, and Charlie Cox who plays Tristan is just adorable!

Then we went to a local diner for lunch with my brother and sister. We had a good laugh and my brother gave me the new Harry Potter DVD for my birthday, so we watched that Sunday night.

Would you believe it, it actually snowed on Sunday night. I managed to take a couple of photos before my camera batteries wore out.

It's like a winter wonderland!

It didn't last though and was gone by the morning. I posted off about 4 swap packages this morning (had the day off work *hurray*) Candles and a panta for KittyKill.

2 sets of stitchmarkers and a beaded spider for Annchen.

And 2 sets of stitchmarkers and a felted cosy for them for Maria.

I also sent off Lidia's Slytherin scarf and some candles for the HPC secret Santa swap. Unfortunately it looks like Rosemary's parcel has been intercepted by thieving Muggles, so I'm going to get together another package for her.

I had a couple of great packages today too. Dulcinea sent me this amazing pendant, the Felt Fairy sent me this fantastic stocking and goodies, and IntrepidYarn sent me this for the Stash swap. Thank you everyone!

Stocking Stuff!

Hurray! The Felt Fairy received her stocking so I can finally post pictures of what I sent to her. (What a miracle, I sent something first class and it actually arrived the next day!) So this is what Penny's stocking started life as, a Monsoon jumper. Well, this is the jumper after a boil wash in the washing machine. It was a size 14, but at this point would probably fit only a four year old. If anyone's interested, Monsoon jumpers felt really, really well *lol* It was lovely and thick fabric at this point, perfectly felted. It was the first time I'd ever tried felting a jumper in my machine, so I'm happy at how well it turned out.

Next I drafted a curly toes stocking shape, loosely based on one that Penny had in her Wists and cut 2 shapes from the felt. The felt was lovely to cut and felt really nice and textured. I did worry that sending felt to the Felt Fairy might have been like sending coals to Newcastle, but I really couldn't find a fabric that I was happy with, and the jumper was the perfect colour!

This is the stocking after I finished embellishing it. I sewed a couple of ribbon and lace trims at the top and some sequins and shisha mirrors on the body of the stocking.

I had to hand sew the two pieces together because it was far too thick for my sewing machine, so I blanket stitched them together using a silver crochet thread. I added a matching pink bell at the toe too.

And here's the contents.

A sparkly fluffy corkscrew scarf. I kind of made it a practical black, white and grey, which I figured would go with most things.

A Santa Panta. the marabou pompom is removable so that it can be worn on a coat or something.

A quick action shot!

And this is a snowball bracelet! Well, it reminds me of little snowballs! They're vintage pearl beads on a memory wire bracelet.

A pressed flower keyring with added fairy dust, for a bit of summertime in the depths of winter.

A handmade scented candle.

A rubber duck that changes colour according to the temperature of the water. I thought it was so cute. There were glow in the dark ones too, but I liked this purple one.

This is a cute item too. Look, a baa lamb...

And underneath it's a rubber stamp!

I also made a fimo tree ornament.

And a mini mirror with fimo on the back, in a little case.

This is a handmade, hand painted clay tree ornament. It could go in or outside. It's a traditional partridge in a pear tree.

Some handmade winter spice soap with orange, cinnamon and clove oils. It's also coloured with cinnamon powder.

I also sent a mini manicure set which I forgot to take a photo of. Hopefully I'll get my stocking tomorrow! I'm so excited! It's starting to feel Christmas-y. The weather's getting colder and it's been frosty every morning this week. Apart from being cold, which I hate, I love the crispy brightness of a sunny winter morning when the sky's blue and there's a frost.

Stocking Teaser.

Here's a sneaky pic for Penny! This is some of the stocking stuffing! I posted today, so it should be there in the next day or two! I loved the stocking I made and hopefully she will too!

And I've been making some stitch markers recently for the OWS swap. I raided my button jar for these and I think they came out really well!

I had to start a new panta for KittyKill. I ran out of yarn and thought I had more of that colour but I was wrong. It's still pink though. I've finished Flora for me, but I need to press it (acrylic so it's easier to press than to block) and stitch the flower on. It's waiting for me to have a minute. I've been so rushed off my feet. I've been working long hours (I have 3 jobs) and Sunday I popped into town with a mate Christmas shopping. Unfortunately yoga was cancelled this week due to power failure in the hall, but I went and shimmied at belly dancng class in the new corset belt that Zira made me. This weekend promises to be even busier *lol* I think I have a day off tomorrow, but I guess I'll spend it cleaning and getting ready for the weekend. I have a craft fair on Saturday, then home for a quick shower and a few mates round for a birthday celebration *lol* Sunday M and I are having lunch with my bro and sis, I'm planning to have the salad, but I can't promise there won't be cake. I've lost 3 pounds so far, so I'm hoping not to put it all back on *lol*

swaps and stockings!

This week has been sooo busy! I've worked, had my haircut, been to yoga and belly dancing, said goodbye to an old friend who is moving to Australia, and started the Felt Fairy's stocking. I've cut it out and picked out the embellishments. No piccys though coz she peeks! *lol* I'm pleased with how it's going so far.

Here's the Slytherin corkscrew scarf I'm making for the HPC Secret Santa swap, she wanted a house scarf, but this is a slightly fancier version with silver thread running through for the festive season. I don't think Rosemary's parcel has turned up yet, so I'm going to make something else for her, and hope that this one gets there.

I posted the stash swap goodies, it cost me a whopping £7.50! Eeek! And when I got home I noticed I'd left something out! Oh well, never mind. This is where I'm at with my muff, nearly finished!

And because I'm a glutton for punishment at this time of year, I made a few claims in the OWS. Here's a panta I'm making for KittyKill. I've also got some stitch markers to make. I think I have the perfect idea! I just need to raid my button jar!

Ooo, and good news, I sold one of my fork pendants through my eBay shop yesterday! Hurray! And more good news, I lost a lb! 13 more to go! I think next week may be hard to keep to my points though as it's my birthday! :-)

A slow week

I've had a busy week so far and it looks set to continue. Work Monday and Tuesday, grocery shopping Monday night, Yoga Tuesday night, School all day today and belly dancing later. I then went to pick up some books I claimed from Freecycle. What a score! A big pile of craft books and patterns. They're mostly 80's style patterns and the craft books are definitely vintage seventies, but they're fun to look through and I may be able to adapt some of the patterns.

I'm hoping to get the stash swap items in the post shortly, I just have to pack them all together and get to the post office. I also need to fill in loads of paperwork for changing my mortgage provider and a few other things. I definately need a timeturner! I haven't had much time to spend on the Felt Fairy's stocking yet, but I have spent the odd few minutes crocheting a Slytherin scarf for my HPC secret Santa partner. Sometimes insomnia is useful *lol* I decided to make it a corkscrew style scarf which she can wear at dressy occasions if she likes. The yarn is lovely, it's green with a strand of silver running through it, perfect for Slytherin, and I have a grey yarn for the contrasting band.

Look, the Swarovski crystals arrived so I've stuck a few onto my pendants. I like the added sparkle.

Tomorrow morning I have an appointment for a haircut, then I'm at the pottery studio till 6, and on Friday I'm popping round to see my good friend Sarah, who is emigrating to Australia in a week or two. She is lovingly known in my household as mad Sarah and I will miss her dearly, she's a good crafty mate! Then I'm in the pottery studio again all day Saturday but will hopefully have Sunday off!