Wrapped Balls

  

  

  

I made these wrapped balls earlier in the year, a commission for a friend.  The Tiffany green and sky blue were to match balls I made last year, and then two white, and they all had to have bling.  It might be a little difficult to see, the sky blue and one of the white balls both have wrapped thread panels.

Weaving

  

  

I bought this book by Syne Mitchell at the last Sit & Stitch at Can Do Books.  I have a couple of little looms and thought I should use them.  So I thought I would make a tartan (like) fabric.  The first and third photos are on the loom and the last photo is the fabric off the loom and after a wash.  I enjoyed the weaving and would make a particular weaving project if I thought of it, but I haven't been bitten by the weaving bug, it has all been packed away.  I don't have a project in mind with this fabric, it was just to weave.

Little Surprises

When I was going through my cookery books working out what to make for Christmas dinner I found these four leaves.  From our Japanese Maple, I don't remember when I put them in one of my books.  It was a nice surprise when I turned the page.

Christmas Books

  



Every time we go to Sydney we always stop in at Kinokuniya bookshop.  I bought the first two books there.   I already have a book by the first lovely lady who makes animal heads out of pom poms, had to get her second book.  And love a good Temari book, embroidered wrapped balls.
The third book was delivered while we were away and was waiting for me when we got back.  It is a book of various colour work hats by Scottish designers., by Kate Davies.  (Sorry Stephanie, one of those want it now things.)

Lotus Flower

  

     

My Mother-in-law received a beautiful lotus for Christmas.  Very large leaves and gorgeous flowers.

Another Tea Monster

  



I can share this now.  I made two monsters to go in the lid of Moccona coffee jar lids.  Cheery chaps.

Merry Christmas

Have a wonderful day with family and friends.
This year the parcels were decorated with the little trees.  The parcels were wrapped in brown paper, then ribbon and greenery from IKEA were next, then finished off with three little trees per person.

Sheep Decoration

These sheep were made for decorating Christmas presents in 2014.  The sheep are an Edward's Menagerie pattern by Kerry Lord.  I think I made nine larger sheep and three smaller ones.  I was crocheting sheep in the car on the way to Sydney.

The Artist

  

He looked like a very stern teacher before he took his place on the wrapped ball with his easel.  Made in 2016, a commission for a lovely lady.

Felt Santas

I cut out and started these lovely Santas quite a few years ago.  Then in December of 2015 I decided to get them out and finish them.  There is five days between the two photo.  The Santas now join the others on the Santa Shelf.

Christmas Baking Done

Fruit cake, Coconut Balls, Little Shortbread/Cakes with Fruitmince, and fairly large fruit mince tarts with homemade vegetarian fruit mince.  Busy, busy, busy, and hopefully yummy, yummy, yummy.

Snowmen in Jars

I haven't made anything in a jar for a while.  These two were lurking in the back of the craft room cupboard.

Let the Christmas Baking Begin

Although technically these aren't baked.  Not my finest piping example, but they are cherry and apparently delicious according to Piers and Mitchell.

The Santa Shelf

Not all the Santas I own are on the shelf this year, some are still packed away.  There ares still enough to make a very cheery shelf.

Christmas Reindeer

  

The little reindeer that are decorating Can Do Books are still for sale.  You could go to the bookshop in Huntingdale and have a browse at all the books.  Or you can buy online at www.candobooks.com.au
On the website click on the Christmas Reindeer selection on the left to see them all.  Click on a photo to see it larger and a bit more detail.

Blocking the Blocks

Some of the little squares are not coming out square, 6 x 6cm.  So I made a little blocking station out of a piece of balsa wood that was in the garage.  I will block each one as I finished them.

One of These Things is Not Like the Other

Bought a sweet little juicer the other day.  It blends right in with the chickens.

Buying a Reindeer

The little reindeer that are decorating Can Do Books for Christmas are for sale.  To buy one online go to candobooks.com.au
This is the first screen:



Select the third item down on the column on the left hand side - Christmas Reindeer.
And you will get this screen:



To look closer at a reindeer click on their photo.  If you would like to buy one click the Buy Now button and then follow all the following prompts.
If you would like to make your own reindeer, the pattern has been included with the reindeer.



And this is a guide to the information on the photo for each reindeer.
Not all the reindeer are on the website at the moment, more will be added so it is worthwhile going back to see what has been listed.  And have a browse around at the books while you are there, Can Do Books have a wonderful selection of craft books.

Little Square

I have had such trouble with this square and have restarted a few times.  It's just a simple knit/purl pattern, mind mush be wandering.  Makes me worry for when I get to the more difficult squares.

Christmas Tree

It is a very wet morning here in Melbourne, so here is some sunshine on the Christmas Tree.

Little Squares

  

I'm not sure what project to make at the moment, so while I think I started knitting all the little samples in this lovely book by Wendy Bernard.  Fittingly I am using a Japanese yarn Ito which is silk and very fine, I am knitting on 1.5mm needles.
Yesterday I cleaned the craft room from top to bottom and did a bit of de-stashing along the way.  I'm hoping the clear craft room will mean clear head.

Chai Snowballs

Made these biscuits yesterday, a Martha Stewart recipe, not the prettiest of backed goods, but quite tasty and very Christmassy in flavour.

Some Shirt Sewing

  



I sewed a shirt yesterday.  It has been awhile since I have sewn anything and that didn't go so well.  There are a few problems with the shirt, but that is due to my skills, which can be sorted with practice.  I like the fabric but it has turned out to be a little heavy in the end, not the summer shirt I was hoping for, more a mid-season shirt.  I will make another in some lighter fabric, but I think I will wear this first to see if I like the style on.  I bought the pattern at Can Do Books.

Green Tea Monster

  



I have made a little monster to go in the lid of a Moccona coffee jar lid.  He is for my son to store his tea.  I can share it before he receives it because he doesn't look at my posts, but shhhh, don't tell him.
The little monster is crocheted, hands, arms and legs are wrapped wire, plaited hair, and a lovely cup for tea.