Lego start to festive season

Not the most complicated homemade Christmas deco, but while messing around trying to get the creative juices going (for work) I built these last night. I'm feeling festive!

a storm in a pin-cushion... or... I joined Pinterest

OK. I'll admit that I'm a little late to this party, but Pinterest is freaking addictive and I'm finally on it.

15 minute garland

This week it's been 3 years since beloved asked me to marry him and I like to celebrate the day in a small, low-key way. So the night before I put this together, it really only took a few minutes and came out nicer than I expected. Here is a very quick how to in case you decide to make something similar.

I cut scraps of red cardboard I had into heart shapes. They weren't all the same.

I had this very cute gingham binding which I had bought for another project and then not used.

 I also used the binding to mark my scissors as one of my "crafternoon" friends has exactly the same ones.

 I used my beloved stamp set to do the lettering.

 And my beloved sewing machine to make it all come together.

Fold the binding in half so that you can put the heart shape inside and sew in a straight big stitch right over it.

The message said, "three years on and my answer is still yes"

the worst things for sale

This is a really fun way to surf away a few hours. Funny as hell.

Beloved had actually pointed these taps out to me a while ago.... they would be rad in our new bathroom

Quiet books

I am not sure whether my niece is too old for a quiet book (she's a very grown up 3 and a 1/2 year old) but I think I want to try making one anyway. For the uninitiated, quiet books are made of fabric and have activities on each page, or just interesting things to look at, to keep kids quiet when you need to. As they are made of fabric, even turning the pages is quiet. I heard of some people doing a very cool thing: let's say 6 of us each wanted to make a book, we would each make 6 of the same page, then each give each other one of our pages, and each end up with a 6 page book. I would imagine that it is easier (and cheaper) to make the same thing 6 times than 6 different things. I have found a million examples that I love:

This  butterfly page is just to freaking cute for words!

I think if I made one similar to this flower page (above) I would use the opportunity to practice buttonholes and make the flowers button on and off. That means there would also need to be a pocket for the flowers somewhere. 

The dressing theme ones are super cute and can be as simple as this

Or as complicated as this. I must say, I love the little clothes pegs in the one above!

The name done with press studs here is a great idea, and maybe more age appropriate for Maya

but does that mean that the artist's palette

the pom pom worm

the barn

the teddy in a tent

and these awesome silly faces are out of the question?? I hope not!

Talking to myself... it's the first sign they say!

I am a big fan of telling myself good things, of consciously bombarding myself with positive talk. Some call it mantra (I normally do) although I don't use Sanskrit words and I don't do it for any religious reasons, some call it affirmation. So what do I say? It depends on what I need to hear, my fallback line for when I need a self esteem boost is "I am lovable and capable". Say it loud, say it under your breath, look yourself in the mirror and say it. It works for me. I also use some for health issues from the occasional chest infection that I get to my achy breaky creaky knees ("forgiveness, understanding, compassion. I bend and flow with ease. All is well.")

I have set this week aside to really work on my attitude to life, this means a return to my gratitude journal, and remembering my mantras. This one will be playing a big part, "I have enough. I do enough. I am enough."

I'm certainly no expert here, but a few tips that have worked for me:
1. Choose a message that works for what you need right now. Find it on the net or craft it yourself.
2. Make it something you can believe in. All the mantra speaking in the world won't make me believe I can win the Tour de France next year.
3. Use positive language and talk in the present tense. Rather "I am confident" than "I won't be shy".
4. I write these on post-it notes and stick them where I will encounter them, like in my desk drawer at work.
5. Repeat as often as you need to, or as often as possible.

Good luck!

What is it with me and bags?

I have been sewing a lot lately and am really enjoying making something from very little. I am using a lot of recycled fabrics too, which makes me super happy! But all I want to make is bags. So far gift bags and tote bags. I have made many of each. I'm not sure whether it is because they seem pretty useful or whether they only require straight lines, but this is all I want to sew for now!

I used these instructions for some of the totes.

I think I may attempt some clothes for my niece next, mostly because of how gorgeous some of the kiddies fabrics are!