A new look to end the year.

A huge thanks to Mavis at Mavis Graphic Designer who has given this blog a fresh fun new look as  the winner of a blog makeover giveaway I won and have managed to update my madeit store with it too.

I am really happy with it, so I just wanted to say thanks Mavis!

PS Feel free to grab my brand new button too!

Handmade Christmas

Some of the Christmas goodies the girls and I have been working on for their teachers, swim and gymnastic coaches, friends and neighbours. I love a bit of home baking, and what better way to show some Christmas spirit than with something handmade of the edible variety!



mini puds



Chocolate rum and raison cake -
my version of the Christmas Fruit Cake - yum!

Christmas cookie cutter shapes

I love to package them all up beautifully....

... with a little handmade card too.

Hope your Christmas is a little bit handmade too!

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!