Christmas Decorations for 2010

 As soon as this cross-stitch picture comes down out of the attic it is Christmas in our house.  It is at least 15 years since I made it and it is one of the items that I would save in a fire!  Please excuse the shadows but it is very hard to get a good photo with dull light and the glass etc

 A selection of little stocking decorations made out of bits of cardboard, scraps and left overs.

Machine embroidered Christmas decorations.  These were all flat enough to pop inside a card and post.  Every year I try and find something different to make in the way of Christmas decorations.  Anything as long as they are not shop-bought.  This year I didnt crochet many decorations-the thought of stiffening them with  PVA and trying to dry them out was just too much.  You have to be in the humour for it.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and I wish you all a great crafting year for 2011!
Geraldine x

Challenges etc

It has been ages since I entered any crafty online challenges so here goes :

 A Christmas card in the non-traditional colours of duck egg blue and brown.  I am entering this in the following challenges:
Moving along with the Times "Lots of Spots"
Papertake Weekly "Red & Green must not be seen"

A little Christmas stocking made from card board from a Dog food box.  It uses up lots of scraps, one of my snowman lace embellishments and crochet flowers.
I am entering this in the "Incy wincy Christmas Decoration Challenge"
Geraldine x

December makes for the By the Cute and Girly Challenge Blog

Apologies for the lack of posts recently but myself and the dog have had to move out of my house owing to building works.  We spent 5 weeks down the country with no internet access and only a TV and mobile phone for contact with the outside world and then the snow came......

But it was a great opportunity for crafting and I made lots of Christmas decorations which I'll show in my next posts but back to the BTC&G  December challenge.  The topic this month is CHILDREN  and the sponsor is Fred she Said where you can find lots of wonderful digi images.  This months prizes (all gift certificates vouchers) are as follows:
$20 from Fred she Said

$20 from Simon Says Stamp
£10 from Joanna Sheen
$15 from Little Snippets

Card made with sponsor's "Emma in her Frills"

Also used:  Mariposa cardstock, MS branch punch, Little Snippets smiling sun, flowers from local garden centre and some of my own crochet flowers.



Card made featuring "Emma and the Chickadee"

Also used: Card from Payperbox, MS doily punch and a
Little Snippets Snowflake.

Crochet outfit for 2 year old girl.

 

 The pattern used here is King Cole No 3250 and some DK yarn if you feel like making it for your favourite toddler this Christmas.

Now for a photo of Herbie enjoying his winter break.

That's all for now,folks.  Stay warm and cosy!

Geraldine x

Makes for Novembers By the Cute and Girly Challenge

This month's theme at BTC&G challenge blog is Jungle-something to warm you up during the November nights when its starting to get a little chilly.  This months prizes are sponsored by Simon Says Stamp, Johanna Sheen and Little Snippets. My first card uses ROXI from Fairy Dust Crafts.  The background paper is Basic Grey Origins and the leaves are heart-shaped felt pieces that I cut out with the Cuttlebug and then chopped up.

The Elephant is a Magnolia stamp and the  papers are a selection from Cosmo Cricket.  The "fur" is old yarn left over from a scarf.

 My last make is a Jungle Drums necklace which was inspired by the 3 large drum-shaped beads from Yellow Brick Road.

It was great to get the opportunity to use natural colours before the glitz and sparkle of Christmas/New Year crafting takes over.
All the best
Geraldine x

Cards/Presents/Chocolate and T-lights

I have been experimenting with making cards that double up as presents.  A big Thank You has to go to Hanna who translated the instructions and sent them on to me.  Hanna has some great candy on her blog HERE at the moment so pop over and leave a comment (especially for Tilda fans).

 This card is carrying 4 scented T-lights and the card uses one of the Jolly Santas from my Etsy shop.

Next card carries a bar of Butlers Chocolate and uses a Hero Arts stamp (I hate Chocolate but love inflicting it on others).

Close up.....

More Chocolate....drooling yet?

Geraldine  x

New goodies in my Etsy shop

Gold and Silver Raffia twine.  Not the most exciting item ever but great for tying parcels, making bows or even hanging up small pictures and ornaments (its much stronger than the natural colour raffia).

Six inch wide organza ribbon.  Too gorgeous for words and lots of sparkle.

The Man Himself,

Santa

Flowery Cupcakes

                                                                         Pearl trimming

Spooky Stuff and October Makes for By the Cute and Girly

This month at By the Cute and Girly challenge blog the theme is SPOOKY!   My 1st makes are 3 Halloween door hangers using embellishments from my Etsy shop and black and orange beaded crochet trimming for extra effect.

  A little clothespeg (clothespin) witch with her cat and broomstick.  All you need to make this is a tiny amount of fabric and felt for her cloak and hat.

The MAD crochet item...its a toilet roll cover with added spiders for true bathroom horrors.

Close up of 2 of the door hangers.

The Spooky challenge is open until the end of the month so you could get cracking making some scarey/spooky Halloween treats, enter and win some great prizes!

Geraldine x