French Knots

Sew Christmassy

In line with my cheerful frugality approach to life these days I decided I would try and make as many Christmas presents as possible using what I already have. This is no hardship as I have boxes full of fabric, jars of ribbon and buttons and using what I have is more satisfying than just going out and buying more stuff.

So repurposing began, unused pillowcases - 70s perhaps?- bought at the jumble became peg bags

 

An old sheet in a funky flower pattern became a bed pocket, with the addition of an embroidery I saw on someone's blog - I can't remember where so if it is you please let me know so I can credit you properly (and it's a little present for my niece so I hope you don't mind me copying your sweet bedtime picture)

 

The bed pocket has a long flap to go under the matress and the pocket can hang by the pillow to hold a book, a torch or other special treasures.

Unlike the government I don't believe that borrowing and spending is the answer when times are tough financially, I would rather save my money and be a bit more inventive and creative when coming up with Christmas presents.

A rummage through my embarrasingly large fabric stash came up with a super selection of fabrics to make a Wee Wonderfuls robot, I've had the pattern for a couple of years so it was time it saw the light of day.

   

I had almost forgotten the lovely fabric I bought bought earlier in the year with a patchwork cushion in mind. I added a little pocket and made a matching neckerchief for the bear, perfect for cuddles

 

Sew ( yes I'm enjoying that pun, sorry!) my Christmas list has shrunk to just a couple of things, including an embroidered stocking that I started before last Christmas and I'll be really pleased if it's finished for next Christmas! 

Busy, Busy

Goodness how did I ever find time to go to work!? I love the bustle of this time of year but find I'm flagging by mid afternoon, which is a great deal better than a few weeks ago. Last week got off to a shaky start as the Doctor sent me to hospital worried that I might be loosing amniotic fluid, happily 6 hours later (!) I was home again safe in the knowledge that I was not but having leant that Tena Lady may well figure in the future and also to avoid sneezing!! Nearly halfway now, 18 weeks today.

The week took an upturn from there as I had been invited to sit on the Citizens Jury for Midwifery run by our local Primary Care Trust. It was a facinating three days, we heard evidence from midwives, obstretricians, staticians, finance experts and had some heated discussion amongst ourselves. It focussed on the fact that my local area is loosing it's maternity unit ( something to do with bringing services ' closer to home' - yeah right) and we were assessing the need for a Midwife Led Unit to serve low risk women in this area. Without that, the only place to give birth would be at home or by travelling outside the area to a big maternity unit at a hospital where it is already hard to park and people feel they are on a conveyor belt. Possibly I am biased, given my current condidtion, but I voted in favour of it and a report will be sent to the jurors in a couple of weeks before it is presented to the PCT. It was great to use my brain a bit more than usual, ok so I've been learning spellings and times tables with The Big Sister but that's not the same! It's an aspect of my working life I had not realised I missed, analysing information, questioning, probing, assessing - the lunches were pretty good too!

I've made some progress on my list of Christmas presents - how are you doing?  

 

A little quilt for a certain someone, the first I've made.Well more of a patchwork blanket reallyas I didn't actually quilt it, perhaps next time.

My Christmas Swap has arrived with Tracey my partner and hers is here too.........of course we couldn't wait to open them

 

This is what I sent, hopefully she is an apron person,the soft trees were all over blogland a couple of years ago and I decided to make mini yo yos for the baubles 

I really enjoyed the hand sewing and, time permitting will make one or two to add to my Christmas decorations.

Tracey really spoilt me

   

She is a talented needle woman, the bag is wonderfully made, so neat and absolutley perfect and the decoration is really sweet with it's embroidery. Thank you Tracey for being my partner, I hope everyone else is as happy with their swap surprises.

Christmas swap partners

Typing at top speed as this post has vanished into the ether 3 times already, my wonderful linktastic post lost when the flammin broadband crashed again....and again...!

I have a great idea for what I'm going to make and I hope you do too. I suggest something that takes two or three evenings of creativity to finish so everyones gets a similar amount of swap goodness.

Please post by 19th Novemebr at the latest to allow time for the international parcels to arrive and if you are anything like me it will free up December for making presents for family and friends as somehow Christmas always creeps up on me! It might be a good idea to get a proof of posting in case anything goes missing in the busy Christmas post.

Please take a photo of your swap before you send it and email it me so I can do a showcase of swap lovliness in the New Year.

ok here we go...

Lynda and Kiona

Lucy Locket  and Vanessa 

Diana and Maxine

Sal  and   Claire P

Rachel L and  Lesley 

Angel Jem  and Suzie 

Camilla  and Kat

Karen T and Tea and Cake

Monique and Nicola  

Leslie and Solorn 

Anne and    Julia 

Maryanne and Periwinkle 

Tracey and French Knots

Ginny and   Kali 

Elizabeth and Bagladee 

Mary   and Frugal trenches    

If you have any problems with the swap- missed you out,changed your mind, links don't work etc- please let me know. I will email the partners contact details for the people who don't have a blog.

Happy swapping!

I have amended the links that were wrong so hopefully they should be working ok now. I have also emailed the contact details for the ladies without blogs to their partners, if you've not had the email please let me know...I'll assume no news is good news!

Christmas Swap

I know it's a bit early for the Christmas word! I wondered if anyone would like to indulge in a little Christmas swap ? Hopefully I wont be the only one, but if I am it wont be much fun!

I thought it would be nice to send a handmade gift, a softie, mini quilt, stitchery, pincushion, bag or whatever you enjoy making, to someone else as a surprise present for the holidays. Getting started early and posting by mid November means that it should arrived in good time for the big day. I like the idea of presents made with love and care winging round the world to blogging friends. Tangible evidence of our virtual friendships.

If anyone is interested please leave a comment and I'll get organising.