The Sketchbook Project 2012

Sketchbooks for the 2012 Sketchbook Project have to be post marked by 31st January and I've finished just in time!......phew.
The theme I chose was TREE HOUSE.


I've always loved the idea of living in a tree house in one of those amazing Morton Bay Fig Trees with the crazy big roots.  It would be like living in "The Faraway Tree" (but with all the mod-cons, of course).

Morton Bay Fig Tree, Sydney

  Anyway.... below are the little artworks that went into my sketchbook.  I love using ink and making mixed media collages.  I like gathering up all sorts of bits and bobs - that on their own might not be that interesting, but put them together make and they make something unique.

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Foxy Swap - Part 3

YAY - they finally came - albeit a smidge late, my decorations arrived!  They are so cute, I LOVE them all!  (but I think a have a teeny crush on the adorable Santa....sooo cute).  I can't wait for next Christmas so they can hang proudly on my little tree.  Check 'em out >>>

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My Weekend

I had the best weekend filled with some of my favourite things....

Sewing up a storm making lots of Christmas pressies.
Wrapping up all of those pressies
Baking batches of gingerbread men....so cute
Coffee with my Nanna and Sister
Hanging out with my fur babies and decorating the house

- LOVE it

what did you get-up to this weekend?




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Pomander Balls

I've always wanted to make Pomander balls and this Christmas I'm finally going to make some!

 

Pomanders go back to the 15th century.  A pomander, from the French pomme d'ambre, i.e. apple of amber, is a ball made of perfumes.  They were worn hung from a neck-chain or belt, where they served as a protection against infection in times of pestilence or merely as a useful article to modify bad smells....

If you fancy having a go at making some yourself this festive season see the method below.


To make 2 balls, you will need:
2 oranges (or try apples, lemons, or lime)
Toothpick or pin to ease the cloves into the orange
Whole cloves, at least 1/4 cup, depending upon your design
Spice mixture (see recipe below)
1.5m of Ribbon

For the spice mixture:
3 Tbs. ground cinnamon
3 Tbs. ground cloves
3 Tbs. ground nutmeg
3 Tbs. ground ginger
3 Tbs. orris root powder (the dried and ground root of certain iris used as a fixative)


Directions
Making a Pomander Ball is easy, but can take some time! Simply stick a clove directly into an orange (or any of the other fruits listed above). You may want to use a toothpick or pin to make the first punctures so that the cloves are easier to insert. You don't have to fill the entire ball - try a pattern or design if you feel inspired.

Once the ball is completely studded with cloves, roll it in the spice mixture and set it aside for a couple of weeks in a cool dry spot so that it will dry. Once dried, tie a ribbon around the ball for hanging. Multiple pomander balls also look beautiful displayed together in a large decorative bowl.




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Foxy Swap ;) - Part 2

I had so much fun this weekend making my decorations for the Small Fox 3rd Annual Ornament Swap!

I made some "Love" & "Dove" tree decoration, using felt,  LD fabric, and of course a little bit of glitter to give them that Christmassy sparkle....>>>

on the tree...

 all packed-up 

and ready 

to go....yay! 

xxx

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Foxy Swap ;)

 

SMALL FOX 3rd Annual Ormament Swap....YAY to the max!!    I had so much fun taking part in this swap last year that I just had to do it again this year!  Thanks so much to the lovely Sarah for organising and coordinating it all.  I'll pop up some pictures of my creations soon...x

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Christmas Swap Time

Yay......I can't wait to do this swap! 

1. At LEAST One Handmade Item
2. Something to Read (book, magazine, poem)
3. Something for the Tree (garland, ornament, topper, skirt)
4. Holiday Goody (candy, cocoa, tea, coffee, chocolate)
5. Challenge: Include one gift for each letter needed to spell out a word from the season (SNOW, JOY, FAITH, LOVE, HOPE, GIFT, TREE, JESUS, STAR, SANTA, etc). We did this last year and it was SO MUCH FUN! Of course, the perfect gift for an "A" is an APRON.

Shawnee has requested that participants answer her questionnaire to help out out swap partner.....so here are my answers...

Shawnee's Secret Santa Swap Questionnaire

1.  What are your hobbies?

Sewing, Cooking,

2.  What are your favourite colours? –

Pink, Lilac, White, Taupe, Aqua, Melon, Aubergine

3.  Do you collect anything?

 Not really

4.  Are you allergic to any fibres or animals?

 No

5.  Do you have any pets?

Yes!  two gorgeous fluffy doggies, Daisy & Hugo.

6.  Coffee, Tea, or Chocolate?

All of these!

7.  What do you like to read?

Classics

8.  Do you prefer Cookies or Candies as a sweet?

Candies

9.  What is your favourite holiday treat?

 mmm so many - probably gingerbread

10.  Describe your favourite holiday tradition.

Sitting around the tree and opening our gifts

11.  Did you believe in Santa as a child?

Yes!

12.  When do you open presents?

We have a European background so half of our family’s pressies are opened on Christmas Eve and the other half on Christmas Day.

13.  Do you put up a tree and when?  If not, how do you celebrate?

I love putting up our tree - it's HUGE.  We decorate the tree and house on the 1st December so we can get the most enjoyment out of all our effort!

14.  Does your tree have a theme?

Yes, each year we have a different theme - this year I'm thinking maybe red & white

15.  What has been your favourite gift to give?  to receive?

My favourite gift to give is something that's hard to find or something special from overseas. I love receiving gifts that someone has put a lot of thought and love into especially for me.

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2012 Calendar Tea Towel Competition

This is my design for the Spoonflower 2012 Calendar Tea Towel Competition....soooo much fun!
Check-out all the super creative entries at www.spoonflower.com




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Trafalgar's Square

Today I came across the most gorgeous illustrations I have ever seen!  Theses adorable watercolours are the creation of Kit Chase of Trafalgar's Square.  You can buy these and many other super cute prints at her Esty store here. 

Sooooo cute Kit - what beautiful inspiration! X

REPEAT AFTER ME....

{Quote by Edwin Land, typography and image by Marius Roosendaal}

pOm PoMs

How gorgeous are these pompoms!  Over at once wed you can follow there tutorial on how to make your own - LOVE it!

Frosted Flurries Apron Swap - Part 3

Hey - Check out the super glamorous Apron I received from Jen in the Frosted Flurries Apron Swap!  I love the way she has incorporated the snowflake into the design - really clever!  She also included some exceptionally thoughtful gifts for me using her word of choice - TINSEL.  She discovered that I am on a creative journey and sent me all sorts of goodies to get me inspired and motivated - like a bunch of beads and trinkets to make earrings and a really cute snowman making kit!  Jen also sent me some very delicious sounding recipe cards with seasonal treats well loved by her & her family .....yum....I can't wait to try them out!  Also in my parcel was the most snuggly scarf I have ever seen and some cookie cutters and a book to keep photos in as a record of my creative adventures!

THANK YOU so very much Jen.....such an amazing thoughtful package - I feel totally spoilt!  Love x

Thimbleprim's Ornament Swap - Part 3

 

These are the super cute ornaments I received from the Thimbleprims Studio Ornament Swap.  How sweet are they....and so loveingly made.  I can't decide which one I like best.......but ....the I do love the crazy beard on the far left santa....heee heee  x.

Victorian Cuff Swap - Part 2

 

Lookie, lookie what I got!  This is the beautiful cuff that my new friend Robin made for me for the Victorian Cuff Swap.  These photos don't really do it justice -the detail is just amazing!  Thanks so much Robin, you are an inspiration xxx.

Victorian Cuff Swap - Posted

I finished my Victorian inspired cuff for Robin last week and sent it off with some other Victorian Era type goodies.   In Sydney we have the amazing Queen Victoria Building (QVB) which is filled with every kind of shopping delight you could think of.  It's one of my favourite places to visit. I included in my package to Robin (of Georgia USA) a cute souveneir tote and some postcards....yay!  Hope she likes her cuff and little extras - I really enjoyed making it. Thanks Hungry Hippie for hosting. X

(sorry about the dodgy pictures - it was quite hard to take a good photo of it, but you get an idea)