I'm linking up with the divine Rebecca over at making rebecca lynne (despite having had no creative ideas for weeks but since all I can do is think about Christmas presents I might as well share!!). Check out her fabulous think tank:



Thursday Think Tank


I'm a bit behind with blog reading, I'll be catching up later I promise! It's just been hard keeping up with everything, what with the sewing and the PANIC!!

Now there's an eerie calm creeping over me, I'm nearly there - I'll be basting and quilting tonight and then there's just present wrapping to do!

There was much merriment yesterday when this arrived:

I took a picture while debating whether to save this for Christmas. Then decided 'as if'!

A lovely package from the talented Hadley at Flying Blind on A Rocket Cycle. I was so thrilled with the fantastic goodies she so kindly sent because I won her Sew, Mama, Sew! giveaway. I sent her a ridiculous thank you email saying how much I love each bit, the brooch and bag are especially wonderful!


I've never had such lovely felt before so I'm carefully contemplating what to make with it.
I was also pleased that part of the proceeds of the cute card she sent go to the charity Look Good... Feel Better. I did a couple of workshops at Christie's Hospital as a volunteer while at my old job. It was a good experience and everyone had fun. Very worthwhile.

I've been working hard because I had a few last minute gifts to make, I've been desperate to use some of this pretty, if slightly sinister,  (look at the foxes eyes!!) ribbon:


It was my sister's birthday on Monday so she got these:

 

...in a drawstring bag! Hers is the purple one and the other one is for my nephew for Christmas - to be filled with sweets :)


I also made two more zip pouches for my niece and sister-in-law. Unfortunately I had not seen Erin's perfect versions because I'd not read her great post, which has really helpful links for making them look amazing! I'll know for next time. Thanks Erin ;)


I also made a few of these for various lovely folks:


Stuffed with rice and lavender from my garden (must have known in the summer I'd need some ready for last minute!!). I used this cute tutorial because I'm not quite at the making stuff up by myself phase!

Although I did 'do-over' a lanyard for myself! I was getting a bit antsy last night and I've wanted to do it for a while. I LOVE lanyards - I have to have one or my keys are goners. The only problem is I had a freebie one and was a walking advert for Becks beer. Not a good look when the lanyard is hanging out of my bag and I'm picking the boy up from school. I picked some fabrics I love and took great pleasure in cutting the findings off the old one:



They won't get lost now!! Don't you just love my resin bear! I've had him for years, occasionally he falls off but never leaves me :)



I also made my first mobile phone case. I used a brilliant tutorial by Sarah at Fairy Face Designs. I'm so happy with how it turned out, I don't think the pictures do it justice really.


I completely followed her design to the letter, I didn't have time to be more creative and I just loved her original version so much. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery after all :)


Sarah gives wonderful, clear, step-by-step instructions and I enjoyed making it - it was quick to do too! She's so great she has three different variations and one is a slightly smaller size for narrower phones. I really recommend it, although fair warning I think they are addictive!!

I'm off to finish up and wrap these beauties!


Not sure when I'll be able to blog next what with family fun and all the partying sleeping I'll be doing over the weekend. I will be linking up to Rainbow Hare Quilts on 9th January for the final linky party of Making Christmas, I've loved joining in (nearly) every week and Janine has kept me going through my first handmade Christmas :)

If you don't get what you want for Christmas or you didn't win any of the fabulous giveaways recently, don't be sad, I'll have a little giveaway here in the first week of January (I'm not sure what was on your Christmas list so don't get too excited!!). I'm nearly at 100 followers and it's my birthday (the big 3-2! ok that's not really a big deal but I'd like it to be!!).  I hope you've been good because you might get fortunate ;)

To blogging friends, I'm looking forward to seeing all those Christmas makes most of you have been hiding!

I want to wish you all a very happy Merry Christmas and hope you all have a wonderful holiday!