Christmas Angels....and something to crack you up!

I've been finishing off making a few more bits and pieces for the 'Buninyong (Christmas) Makers Market,

(which is on this Saturday, the 4th December).

I know, I wanted to finish last week, but I just can't help myself!

I wanted something cheap enough for children to buy with their pocket money.

I thought these little peg Christmas Angels might do the trick. I am yet to put their mouths on.

 $6 each or 3 for $15.

And, here is a little something to have a laugh at.

I bought something on ebay, from Hong Kong, and this was the little message tucked inside!

I hope you 'may happy every day too'!

Kathryn. XX

My Creative Space....

Today in 'My Creative Space' I have been assembling a few more 'Royal Guards' which have been evolving since I last posted about them here.

 And, I have also been tagging things for the next market as well as making a few more brooches. 

I am hoping to get everything finished for the 'Buninyong (Christmas) Makers Market' this week so I can relax next week and just do a few things for me, like a new dress that I have the fabric for, just waiting in the wings!

More Creative Spaces over here, thanks Kirsty.

What's happening in your creative space today?

Kathryn. XX

Sheet Music Christmas Wreath Tutorial.....

After the wonderful responses to the 'Nursery Rhyme Christmas Wreath' post yesterday, I decided to make a few more Christmas Wreaths and do a simple tutorial on how to make them....my way! This method would only be suitable for home/own use as it is quick and a little 'rough' in places (but you can't see the rough bits when it is hanging up!).

You will need:

1 vintage book (I used sheet music here)

Scissors

Sticky tape

Stapler

cardboard

ribbon of choice

ruler

 Begin by taking the staples out from the centre of the book. Cut pages down the centre so you have A4 sized sheets. Cut these sheets down the centre from top to bottom, then from the top ends cut off 2 1/2". Keep these small bits for the centre fan. 

Make a cardboard ring, mine was about 7" with a smaller ring in the middle, see below.

              Roll your rectangluar pieces into cone shapes, sticky tape in place then staple the ends to the centre of your ring.

                   Continue this process until you have a full circle.                    

 Using a small stapler, staple each piece together.

 Now, to make the centre fan.

Take your smaller end pieces and staple end to end on one corner. Be careful not to 'fold' the paper.

 Staple enough pieces to create a fan, see below. Staple the bits together as you go.

 Thread the ends of a small piece of ribbon through the middle, from the front to the back, leaving a loop. Through the loop, thread another piece of ribbon, I used wire edged ribbon.

 Turn your fan over, pull the small ribbon tight and knot.

 Place in the centre of the wreath then taple the ribbon ends to the edge of the cardboard ring

 Arrange your wire ribbon into nice 'bow' shapes.

 Attach a longer piece of ribbon to the back of your cardboard ring for the hanger. You can see what a mess it is on the back, hence IOFM. (It's Only For Me!)

 Voila!

 Very effective don't you think!

 This is a smaller version I made today. I only used 5" squares for this one. You can adjust the size of your wreath by playing with different sized bits of paper.

You can see the difference the size of the paper makes!

I hope this helps you 'nut' out how to make one of your own.

I'm sure that some of you will come up with a much better method than this!

Anyway, it's all about experienting and having fun!!!

I'd love to know if anyone decides to make one?

Happy Christmas Wreath making!!!

Kathryn. XX

Nursery rhyme Christmas wreath......

After seeing the fabulous wreaths here last week, I had a bee in my bonnet to make one for myself!

This seems to be flavour of the month, this year, particularlly making them from old sheet music.

 I went on the hunt for old sheet music but came up empty handed so I decided a vintage nursery rhyme book would do the trick!

 It turned out to be a little on the big side as you can see with a comparison shot of the space around it!!!

And I found 'The twelve days of Christmas' within the pages so I used that as the fan circle in the middle.

Master 8 came home after school one night last week and exclaimed "Mummy, that is awesome!"

("Awesome" is his favourite word at the moment.)

It didn't take long to make either, very rewarding for not much effort. I used sticky tape to hold most of it together as well as a few staples. I'm sure there is a tutorial out there in blog land somewhere. If not, let me know and I'll do a quick and easy tutorial on how I did mine.

Kathryn. XX

Koala.....

Has it really been over a week since I last posted? Wow, the time flies and life is getting busier as we get closer to Christmas isn't it? I have begun my Christmas shopping and sewing. I have actually had a few gifts hiding in my cupboard for months! I have bought a lot from Etsy this year - previous years I have made EVERYTHING and this year I decided I was NOT going to be so stupid!!!!!

I also have been getting ready for the 'Buninyong (Christmas) Makers Market' which is on the 4th of December.  If you are free please come by and say hello!

 This little Koala is my latest creation, which went for a test run this morning.

 I have to send presents to a few overseas kids this year - how hard is it to buy a Koala that is not made in China? .......VERY. So here is my home grown, locally made, little bush baby.

Made with lots of love, of course!!!

I will have some of these available in my Etsy shop soon and at the market.

My Creative Space......

In 'My Creative Space' today I am making a few more of these 'Mother and Child Matryoshka' sets.

 Yesterday, I received an email from a lady who has just had a little baby girl and she is Matryoshka mad, a bit like me! She was after a 'Mother and Child' set and this is how they turned out, cute huh?

So, why didn't I think of that before???

What's happening in your creative space today?

More over here, thanks Kirsty.

Kathryn. XX

A garden of Eden.....

I took the boys to my parents' home yesterday, for the day, to get them out of Hubs hair. He was wanting to get some painting done and who am I to stop him! (better him than me.)

(If you have follwed my blog for a while you will know that I have done my fair share of painting this house, now it's his turn)

 Mum cooked a yummy lamb roast and self saucing chocolate pudding, how lucky were we!

Hubs didn't miss out entirely, Mum was kind enough to do up a plate to take home for his dinner!

Their garden is like a paradise at the moment, everything is in bloom.....

 Irises are my favourite flower along with pink roses...

 There are so many things to look at in their garden. Dad makes these birds from timber and he also did these stone sculptures by the bird bath!

The boys love it here, there are so many places to explore and hide out!

Mum works tirelessly in the garden doing something everyday, and it shows.

It is a real credit to her. I wonder where my green thumb is.....?

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend, Kathryn. XX

Vintage style brooches.....

 This actually happened by chance.

I was trying to make a fancy thing for a bag, instead of putting a button on it, and these brooches just kept flooding out.....I am still to make the right 'thing' for the bag mind you!

All are in the shop now if you are interested.

Sunny here today, finally!

Kathryn. XX

My creative space.....travel stuff

This week in 'My Creative Space'...

 'Travel Journal' Cushion 

I have been making lots of 'travel' themed products. 

 The 'travel' themed notebook covers were a huge hit at the last Buninyong Makers Market.
(edited to add- listed in the shop this afternoon)

So, if you missed out last time, look out for some more on the 4th December at the next market day!

More creative spaces over here, thanks Kirsty.

What's happening in your creative space?

Kathryn. XX

MEGA CUSHION SALE NOW ON AT 'OUR SHABBY COTTAGE'....

Yes you heard it here first folks.

Our Shabby Cottage is having a huge

 'Pillows and Cushions' SALE - up to 50% off

selected styles and a minimum of 20% off.

Only until the 15th of November or until stocks are sold out.

It's a perfect time to buy for Christmas, birthdays or just to spoil yourself.

Also, I will be adding a FREE gift to all purchases made by my blogging friends! Just let me know in the checkout that you are a reader of my blog and a little something will be added for you!

Happy shopping, Kathryn. XXX