Kylie's Angels....and...Pay it Forward time......

Yesterday my little boys and I set off for Kylie's place for a Christmas catch up. It was great to see her and her lovely family. Our boys play so well together and my two came home very tired! Kylie gifted me with these two BEAUTIFUL Shabby Christmas Angels that she slaved over making especially for me.

 Aren't they gorgeous!

I love them, thank you Kylie! You can see a full round up of our visit here if you like.

Now, as it is the end of the year, I would like to say a really big

'Thank You'

 to all of my readers.

 Whilst I cannot possibly send a gift out to everyone that follows or reads, I am going to randomly select 4 lucky bloggers to receive a 'Pay-It-Forward' gift from me.

I have handmade items, fabric, embellishment packs, patterns and a whole array of goodies to share!

All you need to do is leave a comment on this post.

There are conditions of course! To be a part of the 'Pay-It-Forward' you must have a blog, be prepared to share the love and 'Pay-It-Forward' on your blog and link back here when you post about your 'Pay-It-Forward'. Pretty simple really.

I will leave this post open to everyone until New Years Day.

I am going to sign off now until 2011 and would like to wish everyone a very

'Happy and Safe Holiday Season' where ever you are in the world!

Lots of bloggy love, Kathryn. XX

Sebastian, Grandma's Fox.....

Ok, so I couldn't make my Dad his favourite animal and not make my Mum hers now could I?

So, I'd like you to meet 'Sebastian', he is a little stunned about being put forth into the public domain.

 He is a Sagittarius and likes to have his tummy rubbed non stop.......

 And he likes to be told that he is handsome fox!

 Turn around, don't be shy.......

That's better, now I hope you two get along because you are going to be spending a lot of time together from now on!

Pay it forward tomorrow....

Kathryn. XX

Seymor, Grandpa's owl....

Meet 'Seymor', he doesn't like being photograped. Can you tell?

He looks like a little school boy who does not want to do as he is told.

 Seymor was made for my Dad for Christmas.

Dad loves owls, so I hope he likes this one, even if he is on the grumpy side.....

 I know, you've had enough........

 Oh really, toe stomping now? OK, I get it.

Back on your perch Mr. Grumpy.

Insipration from One Red Robin here (amazing or what) and lots of images of the Great Horned Owl on Google!

Next week I will be having a "Pay it Forward" surprise to sign off for Christmas. Come back then!

Have a wonderful weekend, Kathryn. XX

Show us your Christmas Home......

I am playing along with Kerryanne's Simply Christmas idea "Show us your Christmas Home".

Welcome to 'Our Shabby Cottage' please come in!

 I made this wreath last year using a bamboo wreath with tinsle, small rope baubles, ribbon and fake poinsettias.

 Master 8 did most of the decorating this year. I think he did a really great job. These paper chains were made by him last Christmas and have lasted pretty well!

As you can see we still haven't finished painting!

 My Mum has made us all a beautiful Christmas Stocking over the years and I must say I love the traditional colours of Christmas. She also made our Advent Calendar which we fill with lollies and each one has a special trinket to put up after the box has been opened.

 Each stocking is personalised with things we love!

I love Bumble Bees so mine has a bumble bee button on it!

 I do love home made decorations, mostly made by our two boys at school! 

The Santa candle, I have had since I was a child and, it lovingly, comes out every year. 

 I really think Master 8 did a great job of the tree, don't you?

It looks wonderful at night with the lights on too.

Hubs bought the two little houses (top left) a few months ago, he never does anything like that! He was going to buy just one, when I said, 'If you are going to buy one you may as well buy two!" I think we will add to the collection every year.

And, most importantly, the Nativity.

We have two at our place, a really great Playmobile one which the kids love and a very special wooden one my Dad made for us.

I am looking forward to having a look around other people's homes today, I hope you will play along with us!

Stay tuned for a little suprise too......

Kathryn. XX

Sharing the sharing.....

I thought I'd share some sharing! Some of my items have been featured in Etsy Treasuries and on a few  blogs lately. Here are just a few.....

'Perfectly "PINK" Holiday gift ideas' treasury on Etsy here

' "Made It" Christmas Gift finds' on Pivotal Xpressions blog here

'Christmas Stockings' on 'Victorian Living' blog here

"An Aussie Christmas" treasury on Etsy here

                           

 "Berries in the snow" treasury on Etsy here    
"Linen and Lace" treasury on Etsy here

These treasuries are beautiful way of grouping similar items and themes together and are very inspirational for gift ideas for Christmas. If you haven't checked out Etsy, you should, it is the place for unique and amazing creations from all around the world. And don't forget our Aussie version, Made It; there are so many talented people out there!

Kathryn. XX

Etsy overhaul........

Last Saturday's 'Buninyong Makers Market' was another successful day. The sun shone, customers were out in full force and all of the stall holders had a great day. We had raffle prizes and stall holder prizes with lot's of fun and festive spirits!

With Christmas fast approaching, and holidays looming, I spent today overhauling my Etsy shop in readiness.

I was very pleased to find that they have added a feature so that you can list your items in your chosen currency, finally. So, now all of my Aussie customers can pay in Australian dollars!

Go and check out my new look shop with lot's of different goodies added.......in Aussie dollars!

Kathryn. XX