All work and no play makes "Shabby" a very dull girl.....

This is what hours of "isulation istallation" looks like.....yep, pretty dull isn't it? And that little bit is only about a 10th of what we have done over the last few days. I am very pleased to say that the bottom of the house is complete and the upstairs two rooms about 40% done. But I have done all I can now, so it's up to Hubs to finish off - Yeah!!!

So it's time to play.....back to the sewing room for me.......

(let's just ignore the 4 loads of washing strewn all over the lounge room floor, the dusting, the bathrooms and the toilets, blah, blah, blah...)

More Matryoshka's in the making.....

And some pretty bags! I need to find the time to list them on the website....who knows when that will be.

Kathryn. XX

Kris Kringle....

Well, it is getting closer and closer to Christmas Day and I am finishing off a few presents for family and friends. Last year I made 19 gifts! I went a bit crazy really - aprons, oven mits, name cushions for kids, doorstops, cushions, hairclips tidy's etc...... This year I am being a little more restrained and have scaled it down a little. I am still making things - just things that aren't so time consuming!

On Hubby's side we do a Kris Kringle and this year I am "buying" for my sister in law - (I'm pretty sure she doesn't read my blog).

We have a $25 limit so I thought I would buy some fabric in her favourite colour (burgandy - it looks a bit on the brown side in the photos) and see what I could make for $25.

She has made comments on the bags I make for a while now, so I thought it a good idea to make her one of her own... and a brooch (which I have pinned to the bag) ...and a zipper purse...and a tissue case...and a notepad and pen folder....

...and her very own Matryoshka Doll. I still have some fabric left over so I may make something else... I'll see how much time I have left over!
Not a bad present really for $25, when I'll probably get a vase....
Oh well, it is the joy of giving that is best!
Kathryn. XX

A great swap and more bags.....

I haven't joined a swap for a while and thought I would give another one a go as I really enjoyed my first swap (LInda's bag/bucket swap).

They are lots of fun and you get to meet some wonderful bloggers with similar interests. Anyway, I have just joined "The Challenge in a bag mini quilt swap".

It sounds like fun. You organise a bag of fabric and embellishments, send it to your partner, then they have to create a mini quilt for you using at least a bit of every piece you put in the bag!!

Signups end on Saturday the 1st November and you have until January to mail it out.

Go on join in!!!

I thought I had better restock my supply of tote/bag sets in Our Shabby Cottage this week.

I was inspired by Hen recently when she made some gorgeous bags with her Cath Kidston fabric.

I love the red one at the back - it is made with Cath Kidston's "Classic Rose".

I think I will have to make one for myself for Christmas!! Perfect for the party season!!!

Anyway, I'm off to see a lady about a horse today - more on that tomorrow.....

Kathryn. XX