The little birds...

If you watch little birds you will see they are busy and happy! Using whatever they can find they create the most gorgeous little nest.
I would be the little bird with some glittery thread in her nest!
We can be like this. Happily working away with the things that are available to us to create a beautiful and happy home.
All the while with a little song in our heart.

Banner by Free Pretty Things for You.

Tuesday 1 March 2016

The Christmas Challenge. Show and Tell for February. Part 1.

Everyone has been so busy! Thank you for all the lovely emails and photos. I have had the best fun time seeing what you have been making. It is very impressive too.
This time I will have to have part one today and part two next week. I have THAT many photos! Even then I cannot use every one but I will use something from each person.
This helps us get to know each other as well which I love.

Think it is just the beginning of March and so much has been made already! Imagine getting to December and opening up the gift cupboard. Of course we are also managing Birthdays, acts of kindness,  help and occasions like Easter, Mothers Day etc as we go as well.

These are all in no particular order. I hope there are fresh ideas for everyone and lots of inspiration as that will get us going for March!

Firstly I have beautiful photos from Christine B.  She has trimmed towels with lace and fabric. I absolutely adore the colours. They look antique/romantic to me. Christine used fabric and lace from the op shop. Beautiful! I am already inspired to do this later in the year... I have a box of lace scraps!


She also has made sewing machine and embroidery machine covers. I think these are lovely and would be a great gift for a sewer. But also why not something the same for an appliance cover i.e. mix master? A very good idea. Really beautiful sewing Christine! 


Jane B made the most beautiful pram rug.  The work in this is exquisite and puts my crochet to shame. I think this is an heirloom. And inspiration to learn new stitches and keep improving my crochet!






































Mel K made powder puffs...


And also cards...


Lovely work Mel!

Maria made a warm little jacket for her Grand Daughter...


How sweet is this? And then her little Grandson asked what was she making for him??? So a little jumper is underway! This is gorgeous Maria!

Helen O made lovely cards. I especially love the Peter Rabbit one...



And shoe bags... such a good idea and gift...



Rachel made a gift hamper for her sister starting a new career in the city...


This is a gift of love and care! It looks beautiful and how lovely would it be to get this? Years ago I discovered the Care Parcel idea while watching an American TV show. This is like that, a parcel of care.

Kelsey showed me one of her old shutters and how she is using it to display pictures. I love salvaged and vintage things and how charming they are...


Some of the things Kelsey is finding on the ranch is my idea of a great time!

Kelsey has been card making. These are divine!


I love the use of glitter ribbon! 


Jane is working on a blanket for her sons birthday. This is a Queen Size blanket! She is working it in a corner to corner design. She is working hard as this birthday is soon! How warm and wonderful.




UPDATE! Jane finished it! 


This picture came yesterday! Jane you must have been working on it night and day! It is wonderful!

Maria G has worked a blanket using up her scraps. She said it took her ages! What a good use of bits and pieces. I hope this inspires using yours up if you have them. Many people would so appreciate a warm rug. I know that a rug like this is very warm and heavy! Well done Maria!


Jan has made cards and gift tags. This is a really lovely and helpful idea... 


Jan uses paper serviettes on her cards which give lovely translucent images, very cheaply also. She found black and white sketches of roses in a book and used water colour paints to softly colour them in! It makes you look like an artist and they look lovely! Now I regret all the times I have left behind line drawing kind of illustrations!! Just paint them in and you have little art works! Love this idea.

Jen in NC has made lovely cards, a gift basket for her husbands co worker, bubble bath... 


Also gorgeous star fish shaped face cloths! I love these! Jane says this pattern is free on Red Heart Yarn website. She used a shell from the beach for a pretty soap so she had a sea side theme. Beautiful! Idea! I could do this with some of my soaps!

The crochet ripple blanket was made using up Jane's yarn stash and is toward her Daughters Christmas, or maybe birthday, present. 





Well, I am about half way with the photos so will post the rest next week. Thank you so much everyone!

We are into March and it is still early in the year! What are you going to make this month? Let's get our gift cupboards ahead! As our weather cools I will crochet much more. First I would like to finish my hankies. I am adding trims and little motifs in the corners and then can package them up. This month I will also make some fruit cakes towards Andy's Birthday in April, our holiday and my Dad's Birthday in May.

I hope there are ideas here for everyone! And I hope you are having a great week! xxx


44 comments:

  1. Everything is gorgeous!!

    Shoebags, didn't think of these ... I'll be making some of these to go with my travel bags. Oh, I love those starfish cloths, and those blankets are amazing.

    I need more hours in the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Janine,
      Thank you! And still part two to go! So many things have sparked ideas for me! I agree... not enough time too many plans! That is me exactly!
      Many thanks Janine! Love Annabel.xxx

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  2. Absolutely everything is amazing...so much talent out there, and so many busy hands! The fabric for that sewing machine cover is gorgeous and I really love that little cardi. Well, actually, I love everything! The cards are beautiful and the blankets are truly amazing. It is so inspiring to see what everyone is making. I keep thinking of how all of these gift cupboards will explode upon opening by December!

    I'm off to bed to dream of the possibilities!!

    Jen in Nova Scotia xx

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Dear Jen, You have inspired me with the star fish pattern. I really love that! I loved everything you did.
      There is not enough time that is the problem! Thank you so much for taking part! With love, Annabel.xxx

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    2. Annabel, I meant to tell you that we just finished up the last fruitcake I made from your recipe, and everyone loved it! We had a couple just "plain", one with marzipan on top and one with (sacrilege, I know) cream cheese frosting slathered over. They were all divine, but we loved the plain one best. They just kept getting better with age! Thanks again for the recipe! Jen in NS

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  3. Some lovely artworks/creating going on there Annabel isn't there. The only thing I"ve made is one of those french inspired memory boards. I was dropping things off at the op shop the other week and saw a large golden frame for 50cents. No glass but I didn't want glass. I've put fabric over it and laid out the ribbon. Even my partner loves it. but can't decide whether to paint the frame or not. Hope your week is amazing. Fi xx

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    1. Dear Fiona,
      The memory board sounds beautiful! You have to show me photos of this! What a good find! This week is going too fast! I hope its a good one for you, with love, Annabel.xxx

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  4. Oh my, everything is so pretty and inspiring!

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    1. Thanks Patsy! Its good to see isn't it!? xxx

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  5. Dear Annabel, thank you so much for showing my little cardy . Can't give it to my grand daughter yet as apart from being too warm still ,I need to finish the jersey for my grandson,her brother.He's 4 and I get told if he's not happy about something ie I was initially only trying this cardy on his sister to get sizing , as it was to be for friend's grandchild. I got told so seriously that it was not nice to give his sister something and not him . But I had spent a heap of time working out how to crochet a helmet for his little soft toy lion.Id given him that first. But that did not feature in a 4 year old/s thinking lol. I have trouble reading patterns so lots of unpulling happens.
    Made 2 lots of bath salts already given as gifts this week. Baking slices and Sand cake (Mimi's recipe).
    Love everyone's work above, so clever and such good ideas ,lovely to see.Look forward to next weeks show and tell :-) With love, Maria xx

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    Replies
    1. Dear Maria, Your cards is gorgeous thank you for the photo. I hope we get to see what you do for your Grand son. Little kids are funny! But I know they LOVE things that Mum or Grandma made. The girls were like this, they seemed to feel special and so proud if you made them things.
      Food is always a welcome gift and the bath salts sound lovely! Many thanks Maria! Love Annabel.xxx

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  6. Wow Annabel, everything is so beautiful and so very inspiring. Im yet to finish one things let alone a few lol But at least i have all my idea's down and searching for some supplies. Thankyou for showing us xoxo

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    1. Dear Karen, Thank you! I have things on the go and will post some of my own soon. And like you I have a lot of plans... and in some cases watching out for the right supplies. I need to do some op shopping soon.
      Good luck with finding the things you need, with love Annabel.xxx

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  7. Annabel isn't it wonderful to be a part of such a talented community. I have one more row of the outside border and the bed blanket is ready to be posted or transported to my son. I've made the present so now hubby takes over to get the present to our boy.i just know he will love the blanket as much as we do. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Time to go and finish the blanket!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Jane,
      The border is a big thing to me, that finishes it off and makes a big difference. Also takes ages, its a long way around!
      I hope you know that a pure wool blanket (not crocheted just manufactured) is several hundred dollars or more in the shops now. A blanket is a big investment. Imagine adding the hand crafted factor to that!
      I can't wait to hear what your son says when he gets it! Thank you for sharing the journey with us Jane. Well done!
      Now to wonder what you will make next! With love Annabel.xxx

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  8. Annabel isn't it wonderful to be a part of such a talented community. I have one more row of the outside border and the bed blanket is ready to be posted or transported to my son. I've made the present so now hubby takes over to get the present to our boy.i just know he will love the blanket as much as we do. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Time to go and finish the blanket!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Jane, that blanket is just gorgeous. Well done. Hasn't everyone been busy. What a lot of lovely gifts have been made already this year.

    ReplyDelete
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    1. Dear Nanna Chel, We are busy bees for sure! As are you I note!
      I hope you are having a lovely week! With love Annabel.xxx

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  10. Well done!!! Everything is so inspiring!!! Thank you all for sharing :)

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    1. Thanks Jess. Recovered pot holders are now on my to do list, some as gifts. I loved those! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  11. Hi Annabel!

    I would like to compliment your feature gift makers on their completed works. In the order of the photos ..... Christine B, your decorated towels give a soft, homely, valued effect - with beautiful selections of fabric and lace, & I love how you have made a practical sewing machine cover so stylish. Jane B, when I first saw your crochet pram rug, it's exquisite detail nearly took my breath away. This is excellence! Mel K, your use of colour and cheerfulness would, surely, bring refreshment to someone's day. Maria, the cardigan looks so sweet and huggable for you to give to a grandchild! Helen O, you use colours and ribbon delightfully. The bright green is so refreshing!! Kelsey, I know the sight of pink flowers can be so therapeutic, and you have displayed them in such a beautiful, down to earth way. Your cards are pictures of detailed elegance. You've done well!! Jane, I don't know how you did it!! The texture and mix of colours - as well as the sheer size of the bedspread - are very highly commendable!!!!! Maria G, your use of beautifully bright contrasting colours makes me think of the northern lights and opals. What a mammoth task you have completed. You can be rightly pleased!! Jan, I can see the enjoyment invested into your work! You are creative, resourceful AND ARTISTIC! Jen, your crochet is inspiring! That sea shell looks impressive, too!!!

    Thank you, Annabel, for the craft show! It was delightful viewing!!

    Regards,
    Rachel Holt

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Rachel! and thank you for contributing, I really loved your parcel for your sister.
      I am working on putting part two together. I think its going to end up bigger than this one! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  12. Annabel,
    Such talent from everyone! And the time and thought that is put into everything is priceless! Very busy ladies.
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    Replies
    1. Dear Vicky,
      Its good to see isn't it!? Also it has me looking at how much I have done and what next! I want a really good gift cupboard! With love Annabel.xxx

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  13. Dear Annabel, I just love seeing what everyone has made. I am amazed at the ladies that have been crocheting. Beautiful work! Also, I am drooling over Rachel's box of goodies. I have already gotten a few ideas from this post with cards, and I will also be copying Christine's towels. Very lovely. Thank you so much for showing my pictures and putting this show and tell together. I can't wait to see part two!
    Today I am making bags of cookies to give to friends and family. It is Texas Independence Day (independence from Mexico) and I am making sugar cookies in the shape of Texas. I will give these with Texas napkins I bought on clearance earlier in the year with this occasion in mind. So it is simple but I already have everyone looking forward to it :)
    Thanks again, Annabel for these encouraging posts and thanks to all of the ladies for sending in their photos. Everyone is so talented! With love, Kelsey

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    1. Dear Kelsey, Thank you for your photos! Your cards are gorgeous!
      I love Christine's towels too... and I have lots of lace bits and pieces. So now to match it up with floral fabrics. I love those colours, vintage/antique/soft/romantic!
      If its not too late I hope you will take a photo of the cookies! I think that is today (the third?) This sounds lovely.
      Many thanks Kelsey! with love Annabel.xxx

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  14. Wow such beautiful work from all those talented people
    Regards Julie D

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  15. I love the cards and the sweet little g'baby sweater is precious!

    *hugs*
    Kelley~

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  16. Dear Annabel, I have changed the way I comment as I am having trouble commenting so I am using anonymous but I will always say who it is ( Barb W) . I love all the goodies/ gifts everyone has made , beautiful work ladies. I love the cards, the towels , the rugs, everything. Well done to all. Annabel you are doing excellent too, I absolutely love your soaps and the cards you make are gorgeous, I would love to see more of them here please if you have made some that you can show here. I have used quite a few cards recently but have more planned , hopefully tomorrow I can make some more. I am not very mobile at the moment ( worse than usual) so I am doing the bare minimum but trying to do some card and gift making when I can.
    Take care Annabel.i loved reading and seeing this post. Love BarbWoodford

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    1. Thank you Barb for commenting and working it out. I really appreciate your comments!
      I hope you are feeling much better and that you can rest and have lovely reading, crafts etc. these times are good to watch you tube and learn new things that when we are busy we just can't do! But they are great for when we need quiet times! with love Annabel.xxx

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  17. Dear Annabelle, Thank you so much for including my cards and shoe bag.
    I loved everyone's creative ideas..Busy hands make happy hearts..such wonderful inspiration..thank you everyone.

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    1. Dear Helen,
      It was my pleasure! I could see from comments you gave others ideas they intent to act on! Keep up the good work. Busy hands DO make happy hearts this is so true. I want everyone to experience that! Have a beautiful weekend! With love, Annabel.xxx

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  18. It's such a joy to see what everybody is making! In the little corner I live in crafting is a thing of the past and yet it can give a person such a sense of satisfaction. I still like to give homemade gifts though and am very inspired by all the pictures of what everybody else is making.

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    1. Dear Wilma,
      Thank you! When there is no one around you crafting the online community is wonderful! Also You Tube. And pinterest! I find all this helps me a lot for ideas and inspiration.
      Thanks so much Wilma, with love Annabel.xxx

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  19. Such beautiful work all around! I'm so impressed with the ladies who have the patience and persistence to finish those large blankets! The scrap throws are so pretty and such a good way to use up odds and ends.

    I also appreciate all of the ideas for card making and the lovely gift baskets/hampers. Thank you all for sharing!

    Blessings, Leigh

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    Replies
    1. Dear Leigh,
      A full size blanket is a big job. My Mum churns them out, everyone in the family has a Queen Bed blanket and many others she has made. I took a long time to get to that size! But I did finally and hope to do another this year.
      Have a good weekend! I can see you are working on cupboard doors going up and they are looking lovely! With love Annabel.xxx

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  20. Replies
    1. Dear Chrissy, Thank you! Homemade gifts are beautiful and such a saver. Little by little the gift cupboard is growing! Have a lovely weekend! Love Annabel.xxx

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  21. Dear Annabel,
    Thank you for posting the photos. Such lovely things and talented crafters!
    Love from Arizona,
    Elaine

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    1. Thank you Elaine! Lots more to come next week... it has grown and will be much bigger than this post! xxx

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  22. Thank you Annabel for posting my craft work and a thankyou to Rachel also for the huge encouragement to keep going,i love all the craft work from such talented ladies I look forward to your blogs each week Annabel xox

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    1. Dear Mel,
      It was my pleasure! Thank you for joining in. Now I hope we can keep making lots in March! With love, Annabel.xxxx

      Delete
  23. Hi Annabel... what an inspiring post. I love the pictures. and am in awe of all the talents and skills. Beautiful, beautiful work everyone. I intend to make shoe bags... thank-you Helen. I have been looking for practical gift ideas and these would be perfect as the material can be chosen to suit whoever the gift is for... and not expensive to post. These days I only give practical or consumable gifts...my effort to help reduce "stuff". Many thanks.Cheers

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