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, 19 July 2016

The Christmas Challenge. My July so far.

Time for a catch up and show what I have been making this month. And I am including Mum as she has made things I really want to include.
Not everything makes it into the Christmas cupboard. Some things do though!

Currently I am working on a crochet rug that is going to be cot size. I think cot size can also be a knee rug depending on who you give it to. This is in gelato/pastel stripes. I am loving working on it. All the time I think "I'll just get up to the next colour" and this keeps me going!

So far this month I added grub roses to some little tops for Harper. I added little roses at the neckline and wrist.




I am enjoying that pretty much all the time she is wearing something I have made or embroidered or Mum has!

I added a frilly edge to another pair of little socks.


These basic little tops are really inexpensive. Just a touch of embroidery makes them nice.

I finished (and put in the gift cupboard) a knitted soft pink rug. This is super soft.


I hemmed some of the flannelette to make super soft and extra large hankies. The rest are just torn up and folded ready as disposable hankies... since my supply was very diminished.


Mum made Harper two more knitted skirts. She wears them a lot. The first one is in denim blues...


The next one is in pinks. As modelled very well don't you think?


It has lots of textures and is really warm.


Also Mum made a heap of hats and headbands for a charity she likes to give to.


Plus a baby rug for a family with a newborn... but I don't have a picture of that one.

That is about where I am up to this month. I wish I had another set of arms as that would be helpful sometimes.

What are you working on and how is your gift cupboard progressing? If you are growing produce and canning just now then this counts as produce can be gifts. I count my jam making in summer as jars of jam go into many of my food gifts and hampers. But here the cold and rain weather has us mostly indoors and this is a good time for me to sew and crochet. We need to go along with what the season presents. And sometimes when the weather is terrible or extreme a good plan B is to get on with something indoors and work on your gifts and crafts. It all adds up in the end! xxx


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54 comments:

  1. Catsngrams19 July 2016 at 18:08

    What a wonderful idea (A Christmas Cupboard) We have a big family party every Christmas and I had the idea of giving away things that I had made during the year. This is a great idea I am going to make me a Christmas Cupboard. thanks for the idea.

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 18:28

      Thank you! I started in January and work all year round. Each moth we have a show and tell so everyone can show what they have been making. It really adds up if you do something each month or each week... I also include bargains and good things as I see them along with the things I make. By December I have just about something for everyone plus charity and strangers in need.
      I try to have covered Birthdays and other events along the way. Also having a supply of versatile gift wraps and cards etc means you never have to go to the shops looking for these things. It is a big saver. I just go to the cupboard to "shop" and wrap and present things. Its a time saver too! I am glad you like the idea and really hope it is helpful to you.xxx

      Delete
  2. Fiona19 July 2016 at 19:00

    Lovely items made by your mum Annabel, I particularly love the pink skirt which is modelled so well by Harper. Keep up the good work. Fi xx

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 23:30

      Thanks Fiona! This brings back memories for me. Harper is so like both Chloe and Lucy were when they were little and they had these skirts on in winter time. With cute little tights. Here was are again!
      I just had lunch with my friend. She finished a beautiful embroidered rug for her new Grandson. its amazing, Ill show it in show and tell but I am inspired to do some more embroidered rugs.
      Too many things to do, not enough time!
      Many thanks Fiona. With lots of love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  3. gardenpat19 July 2016 at 20:31

    Oh, Annabel, how I envy your crochet and embroidery talent!!! Your embellishments to the tops and socks are wonderful!! And the skirts are just adorable!!
    We are going up north in two weeks to visit my brother and sister and my sister-in-law called to ask if I might bring them more of my home canned hot pepper mustard that I gave them 18 months ago because they loved it so much and couldn't find anything like it in the stores! In fact, they asked if I could bring them 2 pints each! They even offered to buy it from me!

    I am elated because this can be birthday gifts for them!

    I'm taking a quart of the cherry pie filling I canned this week to a friend for his 90th birthday, too! His wife saw my pie filling photo on Facebook and said her husband just loved cherry pie but that she never had pie filling in the house at the right time to make him a pie. Voila!! Another gift!!!
    I am now finishing my third set of 4 trivets from my scrap fabric, batting and backing. I am hoping to get 10 sets done in my spare time to give to my 7 daughters and 3 daughters-in-law for Christmas.

    You are all far and way ahead of me in your gift cupboards though. But every gift I can make or find now will save me in the future!
    Thanks for all the inspiration!!

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 23:34

      Dear Gardenpat, It sounds like you are on to a winner with that mustard. Now you know this you are set for gifts. It sounds like the perfect present!.
      Thank you for the comment on my embroidery and work.
      The cherry pie filling is a beautiful gift, I think most people would love cherry pie. I like pies as gifts too as they are kind of an all in one main course or desert, depending. Plus they look so good! I hope the cherries are turned into pie for this man, he will love that.
      Your trivet sets are beautiful, Ive been keeping an eye on them and you sure work fast!
      There is plenty of time between now and Christmas still. The rate you are going the cupboard will be full in plenty of time!
      Many thanks! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21 July 2016 at 07:51

      Dear Gardenpat,
      I would love to see the trivets you made. I have lots of fabric scraps and am always looking for ideas. Your canning sounds lovely, too :)
      Love, Kelsey

      Delete
    3. Annabel21 July 2016 at 18:22

      Dear Kelsey, I am happy to say I already have pics of Gardenpats trivet sets and they are gorgeous! They will be in the July show and tell... will be not Wednesday but one after... Will be perfect for your scraps! With love Annabel.xxxx

      Delete
  4. Teresa19 July 2016 at 20:46

    What lovely gifts, you and your Mum are both so skilled at making sweet and warm (!) treasures. Well done!

    This month (actually yesterday), I finally finished another large scrapbook for one of my grown children. I have only ever completed one previous book earlier this year, so I am over the moon with simply finishing a second one! My grown son will be so surprised that the best photos and memorabilia of the first 22 years of his life are finally and beautifully arranged. I don't think I'll be able to keep it from him until his birthday in November; I'm too eager for him to see and enjoy it! I think I'll be giving it to him tomorrow.

    It was actually not as difficult as I thought it would be; I let go of my perfectionism, collected photos and paper memorabilia, selected scrapbook papers in blues, greens, and yellows, and it came together in less than a week, start to finish. I am even more motivated now to get working on grown child #3's scrapbook! Blessings everyone, Teresa

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 23:39

      Dear Teresa,
      Well done on the scrapbook! This sounds like a fantastic gift. I am actually terrible at waiting to give things Ive made! I was thinking "oh no wait for his birthday!" but in truth I am the same and find it hard or impossible to wait!
      Either way this is a very good gift. It will be treasured.
      I am glad of what you said about perfectionism. This is a big problem that stops so much work, fun and productivity... just going ahead and doing things and do our best, the results are great and that is how we learn. Nothing in nature is perfect I notice. And yet its glorious. So well done on just doing it and also finishing it!
      I hope you enjoy this next scrapbook. Making them must also be like a trip down memory lane as you do it.
      Thanks so much Teresa, with love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  5. tealady19 July 2016 at 20:50

    The clothing you make for your granddaughter are so pretty. Wishing for a granddaughter of my own some day. She will always have pretty things to wear. She is adorable.

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 23:40

      Thank you Tealady. I wish for you a future Granddaughter too! It is a lot of fun! Mum is having so much fun with her too! It is almost "take a ticket" to have her over and babysit lol
      I hope you are having a good week! with love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  6. Anonymous19 July 2016 at 21:00

    Annabel,
    I love. love the pink rug you knitted that is so lovely! Also your grub roses are perfect and I love Harper's little skirts your Mum made. Everything is perfection! I for sure wouldn't blow my nose on one of your hankies unless it had a stain on it LOL they are just too pretty. You always inspire me so much with the things you make.
    XOXO
    Vicky

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 23:43

      Thanks Vicky. I thought I hadn't done much but it adds up. Plus I had skipped last week so that gave me extra time!
      Keep your eye out for old flannel sheets. Possibly summer is a good time to watch for them as in winter everyone buys this stuff... in op shops I am meaning... And I was thinking does your Mum have linen in her old house? Towels, curtains, sheets? Look at them as possible craft materials. You probably have already done this...
      I hope things are going well there on all your projects! You have your hands full! With love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  7. Mel19 July 2016 at 21:34

    Hi Annabel,

    Those embroidered roses are just beautiful. And the skirts your mum made too! I've been doing more dandelion foraging here and even hubby has been getting in on the act. He will often return home with a pocket full of dandelion flowers :) These are now infusing in oil for another batch of healing balm. I also picked some calendula flowers and these are infusing too ready for a bottom balm for a friends baby. A friend gifted me a big slab of beeswax and some lovely bottles which I will use to make gifts, I also made a jar of lemon butter for another friend who is often very generous to us. xxx

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 23:53

      Dear Mel, I think its gorgeous that your husband comes home with pockets of dandelions for you!
      The beeswax is fantastic! You probably have many ideas for this. I love beeswax. Melting some and pouring it into a little container is a lovely gift for anyone into furniture restoration, shabby chic paint effects. I finish off all my white and chippy pieces with beeswax rubbed into the raw bits. It really highlights them.
      I have this recipe which Ive had for years and made many times....
      Queen Victoria's Furniture Polish.
      1 cup beeswax,
      1 teaspoon lavender oil,
      4 cups linseed oil (from hardware store)
      Heat the wax, add the oils. Stir for three minutes. Pour into tins or jars.
      This then sets and smells gorgeous. It makes wooden furniture lovely and the house smell lovely at the same time. It is really good and a pretty and useful gift!
      Only useful if you have any beeswax left over!...
      Lemon butter is a great present. I have two jars to give away and they are very popular. So bright and cheerful too.
      Thanks for the comments about my embroidery! I am glad I started embroidery again as I had many years off.
      Much love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20 July 2016 at 03:32

      Dear Mel,
      I never knew oil could be infused with dandelions for healing We always have tons of them in our yard. After the oil is infused do you do anything else to it? I posted a message about the dehydrated onions on the Vicky Challenge, but I think I may have pushed the wrong button and deleted it. If I did please let me know and I will repost it for you. Cookie

      Delete
    3. Mel25 July 2016 at 01:14

      Hi Cookie,
      I just read your reply about dehydrating onions, thanks for that! With the dandelions, they are a wonderful natural anti inflammatory. I strip the petals from the heads and leave to sit on a tray with paper towel for 2 days to absorb any moisture. Then I place the petals in jars, cover with olive oil and place out in the sun for 2 weeks. Then strain the petals from the oil. You can use the oil like this for massage or place 100ml of the oil in a double boiler with 15g grated beeswax. Heat until the wax is melted, then add 10 drops of lavender. Pour into tins or jars and you have healing balm! We use it for scratches, sores and also for aches and pains :)

      Delete
  8. Jane19 July 2016 at 23:17

    Hi Annabel, Little Miss Harper is such a lucky little princess with her Grandma and Great Grandma making her beautiful gifts. We thought our little princess might have arrived last night. False alarm. However she isn't far away. We wont get to see her for at least another week and closer to two. That armpit infection has turned out to be a staph infection. Baby cuddles are definitely out of the picture for me until this is all cleared up. Plan Z.64 is enacted.
    However I keep getting ready to go visit. This week I made Bluey a bathroom bag. I've made it quite large and boxy. It has a reinforced handle that can hang over a door hook in bathrooms. Bluey's hands don't cope well with small anything, so I made it large for the full size shampoo bottles. It's also very bright so I'm hoping he wont lose this one. He has left quite a few around the country.
    The lap rug I'm making for me, out of left over wool from other projects, is making my heart sing. It will be something I can work on once we get on the road.
    Our daughter has caught the craft bug. She bought two pot plant pots on special in a dirty pink colour(really yukky). She purchased a can of black and a can of gold spray paint as well as a cheap nylon lacy tablecloth. The pots are now black with a gold lacy pattern on them. She found some gerberas on sale and will plant these in the pots. This is for a girlfriends Birthday gift.
    I was given a small electronic weather monitor. I'm a bit of a weather nerd so when a friend got this one with something that she had purchased, she gave it to me. I already have one so this gift is going to be regifted to my BIL for Christmas. My friend knows this is happening and is happy someone will end up using it.
    I made several card bookmarks, using some lovely little prints I found in the cupboard. I am going to borrow a friends laminator to give them a protective cover. These will be sent off in my Christmas cards.
    I am looking forward to having very little to report on on a Wednesday. This will mean we will be on the road.
    Hope everyone has a great week.
    Life is good.

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    1. Annabel19 July 2016 at 23:59

      Dear Jane,
      oh no! We will have to form some kind of lobby group to get more letters added to the alphabet so you can go from plan Z to another letter. Sorry to hear this! I hope this is all clear up asap. At least you know what you are dealing with.
      it sounds like you could get news any moment about this baby!
      I am loving what your daughter did to those pots! See if she can be persuaded to be in show and tell. Tell her you and Bluey are already stars here in show and tell and she better join in!
      It is funny you say you are a weather nerd! My Pa was really good at telling the weather. Miles better than the BOM who don't even seem to have window to look out of half the time! He had a barometer and things and anyway could always tell you accurately what was coming!
      I am liking the laminated book marks. I could laminate things all day. Mum and Dads office has a laminator. This reminds me I should make some plans to use it.
      I hope you are able to set off soon. With love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous20 July 2016 at 08:20

      Jane,
      If you can stand it honey especially your Australian eucalyptus honey can help get rid of staph. Since it is your armpit I would get big flat bandages and put honey on it and put it on your armpit if it starts getting watery or oozy the honey is working. It may help you get over it faster. I have used honey or coconut oil for several things and have found they work well!
      XOXO
      Vicky

      Delete
  9. Anonymous19 July 2016 at 23:37

    Dear Annabel, I really enjoy your blog and am slowly working on some gifts. The pink soft blanket is very pretty, would you mind telling me how many stitches you cast on for the rug and what ply wool you used? Thank you, Lyn

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 00:28

      Dear Lyn, Thank you very much! I am glad you are working on some gifts, it is enjoyable but a relief in December too!
      The yarn is chenille yarn which came from Spotlight. It is very soft and fluffy. I don't know the ply but it looks thick i.e. 12 ply. I used big needles i.e. 9 or 10 mil. I am not sure if you are in Aust. or overseas... but the cheap shops i.e. Cheap as Chips etc have had this chenille yarn in lovely soft colours. it knits up like a soft colour of marshmallow. I found it knits up very nicely but I don't seem to be able to crochet with it! I cast on about 160 stitches, this was knee rug/cot size. I hope that helps. With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  10. Anonymous20 July 2016 at 03:49

    Dear Annabel,
    It must be so much fun to have a granddaughter to make beautiful girly things for. Harper is the perfect model and she is one lucky little girl to have a grandmother and great-grandmother making her beautiful things. Thanks for sharing all the photos. They're very inspiring.
    This week very little has been done in the way of stocking the gift closet, but for the collection of supplies. As soon as the first rush of harvesting the garden and preserving it slows down I'll be back to more serious gift making. Like you, it's something I do all year so the closet isn't bare, and there are lots of new ideas that are percolating. Next up will be the soapmaking. All the supplies are here so it's just a matter of finding the day to do it. Thank you for all of your inspiration. Cookie

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:44

      Dear Cookie,
      The gathering of both supplies and ideas means you hit the ground running when time does allow.
      Meanwhile harvesting is wonderful! So is preserving! building up your pantry and supplies is about the best thing you ca be dong.
      Also it is a good time for soap making in the next month or so as if any is for Christmas presents it will have time to harden up well.
      I have so much soap put away! I am thrilled with it! It looks and smells really good. This helped my present cupboard a lot as I got a lot of gifts.
      I hope your week is going well! With love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  11. Anonymous20 July 2016 at 04:58

    Hi Annabel!

    Beautiful! Pink! Marshmallow! Warm! Soft! Snugly! Cuddly! ..... Beautiful!

    You and your Mum have done wonders here!! It's very nice to see!!

    Now, what were you asking? What am I working on? ..... Well, I have one Show and Tell photo ready, and hope to add something to it. You'll have to wait a little longer for that! I have a couple of timber photos nearly ready. Also, Mum soaked my pink crochet tablecloth, to remove acid stains that, I am told, could spread. It was as if the tablecloth picked up marks on the underside, from contact with a table. Then another stain was removed with eucalyptus oil, and now the whole thing will go through another wash to clear the eucalyptus. We plan to photograph it next time I visit! The funny thing was that Mum did ask me if I would still love her if something went wrong and the pink should disappear! It's done now, and the tablecloth is still pale pink, and looking in fine condition! These photos will be gifts for a friend - you! (Shhhh, it's a surprise!!)

    I love all that marshmallow pink! (.. nice knitting, too!!)

    Regards,
    Rachel Holt

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:39

      Dear Rachel,
      Firstly I am elevating you to blog secretary. Thank you for helping find the questions from cookie and Mimis onion jam. Thank you!
      AND I a very excited about the photos. Andy and Bluey are already lied up wanting to see the timber.
      I am very pleased to hear the pink didn't wash out! That would have been a tragedy I have to say! Seems like your Mum was aware too!
      I hope your week is going well! Thank you so much re the photos! With lots of love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21 July 2016 at 03:53

      Annabel, 'blog secretary' sounds like fun!! What is the Bluebirds blog secretary required to do? ..... try to learn some crochet in summer?! I'd like to give it a go!
      Rachel

      Delete
  12. Anonymous20 July 2016 at 05:41

    Annabel, Such creative ideas to brighten up baby clothes. Curious questions from the states ... are your hankies used to clean up after the baby? I called them burp rags unless these are actually hankerchiefs? Also, is a baby rug a name for a blanket used for laying the baby down on?

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:35

      We have so many words that are different! I am sorry about that and am learning (slowly!) Ok so hankies you call handkerchiefs. I asked one of the other US ladies. We just shorten it to hankies.
      We use burn cloths too and these would actually be very suitable for that.
      A baby rug I am not sure... maybe you would say bunny rug? A rug to keep a baby warm. Or yes you could lay it on the floor as well.
      I hope that helps! with love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  13. Lana20 July 2016 at 05:43

    Harper is just adorable! Your embroidery is awesome and she is one loved baby girl!

    Our oldest granddaughter is already 5 today. The time flies much faster with grandchildren that our own, I think.

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:33

      Dear Lana,
      I think five must be a beautiful age. I am treasuring the moment and can see her grow before my eyes. Sometimes if I haven't seen her for three days or something she has grown in that time. Also she has more hair overtime I see her! And this will be over a week. So I can see what you say is true, this time will fly by.
      Treasure the moment. I hope your little grand daughter had a very happy birthday! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  14. LaurieS20 July 2016 at 06:20

    Annabel, I always enjoy your posts and seeing what you've been making.
    Harper is a cutie and one lucky little girl to have a Nanna to make all those cute clothes for her.
    Here in Oregon the canning season is getting into full swing, I have been doing lots of jams so far and am starting on zucchini relish today. I do count them towards my Christmas giving.
    I haven't had much time for anything else seems like. I'm looking forward to the time when I can get to my sewing machine or doing some crochet!
    I like your idea for the hankies, my Dad always carried a hankie. A fond memory.

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:30

      Dear Laurie,
      Thanks so much. I totally agree that while it is the season thats the best thing you can be doing. And that apart from supplies this all gives you gifts. Wonderful gifts actually!
      The weather will change soon enough and you will be sewing. Dealing with produce is a lot of work but it is a big time for pantry building. I really love making jams! But oh the mess and work. I have made jams into the night many times when I have had to use produce fast! I still look forward to it though, its the best part of summer, the fruit!
      With love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  15. Leigh20 July 2016 at 09:11

    Awwwww! Harper looks so cute in her little skirt! I just love all of the pretty clothes you and your mother made for her.
    Blessings, Leigh

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:28

      Dear Leigh, Thank you! I hope the move is going well! Thinking of you while you have all this on your plate. with love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  16. Leslie McKinley20 July 2016 at 09:36

    Gorgeous gifts! Thanks, as always,for inspiring us!
    Just adding jams to my cupboard for now.
    Blessings,
    Leslie

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:27

      Dear Leslie,
      Jams are a great gift as well as pantry item. There are so many things you can make if you have jam.
      Also I love the look of a row of jams and preserves. I could admire that all day! With love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  17. Unknown20 July 2016 at 14:01

    Dear Annabel, Harper is such a cutie! She is a sweet little princess!! I love all the clothes you and your mom are making/decorating! Also, the pink blanket looks so soft!
    You had a wonderful week! Love, Teri

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:25

      Thanks Teri! I hope you are having a good week too, although we are getting to the end of it now.
      I hope your garden is going well and you have things to harvest too.
      With love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  18. Janine20 July 2016 at 15:53

    Hi Annabel,
    You and your Mum have been very productive. The embroidery just elevates the ordinary to boutique expensive and the hat and headbands plus little skirts are just gorgeous (and modelled very professionally indeed).

    I'm not really a knitter (My Mum's knitting was exquisite), but all the socks I'd been seeing here had me intrigued, plus they could possibly solve some male gift issues. This month I pulled out some of my mother's sock wool, her needles and referred to the links I was given here - voila! I have socks! I have discovered I love knitting socks and have managed another 2 pair (in 8ply intended for a jumper long ago). I must admit, nothing much else has been done, and the wet weather helped, along with some forced quite time due to dental surgery. I am gifting 2 pair to my DB for his birthday this month - the other pair with go in the gift cupboard for use at Christmas.
    Thank you for the inspiration an encouragement.
    Janine

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    1. Annabel20 July 2016 at 18:24

      Dear Janine,
      Thank you so much! Well you ARE a knitter and a much better one than me too. I am really thrilled reading this. Well done! Socks are a beautiful thing to make a great gift, item for charity and useful too. Also as you say in wet weather these things are so enjoyable to do. You always feel content with a nice project to work on. Also... small projects like these are portable and you can take them with you like the waiting rooms etc.
      I feel so pleased that all the girls knitting and being helpful here has helped you get going! Made my day!
      With love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous21 July 2016 at 07:28

      Hooray for the socks, Janine! Now you're hooked! xx Jen in NS

      Delete
  19. Anonymous20 July 2016 at 18:39

    Wow, Janine! You made me laugh with joy because you're doing so well! It's amazing how an item so ordinary can bring a knitter such satisfaction! It sounds like we share the same sock knitting ..... ah .. disposition, and happily so. I even knit socks in summer!! How about trying a cabled sock like Jen's?!
    With warm regards,
    Rachel Holt

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  20. JES21 July 2016 at 03:32

    I love the embellishing on the baby clothes! I used to do that for my daughter with embroidery floss and a bit of rick-rack and lace. It made t-shirts so adorable. I kept them to this day to pass on to her :) Have a lovely and productive week my friend!

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    1. Annabel21 July 2016 at 18:15

      Thanks Jes. Rick rack is lovely! Mum used to use it a lot and I used it on serviettes last year, so pretty. I hope your week has been a good one! xxx

      Delete
  21. Anonymous21 July 2016 at 07:14

    Dear Annabel,
    Everything is gorgeous! You and your mum both do such lovely work. Harper looks so sweet and adorable in her little skirt, too.
    With my sil staying with us, we have been doing some crafting. I showed her the cards I made with magazine images and she loved them, so I told her we could make some while she was here. Oh, she was SO excited, especially when I brought out my stickers and embellishments. She had so much fun, and when I started decorating a notebook, she got the idea that she wanted to decorate all of her school supplies! Now I am thinking for her upcoming birthday I will mail her craft supplies!
    As school here is about to start (August), the stores are running back to school sales. I plan on getting lots of notebooks to decorate, and maybe some pens, too. I love anything that has to do with stationery, so I get excited when all of the school related things start showing up in stores lol. Well actually, if my husband gets the job he applied for, he will be starting college this fall. We saw a children's lunchbox that looked like a fire truck and joked that he could take his lunch in that. I told him the other guys would be jealous lol.
    I hope everyone has a lovely weekend!
    With love, Kelsey

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    1. Annabel21 July 2016 at 18:20

      Dear Kelsey,
      I can see you gave your little sis a great time! She will be talking about this for ages! Maybe she can come every year or sometimes as she could be your little apprentice and would be helpful and learn a lot!
      I love all things stationary too! LOVE!
      That is funny about the fire truck lunch box. Thats what he should have had when he was little and at school as he was going to grow up to be a fireman!
      Craft supplies can be small and light and good to post as gifts. This is my current challenge, gifts that can be posted as postage is expensive now and I have to get that under control.
      I hope you have a lovely weekend! With lots of love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  22. Anonymous21 July 2016 at 07:31

    Dear Annabel,

    I just love the embellishments you've given the t-shirts...talk about glam! Those roses just raise things to the height of elegance.

    My Christmas crafting is going slowly...been working on--gasp, surprise!--socks, and made a couple of cards for birthdays which have gone in the mail today. Our first picking of black currants was this morning. Unfortunately, the birds and the brown rot got the cherries this year, but we've wrapped up the red currants to keep out the critters and hope to pick some tonight! Off to the butcher's and grocer's this afternoon while the kids go to the pool to beat the heat.

    xx Jen in NS

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    Replies
    1. Annabel21 July 2016 at 18:25

      Dear Jen,
      Thanks! You have been inspiring new members of the sock knitting club so keep up the good work.
      It is a shame about the cherries but the black currants sound wonderful! It is a hard job competing with birds. Around her parrots get into all fruit. I usually can beat them but still have losses. And we have possums as well.
      Have a great weekend, I hope it was a good week for you all up. With lots of love, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  23. Mimi21 July 2016 at 14:50

    Dear Annabel, what beautiful projects today! Your Mums hats and beanies are adorable, and look at little Harper (who I see is now looking a little Annabel-ish herself) in her adorable wardrobe made by loving hands. Your Bullion roses are a great example of what a little personalisation can do for something really inexpensive, to dress it up. Loving the crocheted frill on the little socks too! As for your flannelette hankies, well, you know I'm a fan and borrow this idea for my Comfort Baskets every Winter now. I have made some toys this week, including dancing rings (a bangle or curtain ring with ribbons tied to it), some Softies with cute little embroidered faces, and some tiny birds and birds nests. I doubt that these will make it to Christmas as I won't be able to resist letting my granddaughters play with them when they visit, but if they're a hit, well...I can always make more, can't I. Lots of love, Mimi xxx

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    Replies
    1. Annabel21 July 2016 at 18:29

      Dear Mimi,
      Thank you so much. I love the idea of comfort baskets. And the hankies included. I really love gift basket type presents. The idea that they can be adjusted for sickness, comfort, treats etc.
      I can't wait to see your toys. The dancing rings sound gorgeous. We used to make ribbon sticks for twirling which were really nice and I need to remember all these things and do them again. The birds and nests... I want to see! Thanks for so many lovely ideas.
      Have a wonderful weekend! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  24. quakerhillfarm21 July 2016 at 19:39

    These are lovely gifts and I am sure anyone would be most thrilled to receive one. Great inspiration!

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    Replies
    1. Annabel21 July 2016 at 20:42

      Thanks Lynn. Have a wonderful weekend! xxx

      Delete

I really appreciate your comments thank you! The aim of my blog is the be a place of encouragement and happiness. Very rarely is anyone rude. Actually only twice so far! If you post a rude or aggressive comment I will read it but not publish it, thanks for understanding.xxx

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