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, 18 July 2017

The Christmas Challenge. A bit more for my cupboard!

Last week was good for adding to my present cupboard.  After cards, gift tags  and crocheted rugs I went on to a few other things.  I have been trying to use up things I have on hand.
Lucy had given me a fur vest.  The fur itself was beautiful but the vest really made anyone (no matter how young and skinny) look like a pink polar bear.
I made it into powder puffs.  I love these and they make lovely gifts...


I got six. I am keeping one so five went into the cupboard.  The cost was zero as I had the ribbon and I used scraps to stuff them.  Added to powder or bath products, soap etc they will be luscious gifts! 

My evening crochet project has been to edge kitchen towels.  I got two packets of ten on Ebay.  This was much cheaper than I could get otherwise.  Out of twenty I only have four to go!


I stamped some plain cards and envelopes but these are more for my own supplies. I used up a lot of these sending out sour dough starter!


Also, from Ebay,  I bought a bulk pack of heart shaped gift tags.  I love them!  I got stamping and added string ties...


I have been making them up into sets as little gifts...


So 20 sets of these went into the cupboard.  You can see this is my favourite stamp!

I have been following Pasty's sewing challenge.   Everything I have made has been from things I already have.  Here I have used some of the sheeting I got on my op shop day.  There are now tablecloths and matching napkins. 



Cutting up a quilt cover meant I got two table cloths plus matching napkins for under $3! 

I used up some cotton odds and ends and made dish cloths or wash cloths.  These will go with the homemade soap I already made or into kitchen themed gift baskets.  They are a nice absorbent cotton.


I had a pretty fabric remnant so I made that up into two gift bags.  I thought after they could be used for travel bags or something else but meanwhile they would make a couple of gifts look nice!



The other night I had a finishing off night, sewing in threads and folding things nicely. When I put a big lot away into the cupboard I really noticed how much is in there now!  I am getting there!  This is a refreshing change after a slow start! 

After the last kitchen towels I have about a dozen of the gauze face cloths to crochet around. They are lovely for baby wash cloths or makeup removing cloths.  They were also from Ebay at 35c each! 
I have a bit more fabric in my stash but not much!  However... I am going op shopping soon! 


Next week we will start Show and Tell again.  Already I have some amazing things to show you!  If you would like to join in just send me a picture (or several) of what you have been making at brinkzi21@hotmail.com or post them to the Bluebirds Facebook page. 

Today I am heading to Aldi.  It is possible a few more items will end up in the gift cupboard if the catalogue is anything to go by!  When I see amazing deals and think a certain person would really love an item,  it is the time to act.  I am so glad of these finds come December!

Even now there is heaps of time to make a world of difference to reduce the costs of a wonderful Christmas.  Not only are the savings incredible but Christmas is more fun and less stress.  

What are you working on? Do you have supplies that could basically become free gifts if you can think of something to make with them? These are the best!  xxx







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35 comments:

  1. patsy18 July 2017 at 18:28

    Annabel, your work just sometimes takes my breath away with it's beauty! I love all of it! I will be putting crochet edging on a couple of pillow cases over the next few days.

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  2. Wendy Gower18 July 2017 at 22:20

    Everything just looks beautiful Annabel. You've done a wonderful job.

    I hope to send you some photos of new greeting cards I've made.

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    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 16:12

      Dear Wendy, I am looking forward to seeing these! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  3. Anonymous18 July 2017 at 23:21

    Everything you've made is absolutely gorgeous! I was wondering if you have a pattern for your blue and white wash cloths? You're truly inspiring as always.
    Melody in OR

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    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 16:09

      Hi Melody! I just did a traditional Granny Square. Last year I made some in a bobble stitch and I have gone back to that now for doing some more. If not sure look on you tube at granny squares, they re really quick and easy. Also for an actual rug they are wonderful! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19 July 2017 at 22:50

      Thank you for your response Annabel, I will definitely look it up and put on my to do list! ❤️

      Delete
  4. Mimi18 July 2017 at 23:49

    Dear Annabel, I second what Patsy says. Your work is always an absolute joy to behold. I love that you mentioned about sourcing inexpensive items on eBay and fussing them up. I was going to raise that in an upcoming blog post on my own blog. I recently bought 10 each of colourful zippered wrist purses, sequinned coin purses, and Eiffel Tower embroidery scissors. They are for Mums who helped with costume making for my daughters dance truope, and into each zippered pouch ($1 each, free postage), will go a pair of the Eiffel Tower embroidery Scissors ($3.39 each, free postage), a sequinned coin purse ($1.29 each, free postage), and a gift card for a coffee at a coffee shop ($5 each). So for just over $10 each, I've sourced gorgeous little gifts, that look like I've spent at least double that amount. It's a great way to find lovely things, that aren't expensive, and that you can personalise if you wish, much as you have done. Of course, you can't do this in October or November. The time to do it is between now and perhaps mid September. $10 a week could go a long way towards seeing the gift cupboard filled by October this way! Love, Mimi xxx

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    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 16:07

      Dear Mimi,
      Ebay as a source of craft items and gifts would be a fantastic blog post! I love the sound of the little scissors! They are about $20 in actual embroidery stores! I really discovered what an asset eBay is when I found those little gauze face cloths were 35 c each vs several dollars each at the shops. Thank you so much for this! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  5. Anonymous19 July 2017 at 02:43

    Annabel, you have made so many beautiful things and achieved so much. I love how you have used things on hand and I love the tip about Ebay. I love how you have used up things at home first and then have sourced out. Such beautiful work and so inspiring! People will be so lucky to receive any of these gifts. I need to re-read your crochet post and have another go. They are so lovely and I love your dish cloths. Everything you make is so pretty, even the humble dish cloth! Lots of love, Bridge

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  6. Helen Threlfo19 July 2017 at 03:11

    Dear Annabel, as someone who is on the receiving end of your gifts, I can truly say that from the wrapping to the gift itself is an experience. All of your thoughtfulness, talent, caring and kindness goes into your gifts. Mimi, we can all just see how nice your gifts would be coming together. It's sharing ideas that is so helpful. Love to you both, Helen

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    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 16:03

      Dear Helen, Thank you so much! Your gifts are always wrapped beautifully! This does make a gift more exciting and special. I haven't thought yet about this Christmas as far as wrapping goes but usually I have a theme. However last year my theme was to use up all the wraps and ribbons I had so everyones was different! I think I still have a lot of supplies too! With love and thanks, Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  7. Anonymous19 July 2017 at 04:56

    Patsy took the words right out of my mouth! You have such an eye for beauty! I really want to make some of those powder puffs this year. Do you think a faux-chenille blanket would work? It doesn't have long fibres like a faux fur, but is really soft and plush. What do you think? Your stamped items look so professional, and those bags and tea towels are to die for!

    I finished my dress and wore it this last weekend, along with a hat I cut down from an old men's fedora and refashioned (following instructions from a WWII British Pathe news reel for making fashionable items from men's clothing while they're away fighting)...and I was so lucky the week before to find a gorgeous pair of Aldo spectator lace-up pumps for $5 at a thrift shop that fit me!!!! People were so enamoured of my shoes at the weekend they were taking pictures just of them!! Anyway, the dress isn't a perfect fit, but turned out much better than the first one which I ended up giving away to a thrift shop...it turned out like a sack!! :) I have been knitting and am just about to finish an item or two, so maybe I will have something to show this time around!

    Lots of love,

    Jen in NS

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    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 21:06

      Dear Jen, Yes I think the chenille would work for sure. I think anything super soft or plush would work.
      You are very creative! And what luck with the shoes! I will look forward to seeing your knitting! With love Annabel.xxxx

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  8. Fiona19 July 2017 at 05:08

    All I can say is GURU!!!!! You totally amaze me Annabel. Frothy pink fluffiness. Love it all. Fi xx

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  9. Glenda19 July 2017 at 06:01

    Dear Annabel,
    Your hand work is beautiful, as always. It never fails to absolutely amaze me as to how much you accomplish each week.
    I love the stamp!!
    Love and hugs,
    Glenda

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  10. Little Penpen19 July 2017 at 06:21

    Oh, those powder puffs! I love those! I remember the little round plastic boxes of powder with pastel colored puffs inside to apply the powder with. I have looked and no longer see them sold in stores. You have made some beautiful things!

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  11. Cheryl Kimbley19 July 2017 at 09:11

    Absolutely gorgeous - everything!!!!!
    I agree, I love the powder puffs. I remember buying my Momma a dusting powder gift set at Christmas when I was a youngster. I always felt so indulgent when she let me use it!

    I got some great ideas here. I haven't been crafting much at all. Summer gets in the way. Jams and jellies will be made soon and put back for my Christmas baskets.

    I did get 24 Hallmark smallish gift bags, and 36 packs of all occasion tissue paper for $4 at a fund raiser this past weekend. That will help all year with small gifts!

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  12. Holley M19 July 2017 at 11:52

    Absolutely stunning! I've been still working on embroidering some tea towels that will be used for Christmas gifts! I hope to do some sewing here soon! Just keep chugging along!

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  13. Anonymous19 July 2017 at 13:30

    Annabel,
    Everything is just beautiful! I have a powder box that sits on my dresser I don't think it's antique, but it is ceramic. It feels like I am never going to get to the gift making LOL! So I will drool over all the lovelies you are adding to your gift cupboard!
    XOXO
    Vicky

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  14. Anonymous19 July 2017 at 13:54

    Dear Annabel,
    Everything you've created is just exquisite. I love it all!! I'm working with what's in my stash of materials for all gifts this year in my use it up challenge. My sewing machine, while not an embroidery machine has innumerable decorative stitches on it and I've been reading up on ways to use and combine them to do some embellishments. I've had the machine for a few years but never used those stitches much, so it will be interesting to see how it all comes out. Blessings, Cookie

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    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 21:04

      Dear Cookie, I think pretty stitches are lovely around baby sheets, funny rugs, bibs, pillowcases etc. I will be interested to see what you come up with! It is very good that we are using up our supplies! Its a bit of a no spend gift making challenge! I hope your week is going well! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  15. KayeB19 July 2017 at 17:55

    Dear Annabel,

    What breathtakingly beautiful work (as is usual from you 😉) Anyone on the receiving end will feel the love and beauty of those lovelies you have made. Xo
    The edged kitchen towels would brighten anyone's day and kitchen decor. 😃
    You have worked wonders!!

    Thanks for your tips and also the many other good ideas from comments.

    Love, Kaye xoxo

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    Replies
    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 21:01

      Dear Kaye, Thank you! Today we have had actual sunshine. I have Harper (who is asleep) and we went walking in the sun. I am finding Ebay plus op shops are my best craft suppliers. I am almost out of all supplies at this point but then I should be happy as I have used up everything and emptied my craft cupboard! With much love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  16. Anonymous19 July 2017 at 18:17

    Hi Annabel,

    Your creations are just beautiful and the powder puffs just so elegant :-) .

    As a matter of interest as I have looked online at the usual sizes of cloth napkins and they vary widely. Would you be able to tell me the size of yours and the size you think is best.

    The napkins and matching tablecloths will look just divine as a table setting. The little stamped gift cards are a lovely touch too to add that special something to your gift presentation too.


    Sewingcreations15

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    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 21:10

      Dear Sewicgcreations, Thank you! These napkins were about 30 x 30 cm as I used a border panel from the quilt over and it meant they had a pretty edge and a rose in the middle. I would normally go larger i.e. 40 x40. Smaller seem nice for an afternoon tea and ladies. Larger seems better for family, men, messy meals! I have noticed that expensive restaurants have quite large ones. They are generous and protect your clothes. I hope that helps! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
    2. Anonymous19 July 2017 at 22:54

      Thanks Annabel that is a big help. I will work on making some for us here which will be a nice addition to the table setting.

      Sewingcreations15

      Delete
  17. Jane19 July 2017 at 19:15

    Annabel I bet just opening your present cupboard would be a gift for the senses. Those table cloths and matching napkins would have to be my favourite.
    I am keeping on with crochet activities as we travel. I plan on getting some yarn and round needles as Dad has put in a request for a beanie with a pom pom.
    Life is good.

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    Replies
    1. Annabel19 July 2017 at 20:56

      Thanks Jane! Pom poms seem to be big again... I notice them on lots of beanies and also along the edges and in corner of blankets. Its years since I made a pom pom! Your trip is being very productive! I hope you are having a good week! xxx

      Delete
  18. Anonymous20 July 2017 at 12:18

    Oh Annabel just over the top beautiful! You have a talent with gift giving and making. I have exciting news kristi and I rented a house. A 3 bedroon in a nice safe neighborhood. It is old and needs paint and Cleaning and fixing. Oh but the potential is amazing it is a strech for us. We are so excited. It will be better for our health. As we have been taking car loads over I have found many gifts that I made and bought a while back. And loads of fabric so now I will be able to put gifts together. It was like finding barried treasure. We were inspired by your painting last year and what a diffrence it made. I just love the powder puffs! They are so lovely.
    We are praying for good and reasonable movers.We are doing
    as much of it as we can ourselves. In Kristi's Honda.
    Have an amazing day!
    You are such a huge blessing and encouragement.
    Love,
    Patti

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    Replies
    1. Annabel20 July 2017 at 19:15

      Dear Patti,
      This is really wonderful news! The unhealthy smoke you were exposed to has been terrible so I think moving is the best thing ever!
      Get a few quotes on the last of the moving. Good luck!
      It will be really exciting to set up your new place and get it how you want it. This sounds so good! Thank you for telling me I am so pleased for you! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  19. Debby in KS20 July 2017 at 13:37

    Nicely done, Annabel! Everything is so unique and beautiful. I would have never thought to make powder puffs, you clever girl!!

    When you're looking for neat things on ebay, what do you search under? I wouldn't even know where to begin!

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    1. Annabel20 July 2017 at 20:16

      Dear Debby, Ebay is a bit of an adventure! You have to ry and think of what other countries call things. This can be tricky. I used to search fro transfers with no luck only to discover in the US they say water slide decals. So this is the issue... However now I search for absolutely ANYTHING I might like to buy. I wanted the muslin face cloths which are in packs of four here for about $15. I found they are in fact 35 c on eBay. I was very pleased with them. Mimi wrote an article on this only this week so see a tray of bliss (on side bar) as she includes some links also).
      For the kitchen towels I tried a few searches and got the bundles of ten. I think the best thing is to just explore and often then they start giving you suggestions for that they think you like or are interested in. I just had success with... pretty tiny notebooks, sewing items, cleaning cloths, gift tags, blank cards, cellophane bags, paper bags... all so cheap... plus look for free postage... most stuff from China seems to have free postage and you have to factor that in! Good luck.. it is revolutionary really as so many things that are expensive in the shops are $1 on eBay! With love Annabel.xxx

      Delete
  20. Megs20 July 2017 at 13:45

    Annabel, I think your gifts are thoughtful, thrifty, and elegant! They've certainly inspired me to make some things!

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  21. Annabel20 July 2017 at 19:16

    Thank you for all your comments! I have run out of time on my replies! It has been a good week though with some more things made! xxx

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  22. terricheney21 July 2017 at 16:55

    Those table cloths and napkins are just lovely! My heart actually stopped when I saw them. How nice!

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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

Spam is never published... if you are advertising a product or selling website your comment wont be published. I am inundated with stuff about drugs, horses and weird things! I am not going to publish this stuff! Thank you.




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