Another week of getting prepped for Christmas - not just on the Free Spirit Designs front but at home too so quite a mixed bag to share with you today!
Patchwork Christmas Decorations
If you popped by my blog last week you may remember me showing you the first of my patchwork holly decorations (thank you so much for your kind and encouraging comments!)
I'm happy to say that one has now become three...
... and they will very soon be available as a set from my usual online outlets (priced £18.00). Each one is unique so if this particular set takes your fancy let me know and i'll make sure its you that gets to take it home! (on a first come first served basis).
Patchwork Christmas Tree Garland
I used the rest of the patchwork i showed you last week to make this Christmas tree garland.
There are eleven trees in all and they hang on a double thickness length of the same red mohair/cashmere blend yarn that i've used for the holly berry pom-poms. I'm really pleased with it, i could just imagine it looking really cute hanging in loops along a mantlepiece. The trees are only 8.5cms tall so its quite a versatile decoration even in a small space.
It will also be available very soon from my usual outlets priced £18 - as with the holly, if you know you want it let me know - this may be the only one of these i make this year!
The Home Front
Much as i love having my own business selling my craftwork i have noticed that a lot of the time and energy that once went into creating things for my own home now goes into making things to sell and i've felt recently that the balance needed redressing somewhat (any fellow crafters out there familiar with this scenario?!)
So, despite the fact that this is the time of year when i'm busiest making Free Spirit Designs things i've spent a little time this week getting my own home prepped for winter cosiness and family visits at Christmas. My OH did a fantastic job of choosing some lovely new throws for our living room (the dog having chewed his way through most of the ones we had before :/), and i have ditched the tattiest of our cushion covers and replaced them with these...
...one made from a much loved knitted cardi that was no longer wearable due to one of the sleeves being damaged and one from scraps of tartan that OH's daughter and i had fun putting together.
And also this...
... a Free Spirit Designs cushion cover that i'd made a couple of - one is still available from my usual outlets but the other is now on my sofa!
I feel better for showing my home a bit more love and have started planning a quilt to make next... i'll keep you posted on my progress!
Handmade Monday
That's all from me for this week. I'll leave you with a pic of the blanket eater balanced on the side of the bed enjoying the sun this morning... :)
you've gotta love 'em!
The garland is gorgeous, you're patchwork makes are lovely. The recycled cushions are wonderful and I love tartan so that has to be my favourite. Your blanket eater looks so innocent balancing on the edge of the bed. My daughter's cat is always trying to push us out of bed. Have a lovely week.
ReplyDeleteAli x
aww thanks Ali, i'm glad you like them :}
Deletehehe :) i know, even when he's munching his way through them he has a sweetly innocent look on his face! x
I love your Christmas tree garland :)
ReplyDeleteand, yes, everything I make these days tends to be for sale :(
When I finally get to be able to move I'm looking forward to spending time on making things for my new home - I'm without any blanket eaters so this house can manage with what its got!
thank you!
Deleteaww that will be lovely to make some things for your new home :) x
Your Christmas Tree bunting is stunning:) Congratulations for making some cushion covers for yourself (ahem.. I have to admit to having some very tattered QD cushion covers.. shh!!)
ReplyDeletethank you very much Vicky!
Deletei won't tell anyone :) x
Oh yes I can relate as I haven't got any handmade xmas decs for us at all yet and was only thinking this weekend how ironic it is making things for others to buy! Love your doggy! I actually miss our Jess much more than I ever imagined.
ReplyDeletei know, its so easy to forget or not leave enough time to make things for yourself isn't it!
Deleteaww, i can imagine, i know its a cliche but they really are part of the family aren't they x
I love your cushions, they are so cosy looking. It's a great idea to use no longer wearable sweaters.
ReplyDeleteJan x
Aww thank you Jan i'm glad you like them! :)
DeleteI absolutely know what you mean about getting so caught up with crafting that you neglect yourself and family.
ReplyDeleteI love the cardy cushion. What a great idea.
its so tricky to get the balance isn't it...
Deletethank you! :)
What a great week of makes youve had... I adore your tree garland, it has a modern twist but still traditional looking.
ReplyDeleteWell done for getting things for your home, thats a big mission in a crafters life. All your cushions are lovely, but the cardi cushion really stands out to me xx
aww thank you, i'm glad you like it :)
Deleteso true, it is a mission!
Love the patchwork decorations - brilliant idea and really turned out beautifully :-) I know exactly how you feel... although it's usually my kids who are on at me to make things for them, rather than to sell! Simmi x
ReplyDeletethank you very much!
Deleteaww i can imagine... its hard to find the balance isn't it! x
Yes, I know, what you mean about the home/work balance - especially before the festive season, when all non-essential home work is cancelled. And as the time moves on, the 'non-essential' definition strangely changes as well. My OH had to demand clean shirts the other week and he even irons his own....
ReplyDeletemine irons his too, i don't do ironing! :)
DeleteNaughty nibbler....but you can't stay angry with them for long! He looks like he's chosen a good spot to sunbathe :0D
ReplyDeleteso true, i can never stay angry with him :) x
DeleteYour garlands are lovely. Christmassy but not over the top so. A really great balance. I really like the cushion cover made from a cardigan - really fab idea.
ReplyDeletethank you very much!! x
DeleteWhat a great way of using up the rest of the patchwork fabric. It looks stunning and I like how you've used the mohair to hang them all on.
ReplyDeleteKnitted covers are so in at the moment so turning a much loved cardigan into a cushion is a super idea xx
thank you! I'm pleased with how the mohair yarn looks too :)
Deletei'm glad you like it! x
I love your decorations what a wonderfully effective idea! and I like your knitted cushion its brilliant ooh it would be nice to snuggle up to on cold winter days *off to rummage through the jumper drawer ;)
ReplyDeletethanks very much Clare!
DeleteHehe :) i'm glad i inspired you! x
I love your garlands, especially the Christmas tree ones. I always think its nice to do some crafting for your home too, but often neglect it too.
ReplyDelete