Its getting to that time of year when people are starting Christmas shopping in earnest and a lot of my making time is spent recreating versions of things already available in my shops to fulfil customer orders - this week i have been mostly painting Union Jack baubles, several of which are now on there way to various corners of the globe!
However, i have also found time for designing some new things and i've got a few, in various stages of completion, to share with you today.
Patchwork Holly Leaf Decorations With Pom-Pom Berries
I've got lots of scraps of Christmassy fabrics left over from various festive makes and i've been looking forward to getting them together to make some patchwork for decorations - patchwork being one of my my favourite things!
So far i have made these holly leaves...
I used super soft, fine mohair/cashmere blend yarn to make mini pom-poms as the berries and i think they look really cute, i hope you do too :)
I've also made up some more patchwork ready for cutting out more holly leaves and possibley some other shapes too...
... i have loads of ideas i'd like to try out but progress will depend on how much time i have outside of fulfilling customer orders!
Autumn Pumpkin For Halloween
We've grown some fantastic pumpkins on our allotment this year but i almost didn't get round to carving one for Halloween this week - there just seemed to be so many more 'important' things on my to do list! In the end though i thought life is too short not to do the fun stuff so i spent a happy hour hollowing out one of the pumpkins and carving out this Autumn themed design.
I'm pleased with how it turned out and its still adding a cheery glow to our living room in these longer darker evenings. I made a yummy roast pumpkin soup out of the insides too - one of my fav tastes of Autumn :)
I also made some Halloween themed shortbread biscuits earlier in the week - ghosts, witches hats and grave stones, they were a bit camera shy though and got eaten up before i could get a pic!
What did you do to celebrate Halloween?
Nature Finds Christmas Tree Cards
Finally for today, i'd love to get your thoughts on these potential Christmas card designs. They are photos of Christmas tree shapes i made from my collection of nature finds... they appeal to my tastes but i'm wondering if they would fit with most people's idea of what a Christmas card should be... does it matter that they're not 'sparkly'? I'm on the verge of getting some printed up so it would be fantastic to get your thoughts. Here they are...
And that's all from me for another week! Do join me over at Handmade Harbour for lots more crafting fun though :)
Have a great week! x
I just love the patchwork holly leaves. It's such a brilliant idea for using up scrap bits of festive fabric. You could also do the same with Autumn coloured fabrics.
ReplyDeleteWhat stunning Christmas tree cards !!! They are so contemporary. Give me modern over fussy glittery ones any day.... xx
thank you! its funny you should say that as i've been itching to do something similar with an Autumn theme but i think i've missed the boat now for this year!
Deleteaww thank you, i'm glad you like them :) x
I too love the cards. You can have too much glitter although I do love it. These are so different they will stand out and fit in with a rustic theme.
ReplyDeletethank you! i'm the same, i do like glitter here and there but it can get to much sometimes! x
DeleteLove your autumn pumpkin. So pretty.
ReplyDeleteI really like the tree cards too. My only thought is that maybe the nature items should be a bit closer to really emphasise the Christmas tree shape. But I do love them, and think they will be really popular. Really original.
thank you!
Deletethat's really helpful, thank you :) i'm glad you like them! x
I've completed all my Halloween Fairs so now I'm starting on my Christmas decorations, I love your holly leaves, I love the shape of them. The cards are lovely.
ReplyDeleteJan x
thank you very much Jan! i look forward to seeing your Christmas decs :) x
DeleteYour gift tags are wonderful! What a great idea. The patchwork piece looks gorgeous. You do manage to cram a lot into your week, don't you? Have you got a secret stash of hours somewhere?!!
ReplyDeletethank you!
DeleteHehe :) no not at all, sometimes things just all come together at once, i've had the cards in the pipeline for a while! x
I like your little decorations and that soup looks awesome, just the thing for a cold, rainy autumn evening! Happy handmade Monday :)
ReplyDeletethank you very much Clare! It was v tasty :) x
DeleteI really like the patchwork holly and the soft little berries. Yours is the most intricately designed pumpkin I have seen so far!!
ReplyDeletethank you!
Deletei'm glad you like it! :)
Gorgeous makes as usual. I love the holly with the berries and the christmas tree cards look wonderful, I think they're a great idea. I have just shown my daughter your pumpkin and she is very impressed with your design.
ReplyDeleteAli x
thank you Ali!
Deleteaww that's really kind, thank your daughter too, i'm glad she likes it :) x
The Christmas tree designs are just lovely! I think their simplicity is stunning. I am sure they will be a great hit. And what a clever idea to use the fabric scraps for holly leaves...
ReplyDeletethank you! i'm glad you like them! x
DeleteThe patchwork holly leaves look great, a fantastic way to use up leftover fabric. I really like your Xmas tree cards too.
ReplyDeletethank you! x
DeleteAdorable new items as usual x the holly decoration is fantastic and the winter nature cards are great, lovely and rustic x hope you get plenty more sales xx
ReplyDeletethank you very much! x
DeleteI love the Christmas cards. A really different idea that I've not seen before. Personally I would add a Christmassy greeting to the front of the card, perhaps where you have put your watermark. The patchwork holly leaves are great too.
ReplyDeletethank you! that's a good idea, i might just do that :) x
DeleteYou know what? Your autumn cards with Christmas trees really stand out. They look perfect and classy. If you are worried about them not being sparkly, how about adding a few red branches of rosehips or other red berries. I bet that would look stunning!
ReplyDeletethank you!
Deletei had the same idea, the berries do look good but somehow they stand out too much from he other items so the overall effect didn't quite work.. x
I think the Christmas cards look lovely, people's tastes vary and I'm sure there are many who don't do all the glitter and fuss (I'm not too fond of it myself)
ReplyDeleteYour carved pumpkin is great, and I could just do with a bowl of that pumpkin soup!
thank you!
DeleteHehe :) it was yummy! x
Your pumpkin is really beautiful and I bet it looked gorgeous all lit up. So many lovely things in your post this week, in particular the holly. Love the trees - very imaginative. Hope you have a good week.
ReplyDeleteaww thank you :) yeah the pumpkin looks cute, nice and cosy! x
DeleteLove the holly! Love how you carved the pumpkin! Love the nature Christmas Tree cards! What more can I say :)
ReplyDeleteHehe :) thank you! x
DeleteLOVE the Christmas Card designs - what a great idea:)
ReplyDelete