Birds, Love, Elephants

I had three baby showers in less than 10 days!! It's hard to know what to give someone when it's the second time round for them?
Here is a door hanging I made for a friends baby boy.
It's got all the things I'm into right now, bird, heart, elephant. There is no link between them apart from birds love sitting on elephants? Clutching at straws I know.

Finished

Well it's finally finished! Phew that was one of my more ling winded projects
but it was a lot of fun to do and really adds something to the room. I'm glad I used velvet because it has a regal feel to it and it almost looks like it should be an old flag.

Union update.

Here's the progress on the union jack.
Tonight I'm hoping to escape to the sewing shop to find a border fabric (possibly the same red velvet if they have it (wish I had bought it all when I found it) and some sew on applications!

Paint job

I found this candle holder the other day ($20 reduced from $70). I love it but it's black and there is nothing in our whole house that is black so like everything that passes over the threshold of our home it got painted white.

Top 3

I almost made it to 1st Dec without playing Christmas music...but today I gave in!
And the album I reached for first was the Kings college choir album...so that got me thinking about my top 3 desert island Christmas albums?
The first has to be Amy Grants Home for Christmas which I have been playing every year for over 10 years and I still love it to bits because..it's perfect!



The second is The Kings College Choir which is a beautiful and ethereal piece of work done by the world famous choir and it just makes you feel like you in a cathedral when you listen to it.



The last desert island classic is of course Bing Crosby and Frank Sinatra which is the most jolly arrangement and has it's own magic. It's perfect for listening to whilst decorating the tree.



Whats your Top 3?

Stocking fillers

Last night I got out all the bags of stocking stuff that I've been tucking away for the last few months.
Here it all is!
The best finds were, baby pingu ($3 on ebay) which I thought would be a key ring but turned out to be a big cuddly toy and Missy is going to love it.
Also the victorian style teliscope made of tin. If I had my way everything would be victorian stuff but it's hard to find.
And I love these dinky little rubber animales and ladybug magnits.





Hello Kitty lip gloss will be very popular so all in all it's been great fun gather bits and bobs.



One of her main presents is Toot and Puddle books which I found on amazon for 60 cents each!!! and she'll get the fisher price clock which has come in the nick of time because she keeps asking me what time it is?

The Best!

This has to be the best find ever (if you have little kids).
Joseph just picked this up from the Red Cross for FREE!
Isn't it perfect? I wish I could re-cover it but i don't think it's possible? Still cleaning it up and putting it to use is the next best thing.

elephants

These are my latest little creations. They have been a lot of fun to make and now I need to find buttons for the eyes and maybe ribbon for the tails...I'll keep you posted on the progress.

finally

Union Jack is finally in the making and I hope to work on it more at 'Be' Night.
it's good to have it started. Now I just want to find a mounted deer head to hang above it in our living room...keep you posted.

Doves

Well the cards are written and the elf stockings done, Now I'm working on the doves. I decided avoid Christmas themed fabric this year just for a change. I guess it's a nautical Christmas?

Community blog spot

So in case you haven't heard I just started a 'community blog' which is basically an open blog that a number of people have access too so that we can all post something whenever we want and it can be about whatever we want.
Because of the number of people involved my hope is that it will be a very diverse and creative as well as interesting blog to visit.
If your interested in joining the group let me know..this could be fun!?

http://the-great-exchange-community-blog.blogspot.com/

The start

Ahh the arrival of our Christmas card meant that last night I was beavering away at writing to family and friends and tracking down addresses to send them to.
The first step in gift giving..it feels goooood.

Elf Gestures

So I hosted the first 'Be' Night last night and it went really well.
We sipped Eggnog and chatted happily for hours. I worked on my Christmas sewing project.
Now I know this should stay a surprise for those of you who will receive them..but this blog is all about sharing my projects so I can't hold out on this one.
Here are the elf socks I'm working on, they are little Christmas gestures for friends far away.




I didn't think the Christmas spirit would kick in this year because I've been dreading winter so much but it has arrived in full force and I'm counting down the days until we put up our decorations (1st Dec).
Last night we went on our family evening walk and we saw more than one house decorated with Christmas lights...bit early by my reckoning..but this is North America after all. We also spotted two shooting stars (my first ever sighting) so that was a bit magical. yes the Christmas spirit is out and about so watch out for the onslaught on this blog.

'Be' Night

I had a flash of inspiration today!
I'm starting a new thing here in St.Stephen as of 11th Nov, 'Be' Night will be hosted by myself every week. Read more below (I've already got 6 confirmed attendees)..woop woop.


'Be' Night.
‘Do what You want to do in the company of others’.

You are invited to turn up at 29 Duke every week for a Girls only evening.


If your anything like me (and perhaps have kids?) it's rare to get the chance to.....

Finish a conversation with out being interrupted by small people.
Paint toe nails
Sew
Look through a magazine from cover to cover
Scrap book
Work on a photo album
Pray
Talk about how terrible… or wonderful the week has been
Go on the internet
Knit
Moan
Finish a drink while it’s still hot
Watch a chick flick
Be with other woman that you like but rarely get to hang out with.

If any of the above is missing from your life because you’re just too darn tired at the end of the day to do any of it. Then this one night a week could be for you?

What is required of you?

Nothing….Just turn up if and when You want to and do/bring what You want to do?
It’s all about You ...and being in the company of others (and you are welcome to bring friends).

I will supply beverages and treats…. but cannot guarantee home baking (sorry not my greatest talent)

So, are you interested?
If so is there a particular night the is good for the majority?
I’m thinking somewhere between Mon-Thurs evening (to avoid weekends).

Why Be alone when we can Be together?

Good idea

It's about time something like this happened.
www.lonnymag.com
is an online magazine and you can literally brows the whole magazine from cover to cover online.
It's got some lovely homes featured and great decor idea's.
this is perfect for someone like me who hardly ever buys a magazine but always looks though other peoples...what a cheap skate.

Whitney

Ok, I'm not a huge fan of Whitney Houston's music although I think she has an amazing voice. But this interview with Oprah is being heralded (by Oprah and others) as the best interview that Oprah has ever given.
I watch the whole thing last night (over an hour so you need some time for it) and I really enjoyed every minute of it. It was fascinating as well as moving.
Here are two links to watch part 1 and 2 online.
If you have the time it's well worth a watch.

Part 1
http://www.thelifefiles.com/2009/09/14/watch-whitney-houstons-entire-interview-with-oprah-winfrey/

Part 2
http://www.thelifefiles.com/2009/09/15/watch-the-entire-whitney-houston-interview-with-oprah-part-2/

Talking to me....slowly.