Noël Fait à la Main - { Handmade Christmas }

Oh my giddy aunt! The trusty old Jan (Janome that is to those who don't know her intimately) is working up a storm at the mo. She soldiers on without so much as a grunt or a whine and even bears the brunt of my "bobbin running out 2 centimetres from the end" tanties. Now Santa don't try a tell me that your elves behave in a similar fashion because I simply don't believe you.

With this being a handmade Christmas and all in our petit maison I would be quite possibly on my way to the loony bin without her. Pencil rolls coming out of my ears people!

With some op shopped place mats and pillow cases and some leftover fabric from this little ensemble....and nothing up my sleeve...hey presto! (Was I the only child twitty enough to enjoy Rocky and Bullwinkle?!!)

Only a few more to go....I think I'm on a roll!!!

Oh my! Please excuse that terrible pun...I think I need to pencil in a wee lie down to recuperate.

(Cue groans and eyes rolling from lovely blog readers).

Le Calendrier de L'Avent - { Advent Calendar }

♪ On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me (o.k. a bit late I know!)...

♪ vintage sheet fat quarters.... doilies from the op shop... ♪

♪ frayed scraps of linen .....5 blissful hours!!! ♪

♪ yummy vintage buttons... the trusty old Jan...coloured doilies from here ♪

and lace brought home from Paris in my shoes! ♪

Did you sing along? Wishing you the jolliest of Christmas preparations. Ho,ho,ho!!!

(I doubled the bunting pieces and stitched them together to make little pockets/bags which I will fill with choccies, pencils, a christmas biscuit cutter, some crafty goodies, wee little cars and other snippets of festivity for my girl)

Heureux Moi! - { Lucky Me! }

How lucky can one gal be I ask?!! After a thorough spoiling by my beau on mon anniversaire I was delighted and overwhelmed to receive this gorgeous parcel from my very own Melbourne twin.

Bren and I have become blogging besties and to say we have a few things in common is a major understatement. If I wasn't completely certain my Mum only had two kippers I'd swear we share the same d.n.a.! We now have a pen pal thing going on...that is, one of the technological age and dream of one day meeting in person.

All wrapped up in an old paper sewing pattern was a clever fabric roll (this was super useful at my last market to store bits and bobs for sewing in the slow times), a CD of her crafty playlist including a version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" so lovely it made me cry and some magic crocheted goodies. And to think this crafty lovely only started hooking this year....c'est magnifique!

And to top off my heavenly birthday treats this gorgeous personalised journal arrived á la post yesterday from a dear friend in Cairns.

How did she know that I covet an old black singer sewing machine so badly that it often keeps me awake at night! Thanks J for such a beautiful and thoughtful gift. Miss you :(

Such yummy pressies...such yummy friends! Heureux moi!

Handmade Living Blog Tour!

It is the eve of the magnificent and highly sought after book, handmade living finally being launched! Two of my little projects are featured in this divine creation and I'm giddy with anticipation at receiving mine in the mail! Today I am thrilled to be a part of handmade living's blog tour! Pop over to the gorgeous Kristin's divine blog (all the way across the seas in America). Mon petit poppet is even smiling a wee cherubic smile for all to see :)

Son Espace Créatif - { Her Creative Space }

An array of fancies adorned the table. A cornucopia of crafty goodness!


Afternoon nap sleepy dust still lingering on those jet lashes...she set to work.

With such intent she glued, she painted, she drew...she lived!

And me? I drank in every last drop of it and my heart sang!


A rainbow of Christmas cheer to brighten our window...

.....and to make us smile.

I do wonder what other festive magic has been whipped up over here?

Wishing you a glitter filled rest of the week.

Bas doux - { Sweet Stocking }

♪ It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas..... ♪ The first of December typically heralds the beginning of shopping centre mayhem and feisty and delirious "leave it til the last minute" shoppers. But in this little abode we are going one hundred percent handmade (o.k. maybe with the exception of a particularly fussy sibling who I have finally succumbed to buying a gift voucher! Zut alors!)


Some time ago the lovely Selina of Selina's vintage organised a stocking swap. What a grand and merry idea!! Here is the piece of festive loveliness I received in the mail from Bonnie of Fat Chick Design. The fabric is so pretty and I can only imagine the cheeky minx of an elf that would frolic about in such a curly toed boot. Santa would definately have to keep an eye on that one!


In true "me" style I only remembered to photograph the stocking I made as I watched it slip from my fingers into the dark chasm of the mail box. It took a long and perilous journey to Italy and the lovely Blandina has been generous enough to share it.

May your Christmas preparations be magic....and remember....♪ Santa sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake, he knows if you've been bad or good...so be good for goodness sake ♪!