Gingerbread Men for Theo Paphitis

I've been working on these little fella's for quite sometime, I wanted to make a little thankyou gift for Theo. It took me a while to decide what I would send and couldn't resist giving my Gingerbread men Theo style spectacles. Dont they look cute?

The glasses were made from jewellery wire, what do you think is there a likeness?? ;)

Theo received them yesterday and took them home to show his family and said he would be putting them on his tree. *Squeels* My gingerbread men are on Theo Paphitis' Christmas tree :D

 That has made my Christmas, I've had such a fantastic year, I never dreamed I'd take Bagladee this far. I've enjoyed every moment and its been so exciting. I really cant wait to see what 2012 has instore for me.

Merry Christmas Theo I hope these little fella's make you smile :D

Merry Christmas...

We've had a lazy morning of watching Santa Claus the Movie and eating croissants with orange juice and coffee. So I thought I'd take this opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas before the chaos starts :D

Lots to do this afternoon, no more crafting however that was all finished yesterday. Still presents to wrap and chores to be done, however they seem more fun and less chore like today.We have Christmas music on and the mulled wine will be making an appearance later on. Then it will be time to get ready to go out for a meal with C's family.

I don't know about you but I'm really looking forward to spending time with all the family, Christmas day with C's Mam, Dad and Grandad with lots of Turkey and trimmings and listening to C's Granddad's take on all the 'crap' TV (his words not mine) well he is 95 ;) And then we will be travelling up to my Mam and Dad's for Christmas with them just after Boxing Day. A good excuse for eating heartily and being merry, that's a little of what Christmas is about right.

Well this is me wishing you a very Merry Christmas and that you all take time to enjoy the company of your family and loved ones, they are whats most important and if you have them you have everything. And for those that cant be with us that they are here in our thoughts and hearts.

Merry Christmas,
Love
Emma xxx

Wrapping

Lots of this still to do. Recycled Christmas tags from previous years Christmas Cards look fab with a little bit of ribbon.

I'm still on making my last Christmas Gift and there is a mountain of ironing to battle through today and tomorrow. I'd like to say that I want to get it done and out of the way for Christmas but the truth is I wont have time to do it over Christmas so best get cracking. I have some mulled wine planned for this evening and maybe a Christmas film whilst I wrap presents.

Although it doesn't look very festive weather wise, at least we will all be able to visit loved ones over the Christmas period without being stranded or having to drive in hazardous conditions....something to be thankful for?

Birmingham Christmas Market

Last week we set off on the train to Birmingham Christmas Market. Previous years we have just ventured into Nottingham, but with the 'Occupy Nottingham' gang camped up in Market Square there was no ice skating rink and it was a little bit depressing to be honest :( thank you protesters! So it felt a little less Christmassy.

Walking out of the Bull Ring and up towards the Market this is the scene, isn't it soooo pretty!! It was freezing but I think that made it all the more festive.

Even the bull was all dressed up in his Christmas Jumper :D I loved this and thought, who knitted that!! It was made in sections it was so big!!

As we walked up to the Square it was packed with people, mainly drinking German Beer or the 'Hot Wine' which was yummy. You had a choice of Apple, Raspberry, Cherry, or the Fire Wine. I went for a Raspberry then a Fire wine :D And then another before we left!

It was so lovely and even though some people did warn me it was a little expensive, it was all worth it. We didn't eat at the Market (which is what was expensive) but the atmosphere was lovely, there was music playing and people were bobbing around to it, the wine was warming and it was Oh so pretty with all the lights. Definitely worth the train ride......Thank you Birmingham!

Custom Christmas Gift

Another Christmas order, this time for a monogram felt cushion with the initial 'J'. I know I say this all the time about everything that I make but I really do love making these. The best part of Christmas orders is the diversity, I've pretty much made everything from my range. I've even been working on some new items which I've made for gifts but obviously I cant show those just yet. That would spoil surprises :)

I've managed to catch up on my Christmas prep, gift shopping is finished, I have one more item to make, food shopping is done.....just need to wrap gifts and RELAX!! And since today was the last day at the day job until 3rd of January, its all about getting 'me' getting back on track, organising next years tasks and goals, catching up on sleep and spending some time with C without having to lock myself away in the studio. It is my favourite place to be though :D

I fully intend on catching up on some very missed blog reading with my feet up in front of the twinkly lights on the Christmas tree.....cant wait, see you there :)

A scientific Kindle cover

Here's another custom Kindle cover that I've made recently. The brief....conical flasks....interesting.

This one was for a school friend of mine, also called Emma (ickle Em's) *waves* and I love the colours.

I am sad that almost every scrap of my lovely leathers has now been used. I am still on the never ending search to get some more. So if anyone out there knows where there are some sample books going I'd really appreciate the heads up.

I am definitely no longer scared of sewing with leather :D Cant wait to get my hands on some more to make a few more covers.

Are you all ready for Christmas??? Nope me neither, still sewing gifts, still needing to go shopping, still got presents to wrap, still dithering about it all.....need to get oneself into gear and get it all sorted!!!

Christmas Tutorials

Whilst I am frantically trying to get through the last of my orders so that I can concentrate on preparing for Christmas, I thought I'd just pop in and remind you of these 3 great tutorials to make some fun felty things for Christmas. Napkin Poinsettia rings, Star decorations and Bow decorations. Really easy to make to add a little bit of 'homemade' to your Christmas.

The festive feeling seems to have subdued this week (think that maybe due to feeling ill) but I'm hoping to kick start it again tonight by having a sherry whilst I write out my Christmas cards :D Hope you're all having fun with your Christmas prep!!

SALE now on

Time to get yourself a bargain before Christmas, for this week only I am having a sale on all cosmetic pouches and purses. There are a couple of the other bags listed as sale but you will have to go take a look to see which ones they are :D

Be quick though, there aren't many left....get yours before they are snapped up!

Happy Shopping x

Today I will be....

Here!!

I will be offering all current stock at a discount price, so if you're in the area why not pop by. I will certainly be partaking in the Mulled Wine and BBQ. Cant wait to get all festive and get the lights and Christmas tree on my stand, drink mulled wine and listen to the Brass band.....Oh yes and sell some things too :D

See you there!!!

(p.s. don't panic if you see my website is under construction, its only for today while I am at the market)

Maya Wilson Souce

Maya Wilson Source - Interior Decoration & Fabric Design

I met the lovely Maya at the Handmade in Britain Show earlier this year. I was lucky enough to be on the stand next to her which meant for 3 days I could ogle all the lovely hand printed fabrics that Maya designs and prints herself and all the lovely home accessories she makes them into.

Maya uses high quality linens for her home wares, this combined with her flair for graphic design  creates sophisticated pieces that add personality to your home. I love the colour palette in her collection, striking yet elegant. I'm a huge fan of her cushions, especially the 'Love Cats' cushion. Isn't it fab!

Whilst at the show I bought two of Maya's lavender cats, they are adorable and smell divine. They'd make fantastic gifts for Christmas....

 

Now you cant tell me that you're not tempted to go over there now and have a look!! So if I told you that Maya even has a sample sale where you can pick up a bargain too you wouldn't be rushing there now? Would you?

 If you are a twitter fan you can follow Maya using @MayaSource follow and say Hello.