Happy Blogiversary to me!

Can you believe it! It's been a whole year since this post.

While I didn't quite manage my resolution to blog at least once a week, I did reach 47 posts for the year, so I won't be beating myself up about it. Thanks for joining me on the journey!

As my resolution for this year is to organise the house (I am still working on my word for the year - more on that next post), the next job we have got to is sorting out the wardrobes - not just the kids' either.

In my husband's sorting, he decided to ditch an old, worn pair of these... Which would be perfectly good fabric going to waste, if you ask me! So what do you do when hubby throws out a pair of denim shorts?

Take to them with the sewing scissors and salvage all the large pieces of fabric you can...

Employ your creative cutting skills...

And make a bunch of these!

Just layer the pieces of denim and sew together with a button from your stash (or an old earring, or a pretty brad).

Not sure where all these will end up, but they sure are cute! I stitched one onto a pin and wore it as a brooch to a BBQ today (with jeans) and few nice compliments floated my way from fellow crafters.

That's my kind of recycling.

PS. "Early in my career I felt that organization would destroy my creativity. Whereas now, I feel the opposite. Discipline is he concrete that allows you to be creative." Verna Gibson

Wreath Challenge Update...

Thank you all so much for voting for my wreath in the Eddie Ross challenge back in December. (That's the fabulously stylish guy above, in case you're wondering). I didn't win (boo hoo) but I did manage a very respectable third! (Internationally, folks - I count that as a win!) You can read about the wrap up and the winner (the gold one) here.

I got so many lovely comments from people all over the world - for the wreath and the Linky party at Nester - it does wonders for the self image!

Now I just have to get my house organised so I can get back to some projects to post. :sigh:

Hope the new year is treating you all well :)

P.S. “Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.” Unknown

Welcome to 2010...

Hi All!

Wow, it's been a while since I posted. I had good intentions of blogging all our Christmas goings on straight away, but somehow between kids and visitors and a few days off, it just didn't happen. (We only close our business for one week a year, so cut me some slack.)

Now all the Christmas stuff has been packed away for another year...I thought I would just share a few shots of what the past couple of weeks have been like around here... I knew this little beauty would look great full of Christmas goodies. It has had a real workout since it had it's makeover!

As we had my whole family here for Christmas day, I thought a bit of extra effort was in order. I set tables and made little place card favours for everyone. This was the table for the 4 youngest kids - they had little named bags (printed from here) with a couple of chocolate coins, some dried cranberries and a bubble mix and wand (to keep them occupied while the adults were still eating!). The four older boys had little named pillow boxes (printed from here) with chocolate coins. They dissappeared to play the X-Box as soon as they had scoffed (sorry, eaten) their lunch, so we didn't have to entertain them! The 8 adults had little organza bags filled with sugared almonds (aqua, of course), decorated with a miniature bauble and a painted chipboard initial. Quick, but stylish. The table looked lovely and the lunch was delicious. Even better was after lunch when the family secret santa gifts were handed out... Hooray for my Secret Santa sister, who provided me with my "Sand Mouse" - a name coined by my 2-year-old nephew for the 'mouse sander'. I have some projects in mind for this baby. (Insert Tim the Toolman grunts here - urgh, urgh, urgh.) See the smile - a mouse sander for me!! We had a fantastic day surrounded by loved ones, ate and drank lots, and all the kids got at least one thing they had been really wanting. I count this as a successful Christmas!

While packing away all the Christmas paraphenalia, I thought I would put my New Year's Resolution into action - to get the house organised. The linen cupboard was the first step - complete with labels on the shelves. One room down, the whole house to go. Wish me luck!!

Hope the year has started happily and peacefully for you all.

PS. “Be at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let every new year find you a better man.” Benjamin Franklin