ready...set...um?

a gift from a very talented friend

I have been reading about how so many of you have started off this new year with so much energy and enthusiasm.  I envy you!  This year is taking off very slowly for me (perhaps I'm even still on the runway!?) I'm not totally complaining, I love a slower paced life but part of me is saying "come on girl get on with it!"

So today I'm going to share the last few creative gifts that we made and received over the holidays and call it a year!   Is that alright with you?  Maybe once I finish up with last year, I can join you all in the new year!?

more true to the colours

This was without a doubt the most exciting gift I made all year and I owe it all to maya*made and soulemama!  Amanda blogged about making Maya's buckets and it inspired me to finally order Maya's pattern and I'm so glad I did!  I'm a very novice sewer.  To be honest, I can only sew a straight line so things like duvet covers, pillowcases, bags, etc. are usually the only projects that I tackle.  

I have a very old Elna Lotus (my Mom bought it in 1973 to sew all of my baby clothes) it's sewn everything imaginable, has no fancy magic buttons and growls something fierce as the poor old motor chugs along but honestly it's such a great little machine, I have absolutely no desire to upgrade!

Anyways.....the point I'm failing to make here is that if I can sew a bucket that looks this awesome, so quickly and easily on my old sewing machine then so can you!  ;o)  Give it a try!

~ ~ ~

Now on to some of the beautiful creative gifts that we received from some very creative individuals!

My parents bought this beautiful bowl from a local potter who painted the flowers from her garden inside the bowl! {love that!}  I have a slight obsession with pottery bowls ;o) ....luckily my mom does not have a problem with it and gladly adds to my collection!  Thanks Mom! :o)

 

 My MIL gave me this print by Astrid Notte.  She is a local artist who shares the same love of ladybugs as I do!

A dear friend does some amazing things with pressed Japanese Maple leaves.  She's made cards, attached them to handmade wood candle holders, and made this cool garland that lives on our office door year round!

This year she made these balsa wood and paper lanterns.  A tealight tucked inside makes the leaves glow so nicely!

The same friend made this neat ornament.  The idea came from here.

We also received some amazing homebaked cookies, preserves, and applesauce made with local ingredients from other generous friends!

~ ~ ~

 And finally I have to show you what I received from my exchange partner Melissa!  We signed up for Pia's Waldorf Christmas nature table exchange and these are all the goodies she sent!  The candle is made from wax from her own hives (how cool is that?!) and I think her sewing is marvelous, we all love the penguin!  The tree candle holder can be used all year which makes it all the more fun!  It was all packaged up in this great box which now holds all our Scandinavian-ish straw ornaments!   

I love how the Christmas season brings out everyone's creativity!

Now, let's get on with the New Year! ;o)

xoxo

~ joey ~