Advent tree- Tutorial

I'll never forget the look of sheer disappointment on my eldest son's face last year when I told him that "No, I wasn't joking, I hadn't bought him an Advent calendar." I had purposefully not done so for fear of patronising a fast maturing young man - How wrong could I have been?!

You forget that Christmas and the family things you do are so important to your children, almost ritualistic. Needless to say I hotfooted it to the nearest Tescos and came home proudly displaying my purchases, but the moment had gone.

It's going to be different this year! I made an Advent tree!

I scouted around my garden for a suitable candidate to donate it's branches and was amazed to find buds on, I think, (after researching), a Quince bush. The horticulturally minded amongst you may be able to offer advice on this one. But anyway I'm hoping they start to open up in the lead up to Christmas.

Remember the technique from yesterday? Well I used it to make these cute little bags to put on my tree. Lots of sewing around edges......

Can you see the other pieces of paper waiting patiently in the background?

......choosing colour schemes

and attaching handles.

Handles have been attached with a brad on each side

Careful to attach the handle to one side only to make room for your treats

I used my Big Shot and a Stampin' up Sizzlit die to punch out the numbers

 and glued them into place.

I filled the bags with little treats.......

and hung them on the tree.

After reading in a Christmas makey something or other, I rather like the idea of adding a little note to each day, personal to the boys reflecting on the year just passed, just something to make them smile, think or raise an eyebrow :)

Just in case you were wondering the gorgeous papers came from Stampin' Up, my favourite, in fact my only supplier of all things paper crafty. You can purchase them here.
I must apologise for the poor light in the photos today. I've waited for better, but sadly I don't think it's going to happen.

Before I pop off, I'd like to say a very warm welcome to a few new followers. It's lovely to have you along and I look forward to visiting your blogs soon :)

I wasn't feeling the remotest bit Christmassy but this make is definitely getting me in the mood. Why not have a go, I'd love to see your results.

Handmade Monday - Practical but Pretty

I can't believe it's Monday again, and that means 'Handmade Monday'. It was my first time last week and I was amazed at the lovely contributions and talented bunch of individuals that are out there. Why not visit their blogs? Thanks to wonderful Wendy at 1st Unique Gifts for hosting such a good idea. Make sure you pop over to say hello or better still why not join in with your own hand made make.

This week is all about practicality.  I love my mid morning coffee but nothing gets me started first thing like a good old 'cuppa tea'.  My problem is that the first cup usually doesn't touch the sides, but by the time I get around to my second, the pot's gone cold!  So this called for drastic action, (well it didn't really I'm just trying to make the most of a weak build up) and so I made a tea cosy.

I really enjoyed making this as it gave me a chance to use a new toy.......drum roll....... my 'Big Shot' (who thought of that name!***!!!) It's basically a die cutting machine and I love it because not only does it cut through paper, plastic, and thin metal, to name but a few, but also......FABRIC! I had great fun cutting out the flowers with my new flower die which I purchased from Vicky at Crafting Clare's paper moments and I just know I'll be paying her another visit sometime soon to add another die to my collection of one.

It certainly saved alot of time.  More time to embroider........

 and make loops....

 and make linings......

In fact it saved me enough time to sit down and have a ..... cup of tea.

To be honest, I was a bit disappointed when I received the floral fabric. I had won it on an Ebay auction and the colours didn't really look much like their on line photograph. However, I love a challenge and pretty soon I'd found just the perfect complementary fabric from my stash.  Now of course, I love it.

Spent a lovely Sunday morning with friends, browsing at a local vintage market, lovely stalls, lovely bits, some of which may make an appearance on a later post - watch this space!