Another Handmade Gift

I have been wanting to make this little coin purse for a while now having stumbled across this blog.  I have had mum's sewing machine gathering dust and the other night I decided it was time to give it a go.  I managed to thread the machine and started to mess about with the settings.  Not sure what I did but there is something wrong with the tension which was pulling the fabric tight.  I sewed up my 'sandwich' of fabric and batting and decided to call it a day.

Not one to be defeated I decided to pull out the coin purse last night and to have a go at hand sewing it together.  Ta da,

Its not as square as it might have been had I used a machine but I am proud of it nonetheless.

I had to add a little Blue Kiln Beads flourish and added one of my handmade glass buttons to the zip.

Just got to get the ingredients for my Biscotti today and I'll be baking up a storm tonight/tommorrow.

A Festive First

We have started to get abit more into the festive spirit now in our house.  The tree went up yesterday along with some decs and today I made a wreath for the door, something I have never attempted before.  I would never claim to know anything about floristry so this was a complete shot in the dark and I made it up as I went along.

Ian and the children went foraging yesterday for holly and ivy.  We are very lucky to have a lovely wood across from our house

They returned with a bounty of greenery with lovely berries and some 'Old Man's Beard'.  I had a wreath tray thing left over from last year with the oasis still in it.  I soaked the oasis and hoped for the best.  It is hanging on the door as I type this but not sure it will stay when the wind picks up.  But it hasn't cost me anything so if it all falls apart I will chalk it up to experience.

Next on the list of  festive jobs is some homemade teacher gifts and this year we are going to make some Biscotti.  I have a tried and tested recipe!  I figure some home baking wrapped in a cellophane bag with some pretty ribbon will go down well.  I'll let you know how we get on.