Happy New Year!

From a house full of nutters!


Staying home and having a feast of Raclette tonight with some friends. yum

wishing you and yours everything you desire for 2011!
Thank you for joining my crafty world and see you soon.

Amanda

Pin Head

So, my crafty friend of this origami star bulb and Eye Spy bulb fame has been busy with another kind of goodness..

Doncha just wanna eat it?


And then you need to put them in something, like a cupcake pin cushion of course!



And this is only the tip of the assortment that she has made. like toadstools, hedgies, teapots (to die for), snowmen, Christmas trees and more. If she would come over to visit with them, I could take a picture. :}


And what will I do with them? Well, I have a crafty niece who lives far from here. Who didn't get all of her Christmas present sent to her because her auntie is rather lax in that department. But she's an understanding niece. And she knows that the longer said auntie takes to mail the box, the larger and more full the box becomes. Yes, B, this one is for you! When I get around to it. Sooner rather than later I hope! hugs

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

book purchase

Well howdy!
Welcome back after the big few days. I'm finally staying close to home and beginning to relax.
But not before dashing out to Chapters to buy a few books with well intended Christmas money!

Here's what I bought after sitting on the floor of the book store for about an hour...
Sewing for Children
by Emma Hardy
Great little projects for boys and girls with a varied menu from softies, books, bags, dressing up time and fashion fun. They show kids sewing the projects themselves, but I'm looking forward to playing with the patterns myself. There is a template section in the back. Some items are to size and some need to be enlarged. this used to bother me, but I know how to work the scanner and print the appropriate size now. whew/.

Another purchase I've been eyeing for some time now
Craft Hope
I'm going to sit with this one in a quiet place with some hot beverage. So much to see, read and blogs to look up. yep, a treasure to be had for sure.

And the last book
Weave
Why buy a weaving book? Well, I did buy a like thistable loom a few months ago from Craigslist. It was $25 and when I looked it up, it costs $250 today! Even though I don't intend to start this venture soon, I had to have it for when my mind is ready. And for only $25 i couldn't resist. The book is very thorough. just the language and terminology is astounding. I can see myself doing this, but not right now. When i am ready, I'll have it. And I can buy the threads from Gemini Fibers. hooray.

So there you have it. My craft book purchase for the end of this year. Oh, I also got this great cookbook
Michael Smith, Chef at home he's a chef in Prince Edward Island, Canada and I love his show and easy approach to cooking. A little easy on the eyes too. :}

Sorry for all the links instead of photos. I'm not into taking photos in the dark or bad lighting in my house. It could be a long winter.

Have a good one,
Amanda

Merry Christmas!

Hoping you all had some family time, quiet time, eating time and what ever kind of time you needed today.
This guy made a visit to us and all are happy.

And I still get to sing some more for the baby Jesus tomorrow!

Have a good one!
Amanda

she found another!

Look what my amazing friend found to put in ....

Isn't it delightful! and Magical!

I'm off to sing 50 million hours today. Once for persons dining in a very top notch club, once for last minutes shoppers in the mall and once for the coming of Baby Jesus. Fairly rounded day/night don't you think?

Have a good one!
Amanda

a quick last minute, nice looking ornament

Compliments of Elsie Marley! Go take a look.
Here's my 1st version of it.

The rest i did had the dangly bit on the bottom. i preferred it that way, just hung better. Then I glued the tail pieces to make the loops. I gave them all away. Even the one in the picture above. Have to make some more I guess. I hang all my handmade ornaments on the tree. Then when I wrap a gift or have to make up a last minute gift, I go "shopping" on my tree. So easy to see and they are all in one place.

And here is what I added to my bluebird. An eye and another dangly. I love those danglies. I ran out and then tried to remember where I bought them last year. I was set to hit the dollar stores and ended up spying them from the checkout while at Fabricland! Score! I grabbed a pack and then found out they were on sale. 40% off. bigger score! I'm sure I would have been very frustrated on my quest otherwise.


Well, feeling much better here. The last day to relax before singing takes over the next 4 days. We may even get a skate in today. Come on Dec. 27th! :}

thanks for stopping by,
Amanda

eye spy christmas ornament!

Remember those clear balls that just beg to have something inside ? But the hole on top is tiny?
My friend found something! She made and eye spy ornament. Isn't it brilliant?

And hard to photograph! :}

I love it.

And for some more inspiration, go to Montessori Beginnings and her take on needle felted friends inside.

It's finally my turn to be under the weather. So what to do with the kids who are finally on the other side of it and have some energy back? A nice load of playdoh scented and coloured with jello.
yep, they are having a blast while I'm lying down. good move mama.
here is our recipe..

Playdoh

2.5 cups of flour
.5 cup salt
2 tsp cream of tartar
3 tblsp oil
2 cups boiling water
1 pkg of jello (your choice of flavour)

Mix flour, salt and cream of tartar.
Mix water, oil and jello and add to dry. ( i don't add all of the liquid. And I usually have to add more flour. SO, I should adjust the liquid amount, but that's to much for my brain. i just measure what it says and not add it all. Math wasn't my strong point in school)
Knead to desired consistency and store in a ziplock or plastic container.

Enjoy.

Off to have a snooze,
Amanda

gnome garden set x 3!

Nothing like an order to set the assembly line productivity!
Here are the gnomes for the garden gnomes playset.


a great place to hang.

And when you're tired, just take a nap. that pillow looks a little hard though!


Here they are all spread out. (Geesh, did I take any in focus pictures today? I dislike the inability to take pictures outside)


And now they are closed up and ready to travel.


Fun times ahead for these 3 girls!

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

GIveaway winner!!

WOW! Thanks to all who commented and became followers to my little world! It was astounding the response and kind words you gave. Alas, I don't have enough for all of you, so I let random Generator choose for me:

Having some trouble getting the picture of it here.
It was 423. Winner is Amy from Radseams Congrats! I'll send you an email.

Please send me your mailing address so I can get it in the mail ASAP. Probably won't get it for Christmas, but better to have than to have not, yes?
Here is a pic of the winnings

I never was able to get a picture of the doll sling in action. My model is STILL sick. fever, napping, whining, cough, snuffles etc. at least it's not barfing etc. k, enough of that.
So here is the picture from the pattern that belonged to a friend's grandmother. I'm planning on doing a tutorial for this with my amendments for doll sizes of today. Maybe after Christmas. Quickest, easiest doll sling around. And I've been looking for a year or 2.




Once again, thanks for your words. Come back again, I have a few more ornaments to show you.

Fa-la-la-la-la
Amanda

Sew Mama Sew GIVEAWAY!!!!

CONTEST NOW CLOSED. CONGRATS TO AMY FROM RADSEAMS!

Welcome to By Hook & Thread on your blog hopping adventure! 'Tis a great season to be giving things away.
so here it goes. All of this is up for grabs for 1 lucky winner.

Edited to add: Thanks so much for all your comment love! I hear ya. Much appreciated. I'm blushing. And still trying to get current photos for the space playset and doll carrier.

An outer space playset with only 1 astronaut and space ship. And it is a different colour playmat. Photo of real set to be edited tomorrow when I can get a picture in the daytime.


It comes with 3 galactic space crystals and the playmat turns into a drawstring pouch to take and carry at a moments notice.




For the girl, I have a pink doll sling carrier. My model is sick sick sick, so a picture will also follow.

And for you, because it's Christmas...
a set (3) of these toadstool ornaments




And a trio of these wool felted acorns.


How can you win?
Simply leave a comment and tell me where you're from. If you want to have 2 chances, become a follower. if you are already a follower, leave a comment to that effect. I will choose a winner on Dec. 17 by Random Generator and announce it here and email you. Please leave a way to be contacted. Be fair, enter only to a maximum of 2 times. I will ship internationally!!

Thanks so much for stopping by. And thanks to Sew Mama Sew for hosting this awesome giveaway opportunity.
Have fun getting inspired on the rest of the great giveaway sites!

Amanda

fa la la-ing

Wow, almost a week since I've been here. Busy season for a singer. I've been doing some of this...
photo from my crappy phone

It was cold on the toes. I couldn't feel them after only 1.5 hours outside. It wasn't even windy. This is good to know as I have a 4 hour gig outside tomorrow! And I have a cold! ugh. But it 'tis jolly to spread some cheer. It's nice when people stop and you can see the enjoyment on their faces. yes, 'tis nice indeed.

We're staying home today. My son has a fever and wicked wicked cough. I'm not far behind him. Maybe I'll do a little crafting or cleaning. Which would you choose?!

This a a recipe you MUST try if you have a throat ailment. it comes to us from my husband's farm living Portuguese grandmother. it works!

Honey and Lemon Tea

Peel a few slices of lemon rind about the size of your thumb. Not the pith (white part) just the peel.

Boil it in a pot of water until the water changes to a light yellow colour. You can smell the change in the water. It actually smells sweet.

Pour it into a cup with a heaping spoon of honey. Stir. ( We get our honey from my DH's godfather who keeps bees. I almost panicked this morning when I couldn't find the stash we had in the cellar. Hubby found it. thanks goodness. yummy goodness. nature's goodness. goodness of family who keeps bees and shares!

Drink while still hot. The lemon acts as an astringent and the honey is soothing. Wishing I had known this recipe when I was a singing student for 8 years. But I'm glad I know it now.

Hoping you find some cheer and a warm cuppa something.
Amanda

felted acorn ornaments

I was reading the paper one morning, and I saw a picture that immediately made me think of Donni from
The Magic Onions. When I looked at the bottom, it was her shop featured. The acorns are so beautiful.

Then I drooled over the felted acorns fromLil Fish Studios

So with an afternoon to craft with the kids, we rolled some of our own. I needle felted the shape and we wet felted them into dense balls.


They are balls instead of oval so they don't fit quite right, but they are ours.


The kids are excited to give some to their teachers.


Pretty, soft and tiny. great for a tree.


I wanna eat them.


Another project crossed off the list.

thanks for looking,
Amanda

Lion Finger puppet

I teach a wonderful pre-school music program called Music Pups. We are finishing up the Lion Collection. As I usually give the kids a little good bye handmade thing, I was looking forward to making these puppets for them.

Still in the trying out phase as you can see minor differences in the 3.


Was wondering how to get my tag on it. The tail of course!!


This one will be the finished one I think.


Have a good one,
Amanda

sweater fix

How cool is this patch?


My friend of the Nature Banner fame bought a magnificent sweater for her youngin' who promptly climbed a tree and make a tear, rip, gaping hole in it. So I sent her home to make a patch for it.


I'm in love with this hedgie!


I think she should start a blog of her own!

Have a good one,
Amanda

rewind

Hi Folks,
I've been sewing up a storm here. Mostly repeats of things I've done before for orders or in preparation for 2 more craft sales in a few weeks. Next year, i think i'll start making Christmas things in January. no kidding. i can't keep up.
Anyhow, Here's a post I did last Dec. The birdie from here is the same pattern for the birdies below. I just made the wings bigger and positioned them differently. Even these birds look different now, I've added a clear seed bead for the eye and have a glass drop bead hanging from the bottom.

Read on .......

Ok, so all my 'work' surfing the blogs at night finally paid off. I've been searching for something... didn't know what it was, but something to satisfy my creating beast for the season. Well, check this out
Fa la la la la Felt
on Handmade Cathy Gaubert.

I drooled over the samples and went in search for the book. It's not out until August! So i bought the ebook. A simple process and instant gratification. Only problem is that I'm a book in my hands person. So as I find a project that i want to do, I print it off and and work from that. i think i'll have to purchase the actual papercopy when it comes out. Such great eye candy and many projects that I will do.

So here is my take on Little Birdie




Oh such fun and joy and felt!


Thanks for looking,
be back soon with something new when I can get the models in order. and better light. The weather has been gloomy to say the least.

Amanda

toadstool in a bulb

Tee Hee!!! I found something to fit inside that teeny hole in the top!




Off to find more things...

thanks for looking,
Amanda

tall snowman

I bought this little one at my church's Christmas sale.

I like how he looks.

He makes me smile. It's almost cold enough to make one of these today.

have a good one. brrrrr
Amanda

wool, glorious wool!

I've been wanting to pick up the knitting needles for some time now. When i happened across this glorious wool at the open house this weekend, I traded some of my wares for it.

It is so chunky, colourful, warm and heavenly.

I only know a few stitches and can't read a pattern. But with this wool, who cares. You want to bring out the irregularity of the wool, not a design.

This one is what I bought. It is so over the top. And warm. And fluffy. I love it.


After I complete my Christmas orders, I have a few more scarves to make. Can't wait.


Have a good one,
Amanda