Yesterday a package arrived for me and was eagerly torn open – to reveal…this lovely needlecase and great vintage buttons – the goodies from my very first swap with the charming Jackie of Wren’s Nest. I love the idea of swapping with a fellow crafter and am very lucky to score such beautiful things on my first swap. I’ve been gathering all my various boxes and tins of sewing stuff together and have started to put together a proper work box. I was lucky to inherit this wonderful wooden sewing box from my Great Granny but I don’t know how long she had it. As a student I used it as an art box and stored all my gouache paints and brushes in it but I’ve not painted for years and it’s been stuck in a forgotten corner of our attic. Now I have my needle-case and pincushion (from Raspberry) it seems appropriate to return the box to it’s original function. It makes me feel like a proper crafter – I just need a work room now!!

I know that nobody wants to be reminded how many shopping days left until Christmas – I’m no angel and am more disorganised with my pressie buying than usual. Still even I have succumbed to the impending season of cheer and have been trying to finish off stockings, Christmas cakes and bunnies.These two girlies are in a partially dressed state but I thought I’d share them with you anyway because I like their little fat tums over the tops of their tights!

I have however found what will be on my Christmas list this year. I always take A to see Father Christmas at a nearby Garden Centre – he arrived by Helicopter this last weekend (I don’t know what happened to the reindeer – not 21st century enough I s’pose). Anyway, maybe I’ll sit on his knee after A and ask him nicely for Ollie because I just love him so – check him out and his brothers & sisters too at Sweet Nellie – they are so gorgeous.