Working on an advent calendar

At our house, we have a long love story with advent calendars, from the handmade version (and huge amount of work...)
 the cross stitched calendar:

 the American Doll calendar:


and the mittens advent calendar:

to the more traditional chocolates, or Lego!
(my high schoolers were so young then!)
So this year, I am making another for Miss C., and once again it is based on huge interest of hers:  Magical Beasts and the Hogwart world!

(the paper reminded me of patronus!)
It is a mix of little presents and bigger ones, there are a lot more things involved, but I am trying to keep it a surprise for Miss C.!
So on Saturday I will post pictures and details on this advent calendar.
But I will leave you with a neat advent calendar Mon Cheri received this year: The German beer advent calendar!


Happy crafting!

Lucketts Christmas house, 2018 edition

We waited until after Thanksgiving to visit  the Lucketts Christmas house this year, and as usual it was so much fun!

This is the first view as you enter the house,

just amazing!

Every room has its own Christmas tree and themes:

White and gold

nature inspired,

white and red

English feel.

There are also fabulous fireplace and mantels:

again with the library feel,

copper and green,

with a pink Christmas tee!

And there were bookcases filled with ornaments, houses, creatures,

and Eiffel towers...

I loved that bunny in the wreath!

I had a hard time walking away from it....

and there are amazing garlands just about everywhere:

This is going to be hard to replicate!


But here is my loot:
(I tried to be quite reasonable!)

a garland with wooden snowflakes, an acorn garland in green, a giant acorn (as I mentioned previously, I am into acorns!), 2 pine cones, a golden bunny and a golden fox.

Finally, I could not resist taking a picture in the sleigh,
it was very sunny but freezing!

If you are interested in our previous trip, you can check them out just below: 2017 visit: Here

2016 visit: Here

2015 visit: Here

Happy day!

a bunch of fabric acorns

Lately, I have been very inspired/interested by acorns! There are perfect for fall and Christmas decor:

here in use with Beaujolais Nouveau, the wine from last summer (2018), it is always my go-to wine for Thanksgiving since it is released the week before, one week exactly (3rd Thursday of November)
This little acorn is the great hostess gift on top of the wine: the wine for now, the acorn for later!
I followed this tutorial by Ellis and Higgs, it is pretty fast and easy, and there is a clever trick to avoid any side seams!
I first started making them out of quilting cotton,

but then I started experimenting with my favorites: linen and Liberty of London, with a touch of felt!

And there are just perfect!
Happy sewing!

Cactus bunting and a Halloween pumpkin

A couple of weeks ago, I made this cute little cactus bunting for my sister, who like Miss C., seems to have a passion for cactus and succulents!

The pattern is from Bustle & Sew, it was in the magazine

but it can also be purchased independently.

I have made quite a few sewing projects from this magazine,

I am a fan, case in point:

Fox Pillow, Apple and Pear Bag, Tea Cosy, Scissors Case, Wall Hanging.

It is an easy project, machine appliqued cactus and pots, in fabric and felt.

The bunting looks nice with some real succulents!

For last Christmas I made Miss C. a little cactus ornament,

also from Bustle & Sew, it is a free pattern,

this one is all hand sewing,

so it takes a little bit of time, but it is quite cute!

Miss C. carved us the coolest pumpkin, ever! She was inspired by Jack Skellington, of course...

Happy sewing!