Crafted: embroidered felt Christmas garland

No Self-care Sunday post yesterday because I spent the day cleaning. Matt and I decided we want to get the house super clean and tidy before new years so we can really have a nice fresh start. So I've been wiping down window sills and skirting boards, dusting shelves, throwing out accumulated junk and attacking a backlog of dishes from last week when my back was flaring up. And during my breaks from cleaning I finished putting together my embroidered felt Christmas garland that I've been working on.

I'm really happy with how it turned out. I couldn't really be bothered putting the tree up this year, but I still wanted something 'festive'. I kind of want to make something similar and non-Christmasy to hang there all year round since we don't have curtains on that window. Perhaps some fabric bunting or something.

I think next year I'll try my hand at salt dough ornaments and I'm definitely making my own wrapping paper once I use up the last of the gigantic rolls I bought two years ago. There are some beautiful examples of hand-stamped wrapping paper and other alternatives to store bought versions getting around the internet at the moment - some of which you can check out on my 'holidays + celebrations' Pinterest board.

If I get myself organised enough I'd love to do a completely handmade Christmas next year - gifts and all!

Canberra for Christmas

Matt and I visited my family in Canberra for two weeks over the Christmas holidays. It was great! Except that Matt caught a virus on the way down and was sick for most of the time we were there. And now I've had said virus since we got back on new years eve. Not the ideal way to start the new year, but whatever.

Photo triptych of Louie eating a giant slice of pizza.

It was awesome to hang out with Louie, my 8 year old brother, again. He cracks me up. On boxing day Matt and I took him shopping and we had lunch at That Pizza Place. The pizza was awesome! Huuuuuge slices for under $5 and absolutely delicious. I'm definitely going back there next time I'm in Canberra. And Louie ended up buying himself the Boys' Book of Survival and a Green Day badge.

Photo triptych of Matt and Louie playing guitars together.

Matt and Louie had a great time playing guitar together and talking about their favourite bands. We listened to Metallica in the car while we drove around to touristy places on one day. We checked out Parliament House, Old Parliament House, the National Film and Sound Archives and the National Library. Matt and I also took a look at the National Bonsai Gardens, but I might save that for a post of its own because I took a lot of photos.

Photo of Matt and Louie with a statue of Queen Elizabeth.

Speaking of other posts, I'll be writing about my 2012 goals and things soon too (provided I don't melt in the meantime - it's bloody hot in Brisbane at the moment!).

A Very Etsy Christmas

Christmas is coming! I'm not religious so Christmas doesn't really mean much to me, but I do love all the pretty things that come with it (and the gift giving is nice too). And I recently discovered the joy/addiction of creating Etsy Treasury lists. So, obviously I made some Christmas themed lists.

A Handmade Christmas

4x4 grid of images showing my "A Handmade Christmas" Etsy Treasury list.

A Vintage Christmas

4x4 grid of images showing my "A Vintage Christmas" Etsy Treasury list.

I've really enjoyed this Christmas window shopping on Etsy, but this year I think I'll finish making the peg people Christmas ornaments I started making two years ago and never finished. I'm also planning on crafting some gifts too, but I think I'll leave that for a separate post once I've actually made a proper start (and have batteries for my camera).