Happy Christmas!

Nearly time to celebrate!  We’ve been wrapping gifts (super cute gift bow template from here)…

…having first adventures on the sewing machine (first time on the sewing machine for both boys!  They sewed a Christmas house each, completely by themselves – from selecting the fabric, cutting the pieces, sewing on the button door-handle, and using the machine.  I supervised and hand-sewed the opening closed when they finished.  So proud of them!  House idea from here)…

…and making biscuits to give to our neighbours.

All this making and baking and buying and wrapping and decorating is so much fun, and spending time with people we love is so special.  But through it all, we’re keeping our eyes fixed on the real meaning of the celebration! (Gorgeous printable from here)

When the angels went away from them into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in a manger.       Luke 2:15-16

We wish you the very happiest Christmas, and a new year full of joy and peace.  Remember that tiny baby born so long ago – born just for YOU!

catching up…

What a whirlwind the past couple of months have been!  Still not quite over yet, but I can see calmer times ahead.  Here’s a quick update on goings on in the happy nest…

Niche!  It was an absolutely spectacular day – thanks for coming along!  It was so lovely to meet so many new and returning customers, and Albert Hall looked amazing.  Fingers crossed we’ll be back next year!

Decorating the tree and watching the Christmas parade…

Enjoying the gorgeous flowers in our garden…

Plus lots and lots of sewing!

Hoping that the leadup to the celebration of Jesus’ birthday in your home has been busy and joyful too!

Elizabeth Handmade Market…this week!

This terrible lack of blogging is due to a very good reason…The Elizabeth Handmade Market is on THIS WEEK!  If you’re local, come along and check out the fantastic array of super-talented designers we’ve gathered together on Friday 22 November, 5pm – 9pm, at the Branch Community Centre, Kings Meadows (behind Woolworths).  The perfect chance to do all your Christmas shopping in one splendid location, and support a super cause while you do it!  (Head over to the website to learn more about Elizabeth Home)

I’m still sewing madly, but here are a few of the things I’ll have on my table…

‘’What can you find?’ cushions; tea wallets; reversible skirts; sandwich wraps; rattles; sensory rattle blocks; Christmas banners

Here are just a few of the other lovely goodies available…so many more available on the night!

Little Red Clog; Sunbrite Vintage; Big Black Dog; Clover and Elle; Dutch Designs; Cara Massey Designs; Otter and Wombat; Greentree; A Mint Daydream.  See more info about all these fabulous designers and their gorgeous goodies here.

So come along this Friday and support Elizabeth Home!  We’d love to see you there!

Christmas banners

Not too many weeks until Christmas!  Lots of Christmas banners happening around here…

Some gorgeous colours…which one is your favourite?

school holidays in pictures

Fun in the sun (and then not so much fun; this particular visit to the park ended with a bee sting)…

Lots of Lego building (Toby entered a competition to build a Launceston icon from Lego.  He designed and built a historic tram, and came runner-up!)…

Taking the camera everywhere (photos by Toby and Jasper)…

Time in the garden, which is growing like mad at the moment…

A visit to Hobart for Salamanca Market (which was probably the windiest day I have ever experienced!  We had a lot of trouble stopping the stock from blowing away, but it was a fun day nonetheless)

And some crafting to get ready for the school fair (love these little finger puppets!), which was fabulous despite the wind and rain…