REinventing this week and a roundup.....

This was my last REinventing workshop in the studio well till maybe May 2013.....

So this week I began with this little lace dress gifted to me by a friends daughter who no longer could use it.......

Not only did I get to practice more sewing skills I tried my hand at dying fabric for the first time.....

Then yesterday Jody spent a lot of time with me (thanks a million) transforming it into an apron top......lots of pinning that I couldn't have done on my own.

I do need to master "the pinning when the garment is on me thing"  .....

I don't think my little friend will recognise her dress.....

I think it will wear nice in the summer heat......

So that's it...I hope I can find my REinventing mojo while away from the studio...if in doubt I can always check out the loads of REinventions here.

So I started with my red throw and shirred shirt

Then a wrap skirt...

Meg's dress to my skirt.....

A silk and shirring skirt transformation.....

My skirt and shirt dress.....

A skirt to summer top .....

My shirt to a dress...

My rose tie .....

My velvet jacket from the dress up box......

My tie collar....

Thanks for dropping me so much lovely encouragement along the way.....

Things I am loving...

This week's loves......

* It's been a week of Christmas parties, face painting ,food and working around our extreme weather swings......

*My candle making adventures and some lovely gifts made......

*Seeing our little guy receive an award at the school assembly today........."for becoming a valued literacy team leader and trying harder to work productively without being distracted".

*The cheeky adventures that our "elf" has bought to our house this week.

I am not loving that today was my last REinventing class until at least May 2013....sigh!

I do however have a giveaway to announce.........

THE WINNER IS......

Naturally Carol.......yay drop me a line with mailing details and they are yours.....   

Lots of other lovely people over here.   

My Creative Space

This week.........


Op shopping for candle making supplies...... 

Practicing the art of candle making and gifting them away......

 Being able to use the same jug that my mum used when I was a little girl to make jelly in......every time I stood over it to mix my wax I smiled and knew that mum would have a little giggle right now......

A little zippered pouch making for some school friend birthdays....to be filled with teenage likes......
(Meg chose from my stash..interesting what teenagers find cool!) 

Squeezed in a little crafting with my sisters last night.....
mindless bunting flag cutting...... 

Oh and my fabric dying adventures ....ready to be REinvented today at the studio.....

Don't forget my giveaway closes tonight. 

I know not strictly creative but still some thinking needed......our Elf found a friend in Dorothy and a friendly game of Bananagrams was had......

More creative spaces here to be found.

Less Stuff

Have you started or maybe even finished your Christmas shopping?

I know silly question really seeing as we only have 20 days to go...

I have only just dabbled....time just hasn't been on my side ...but there is another reason I am slow off the mark...

I struggle with the whole "stuff" thing......I love to give....I even love to receive...

Just how much is enough?

What is it we really need....or anyone need ...does my house  have the space to hold anymore?

Do my kids have the ability to appreciate any more belongings?

I am no grinch...but I don't need a lot...a light for my kindle?? Not very exciting according to my husband....I struggle...and to make it worse I have a birthday 1 week later.....I don't have a Christmas list, like most of you, I suspect.

  

I struggle to make decisions on making purchases that will enhance our lives as opposed to just filling it with more stuff......

I found this today here and it so resonated with me.....

   

The Garage from Rob Macdonald on Vimeo.

So while I ponder my Christmas buying...I must get on and finish some gifts using up my stash of fabric...makes me feel better that I am reducing my footprint!


Oh and before I forget.......

 Looks like our Elf friend met his match with the resident lego guys and army men........

Don't forget to check out my little giveaway here....

Mischievous Visitor......

 I knew you would be all waiting to see how our visitor's first night with us went......

Hmm he managed to find the dustiest,dirtiest part of the house......

and raided the treat basket on the way up .......

 

 Oh dear I can see we are in for some serious fun and games while we have him stay.....

and the plan was he was supposed to be keeping an eye on the kids!!!! (well one in particular)

Kat's question of the day :

How are you going to celebrate your self this festive season? 

I think allowing myself to find some time to be creative just for fun .....also I think I need to take some time to reflect on achievements this year had brought,both at home and work.....I know that it is not in my own strength that I have been able to do them,  but my faith and trust in God , believing that he has blessed me to be able to use the gifts he has given me. x

Advents,Cards and a Special Visitor..

 

The advent calender is out.....so many fabulous idea floating around  for handmade ones...as much as I love the idea...my time just hasn't stretched that far. So out we pull our sturdy, not a choclate in sight one that both the kids still love. 

This year we have added something else to each day....found here as shared by Emma 

 

 

Received our first Christmas card in the mail today.....an Aunty who's card is the first most years to arrive.....my prompt to get writing and take the annual family photo to go inside....yes I still prefer the snail mail kinda card.

 

 

 I was so excited today to find that our visitor had finally arrived...a couple of days late but here safe and sound....I will be sure to share any adventures we have with him.


Don't forget my giveaway..... 


Kat's question of the day  (actually a Curlypops question)

Living life on a transplant waiting list gives you lots of reasons to reflect on what you've achieved in your life, and what you wish for the future.

Imagine a scenario where you only had one year left to live. What is one thing that you really wish to do that you just haven't had the chance to accomplish yet?

I would like to add: what steps could you take (however small) to ensure that you accomplish this thing in 2013?

This is a tricky one...I don't set too many goals in life...a bit of a "bumbler" I think.
Travel???  maybe..we have talked about heading to France to see the Tour....
Hone my sewing skills....possibly......
Open a bookstore.....a pipe dream....

Not sure what the answer is really.....   

Sunday Snippets...

This weekend.....

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 A weekend full of creativity, tree raising, decorating and getting in the Christmas Spirit.....

I am having a little giveaway here too.

Joining in with Sunday Snippets here.



Kat's question of the day is...

 What was your most significant expenditure in 2012?

It doesn't have to be necessarily the biggest expenditure, just the one with the most impact.

What difference has it made to your life?

Hmmm it would have to be signing up to Jody's REinventing course back in May then again in October.....I have learnt skills and confidence that has been  worth every cent. I have met awesome people and found a space that gave me perspective and balance.

REinventing this week.....and a little giveaway.

 This is my second last week of my Friday fun days in the studio.....

 I'll save my tears for next week....

So for this week I have done something  different {again} I love the REinventions with ties that Jody has done so I asked her to show me  help me recreate something for myself.....

I think it looks pretty good with last week's REinvented velvet jacket.....

 I am also working on a different design but it is unfinished ....

I did begin a new project using this too small lace dress....

My homework was to take the whiteness.....

and try a new to me technique....

 Oh I had lots of fun.....

Now it is already to return next week to REcreate it into something fun......

 Now to the giveaway bit.....

To say thanks for all who have popped in and been a great encouragement to me about my REinventions...

and to share my joy of having a successful day turning everything PINK...

I have a little gift......  

9 little pink doily flowers....

No hoops to jump through....no need to sign your life away....

Just leave me a hello and   I   , I mean Meg will draw a winner next Friday...cause I will be shedding a tear  over the last of my REinventing classes .

Open to international readers too. 



Kat posed a question today....
How are you starting this last month of 2012?

Take a moment, close your eyes, take a deep breath and ask yourself the question: how do you feel...

... in your body? in your mind? in your day job? in your creative life? in your heart?

Answer:    A little in chaos, a little in disorder, a little under the pump, a little overwhelmed 

BUT 
this month the focus is on giving....

so today I began the process of preparing gifts,
I am sure that now the Christmas music is playing, the Christmas tree is up,   
The month has begun...all the chaos and disorder and mounting pressure to be ready will even out and peace to enjoy the season will take over...

Well that is my hope anyways...