Thoughts of Christmas

Focusing on completing at least one of my many unfinished projects I took my little Christmas carpet to my friend's house today where we had our 'dollshouse club' together.
I started making this carpet when I went to Sharm for Christmas 2008. It's a free pattern from Dollshouse World and is small enough to get the whole thing, including skeins of thread and scissors into a very small plastic box. Very useful for packing into a suitcase and likewise, a beach bag!
Like so many projects of mine that queue for completion it hadn't seen light of day since my return.
And so, today I was thinking of the Christmas I started this and looking forward to this coming Christmas when I hope to finally place it loving inside my Christmas house.

Room Boxes

Thinking room boxes would be quick and easy projects to do I set out to make a little tribute to each of my off spring. I made and collected together as many of the toys and books they'd had as children, right up to their interests before they left home. I decorated the boxes as their bedrooms had been and filled them with as much as I could remember to capture the personality of each, including our pets and the odd discarded sock on the floor! Finding some of the items was difficult and I came across others I wasn't really looking for but I was wrong about room boxes being quick!
The box shown is for my youngest son who always had fireworks and pumpkins on his birthday as he was born on Halloween. He loved bits of wire, elastic bands and monkeys! His favourite food was spaghetti bolognaise (made by Linsminis) and the babies were made by Carol Illingworth (who sells on ebay as 6689katie).

Patchwork

If I had to choose between all my interests, it would be miniature patchwork.
I have a passion for cotton fabric - the smell, the colours and the patterns. Fine cotton handles so well for miniature work and produces clean, crisp results.
I cut squares of fabric a little bigger than needed and tack each one to a half inch square of paper. I lay out the design on a cork board where each piece can be stabbed down with a pin until needed. Then, with right sides together I over-sew the squares together in rows and then over-sew the rows. To complete the quilt I back it with a piece of cotton.
After 1/2" squares I got smaller to 3/8th" squares and finally hexagons with 1/4" sides.
Hand patchwork is relaxing to do, needs very little fabric and the whole project can be carried around in a sweet tin. Many of my patchworks and mini carpets have been done on the beach or by the pool on holiday for this reason.
I sometimes buy sample packs of fabrics and I have a dear friend who makes the most beautiful full size patchworks and she saves me all her off-cuts.
It's a clean hobby, and other than a few stray threads, it doesn't make too much mess.

My Work Space - or Lack of It!

It's meant to be a big thing in ones life to be able to admit to needing help - and I do both - need help and admit to it!
I hold my hands up to being totally unable to keep on top of maintaining a tidy work place.
Lack of time plays a huge factor.
The other is that I have too many hobbies in one room. I'm into full size patchwork, knitting, crochet, cross stitch, genealogy, I make cards and, photo albums.
And, miniatures isn't one hobby, it involves clay, tiles, wood, sandpaper, glues, fabric, threads, yarn, needles, paint, paper, findings, tools of all descriptions, beads and junk like clear plastic sheets, tissue, boxes, card, polystyrene balls, and old fish tins; all of which you have a plan for one day.

Of course these things need homes, you now understand my problem? My room isn't small but I have to keep buying more boxes to sort out and store in. I've got to the stage where I can't tidy up because I'm still using things. Any suggestions considered!

Painted Dresser

I was very pleased with myself today because I'd achieved what I set out to do and it all went very well until I finished painting and distressing a horrible over varnished wooden dresser with 'glass' doors.
Having removed the doors and sanded off the varnish, I painted it white a few times and distressed it. Eager to fill the shelves I excitedly looked for the accumulation of tea packets, china, cutlery, cakes and desserts that I've either bought or made - and I can't find them! Anyone that knows me and my work room will not be surprised...... one day I'll shock you and post a photo of it!
Meantime here's a photo of the cupboard with two tea packets I made from my fruit tea, and a sweet bear I made from a kit.