I threw out some socks, recently, that had holes in them. However, I felt bad throwing out the partners, of which there was nothing wrong. But I can’t bring myself to wear odd socks so I hung on to them with grander plans in mind. In typical form, they lingered on top of my bedroom drawers for some time.

Then, this week I got an email from Kids Craft Weekly and their feature craft was puppets. Including, no-sew sock puppets! So in between a busy week of cleaning for a rental inspection, working, prepping for a weekend away, and planning my retro travel special, I scavenged through my sewing supplies, cut up a bit of felt, assigned some buttons for eyes, and started stitching. I decided to sew the bits on, given the socks weren’t being returned to former use.

Easy peasey.

I made Kami pick the winner.

He wasn’t particularly excited by the honour bestowed on him. In fact, he scratched himself. But then I lined them up randomly and this was the one he stopped at.

Congratulations Liz! I’ll get in touch about where to send your paper-cuts.

I set myself a challenge recently to get sewing again, and I must only use my stash. So I was excited when I came across a fabulous felt garland idea. Lincoln’s party is tomorrow, so on Tuesday I rummaged through my fabric and found a bag of felt pieces I’d bought for a project that never got off the ground. It’s such an easy thing to make and I was happy with the outcome.

Though, it never does look as nice as it does in the picture.

(I’m sure that’s more to do with their attractive interiors.)

We’re off to Batemans Bay for Christmas this year. Kami is in the cattery, we’ve had a family Christmas last weekend and tomorrow we’ll be packing our stuff to head off Thursday morning.

When we get there we’ll pick up our boot-load of seafood, and relax with champagne in hand with Bindy and family. We’ve rented a house together for the weekend and we’re looking forward to having a lot of fun.

Among my last minute preparations was throwing together a Santa sack for Lincoln. Bindy made Fraser one for his first Christmas and I never got around to organising one for Lincoln. Until tonight.

Need a last minute Santa sack?

• Buy one pillowcase – $4 on sale
• Buy contrasting fat quarter and length of gold ribbon (or check your stash) – $4
• Use adhesive stuff together with your contrasting fabric and cut letter shape with pinking shears (‘L’ is easy)
• Iron, peel off backing paper, iron again onto the pillowcase.
• Crazy freehand machine-stitch around letter
• Stuff with gifts and tie ribbon around top. Voila!

I wish all my readers and persistent comment spammers a lovely, peaceful Christmas. May your 2010 be blessed and fulfilling, and may the spammers get better paying jobs.

Gocco is tres chic these days. I had one when I was a kid! I wonder if Mum still has it.

I have such a stockpile of prints that need framing.

And to spread the birdy love even more, I just bought a brand new Penny Scallan makeup case. I’ve been on the hunt for a new one for some time. (Tired of hauling my wares around in a plastic bag.)

I saw this bag in a kids clothing store!

Then there’s my Aunty Cookie purchases from last week’s Handmade market.

And do you know what happens tomorrow? I am going away with a girlfriend to stay at a beachside hotel, have day spa treatments, and eat from the seafood buffet. I hope your weekend is as good as mine will be!

At last, my long running project is finished. I just need to rough up the doors and screw them back on but voila!

I took a lot of inspiration and motivation from this site lately. There are some terrific ideas on this blog and if I lived in the same country I would be stalking that shop all.the.time.

Wallpaper is more difficult to apply than I expected. The metallic copper finish brilliantly shows off my bumpy bits and dodgy seams but for a first effort, I’m impressed with the outcome. Can you believe I started repainting this unit about a year ago?

I picked up two matching remnants of Florence Broadhurst cranes wall paper from the Signature Prints sale a couple of weekends ago. I think it works well.

Now for a couple of copper accessories in the kitchen to balance it up. Perhaps a copper pendant light over the dining table?