Birthday presents, a bit of cross-stitch, and a few of my Christmas decorations.

As I mentioned last week, it was my birthday last Saturday, which was spent quietly doing not a lot. My 'official' birthday (like the Queen!) was on Sunday, when my Mum and Dad and my sister and her husband came for dinner, and to bring me presents! I was very fortunate with my presents!

From my Mum and Dad, a jumper, a mini journal, a beautiful cup and saucer, rose and violet creams and a fabulous tin with embossed roses on it.

I'm going to use the journal (it's only 9cm tall and has an Alfonse Mucha cover) for a 'page a day' thing that I am going to start in the new year. I'm not sure what the theme, if any, this will be about yet.

The chocolates, rose and violet creams, are my Sunday morning in bed with a cup of coffee and reading a book treat .

The tin has become my patchwork box. I've added some fabric paper and lace to decorate the inside and made a little pincushion from an old embroidered tablecloth and some pom pom trim.

The inside of my patchwork tin.

My other presents were from my sister and her husband. Staedler coloured pencils and pens, which'll come in useful for drawing and collages.

Sophie Long's book, Mastering the Art of  Embroidery. This is full of every type of embroidery you can think of. I'll be using it to increase my embroidery skills.

Goldwork (c.Sophie Long)

Silk embroidery thread

Crewel work (c. Sophie Long)

Hand-dyed silk embroidery threads (third picture above) that are going to be beautiful to use.

I've been doing a bit of cross-stitch, something I've not done for ages, so I'm just doing a few small pieces for Christmas decorations to get back into the swing of things.

I've also been making some fabric panel decorations featuring robins, wrens and holly and ivy (it's been quite a productive week for me!). 

The finished decorations pictured in this post will be added to my website this week, but I've already added Christmas cards and other decorations to my Christmas page for you to choose from now. 

To celebrate my productive week, I'm offering my online friends 20% off anything on my website until the end of next Sunday (10th Nov). Just quote the code earlyxmas at the checkout. 

Pop over to www.elsiemayandbertha.co.uk  to start your handmade Christmas.

TTFN

Louise

P.S. My blogpost on  Mrs Tinne's Wardrobe (see last week's post) will be published on Thursday.

P.P.S. Pop over to Handmade Monday to see what other bloggers have been up to since last week.