Monday 4 November 2013

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.









 

11 comments:

  1. Looks like you got lots of lovely presents. My mam would have loved the embroidery book. She used to do some beautiful crewel work. Can't wait to see what you make.

    Your cross stitch decoration is really sweet. I love the little pom-poms xx

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  2. Looks like you have been very busy and everything looks so good. I really admire your patience with the cross stitch.

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  3. It sounds like you had a lovely birthday, I love the cup and saucer, such a delicate pattern. I've just had a quick look at your shop and you've been very busy with your Christmas crafting.

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  4. What a busy bee! You got some lovely presents. Your cross stitch is certainly coming along nicely x

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  5. oooh wow, so many lovely things! Sounds like you had a fantastic birthday, how fun to use the choccie tin for patchwork bits, it looks fab.

    love your Xmas decs too, the fabric panels are really eye catching and i also love the cross stitch tree x

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  6. Happy Belated Birthday. What lovely gifts. I hope your going to share your finished cross stitched with us. I love red and white designs.
    Ali x

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  7. these are so nice, love the cushions

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  8. What a lovely collection of presents :)
    Those hand dyed silks look gorgeous

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  9. I love the red and white cross stitch, I too haven't cross stitch for ages. I may dig some out and see what I can make for Christmas. Consider me inspired!

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  10. What lovely birthday gifts. The embroidery book looks great, and I love your red and white cross stitching, as well as the robin fabric decorations.

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  11. Happy belated birthday, it looks like you had a wonderful time :)

    Jan x

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