Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas!

The end of the year is creeping closer and closer, and I realise that I have neglected my blog over the past month as everything has been rush, rush, rush! 

My crafting time has been spent creating handcrafted Christmas goodies like these...

So now, just as Christmas Eve is drawing ever so near, I wish you all a very Merry Christmas! 

Christine xx

Miss J's Cold Rock Birthday Party

Julia is now Miss 7 (where has the time gone!) and this year I took the easy route - her birthday party was at Cold Rock Ice Creamery. What a fantastic party it was! 

All the party goers loved mixing their own Cold Rock ice cream! 

There was dancing and games... 

And I think you can tell that Miss J had a great time. 

Julia's birthday dress was made by Shelli at Shelli Morse Design - on Facebook and shop on madeit. 

Christine xx

Made It Monday - A Little Bit of Christmas

I am a little bit proud of how this gorgeous nativity set turned out.

The crochet pattern is easy to follow and the pieces are well designed. 

This set is now on its way to a new family in New Zealand! 

The pattern is by Carolyn Christmas and may be purchased from her website Gourmet Crochet here or via Ravelry here. 

Christine xx

Made It Monday - A Bearded Beanie

Where did the rest of October go? It's been a busy time here, with lots of creating but still not much time for blogging! So here's another quick one with a pattern link too. 

This bearded beanie is very easy to make. Miss J was more than happy to do an impression of her Dad for the camera!

The pattern is by Jen Spears and is available as a free download on Ravelry here.

Christine xx

The Gallery - Special gifts you find under the Christmas Tree

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "One title, no words".

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Chainmail Hood

So, so busy lately and not much time for blogging! But here's a quick one for you, with a lovely pattern as well. 

I love this Chainmail Hood - so easy to make and just perfect for dress ups!

This pattern is by Frogguruami and is available on her blog here.

Linking to "Made by you Monday" at Skip to My Lou... join the fun!

Also linking to "In and Out of the Kitchen Link party" at Feeding Big and More... craft, projects, recipes and more!

Christine xx

The Gallery - Blech!

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "Faces".

Do you remember those faces from the first time your child tried solid food? These pics of Miss J still make me chuckle! 

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Spring Critters

This is a very quick and easy project for Spring!

This free pattern is by Josephine Wu and is available on Ravelry here, and on Craftsy here.  

Linking to "In and Out of the Kitchen Link party" at Feeding Big and More... craft, projects, recipes and more!

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Spring Crochet Dress

I wanted to try something new for another Spring showcase, and I also wanted to use some gorgeous Debbie Bliss Cashmerino DK that was calling to me from my yarn stash.

This Dusky Rose Crochet dress is a size 5-6. The beautiful cashmerino gives this fabulous shift dress a wonderfully soft feel. Finished with a crochet floral embellishment and buttons at the back. 

Miss J loved modelling this for me (and she has ordered one for herself of course!). 

The dress is based on a pattern by Sarah Lora and is available on Ravelry here, and on her blog "Ball Hank n' Skein" here. 

This dress will be available to purchase at the "Beautiful Springtime Collection" showcase at Kiddlywinks on Facebook which starts tomorrow night September 17th.

Linking to "Made by you Monday" at Skip to My Lou... join the fun!

Also linking to "In and Out of the Kitchen Link party" at Feeding Big and More... craft, projects, recipes and more!

Christine xx

The Gallery - Me and Andy Warhol

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "Selfie".

I must admit, I'm not one for taking selfies. But if challenged I like to keep a bit of anonimity, usually hiding behind some photo editing creativity.

This isn't a new photo. But it's one of my favourite selfies :)

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Gothic Fingerless Mitts

Continuing on the Gothic theme, I decided that some fingerless mitts would be a lovely idea for the "All Things Gothic & Dark" showcase.

I have crocheted these gorgeous mitts in Cleckheaton 100% bamboo. After wet blocking, they feel luxuriously soft and I really didn't want to take them off!

The pattern is by Patons Design Studio and is available via Ravelry here. 

Linking to "Made by you Monday" at Skip to My Lou... join the fun!

Also linking to "In and Out of the Kitchen Link party" at Feeding Big and More... craft, projects, recipes and more!

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Gothic Skull Shawl

I found myself moving from the sunshine and brightness of Spring to a showcase titled "All Things Gothic & Dark". Here is the stunning result:

I have crocheted this fabulous shawl in 4ply 100% luxury wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills.

The pattern is by kungen och majkis and is available on Ravelry here. 

This shawl will be available to purchase at the "All Things Gothic & Dark" showcase at The Bluebirds Boutique which starts on September 5th.

Linking to "Made by you Monday" at Skip to My Lou... join the fun!

Also linking to "In and Out of the Kitchen Link party" at Feeding Big and More... craft, projects, recipes and more!

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Spring scarf

With a "Spring Fling" showcase in mind, I dove headfirst into my yarn stash... and came up with the most gloriously sunny "springtime" yarn I could find.

The yarn is beautiful hand dyed 4ply Blue Faced Leicester from Anaïs Yarn in a "Pastel Rainbow" colourway. Combined with a warp of "Citrus" in 4ply Classic from Bendigo Woollen Mills, it just sings Springtime! 

At 220cm plus fringe, this is a gorgeously long, light scarf with beautiful drape, and finished with delicate hemstitching. 

This scarf will be available to purchase at the "Spring Fling" showcase on Facebook at Or Elsie which starts on September 1st. 

Christine xx

The Gallery - Looking cool

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "Relax".

Several years ago... Miss Three on holidays. Waiting patiently at a cafe for a milkshake. Looking cool. 

Christine xx

Been a little busy...

Sorry I haven't been around much lately! I've been a bit busy doing some of this...

some of this....

and some of this.

Holidays and crafting - two of my favourite things! 

Christine xx

Collaborate for a Cause 2013 - it all starts tonight!

The auction starts tonight and there are so many lovely handmade collaborations listed - you should take a look! 

My crochet items are now part of the most fabulous sets! Here are the finished Mini-Me Handcrafts collaborations:

Milly Peep-Hole Dress (Size 2) by Maddi-Sue
Alice Doll by Little Guys & Gals
Hair Accessories by Enchanted Princess Accessories
14 Piece Crocheted Tea Set by Mini-Me Handcrafts
White Crocheted 15cm Teeny Bunny by i.love.milly.mu

All proceeds are being donated to Make-A-Wish Australia.

OOAK Patchwork picnic blanket by koochie koo
Musk Pink Tutu Set & ribbon wandl by Kylie's Collections
14 Piece Crocheted Tea Set by Mini-Me Handcrafts
Deluxe dolly bassinette carrier by My Precious Baby
Lace Dolly Teepee by Liddle Pea
Deluxe Handmade Doll by Two Little Darlings

All proceeds are being donated to Heartfelt.

This Facebook charity auction will finish start tonight July 26th 2013 at 8pm AEST and finishes on Sunday July 28th at 8pm AEST. I expect bidding may be quite generous! You can find out more on Facebook at Collaborate for a Cause and the auction album can be found here.

Christine xx

The Gallery - I made this! (a long time ago)

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is "I made this".

I have always loved handcrafts. My grandmother taught me crochet and embroidery when I was quite young. 

You can see lots of things that I have made if you browse through my blog. But here is something that I'm really quite proud of, as this was a big project I completed a long time ago. 

These two double bed sized granny square blankets are some of my early crochet pieces - now almost 30 years old and still in use!

Christine xx

Collaborate for a Cause 2013 ♥ ♥ ♥

It's back again for 2013! If you haven't yet seen this wonderful Facebook page, or missed out on all the fun in the last two years, it's called Collaborate for a Cause and once again it's bringing the Facebook handmade community together for a charity auction event with a difference.

Created by Jen Kennedy of Ainslee Fox, it's all about promoting fun and friendship through collaboration on a handmade item or set of items for the auction. Collaborating Facebook partners create handmade items for the auction and choose a charity to which the proceeds of their item or set will be donated.

Once again I am thrilled to be a part of this fabulous idea - my own Mini-Me Handcrafts will be creating some beautiful pieces for special group collaborations with some wonderfully talented and very gorgeous ladies.

Here is a look at my items... yes, my very popular afternoon tea sets will be making appearances in two wonderful group collaborations.

"Tea with Alice" 14 piece afternoon tea set

"Mint & Rose" 14 piece afternoon tea set

I'll show you the group collaboration sets very soon...

Bidding on the auction will commence at 8pm AEST on July 26th 2013. Please take a look at Collaborate for a Cause on Facebook for more information, and get ready for an even bigger and better charity auction than the last two years - definitely the most uplifting and wonderful auction the Facebook community has ever seen!

Christine xx

The Gallery - Bright sun

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Sun.

This is Julia's photo. 

Miss 6 and a half has an intermittent interest in photography. She likes to point and shoot, and is thrilled by whatever she captures on the screen. In her eyes, all her photos are artistic masterpieces. 

I think as we get older we often become more critical of ourselves and our creativity can become stifled. Perhaps the trees get in the way and block the sunshine. 

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Sunset woven scarf

I am loving my new weaving loom! It has opened up a whole new crafting world to me, and I am delighted to be launching my new range of woven scarves at The Bluebirds Boutique tonight.

This scarf has been handwoven in 100% wool with beautiful long colour changes, hand dyed and handspun by Elisabet's Handspun.

It has a twisted fringe and a lovely soft feel, and I just adore the gorgeous bright colours! 

Please head over to The Bluebirds Boutique and take a look - the store will open at 8.30pm tonight! 

Christine xx

The Gallery - A beautiful city

Joining Sticky Fingers for The Gallery... the theme this week is Green.

This is the city in which I live. 

It's a stunning view of Canberra, taken from Mount Ainslie and overlooking the Parliamentary Triangle. 

Straight ahead at the bottom of the photo, you can see the Australian War Memorial, with the red gravel median along Anzac Parade leading to Lake Burley Griffin. 

Across the lake, the grassy area of Reconciliation Place leads up to Old Parliament House, and behind you can just see the tall flagpole atop Parliament House. 

Along the lake foreshore is the National Gallery, The High Court, Questacon and the National Library. On the left is Kings Avenue Bridge, with The National Carillon beside it on Aspen Island. 

On the right is Commonwealth Avenue Bridge, with the Captain Cook Memorial Jet shooting high in the air. 

I took this photo eight years ago in 2005, and the view hasn't changed a bit between then and now. It is truly a beautiful city. 

Come and visit! 

Christine xx

Made It Monday - Electra scarf

This scarf has been crocheted using the diagonal blocks stitch. It has a lovely texture and is not a difficult stitch to master.

The yarn is a beautiful hand dyed gradient in 8ply wool from AppleSpice. This stunning yarn has been carefully hand dyed by Jess in subtle graduations from rich purple through cornflower blue to bright turquoise.

I didn't use a pattern for this scarf, but I did watch this video on YouTube for some help to learn the stitch.

Linking to "Made by you Monday" at Skip to My Lou... join the fun!

Also linking to "In and Out of the Kitchen Link party" at Feeding Big and More... craft, projects, recipes and more!

And linking by invitation to "Inspire Us Thursday" at Organized 31... inspiration for everyone!

Christine xx