The list is shrinking.....

01 December 2015


I had a deadline, I am not keen on them are you?  I always find I leave things to the last minute and then I turn into a shouty mama.  My husband has gone away again this week, travelling close to where my parents live taking with him a big bag of presents.  Getting it all sorted by Sunday meant that I saved quite a bit in postage so it was worth it really (so I keep telling myself).  Of course having a deadline might mean that I am ultra busy for a bit but it does mean that on the first day of December I have made quite a few of the presents that I intend to this year and they are wrapped and on their way to where they need to be.  I am not revealing what was taking most of my time in the past week, just going to offer the above photo for now.  You will have to come back next week to find out what else is in that bag.

So with that finished what else am I working on?  Well several of the projects I was working on last month and a few new ones.


The pile of stars has grown a little, these will get my attention next.  I have been pondering what to attach to them so they will hang up, I am thinking a wee piece of rick rack might do the trick.  If I can find the right shade of red that is.  Some will be made into a garland, about five I think with a wool strand in between.


I have knitted a cowl for Alice and have some mittens for her on the needles, I finished this one yesterday afternoon and have cast on the second one.  A portable and quick project.


A couple of play capes in the making for two small super heroes.  Should you feel in need of one, there is a tutorial here.


Alice will get her bag, and so will a couple of other people.  My search for feltable jumpers in charity shops was highly successful so I will be making a couple of other presents from the fabric too.

The quilt is still a pile of squares, I really want to get that finished in time for Christmas as I missed the birthday deadline......

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Cowl pattern here
Mitten pattern here


Joining Nicole and Jennifer head on over to see what others are making and creating

41 comments:

  1. Is that a cat paw sticking out of the bag ?
    I love love love the stars !
    Deadlines paralyze me right to the last minute. That's when adrenaline kicks in and I start flapping uncontrollably, swearing and shouting like nobody's business.

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    1. Its not a cat ;). Paralysis thats it, a paralysis to be able to start anything until the last minute telling myself along the way that it will be ok........

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  2. I'm the same :-) - I don't like deadlines and leave things to the last second... But there is nothing better than personal delivered Christmas presents!
    Your little stars are so adorable! I wish I had more hours in my days - to make some felt ornaments this year! And yes to up cycled wool sweaters!!!

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    1. There is nothing better indeed. I gift them a lot but don't receive them in return, sometimes I wish I did but I understand that not everyone has the skills or the time. I am loving making the stars they are small enough to complete quickly, a little bit here a little bit there :)

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  3. such awesome goodies! i love the stars, i can't wait to see that all finished.
    are those the mittens from the taproot issue a year or so ago?

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    1. They are indeed that pattern. I love the finished mitten but the pattern takes some getting used to, it is written very differently to others I have followed such as the largest size is the first size in the instructions.

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  4. Lucky you for finding real wool sweaters - they can be hard to find. Your kids are lucky to have a crafty Mom!

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    1. I have been looking for months although the best finds were when the weather turned cooler!

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  5. love your stars and I know whatever you pick to hang them they will look so pretty. I love this time of year and all the bite sized pieces of projects :)

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    1. Thank you Karen. I love reading about what others are making too, it is all so inspiring and gives me ideas for future years/presents.

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  6. Oh! You've been busy! Looks like you have a good rhythm and you'll be done with your to-make list right in time!

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  7. I hate working to deadlines but it's such a relief when everything's done. I've decided no handmade gifts this year, apart from one of the swaps I'm taking part in, I just can't do with the stress at the moment. It's a shame really as I love gifting, and receiving, handmade things. Perhaps I'll get myself organised enough to lift the ban next year.

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    1. I think that it has to fit around life and if it can't then it has to go. I tried to make all the gifts I give s few years ago and it was too much. Now I just go with a few and the rest I buy. Don't feel guilty!

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  8. I find the deadline, which comes after the missed deadline, works for me. I'm still making up my mind if I'll handmake this year. I have a couple of things on my list, for the children, which will get done. I love the bag at the top. I can only imagine that it's content is just as lovely.

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    1. My list is definitely shorted this year and a lot more manageable as a result :).

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  9. Gosh what industry! I too always need a deadline to encourage me to get on and finish things even though I know I will get stressed and could have done whatever it is in a leisurely fashion had I not let "procrastination be the thief of time". Did a see something furry peeking from that bag?

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    1. You did indeed see something furry! My mum calls it displacement activity when you are doing something other than what you really should be doing. I have masters in it.

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  10. Lovely work! I spy a paw peeking out of the bag!! Looking forward to the reveal and I cannot believe you turned into a "shouty mama" :-) You'd have to go a long way to beat me in the harridan stakes!!

    xx

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    1. It is a paw! Ooh yes I have been known to raise my voice, although others mightn't call it shouting! You're no harridan, are you? Now I am scared!!!

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  11. I love those stars!!! You have been busy, and it all looks so great.

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    1. Thank you :). I have been busy but have been suprised how relaxed I am about it all. At one point on Saturday I wasn't sure if the bag and contents was going to come together in time but it did and I had time to go out for a long walk in a break in the rain on Sunday, yay!

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  12. You have been busy !!! Is that the top of a teddy bear's head sticking out of the bag ? I love teddy bears !!! x

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    1. It is a bear but a paw not an arm :). I am very busy! I will reply to your email soon, promise ;)

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  13. well done for getting some finishes...... I haven't finished a single thing.........

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    1. I hope you do soon, sometimes these things all come together at once.......

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  14. What beautiful projects. You have been so productive! I love the little felt bag. Such a pretty design. And Super Hero capes make perfect gifts.

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    1. Thank you. The smaller the project the quicker it can be made ;)

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  15. Such lovely makes, it's hard working to a deadline but always satisfying when you make it. I think I shall be starting next month, so many handmade things I want to make xx

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    1. I hope you get to make all the things you want to!

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  16. I love all of your projects, I'm afraid I haven't made any gifts for anyone this year. The blanket I'm making is mine.....all mine :) Looking forward to seeing the quilt, no pressure of course.

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    1. Hey don't be sorry! I am sure whatever gifts you give handmade or not will be heartfelt :)

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  17. I just love making things out of felted jumpers. My favourite was a huge one I shrunk and then added facings to make a cardigan for myself! The bag looks promising. Jo x

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    1. I am enjoying the felting and making too, it can become a little addictive scouring the charity shops every time you are in town........

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  18. Thank you for joining in with my link party! Everything you've made is beautiful. I'm so impressed with everything you've gotten done. You should be very proud of yourself!

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  19. Such beautiful projects, you certainly have been busy. Lucky you finding real wool items to use for felting, the bag is looking wonderful.

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    1. Wool for felting is not easy to find and I have misread a few labels along the way!

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  20. Such lovely things you have made. I don't like deadlines but unfortunately I can't live without them nothing would never get done if I didn't set them. Im visiting from the linky party ,hello

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    1. I guess deadlines remind us of school and work which we don't necessarily want to be reminded of at home eh?

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  21. So much beautiful stuff made. Those stars are so cute. And to answer your question : No, I do not like deadlines but my goodness, without them I would get nothing done. LOL!

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