Christmas is coming...

I know you don't want to think about it, it's only November for goodness' sake! There's no stopping it, Christmas is coming and, as I have recently discovered, in the land of homemade craftiness it comes early.

I decided to make as many gifts this year as possible. I won't be forcing my handmade efforts on people that I don't think will benefit from them (the men in my life can breathe a sigh of relief) but there is always the worry that handmade is seen as second rate to shop bought. Most people I mention this concern to say what I personally think, that homemade takes effort and thought and is more personal than something bought from a shop. Here's hoping my gift recipients feel that way too!

Plus I'm trying to make use of fabric, paper, just stuff I already have or buying secondhand, to make my gifts a little more eco-friendly. It's not bad for my wallet either.

Providing me with inspiration this season are the super creative Kirsty Neale and Julie Kirk and their 12 Days: a Copy and Paste Christmas workshop which I've blogged about before.They have been providing loads of ideas for a variety of projects with really clear tutorials and if you're not signed up yet, it's not too late! If you're in any way feeling crafty and want a bit of Christmas pizazz in your life, do check it out.

I won't post here any piccies of the gifts I've made as I don't want to spoil it for the folks who'll be unwrapping them in less than six weeks! Yes, that's right, you've got just over five weeks till C-Day. However, those who don't know me, and therefore are unlikely to expect a present to come their way, can look at my Flickr account, if they fancy it.

One pic I can show you is a rather nifty gift bag made from leftover wallpaper (believe me, it's a big print and makes a fine feature wall, honest), courtesy of the 12 Days ladies. 

And, to add to my excitement this week I received in the post a prize! Yes, I won something. It wasn't a cheque from the lottery sadly, but almost next best, is a prize from the fab Asking for Trouble folks! They make super cool kitsch designed stationery and gifts and I won this gorgeous notebook (and was sent a bunch of postcards and a calender too) in a little competition they recently ran. Only trouble now is that I never want to deface the virgin paper by writing on it...

Happy Christmas preparing!

Comments

[SarahLP]

I am loving all your makes! I just wish I would stop thinking about making and start DOING!! So much inspiration, so little time..

Next time I do 'Five Flickr Faves' you are sure to be featured again - and I will remember to let you know as well! :o)

[Ecogirl]

This is such a great idea.... I love the recycled wallpaper bag nothing like making christmas interesting, creative and green!