PIF Friends

My "Pay It Forward friends" are Nancy from Patchwork Penguin, Bev C from Kainga Happenings and Shelley from Angels Come To Play. Some very nice ladies with lovely blogs.
I have been busy with my huge back load of "to do list" and finishing up a few Christmas orders that came in last week. I am also trying to make up a few gifts for family this year, and trying to finalize Christmas plans. There will be family for dinner and traveling and visiting and time spent together. The holidays are always a busy time for me, but fun.

I started to take out a few decorations, but mostly Christmas things that I have painted in the past.
They always bring back memories and fill the house with my tiny treasures. This is a small wooden box painted on four sides with funny little Santa's. There is a wood top as well and I made it for a candle to fit inside but some how it always seems to get filled with candy canes and treats. A new candle box is started but I doubt that it will be finished in time for Christmas this year.

Pay It Forward

JoJo from Home Sweet Home has posted a PIF and I have joined in the fun. The Christmas season is the perfect time for giving and sharing.
So, how does this work?
Well, for the first 3 people who will post a comment to this post, I will make you a lovely handmade gift each. But you must have a blog yourself, and be willing to pass the "Pay It Forward" concept on. So you will then have to put it on your blog and make three gifts for other people.
Let's spread some happiness and have some fun!!!
So the rules state that I have 365 days (ample time) to make a gift in. I am more than happy to send something internationally so everyone is involved!
What better way for everyone to join hands around the globe and share our crafty goodness!!!!
So..... get typing, leave a comment and even if you aren't in the first three...it doesn't hurt to start your own chain of PIF's.

I have seen many PIF's around blogland and loved the idea, but this is the first one for me. This will be wonderful to share something homemade and the time of year is perfect!!

A New Doll In Town

A new Christmas doll is finished and what fun she was to make. Her face is painted, she has a wool coat, a painted candy cane and a Christmas tree so now she is ready for the season.
She carries a hand stitched star and has laces on her painted boots.
Her inspiration came from an older Australian Homespun magazine design by Melissa Duncan.
I have many more stuffed body pieces ready to put together, so I will probably be making a few more dolls for Christmas.
I have so many unfinished Christmas projects started from previous years, that have decided to try and finish a few of them this week. Never seems to be enough time to make everything I would like to make for Christmas, but I still have time......right???

Pillow Talk

It has been a busy house around here this last week. Not to much sewing or painting finished to show you. Everything is in different stages, but soon to be finished. I made a couple of pillows over the summer and tried using some wool felt on this one with an embroidered verse that reads "The Kiss Of The Sun For Pardon, The Song Of The Birds For Mirth, One Is Nearest Gods Heart In A Garden, Than Anywhere Else On Earth." It sat outside on the garden bench along with this red bird. Embroidered from a Barb Smith pattern from Theadora Cleaver called "Nesting Time".
Many more pillows are stitched and ready for some stuffing, all with a Christmas theme. I like to have them tucked in special places around the house, they seem to finish off my decorating for the holidays.