Here we go.....

I'm really sorry... I know it's not even December yet, but I really wanted to show you some of the new decorations that I have been making this year. Last weekend we had a young friend to stay who is going to have a stall at her local village Christmas fair... she needed some help and inspiration.... no need to ask me twice!!! We emptied every craft box ( and there are several of them hidden away under beds and in cupboards) and fabric stash, set the sewing machine up and got to work. I must have sewn about 30 hearts for the girls to stuff and add ribbon to. Then it was my turn to play! I found my HUGE tin of old buttons and set to work, leaving the girls to stuff, and set about making these yummy decorations..... I am so pleased with how they have turned out.....

.... and they look great on my driftwood tree.....

I mentioned to the girls that I thought that I might not have a conventional tree this year, but take some long walks and look for some long twiggy branches that I could decorate instead.... this was met with cries of horror..."You can't do that, we must have a 'proper' tree"!!! The jury is still out on that one!

Don't you think these will look super on a twiggy tree? Not bad for a first try??!

More buttons.... Star of Wonder...

... and finally, my favourite.... a ribbon wreath. I saw this idea when I went along to Creative Stitches in Exeter in September and fell in love with it. I managed to find these amazing ribbons at a fantastic little shop in Totnes that has buckets of them for you to rummage through... all at 50p per bundle!!!! Bargain!!

I think I'll be making more of these... watch this space.

We all had a brilliant weekend being creative... the girls went on to make snowmen from polystyrene balls and fake snow... pics soon, button hearts AND... a huge MESS!!!!! I'm still finding snow everywhere!!

Must pop off now, more teaching in Sidmouth tomorrow, small people to tuck up ( Ok, they're not that small but they still like being tucked up... and I wouldn't miss it for the world!) and then off to bed for me!

Have a peaceful sleep and a happy Thursday

Love Yvonne xxx

Catching up...

I have been in such a stew just lately.... really wanting to post to my blog, feeling guilty that I have promised a free hand embroidery tutorial and not done that yet, wanting to keep up with all of your lovely blogs and comment on them, post some pictures of what I have been up to, but... as you already know, a whole month has passed since I last posted..... sorry! there have been so many events, trips, makes and projects to tell about, but, apart from the fact that my internet connection is VERY intermittent.... grrrrrrr... and it takes A.G.E.S to upload pictures... more grrrrrr.... I have been extremely busy. As quick as I make jewellery, bags, pictures etc... they are selling. Yay for me, but not so yay for you as I haven't had time to photograph them all!!!

Ah well.... here are a few pics that I have managed to take....

More splishy, splashy pictures..... these are now adorning the walls of Pebbles........

Poppy fields.....

The sea....... this one is now sold!!!

Fireworks.....

Hmmmmm.... couldn't come up with a name for this one... any ideas???

Field of flowers...

I've also been to The Bead Lagoon and taught several more classes... this one was a little more advanced and we did some wire work.....

Ooooops, you shouldn't have seen that... how did those Jaffa cakes sneak into the picture??? Mark and Kate are so good at keeping us going with endless cups of tea, coffee and Jaffa cakes.... mmmmmm!!!

Wrapping...

Shaping and bending....

Concentrating hard....

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I have also been doing a bit of galavanting.... my favourite pastime.... well, one of them.

I went here.... any guesses???

.... and my MOST favourite place..... here...... for a spot of R & R, walks along very blustery beaches, lots of lovely food, new friends made and a spot of retail therapy!!!

Just look... isn't it gorgeous?

Oh, and I've also been walking on Dartmoor... just look at the colours... stunning!

Avon Dam.... not too far from home

Well, that's a bit of a whistle stop tour of the last month or so.... Sorry it's been soooo long. I started out on my blogging adventure thinking that I would post something of interest every day, but life just isn't like that... it's filled with many days of mundane chores and work, with a few exciting adventures in between!

Having said that, Christmas has come early here and we have been having fun making some small pressies and decorations... if this awful soggy rain stops I will take some pics to show you... It was good to have some light, creative relief as my small nephew has been really poorly over the last few days.... his family are missionaries in Macedonia and they were on holiday in Bulgaria visiting friends when he had to be rushed into hospital. He is making a gradual recovery but is having to come back to the UK to have yet more tests as they have no idea what is causing him to be so ill... for those of you so inclined, we would love you to remember him in your prayers... his name is Evan.

Thank you xxxx