Is It Too Early?

I think the answer to that question is probably "yes". Too early to be thinking of shopping, and I am very happy to have a husband who takes the lead with cooking. But perhaps not too early if you are thinking of making some Christmas decorations.

I am trying to design a pattern for a new Christmas decoration - which may not be done in time for this year. I would definitely put it in the non-traditional category, with my Christmas Elephants, Shells and Sand Dollars.

So I thought I would just make a collage of some of my other Christmas patterns. I love using the Layout app to put pictures together. Patterns for all of these Christmas ornaments can be found in my shops, with links to the patterns in ravelry in the lefthand sidebar.

Just a reminder that there are still is still plenty of time left to join in my Ginx Woolly Linx party for November. Click on the photo above or at the top of the page to find the party. I would love to see what you have been working on this month.

That Time of Year

That time of year is approaching, and as I still having nothing new to show you (working on the mystery pattern), I just thought I would remind you of some of my Christmas patterns. Here are photgraphs of some of the patterns that I label as Christmassy.
 

 Although my own tree is usually covered with some of my seaside creatures.

Just click on the photo to link to any of these patterns on Craftsy. (Feeling rather proud of myself for having worked out how to make a photo into a link!)

Wee of the Never Never

I can finally show you a project that I have been itching to talk about for almost a year. My first published collection of patterns in a magazine. Last Spring I was commissioned by Homespun, Australia's number one craft magazine, to design some tiny knitted Aussie animals made to be worn as pendants. They would be published to coincide with Australia Day. And finally here they are: Kangaroo, Koala, Kookaburra and Wombat.
 

I am so pleased with how they have been presented. The title Wee of the Never Never confused me at first, until they explained that it refers to a book called We of The Never Never by Jeannie Gunn, and would be instantly understood by Australian readers. Homespun is packed full of articles and patterns, not just knitting but quilting, crochet and sewing. Printed on lush thick paper, and containing a removal section of pattern pieces, it is the sort of magazine that I would keep and refer to for many years. Available downunder Homespun does annual subscriptions and mails internationally.

Thank you to some of my more experienced Handmade Monday friends who gave me some valuable advice before I went ahead with this project. The staff at Homespun were really a dream to deal with. Completely friendly, fair, straightforward and efficient. (Not naming anyone in particular, but I have found the exact opposite with some UK magazines.) What I did discover is that I work much better with a deadline to aim towards. Although the patterns are only available in Homespun at present, in time the copyright will revert to me, and I will make them available online.

So there I am, looking at myself from my own coffee table. I do realise most of my friends will not recognise me. This photo took a trip to the hairdressers, make-up!!!, and then selection from about a hundred shots, before I finally felt happy with sending it and the personal profile off to the magazine.

I am linking to Planet Penny Happy Friday, and although I'm not sure that I am completely in the rules,  the arrival of my pattern did make me smile.

New 2CVs

I've been knitting my 2CV's again, from my Henrietta 2CV pattern. Making them is a bit compulsive. These are already be on their way to Italy. You might notice that they have no numberplates in some of the photographs, but I am going to add some personalized plates.

Each time I make a car I find it a bit easier than the last. I think somehow with knitting your hands remember the pattern, not your brain. Do any other knitters find this? So although I said before this is not an easy knit, perhaps I was exaggerating a bit, as each time I make one I find the knitting and the sewing up a bit easier.

The burgundy/black car is an attempt at the 2CV Charleston. It took quite a while to find exactly the right shade of wool. 

I have been working on a blue car, which I have just added to my Etsy shop.
 

And here are the cars with their personal numberplates.

These Are A Few of My Favourite Things

I decided to photograph my favourite tree decorations. But just for a change I have not included any of the homemade things on my tree, most of which I've already written about elsewhere on my blog. These are just the old favourites, which I enjoy unwrapping from the tissue paper each year.

The Bark Bird

The Bark Bird was given to me by a very close friend, I think possibly about 20 years ago. He is getting more fragile every year, but is still very special. 

The Terracotta Angel

I think the Terracotta Angel was bought in a shop in Covent Garden in London. It is a bit hard to remember. There are other bigger angels and fairies on my tree, but this tiny ornament is my favourite.

The Glass Bird

The Glass Bird is very simple, but looks great when the tree lights are on.

The Snow Goose

There seems to be a bit of a bird theme, which I had not intended. The Snow Goose is made of plastic, but looks like frosted glass ...

The Button Leg Fairy

This fairy has seen better days. To be frank she is looking a bit rough, and I think my have been out dancing all night on her button legs. I still love her.

The Gingerbread Men

I bought these for my children when they were very little, in a cookery shop. Along with gingerbread men cutters with which we had a lot of fun.

I would love to hear about (or see) your favourite tree decorations ...