Christmas Elf has been Busy with Felt and Leather.

Hello

Happy Christmas, wishing you all the best in very difficult times.

This year I definitely didn't want to go Xmas shopping so more home made presents than ever.

The cottage has had a mouse infestation, this little lot moved into the conservatory for a short while.

I started making felt baubles, got carried away 

For Joss, a couple of teeny horse shoe tree decorations with her ponies' names on.

Had a go at leather work, making key rings, its harder than it looks.  I did buy a stitching "pony" to hold the leather while I stitched which made it easier.

For my good friend Steph,  a new leather "gardening pinny" complete with phone pocket made on the Singer 222K. I did put a pair of garden snips in there.   I use one all the time when I am working, to keep my snips and garden wire to hand to save me from leaving my tools in the gardens.

Scallop shell scented candles - sprayed them silver, added sea glass "feet", melted scented tealights using the wicks.

Then just for fun, tried the same idea with little shells.

Transformed curtain rings into decorations for my tree with felt, gold thread, bell and ribbon.

I've really enjoyed sewing this years gifts, much better than visiting a busy shopping centre (apologies to the shop owners).  Did do a bit of shopping at local garden centre and animal feed shop for toys for the dogs.

Here's to a better New Year.

Take care

Sharon

Garden Sieve Xmas Wreath

Hello

The cottage elf has been fairly busy recently as she doesn't want to go to the shops for Xmas presents.  Will show the results of the Great Xmas Pressy make after the big day.

In the meantime, thought I would show you my very homemade Xmas wreath.  I had collected lots of fir cones this summer after sweeping up a path in one of my work gardens, seemed a shame to put them in the green bin.

I started with a very old bentwood garden sieve which I bought in at an auction years ago.  It was full of woodworm so I treated before painting it.  Each cone was wired on, this took for ever.  Added some gold bells and some shells which I had sprayed silver.  A set of battery powered lights were wound around the cones.

Its hung on my summerhouse as my front door is glazed.

All lit up, the lights are on a timer.  They are surprisingly bright for battery power.

I had a little wire cone shaped plant support which with the same type of battery lights, looks great in the dark.

Take care

Sharon