the patchwork dress

12: santa's coming!

11: christmas (w)rapping

It feels, because of the snow, like we have already had Christmas - infact a brown drab Christmas may be a bit of a disappointment by comparison.

I'm wondering at what point Christmas kicks in - you know when you get your first real moment, when you feel it light up inside you..  I haven't had mine yet, but looking forward to it.  Sometimes it's just a song like this one.. (which is one of my favourites).

But I also get a kick out of looking at festive ornaments, styling in magazines - and other people's handmades..  This picture comes from a short run of posts I did a couple of years ago about alternative/recycled  gift wrapping - and additionally it made me think of Mouse who has done the lovely musical garlands.  That year I did some gift tags from old sheet music.

Mouse's christmas shop closes this weekend - I must emphasise how well made her work is, and very generously she is not charging any post and package anywhere in the world!

happy shopping and wrapping!

10: angel wings

don't grow on trees... Or do they?

and this is where they must hang them out to dry...on a barb wire fence.

9: ..and a robin in a bare tree

...in my neighbour's tree - singing away until I spotted him.  

Saw a robin drink from the end of an icicle the other day - doing an impression of a rather rotund hummingbird!

8: ...and a christmas cat

... more cards also for a cat lover! Sold now, thankyou x

7: how much is that doggy..

...in the window? Er, outside on the porch actually - tied up with a polkadot ribbon!

I hope I haven't missed the boat, but the handmade upcycled christmas cards are now in my shop in packs of 4.  As I was making them, I thought in addition to being christmas cards, they would also make a nice gift for someone, as they are seasonal enough to also be used as christmas 'thank you' cards - that type of thing.

 

6: ...and the winner is...

...Pipany!

Congratulations, Pip - cards will go out in the post to you!  Thanks everyone else for entering and apologies I am posting so late in the day - its been some day..

finishing off all these recycled cards...

...making a bag where I just seemed to do everything wrong, and knew I wouldn't be satisfied unless I unpicked it all and did it again..

...and having to go out in the undrivable conditions to rescue N who was almost stranded - one of the most hair-raising drives, you know when technically you know you shouldn't be driving, but you can't turn back!   I can't believe these drivers who drive right up behind you when the conditions are skiddy!

I feel exhausted!  So no more tonight - the cards will go into the shop in next day or so..

Oh - and happy Saint Nicholas' Day!

5: ice crystals

These ice crystals formed on the outer pane of our windows earlier this week.. They are so beautiful.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway on day 3, by the end of tonight.  Will pick a winner tomorrow.

4: snow tracks

One of the things I love about walking out in the snow is seeing the animal tracks - whether just from sheep or cattle - you can see their movements and the routes they have been taking.

I found these deer tracks in the woods (where I know there are quite a few deer).  What really fascinated me though, are the scraped out hollows under the trees, where I have seen evidence of them sheltering at night during the summer -  every few trees - below, what do you think?

3: what the holly! it's a giveaway!

It's been lovely to discover that Diana and Gina are also doing a daily post over advent.

Gina also has a list on day 2 of some other blogs who have taken up the challenge..

Because of this a few new people have been coming over to the Patchwork Dress for a visit, and it is lovely to see new faces - so as a consequence I have decided to have a wee giveaway over this weekend..

To win a bundle of mixed christmas cards, from my own stock of handmade, upcycled eco, photo and printed cards (worth approx £12)... oh what the holly, and a pack of handmade gift tags like these...leave your name in the comments section on this post and I will pick a winner on Monday and get them sent straight out to you. (Don't leave any postal addresses of course - I will email the winner to find out on Monday!)

Meanwhile, Selvedge magazine are holding a fantastic advent giveaway everyday over on their blog.  I'm not sure if it is only for the first 12 days of december - but the prizes are really lovely if you love handmade textiles - ...just remember, the holiday workshop in the south of France is mine!... also check out their drygoods shop if you have never been there before!  happy shopping!