i'm dreaming of a crafty christmas

I've never had the pleasure of a white Christmas, so this year I'm planning on a crafty one instead. These decorations are the first of a few projects I have up my sleeve. They are for a friend and her family. And I even learnt to blanket stitch in the process!

what do i do?

Working from home definitely has more ups than downs... I get to walk the dog in my lunch break, wear ugg boots to work and put the kettle on around 100 times a day (not to mention doing some of my own crafty stuff on the side!). I've also been very lucky to work with some lovely like-minded small business owners. Meetings consisting of friendly chatter and cups of tea feels like your catching up with friends rather than clients... Anyway enough about me, here is a sneak peek of some of the work I've done lately.

are you a sewing machine?

I've decided it's time to get my very own sewing machine but with so many options out there I have no idea where to begin. I don't want anything too fancy or complicated just something that will get the job done (I'm seeing lots more sewing in the future!). I've used Mum's Janome so I'm thinking that's a starting point but any advice you may have will be very happily taken on board. 

PS: How cute is this t-shirt? It's available from here.

warm and fuzzy

I am constantly amazed at the generosity of the crafty gals in blog-land. A little while ago I signed up for a Pay It Forward on Big Cat's blog and to my surprise and delight, a special package was waiting when I got home yesterday. Wrapped ever-so-lovely, it comprised of a gorgeous hand-made hook roll (complete with knitting gauge, hook and knitter's needles), some very well co-ordinated wool, a knitting and yarn edition of Get Creative magazine, and some very cute "Tea Time" tape. It's amazing how well someone I've only met in blog-land knows me! Thanks so much Cathy, it was the perfect way to end a perfect weekend.

So now it's my turn to share the love with all you lovely bloggers. If you would like to take part in a Pay It Forward just let me know in the comments section of this post. On Friday I'll randomly select one lovely blogger. The lucky person will receive a package in the mail from me within the next 365 days, and then you have another 365 days to Pay It Forward to someone else... Doesn't it make you feel all warm and fuzzy?

one finished dress

This is my very first item of clothing I have sewn! Much help was needed from my craft-master mum but it's now all finished and ready to wear. The pattern was just a cheapie from Spotlight but the beautiful Amy Butler fabric came from the delightful Lisa from Duckcloth (sneak a peek at her website featuring a new logo by yours truly). Now I just need an occasion to wear it, but with Christmas not too far away there is sure to be a shindig or two on the cards.

this is... my favourite film

Things have been a bit crazy in the Teacups-camp of late and I haven't had a chance to play along with "This is..." for a while, BUT I could not resist this week's topic from the delightful Hokey. Of course my favourite film is Amelie. When in Paris a few years back we visited the cafe where it was set. We tried our very best to not look like tourists and fit into the very cool french crowd... Somehow the camera flash going off when we were sneaking happy snaps soon gave us away.

a tweety tag

I've been tagged by the lovely Shellbells and ever-delightful Handmade Romance.  So here are 6 random tweet-delights about myself:

1.  I refuse to wear heels even though I'm a shortie.

2. I can't bite into icy poles.

3. Any conversation remotely scientific makes my eyes glaze over.

4. I firmly believe it is a man's job to take the bins out.

5. Mr Teacups doesn't agree with the above but does it for me anyway.

6. I have successfully taught Penny the puppy to "sit" and now have proof.

In other non-tag related news. I finally sat down to begin (and finish) my Birdcage Kit from this amazingly talented blogger AND a big, huge, ginormous thank you to Claire for awarding me my very first "Love Your Blog" award!

finally a finished crochet blanket

Yes it's true, I have finished a crochet blanket but unfortunately it is not my BIG crochet blanket. This one is baby sized for the beautiful Little Miss Bianca. The extent of my crocheting skills is limited to granny squares so this one is a giant sized granny at around a metre square. And I'm very happy to report that Bianca's mummy loved it but unfortunately the little miss was sleeping at the time.

hello

Hello! My name is Penny Lane. I love nothing more than being cuddled by my new friends and family. I also like chewing up my toys and the odd shoe (when I can sneak past the big people). Like a good girl should, I demand lots of attention and have been the reason for Danielle's lack of blogging and crafty stuff in the past week. I don't mind though cause it means I am getting LOTS of puppy love!

curlypops rocks

Another lovely surprise was waiting in my mailbox today. After a chance encounter in the Brown Owls carpark last week, the very generous Cam of CurlyPops fame sent me this lovely gift. A gorgeous little bag with absolutely divine flower lining and a very sweet flower brooch. Absolutely perfect for Spring! Check out some more of Cam's creations here.