There is absolutely nothing original about this idea but I think it’s a goodie.

I nicked it from the gym coach who filled them with the fabric used to make the girls’ leotards. When I told her I was going to pinch it she said … “Go right ahead, I stole it from Cirque du Soleil“

I love the idea of souveniring elements of a year gone & I’m pretty pleased with the way they turned out.

The baubles were purchased from Spotlight a couple of years ago & the little reminders of 2009 were knitted, typed & shaved by me.

A super last minute gift methinks.

Edit…
The teeny knitting is suspended using invisible thread which I taped to the rim of the bauble.

Right…it’s all caught up with me.

Family from interstate, christmas functions, pre-christmas catch-ups, water damaged phone, going away, presents to buy, blah blah blah. It’s the same for everyone I know, but today I’ve been landed with more than I expected & I’m having to move like lightning!

This little beauty picked up at The Mill Markets in Geelong. I love it!

I picked up a setting of 6 (very ugly) placemats from the Op Shop/Thrift store during the week. The upside of them being so ugly is that they were cheap as chips.

Now I’ve made reversible covers for them. I did a bit of free motion text last year & frankly found it took me longer than embroidery by hand. I’d decided ’twas best left to the experts.

But as this “design” is pretty simple I had another go & I’m thrilled to say the least! If you’ve no idea where to begin with this sort of thing you should pop in here.

One side for fun & the other a bit more fancy. Best of all they can just be slung in the washing machine when they get a bit grubby.

I think these would make meal time fun for kids if you had a novelty print on one side & the plate on the other. Easier on the eye than anything you can buy at Kmart.

If you don’t have any luck at the Op Shop I think that Bunnings &/or Spotlight sell MDF circles about the same size.

x marks the spot!

I reckon I’ve got this year’s Christmas gift sussed.

Embroidered & stitched entirely by hand so it’s a good “kit craft” for taking along to kids activities.

I’ve used a couple of little stick on magnets (which I picked up at Reverse Art last time I was there) to make sure my handwork stays with the book & not on the tram.

7 OCTOBER – EDITED TO ADD:
I’ve just posted the tutorial here. Thanks all for your interest.