I WANT TO GO TO ITALY

I want to go to Italy. I have just read a truly lovely book called FINDING VALENTINO by Angela Di Sciascio. Just a beautiful read. You can read more about the book and her journey below on her website.

I WANT TO GO TO ITALY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 Angela Di Sciascio

All of the below pictures are taken from Angelas website and there are plenty more to look at if you visit this site.

I really love this one.

Now back to reality

There will not be any trips to Italy. I am going camping locally next weekend for three days. Not sure that I can count it as a dream vacation but it is getting out of the house and that will be wonderful.

I have had a house full for months and months now. Actually it started in March and has not really stopped. My daughter has been spending the past week with me. Her partner and my gorgeous grand daughter are with her. it has been great to have them here. Tonight a very special friend arrives. Mick is picking him up from the train station at the moment. Graeme and I have been friends now for over 25 years. it will be nice to catch up.

I have been sewing and this is a little something I put together for a birthday present for a lovely young lady. it is her 6th birthday in a few weeks and this is her present. I know she will just love these gifts.

Notepad and pen folder. I picked up a Betty Boop pillowcase at a second hand shop for 20c. I was very lucky and it was in very good condition. So half was used to make this notepad and pen holder. I just love this. I covered the excercise book in holographic silver wrapping paper - cheap at $1 for the roll of which I used only a smidgen of - and put some letters on for Samara's name and put a few colours pens in it.

I used the bottom half of the pillowcase to make her a library bag.

This is my bowl of napkins. I picked up so many gorgeous napkins/serviettes at the same second hand shop. I don't buy paper serviettes. Just wash when used and put back in the bowl.

And last but not least - a picture of my husbands cat - Jimmy Beam - curled up in Micks shed. Mick took this and bought the camera upstairs and said he thought it would be a cute photo for my blog. So here it is. And it is a cute photo.

Cheers to you all, leave a comment to say you been visiting me.

Wendy.

Homemade Gifts and my views on gift giving.

Today I started to wrap up some homemade Christmas Gifts in preparation for the hassle free Christmas day I will have. Above is some blank cards that I decorated with scrap paper pieces. They can be used for birthdays, thankyous etc. I really like these and I know I would love to receive something like this as a gift.

This is a pretty white picture frame that I put in a page from a magazine. I have someone who is a bit craft in the family and she will get this for Christmas and some cards. The words written on it are below.

Risk more than others this is safe.

Care more than others think is wise.

Dream more than others think is practical.

Expect more than others think is possible.

I also found a calendar today that was quite inspirational. Just lovely. Now I know this seems cheap when I say it was $2.50 but again I thought it was just lovely and again I will give a little pack of notecards with this as well. It is definately something I would love to receive.

My wish for is,

Enough happiness to keep you sweet,

Enough trials to keep you strong,

Enough success to keep you eager,

Enough faith to give you courage,

And enough determination to make each day a good day.

MY FAVORITE

Do not spoil what you have now by desiring what you have not.

Remember that what you have now  was once among the things you hoped for.

I am having a lot of fun making things slowly but surely as gifts. I have a few things on the go and as I finish each one I will let you all see pictures of them. My family over the past few years have come to expect some homemade goodies from me. Usually food. This year I am mixing it up a bit.

I have read a lot of posts about peoples views on gift giving and mine is simple. WOULD I LIKE TO RECEIVE IT? It is not about the cost of the item and if it is then it does not fall under the catergory of GIFT to me. A gift is from the heart. And if the receiver doesn't think it's good enough or makes you feel bad for giving it to them then I would say it might be time to stop giving gifts to that person.

Anyway I am of  to attempt to get my sewing machine bobbin filled with a different colour cotton to sew up the squares I have to make a patchwork tablecloth. (never done that before) and sew up a few cushions in the most gorgeous satin fabric.

Cheers,

Wendy