Happy New Year!!

Hi Bloglanders

Not every day that I do 2 posts BUT there are still 2 hours of 2013 left and I'm off to watch some fireworks. And the point is ................................... I don't want to schedule my post (IMPERFECT ME doesn't trust that one, can you believe it???) and I'm afraid that I won't be back / forget to do it just after midnight. So, here it is, specially for U,  my Blogland friends:

Love U!!
Hazel

2013 Review

Hallo Bloglanders

I hope you are having a ball!!! In Sunny SA we have 6 hours of 2013 left that will most certainly be spent eating good food, drinking great wine and enjoying the company of  EXCELLENT friends.

So, my friend went shopping today and I had time to sit down and do my 2013 review.  Most of the months got only 1 pic but some were rather special so I used more.  No rules for IMPERFECT ME. Here it is:

Yes, it was a long year that passed quickly.  At times it was difficult but we are all healthy, the children have achieved their goals and are happily settling into adulthood. All in all we had lots of fun and are grateful for another prosperous year.

To you, my Blogland friends - my blog really exceeded all my expectations in 2013 and for that I'm grateful to you. I still try my hand at things that take my fancy and share it to keep a record of all my crafty projects but still ................................... it is SO nice to know that someone out there is looking, reading and sometimes joining in the fun. I've made friends all over the world and if things get tough, people that I've never met, will email or comment. That's GREAT!!  I love you all!!

Thanks for looking at my blog ..................................until next year ............................ENJOY the festivities and company of friends and family. We are truly blessed to have them around.

Keep safe.
Hazel

Christmas 2013 Layout

Hallo Bloglanders

I hope you are well ............................... I've got my friend Francileen, all the way from Kakamas here for the week. We became friends when our boys went to kindergarten together - both named Pieter and both only children. So, most of the time their stuff got mixed up and the wonderful thing about it - more than 20 years later, about 5 moves and 1000+ kilometres apart and we are still very, very good friends.

Just after Christmas I try to do a layout with a "Christmassy" feel and when Francileen and her husband went to visit friends this afternoon, I got going and finished my layout.

I try not to dwell on anything, just capture the feeling of everything as I know that tomorrow the focus will shift to the high and lows of 2013 and the next day onto new hopes and dreams for 2014.

Just goes to show what can be done in under an hour.  I love the fact that it's done and filed away in my album - for generations to reflect back upon.

That's it. Tomorrow I'll sneak in an hour to capture my 2013 in a 12 picture layout.  Of course, I'll show! In the meantime, enjoy the festivities, your time with family and friends and keep safe.

Have a great day!
Hazel

Reuse, Recycle and Repurpose cushions

Hallo Bloglanders

I hope you are having a fabulous time!! In my previous post I told you that I just did not get round to blogging about all my 2013 projects. So, I thought I'd sneak in another one before the New Year festivities.  This is one of my Christmas presents - you know me - I try to show the people closest to me that I appreciate what they do for me and this one was custom made for Pieter and his Princess:

Some time ago we bought a new mattress for our camping trailer so I asked the foam supplier to cut the old one into squares ............................... recycling at its best! Out came my stack of black, white and cream scraps from previous projects:

And another picture of my finished cushions:

Normally making something X6 drives me crazy but with all of them being from a different print made it much more fun.

And how did I wrap it? ............................................... I didn't!! Just added the red ribbon repurposed from last Christmas and it was ready for delivery.

That's it another project done and dusted.  Thanks for visiting my blog today. Please check back as I have lots more to share right here.

Hazel

Happy Holidays

Hi there Bloglanders

I'm on my way to get the last things done for dinner with the family.  I still have lots more to share with you but that will have to wait until after Christmas.  Three years ago I stated "Project 52". My idea was to get 52 projects done during a year. (excluding scrapbook and PL pages) Since I started blogging, that amount has upped and I've done more than 150 projects during 2013!! I do get depressed quite easily and it helps to keep me going if I have to put something up for you to see on a daily basis and the creativity around Blogland does wonders for me.

For the first time, I have a whole file of "un blogged" projects.  I can't decide if this means that I've been more depressed during 2013 or just more inspired. Let's go with the "more inspired".  And on that positive note ...................................... Happy Holidays to you, my Blogland friends.

I did bring a project to share!! Here it is:


It started out as another of my Afrikaans Subway Art projects. Once done, I decided to do one for my English Blogland friends as well.  The idea was sort of a chalkboard effect and I used the Silhouette software for everything. Once done, I used the same shape ......................................

For my Christmas cards:

As well as for the little canvas bags I made:

I've done a whole stack of  these. They are approximately 6x4 and inside I've put a framed subway art print. They were mailed to family and friends that I won't see over the festive season. Also, I've stuffed some with little pressies for the neighborhood kids. Nothing like keeping them occupied over the holidays and it's a great way to recycle some of your stash.

The last one didn't get photographed ................................ YET!! To tell you the truth, I totally forgot about them until I started doing this post. See what I mean about Blogging being creative?? I've used the same artwork for tags. Totally unique and in Afrikaans .................................... I love using my home language in crafting projects.

That's it ................................. 1 project - 4 ways. I hope you enjoyed today's crafting fun.  Be safe and enjoy the festivities. I'll be back with some more projects. Just come back to play.

If you want to download my subway art, you are welcome to get it:
here in English
hier in Afrikaans

Love U
Hazel

A Pressie from a Friend

Good morning Bloglanders

I hope you are well, ready and excited about all the upcoming festivities.  I'm going to keep everything low key and just enjoy every second with my family.

Last week I went to Robertson to visit my oldest friend and she gave me a handmade gift. Here it is:

My friend is not the world's biggest crafter - she would rather work in her garden than sew BUT for me she took the time to make something special. She made little rosettes out of scrap fabric and added buttons, beads and little bells to the centres.  When it is in my purse I can hear the little bells chiming - reminds me that I'm special to her. She even made a fabric flower for her craft gift packaging:

And I always get fresh roses from her garden:

Isn't that what this time of the year is all about?? Showing those near to you that you really care.  I know that my friend's special effort made me feel loved and cherished and for years to come I'll remember Christmas 2013 when I hear the little bells chime in my handbag.

Thanks for looking at my blog. Have a great day and please check back as I'll be back with some more crafting fun to share.

Have a great day!!

Hazel

Gingerbread House

Hi there Bloglanders

I hope you are well.  I'm back from Robertson and feel renewed, loved and inspired after my visit to my oldest friend. As promised, I'm here to share my mini, mini gingerbread houses. And this is what it looks like:

Unfortunately it's not my own idea or pattern but I enjoyed making them and will definitely come up with a twist of my own. Hop over to Cutsy Crafts to get the tutorial.  I've also learned how to stiffen felt - very easy. I didn't have any glue on hand so I used Podge - turned out perfectly.

And some more pics:

And these two beauties are dangling on a tree in Robertson. I've already cut some more to make a few for my own tree. Just love giving handmade goodies! Tomorrow I'll share the little gift bag that my friend made for me as a Christmas gift.  Please check back as you don't want to miss out.

Thanks for looking at my blog today. I hope you have a lovely day and that I'll be seeing you over here again soon.

Hazel