Stockings Galore!

Yesterday I showed you the felt stockings that I was making, and I've spent all day today finishing them off!  I've added a felt star with iron-on interfacing, and my little stockings are going to be sold on the stall filled with a mini bottle of bubbles! (The perfect way to keep kids amused at Christmas when they're on the edge of a meltdown!)

Hope you're having a great day!

Mini Felt Christmas Stocking

Another Christmas ornament which can be hung on the tree or attached to a present as a little 'extra'!  With this mini stocking, you can also give an extra gift - lollies, some rolled up cash, or perhaps some diamond jewellery(!).


Here's my stocking in a few simple steps:


1. Cut a template out of paper.  I folded my paper into eight and cut out eight templates at the same time.


2. Pin templates to a double thickness of felt.  (ie - two pieces, or one piece folded over)

 3. Sew around the templates as close as possible.  Remember to keep the top of the stocking open.  Remove pins.

4. Cut around the stitching leaving a small (3-5mm) seam allowance.  Turn stocking inside out.

5. Attach a ribbon at the back of the stocking, and hand-stitch a cuff to the stocking.

6. Fill with diamond jewellery (or other treats).

One that won't make it...

I just thought I'd share with you one of the projects I made that won't be making it to the Street Stall.  Although I think it's lovely, it took me five nights, two T-Shirts,  and twenty sticks of Hot-Glue to put together, and that's all too much!


If you'd like to have a go at making your own ruffle ball, check out the instructions here.

Small things

We can do no great things; only small things with great love.

   Mother Teresa

Ahh, small things. Everyday things. Mundane things.

Another load of washing. Picking up the toys and books. Taking out the rubbish.  Depending on our heart attitude, these things can make us weary and annoyed, or they can be opportunities to show love to one another.

I hope your day is full of 'small things'! Be blessed!

White Chocolate, Raspberry & Macadamia Slice

I've found it!  My 'recipe of the season'.  You know, the recipe that you'll make over and over again for Christmas gatherings, meetings, visits from relatives, those days when you've spent too much money, so you decide to go home and have coffee instead of dropping into a cafe...


This is a winner, because it keeps for a few days (and gets better with age), and freezes really well too!  And it's ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!  (And healthy - it's got fruit!)

White Chocolate Raspberry and Macadamia Slice
Ingredients:
125g butter, chopped
200g white chocolate, chopped (I used Nestle Melts)
3/4 cup caster sugar
2 eggs beaten lightly
3/4 cup plain flour
1/2 cup self raising flour
100g white chocolate, chopped (extra) (I used Nestle white Choc Bits)
1/2 cup macadamia nuts, toasted and chopped coarsely
150g fresh or frozen raspberries (don't thaw if frozen)
Icing sugar, to dust

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
2. Grease a 16cm x 26cm slice tin.  Line with baking paper.
3. Combine 200g chocolate and butter and melt in the microwave.
4. Transfer to a large bowl and stir in rest of ingredients.  Add frozen raspberries last.
5. Spread mixture in pan.  Bake in moderate oven for about 50 minutes or until firm.
6. Cool in pan (if you don't let it cool first, it will fall apart)
7. Cut and dust with icing sugar.

Keep stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

Going dotty

I've been using my scrappy bits of time to cut up my scrappy bits of felt into little dots.  It's quite therapeutic during a day of sorting out squabbles and wondering why the kitchen floor needs to be washed again.  There is some small sense of accomplishment as the pile of felty confetti grows.


I'm getting these ready for a project that I'm hoping to share with you next week!  In the meantime, I'll just admire them and let them make me happy. :)


Have a great day!

Do what you can

A few years ago, I was fortunate enough to travel to Mozambique to see some of the programs that are supported by Australian Lutheran World Service.  I can remember bouncing around in the back seat of a four wheel drive as we drove into the African wilderness and thinking 'where do I begin?'. I laugh at that thought now - as if it was all up to me to change the world!


The thing that impressed me on my two-week visit was understanding a little bit more about how aid agencies work.  ALWS operates in villages and communities with a goal of 'capacity building', which means that local people are empowered to make decisions about what they need.


For example, if a group of community leaders want to build a bridge, or a school, they work out how they can provide labour and raw materials, and ask for help in sourcing concrete, heavy machinery, etc.  The community sets up a committee who will look after the project and maintain it as well.


ALWS also focuses on awareness raising programs, for things such as HIV Aids, child and maternal health and farming practices.  They also provide business programs, women's education programs, leadership development, and resources for schools - such as kitchens or latrines.


It's about sustainable development, with the aim that one day communities will be self-sufficient and able to continue without support from outside agencies.

The picture above is of a wooden sculpture that I purchased while in Mozambique.  It is a reminder to me that 'from everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded' (Luke 12:48, NIV).  Not that I am 'above' those who have less, but it is my responsibility to do what I can with what I have in a way that serves God and blesses other people.  I don't have to change the world, but I need to be faithful with what I've been given. That's my motivation behind this whole Street Stall project!


As a closing thought, ALWS also provides opportunities to give to many projects through the Christmas 'Gifts of Grace' catalogue.  Have a look at it here.  It's a simple way to use what you have to change someone else's life!


Blessings!