It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

... but not around here!

Because of my total lack of Christmas posts this year I'm doing a last minute round up and have collected some of my favourite things from some of my favourite blogs. I hope you enjoy them, and maybe they'll lead you somewhere new, or back to an old fave.

A Creative Mint.

Bliss.

Bloesem.

Cafe Cartolina.
Aren't these vintage matchbooks fab?!
ekko*eko

Hello Sandwich.

Bloesem Kids.
This absolutely gorgeous wreath is orginally from pickles - go and take a look at their lovely blog header too. Sweet! This image also inspires me to make more of my mini bunting.

Katy Elliott.
I'd love to have a white Christmas like this!

maya*made.

The Style Files.

The Lark.
I'm always a sucker for vintage anything.

visual notes.

A Cup of Jo.

Design*Sponge
Love. This. Wreath.

Ingela P Arrhenius.

Oh Joy!

Oh, hello friend.

dottie angel.

Dos Family.
There is a tutorial for this fab bauble on the Dos Family blog... maybe if I finally learn to crochet in 2010 I'll be able to make this and the many other crochet projects I've been coveting this year.

Daydream Lily.

Esimar.
Be sure to visit Essimar for more totally awesome wrapping.


Don't forget to enter the giveawy, which ends tomorrow.
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A Big Thank You and a Big Giveaway

I owe you, all my lovely readers, a very big thank you. I've had such a great time here on my blog this year and I really do appreciate all your comments, ideas, encouragement and friendship. Thanks for making it fun and interesting for me. Thanks to those of you who've introduced yourselves to me at the markets - it's been lovely to meet you and to have a chat in person. I'm still so flattered to think that you're out there reading along. I know there are many of you who drop in here without leaving a comment - and that's OK too ;0 - my little blog recently hit a new high of over 5,000 visitors in one day. So I know you're out there!

By way of thanks this is my biggest giveaway to date. There will be 6 winners who will each be able to choose which prize they'd like. Each prize is valued between $35 and $40.

A set of 5 cards hand printed on timber.

A yet-to-be-finally-named softie doll/pillow
(probably called Sweetie Beans, but possibly Cuddle Bundles).
Winner to choose one.

3 handprinted notebooks and a set of little deer tags.

2 Vintage Face fabric panels (one with auburn hair and one with black).
Fabric panel only, not the cushion.
Plus one Sweetie Petite kit of your choice.

I'll draw 6 winners at random on Tuesday 22nd December. Each of the winners can choose the prize they'd like and I'll post anywhere in the world. I'll even post to my "real life" friends, who I notice hardly ever enter my giveaways! (You know who you are... go on, enter!) All you have to do is go to my website and tell me in a comment on this post what your favourite item is and why. Your favourite could also be something like the Beans or notebooks that aren't on my website yet. If you have more than one fave you can enter as many times as you like by leaving more than one comment. Just make sure your name links to your blog or leave an email address so I can contact you if you win.

The way things are going here I may not get to post the prizes off before Christmas - it will probably be more like the week after.
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hello there

Well hello there, I'm surprised (but grateful) you're still hanging out with it being so quiet around here lately... I'm still trying to get on top of things but not really succeeding yet. I have blog posts planned, including a GiVeAwAy later this week... when I find the time to photograph some things.

If you've just found me here welcome! I met so many lovely folks at all the markets I've been doing and some of you may have found your way here. I feel like you've just dropped in for a cuppa and a chat and caught me with dishes piled high in the sink and beds unmade... don't get the wrong impression that's not what it's usually like here at the red thread. I'm normally greeting visitors at the door, floors gleaming and muffins in the oven.

My apologies. Things will be back to normal here soon I hope. Although with Christmas looming my plan is to get work finished and orders packed this week and move on to Christmas preparation next week. Then I might have some time off. I'm so behind... Our tree is up but that's the extent of it for now.



Loving this evocative desktop image from PixelGirl Presents found via How About Orange. (Even though it's nothing like our December in Australia)
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inspiration :: Tiel Seivl-Keevers

Tiel Seivl-Keevers is a Brisbane based artist and designer who creates really delightful work. Working under the name Tsk Tsk, Tiel applies her graphic illustrations and designs to a range of things like greeting cards (including a lovely new range of Christmas cards), fabric and limited edition prints. And not forgetting her original paintings which are awesome.


You can find Tiel's gorgeous work in her online shop, her etsy shop, and at Udessi online gallery. She also has a blog.
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The Nightmare Before Christmas

No wonder the kids are terrified... some of those Santas look scary and down right creepy. I love the last guy though.

Roxy was very scared of Santa for her first few years, so we just waved from a distance. I find these photos hilarious, although it makes me wonder just what the parents were thinking forcing their children to be held by a stranger that clearly terrified them.

This photo was taken of me when Santa was having his power nap.


When I uploaded this photo it made me remember that when I'm doing markets a lot of people say that they think I would have looked just like one of my vintage face fabric panels when I was little. Our colouring and hair styles are definitely similar.



A friend sent me an email with the Scary Santa images attached, so I can't credit the source.
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