Friday 19 October 2018

Christmas Gift Toppers

Gerard was humbled by all your comments, emails and well wishes and thanks you all for your concern.  His feet and legs are swollen and he is struggling to walk even with his walking stick.  He was seen by the GP earlier today and given a steroid injection, which hopefully will give him a lift.  Time will tell, he is dozing in the chair at them moment so I am trying to keep the noise to a minimum so's not to disturb him.

I have been enjoying myself making a start on the toppers for our Christmas gifts, it is hard to find something different to do each year.  I made some little cotton bags and  using a stamp and ink embellished them, filled them with some dried lavender buds and tied them with some natural twine. 






They smell wonderful and will be useful for a drawer or wardrobe after Christmas.

Next came some twine angels, which I had a little fun with using some oddments that I had in a drawer, this would make a nice activity to do with the children.




Several of these were made with the addition  of a little bow to hide the wire.

I used some curtain rings to make some mini wreaths, I thought these would look good hanging of a parcel wrapped in brown paper.  Simple but effective.





They quickly multiplied and will add another dimension to the gift.  A little gift in itself.




Simply tie strips of fabric onto the ring and trim accordingly.  A start has been made and I must admit I am enjoying the process, the only thing missing is the Christmas music but I was trying to be quiet.

We have had some beautiful red skies the past few evenings, which is a joy.  The ever changing skies are always a delight to see. 





The nights are drawing in earlier and earlier.  We are losing the light quite quickly now and the temperatures are dropping as the darkness descends, nothing beats the glow of the fire from the multi fuel stove giving us both warmth and light.  We have no real plans for the weekend, maybe a little drive tomorrow if Gerard is up to it.  Have you any plans?

See you soon.

38 comments:

  1. Isn’t this world of blog land wonderful? Even though most of us have never met in person, we all care so much about each other. I know I feel that love and I pray for you and Gerard daily. I hope the shot helps him. My doctor has put me on a new medication for the back spasms which I will begin tonight. I’m sure hoping it helps.
    Your gift toppers are wonderful. I love them all and would be hard-pressed to choose a favorite. I do love Angels though. I feel them around me often.
    We plan to go to breakfast with some of our (lake) friends tomorrow morning and then if my back is up to it take a drive up to the lake itself and see how things are faring there.
    Blessings always, Betsy

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  2. I hope the steroids injection helps Gerard. Love your gift toppers. XXXXX

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  3. The little wreath parcel toppers are fabulous and the recipient can hang them on their tree after they've opened the present. I also hope the steroids work for your husband. My husband has bad arthritis and gets a lot of pain in the cold, damper weather. Best, Jane :)

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  4. Great gift ideas. Hope the injections work well for Gerard.

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  5. Hope the jabs help. Love the mini wreaths. I have loads of curtain rings in the garage so will pass them on to a craft group and I have nicked your photos to show them. Its a group who meet in sheltered housing. So thanks.

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  6. Good to hear Gerard is coming on well.

    I love those angels! I've made wreaths like that before but never on a curtain ring. What a good idea! I need to take a simple idea to a make and teach craft thing before Christmas so like justjill, I just might pinch that.

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  7. You are so creative, always look forward to your posts.

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  8. I hope the steroid shot works for Gerald. Love everything you have made, so fun and festive.

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  9. Sorry to here about Gerard, I must have missed that post. You've given us all some great Christmas ideas.

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  10. I'm so envious that you have a head start on Christmas! I hope that the injection gives Gerard some much needed relief.

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  11. Very sweet gifts for Christmas. Those wreaths for package embellishments are so cute. Praying for Gerard and trusting that the shot helps him lots.

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  12. What cute toppers!

    God bless.

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  13. Those wreaths especially are very clever!

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  14. I can well imagine that it's hard to find new ideas for gift toppers. Of the ones you showed today I think my favourite are the stamped cotton bags. So pretty.

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  15. Very crafty friend, glad you're into working on Christmas items already! Looks so nice and receivers will surely enjoy them. Praying Gerard keeps getting better. Staying home and making applesauce and getting our new microwave set up. Old one was rusting. Had a good time with friends with the make and take..oil event. A blessed weekend to you!

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  16. You did amazing jobs again ! they are all very beautiful ! You should open a shop ! Bad that Gerard is not feeling too well, but you have such a cosy home to rest !

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  17. Getting old can be a challenge, huh? Please pass on my best wishes to Gerard with the sincere hope that things improve.

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  18. Hope that the swelling will subside soon. Lovely crafts for Christimas gifts. Beautiful sunset shots.

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  19. I am so impressed with your stamping. I wish mine was as neat. Give Gerard a gentle hug and be gentle with yourself too. Have a lovely weekend.

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  20. I have some little cotton bags to stamp and your mini wreaths are fantastic. I hope you won’t mind if I use that idea in my voluntary class in a sheltered housing complex. I have all the materials so that will be a but of upcycling too. Hope the injection works well although the colder weather is taking its toll on my hips. Happy Crafting.

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  21. What beautiful gift toppers. I love them all.

    I hope Gerard gets some relief after his injection.
    Hugs-x-

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  22. I love your little lavender bags and mini wreaths. So sorry to hear Gerard is suffering at the moment, I hope the injection helps:)

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  23. The mini wreaths are gorgeous! I wouldn't have thought of using curtain rings. Hope Gerard is feeling a little better now x

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  24. Just catching up a little on blog reading. So sorry to hear that Gerard has been ill and is still suffering. Hope things progress in the right direction and that he feels better soon. I love all the soaps that you have made.

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  25. I love those little wreaths - so cute - and I think that even uncrafty me might be able to manage those so thank you for the idea. My RA has been flaring recently as well so I sympathize with your poor hubby - hope he is a bit better today.
    This morning was Gaelic class and then lunch at the pub with friends. Tomorrow I will leave for church about an hour earlier than usual as we have a team in the big Waterfront Marathon/Walk tomorrow morning. A bus will take them from the church to the start and back again and I have promised to have tea and coffee etc. waiting for them upon their return. I'm afraid they are going to be very chilled as the temps are to go down to just above freezing tonight and there may even be a few snow flurries tomorrow morning. Then it's Fellowship hour duty followed by a baby shower for one of the congregation - a young woman with no real family in this country so some of the ladies decided to do a little something for her. I think I'll be ready for a bit of a nap when I finally get home. Stay warm.

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  26. With your every creations you just amaze me.. I love those wreaths..

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  27. I do hope the injection will help Gerard, how terrible to suffer so much pain. You are so creative and come up with some wonderful makes. I love all the ideas here, especially those mini wreaths.

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  28. I love the wreath ornaments. So easy, they would be fun for children to make. I hope the rest and shot help Gerard and he soon has his energy back.

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  29. love the Christmas themes :) Glad that G went to the doctor and i hope the shot works soon for him and gives him relief!!

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  31. Lovely little crafts you made ! You have a lot of imagination ! And "fairy fingers" as we say here...
    Have a creative week !
    Anna

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  32. I love that stamp! What ink pad do you use to stamp on fabric? Your little fabric wreaths are adorable :)

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  33. I like your pretty makes. The lavender bags are sure to be a great hit, they'll make everything smell nice.
    Amalia
    xo

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  35. Thanks for sharing your lovely gift topper ideas, Lorraine! So glad your feathered friends are settling in well and that you have a cheery neighbor :) You and Gerard are in my prayers for rapid healing.
    I had several meetings this past weekend and met with three of my adult kids for dinner, and the house was shown again to truly interested folk that have not made an offer...yet :) xx

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  36. Your little gifts and tags are fabulous I love those mini wreaths, such a good idea. It is half term now so I am just catching up on my blog reading. x

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  37. You are such a compassionate caregiver. Gerard is a lucky fellow to have you.

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