Kusudama flower ball

Needing to busy my fingers soon after uni finished for the year I decided to try making an origami project.  On June and Eve's Folding Trees website I found 2 fantastic tutorials on how to make a Kusudama flower ball: Kusudama Tutorial Part 1; Kusudama Tutorial Part 2.  A photo of my almost project is below.  I just need to glue the two halves together and add a ribbon for hanging.  It would be lovely with more brightly patterned papers - I used some paper I wasn't so fond of to try it out but if I do another one I will find some really pretty colourful paper printed with a different pattern on each side.  You do get to see both sides but the paper I used was similar on both sides so the difference in patterns is not obvious in my example.  Takes a while to complete and I was glad when I had the 60th petal finished so I could start forming the flowers.

Girlie Granny Rug

The last few winters Geoff has pinched my first crocheted afghan to snuggle under.  It was lots of fun to make as it had six different types of squares so lots of variety to keep me from getting bored during its creation.  You can see it on 'his' couch in the background of this photo.

Realising I probably would have to keep sharing it with himself each winter I thought I would start a new rug - this time a really pretty granny rug - so girly that he won't want to use it and will leave it free for me to snuggle up under when I get chilly in the winter.  I started it in September 2007 and have been so busy with uni since then that I haven't had much of a chance to work on it until recently.  I've completed 34 squares but will need quite a few more before I have enough for a decent, cosy rug.  MaryEllen has shared her Easy Daisy Granny Square here.  Here's a little sample of squares in waiting.  As you can see they are all in pastel, pretty, girly colours with a sweet daisy in the centre of each one - no chance Geoff will want to be caught snuggled up under this one!

Kitty Kat

Our cat Charlie posing for the camera again!

Christmas pretties

A few more favourite Christmas decorations before the tree is taken down until next year.

Brought back from Europe by mum.

A little tin Santa found at a local chemist store.

A simple china Santa from a local gift store.

The following two I made myself.  The fabric covering the baubles was left over from my wedding gown.

And one brought back from Ireland by my friend Susan Kelly.

This time last year...

Can you guess where in the world we were this time last year?

Happy New Year to all!