The last one for the year…

Welcome to my last Monday Link Pack for 2015! It’s that time of year where I sign off until a new year begins in a vain attempt to try and recharge and spark some more creativity. I’m looking forward to the down time this year as I feel like I’ve been working under pressure for the past couple of months and it would be nice to be back in control of things. I’m also looking forward to doing a little bit of selfish sewing. I’ve been sewing so many things this year because others have asked me to, which has been fabulous, but I feel like my well is dry at the moment.

I’m also looking forward to getting back into the kitchen. I have become obsessed with Nigella Lawson (again) and I decided to bypass Santa and get myself her new book, “Simply Nigella“, as an early Christmas present to myself. I’m looking forward to just spending some time playing in the kitchen like I used to. I miss the variety and I’m tired of eating the same thing again and again. I’m also really looking forward to catching up with the friends that we’ve been neglecting because I’ve been so busy. I miss the laughter and hearing about the exciting and everyday things that our friends are doing.

We’ve already started with the big “spring clean” of our house and yard and I’m loving the big difference it’s already making. I can’t wait to have it all done so we can start 2016 on the right foot. We’re planning a very quiet Christmas Day with just our little family and I’m looking forward to having a nice day just the three of us. (I just need to work out what I’ll be cooking!) In amongst all of that there’s a tonne of planning that I’d like to get out of my head and down on paper. I’ve already decided that my word for 2016 is going to be “proactive”. My biggest hurdle this year has been simply reacting to things and not feeling like I’m in control of my decision making process. That needs to change for 2016.

I’ve had such an amazing year and I’m not sure I’ve really processed all that has happened. I’m planning on spending some of my holiday time reflecting on what I’ve done this year and planning for the next one. (I love a good planning session!) I have big goals for 2016 and I’m really looking forward to seeing where everyone goes with their big plans. It’s been such a great year for seeing friends achieve their goals.

Without further ado, it’s time to start my holidays. I wish you a safe and happy festive season filled with love, laughter and much fabric fondling. I’ll see you again in 2016!

FUN THINGS TO CLICK ON

• I was addicted earlier in the year to Serial and I’m so excited to have it back. If you’ve not heard of it before, or you weren’t aware it was back, you can find all the details by clicking here. (It’s a podcast based on true stories.)
• Looking to have some holiday fun and win a great prize? Click here to check out the Ugly Christmas Sweater Contest. I’m really tempted to dig through the stash and see what I could make!
• Here’s a fabulously festive table topper tutorial for those of you that want to add some punch to your Christmas table setting. Click here to get the Poinsettia Table Topper tutorial from My Quilt Infatuation.
• In that selfish sewing I’ve been dreaming about is this fabulous selvedge ironing board cover from Michelle at Factotum of Arts. Click here to get the free tutorial.
• I’m not big into the gingerbread house thing, but these amazing gingerbread houses that were featured on Cake Wrecks might have me changing my mind. Click here to be amazed.
• I love this tutorial on how to make a felt unicorn, a perfect gift for that someone looking for a little magic in their lives. Click here to get the details.

COMMUNITY CORK BOARD

• Canberra Quilters Inc. are celebrating their 40th Anniversary in 2016 and to mark the occasion they’re holding a “Celebrate 40 Challenge”. It’s open to Australian and New Zealand Residents, with 40 quilts (quilts must be 40cm x 100cm) being selected to hang at the 2016 Annual Member’s Exhibition. (You don’t have to be a member to enter!) It’s a great challenge and you can find out more or enter by clicking here.
• If you love Vintage Sewing machines then you might also enjoy this documentary; “Still Stitching“. It’s available on DVD (ships internationally) and via on-demand rental online. Click here to find out more.
• Jackie Gillies (@jackiegillies) is asking those who can (and want to) to make and donate Tic Tac Toe blocks to help make quilts for women’s refuges in Australia. You can find out more by clicking here. If you can’t make blocks, but would like to still help out you can donate by clicking here.

Want something included on the Community Cork Board, then why not drop me an email and if it’s applicable to the GnomeAngel community I’ll share it. It can be anything from a local fate, a charity raffle, a class you’re teaching, a pattern you’ve released, a sew-a-long you’re involved in to a community event that’s happening. Be sure to send me as much detail as you can and links to any applicable websites. I do not have any affiliation with the information provide, it is done so as a community service only. Click here to email me.

SPONSOR MESSAGES

• With the year nearly at a close it’s time to start thinking about what projects you’ll be working on next year. Why not check out the Fat Quarter Shop Crossroads Quilt-along to benefit the March of Dimes. I’m going to be an official blogger for it and so I’ll be sharing my version of the quilt (which I adore) you can find out more by clicking here.
• If you’d like to take a class with me, then why not check out my class list by clicking here or maybe you’d like to work with me to help promote your brand/business/store/product, click here to find out more about partnering with me.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase those items through my links I will earn a very small commission. You will not pay more when buying a product through my link, in fact in some cases I can offer you a better price via an affiliate link. I will not recommend something that I do not use myself. These commissions help me keep being able to provide you with great content for free. Thank you, in advance for your support!