A Very Festive Link Pack, Some Sponsor News and a Tale of Ow!

I knew when Ikea opened in Canberra that I was going to be in trouble, but I didn’t think I’d be black, blue and sore. We’ve just spent the weekend putting together a number of shelving units and finally setting up the Little Man’s room with his big boy bed and toy play area. The house feels completely different now we’ve gotten all the mismatched furniture out of the way and lightened everything up by moving to white furniture. I couldn’t believe how happy having a shoe closet installed would make me. (I think I’m getting old!)

I also took the opportunity to get some bigger shelving units into the sewing room to help get things even more organised and make it easier for me to access everything I need when I need it. I’m a big believer in keeping your work space as organised as possible as it cuts down on the amount of time you spend looking for things and it also helps you keep on top of your inventory. I like to think I’m pretty organised, but oh my! Going through my stash and all the things I’ve shoved in the drawers to hide and I’m a little ashamed at how much “stuff” I’ve accumulated. And it’s not just the sewing room. We have so much stuff through the house that we just don’t use or we’ve not gotten rid of it because of some sense of sentimentality.

So today we have a big skip coming and we’re going to go through the house and cull. It’s time to get rid of the stuff we’re not using, accept the fact we’ll never sell it on eBay and just donate what we can while trashing the rest. It’s going to be hard and I’m sure I’m going to still have things that I just can’t bring myself to get rid of, but I know this; I am not going into 2016 surrounded by stuff. 

Do you have any end-of-year rituals or bursts of determination? I’m really looking forward to getting myself organised to start 2016 on the right foot and make the most of the time that I’ll have with family, friends and the Little Man. I’ve got some big plans and I’m really looking forward to sharing them with you as they unfold. I’ve got a good feeling about 2016!

Right, I’m off to do some sewing and maybe (just maybe) write some Christmas Cards (another thing I love about this time of year!). Have a smashing day!

FUN THINGS TO CLICK ON

• Looking for an easy last minute gift, then click here for a great matching oven mitt and tea towel tutorial.
• If you’re looking for some great tools to help you perfect those Half Square Triangles then click here to read Jen Baker’s list of her favourite tools. (You might be surprised by what’s on the list, I was!)
• Do you do a lot of sewing on the go? Then click here for a great little pocket mending book tutorial by Heidi at Fabric Mutt.
• If you hadn’t guessed by now I’ve become slightly (understatement) obsessed with holiday wreaths. This how-to-make a felt wreath tutorial nearly sent me into conniptions of joy when I saw it. Click here to get the details.
• Loving this blog post from Kelly Exeter on how to do a pre-Christmas Detox of your mind, body, soul and world. I think I’ll be doing it this week before I head out to Christmas shop! Click here to read more.
• Oh my gosh, there’s a fabulous sewing felt ornament pattern and I must make them all now. Click here to see Amy’s (of During Quiet Time) version and find out 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.
• Tiny Sparks WA are looking to provide 200 Christmas quilts to neonatal nurseries right across Western Australia and need your help! Quilts measure 16″ x 24″ so perfect size to master the art of the mini quilt. 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!