Seasons Greetings from Australia

It's the day before Christmas Eve and I'm feeling so organised. For the first time ever, I have finished wrapping presents early. Normally, I'm still madly wrapping in the early hours of Christmas morning.

19 Creative Gift Wrapping Ideas

How are you going with preparations for the festive season? Have you wrapped presents yet? If not, I have some ideas to help you out - creative gift wrapping suggestions, many using recycled items, and all low cost.

19 Ideas to Make Your Own Christmas Cards and Gift Tags

Nothing makes a gift more personal than a handmade card - doesn't have to be fancy. Sometimes a simple card looks the most effective.

To help you with preparations for the festive season, today I am showcasing 19 cards and gift tags that I have chosen from the Gift Wrapping link party here at Threading My Way.

No Sew Gift Tags

... the easiest Gift Tags you'll ever make

Over the last fews weeks, I've been experimenting with making Christmas tags, and so far I've shown you three sets...

• Sew Your Own Paper Christmas Tags
• Paper Shopping Bag Gift Tags
• Cardboard Off Cuts and Fabric Scraps Gift Tags 

Today's gift tags are the easiest to make yet! 

Pencil Case Christmas Present

A quick post to show you a Christmas gift that's been sewn, wrapped and sent off via Australia Post...

Threading Your Way ~ Features

This week's features (all have been Pinned)...

A really cool tip, added to the Sewing Tips & Techniques link party. This is the first video I've featured...

How to Press a Hem Quickly and Easily by Linda, from Sewing Bee Fabrics... this week's featured blog. Linda, look out for your blog button in my sidebar. Sewing Bee Fabrics has a huge collection of written tutorials, and also some video tutorials.

Reusable Wine Bottle Gift Bags

I don't know about you, but for me, the festive season almost always involves gifting at least one bottle of wine. And so I thought I'd show you some pretty nifty reusable wine bottle gift bags that have been added to the Gift Wrapping link party here at Threading My Way.

Scrap Fabric Christmas Gift Tags

I'm on a roll making gift tags for Christmas this year, experimenting with different methods and styles. Believe it or not, this is my first year making my own and I honestly don't think I'll ever go back to store bought. Today's tags are made with fabric scraps and cardboard from packaging.

Denim Jeans Floor Rug

... that didn't work out as intended

Keeping it real here at Threading My Way, and showing you a project that, whilst it may look good, is not one I'm happy with, nor one I'll use for it's intended purpose.

Fringed Fabric Bookmarks

If you need a small gift that's quick and easy to sew, try fabric bookmarks. What's more, they only require scraps of fabric to make.

Showcasing ~ Gift Wrapping Idea ~ Brown Paper Stockings

Today's showcased idea is definitely a case of less is more - simple gift wrapping that looks great and is so easy to do.

Star Appliqué Christmas Card

Appliquéd cards are SO easy to make!!! Literally takes minutes to whip one up.

My Win

Look what arrived in the mail - for ME - all the way from the other side of the world! How lucky am I to WIN all of these wonderful goodies.

Showcasing ~ Upcycled Denim Peg Bag ~ Tutorial

Whether you call them clothes pins or pegs, a container to put them in is a must. Grab a pair of denim jeans and make a bag that's not only sturdy, but drains quickly, enabling it to be kept outside, no matter what the weather.

Piecing Small Scraps of Interfacing to Make a Larger Piece

What do you do with those small pieces of interfacing that are too tiny to use in most projects? I tend to shove them into a bag, and hope that one day I'll make something small enough to make them useful. At some point the bag of scrap interfacing gets so large, I bin the lot. Not any more...

Drawstring Laundry Bags for NICU Babies

I've made some more drawstring bags for babies in the NICU at the Northern Hospital in Melbourne (Australia) - a quick, feel good project that uses up just a little of the stash.

Container Planting in a Large Garden

In less than two weeks, it will be Summer - the hardest time in our garden, due to the heat, dry weather and strong winds. Time to show you around while the plants are at their best.

Threading Your Way ~ Features

This week's features (all have been Pinned)...

A clever idea, added to the Everything Baby link party. Includes both written and video tutorial...

Reversible Stay-On Bib Tutorial by Domenica, from Easy Sewing for Beginners... this week's featured blog. Domenica, look out for your blog button in my sidebar. If you are new to sewing, or even not so new, Easy Sewing for Beginners is for you. Domenica will step you through the basics of learning to sew, as well as providing instructions on how to use a sewing machine.  Check out her reversible book cover and how to make fabric labels.

Gift Tags made from a Paper Shopping Bag and Fabric Scraps

I'm on a roll making Christmas Gift Tags. A few days ago I showed you my sewn gift tags. Today I have some more tags that have been whipped up on the sewing machine. Chances are you'll have everything you require on hand, if you'd like to make some.

25% off any purchase ~ Michelle Patterns

This post contains affiliate links, marked with an *

Two months ago I showed you my new Grocery Bag. That post attracted a LOT of attention, so I thought I'd mention that the pattern I used to make it is on sale, at Michelle Patterns*, right now, through to midnight PST - 23 November 2016, with the discount code - holiday

Handmade Christmas Tags ~ Sew Your Own with Paper

How organised am I. It's only November and I've whipped up a few Christmas tags! They literally take minutes to make.

How to Make Serviettes from Fabric

... also known as Cloth Table Napkins

It's not hard to find lovely paper serviettes (napkins) to compliment your table decor. Problem is, they are single use only, and, small as they are, don't help the environment. I'm down to half a packet of paper serviettes and once they're gone, it'll be be serviettes from fabric for my guests. Today's tutorial will show you just how easy they are to make.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Recap

... and it's still running till Christmas

Twelve Christmas DIY Challenges have been set. Now let's see who can meet them!

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Table Decor

Whether you choose traditional Christmas colours, or items that can be used year round, the festive season is a great excuse to make something new for your table setting.

Showcasing ~ Sweet Treat Gift Bags Tutorial

It's all in the presentation! Today's showcased tutorial shows how to gift lollies in these adorable little bags. 

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Healthy Snack

Just because it's Christmas doesn't mean snacks need to be junk food. Balance out the fun food with a few healthy snacks.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Stocking Filler

... made from fabric scraps

Only 45 days left till Christmas!!! And those days will pass by very quickly, which is exactly what the kids want. Me on the other hand - I need more time to get organised.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Something to Wear

Christmas is a good excuse for something new to wear. Given it may be worn for such a short time, the less money spent the better. Alternatively, making a garment that can be worn year round overcomes that problem - Christmassy without being too Christmassy.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Decorations

... made with Chip Packets

Christmas decorations don't have to be fancy or cost a lot of money. Think outside the square and use things you might normally throw out.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Christmas Decor

... from an item found outside

Think outside the square and make some Christmas decor from something you find in the garden or at the park.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Gift Wrapping

... from fabric scraps

Today's 12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges just might help us to lessen the mountain of paper that's often thrown out during the festive season. Over the last couple of years, I've made good inroads into using more reusable gift wrapping solutions.

Threading Your Way ~ Features

This week's features (all have been Pinned)...

A fun organiser, added to the Fabric Baskets link party. With a unique fold over bunting top...

KAIA Mini Fabric Bin ~ Pattern by Damjana, from Apple Green Cottage... this week's featured blog. Damjana, look out for your blog button in my sidebar. Over at Apple Green Cottage, you will find sewing tutorials, activities for kids and crafts. Damjana's tutorials are detailed and easy to follow. Check out her Fabric Sailboat Toy, her Polka Dot Zipper Pouch and her Felt Play Food. 

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Christmas Decoration

... from an item found in the garden shed

Christmas decorations don't have to be glitzy and store bought. Think outside the square and make something from materials already at hand.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Cards from Boxes

A handmade card conveys the message that a lot of thought has been put into the gift. It's personal and means so much more than a store bought card.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Fun Party Snacks

However you celebrate the festive season, it's bound to involve delicious, yummy food, that you perhaps wouldn't eat on an everyday basis.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges ~ Gifts from Denim Jeans

Denim Jeans Fabric Basket

Denim jeans - we all wear them, from toddlers to adults. The styles and colours may vary, but they've been a fashion statement since the 60s. Whether they be work clothes or dress jeans, eventually the denim will give. You repair them once, maybe several more times, but sooner or later they'll leave the wardrobe and head to the repurposing pile.

12 Days of Christmas DIY Challenges

Can you believe there's only 53 days till Christmas! With this in mind, Jill, from Creating My Way to Success, has co-ordinated a small group of bloggers to bring you 12 Days of DIY Christmas Challenges.

For 12 days starting today we will set a challenge a day to create something for Christmas using just the resources you have on hand. The idea is to show that Christmas Shouldn't Cost the Earth. If you're reading this, chances are you love to craft, but why not craft with the resources we have on hand - let's get creative!

Wendy Whiteley's Secret Garden

If you enjoy looking at beautiful gardens, Wendy's Secret Garden is a must see on a visit to Sydney. It's free, easy to get to and affords spectacular views of Sydney Harbour, Lavender Bay and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.

Showcasing ~ Backpack Rain Cover ~ Tutorial

What do you do with an old umbrella that's no longer functional? Today's showcased tutorial shows how to salvage the fabric and turn it into a raincoat for a backpack.

Another Site That Will Feature Your Sewing Projects

A quick post today to let you know about a new to me curator website - where you can have your sewing projects featured.

Threading Your Way ~ Features

This week's features (all have been Pinned)...

A terrific idea for Christmas, added to both the Kitchen Accessories and the Embroidery, Stitching & Appliqué link parties. This is one of those, why didn't I think of it ideas...

Figgy Pudding Tea Towel ~ Tutorial by Fiona, from Celtic Thistle Stitches... this week's featured blog. Fiona, look out for your blog button in my sidebar. Celtic Thistle Stitches is all about motivating others, and hosts two monthly link parties - New To Me, where you can add any posts about something new you have done, and Ho Ho Ho and On We Sew for any Christmas / Holiday makes. Check out Fiona's beautiful quilts and her sewing tutorials.

Showcasing ~ Luggage Tag Map Burlap Pillows ~ Tutorial

Today's showcased sewing tutorial is such a unique, fun idea - cushions (throw pillows) that are designed to look like luggage tags. Made from map fabric and hessian (burlap), they have a definite vintage charm.

Robot Wall Hanging

In my first month of blogging, just over five years ago, I made a robot wall hanging. I do so wish I'd taken photos of the process, as I was, and still am, very happy with how it turned out. It would have made a great tutorial.

Showcasing ~ Colour Me Bright Felt Pencil Case ~ Tutorial

Felt is easy to work with. It doesn't fray, cutting down on sewing time, and it keeps its shape well. Today's showcased tutorial uses small amounts of felt to make a bright, fun project. 

Showcasing ~ Rope Basket Tutorial

When I was a teenager, I carried a rope basket with me everywhere. Today's showcased sewing tutorial reminds me of my treasured basket from many moons ago. Mine wasn't coloured like this one, though.

Denim Shirt Cushion

or Why I Don't Always Strive for PERFECTION!

There's no point in doing something unless you do it well. That's how I normally approach things, and at times I can be a bit of a perfectionist. However, to apply that approach to everything in my life, even to all my sewing, would cause me to be a total stress head. Ha, ha.. my family would say stress head describes me to a tee!

30+ FREE Zippered Pouch Tutorials

If you're scared of sewing zippers - don't be. Once you've sewn your first zippered pouch, you'll wonder why you waited so long. Be careful, though - sewing them can become addictive. And there's no shortage of uses for the purses and bags you sew - makeup bags, lingerie bags, toiletry bags, pencil cases, jewellery holders, coin purses, keychains... the list is endless.

Threading Your Way ~ Features

This week's features (all have been Pinned)...

A great way to reuse an old pair of jeans, added to the Refashioning with Denim link party. Such an easy project...

Denim Draft Excluder for Doors & Windows ~ Tutorial by Claire, from Pillar Box Blue... this week's featured blog. Claire, look out for your blog button in my sidebar. Pillar Box Blue is all about reusing and revamping things into something more beautiful. Claire loves to repurpose denim jeans - check out her Vintage Suitcase and her Wall Pocket Organiser. Amongst many creative and unique ideas you'll find many creative ways to reuse old maps, over at Pillar Box Blue.

Drawstring Laundry Bags for NICU Babies

Drawstring bags are quick and easy to make, so when Ros put out the call to help make some for NICU babies, I didn't hesitate in replying that I'd make some.

Showcasing ~ Pencil Shaped Pencil Case ~ Tutorial

I usually do showcasing posts on the weekend, but I couldn't wait for this one. As soon as it was added to one of the Threading Your Way with Threading My Way link parties, I had to show you. A pencil case in the shape of a pencil - I want one!