Need buttons for a holiday project?

The Haby Goddess has a knack for picking out great fabrics from my stash for each new order. She aims to find new things to show her customers each time they visit. Here are just a few of the new button sets that will be for sale there very soon.

Last minute Christmas stuff

Christmas biscuits for neighbours and friends. Half delivered, half on their way today. My list of 'to do' before Christmas was getting a bit too long so my lovely mother-in-law (who could see my stress levels rising) cooked the biscuits for me with the kids and I helped them decorate. Must get back to the list...

New Stockist: The Little Kidz Closet

Do you like to shop online? Maybe you have finished for Christmas but next come the birthdays, the re-stock of the gifts to have on hand, it never ends. I do love an excuse to buy lovely children's things at any time of year. When you are next looking for great kids things - boy or girl - clothes or not - check out my new stockist The Little Kidz Closet.

Frankie

image from Lark

I was very excited this week to have my pink elephant brooch in the 'Badge of Honour' spread in the new Frankie mag. My brooch is available from Bob Boutique (in Bendigo and online) and is surrounded by lots of other gorgeous handmade things - both in the mag and at Bob.

Sorry Allison that I have stolen your photos of Frankie. I'm getting a bit cheeky with my time saving in the Christmas rush. BTW - anyone want a day trip to Daylesford this weekend for a country break and an amazing lark sale?

image from lark

Handmade Swap Show & Tell: Natural Star

My gorgeous hand knitted beanies arrived from Brenda at Natural Star last week. They are so perfectly knitted and look gorgeous on my little boys. Although not the weather for them every day at the moment my 3 year old has made the most of it when he can and is looking forward to winter. Of course he can't take a serious photo to model it! Thanks so much for the swap Brenda. I will be in touch about a custom order for my husband - he would like to know if you make them in adult sizes!

Christmas cupcakes

Decorating cakes with children is always fun! Christmas cupcakes for our playgroup Christmas party today. Cupcake holders and Christmas tree sprinkles from the Preston Market. I used the same simple recipe I have shared before. We even had Santa arriving in a fire engine - cool!

New Stockist: encuentro

encuentro: gifts, flowers, cafe: 23 Bridge Rd, Richmond VIC. Ph: 03 94299883.

This Saturday: Made n' Thornbury Market

This will be my last market for the year. It has a lovely friendly community feel to it and is always fun. I must admit that I will be glad to finish up for the year (and I haven't done half as many markets as others!). If there is anything you would like me to have there please let me know ASAP as I am getting lower on stock and will just have a selection of products and fabrics as usual. Hope to see you there. Saturday 12th December, 99 Leinster Grove Thornbury, 10am - 3pm. Lou.

Giveaway Winner: November Newsletter

The Buttons by Lou Lou November Newsletter subscriber competition closed last night. The winner of the 'boys set' of drawing pins is Melinda. She has 2 boys and said she would use her drawing pins to pin up all the wonderful drawings and paintings she would get from her 3 year old that is starting kinder next year. The winner of the 'girls set' of pins is Laurel and she said that her 11 year old daughter just got a pin board for her room and has no pins yet and that pretty pins would make all the difference. Thankyou to everyone that entered. Lou xx

Giveaway Winner: Fabric fat quarters

Thankyou very much to everyone who entered my Japanese fabric fat quarter giveaway in conjunction with Meet me at Mikes birthday giveaway celebrations. I have used a random number generator to find the winner...and the winner is comment number 34...Handmade Kids. Please email your postal address to buttonsbyloulou@yahoo.com.au. Congratulations!

Handmade Gift Guide for Children

Do you need some more ideas for buying beautiful handmade presents for children this Christmas? Check out all the lovely ideas in this catalogue...

Thankyou very much to Kate for organising it and Nykie for designing it. Lou.

Children's Craft: Christmas Potato Stamping

This is a fun children's activity that I remember from when I was a little girl. This was one of our practice trees - they got better as we went! All you need to do is cut the potato in half (or almost) and either cut out your own shape or use a cookie cutter or similar to help you get the shape. You can usually dip the potato straight into the paint but we found our paint was a bit thick so needed to use the paint brush.

Giveaway...

Don't forget my fabric fat quarter giveaway that finishes this Sunday night. Four Japanese Kokka fabric fat quarters and all you have to do is leave a comment on my giveaway post. My newsletter subscribers also have the chance to enter my November newsletter giveaway by the end of Sunday so email me with your answer for that one too! If you are not a subscriber you can sign up on the right and you will be just in time for my December newsletter. Lou xx

What a week...

I've had a little blogging break...This time of year always gets a little crazy but my tradey husband decided to add some more craziness to the mix at our house with an accident at work and a few days in hospital. He is all fixed up and all in one piece but off work for while and not so useful around home!