I was out shopping for some small gifts in the local fair trade shop, and I spied these beautiful printing blocks. They are made in India, hand carved from pear wood. They are normally used to print pictures on to fabric for clothing. I picked up a couple of them with a slightly different purpose in mind. One of them I am going to use to make an impression on shortbread, some of the more simple ones will be perfect for this.

The other block I’m using to make handmade wrapping paper for some of the gifts. I really love to try to include something handmade in a gift. Usually it’s an item from the kitchen, like a small jar of lemon curd, candy or cookies. But this Christmas I have just not had enough time to do that unfortunately. But I do have time to do this. The blocks were roughly $5.00 each, and honestly I think they are just beautiful

This particular block is about 3 inches long and about 1/2 an inch wide. It fits very nicely in my hand. There was something very soothing about pressing the stamp into the ink and then back on to the paper. It’s very rhythmical.

They are available in all kinds of shapes and patterns, intricate and simple.  The intricate ones are truely amazing, you look at them and you just know that a huge amount of time and creative thought has gone into making each one of these.

I think I am going to be heading back to buy some more of these little gems. I don’t think I can stop at just two. They do seem to be available online in a variety of places, so if you have the urge to buy some they are not difficult to find.

I tipped Santa off that Isaac might like a little bag of the animal shaped print blocks popped into his stocking. I’m pretty sure he’ll oblige.There are six of them in a little Indian cotton bag printed with the animal printing blocks, how cool is that?

No recipe today: I’m going to the movies this evening. I’m going to see Avatar - yes, there is the geek in me coming out.

I did want to show you this. The quilt I want to make has been on my mind constantly. I’m a bit obsessive like that: once I start thinking about doing something, I’m not happy until I’ve completed it, or the very least tried and failed dismally. Which reminds me, I should tell you about my candle making efforts some time.

Anyway, there is no way before Christmas that I can afford to buy all the materials for the quilt. But I found a whole basket of small pieces in the store close to my workplace that were only 50 cents a piece, just big enough for the Ticker tape quilt. I should get about 4 little pieces out of each 50 cent square of fabric.

I’m really excited about the beginnings of my fabric stash for the quilt!

I’m going to make it in shades of pink, blue, green and yellow, bright and cheerful.

As you know, I’ve never made a quilt before, and I am definitely not someone who whips up things on the sewing machine in a flash. In fact, I still haven’t dug out the sewing machine from the wardrobe yet! The quilt is designed to use scraps, but since I don’t usually sew, I don’t have any scraps.

I’m going to finish Nicky’s shawl first, then the quilt will be my next project. The shawl is about seventy percent finished and I am hoping to have it finished before new year - or very close. Any and all comments from people who sew and quilt very welcome!

Best I get ready for my night out with my husband and my daughter!

Something I have returned to, to keep my mind and my fingers busy since the loss of my son, is knitting.

I’ve rediscovered a passion for sitting with my knitting needles softly clacking and sliding yarn from one needle to another. There is something about the rhythm and the movement of knitting that is very relaxing.

As a child I loved to knit with tight, squeaky, acrylic yarn in lollipop colours that would hurt your eyes if you looked at them too long. Now I find comfort in soft fine plys, and take delight in the hand-spun miracles that others seem to be able to create.

I’ve also ventured into the world of the yarn dyer briefly, and found it hopelessly addictive. Unfortunately for me, I do not have the area and equipment to work with professional dyes, which are generally not food safe. But I have had a chance to experiment with food safe dyes, and I just love it.

My current project is a shawl for a friend who is expecting her first baby. I saw this pattern and was immediately drawn to the simple but sculpted shapes that the stitches made. I gave her a choice of several patterns that I thought I could knit, But this is the one she chose. I was secretly pleased, because this was the one that I wanted to make.

About half completed and I have to admit, I’m pretty proud of myself.

The Leaf pattern shawl is from Patons Heirloom 4 ply collection I’m knitting it in a cream Shepherd Baby Wool merino 4 ply. I’ll post a picture of the completed shawl, but don’t check back any time soon expecting to see it finished, it’s definitely a case of slow and steady, I want to be able to gift a mistake free shawl to a precious baby.