Home Instead Senior Care in Christchurch is currently collecting decorations to brighten up an elderly person’s Christmas. Any decorations are welcome, but quality handmade decorations would be a real treat, so if you’ve been busy creating ornaments for the tree and can spare one or two, Lynda at Home Instead would love to hear from you.

And if you know of an elderly person who may be alone over Christmas, why not nominate them for a festive makeover? The lovely people from Home Instead will be spend an hour or so with them, decorating their home and having a chat over a cuppa and a piece of cake or shortbread.

Home Instead will be decorating during the week of Wednesday 10th to Wednesday 17th December. You can post donations to Christmas Makeover, Home Instead Senior Care, PO Box 18-643, New Brighton, Christchurch or contact Lynda at southchch@homeinstead.co.nz.

Issue 4 of World Sweet World is filled with summery goodness: home-brewed ginger beer, a plastic beach bag (made out of ‘plarn’, which stands for plastic and yarn), and foraging for blackberries – what to do with your spoils.

In addition, World Sweet World are launching The Great M.I.Y. Badge Carbon Action Mystery Swap Adventure – a challenge run in collaboration with the Hikurangi Foundation. Sound intriguing? Find out what the current Brownie Badge values are and how to take action on Climate Change.

Johanna Knox looks at Transition Towns around the country and building a strong grassroots green movement in New Zealand. In the spirit of keeping it green, Hannah and Thomas have scouted material at different dump shops to show you how to turn old mantelpieces into bedheads and doors into couches – creative inspiration to make a change. Last not least, Annabel Youens shows you ways to ‘give well’ and responsibly this Christmas.

Since I have this opportunity, I’d like to say congratulations to Hannah and Thomas on their first year of World Sweet World, and thanks, guys, for producing a first rate homegrown magazine. You’ve done an awesome job!

Hannah and Thomas are currently running a readership survey to make sure they’re hitting the mark – if you can spare a few minutes to help them out, they would love to hear your feedback and they’ll put you in the draw to win a World Sweet World subscription. How nice is that?

Order your copy of issue #4 of World Sweet World on Felt.

My pledge from last year still stands: Christmas will be a handmade affair once again. And it’s hardly a challenge! Since this time last year, Felt has grown radically and there’s loads of gorgeous handmade gifts to choose from. I’ve picked out some gift ideas for inspiration here, but here’s just a small selection:

For the pamper-worthy person in your life, a shea body beauty bar by manaia; a set of 5 colourful linen NZ flora print teatowels by shakyisles will brighten up the kitchen for those home bodies; for the handy man, a men’s utility apron by bellathreads; pretty heart ceramic tiles by caitlin are great conversation pieces; Just like Tiki, painted onto a recycled record by organiks will appeal to music and art lovers alike; and a unique piece of jewellery like this bird ring by plainjane makes a lovely gift.

Christmas decorations and stocking fillers

Felt is full of little treasures great as stocking fillers – pop them into a recycled wool blanket Christmas stocking by claribell. Tiny crocheted Russian dolls by shirley and stickers made from Japanese washi paper by freedom make gorgeous stocking treats for Christmas morning; and your tree will look beautiful with handmade decorations like this Madonna and child ornament by sweetwilliam, beaded felt decorations by erika_eddles and a candy cane hobby horse by teribear.

It’s All About Style
Amy of the Loop Knittery in Christchurch is hosting a crafty afternoon tea with image consultant Joanna Giles from 3.30 – 5.30pm this Saturday 29th November. More information is available here.

Birkenhead Artisan Market
One of Auckland’s premiere markets, Birkenhead Artisan Market is on from 9am – 1pm this Saturday 29th November, featuring an array of textiles, jewellery, homewares and art, at 110 Hinemoa Street, Birkenhead.

Paekakariki Fair
I’m told that The Little Gems and Sonya of copper-red will be out in force at Paekakariki Fair this Sunday, so if you’re in the 04 be sure to drop by and say hello to Helen, Shelley and Carmen in Wellington Rd, Paekakariki from 10am – 2pm, Sunday 30th November.

Kraftbomb
An explosion of crafty goodness, Kraftbomb kicks off at 11am this Sunday, 30th November at Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn.

Last but not least, issue 4 of World Sweet World will be available Monday 1 December, so don’t forget to get your copy on Felt!

It’s been a great year for Felt and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed meeting so many talented crafty people – Felt users are such a friendly bunch! Thank you so much for your support and enthusiasm. Here’s to another successful year in 2009!

Enjoy the festive season,

With Christmas just around the corner, I thought New Zealand needed a little reminder of all the gorgeous things available on Felt, so these colourful Felt postcards are appearing in cafes and stores around the country, with the help of the lovely folk at Phantom.

If you’re interested in contributing to future Felt promotions, email me at lucy@felt.co.nz.

This morning’s Viva magazine with the NZ Herald features an interview with Karen Dennis, the face behind Trixie Delicious vandalised vintage.

And the talented Marjorie, also known as WHSKR, recently had her art dolls featured on the front page of the Life section in the Dominion Post.

Both Marjorie and Karen slipped in a mention of Felt, which makes me very happy – thank you ladies!