Some of my favourite paper

A few years ago I got these christmas wrapping papers in a little pound shop. They were quite old, and faded at the edges so god knows where they came from but I just love them!

I was going to use them that year to wrap my presents in but I couldn't bring myself to do it so they went into my paper stash instead.

The green one isn't a dodgy scan, it really is badly printed, which just makes me like it more.

There were more designs than this and I wish I had bought them all. Just to look at.

Point de croix

On Kirsty's Homemade Home last week she did a feature on cross stitch with cross stitcher extraordinaire Emily Peacock. I am totally in love with her hug cushion:

I have a thing for circus fonts anyway and the pompoms make me want to trim everything I own with pompoms. I immediately declared that some kind of cross stitching book or supplies were exactly what I wanted for christmas so I was thrilled to discover Petit Details on Etsy. As well as a range of gorgeous ribbons and things they sell beautiful French cross stitch books like these:

Now I just have to pick one to put on my christmas list but to be honest I want them all!

Bird Girl

I have just added a new notebook to my etsy shop. The illustration is a greetings card design I did but I like it as a notebook too.

Gifted

I have just been virtually flicking through the fantastic Gifted from Creature Comforts. Its full of christmassy inspiration and lots of interesting interviews that I haven't had chance to read properly yet.

Some highlights for me are this article about Rifle Paper Co, their christmas stuff looks lovely.

And a feature about gift wrapping which lead me to discover this fantastic blog about packaging. I want to start wrapping christmas presents now! Do you think there is a gap in the market for a professional present wrapper? Thats a job I'd like to do!

Da da da da da da daaaaa!

That is meant to be a fanfare because...I have finally finished the new look juliastaite.com! That's where I have been for the last few weeks, working very hard! Its been a long time coming but now looks all shiny and tidy. As you can see I've made a few changes to the blog too to match.