The year is drawing to a close and I am warm and cosy in front of my fireplace with crochet and my iPad! Life is pretty good, I’d say.

I don’t think I’m going to stay up until midnight. My boys are always up late, but I have work tomorrow. I don’t have to be there until 10.45, though, which is nice.

I finished this hat tonight…

And I’ve done a bit of sewing this week too.

Made these cafe curtains for my kitchen…

Darned chiffon, I don’t ever want to sew that stuff again. I should have known it would be evasive stuff, having made a scarf out of it once.

This was more fun. An “infinity” scarf made with a polyester knit fabric that I bought at work today. I have to wear my red T shirt tomorrow – we have a big sale on – and I prefer to break up the unremitting red (which I don’t usually wear) with some other colours. This fabric is quite retro, with pink, orange, red, tan, black and cream.

A 60cm long, 150cm wide piece makes the perfect scarf. I learned quickly that you can’t sew the ends together first. You have to sew the long edges together, then pin and sew as much of the short ends as possible, then close up the gap from the right side with some nifty stitching.

I will be wearing this combo tomorrow at work.

My Facebook friends said I should have been smiling in this photo. I find it hard to smile for a selfie – it’s easier if there is actually someone taking the photo. I took this in my sewing room, down in the basement, so the light is not great.

I’d like to take this opportunity to wish you an awesome New Year. Happiness, acceptance, love, compassion, honesty, sincerity, all these things will lead to a calmer, more joyful life. Make the most of it!