Go on .... have a go.

 

An hour to spare?

Beautiful Yarn?

Some beads and a bell?

 

...... http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/bauble-decoration.html

 

xxxxxx

Driftwood Christmas Tree

So while I was busy decorating the living room, Craig set off to do the conservatory.

He went wild with filling vases with bauballs. Snowflaking the windows. Making the ledges look pretty. Dressing out second tree.

And last but not least dressing the driftwood.

Doesn't it look lovely. Not what I had in mind, but just lovely because he was so proud of it!

xxxxxxxxx

Holidays are a-coming!

Wahoooooooo I have officially broken up for Christmas. 19 days in total. I couldn't be more happy!

I had some holiday going spare so decided there couldn't be a nicer time to use it.

Last night I celebrated with a lovely glass (Craig's Granddad's old Polish glasses ... we have the whole set!) of Madeira wine. Mmmmmm it just chillaxed the blood ready for a much earned break! I snuggled up with my hubby and watched National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation. Such a funny film!

Last week helped on the Round Table Santa Sleigh, collecting money with charity. We knocked on ever door to tell the children (and grown ups) that Santa was coming. All the houses then rushed around getting on shoes and coats to then wait on the street listening to Santa's sleigh on its way, blasting out favourite Christmas songs. They then wave to him as he passes.

This is something that I loved when I was little, and I totally loved actually helping. It was so enjoyable and I had that many Merry Christmas Wishes I didn't know what to do with them! I simply Christmased Out with happiness! It was so exciting to watch children literally shake with glee as he passed and watch adult turn into kids for a few seconds (seriously some adults, me included, can be so drawn into these things, we turn into five year olds again).

I have been lucky enough to have 2 Christmas party's this week and all that hard work of homemade gifts has certainly paid off. I loved giving away my wrapped pressies to my bestest friends at work and Knitting Class. I also was the lucky receiver of some beautifully wrapped presents that are now taunting me from under the tree .... oh well, only 10 days to wait .... I can do it!

I also received my snowflake swap from the lovely Helen at Moonstruck Creations. I couldn't believe it when I tipped them package over the sofa and all of this fell out ...........

Yipeeee ..... another thing I am going to have to wait 10 days for! I can't wait to show you what I got!

Although I wait in anticipation for the 25th of Dec, I have been sooooo lucky already. I mean just look at this beautiful card from my friend Lisa at work....

And this gorgeous hand made card from my lovely friend Jill who goes to knitting with me. You should go see her lovely shop ... wish her happy birthday aswell ... its today!

Also this cute beyond cuteness; Ha - Pea - Christmas decoration my friend Nicki gave me so I would promise not to open her gift before the big day!

Also my oldest and dearest friend Charlotte included a crocheted star in her card, which I hung with love and lots of memories! I can't wait to see her over Christmas! She has just got engaged and we have soooo much to talk about!

So as you can see I have been busy deckin' the halls. I loved dressing the tree as always. I love getting out all my decorations I have collected over the year. Each year my mum got me, my sister and her, a decoration each in our stockings. And now I have moved out I have lots of Christmas memories each year to hang out on my own tree. I love the fact my tree has a mismatch of ornaments. No two are the same and I love standing by it looking at them deciding which one is my favourite today!

Here are the two which I admired most last night...

I brought this one for Craig last year which if you look closely is a vintage picture of a boy and girl looking at a deer. It reminds me so much of the fun we have watching deer on Cannock Chase.

 

The red egg you can see hanging is a Polish Egg which Craig hangs up every year in memory of his Grandad. The photo really doesn't do it justice. It is a pretty, glittery thing of beauty.

So that's all for now. As I am off this week I would love to be a bit more of a blogger. So hopefully will catch up with you more over the week.

Have a merry lead up to Christmas, and remember its not too late to be good!

Kate xxxxxxx

Felted mouse and bag

I have been having a ball. A ball with 100% wool.

My two little cousins are coming to spend Christmas with us and I was dying to use the felting wool I brought a couple of months ago and this was the perfect excuse. Two home made gifts!

Firstly I'll just allow you a couple of seconds to Oooooooooo, Mmmmmmmmm over the colours!

 The little bag was made using a fandabbydosey pattern here (if you haven't checked this site out you are in for a flippin treat!) I used the mobile pouch pattern and then have added a strap. Its idea for a little girls over the body bag.

Look at the sherberttie colours. I loved knitting with this yarn!!!!

Hanging on the tree ... and why not! Its Christmas!

Then there is this cheeky little fella.

I hope Ben likes him. I certainly do.

I used the pattern from my tutorial for a little knitted mouse. You can see it here.

This was my first attempt at felting. I am certainly very pleased and would recommend you have a go too. xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

White Chocolate Penguins

My own festive variation on chocolate mice.

 

 

Gently melt chocolate in a bowl above boiling water.

 

 

Sprinkle some Pretties (aka sugar strands) in a silicon ice tray. Mine is penguin shaped. And then fill with lovely metled white chocolate.

 

 

Leave to set in a cool place.

 (lick out the bowl!)

 

Carefully pop out.

 

 

There we have it. White Chocolate Penguins with sugar strand wings.

Yummy.

Granny Knows Best

Every year my Granny has brought me a calender.

And even after all the glamour or my little advent bags I have to say, I love my granny's calenders the best.

This year the picture is a group of joyous carol singers.

Can you see the first door?

What about now?

Let see what is behind it .....



An angel. Ahhhh.

Today, after the joyous occasion of putting up my advent bags, and then putting them back up again (after they fell down) I though I would make the most of the free day.

I have wrapped and wrapped and wrapped. About a hundred gifts! I really do like wrapping presents but this year I was a little overwhelmed.

It was nice to lay everyone's presents out and see if we was missing anything, or god forbid, had forgotten anyone. But I am surprisingly organised this year, and only have a couple of stocking fillers left to get. So thumbs up all around!

The reason I wanted to get all the "shopping" stuff out of the way is so I can now chillax! And by chilling, I mean making. All I need to worry about is having fun making lots of Christmassy things!

I am going on a workshop to learn how to make a quilted table runner on Tuesday and also hope to make some hanging decorations too.

Hope your Christmas decorations oops I mean preparations are going okay. And just remember ....

Keep Calm and Jingle On! xxxxx

Advent Calander Ta-Dah

I got up early this morning.

Early because I was excited. It has been the day I've been waiting for. The day I get to Tad-Dah! and hang out my little advent draw string bags.



There has been a lot of .....

cutting.

sewing.

stringing.

filling.


and now finally hanging. Yipppppeeeeeeee!!!!

I made 96 little bags in total. Using lovely, scrummy, festive fabrics.

I made four advent calenders in total (one for my family, Craig's family and my granny), and carefully placed the components into brown paper bags. I wonder if they are all opening them now?!

Each little daily bag is filled with a mixture of lovely, delightful treats....

chocolate coins.

candy canes.

chocolate Santa's.

and other little sweet treats.

If you want to see how I have made them .... very very simple .... then have a look here.

N.B. As I just wrote that I heard the distant sound of the bags falling .... maybe sellotape won't suffice.... maybe I was right and Mr Staples is going to have to do a very brave thing and stick a couple of tacks in the mantle!