Christmas 2011

A nice mess

This is the parcel bunting I made with my youngest daughter, it is up all around her lounge, just hope she finds some way of keeping it neat and tidy till next Christmas!!

She is really pleased with it and has received some lovely compliments about it.   Was quite simple to make and does look nice.    I can see me getting into the bunting business as her friend has requested one.  Obviously it has to be different - the problem now is how?  

All hanging straight

I did made a ribbon with buttons on         it to hang little hand-made carrier bags on for my oldest son not sure how that went - whether the bags fitted; did they even receive it through the post.  Hmmmm

Very very very long

Merry Christmas

This is bunting referred to in my previous post, you can see the individual elements there.  I think it looks really nice the way my son and his partner have put it up.  You can't quite see it here but it does say Merry Christmas from left to right on both sides, so it doesn't matter where you see it from.  They were both pleased with it, and I enjoyed making it.

merry christmas

Must start my projects earlier next year.  The trouble is that it doesn't feel very Christmassy until December then there is not enough time to get everything done in time.  I have two more Christmas projects which I have started and am going to finish before the end of January.  I will then put them away and lose them probably before December.  They are two Nativity scenes as requested by my oldest daughter.   Did manage to get some cards made, not many this year again need to start earlier.  

Haven't done my nails at all, but have looked at all the posts and there are some gorgeous Christmas ones, so if I finish my projects early I will have time to do my nails.  

Have spent Christmas in Hundleton, Pembrokeshire, a really relaxing time, doing absolutely nothing except eat and drink.  Got some nice jewellery,  choccies and books - Cakewrecks from the website, absolutely hilarious cake decorating blunders. Well worth a look.  Also got a part share in a Blu-ray DVD player, I say part share cos my name was on the label but I don't watch a lot of TV.  Might be nice if it is connected to the internet to be able to see ideas - 'writ large'  

Christmas Progress

I bought some needles for needle felting and a brush - there are videos on You Tube about this.  It is quite easy and has such a good effect.  I did the snowmen's noses which was good because they are 3d rather than flat.  I was wondering how to do them.  Although the shapes for the Christmas bunting aren't round they have a slight padding to give a bit of depth.  I have plans to do more needle felting as decoration on some of my other stuff.  Will show you when I have done them.

He looks a bit strange but it is ok in real life honest!!!!!  Pulled in a bit but it gives him character.  

Good News

Here I am again, really pleased with what I have done so far, will post some pictures as this isn't a secret.  Also have to do two nativity scenes before December 1st and sew the snowmen buttons on a ribbon, that shouldn't take long but there are 24 buttons to sew.  

 Behind the shapes for the Christmas bunting is an Argos catalogue folded into a Christmas tree - well my attempt at it, it was easy to do but took ages folding each page twice, then tucking in the bottoms!!!

The star has a pin in it because it isn't quite finished and I think the parcel needs a bow.  The snowman has a  needle felted nose


The letters will spell out Merry Christmas on both sides.  As I said I am quite pleased with it and my daughter in law likes it.  Not sure quite how I am going to attach it to the ribbon yet but that will come to me as I progress.


Had some more luck after getting the news about my contract, firstly I shouldn't be paying national insurance contributions any more so am going to be just over £100 better off a month,then won the lottery - well £64 anyway.  Thought I would try and spread the luck so bought a very dear friend a scratch card and she won £5.00.  Not to be sneezed at!!!  

The new regime at work is taking time to settle down, so much to do in each twenty minute appointment but getting there.  

Haven't done my nails for a couple of weeks now - cut them short because I think the stress played havoc with them, all splitting and breaking.  Hopefully they will grow now I am feeling a little better.  Ooh forgot had a rotten cough that was tearing my chest apart, that lasted over two weeks so annoying; couldn't sleep for coughing.  

So long ............

Didn't realise it had been so long since I put anything on here.  Have been working at various projects but my contract at work had come to an end so Jobsearch had to take priority.  Luckily my contract has been extended until March 2012.  Not long but at least it is a relief over Christmas and can renew jobsearch in the New Year.  

I will put some photos on here of the work I have been doing, just bunting really.  A really good friend retired from work and I made her a butterfly card, I was really pleased with it but, unusual for me, I never took a photograph of it - so will have to wait till I make another and then take a picture.

Have a few Christmas ideas too, as usual home made.  I am hoping that my children will enjoy them as much I am anticipating making them.   What colours???????  hmmmmmmm!  Obviously I won't be able to post any photos until after Christmas!!

Didn't realise how tired I felt under the stress of losing my job, even though I knew it was coming, until we were told this morning that there had been an extension.   There is just not much around.  I have sent my CV to various companies where I feel my strengths would be suitable but still waiting to hear. 

Anyway can go back to enjoying my job again, knuckling down to the new routines. 

Last week of September all ready

Well finished my friend's bunting, got my daughter-in-law's design ready, patterns cut out and found some material.  Really happy with the bunting, looks good.   Gem is really excited about her design.  I must admit I am really looking forward to making it.  I am not going to write anything here about it but will post pictures of it in the making.  

I think this looks better in the flesh.

Sunday night all ready, back to work tomorrow.  Must admit I have had quite a good weekend, not done a lot except bunting, completing and designing.  Thinking about Christmas cards, some I have to post which does limit the design.  Also done my nails, red with white stripes, getting better at doing them now.  Looking back I tried this with the blue, I did that by cutting stipes of sellotape but couldn't get them the same size, this is done with proper stiping tape, is a bit thin but easier to use.  Can't get it any thicker from the website I used - might have to do a bit of research.   Would like to get a bundle of Konad plates, they have a whole bundle on Amazon for £14.99 which is a brilliant price as they are normally between £4 and £6 each. 

I am glad my crafty things turn out better than my photography.  I like taking pictures but can't manage it with my phone, should use camera really.  Never mind that is a rough idea of how my nails look.. My youngest daughter bought me a pair of ear rings that are the same as my nails.  Red drops with silver wire wrapped round them, they are nice so I thought I would do my nails to match.

Oh well new week starts - what does this hold for us.  Hopefully half day tomorrow.  My diary is empty after lunch so will see if I can finish then.  Still haven't booked holiday yet.  Have 12 days to take. 

End of Summer Start of Christmas

Tried to watch Mr and Mrs Smith tonight, got fed up with it.  Not sure how much I watched of it.  Watched the Time Traveler's Wife instead, really enjoyed that film, never ending.  I have read the book which I enjoyed too, might just read it again now.  


Started on my friends bunting, will post a picture when it is completed, and made some Christmas tree decorations for my grandchildren. I am quite pleased with them.   Discussed with my youngest daughter-in-law what type bunting she wanted in their new house.  She wants the usual flags, just have to sort out colour now.   Might even get time to  make us some at this rate.  Not sure if my eldest daughter would like some.  Hopefully going down soon so will discuss it with her and make it if required.  

It is getting dark so early now and I am having to get up in the dark too  -  I hate that!!!!!!!!!  Still Christmas is after the longest night so it will be a down hill ride after Christmas.  Mustn't miss the spring next year as for the last couple of years it has been better than our summer.  Usually look forward to September as the weather is good, dry and warm, can't say the same for this year.  Doesn't look like we will get away again.  




This is the last time we went, Norfolk, it was 
good as half the family were there.  Must try 
and get them all there in the Spring.   Really
good time was had by all including the 
youngest!!!!!!

Weekend

It seemed like a long week last week, probably because it was four days, expected a short week so Friday took a long time to come round.    Anyway weekend here now,  some of the family had breakfast at Oake Manor Golf Course, very nice it was too.   Then Gin and I went to see Cars 2, wasn't expecting to enjoy it but the characters are so good.   It was more about Mater than McQueen but got into it and loved it, not as much are the first though.   There is a certain naivety about the first one the second was a bit Bondy and I am not into James Bond.   Later in the evening Gin's friends came round and it was lovely to see them. 

Did my nails, and although not good, am quite pleased with them for a first try.  

Been under a bit of stress lately, plays havoc with my nails, they are just starting to grow again but my cuticles are very tatty and show in this photo but as I said this is the first time I have tried this technique so I was quite pleased with the effect.  Then when I got dressed my royal blue cardie didn't go with the rest of my clothes so I wore my navy and white which is striped so I felt it was a bit naff with striped nails too.  Oh well - that's life!!!!

Sunday now, sitting here thinking I should be doing something productive like the washing or something but I deserve a rest, especially after yesterday - a lovely day doing nothing in particular.  

Monday felt like Sunday

Today I have been in the garden, helping to tidy it up a bit, tired now and a bit achy.   Got stung by some nettles.   Terrace looks better.  Re-potted and split some house plants ready to bring in at the end of summer.  Have to decide what to do with the baby plants now, not everyone wants house plants now.   


Camera battery won't charge, need to take it into shop to find out why.  Very frustrating, have camera phone and can use that but it is not like having my proper one.   


Well bath and bed now I reckon. It is five past seven; have been working hard; nails a mess.    Have a bath then do nails I suppose.  Need to decide what I am wearing tomorrow so I know what colour to do them.   


Back to work tomorrow, wonder how full my diary is???  Usually between 16 and 20 appointments, each 20 or 30 minutes long.  Oh well bath time need a glass of wine too.

Not a bad day

Well I have finished one project, was going to post a photo but, me being me, the battery in my camera is dead so I have to charge it.  I have thought of another project.  Now my main problem is what order do I do them in.  I feel happier when I am in the middle of something rather than sitting around doing nothing.  


I will have to do my nails tomorrow as back to work on Tuesday.  Have a few ideas for them too but as they are new ideas there is no telling what they will turn out like.   Practice makes perfect as they say.  


Will post a photo as soon as my battery is charged!!!!!

Camera all sorted now.

Today

All I wanted to do was to follow another blog but couldn't find out how to post a comment so now I am writing my own.   So far a good week, looking after my grandchildren, great fun; working, yeah fun but of a different kind.  I am lucky I enjoy my work, helping unemployed young people to find work, improving their  applications and chances in life.  Not sure how long I will be continuing in these financial straits, am on a fixed term contract which ends just before Christmas - oh joys!!!!!!

Never mind will stay optimistic and hopefully will find something else.


I get very twitchy if I am not making something and having assisted in the preparation of the wedding of the year - as far as we were concerned anyway -  I now have to find a new project.   I had in mind some cross stitch which is nice and portable.  I also want to make some bunting for a friend, she wanted some for the other wedding but her husband wouldn't let her so if I make her Christmas bunting how can he say no!!!!!!!!!!  That needs the sewing machine so isn't so portable, I could start on both projects I suppose.   Right the decision is made.  1st sort out colours for cross stitch.