Unplanned Day off Work

I was going to have yesterday off but for some reason my diary wasn't blocked so I found it full of appointments, oh well had to go in.   Worked out well I didn't have much on today so stayed home today.

I spent the day making cards, they are not particularly Christmassy but I stuck them on a Merry Christmas background!!

This is for my mum, crocheted flowers and butterfly

This one was for my in-laws and a similar one for my sister.

As above

These are pictures of the set I made for my other sister, I also bought a bath bomb in the shape of a cupcake to add to the tray.  Just hope it gets to Chicago in one piece.

This one is for another family member

A little more Christmassy I think

I also had to make the boxes to send them in as I didn't have any the right size.  I spent an hour in the post office in Taunton the other day to buy one to send to USA.   Not funny when I only have an hour for lunch.

It is the worse post office in the world.   We have a fantastic one in our village but they didn't have the size box I wanted but the young lady even went through their old stock boxes to see if one was the size I needed.

Although it doesn't seem much it has taken me all day.  Still I didn't really have anything I needed to do, always things I could do but I enjoyed my day.

Oh put the Christmas tree and decorations up on Sunday, have done the stairs with lights and tinsel again.   I do like the banister rail decorated. 

The Tree is in red and silver

  

I love these large balls, they are about
4.5 inches in diameter

These large balls, the long thin ones and the funny shaped ones I bought in Minehead in a little shop next to the Job Centre.    Also the Angels and the Christmas tree in the window.  I think I got them about two years ago.   I love them.   

Getting there, December 10th already

Well Just thought I would post these pictures, not many today.   It will have to wait until after Christmas for the others.

Large picture so you can see the details

 This is my little Christmas Tree which I made to put on my desk. Quite pleased with it, have had lots of lovely comments on it.

Crocheted it on the bus, decorated with beads and felt presents.  Had to have presents under my tree.

It is about 6 ins high.

My earrings that I bought in Pembroke last Christmas have also received many lovely comments, they were made by a young girl to raise funds for some charity - have forgotten which!   They are about 1in in diameter, so light I don't know I have them on which is great.

Preparing for Christmas 2013

Pleased with what I have done so far.  On track I think to get everything done for Christmas. Our family from Canterbury left lunch time, we had the two from Ilminster as well, quite crowded but loved it   

Stevie and Luke

Stevie, Toby, Rosie and Luke

They all get on so well, it is pure pleasure having them here.

Hair decorations for Gin

Hair decoration for Rosie

I made some small red bows for Gin but didn't photograph them I will get her to send me a picture to add they are quite sweet even if I do say so myself.  Have to make her some holly leaves too

I am really pleased with my crocheting, feel I can do it now, my next project will probably go horribly wrong now.   Wasn't sure what I had posted and what I hadn't.  Looking back - Nothing!!!!

Some decorations Gem and I were going to do for her playschool sale, but we weren't sure when it was so we missed it.  Now the family have various tree decs!!!!

I have given Gin her cushion covers so I can put them on here now.

material and ribbons

Deciding on ribbons 

1st one

2nd one

I have also expanded on the poppy idea I made last month by doing different colours and adding centres.   I am really pleased with them.  Have also made felt flowers.

The one I decided to use, the other one is on a clip

1st attempt, quite pleased with it

I like the second flower better than the first one, so put the second one on a clip for Rosie,

There must be a better way to arrange these photos than the way I am doing it, I can't get them where I want them.  The basket was supposed to be after the two felt flowers!!!!!!!

That is all I am going to put for now, have loads more to do, have done Jazzy's bits which will put on here after she has seen them, then Gems.

Signing out on a Sunday evening - rather tired.

Run up To Christmas 2013

Pre Christmas November 16th

I always feel guilty when I am writing this because I do not keep it up.  I should do.  That will be my New Year's Resolution.  I do not usually make resolutions because I know I will not keep them.   

I could put lots of photos on here, but this time of year they are always presents for people so it has to remain pictureless.  I came on here today to look for a present I made - didn't realise it was 2011.  It is then I realised the benefits of keeping a blog.

                                        

I have been practicing my crocheting, I did it years ago but gave up when I couldn't get my edges straight - I could crochet triangles and granny squares but that was it.   On Facebook I saw a link to a YouTube video of how to make ends neat.  I watched it, practiced as above, and low and behold I am now able to crochet and follow patterns; hence the poppies below

I only made 7 this year for special people but have been asked to make some for sale next year!

I was very pleased with these, the one I made for Rose I didn't take a picture of, it was slightly smaller.

I am sure she still has it so I will photograph it when I go round next.

These lead me onto my next project, as a Christmas present for a favourite little girl.   Will post those after Christmas.

I have crocheted quite a bit now, as I catch the bus to work I have an hour when I can knit or crochet, the bus is not busy so have the room.   I have made several tree decorations for Gem's play-school, I think they are going to sell them.   Have not taken any pictures of them - must do.  

I have made two cushion covers for a friend (as well as taken in her dress), She was really pleased with them

I am in the middle of something else now, just came to look at some previous pictures as I said.   I WILL KEEP THIS UP.

Cannot believe it is nearly a year since I wrote on this. 

What have I done during that year.  will have to think about it.  The time has gone so fast, summer was pretty awful and I winter - well just glad it is hopefully over. 

@Lynn Dipple  @Jazzy Naylor    Not sure if it works but if these people are mentioned in a post they should be notified.     

There are so many new features since I was last here.  Have to spend time catching up with them.  

This year I would like to spend some time in the garden.  I have fond memories of working in the garden but I haven't really done anything for the last two years.   Not sure why I was really in the doldrums but I feel so much more positive at the moment.   Not going to analyse it - it might disappear.  It isn't work; although that is getting more and more ridiculous time wise.  Still I enjoy seeing my customers so it is not all that bad.   It just takes me time to do my paper work - others manage so a different technique is called for.

Will look through photos to see if anything has happened this year.  I didn't take many photos last year, that shows how I was feeling.   Heres to a new start.  ******

Don't think I even mentioned that my daughter took me to see Billy Connelly last year, that was a great concert.  

 

Jazz and I made a Christmas fairy for her friend because she liked the one I made for Jazz.

 

I also made the nativity for Jazz as well.     We have had ours since the children were small, they took turns putting them on the mirror.   Baby Jesus would often disappear, then there would be a hunt for him.    They are made of felt and Jazz stuck them on her conservatory doors

 

 

 

My daughter-in-law, son, grandchildren and I went to Exeter to see the Coca Cola lorry as Christmas starts when they see it.   That was a lovely evening.   Even though we queued for about half an hour it was fun.  My granddaughter is a character.  Absolutely gorgeous though so is Stevie. 

 

 

 

 

Well I will try to keep this uptodate.    I have done some sewing and knitting, not a lot, still need to think about what I have done.  Will keep a record from now on.

 

I have a few ideas for presents - Christmas and birthdays which I can't post but will keep a record and post when I have given the presents

 

 

Heres to a good, allbeit, late new year.