Why Oh Why today?

Why is it that today we have glorious sunshine, the children are both at school and nursery and I fell like this!
I have been looking forward to a day of either sewing or digging on the allotment and I go and catch a cold. I am going to stamp my feet and shout "its not fare, its not fare!"

So I am just having to curl up in bed, Lemsip in one hand, laptop on lap and chocolate biscuits coming out of my ears! (not too bad really). The only sewing getting done in this house at the mo is by my 7 year old son. He wanted "to do what you do mum" at the weekend, its going to take a while but I am so proud!

My lovely hubbie to be bought me a gift last week, a Cath Kidston dressing gown and a CD with one of my favourite Vaughn Williams tracks - Skylark Ascending! Ahh, what was he after I hear you say, possibly the guilt of buying this laptop! I'm not complaining.... ;-)

A Handmade Christmas

This year JP and a I decided to try and make all our Christmas presents for family and friends. ''Oh easy peasy lemon squeezy'' we thought! But then most people we know have had things I make already over the years - that means new fresh ideas! Oh......... the brain struggled and succeeded.
This gave me the opportunity to try out a new bag from Amy Karols book Bend the rules sewing.

It was a success, the first photo shows an elongated version and the last was the actual pattern. Both recipients were very pleased (so was I!)

A batch of homemade cranberry and Apple chutney was made, and went down a treat along with Brandy Truffles and Sloe Gin!

For JP I made a very manly artist pencil wrap in suede, and a mobile phone holder. The boys got their Un-handmade Ben10 watches! but also one of my floppy bunnies (which had specific requirements!). Mmm, what else....... Aprons, needle cases and lavender hearts.

Jp got in on the act and made wire sculptures and cd compilations (with beautiful handmade illustrated covers).

We received lots of lovely goodies too, including these gorgeous handmade stockings made by Jane Foster. She is an extremely talented lady who I feel incredibly lucky to know very well. She makes fantastic bags, brooches and prints, all her own design. I strongly recommend you purchasing her work as she will be someone to watch!

With all this rain, I wish it would snow........ I will just have to enjoy our snowflakes on the window! Can't bear to take them down yet.

Just a little fun......

Try this, its quite fun!

What a year!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Well, everyone, what can I say except, what a year!

Here are possibly the 10 best things I have ever done, seen or heard or read in one year - 2007.

1 - Become an Aunty at last (3 times over)!

2 - Travelled to the other side of the world, Austrailia for a lifetime holiday and my sisters wedding.

3 - Sucessfully exhibited and sold at many craft fairs.

4- Read and made great new influential friends in blog land - Kim, Nonnie, Victoria, Jane and Cherry.

5 - Finally decorated our lounge!

6 - Had a fantastic summer holiday in Devon. (2 holidays in 1 year, unheard of!)

7 - Appreciated my father more than ever after his health scare.

8 - Found myself listening to Classical FM nearly everyday

9 - Made the decision that the countryside is for me, no more city life.

10 - The biggest shock ever, after 15 years the lovely man in my life finally asked me to marry him! (I said yes by the way!)

I feel that 2008 is going to be a busy one!