A quiet Christmas

These little chaps were pockets 24 and 25 on the fabric advent calendar.


They were a DMC kit I had in the stash for ages. Last year I finally got around to cutting them out but the foot intervened before I could make them. So one afternoon last week I settled down in the kitchen all snug by the fire with a film on "Christmas 24" and made them.. I had to supply the black and red ribbon as the original had got lost or borrowed.

We had a quiet little Christmas but as usual I had some lovely gifts.


The book is about tree bark and there are some amazing pictures that I hope will inspire me to make something from fabric. I love tree bark and often take photographs when we are out and about. The wee elephant is called Eddie and it seems he is into all things Christmas especially alcohol. This was confirmed when I found him here this morning

The western dvds will keep me occupied when using the exercise bike. I have still got to lose last Christmas's weight gain as well as this year's lot.

Libby and Steve came on Tuesday and we had more presents



a new elephant calendar, a wooden elephant for the herd and some note books. I love note books. I have many, all with empty pages, waiting for me to find something worthy to write in them.

I mentioned in the last post a package arrived from Soggibottom. Tia had some very scrummy chews. Well she said they were scrummy I didn't try them personally



Inside my package was pair of gloves.

They are wonderful with decorative beads and butterfly buttons to hold the loops in place. I was very impressed as they are knitted in 4ply yarn. I never knit in 4ply! Thank you Michele.

I don't know what the Christmas santas were up to but they were not making a very good job of keeping out the gale blowing under the door.


Thank you if you visited

it's nearly here!

I am all organised. Just in case there is a crisis like last year when Christmas Eve found me in hospital having a needle extracted from my foot.
biddle has a new jumper


my most recently knitted mittens have been sewn up



The tree is looking festive


I heard yesterday that the snowman arrived safely in Canada

so that's good.


have a good break

busy busy

It has been a busy week one way and another. Lots of bits and pieces to finish, presents to wrap and a few still to buy. As all the swap ornaments had been received I made the executive decision that we could open our ornaments early.
This what I made for Carmen

And here is the beautiful bauble I received from Renee

It came in a cute little bag wit two sachets to make a spicy Christmas drink

The bauble is part cross stitch and partly beaded.

A friend asked me to make a stocking for her daughter


I already had a stocking cut out so incorporated her love of purple in the fairy's dress. I lovingly blanket stitched around the figure and chain stitched her name. I quite enjoy blanket stitching.
We have had a bit of snow, nothing too drastic


A couple of weekends ago we visited the Saltaire Christmas fair. There were some lovely handcrafted things to buy. I was drawn towards this little tree. there were others in traditional green or white.But for some reason this BLUE one called out to me!

if you know me well you will also know I never buy blue things! The lady on the stall was lovely and I also bought a bag from her But no photo of that yet. The fair was earlier in the month than last year and I also managed to find a few gifts.

Our Christmas decorations are all up including the festive cats

and the new fairy I am still looking out for a suitable collar for her dress.


(edit) I have changed the photo I suddenly realised that it might be possible to read the address on the card in the background.


The postman brought surprises for Tia and me yesterday but I have hidden them away until Christmas (so no peeking). They came all the way from Devon.


On Wednesday I went to Huddersfield in the afternoon and visited a very nice little yarn shop. needless to say I bought some yarn. I was meant to go last time I went to Hudderfield but google gave me the wrong address and I didn't find it. When I enquired in the fabric shop in the market the told me the only yarn seller in Huddersfield was the one in the market. Later I meant John and after a very nice meal at Ciao Bella we went to see Kate Rusby
at the town hall. As usual she was wonderful, despite having a bit of a croaky cold. I have just seen that the next two dates were cancelled due to Kate losing her voice.

Still a few festive jobs to due. Biddle is pleased he might actually get a new jumper before Christmas this year.

The blog draw snowman is on his way to his new home I hope he arrives soon.

Thanks for reading.

blogaversary draw

Sorry it is a day late being posted


Snowman used his hat and the hand of John pulled out the winner


so the winner is Mary Anne

please get in touch so that I can wend him on his way.

Sorry you couldn't all win

What a muddle

The first week of December the snowmen are out.


The blogaversary chap is awaiting the draw


And there are new leaves on the little tree in the garden?


it has been a very strange Autumn. This time last year we had 10 inches of snow.

This year spring leaves.

The draw closes on 6th December to have a chance of winning you must comment on the last two November posts.

Good luck