How very fitting that King Winter arrived today when my own land turned to Narnia! Just look at how beautiful he is! This photograph really doesn't do him justice, he is stunning. Thank you so much Dawn - such a talented lady (now get that shop open ;o) ).
Hubby made a joke earlier about the lack of decorating going on here - my mood plummeted dramatically! I think my Yule gift list is starting to look a little daunting - trying to find the time and space to make some of the items with the children in the house is very frustrating, the house is still in need of some serious decorating since the extension at the beginning of the year. Heck, even the housework being done would be nice!! Maybe his comment was the kick up the butt I needed to give myself, so this evening I've got the fruit steeping in brandy ready to make the christmas cake tomorrow. I've made 3 of the 5 (only got 3 tea cups at the minute) tea cup candles for the pamper hampers. I've got some bath melts setting in the fridge. 
Think we can safely say that today is winter :o). Took this picture this afternoon once it had melted slightly - it did look much nicer this morning. I love the sound (or lack of) when you have a good layer of snow - blissful.
I'm sorry to say that one of the craft suppliers that I love is closing down so I thought I'd take advantage of their sale - go take a look over at altered element before it finally shuts.
Firstly, let me show you my gorgeous prize from the talented, strong, beautiful, amazing woman - Polly. She had a give-away on her blog to celebrate opening her shop and I won :0). Of all her artwork the above is the one I love the most so it's fantastic that I now have a print of my very own. Thank you so much Polly. 
So back to my title who needs facebook anyway! I know some people will think I'm slightly bonkers (actually I know a few people who think I'm more than bonkers ;o) ) but I darned some socks last night!!!! I found the Make Do and Mend book on the bootsale in the summer and it's full of really helpful stuff. Hubby was watching some of his programmes so I took myself off to the quiet (actually not really that quiet as I have a small child that is fastened to me with a very short piece of elastic) of my bedroom with my socks, some darning thread (bought years ago in a charity shop), my darning mushroom (another second hand gift), my needle book (handmade of course) and then spent a lovely evening darning socks. While sat there I was reminded of my Grandma who used to knit my Grandad his socks - it was such a lovely evening that continued long after the kids had gone to bed and hubby had gone to work. Who cares if I'm bonkers ;o). 
Thank you, everyone, for your continued support when needed and for your lovely comments which you leave. This blog would mean nothing really without other people reading it. Although it is primarily a record for me and my crafty adventures/rants/rambles/business ventures, it just wouldn't be the same without you lot. So, my 2 year blog-iversary give-away was drawn after tea...and the winner is Claire :o) (I'll be in touch asap).
I decided we needed some sweet stuff this morning so here we have almond and apple muffins, some shortbread (and the daily loaf of bread).
I finished these little handwarmers the other night - no pattern again, just made it up as I went along. Perfect for a 4 year olds stocking at Yule.
Aaron's crocheted scarf that I started at the GP weekend and completed at the beginning of the week. Two colours used at the same time again (as requested).
Remember the felted blanket I bought on the bootsale in the summer? Well I sat and made 2 storage boxes which shall be used for the pamper hampers. I'm also using the fabric storage boxes that I made in the summer which I never got round to putting in the shops.
One crocheted bookmark and one pin cushion. These are for Aaron - he's terrible for leaving books open flat and ruining the spines, so hopefully with a selection of bookmarks in his book holder that will also be made for Christmas, I can encourage him to store them better. He likes to sew puppets and things so he's his own pin cushion (plus one of the needle books that I put aside for him) to go in his stocking.
And lastly, a little something for me - a crochet choker. Took all of 30 mins. One chain of 75 (for my neck), one row of half treble, with a double all the way round that so it creates the loop on the end, then stitch a button on for fastening, easy peasy.
My goodness, what a hectic up and down few days we've had. The above is my Dad's cake for his birthday. As he doesn't really do birthdays, and he won't ever take us up on a meal invitation I decided we would take the meal to him and he wasn't allowed to make excuses :o). I think he actually enjoyed it too.
Next up was my mother-in-law's birthday so I made her a mini pamper hamper. A couple of bars of soap, some massage oil made from jojoba oil, sweet almond oil and patchouli and orange essential oils (her favourite), a jar of olive leaf and clay face mask, and a tea cup candle, all placed in a fabric tub.
Inbetween all the birthdays I had to pack for the Green parent weekend meet-up in the forest of dean. Above are the two orders I was taking with me and below is something I had to leave at home ;o).
I had such a lovely time over the weekend. I met some amazing people - some of which were exactly as I imagined and some not ;o). It's funny how, when reading blogs or through the things we say on the forum, we have an image of how that person is. Meeting them for the first time felt very odd indeed because we know so much about them already, but then there is so much we don't know about them as well. For me, it was a fabulous experience, and one I would definitely do again. For my eldest it was a completely different matter, and one I didn't fully appreciate until I'd gone to bed last night when it hit me and I felt awful for being such a useless mum. He was the eldest there (by quite alot), so had no-one to play with. When he brought out his puppet (which I suggested he take), it was immediately turned into a monster by the younger children (which is perfectly understandable but not usually how Aaron plays with it). Then Aaron was turned into the monster and pushed, shoved and shouted at for most of the weekend. So he was rather grumpy for most of the time :o(. He is such a sensitive boy, why I didn't see it from his side I don't know. Maybe I was just enjoying myself too much?! Why I didn't defend his mood when told "I'm glad that big boy is going home" I don't know. Maybe I didn't want to offend the other parents?! Why I wasn't more patient when he was clearly struggling with the disruption to the travel arrangements on the way home I don't know. I do know that I need to look at some of my parenting skills (or lack of). The whole thing brought me to tears last night (and while typing) so the first thing I'm going to do is apologise to him when he gets up. And sorry everyone else for this ramble but I needed to get it off my chest.
It doesn't seem like it's been over a week since my last visit! Anyway, I've got loads to show you so here goes. We going to the Green Parent meet up this weekend and have to travel by train so I thought JJ could do with a small bag. It's made like my purple shoulder bag and lined with denim.
This is a commissioned card from last week.
I've had another tattoo - the cat was already there, but I've had it re-freshed and all the flowers and bits added. I completely forgot to take a picture before hand!
JJ wanted a new scarf - he picked yellow and orange so I crocheted the two together so it was quicker, then added the fringe onto the ends. 
One of the Yule list - a reversible apron for my nephew.
Ten (plus two for me) san pro pockets and inners.
Chamomile soap ready in a few days so I'll hopefully get that in the shop later today. I've got loads to do - it's my Dad's birthday today so I'm making him a cake as he doesn't really do birthdays anymore so I thought this was a good compromise, we shall see. I've also got to get my MILs birthday present ready for Friday as I won't be here - I'm making her a pamper hamper as she's asked for something else for Christmas.
