Two Days....

Two days, both holding two different meanings for me.  Firstly, my first born turned 14.  We opened presents, we gathered the larger family together to have food and celebrate,....

...we ate cake, we laughed, we listened to music...

....we gave him his own door key (thank you Claire for the idea), with a keyring made by the fabulous Pippa.  Go take a peek at her shop ...she can do bespoke items too :o).  As I was in the kitchen for most of the day I also made the Christmas puds.

Second day...the six year anniversary marking the day my Mum died.  I still dwell on the details of the day, even though I know I shouldn't.  I know I would get loads more christmassy things done if I weren't counting down the days until this day, but.... on the actual day (the 21st) I'm actually ok.  I light a candle, my mood lifts, I think of her, I made two lots of soap in preparation for my first craft fairs, I made the cards for the boys and the Hubby...

 ...I finished the chocolate frog earrings (a pair for a lovely friend and a pair for me)...

...I made some hanging snowmen for two other lovely friends from the home ed group.  By the end of the night I was very excited about Christmas again.  I dreamt about her overnight...she came to see me...she's still there, in my heart :o).

Clear-out

What is it about the New year that makes me want to clear things up, sort things out and tidy things away? Anyway, after sorting out DS3's bedroom the other day I started on my own. I have half my craft supplies in there (where else would they be!) so it does look slightly cluttered but there's not much I can do about that so I sorted my drawers out. Blimey, how many pairs of pants does one person need ;-). I now have a pile for the charity shop (not said pants) and tidier drawers and wardrobe. Woohoo.

Last night I did the annual ritual of sorting out the Christmas cards. I keep the close family ones then cut up the rest to use for next year. The rubbish bits of the cards that I don't use go in the christmas card recycling boxes.

Last Card

This is the last Christmas card I am making and it is for my darling hubby. I did it with my watercolour pencils again - it as actually darker than the photo shows - while he was in bed from his night shift.

I'm hoping to finish my secret Christmas present today and start the knitted monster, but we'll see how the rest of the day goes.

Cards for our boys

These are the cards I have done for our 3 boys. I drew them last night (during a candle ladened power cut) using the watercolour pencils I have. I'm not a great artist but you have to give it a go don't you. Just got to do one more for my darling other half.

Cards

More cards. I actually make these with card and the old cards from previous years that have been cut up.

More cards and bag

Well, I was hoping to have some pictures of more cards I have made and the bag with motif I have done, but one camera (the one I usually use) is in the garage with the camper van and the other camera is one I have never used before so don't know how to upload the pictures. Maybe tomorrow then ;-).

I realised that I have 3 birthday cards and 1 new baby card to make as well. I think December is the month of lists isn't it.

Cards and Scarf

We've had a busy day today. We were supposed to go swimming but the weather was so miserable we didn't fancy it, so instead we made cream toffee, I made 14 Christmas cards and then this evening I finished the scarf (they'll be a photo of that tomorrow as ds1 took it to bed with him). Now ds2 would like a scarf too - this is great as he isn't usually bothered by things I make at all. The kids also want to make some different sweets to give as presents so that's another one for the list.

Also, one of the lovely mamas off the Green Parent forum has posted a recipe for bath melts (with coca butter) so I might just have to add them to the list too.