Going Down To Christmas Town

I've long since loved these little Christmas villages that fill shop windows and mantle pieces of more organised Christmas decorators. There's lots of styles out there, paper ones which light up, traditional looking house to the really fanciful sorbet colour ones, they're not something we see a lot in the UK. 

I absolutely love them, and as we have a lovely mantle to fill this year, I hope to create my own little house village. 

However with presents to buy and a BIG family holiday to save for, I don't have a lot of money to spend on these beauty's.

I can however afford this gory lot, 5 old style little decorative houses taken from a charity's donation only box, costing the grand price of £2. 

I already have paints, brushes and more importantly glitter. I think I can make these the start of my village. 

I do have some training with doing this style of painting as I used to work for Border fine Arts painting ceramic animals all day, but I especially love the idea of something that used to be treasured being precious again.

My favourite so far is the centre house has it's taller than the rest and has a perfect Christmas style tree next to it.

Are you making your own Christmas decorations this year? Which is your most treasured decoration?

Amanda.x.

Epiphany

Epiphany: The sudden realization or comprehension of the essence of something.


So this blog post hopefully fills in my absence from before Christmas, not Christmas is normally a very hectic time for me and this year was no exception. It's normally the best chance of getting overtime at work(Monsoon), I had my own makes and commissions to finish as well as doing all my shopping and cards etc....
I love Christmas but never actually rest long enough to completely enjoy it, all I wan to do on the day is sleep.
However this year something happened, my cousin Lesley died very unexpectedly she was 38 and left behind a loving husband and 6 young children 2 days before Christmas. She was a wonderful person and it was heartbreaking to think of her family without her. 


It made me concentrate on what actually matters, my own family, so every spare moment I had I tried to spend more time with them than doing for others, we made paper chains, I enjoyed the wonderful biscuits Hubby made with them, I tried to relax when I got home from work so I wasn't so tired when I was with them, I hugged them harder.  I loved them more. 
So sorry blogging world I was too busy to talk but I had things to do, we had Santas to visit, things to bake, gifts to make and people to appreciate; I'm sorry to say I didn't blog about any of them..
This year I enjoyed Christmas because I had the realization that it wasn't about gifts,cards,posh food, drink but family, just sat round chatting enjoying each other, and that is exactly what I did.

I hope you enjoyed your time together this year.
Amanda.x.

Why I'm a bad crafting blogger?

Because I keeping making things and not showing the process before it's done.

I got this far on making Maisie a crochet cardigan before going "Bugger I should have blogged that", and there was plenty to blog as it's the first crocheted garment I've ever made. 

A quick run down would be I picked the pattern, printed it, started the first line of cardigans bobbles and decided I didn't like it, threw pattern away, and made up the rest. 

I got this far before even thinking to try it on Daughter.  

Yes I'm that type of crafter, but thankfully it does indeed fit and looks quite cardigan like.  

I have the yoke to finish and Maisie would like little sleeves added.

I may have to try and work out how I made it now, so I can write it up as a pattern.

 Also another crafting success but forgotten in the blogging write up was my little Mistletoe brooch, it took few goes to get this right, the hardest bits being the little bobble berries, they can end up looking quite big or messy. The brooch is now for sale in my Maisielu shop here.

I think it would make a nice gift for any Winter loving friend or relative, I have one on my jacket and it gets lots of comments.

Thank you for reading,

love Amanda.x.

December 1st - So it begins.

 Merry December 1st, in my house this is officially the start of Christmas in that the decorations begin to appear around the house. Hubby doesn't like it looking too Christmassy so early, so I tend to start with just a few pieces and build up until Tree time.

I've had these tiny silver angels for a few years bought from a little gift shop in Carlisle, their little metal bodies shine against the lights.

 My crocheted snowflakes, I have a few of these in various sizes so they tend to appear and move around normally ending up on the Tree.

 This year is the first year that we've had a fireplace, which is wonderful.  I've found the children looking up it with my sons Thomas the Tank Engine Torch, to see if they though Santa would fit down, they're still not sure that he would and have decided he'd probably come in the front door using his magic key,like in our other house(oh the lies we tell).

 Maisie and I spent today making paper chains, I wanted to do Christmas crafts and focus on making things for Christmas rather than everything being bought, my Mum still has things we made as children and it gives me a really warm feeling when I see them at this time of year. I bought these paper chains from Marks and Spencer for £3.50, I could have cut the paper out and got some pritstik but she was too impatient and  wanted to be making, it's rare at this time of year to get time together to just enjoy a simple thing like that so I wasn't going to argue.

 These are my new Christmas lights, waiting to go on the Tree I love the green/blue colours. Behind is the children's Playmobil calender, they have a chocolate one too but I liked the idea of them building up a winter scene which they could get out each year.  

Have you started your Christmas build up yet, or are you a last minute person?

Love Amanda.x.

Oxford Baby!

 We went to Oxford last weekend of November sorry I'm just getting round to telling you.

A while ago I was lucky enough to win a weekend away through the Skillscape section of Ready For 10, 

a great website for parents with lots of information and ideas for your family. The competition I won included 2 nights Dinner, Bed and Breakfast in a Four Pillars Hotel, now being from the North I've never heard of this chain of hotels but was delighted to find they were based in some of the most beautiful parts of the country including Oxford, a place that I've always wanted to visit. 

So hotel was booked, we choose to stay at The Oxford Spires which was the closest to Oxford centre, I had a wonderful rose tinted idea that we'd drive down early on the Saturday book in, wonder into town for a few hours then come back to the hotel for Dinner and relax in hotel watching Strictly Come Dancing, with some knitting and wine. 

However the weather had other ideas laying down pretty heavy in the North but not getting past Manchester it did mean that we hit loads of traffic jams and had to drive slow, not getting to Oxford till 5pm, we did try to head for town but as it was -10 and dark realising we'd only get their when the shops were closing we turned back. The hotel didn't have a dinner booking till late and with 2 children that get extra grumpy if they go past their 7pm bedtime, we choose to get room service.  The rooms was well set out with a cot and sofa bed and still had plenty of room but only had 5 channels on their TV, much to Maisies astonishment as she thought all TVs came with Cbeebies, we got them settled and ordered room service which for a family meal was a lot of trips by the poor staff, but wow it was good food.

Maisie stealing chips before Lucas digs in.

 Look at those amazing puddings, Maisie loved the fork design, and thought the person that drew them was very good. Below is Maisies contribution to the service questionnaire.

We had a wonderful walk along the Thames into town on the Sunday, even seeing a deer prancing along the riverbank but bloody hell it was cold, it didn't reach above -9 the whole time which led to very cold and grumpy children. Now I would have loved to have done all our Christmas shopping that weekend and wondered around gallery's and museums but I've been a Mummy long enough to know that they would get stressed, Hubby would get stressed and I'd want to cry, so instead we escaped the cold and had chocolate and cake before going anywhere.

 While we were there the Oxford Castle Christmas market started which was beautiful and with hot chocolate in our belly we stomped around the lovely market stalls, we bought some handmade goodies for gifts, I loved the Christmas goodies, especially the hot spiced cider, and the tree was so beautifully understated in the lovely surroundings mixing modern buildings with old.

 I loved the Christmas goodies, especially the hot spiced cider, and the tree was so beautifully understated 

 but quickly we got cold again so retired back to the hotel. We had a lovely swim, and at this point I'd like to congratulate the Oxford Spires on their pool, it is the warmest I've evr been in and really perked my children up normally they're shivering after ten minutes but not here. Then back for room service supper and wine but too knackered for knitting.

The next day was going home day, but I thought the kids needed to see something they'd remember and really shops just ain't that. So we went to Oxford University Museum of Natural History and wow look at that building it's awesome. If you're in Oxford you have to visit this place, Maisie(4) and Lucas(2) were mesmerised by everything.  Maisie was also very excited that she was off school for the day, but we explained that this was still part of a school, third school she called it(university).

For Lucas it was definitely all about the dinosaurs, its one of the few words he can say without prompting and he loved the displays, a little too much in some cases.  Just after this photo he ran up and shook the dinosaurs hand and got chased off it by a passer-by.

Maisie loved the displays with bugs and beasties, asking her Dad to explain everything to her. She loved all the different butterfly colours.

She also liked showing her little brother round and explaining the exhibits to him, she really enjoys her role of big sister and always watches out for Lucas.

Thankfully the journey home was uneventful, and the show held off till we reached the Lake District where it magically turned into a winter wonderland much to everyone's joy.

Thank you Ready for Ten for the first holiday with just the four of us, it was a wonderful adventure for us all.

Amanda.x.

On the Twelfth Day of Christmas my true brought to me...

Twelve Balls of wool....Yes 12 balls of wool....

I would love enough wool to knit myself a full size item of clothing, maybe a shrug or tank top but never have enough pennies for the outlay and I'm always worried with how long I take to make things the dye lot will have gone if I need more.

This looks like a interesting blend & I love the colour, it can be bought from The Life Craft for the amazing price of £2.99. Hint hint.

However if that's too much this would be lovely for a Spring Shawl the colour way is Sea Urchin and it's hand dyed by Abstract Cat Crafts on Misi, amazing deepness of hues & only £12.

Well the build up to Christmas has well and truly started, I've hopefully given you some great ideas for gifts. Now go shop, but remember Christmas is about family, food and relaxation.

Amanda.x.

On the Sixth, Seventh, Eight, Ninth and Tenth day of of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A bloody chest and sinus infection, making me feel yuck and spewy.


Hence me not really keeping up with the advent, but after a huge dose of nasty antibiotics (which my Doctor described as bleach for the body) I'm starting to feel a whole lot better, although I also fell on the ice we had meaning I also have a sore back. Grr, enough of this blah humbug.
Here are some beautiful photographs my lovely Husband brought me back when I was too ill to leave the house, he has a really good eye and I really wish I could afford to get him a fancy camera for Xmas.

 Happy Winter Days 

Amanda.x.

Five Pom Pom Rings.......

Okay so there's six rings but I wouldn't mind an extra one, would you? As a crafter I love crafting gadgets and pom pom makers are top on the list of cool ones, these are just examples of the ones in my local 

wool shop but they can bought in other styles, sizes and shapes. 

Yes shapes the one at the bottom makes heart shaped pom poms. I have some basic round ones already but pom poming is addictive and easy for all ages so if you're stuck what to buy for your niece or crafting friend for Christmas, one of these and a ball of basic wool will score you high brownie points.

That's if you don't keep it for yourself.

Happy Yuletide.

Amanda.x

On the Fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Four tweetie birds on a T.

This t-shirt is so cosy, I adore those button eyed birdies, tweet tweet and has been hand embellished by iEllie over on Folksy. This would make a lovely unique give for any lady.

Amanda.x

On the Third Day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

Three Happy little Hens...

These are so cute and would  make a great addition to a child's jumper or even a ladies cardi, the colours are wonderful and they do indeed look like happy hens, and would make a great stocking filler for a crafty friend.
The buttons are from Amandas Attic over on Folksy for the bargin price of £3.95.

Happy holidays.
Amanda.x.

On the Second Day of Christmas my true gave to me....

Two pretty Doves on cushion for my settee... 

And what a beautiful cushion it is from the lovely Helcat Design on Misi, I'd be very happy to receive this on Christmas day.


Hope you're enjoying the festive build up.
Amanda.x.

On the First day of Christmas my true love gave to me...

A Beautiful craft book and a cup of tea.


Now every year my family seems to forget what my biggest hobbies are and never buy me anything craft based for my stocking, I ask for wool and they just chuckle, a jelly roll got me strange looks, I even have a huge Amazon wishlist of crafty books they could easily pick from.
But no every year I get told I'm hard to buy for, and I kind of understand it, if you're not craft orientated then how do you know where to start. Well start with a nice craft book, even if the projects aren't something they'd make straight away craft are beautiful to look through for inspiration. 
I was lucky enough to be sent Stitch! by Cath Kidston to review, and if you have any friends into making things then this is the book to buy them for Christmas. 


STITCH!
This book is a new look at needlepoint and cross stitch which often get thought of as old fashioned,but is probably one of the simplest ways to embroider on cloth, and one I learnt early as a child.
The projects use a lot of Kidstons iconic patterns as well as sticking to to basic designs for beginners. Most of the projects are quick to make and low cost.
Not all the projects are roses and dots though, look at this stunning Cowboy, this will look great in my sons bedroom.

The layout of the book is clear and simple with stage by stage instructions being very easy to follow. It would make a great book for a crafty teenager to have a go at and there's some makes in the book which would be especially suited to a young crafter, such as the badges below.

I especially liked the Union Jack pencil case, I think this may be my first new year project to sort my crochet hooks into, the colour ways can easily be adapted to suit your tastes.

If you do choose to buy your loved one this book it should be accompanied by a cup of tea and a good couple of hours to plan their next project.

Which is happily included in the book, as there is nothing worse than getting a beautiful new book only to have to wait till the shops open before you can make anything.
This book contains a giveaway project to make a lovely new purse for yourself too.
The book retails at £14.99.

Enjoy your first day of Christmas, was it a snowy one for you?
Amanda.x.

Baby, its cold outside

Now I'm going to tell you a little secret, come closer....

Whoo, there I said it.

Today in our anti-snow country its a bit daunting to say such things but there is something so pretty about everything being wrapped in a blanket of white, like nature pulling the duvet over and saying hey I wanna stay in bed.

I know for some its been a traumatic time, falls, frozen pipes, no heating, broken bones, no bread, chilblains, schools closed etc... but I think it has given a lot of people myself included a wonderful opportunity to slow down and enjoy life, and their family.

My Christmas as usual was a hurried affair, working in retail I worked till late Christmas Eve and was back in 8am Boxing day, but the snow made everything last longer, I enjoyed going everywhere a little slower, staying inside crafting while drinking hot chocolate, playing in the snow, explaining weather systems to my 3 year old, watching my husband building a snowman with her, seeing Lucas touch snow for the first time, going sledging together, all this is more precious than any commercial bought gift could be.

Wishing for more snowy times ahead.

Amanda.x.