Blissed out

We're Set

The Turkey is bought.  So are the potatoes, carrots, parsnips, sprouts, cranberries, red cabbage, brandy butter, assorted mince pies, Christmas pudding and Christmas pudding cheesecake (Oh how those M&S adverts lure us in!)
 

Plus, Cole and I have made over 100 chocolate chip cookies to give as gifts (rather good even if I say so myself), some rocky road, spiced mixed nuts, cranberry and pistachio biscotti, white chocolate candy cane bark, 3 Christmas cakes and a cushion (a gift from him to his Dad and step mum.) 

On top of that I've made cranberry sauce, candied peel, around 15 necklaces, written I don't know how many Christmas cards and am entertaining 11 people tomorrow for Christmas dinner!  Plus, did I mention I started a new job this month? When you list it all like that I think I've  right to feel rather pleased with myself!

I'm so pleased with the cushion Cole made for his Dad and stepmum - it's inspired by an idea in sew hip magazine. OK, I did do a lot of the sewing machine stuff but he did all of the printing and embroidery-plus he picked all of the fabric. 

I hope you're similarly sorted for the holidays in your own way.  Happy Christmas - here's to a happy, healthy, peaceful and fiscally stable 2009. 

Jo x

 

Happy Holidays from a woman of extremes!

I spent the weeks running up the Christmas generally running around - or sitting being very busy (for the first time in my life I actually felt like knitting had turned into a chore - if only for a bit!) Like many of us crafters, I think I over stretched myself a tad. I baked, I knitted, I sewed, I baked some more, I wrapped, I shopped, I knitted, I baked some more and so it went on!

I was really proud of the second pair of gloves I made - proper ones, with fingers and everything! I was surprised how easy they were to do - thank you Louisa Harding (again-I think I may be turning into a groupie.)

I was kicking myself because I was 3/4 of the way through a scarf to match the hat and gloves but I didn't get it finished until Christmas day - only I had to drop the present off to my friend Diane of Christmas eve! She was pretty understanding but I wish I'd timed things better.

And guess what? My Mum loved her scarf! I was so pleased because, as I'm mentioned last week, I was feeling pretty nervous about giving it to her. But she said all of the right things - how you would pay so much money for something like that in the shops and how lovely it is to have something that's totally unique. I loved her so much for saying that and it really did make me feel like I'd done a good thing and done something so much nicer than simply buying her something she'd never really use or appreciate.

Christmas itself was really lovely this year. I only have Cole every other year for Christmas and this was my year so Christmas eve and morning were extra special. Cole and I iced our numerous Christmas cakes (I always make my Dad a big one and we did 4 little ones to give as gifts, along with some, even if I do say so myself, rather fantastic marbled chocolate brownies. We could barely get into the fridge for edible gifts! Still they all seem to have gone down well and been much appreciated.

This is the one I made for my Dad - he said it looked like I'd nailed the stars on! (they're edible silver balls - just in case anyone really does think I've used nails!)

Christmas eve Cole was soooo excited that he went to bed no problem AT ALL!!! In fact, he couldn't wait to get to bed. John and I watched 'It's a Wonderful Life' which he'd never seen and I cry at every time. Then we put Cole's stocking out, brought his presents out to put under the tree, ate the mince pie and left a few crumbs, sprinkled glitter aka magic fairy dust over the fire place to show that Santa had been and covered the doorway with wrapping paper so that Cole had to burst through it next morning. He was so excited it was lovely.

We then had 36 hours of family and business - I cooked Christmas dinner for my Mum and Dad and then had John's family over yesterday. Cole's now gone to his Dads for a couple of days and all the relatives have gone so the house is all so quiet. I've not moved from the same spot on the sofa! I really have gone from one extreme to the other. I've been lovingly reading my Christmas books - Amy Butlers In Stitches and The Crafters Companion which has loads of really inspirational projects and blogs to check out.

I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed with the number of things I want to make, like NOW! So many crafting projects, so little time!

I think I've eaten my own body weight in Christmas cake and am actually looking forward to healthy eating and no alcohol (I'm not a big drinker so a couple of days with a glass in my hand has really taken it's toll on me- I don't think I've been drunk exactly, just merry for 48 hours and I feel unhealthy and bloated as a result) I was actually craving broccoli today - broccoli for heavens sake!

I hope you have a wonderful holiday period, whatever your beliefs, creed or religion and enjoy a well earned rest. Happy Holidays!

Jo x

last minute Christmas Gifts - Book Thongs

Here's a really simple last minute idea for Christmas gifts that can easily be made with kids. Cole and I made some book thongs for relatives too far away to see over the holidays-aunts, cousins, and a long distance Grandma. They take minutes to make and and look really pretty.

Materials:
Glass beads - assorted colors and sizes
Seed beads - either to match or contrast your glass beads
Waxed beading cotton
Clear nail varnish or beading cement

1. Take a length of waxed cotton that is around 6 inches longer than the length of the average book.
2. Tie a knot in one end and pull it tight so that it forms a small, tight knot.
3. Thread a seed bead onto the cotton and push it down so that it partly covers the knot.
4. Thread several glass beads in colors of your choice onto the thread. About 2-3 in descending sizes should look nice. Follow by another seed bead (or 2 or 3) -I like to use contrasting colored ones to the glass beads.
5. Tie a knot and push it down so that it sits right above the top seed bead. This stops the beads from moving around.

6. Tie another knot about 8 inches further down the waxed cotton. Thread another bead sandwich (seed bead, glass bead, followed by another seed bead) and tie another knot on top of the last seed bead. Make sure the knot is tight and then cut off the excess cotton close to the knot.
7. Paint clear nail varnish or beading cement over the knots. This will stop them from coming undone and the beads coming off.
Leave the varnish to dry and your done!

Use as many different colors as you've beads - contrast, or match them - just have a play around. You can also get different colored cotton which can look really pretty.

Finally it looks like Christmas!

At long, Loooong last the house looks Christmassy. We have managed to get the sofa in and that meant that we were also finally able to install the tree and decorate the house. It finally feels like the holidays are coming.

Look at our new sofa! (not to mention how clean and tidy the living room looks - Not it's usual state I can assure you!)

I was really please with my window treatments - I had lots of lovely ribbon in my stash bag and thought this would be a nice way to use some of it. The baubles were cheap buys from a store selling off decorations so close to Christmas. I must improve my photography skills though - I'm so in love with SouleMama and her wonderful pictures that I want to emulate her. How do you take an effective picture in front of a window and not just show everything through the glass (my neighbours shed isn't quite the glamorous look I was going for!)

Christmas presents -Another Shawl

I was really unsure what to get for John's Mum this year and he was insistent that she'd love a shawl, like the one I'd made on holiday. So I've just finished it in a lovely Louisa Harding Kimono Angora. I'm still always a bit shy of giving home made gifts - I think my Mum put me off a bit because I think she's from the generation where things had to be made at home because they couldn't afford to buy new things. So now that she has to money and doesn't have to worry about not having enough, I think she still sees homemade as second best - well, that's what I'm assuming because in the past she's been a bit unimpressed with any home made gifts or crafting I've done.

Since I've been knitting regularly, I've made some lovely things and this has probably boosted my confidence a bit. So this year I'm going to give it another go and am making my Mum a scarf - again from my favorite Louisa Harding Kimono Angora. I'm doing a nice lacy pattern and I'm swinging between loving it totally to feeling shy and unsure about whether it's good enough to give as a gift to my Mum. I keep worrying about the color, the style, whether it's neat enough - I'm turning into a knitting perfectionist and it's taking all the pleasure out of it! And I know I'm being silly because my Mum's lovely and I'm sure she'll love the fact that I've put so much effort into it if nothing else. Plus, we share similar tastes so there's a good chance she'll love the yarn and pattern.

Funny how we can be all grown up and still crave approval - or fear disapproval from those nearest to us. What's the worst that can happen? She'll sell it on ebay!

Christmas presents - handmade chocolates

Cole and I are like Santa's elves this year. I love making things with him. It took me a while to find my feet and confidence as a Mum - I didn't find it easy to play games like football or just much about and be silly (although I have to say, I've gotten MUCH better with practice!) But one of the things I've always enjoyed doing with Cole is making things and Cole is always working away on something that it's a lovely thing that we both enjoy doing together.

So this year we're making a lot of our Christmas presents at home and this weekend we made home made chocolates. There seems to be a glut of really fancy chocolate popping up all over the place from fancy shops to supermarkets. They always look so pretty but are pretty pricey so we thought we could do better ourselves. I have to say that the results were thrilling (I'm I going over the top being 'thrilled' by homemade chocolates? what am I saying? It's chocolate - it doesn't need any other excuse!) and they were so easy to make, not to mention pretty.
Ingredients Needed:
- good quality chocolate - 70% cocoa if possible in a variety of flavours - Milk, dark, white etc. Green and Blacks is great but many supermarkets now do excellent own brands too.
- Selection of toppings - go with whatever you fancy or you think will look good, but here are some of our suggestions:
orange zest
-sultanas
-pistachios
-dried cranberries
-Tiny fudge pieces
-mini marshmallows

Directions

Start by lining a container with foil - get it as smooth as possible.

We did a marbled effect first so used milk chocolate and white chocolate. Melt them either in a microwave or put a heatproof dish over a pan of water and heat the water. You want to melt the chocolate slowly and be careful it doesn't burn (if you're using a microwave, try zapping it for 1 minute to begin with and then for 30 seconds at a time until it's all melted.)

Pour the melted chocolate into the container. If you want a marbled effect, try pouring the white and milk chocolate into different ends of the container and then use a cocktail stick or knife to swirl them together.

Adding the toppings was great fun - almost like making an edible collage. In the milk/white chocolate we put tiny pieces of fudge, marshmallows and cookie.

In the white chocolate the dried cranberries and freeze dried strawberries (taken from a well known breakfast cereal!) look so pretty it almost seems a shame to eat them.

Leave them in the fridge for an hour or so and once completely set, cut into pieces.

We tied up in some cellophane Christmas bags we thought they could definitely give the shops a run for their money - although there is a bit of me seriously worried they won't last until Christmas...might be a diet challenge to see them in the fridge every day.

Lovely Yarn

I'm still beavering away with my Christmas present knitting. I'm mid way through a shrug for my niece who's almost two and cute as a button. I'm being a bit daring and sort of doing my own design - I found some lovely cotton yarn by Palette yarns and I thought I might edge it with some ribbon or maybe do some crochet flowers - I haven't decided yet but it's quite exciting being 'off pattern' and free to do whatever I like (and a tiny bit scary!)

I'm having a cosy day in to myself today with Cole at his Dad's and John out watching the football. The weather here is SO miserable - one of those days that doesn't properly get light and you end up having to have the lamps on indoors all day. It's cold and windy out too (Personally I think John is mad to be going out in it) so I'm staying in by the heater and knitting, baking and watching Saturday afternoon films (the Journey of Natty Gann which I remember watching years ago. It's got a very young John Cusack in it too)

I baked a third Christmas cake which is wafting it's scent wantonly throughout the house. I've had nothing but green juice so far and might treat myself to some soup in a bit - I'm feeling a bit delicate because I drank a bottle of wine last night and got drunk for the first time in ages.

I think it was a bit of a release. I've come off the pill and we're hoping to be pregnant within the next few months. WELL, the sensible me is hoping for the next few months, the insensible, impulsive, childlike me wants it to happen NOW! And with getting pregnant comes all of the fears -of miscarriage, what'll happen to my body? will John and I pull together or apart like Cole's dad and I? WIll he still find me attractive? Will I lose my mind? Will we have enough money? Do we have enough space? Can I do think again? Will Cole feel left out? etc, etc, etc! To the point where I thought my head would explode! I think the wine was my way of giving up the fight - just sinking into silliness but actually all that happened was that I burst into tears, couldn't stop crying (John thinking, Oh great, is this what she's going to be like everyday until the baby's here?) and had to go to bed early! So I guess I'm also feeling a bit embarrassed too, especially as John doesn't drink any more so I know what it's like to be sober when someone else is stupidly drunk!

I'm feeling much calmer today - I know that many of the questions are simply answered with 'It'll be fine' and 'You'll cope' and I know how much we want this baby and how loved it will be. I also know that unless I relax a bit more, I won't enjoy the whole thing - the baby making, the pregnancy, the birth - everything, and in fact will make many of my fears likely to come true (effects of stress on miscarriage risk anyone?) so my prime goal needs to be to stay chilled - so an afternoon knitting in front of easy on the brian films is ideal.

The postman brought me a lovely package of yarn this morning - I managed to find some of my favorite Louisa Harding Kimono Angora on sale. I love Kimono Angora - it knits up beautifully and feels incredibly warm and soft. It needs bamboo needles really - I originally tried with metal ones but they were too slippery. I'm going to knit a scarf and gloves set for myself (hey, I need Christmas pampering too!) and one for my Mum, which I'm a bit unsure about as she's never been a big fan of homemade presents - I think it goes back to when she was growing up and longed to be able to afford shop bought things. I suppose home made was viewed as second class to her. But I've got a lovely pattern idea in mind and the yarn feels so soft and luxurious that I'm hoping she'll be won over.