Day Seven

I have been so busy painting and decorating  (like you do two and a half weeks before Christmas) that I almost forgot to do a blog post today. But Mum called round at lunchtime and brought a beautiful garland for our front door. She makes me one every year.

 

 

Shame it was so dark that I couldn't manage an in focus photo.

But it does look lovely... thank you Mum!

Day Six

Yesterday was the last meeting of my group 'Spectrum' for this year. For our first exhibition we focused on colour but now a lot of our work has been using just black and white. There was a bit of grumbling in the ranks at first that I was limiting their colour choices but several members are now really enjoying the graphic qualities of working in just black and white... with just a hint of one accent colour.

 

 

For our last meeting we were stitching together a patchwork of black and white fabrics, many of which had been printed by the members earlier this year and making little hanging bags until Sue suggested they would make cute little birds.

 

So I had to really... no bags for me but two quirky birds with bells on...

 

for hanging up in trees or wherever you fancy!

Day Five

Yesterday's mitts were not the only ones I've made... I knitted these over the weekend too. Owl mitts as featured in the latest issue of Mollie Makes.

 

 

When I saw them on the cover I knew they would be a perfect Christmas present for a certain someone who is crazy about animals

 

I hope she likes them!

 

Knitted in Quince & Co. 'Osprey' (not Owl)... with loads of yarn left over!

Day Four

I learned something today.

That one 50g ball of Debbie Bliss Riva will make a pair of Maine Morning Mitts.

 

 

But it's a bit touch and go... this was all that was left... I kid you not.

I had visions of a mad dash to the yarn shop as I need them for tonight.

 

I started them last night and finished them about an hour ago... just in time for our book club Secret Santa this evening... a little 'Look after your hands' package.

 

Trouble is I quite like them. Is it bad form to pick out your own secret Santa present?

 

Oh... I thought so... but it was worth asking.

Day Three

I was meant to be holding an Open Studio at home this weekend but with everything that happened with Barley and the various vet visits etc, I just couldn't cope with the thought of getting the house tidied up and ready and people in and out of the house all day on Sunday. (Not to menton the preparation of promised mince pies and mulled wine). As a result, despite reasonable sales at a local church Christmas market on Saturday I've been left with a lot of seasonal stock!

 

 

I was particularly pleased with these cards... thay amused me muchly... although not anyone else it would seem. Romance is obviously dead!

Luckily I only made ten of this design and they can be stored away for next year.

 

However, I'm not sure the lavender bags will be quite so fragrant by this time next year and I only sold a couple.

 

So as a result, the remaining four pairs have gone into my Etsy shop this afternoon.

 

And if they don't sell by Christmas they'll be going into the family's Christmas stockings.... which could be interesting as my family is mostly men!

Day Two

Today's Sunday lunch combo of soup, bread and cake...

 

 

Leek and potato soup with soda bread... (just what was needed after a long walk in the frosty sunshine this morning)

 

Followed by a generous slice of Dorset Apple Cake.

My pleasures are simple!

Day One

Thank you all so much for your lovely comments and messages about Barley. I think it is going to take us all quite a while to get used to the big gap he has left in our lives. I'm trying to cope by keeping busy so I thought I would do what I have done for the past two years during December and make a blogging advent calender.

 

 

Twenty four posts, one each day during December up to Christmas day.

 

Totally mad of course, But I don't care... want to join me?

 

I will start day one with a photo of our 'real' advent calender because I would hate to break a blogging habit and I think this has been on my blog each December since I started blogging five years ago. It's hanging up as it has done each year since I made it and the bags are filled with chocolates but I don't think anyone has noticed yet. Perhaps my men would have preferred Ali's beer calendar?

 

Whatever... the countdown has begun!