Making Christmas wreaths.

Last Sunday I did a mini course with Coralie (my daughter, for anyone who doesn't know me) We each made a needle felted Christmas wreath.

The course was held in Peterborough, in the basement of a lovely shop which I had never seen before, called Art in the Heart.  If you are ever in Peterborough, stop by as they have some fabulous goodies.  I could have spent a fortune but luckily for me, (or rather Simon), we arrived just as the course was starting and by the time it ended the shop was closing.

Despite the fact that Coralie claims she had told me it was needle felting, I was under the impression that we were making bog standard wreaths with foliage, pine cones and berries.  You know the kind of thing. You can pick them up in the supermarket for about £15.  Once I realised what we were actually doing  the cost made more sense.

To be honest I wasn't sure what to think as I have never tried needle felting.  It turned out to be a brilliant afternoon with my daughter and we both enjoyed it very much.  There were only 4 of us and the tutor, Eve Marshall, was excellent.  It tuns out that she lives a few villages away from me and she does lots of classes so I may have another go in the new year. 

Having never done any needle felting I was a little apprehensive as to how it would turn out and if I could actually get it done in time.  Well, I am actually thrilled with what I produced.  A bright, colourful wreath complete with a Robin (my favourite bird) and I made it all myself!  Here's a few photo's 

Here are the finished wreaths

The blue one above is Coralie's and the red and green one below is mine.  I have it hanging on my living room door.

The actual process of needle felting is fairly easy.  It is the artistic side of things that I would struggle with I think. It is very relaxing and you can do it whilst having a good old chat. Just don't lose concentration because it flipping hurts if you accidentally push the barbed needle into your finger!  Yes, I did do that several times.  I also broke a total of 4 needles!  Not to worry as Eve, says she factors broken needles into the cost of her beginner classes!!

So what do you think?  Have you tried needle felting before?  I purchased the materials to make a second Robin so I shall definitely be giving it another go.

Our Christmas

So did you all have a great Christmas?  Ours was lovely.  We spread it out over 3 days to ensure that we saw everyone.  We collected Saskia from the station on Christmas Eve and went over to Coralie's as we were not going to be seeing them on the big day.

Christmas day was lovely as it was just the 3 of us to start out,  Saskia was up first to make the coffee and then she had a stocking of presents in our bedroom.  She had gifts for us too.  We were doing a secret Santa thingumy this year so she wasn't supposed to have anything for us.

We went to Sam and Lisa's house for dinner.  It was the very first time in the whole of our married life that we have not cooked Christmas dinner!  It was lovely!  Everyone then went to Coralie's but we went home to be with Loulou.  It was quite hard not having Alfie with us. We miss him so much. It was nice to have the evening just the 2 of us.

Boxing day was a lovely slow start again with just the 2 of us.  Verity and Steve arrived with Jackson just after lunch and everyone else came shortly after.  We had more presents and a great time, finishing up with a buffet.

The following day we hit Kiddicare for pram shopping.  It took some time time to find the right one and we actually ended up buying a Mothercare one. Saskia is thrilled with it which is the main thing.

I thought you might like to see some photos.

 

   

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 So that was our Christmas in a brief nut shell.  Saskia went home on Saturday and we are now alone again.  Only 360 days until we do it all again!!

Christmas Eve 2013

Not sure how it is already Christmas Eve.  The year flies by so fast.  We are doing OK.  Still incredibly sad over Alfie.  Loulou is at a loss.  She doesn't know what to do and keeps crying. I don't know how to help her.

Anyway, I just wanted to pop by to wish you all a very Happy |Christmas and enough Blessings for the coming year.

I Wish You Enough

I wish you enough love in your heart, and enough communion with your soul.

I wish you enough light to illuminate your lessons, and enough dark to integrate your wisdom.

I wish you enough giving to open your heart, and enough receiving to bring you home.

I wish you enough activity to sharpen your mind and strengthen your body, and enough rest to bring you peace.

I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright, no matter how grey the day.

I wish you enough rain to nourish your garden and to  appreciate the sun more.

I wish you enough gentle wind to lift your hair and your dreams

I wish you enough storms to clear away the old and make room for the new.

I wish you enough dirt to grow your herbs and flowers and to keep your feet firmly on the ground.

I wish you enough clouds in the sky to inspire you to reach beyond them.

I wish you enough birds in flight to delight your eyes and enough birdsong to serenade your ears.

I wish you enough kisses and cuddles with children and animals to bring you simple joy.

I wish you enough friendship to remind you that you are not alone.

I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and ever lasting.

I wish you enough pain so that the smallest joys in life appear much bigger.

I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.

I wish you enough starlight to inspire your imagination and enough moonlight to stir your soul.

I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.

I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.

Alfie

I know that I have been missing here for absolutely ages. Life has just been happening around me. However I just wanted to do a quick blog today as lots of my friends here knew that our Alfie hasn't been doing too well.

It is with much sadness that I have to tell you that we lost our beloved Alfie on Thursday the 19th of December. It was very peaceful and he died at home in our arms in his favourite place on the sofa in the living room.  We are beyond distraught and will miss him always. He is with his Mummy Rosie and also Buick and Sandy.

Little Evan told Coralie that he knows Alfie will be OK because he is with Rosie and she will show him around and tell him where everything is. Children see things in such a lovely way.

Run free my baby.  We will love you always.

I have missed my blog and all my friends here. I know that I have said it several times over the last year but I really do intend to try and get back into a regular blogging habit.  We shall see what 2014 brings.

In the mean time, I would like to wish everyone a very Happy Christmas and blessings for 2014.

Our Christmas

We had a lovely Christmas.  Surrounded by family as always.  It begun on the 22nd when Simon collected Saskia from the station.  We had a lovely afternoon as Coralie came over with the boys and Lisa and Sam with the girlies and we made paper chains.  The children loved it.  They took some home and we hung some up.  We only had a tiny tree this year so the paper chains helped to make it look more festive.  We have taken them down today.

On Christmas eve Saskia and I had a bit of a sewing day.  She made 2 bum bags for presents for Evan and Flynn and a cushion for a friend.  I just pottered in my sewing room.  The evening was spent watching TV and relaxing.

Christmas day began at 8am as we had told Saskia that she had to go down and bring us coffee and biscuits. She was delighted to find the stocking that we had done for her hanging on her door.  She sat on our bed to open her gifts while we drank our coffee.  It wasn't quite the same as the days when all 5 of them would sit on our bed excitedly ripping open presents at 5am but it was still a lovely moment.

We had cooked the turkey on Christmas eve so we only had the gammon joint and veggies to prepare.  We got them ready and then went down to Sam and Lisa's house for an hour.  The girls were very excited and it was lovely to see them open their presents.

We received a house number plate from Sam and Lisa.  Lisa made it herself from mosaic tiles.

We were home by 11.30am and Verity and Steve arrived shortly after. We had a lovely relaxed time before dinner which went down really well. There were only the 5 of us which is the smallest number we have ever had. Verity had made a brownie cake which we had with raspberry coulis and cream for dessert.  None of us eat Christmas pudding.  She is one good cook.

After lunch we opened some presents.  I got a floor standing, day light lamp from Simon for my sewing room.  I also got 2 vouchers from him.  1 for a £100 shopping trip and 1 for me to get my hair done.  Do you think he is trying to tell me something?

Coralie, John and the boys arrived about 4pm shortly followed by Josh and Charlotte.   Sam and Lisa were not with us as they went to Lisa's parents for tea. We all had fun waiting to feel verity's baby moving.

We had a wonderful time opening presents.  The boys seemed to be very pleased with the bedtime buddies that I had made them.  We had a buffet tea as always around 6pm and then it was time for everyone to depart.  I mean every one as Saskia went back with Verity and Steve for a few days. It was the first Christmas night that we have ever been just the 2 of us.  It seemed a little odd not to have anyone staying but we enjoyed sitting and vegging out in front of the TV.

Boxing day we were totally alone as the rest of the family all went to Verity and Steve's in Cambridge.  we couldn't go as we cant leave Alfie for too long.  It was an odd day.  Just like a normal weekend day really.   We spent it relaxing and pottering as we did the following day.

This is me wearing my Christmas jammies that Saskia got me.  I was cold so I had them on over my dress. I hadn't brushed my hair!  Told you we were veging out!

Forgot to show you our present from Coralie, she made it herself and she drew around each grandchilds hand!  Isn't it lovely?

On the Friday Verity and Steve were bringing Saskia back and we were meeting them in Kiddicare in Peterborough to buy the pram/ pushchair for the  new  grandbaby.  Only 10 weeks to go!  We have sort of made a tradition that we buy the first grandchild's  travel system. We took Ellie with us as she wanted to help choose!  It took a long time even though they already sort of knew what they wanted.  In the end they chose a Quinny system.  They chose a french navy pram, black pushchair and sort of grey and purple car seat.  Baby will go in the pram for the first few months and of course the car seat and then they will convert it into the pushchair.  They were really pleased  with it all.

They had to try it out when they got home so here are some more views.  Won't be long until baby is in it.

The following day it was time for Saskia to go home so after dropping me at the dog rescue, Simon drove her back to Leicester.  I think she had a good Christmas but I think she was happy to be back at her own house and I know she was looking forward to celebrating her birthday with her friends the following day.  Happy Birthday Saskia!  27 years old!!!  How can that be possible?

With Saskia gone, we have been just relaxing and gradually getting the house back to normal.  Simon has been busy in his garage and I have done some sewing.  It was a different kind of Christmas.  Quieter. I do miss the old days when they were all young.  Those were magical times.  I am grateful though that we were able to spend time with all of our family.

Next year there will be one more person in our family.  I can't wait.