Snood

So last November I fell down a step in my flat and did the ligaments in my ankle in. Six weeks later I'm still on a crutch and may plans of finishing my Capital Ring walk in 2011 are long gone. But It did mean I had lots of sitting around time to finish my families home-made Christmas gifts. This snood that I made for my sister is one of my favourites. And was actually started and mostly completed while waiting in casualty to see if I'd broken any bones. Fortunately both me and the snood turned out ok in the end.

Home-made Christmas

This year my sister and step-sister decided we'd do a home-made Christmas. Which is a lovely idea but did mean whenever you spoke to any of us in December there was to lots of muttering and swearing and general stress over "bloody home-made Christmas". But as you can see from the photo above it led to a beautiful Christmas day and some of the nicest, most memorable presents I've ever given or received. And lots of sloe gin and home-made liqueur which can only be a good thing. I will post about the crocheted gifts I gave over the next few weeks but above are a selection of gifts I received. Including the most beautiful blanket from my step-sister Jennie, some jam and chutney from my Step-Mum and the bird feeder from my Dad, who had to buy a workmate to rise to the home-made challenge. The bag to the left of the picture was had stitched by my sister to keep my crochet hooks in and is one of my favourite things ever.

I had a fabulous extended Christmas this year with lovely people and food and a road trip where we sang "Driving Home for Christmas" and gifts and a second dinner at my Sister's on the 28th where I also got a beautiful decoupatched box from my Mum (which I'll post a photo of later).

This photo possibly sums it up best. Made from the muffin mix jar Jennie gave me (seen above), sprayed gold with the magic sugar spray from Santa, made in Cheltenham with my boyfriend at the second Christmas, to be given out to visiting friends and family. Joy on a plate.

Book Tree Thank You

Thank you so much to everyone who bought a book from the Children's Book Tree in Foyles, London. Here are all of the books wrapped and waiting to be picked up before being given out in time for Christmas

The Children's Book Tree, London

Support local children living in difficult circumstances this Christmas, by buying them a present of a book they'll really appreciate.

This year The Children’s Book Tree at Foyles Westfield Stratford City is working with Waltham Forest and Newham Young Carers organisations to give Christmas presents to local children. Children who will be spending their Christmas caring for others have put their book wishes onto a Christmas tree in Foyles at Westfield Stratford City. All you need to do is go in, choose a tag from the tree and then pick a book you think that particular child would enjoy. Then buy the book and leave it at Foyles. We will make sure it gets wrapped up and given to that child for Christmas.

If you'd like to take part but are unable to get to the store, call Foyles on 020 3206 2671 and a member of staff will select and take payment for your book.

Merry Christmas and thank you from all at the Children’s Book Tree and Foyles.

[Photo EmersonP]

Medusa

Last year my flatmate started decorating for Halloween almost two months before the date and come October 31st the house was a real house of horrors. It was always a risk coming home late at night because you'd never know if a talking life size mannequin would have suddenly appeared to greet you. This year I planned to be completely Halloween free but a last-minute work event meant I needed a last-minute costume. I asked on twitter and Katie very cleverly suggested Medusa. Although I couldn't find any plastic snakes like she suggested, I improvised and with some pipe-cleaners, card and googly eyes from Hobbycraft I came up with a pretty impressive headdress if I do say so myself. The best bit is, if you shake your head the googly eyes make it sound like the snakes are hissing.

Christmas is coming

So all of my crocheting is making top secret presents! Hence the lack of posts. But I'm working hard. Here is my giant bag of wool to prove it.

Wedding Skulls

Last weekend I went to France to celebrate Lisa and Solal's wedding. I finally got the hang of the skull potholders and made them as a wedding gift.




The weekend was fabulous. Ariel and I travelled down from London to the little villiage in Normandy on the Friday. It took around 14 hours but was much more fun than I had anticipated. And who doesn't love a ferry?


The beach was beautiful, with and without instagram.



The wedding itself took place in New York last December. This was a celebration for European friends and family (and a few visiting Americans). Mussels, frites, wine and conversation at a restaurant on the beach as the sun set into the ocean.



The food was gorgeous (they even managed something vegetarian for me) and the restaurant amazing. We sat outside on the sand, they cooked meat over an open fire and the decor was...interesting. Impressive cross-stitch below


On Sunday everyone else went on/back to Paris. I was staying that evening and walked the 6k along the beach to the lighthouse at the end.



And travelling home on Monday I took some time in the local town to see the sights.

Vive la romance <3