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Tuesday 24 December 2013

I'M READY!

Yep, I've been so slow at getting my butt into gear this year that I never thought I'd get there but today I can breathe easy and begin to wind down!
The festive foods are all waiting in the fridges and larder, the presents are all wrapped, Mr. Turkey is defrosting and I think at long last, I can shout out I'M READY!

I haven't got all the sewing projects completed that I would have liked to but the bits that I have, I'll share with you now . . .

Another simple stitch and flip stocking with basic cream fabrics, looking quite boring at this stage!

Time to hunt the Christmas ribbons, trims and buttons out

and what a difference!

hanging up and all ready for Santa xxx

I stitched and showcased this little snowman back in January and he's been waiting patiently for a finish

so here he is, stitched up as another stocking

the green holly stitch is a programmed one from my sewing machine and I added the little Mill Hill beads as berries

This is a simple fabric panel 'The 12 Days of Christmas' which can be cut and used however you want

hmmm? no guessing as to what I chose

yep, more bunting but at least it's a change from the usual triangles

Christmas cookies for Santa and co.
(thanks to my gang of 3 for the mess and mayhem whilst making them!!!)

What a find!  Christmas bunny napkins for the table

but love the real thing better xxx

I hope you all have a lovely Christmas and it's everything you wish it to be!  A lot of us, I know, have had sad times this year including the loss of our dear blogging friend Cathey, but I hope you can rejoice with the happy memories and not be sad, families are so precious and we should all make every second count that we share together xxx

Thank you for all your support and comments throughout the year.


HAPPY CHRISTMAS
love from Jane, Tilly and Oscar
xxx

Friday 6 December 2013

AN EMOTIONAL AND BUSY WEEK . . .

So, December has arrived and the countdown is on! 

Having spent the last three Christmas's away in Florida and therefore being organised with present shopping, writing cards and running down the larder before going, I find myself at completely the opposite and quite behind so this coming weekend is full steam ahead. . . DH and I will be hitting the shops, the address book will be out and Mr.Turkey will be taking up residence in the freezer for the next couple of weeks!

Last weekend was a very special one for us ~ my twin boys decided a little while ago that they would like to be baptised at their regular church and dedicate their faith to God.  All my children were christened at 6 months but this is something an individual chooses for themselves and they have been preparing for it for the past few weeks with many meetings of reading, talking and listening. The church was crowded with nearly 200 people listening to their testimonies which were very moving and extremely emotional for me!  I am very proud of my sons (am I allowed to say that?) they are very much loved by their church friends and I know this commitment will be with them always through both the good and bad times, helping them to make the right decisions in their lives xxx

I expect you know the saying 'square eyes'?  

Oxford dictionary definition:
'square eyes' ~ noun ~ eyes supposedly affected by excessive television viewing

Well, I've just invented a new one:
'triangle eyes' ~ noun ~ eyes supposedly affected by excessive triangles to  make Christmas bunting!



72 individually cut triangles = 36 stitched double-sided triangles = 3 x 3 yards of bunting!

But there's a good reason for my now sudden urge to eat lots of Toblerone!

Each year my DH's company chooses a charity to support for 12 months and lots of fund-raising events take place to raise, obviously, money but also awareness of the need of continual support for these important organisations.

This year's was RMHC  . . .

Ronald McDonald House Charities is an independent Charity which aims to provide free 'home away from home' accommodation at hospitals across the UK, enabling families to stay close to their sick child and maintain a degree of normal family life.
Many families travel far from home and spend several weeks or months to get treatment for their seriously ill or injured children ~ a long time to be away or to divide a family.  And, for children facing a serious medical crisis, nothing seems scarier than not having mum and dad close by for love and support.
Ronald McDonald Houses are built on the simple idea that nothing else should matter when a family is focused on the health of their child ~ not where they can afford to stay, where they will get their next meal or where they will lay their heads at night to rest.
They believe that when a child is hospitalized the love and support of family is as powerful as the strongest medicine prescribed.
Their houses are more than a place to stay ~ they offer comfort, support, a safe environment where families can interact, share their experiences and know that they will always have a shoulder to cry on.

This year a new house was built in Camberwell and the main target was to furnish and decorate the house to look like a home especially at Christmas!  This week, DH's company have had the privilege of decorating the house with Christmas trees, decorations and providing gifts for the families.
I hope a little bunting will help bring some warmth and comfort and those people affected will find the strength they need to help them through.
I've added a link below if you want to take a look or feel you can help ~ they are selling a cute hand drawn Christmas card of a robin, maybe you're like me and still behind on shopping!


I managed to sort those pesky cute little snowmen out too ~ my fingers still haven't forgiven me for that horrible plastic canvas!

I kept it simple and just sewed them down a piece of blue ribbon

attached that to a small wire hanger

made some little blue felt hearts with a wooden button

added some white snowflake buttons

and 3 small bells at the bottom

And that's me done for now ~ quite a busy and emotional week.  Wish me luck tomorrow at the shops ~ I may be gone sometime!!!

Thanks for stopping by
HAPPY STITCHING
xxx