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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

17 comments:

Vickie said...

Firstly, congratulations to your sons. How wonderful. Of course you are proud. =)I am so glad for them and YOU!
Your snowman ribbon finish is spectacular. I love it.
The Ronald McDonald Homes are fabulous aren't they?♥

stitchersanon said...

Congratulations to your sons. Of course you can say you are proud! It is amazing that they committed in this way.
The Ronald McDonald homes sound amazing. I wish we had something like that in Ireland where there is such a need for such things.

The bunting will be beautiful. A lovely post: I really enjoyed reading it xx

Tricia T said...

So thrilled for your boys, and lovely bunting and banner. What a great way to display your snowmen!

Tricia

Hazel said...

What a great post and I am thrilled for your boys! Congrats. xx

Cath said...

Of course you're allowed to say you're proud of your kids. It's a wonderful feeling .
Love your bunting , and the snowmen look lovely .xxx

Vicky L said...

Congratulations to your sons! Your bunting is beautiful. I love how you finish the snowmen! What a great idea! I may steal it some day.

Pam in IL said...

Wonderful post! Congrats to your sons. I really like the bunting and snowmen.

Carol said...

What a special day for your boys, Jane, and for you as their mother!

I love your bunting and it will surely add a cheery feeling to the Ronald McDonald house... They are such a help to families dealing with childhood illnesses.

Love the snowmen with the hearts!

Catherine said...

Best wishes to your sons ~ I can tell how very proud you are! Fabulous charity too ~ having a family member that was aided by them, I know how they can touch lives. Love how you finished your snowmen ~ such sweet touches!

Lesleyanne said...

Congratulations to your boys. Of course you are proud. Your bunting is gorgeous as is your snowmen ribbon.

Myra said...

Congratulations to your sons. I didn't realize (or remember) that you had twin boys - so do I!

I love what you did with the snowman - sometimes the simpler solutions look the best.

Annette said...

Congratz with your sons. how awesome!!

Your really on a craft roll.
Awesome and so sweet what you did.
The Garlands are so beautifull the fabrics really is/are awesome..
Great job..
I can iamgine you fingers are not happy... buttttt it's looks beautifull!!!

Maggee said...

Congrats to your sons and you! I know your hesitation about being proud, but I think a Mother's pride for knowing her children love God and made a profession of faith publicly is okay! I think God is smiling too! I love what you did with those pesky snowmen!! What a great finishing job you did! We have Ronald McDonald Houses here too, so they probably do the same thing as far as raising funds. How very generous of you to donate your time and energy to making the place more home-y! Hugs!

Valma said...

what a great post =)
I'm also thrilled for your boys.
Congrats =)
of course you can say you are proud ! who wouldn't be =)
your snowmen are very very very beautiful =D
great job
xxx

Sally said...

Congratulations to your sons.

Love your bunting and the snowmen! So sweet.

Barb said...

Jane I almost missed this , wonderful news about your twinies committment. Lump in the throat for you time. Oh love how you finished the plastic snowmen they are gorgeous on that blue ribbon. Hope the purse survived the onslaught. Mine will need a while to recover too. Take care and keep safe ,hugs to Tilly and Oscar.

Anne said...

Wow Jane! How wonderful for your twins to come to God on their own. You must be very proud of them! I had to laugh about the triangle eyes and toblerone comment. I always get triangle eyes while eating toblerone!! Love the bunting and those adorable snowmen. That's great to spend some time helping others in need. Sending you many hugs and a big Merry Christmas to you Jane!