An ending...

A lovely stay up north with my parents and few quiet days at home with Sam is just the perfect way to see out the whirlwind year that 2013 has been - family illness, separation, inspections at work and a long absence abroad have made it an interesting and difficult year to say the least. But there have been good times woven in with the difficult ones and I think many people I know will look back on this funny year with a mix of emotions and memories as their 'unlucky-for-some' year has been a little rocky too.

We have no plans for elaborate celebrations to welcome the new year this evening but whatever you all choose to do, I hope you enjoy it and I wish you the happiest start for 2014.

S. x

Happy Christmas

 

  

The last of the wrapping is done, the journey North complete, cards and decorations everywhere and Pa's railway is evoking 'Ooo's and 'Ahh's from passing folk. A dog dozing by the fire, the 'ting-ting' candles lit and the cake and the games have been started. It's officially Christmas everyone.
Wishing you a lovely time with family and friends this festive season.
Love S. x

Far too organised

(A little sneaky peek at some of the handmades heading to various folk very soon - as usual, a full reveal will be on it's way soon after Christmas.)

More and more of my Christmas gifts have been hand made this year and yet, dare I say it, with a week and a half still to go I think (I think!) I am finished! With only wrapping and writing and a little posting to be completed until everything is done I feel far too organised this year.

Hoping your preparations are going well.
S. x

December

With the first of December here the (un)official ban on all things festive is lifted here (there was even talk of Christmas trees!). King College Choir is singing from my laptop, the 'easy carols' book is at the piano and the same carols are being practiced, with varying degrees of success, on the violin too.

Christmas cards are coming on nicely and with November's pay in the bank account at last much online shopping has been complete. More wool arrived the other day to continue the crochet projects started last week and I have things in mind to sew too.

But before anything else is completed and after a quick forage in the garden, a little glitter and spray the first yuletide decoration is up and ready to welcome visitors through the door.

Happy advent everyone! Hope you're getting into the spirit of things (or managing to stay away from too much festivity if it's not your thing - bah humbug).
Wishing you well for the week ahead. 
S. x

It begins...

With the last full weekend in November just passed, the festive crafting has begun! After a good walk with my very best friend Helen (who is now the proud owner of a bunny, to go with her two real-live ones) and her gang of five collies (not all hers I might add!) I settled down to some crochet and card craft.

While the cards are still in the process of being cut out and the crochet projects are top secret - only a little sneak preview here - there are many other ideas being developed and resources being gathered for some new (to me) creative exploits. I'll keep you posted as much as I can over the next few weeks and try to remember to photograph everything before I wrap it all up!

Wishing you well for this last November week.
S. x

Wild weather and walking

Over the last few weeks the weather has definitely settled into autumn mode. High winds, rain, bursts of pleasant sunlight and ever darkening mornings and evenings. Evening walks are now not so appealing but a Saturday or Sunday morning stroll has been a feature for a few weeks, and so has the camera.

Sunlit streets, pathways and clearing in dappled shade, the autumns produce strewn on the ground and trees felled by high winds. Leaves, leaves and still many more leaves to fall, cherry tree sap and flags flying high. Just some of the many things to be enjoyed on a clear bright autumn day.
Enjoy your week everyone.
S. x