Making me HAPPY this week

Wow, can you believe that this will be my last "happy" post for 2014.  I don't think I started at the beginning of the year, but I wasn't too late in starting.  This week it is really easy.

Making me happy so far;

1) Books!!!  I was very lucky this year and was spoilt with my books.  I have authors I love, authors I have never read, books I was DESPERATE for (thanks Mum) and a baking book which H has already chosen the first recipe out of.

2) Someone shamelessly photobombing.  Cheers N!!!

Christmas Eve with the Hubby.  Still loads to do but with a glass or 3 of Rose - I no longer cared :-)

3) Opening presents.  Someone REALLY wanted what was in the bag, and rather surprisingly there was no food involved......

4) OOh look not one photo of me on Christmas Day and those I took of my family were far and few behind.  One of my goals of 2015 is to take more photos - I keep meaning to but haven't been so great this year.........

My big Bro

H and my Dad

Mum

5)  My sis in law A and her son R coming for tea tonight - just snuck into my post for the week :-)

Merry Chrimbob

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a fabulous 2015.

Busy, busy, busy

I both love and loath this time of year.  I used to be uber excited over Christmas and I loved it all - the cold, the christmas music in shops, the decorations, the window shopping to choose presents before the real shopping itself.  The last 2 Christmas' have not been great so I don't have a lot of festive spirit these days.  I am hoping that if this one is a good one then the spirit will return in future years.

Today, I popped into Leeds to meet L and to celebrate her Birthday.  I only went into 3 shops to kill time before lunch and I hated it.  In one shop, 3 mature ladies were stood in a line, across the aisle and then 2 more came to say hi and completely blocked the aisle.  They then looked affronted when I asked them to move - Grrrrrrrrrrr.  Then in Next there were a zillion people in the queue in front of me.  I shall not believe it if the news tell us we are still in recession.

Still, it helped me decide that the rest of my Christmas shopping will be taking place online :-)

On the way to Leeds I did manage to work on another Christmas present - don't worry the person receiving it doesn't read my blog - I don't think!!! :-)  Don't all us crafters craft on the bus??????

I had a lovely time catching up with L and giving her her presents (again I forgot to take a photo of presents or the lovely L).  At least we've set our next date!

Advent time again

Can you believe that it almost December?  My heart skips a beat whenever I think about it.  I have so much still to make and lie in bed worrying about getting it all finished.  Of course, it will either get finished or I will buy a last minute present and all will be well.  I think I will feel better when I sit down with a list and figure out what it left to do.

You may remember (if you've been reading me for a while - or hello to any newbies), that every year I make up advent boxes for some friends.  Throughout the year, I buy little bits, make things, last minute panic buying until I have 24 gifts for each person.  Every year, I swear I won't do it again, but the 4 people who receive the gifts tell me how happy it makes them, knowing that someone has thought about them and their likes and have a little bit of love waiting for them each day, so I know I'll do again next year :-)

The bit that really gets to me is all the blooming wrapping.  Just finished number 3 and boy have I had enough............. and I still have 1  left to do!



At least I have Anni B to keep me and H happy.

The problem of being a crafter

I have been making loads of things lately, mainly for Christmas presents and there lies the problem.  I am so excited about some of them, and in doubt about some of them.  I'd love to show you the ones I love and I would love your opinion of those I am in doubt about.  BUT every single one of them is going (or not!) to someone who reads my blog.


ARGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.


I am making a gift for A (who I don't think reads this blog - if AJ you are reading this, then it's not for you! (I don't think I have anymore A's)).  I am using 4 different colours of stylecraft DK.  I am crocheting 6 rows of each colour and then swopping colour.  I have finished 1 ball of each colour, but what strikes me as odd is that colour 1 JUST finished a row, colours 2 & 3 finished a row too early and colour 4 had enough for another half row.  All the same brand, the gift is the same size, I just don't get it.  I am a newbie at crochet so not sure if this is normal or if I have done something incorrectly.  Just hope I have enough yarn now as my local wool shop has run out of the Meadow that I need.

Taking Photos

I've said before that I struggle to take photos as I simply forget to take the camera out to take photos.  Why is it then that even when I remember to take photos, it is so hard to take decent ones of people.  The ones below are the best attempts, you should see the ones I deleted..............  My Mum is certain that she always looks awful on photos.  I have realised this is because she is usually talking so her mouth is in an unusual position...............

Christmas 2013.

I love my new scarf from my Sis-in-Law (well ex, but we still usually call each other SiL).  D in his Dennis the Menace jumper!

Sorry Mum but G is actually smiling so had to post this one.

Anni was really good this Christmas.  She loves food, but was happily watching from a distance this year.

 Dad being a giant!

I also got some great presents this year.  I haven't taken many photos yet but some of my favourites are;

Handmade from my friend G.  Anni was not impressed to have another dog in the house!  I love handmade gifts.

My new CK mug from hubby.  You always need a little CK in your life, especially when it's spotty.

The message which accompanied my perfume from hubby.  It's a good job I am not suspicious or there may have been trouble.  This perfume has been problematic.  Hubby bought me a bottle last year apparently, but it was accidentally thrown away with the packaging before I received it!!!!  Then this year,I got someone else's bottle.  Thankfully it was the right fragrance so there you go.  I do wonder what message I should have received though.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas from me and mine to you and yours.  Hope you have a good one.

I will pretend to be a tree if you give me that biscuit........

It's beginning to feel a little like Christmas

and the world suddenly feels Christmassy......

A gift to the hubby from New York last year.  I so should have bought myself one too.  SIGH.  At least I get to borrow his sometimes...........  I'd love to go back to New York in winter and stock up on more goodies but until I win the lottery I can use this and have happy memories of time with my Mum.

Advent Boxes 15 - 20

Day 15 - Box M

Day 15 - Box S

Day 16- Box M

Another Lindt bear - all gone :-)



Day 16 - Box S

Day 17 - Box M

Carfting goodies.

Day 17 - Box S

Tree Decs - these need glitter!

Day 18 - Box M

Day 18 - Box S

S- will let you know if it works :-)

Day 19 - Box M

Day 19 - Box S

Day 20 - Box M

The worlds latest Clip?

Day 20 - Box S

Advent Boxes 9 - 14

Ok, ready for more clues about who I am?

Day 9 - Box M

A little chipboard album.  Will be decorating this next year (or maybe during Christmas).

Day 9 - Box S

A jar of beads - I was with S when she was choosing these but forgot they might be for me - thanks S.

Day 10- Box M

A gorgeous tree dec.  Still trying to make up my mind if I need to decorate it or like it as it is.

Day 10- Box S

A fab bracelet.

Day 11- Box M

This was so needed - I did share M.

Day 11 - Box S

A glittery tree decoration - lush.


Day 12 - Box M

 Can I help unwrap please?

A handmade candle decoration.


Day 12 - Box S

More fab stickers

Day 13 - Box M

Don't mind if I do!

Day 13 - Box S

Choccie, I love you choccie.

Day 14 - Box M

I felt the packaging and thought oh, no another mug.  But this one is perfect.


Day 14 - Box S

A fab way to give ribbons - I must remember this for next year.

Advent Boxes day 4 - 8

More from my advent boxes.

Day 4 - Box M

 A booklet of stamped images to colour in/paint to add to my cards.  I get pleasure from adding colour to images, it really relaxes me.  Maybe takes me back to my childhood but I can live with that.

Can I help?

Day 4 - Box S

Can never have too many of these in winter.

Day 5 - Box M

 3d Cards - I think.



Day 5 - Box S

Gorgeous magnets for my fridge.  Already living in the kitchen!


Day 6 - Box M

You can never go wrong with chocolate!


Day 6 - Box S

Now I thought it was chocolate so left it for later.  I am still not sure whether I was disappointed when I opened it and there wasn't any!!!  It's a good job S knows me and added some lovely heart shaped pegs - S you are forgiven for the deception - this once......


Day 7 - Box M

A robin for the tree.


Day 7 - Box S

A gorgeous hat, perfect for keeping me warm whilst walking Anni.

Day 8- Box M

More craft goodies.

Day 8 - Box S

I also love things for the bath.