Embroidery Hoop Decoration detail

 I had a mad 20 minutes last week when i decided to make this set of co-ordinating hoop decorations.

I have a box of these pretty hoops sat waiting for some various tasks...

and i also had a bag of scraps from my bunting making session and always i have little baskets filled with bits n pieces and scraps and ribbons and stuff i made or stuff i bought.... STASH! you know how it is.

 So, they are 3 different sizes and i hung mine as above, getting smaller. You can hang them anyway you like though but i like the 3 different sizes.

The first was so easy. I literally sewed up some long strips of leftover Christmas fabrics. I have used these fabrics and colours elsewhere in my Xmas Decorations so i knew they would fit in with the general home decor theme (if i have such a thing)

 The second two, i then stretched over with matching / co-ordinating scraps.

I have sewn the back of these like you would if you were making a yo-yo / suffolk puff thing. Whipped it round the edge and pulled it in tight - i can do you proper tutorial for some Spring versions after Christmas? Give you some real notes amd photos on exactly "how to" ?

 Anyway, the moral of this semi-tutorial is thus:

1. I decorated the hoops AFTER with the embellishments as they were easier to sew on once stretched in the hoop.

2. i did not plan it at all and just saw whatever happend. I like to work this way

3. it took about 20mins- seriously. 30 mins to hang it too.

4. it is dead easy and you can even take these out and change them if you want.

5. hang yours thus or differently or make a set of 5 or just a few small ones... whatever, it'll look good :)

 I am going to list these exact sets of 3 in the shop (hopefully both etsy and LPF by the end of today)

 But it is a bit close to Christmas now so, prod and remind me we can do this again in detail ready for Spring / Easter. I will be having a sale around February time so i may chuck even more hoop sizes into the mix ready for February...

 If you already have a hoop or 3 hanging around at home, why not use some cute Christmas Ribbons to embellish? My Artisan Bunting below is just an example of different bits and pieces you can add to your hoops.

Merry Front Doors

and

Happy Last Minute Crafting

and Annie.... THANKYOU x x x

Holiday Cheer... it's all about the Edibles here...

 If you could smell my house right now.....

Oh.  My.  Lordy.

If you could smell what i can smell, you'd probably propose to me. Even though you are already married.

It is the power of the Pickle.. and the Spices.. and the Sloes....

2011 is all about the Incredible Edibles!

 Having re-discovered Milton tablets, Sterilising equipment has become a joy.

A nice big bowl with a few Milton tablets and you can sterilise the funnel, sieve, jars, spoons.

It fills me with a little more confidence when i know everything is bleached to within an inch of it's inert 'life'.

 I've gone all Delia this year. I got her book at a Car Boot for a bargain. Very happy with my wee self.

And she is doing me proud thus far.

Pickled Pears, by rights, i should have done a bit earlier than this but Pah! i left it late.

I am so exciting about these with a Cheese Board and the Cold Meats. Yum.

Mainily pared pears and spices with Cider and White Wine Vinegar but i put a generous glug of Gin in too.

There was talk of late that, I might have begun listing 'DRINKING' in my list of "top 5 greatest things to do"

i swear it's not true - this recipe can take some Gin. It's all good.

 The Sloes have been steeping in their sugar syrup and gin solution for many months now - not the recommended 12, granted. But are now drained and bottled, ready for the various occasions that are upcoming. I have already finished a bottle of my Damson and Apple Gin - now that is a heavenly concoction i should not be left alone with.

 Let us gloss over the marathon of children's 'Magical Sandwiches' for parties, Cinnamon cookies and other such treats. It is like a Mother's obligation... except if you are my friend Mel, who put her name down for Ready Salted crisps for the Children's Party.... what is the matter with me? why didn't i do that?

There was a tricky moment with a cheese sandwich yesterday, when Lucy asked me:

 "Why is the sandwich magical Kirsty?... because it has glitter on it?"

"yeesss Lucy (10 other children listening) that glitter is the magic dust that makes Rudolph fly on Christmas Eve"

"Will we fly on Christmas Eve too Kirsty?"

"eerrrmmmm..... yeeeesssss, you might....."

PLEASE KEEP LUCY SAFE on Chritsmas Eve. Tie her to the bed! There may be magic afoot!

 Goodness only knows what will arrive in the Food Delivery on Monday Night?

I am hoping to make:

Leek & Blue Cheese Tartlets

Salted Pecan Fudge Squares

Waffles and Hot Choc Dip for Breakfast (ala Jamie Oliver - oh my!)

Slow Roasted Honied Figs

 - i am more of a support act to the main event over this gluttony fest.

I am happiest with this role.

 And look at this wee gift from a friend!

"I'd love a Babycham" - cute (wait till i show you the glass!)

Friendship is one of my next thoughts. I have a great deal to say on the subject.

Anyway:

Pears - done

Sloe Gin - done

Gotta get a Wax in an hour OUCH! The Christmas Dinner Dance is this Saturday.

Can you believe i am going alone? We have a great table with a hilarious bunch of School Run Wino Chums and food lovers. It is with a deep breath and an "i'm a big girl attitude" that i can go the Christmas Dance like Cinderella and say "i'm not single, i am surrounded by people i love"

chat soon.

Whoooop! i'm on a high today!

What I wore at the Weekend...

 Oi Oi, Outfits Ahoy -

what i wore at the weekend only really matters because it means i had nice things to go do :)

So, please be upstanding for my new Dickensian Boy Shorts in Tweed! *love*

They make me want to 'talk cockney' and quote "Oliver" at opportune intervals

(much to my friends' amusement... or not...)

 Also sporting a newly cropped and mega blonded ruffle hairdo.

Vanity wins HANDS DOWN where a good haircut is concerned.

I feel 'dressed' in my PJs if my hair looks decent.

 I missed the apron shot, where i am making up some bottles of Sugar Syrup ready for Cocktails.

Shaker, courtesy of the WI Jumble Sale last month...

 Saturday Night Cocktails round H's in 'The Lane'

We love you H - you are our local scocial hub and we'd go nowhere / do nothing without you.

Thank you for washing up all those glasses and letting S dance on the Wii to Katy Perryt till 2am

x x x

 Honestly, i should be paid to shake these babies...

"French 75" was by far the Winner:

Gin, Syrup, Lemon Juice & Champagne - over Ice

oh yes.

 Believe it or not, Sunday morning started with a 5k run.

Me and the dog ran it in record time and it was a 'good un'

so, running kit is also on the outfit list.

 Then, Sunday Lunch in Beaconsfield with the extended family - what a treat!

SeaBass in creamy Fennel Sauce, mmmmm

Wearing a long Cardi with 70% Alpaca!

I swear, it's not 'what' you wear in Winter, that matters. It is the Wool Content.

This was like wearing my bed for the entire day...

 Indeed, after that dinner, a Chocolate Brownie and a few bottles of Prosecco,

i did fall asleep all the way home. Thank goodness my Dad was driving.

Animal print Scarf? and abundant Silver? Oh yes.

So, that is what i wore this weekend, mostly.

And you probably don't really 'care' but i told you anyway

HOPE U R not tooooo cold up North?

 x x x

Advent indeed....

 Dear Friend,

I am far more full of 'cold' than i am of Christmas Cheer this morning.

Never-the-less i am joyful! and replete with the excitement that Advent morning brings.

 And you are so right, of course!

To be gentle with oneself and not to keep demanding more. Put less expectation on 'what fabulousness needs to be achieved'... and to actually enjoy what fabulousness is already here.

 Memories!!

They are abundant and overflowing and the regularity of Christmas is so reassuring.

You are right, again, on every level.

I have done none of my shopping - none of my baking - none of my own making.

I care not a jot.

 The Angel Costume was hung up in the School Hall this morning with her name and class written boldy.

The Advent Santa was full on the advent surprises.

I have cocktails on Saturday Night with my local Girl Friends.

My dog thinks i am beautiful, even sat here in my tracksuit nursing the stinky cold.

And i can - just about - stomach my seething jealously of your Avent Elf  House for yet another year.

(they never made another as pretty and perfect as this)

Secretly you see, we instil the magic of Christmas into them, so they can keep it going for us when we run out of steam! Clever Mummies xxx have a Gluh Wein for me?

Winner * Winner * Winner... of Pip Lincolne's gorgeous new book

 It is Sunday... and i was just about to walk the dog....

then i thought, i shall draw this GIVEAWAY Winner now, or it will never happen!

 So: *drum rrroooolllllll*

It is YOU Joanne - http://rosedahlia.blogspot.com/ - from this place here

and Jo has 2 sons and a daughter and has been finding the time to do some very cool Christmas Crafting.

She shames us that she can find the time! Please go and see her amazing knitted NOEL letters. I am in awe of her talents.

I do not *know* Jo so it all Legit. like. But i know her now :)

Well Done my Lovely and i do wish everyone could win it though.

 And i thought i would stuff this little lot in to show you something new and wacky i made t'other week...

 It is a felt 'Paper Chain'

and i find it so amusing that my business is actually called PaperFish,

there is very VERY little to do with paper in anything i do....

Even my paperchain is felt!

This was hugely time consuming and it took me around 2 hours to complete a piece of chain barely over 2 metres long. Tcha, but it was very satisfying!

I might try some more colourways and styles.

Ya know, i have so much more to talk to you all about.

2012 is going to be so big for me. So special. i can just feel it!

And i am so grateful that people pop in, read for a bit, enter the giveaways and like sharing all this stuff too. ThankU xxx

Always Last Minute.com, that's me....

 Wooden Buttons!! yeah!!

A departure from my usula "brighter is better" campaign

A mix of Wooden Buttons in the shop.

 As ever, i have bought these as i have a great project in my own mind for them

(2012 projects, don't ya know)

But i love them and so they are going into the BigFish shop straight away.

 Ever obsessed, i have yet another colourway for the Button Wreath - Winter Wonderland

This is actually my Daughter's favourite so she tells me. Now, if you knew her, you'd be surprised by this!

 Ordered more Xmas Ribbons at the Last Minute too as i sold all the reels to local peeps.

I am never, NEVER organised enough - no matter how hard i try.

I really really try...

aahhhh well.

I have been to a Zumba Class today and thrown myself around like a lunatic.

Tis the perfect remedy to creative uber-energy and helps me settle to some work.

 x x x

Tomte / Tomten... warning: could be addictive!

 Some of you will be thinking "what the foolhardiness is Tomte all about?"

Some of you will be saying "oooohhh i love the Tomten!"

Think: Gnomes, Scandinavia, Nordic, small Elven folk

If you like the Moomins and the such - you'll love this colourway / this theme.

 I have just ordered this: The Tomten - Astrid Lindgren; Hardcover

She wrote Pippi Langstrumpf

and so begins yet another brief obsession.

I am going to try and dress in these colours over the Winter and fully embrace my inner Scandinavian.

**wish i had the long blonde hair and even longer legs**

Think of me in my mock Pine Cabin, as the snow gently falls, wearing my knitted Reindeer jumper

"yurder hooden janksisit faaa"

And my home thus decorated in Red, Grey & White

 NOT content with yet another Button Wreath in, yet another amazing colourway...

i decide to make myself a matching Button Bouquet for the Sitting Room.

 EEeeeeek - i was terribly happy with myself about this :)

*rosy glow*

Displaying my bouquet took a few minutes of titivating.

I had no vase small enough so i used a vintage Milk Bottle and pushed it full of matching Felt balls...

 And finished it with some snowy pom-pom trim and a big red bell.

It really is the simple things that colour a lady happy

see: http://afteralltheworldisabeautifulplace.blogspot.com/

and you'll see what  mean...

 The Balls, i have been selling in a Tomte set for a long time

http://bigfish.etsy.com/

and i do intend to make a matching garland with some of these - if i don't sell out already

*sigh*

i know it looks like i spent all day messing about in tomte world today

but i did do other things too....

 x x x

Christmas Cute...

 Whhoooop!

A couple of new Gingerbread Boys on the Block.

I have changed the faces from previous years to make them a little sweeter looking.

 Peeking out of this gorgeous Christmas Tin...

 And there is, sllooooowwwwly.... a collection of Christmas Babushka Babes getting into the Christmas Shop. I have some great ideas of how to extend my Christmas Range next year.

Hey - not only am i well early for Christmas, but i am already early for Xmas 2012

(somebody shoot me!)

 Like the tin?

I adore Christmas Tins, and my real favourites are all the Marks & Spencer range.

But guess what? i don't want all the biscuits! I am a cake fan, but not a biscuit fan.

The great thing about this yummy tin is that it is empty! - some of you may think me mad, but that makes me happy :)

http://www.dotcomgiftshop.com/

If you want to buy your own tin £6.95 - (without the biscuits!)