Zwischen 2015 und 2016

So for another year, all the sparkly decorations have been packed away.  Christmas 2015 has been lovely......relaxed, good company, good food and happiness.  It has been pretty difficult to 'snap out of it' to be honest.  The run up to Christmas with school age children (in three different schools) is busy to say the least.  We picked up the children from school on the last day of school and took off to Cardiff for the night.  It was such a big treat for us 'countryfolk'!  Hotel, meal out and shops....a welcome break from the same four walls and routine.

Away has gone my advent calendar that I made some years ago.  Despite the lack of chocolate the children still seem  keen to see what will come out next.

New to our family traditions is a big portion of  Sue's Caramel Popcorn (recipe from  Mrs. Micawber blog)  Along with the batch of Ruth's coconut mince pies.

(These are not the only favourite things from other bloggers....one can't blog and not be affected!  )

I've rattled through a few makes, some of which were presents.  The christmas tree hat was for a friend who runs a food and basics bank and at Christmas also manages to give out presents to children who would otherwise have nothing in our county.  Anyway after promising a  hat, this was my offering

This was a scarf I made from Crafts from the Cwtch's pattern Little Bear's Porridge. 

This shawl was a happy skein of yarn from Mothy and the Squid and the pattern was 

Simple Half Pi Shawl

The painting above was a commissioned gift for a young lady who has been doing charity work in Durban, South Africa with young mums and children.

This is a painting  of Chester our beagle for a competition, unfortunately I did not place, but I enjoyed the process!

We've enjoyed some lovely walks in the past week or so, despite the dreadful British weather at the moment.  We have somehow got out of the habit of doing longer family walks, we must get back to it.

Apart from more of the above, I hope that 2016 is filled with  a few more challenges.  I somehow managed to pull off my first race, which was a 10k in September....I ran the whole lot, which I was fairly smug about....not bad for a lazy girl.  I am hoping that this year might hold a half marathon.....although I am realistic that I may not have the time to train.

I am still pressing on with my German (with far too many major wobbles just recently)  I have never found anything more difficult or nerve wracking.  I am supposed to travel to Jena, Germany next month and the idea of it makes me feel pretty queasy!  If I have an hour to work out what I want to say and a notebook I'm ok.....but conversations don't generally work like that!!

Anyway....if I can do these things then so can anyone....

All the very best for you and yours in 2016!!

That was the week when I.......

Well..........its official..........

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!

This week I have mainly been.........

Wrapping, writing, baking, singing, crocheting, sewing, yawning........

Want to see in pictures?

Nearly a scarf.......but then became a cushion...(time management!)

His and hers hotties

Sparkly armwarmers for my nieces

Twin snakes for twin nephews

Mince pies (traditional and yummy coconut topped ones thanks to Ruth)

Marzipanned cake

Kids craft for mini gifts

So after all that..........I think I may well take a couple of days off.......what's that you say?.........it's Christmas eve tomorrow?........ah, well.........maybe I'll have a nap next week.

Just want to wish you all a peaceful/exciting (delete as applicable) magical, sparkly, tasty, smile-filled Happy Christmas!

Sending you all warm wishes for a lovely Christmas.

Faithx

Reasons to be cheerful

You know............. it occurs to me today......... that if dust looked like glitter we'd all find less need to clean.......

Today I am again linking up with planet penny with my

Reasons to be Cheerful

 

This week saw the culmination of some family Christmas crafting for middle boy's school fayre.

Two hours in a hot and busy school hall and all my fears were proven incorrect and we 'sold, sold, sold'

I am totally inspired by new skills I learnt and when I finish all my other jobs (kidding myself?) I will make some reindeers for our house.

Christmas hot pads scenting my house with cloves and cinnamon.

( a quick make for the boys' old school Christmas fayre)

Glitter!

As much as I've enjoyed my stint of crafting with the boys for the school fayre, I'm so glad it's done, glittered and sold....I am shattered and so looking forward to guilt free lounging on the sofa this weekend!

We're going to head outdoors this afternoon to appreciate our wonderful surroundings.......... breathing it all..........storing up lots of happy memories that we will dine out on for years to come!

 

What are your reasons to be cheerful?

Do go see other people's reasons for being cheerful and maybe join in yourself?

Year of projects (wk14)

Christmas is drawing in and on Thursday next week we have middle boy's Christmas fayre which we have been crafting for.......it's not like me, but I've found this really stressful.  Both my older boys transferred schools in September and I feel like we've all been on a bit of a campaign to get every one's approval (probably also because it caused quite a stir when we left the little village school.)

Anyway, next week I will hopefully be revealing a small offering of glittery Christmas makes from the fair hands of all three of my boys (and even my husband too on occasion, this goes to show the level of dedication in this house!)

So crochet? There's been a good bit of that too...........

Went off track a little this week after some friends had their first baby.

I made this with stylecraft, however the stitch and colour I think make it look like it was made with expensive yarn.  I worked two colours at once with a size nine hook. Just plain old single crochet, with I think, nice results.

I've also been making a hat for my father-in-law as they are away for Christmas so presents are being done and wrapped now........not entirely sure what he will do with a snuggly woolly hat in S.Africa though!

This is a Robin wool mix and it's gorgeous, so soft and warm. I can't say I am otherwise taken with Robin as I find it to be a little squeaky?

I've been hooking various portable projects too, on the school run etc.... So I've kept myself busy!

Yesterday we all went out for a walk around the local lily ponds. After walking through wooded paths there is a wonderful beach........I'm afraid I don't believe that anyone else lives in a prettier place than I do.......can't be possible!

The boys walked their legs off and I must say last night I was finding it difficult to crochet with heavy eyes!

Do you know.....I feel quite overwhelmed by all of my bloggy friends.....who knew when I started all this, I would feel like I do now! I sooo appreciate the compliments, the inspiration, the giggles.......thank you so much to all you lovely fellow crafters and bloggers.....you make this Little Welsh girl very happy indeedy!

To check out other lovely Year of Projects work.....see ravelry here.

Reasons to be cheerful!

It's Thursday, and I'm linking up with Planet Penny with my ..............

Reasons to be Cheerful!

I am in my element at the moment with my crochet projects, more WIPs than you could shake a stick at! Friends of ours had a baby a couple of days ago and I am busy making a blanket (my favorite past time!), the promise of another baby due in a month so an instant excuse to make another blanket! Christmas presents, snowflakes..........endless crochet...............

Anyway, avoiding all the crochet excitement, here are three reasons that I am cheerful.

Beautiful flowers from my Mum

My oldest son's class assembly this morning, he makes me soooo proud!

Learning new skills.....this one is almost ready for paint and glitter!

So there you have it........hope you have lots of Reasons to be Cheerful too...... if you do, why not join in with yours on Planet Penny's blog.....or if you need some more cheer in your life, go read others reasons for being cheerful, I'm sure it will put a smile on your face!

Reasons to be cheerful!

Just as I did last Thursday, I am linking up with Planet Penny, to give three

 Reasons to be Cheerful!

New crochet projects!

I have also just 'discovered' my new blanket project (going on the theory that you can never have too many blankets) which given a quick (expensive) trip to the LYS will be started very soon.

Autumn light........

(this is the view from my back door, and this is my permanent reason to be cheerful)

Christmas crafts with the boy and my favorite.........glitter

As I said last week, I have many Reasons to be Cheerful and the very process of thinking about them is very good for the soul.

To see other people's Reasons to be Cheerful please check out Planet Penny's blog

Year of projects (wk12)

A good week all round this week.........crocheting............... and crafting with the boys......

This week I have ticked two things off my project list, although they were just quick projects.

The first was a little owl bag from anapaulaoli on Etsy.  This was a birthday present for a friend's little girl who was three.

This was a lovely project, if not a bit hairy when I put the zip in the back, but this was down to my sewing skills, not the easy-to-follow pattern.  A quick and simple make that was happily received!

The second project is a Christmas present for my niece, this is a pattern called Caity Cat designed by super-talented The Green Dragonfly.  Check out the other bright and colourful free patterns on her blog as they are all gorgeous.  On the pattern there are lovely crocheted flowers on Caity's stripey body, but due to time restraints (it was late, my eyes were closing and I was determined to finish!) I embroidered some flowers instead.

Both projects this week have been fun to do and easy patterns to follow.  Its nice to see quick results sometimes isn't it?

I am going now........... off to do some more  Christmas craft with the boys for the school fayre where they will be selling things that they have made.  The fayre is in three weeks time so I think we are going to have to be very efficient!

I will share some of their things when they have some finished (hopefully soon!) in the meantime let the glittering begin!

Looking forward to seeing what you've all been up to later.........hope you've all had successful weeks as well.  To catch up on other Year of Projects work.......check out the group page on Ravelry.