Say Hello To Winter

We have snow on the hills here, but as yet, none in the city.  I have been feeling inspired by the beautiful view we have from the window, so I decided to make a little winter doll. You may or may not remember I made this doll for Oscar back in May?

Oscar named her Annie Rose after Alfie's baby sister in the Shirley Hughes Alfie books (fantastic by the way), and he loves her so. The pattern is simple to follow (although sewing up toys always takes eons), and I thought she would make a perfect present for my little 2 year old niece. So meet Annie Rose mark 2, who we have named Winter.

Winter's body and hair are made from 100% organic cotton, wool and her dress and headscarf are a wool and cashmere blend. Her insides are 100% natural sheep's wool (and FYI if you look for filler for pets beds, you can get it much cheaper than if you look for crafting filler). I am considering a faux fur cape and boots, I will see how it goes. What do you think?

And just because I love it, take a look at this view

Deck The Halls

According to a recent news report, the British public are putting up their Christmas tree's earlier than ever this year. I cant say that I am surprised. There hasn't been a lot of cheer for the average person this past year (or so).

Most people have their decorations in the attic, so for the cost of a real tree, if that's your persuasion, (we have a fake one because I cant stand the needles and the cats try to run up a real one), you can make everything seem bright and cheerful.

Isn't it nice to know we have gone that route though? I suppose we could have quite easily turned into a collective 'bah humbug'.

We put our tree up early because Oscar was asking me 200 times a day where our Christmas tree was. I may be sick of the sight of it by New Year, but I doubt it, because as I have said before, I love Christmas. Dont you?

See yesterday for more pics

A Lovely Day

I had a wonderful birthday yesterday. We put the Christmas tree up in the morning/early afternoon, then we had a birthday tea in the late afternoon. Oscar had specified my cake should be blue with silver balls so I obliged with a pale blue cake and sugar balls.

Oscar decorated the tree, for the main part, so does it look like a 2 year old did it? Yes it kind of does, but we love it anyway.

The Passing Of Time

Tomorrow is my 42nd birthday. 42, how did that happen. Some days I feel double that age, when my back is hurting or if I haven't had enough sleep. Some days I look 102, but that's a whole other topic. In my mind, mostly, I still feel like a girl. I still feel funny describing myself as a grown woman, let alone an older woman (as opposed to a young woman in her 20's). I am not talking about maturity either because that does not often tally with the passing of the years. I had afternoon tea with an old and seldom seen friend the other week (she lives in Gibraltar), and we were talking about when we first met. We met at a fortune teller in 1989, and I was 19 and 4 months pregnant and my friend was 18 and had a 6 month old baby, we were both married to men who coincidently worked in the same place. My friend laughed about it and said oh yes, what were we like 'playing at keeping house'. I suspect there is an element of truth in that, but some days I wonder where that confident self assured girl went. I dont remember having so many fears and worries when I was a girl. I always though confidence grew with the passing of time, now I am not so sure. Maybe its a case of ignorance was bliss? Maybe I need to make a new birthday year resolution, to relax a little more, worry a little less. It sounds like a good idea.

Happy December 1st

Happy December! Oscar opened his Advent today, and quite impressed he was too. We tied all the little stockings onto a silver cord last night and filled them with a couple of chocolates and a small rolled up colouring page. I thought I would share the colouring pages with you, so look out for one at the end of each post in December (they are pretty basic, for smaller kids). Can I just say though, although we do not receive sponsorship from Crayola, I can highly recommend their pens over cheaper versions. Especially if you need to do as much washing off as me.

Valerie

xxx

Goodbye November

The long dark days have certainly taken hold this month (in Scotland). When the clocks go back on the last Sunday in October, we know what November will bring. This year we have had a fair bit of wind and rain, no snow, and a little bit of crispness. Its the sparkly frosty, clear blue days I like the best, but we don't often get a lot of them here. Maybe living so close to the coast has something to do with it.

Oscar is desperate for snow. He has no recollection of last years blizzards since he was only 1 (and 3/4) at the time. His little red sledge is hanging in the garage in eager anticipation. I don't think he realises snow is cold, and since he is one of these children who would live naked day and night, I anticipate a few coat, hat and glove wrangles when it does come.

Its not been a bad month (back problems and migraines aside). I have been knitting and sewing and cooking and tending to the family. Isn't that what winter is all about? Our home, though 99% of the time untidy, has a light layer of glitter from top to bottom (and I mean literally because I noticed some in my pants the other day).

I only hope that the frantic pace of Christmas preparations doesn't overtake us. I want to enjoy every moment of it with the little guy. When you have older children you realise how quickly the early years pass, and I think it makes you more mindful when you share your life with little ones again.

Goodbye November, bring on December.

Still Making Christmas

I suspect that my slow start will see me 'making Christmas' right up until Christmas Eve, but hey it wouldn't be Christmas without a good dollop of anxiety right? I have a whole cupboard filled with materials for things yet to be made, and I don't mind admitting its a daunting prospect.

Off the pins over the last couple of days have been these,

The Pickles Plain Vest knitted with Chunky Knitting Yarn 100% wool, in 'Burnt Orange'

And

The Snappy Hat knitted in Merino/cashmere mix, 'Mid Grey'.

I have to admit I like the mixed wool so much better, its much softer and nicer to knit with. The wrist-warmers I made up myself using a 4 cable stitch (I think they were size 6mm needles, and 30sts, increasing every 4th st after band for cable).

I have also managed to pick up a bargain at the charity shop.

A Gainsborough Bone China Tea Set. I have a craft idea in mind for this, which I will show you when I find the time to do it (eek, not panicking at all).

What have you guys been making? Are you keeping up with it?