Tuesday 2 December 2008

Starting to be Christmassy

Oh my goodness - it's only 3 weeks tomorrow until Christmas Eve!!!!!


Aaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggghhhhhhhhh!


There is so much to do and I seem to have left it all to the last minute again (no surprises there!) so I'm feeling a bit panicked.

The one thing that is making this a better year than normal is that I made the decision not to do any craft fairs - in fact I haven't done one since about May I think. Unfortunately I still have a fair few commissions to do but I've decided to prioritise those that HAVE to be done for Christmas and the rest can wait because I really want to make as many of the Little Lockets' Christmas presents as I can (along with a few others for friends and family too)

I'm quite happy today because I have finally finished this lovely Melly and Me ladybird


I say "finally" because I started it ages ago but then had that long period where my wrist was hurting too much to craft so it didn't get finished in time for the recipient's birthday so it has become a Christmas present instead.



The other thing I managed to finish and post was my Christmas swap present for Vanessa - this is the main thing I sent (along with a bag and some buttons)


I used the free Wee Wonderfuls Elf Stitchette - I just love that design!

I'm also pleased because I seem to be more organised about doing crafty Christmas things with the children. At the weekend Dot had the chance to go and spend the night at Granny and Grandpa Dog's house so Daisy, Fred and I made some of Michaela's mincemeat:

here they are displaying Fred's "ingredient sculpture"

and then we have the stirring photos


and then Fred decided we needed to have a "cute" picture too


And so I don't leave Dot out all together here is a photo of the Christmas card she designed and made for a school competition. She was getting stressy about her drawing "not being good enough" so I suggested that she use her talent for collage instead.


I love the way she has used all the different greens (lots of them from the Boden catalogue) and lots of Christmassy text for the snow.

In other Christmas-Crafty news, we have a little matchbox advent calendar that I made last year and in each day there is a chocolate coin and a little activity. The first one was to make mincepies and I left the task in the capable hands of Mr Locket and the Littles, but I don't think I will publish photos of how they turned out!!!!!!

Tonight we will be doing "fingerprint robins" so come back next time to see how they turned out!

P.S Do you think 9 Advent Calendars is a bit excessive????

34 comments:

Rhiannon said...

9 is not in the least bit excessive, but if you're really worried i know a student who's parents seem to have decided that she is 'too old' this year without actually saying anything!

Simone said...

The ladybird is great! I like Fred's ingredients sculpture and think that the Christmas card is very designer-like! Looks like you have a very productive time ahead!

Kitty said...

Nine advent calendars is splendid! We have 5 on the go here.

Love the ladybird, and Fred is way too good at that 'cute' thing. You're going to have to keep an eye on that one ;-)

x

silverpebble said...

What a fab festive post. So much magic going on- look at the teeny baby ladybird! Lovely.

Making your own mibcemeat, special sculptures, cards - what would we expect though, from one of the craftiest households in blogland?

Anonymous said...

Thats definately a cute photo of Fred. Well done on finishing the lovely ladybird . Nah 9 isn't too many , I love advent calenders - maybe you could get Dot to design one next year?
Lisa x

julie said...

I love Dot's collage - brilliant use of all of those lovely Boden patterns and your stocking with the elf stitchette is so lovely - lucky Vanessa.
PS: you can never have too many advent calendars!

Mrs Moog said...

Only 9?

I love your ladybird - she's gorgeous!!

Great mincemeat making photos of Daisy and Fred - looks like loads of fun :-)

Please tell Dot from me that her design for her card is brilliant!

Great post missus - plenty of festive cheer.
Just one question - no mulled wine?
Did you drink it all?
xxx

trash said...

Nah! It isn't excessive until you hit double figures ;-)

Thimbleanna said...

You can't ever have too many advent calendars, can you??? The Ladybird is adorable. And those little Lockets are too -- they look like they're having a grand time making mincemeat. I hope the Christmas card wins -- it's fabulous!

marit said...

It is always so nice to stop by your place and see what you and your creative kids have been up to! That new dog of yours isn't taking up too much time, is it??

Kylie said...

The collage looks great - and on the advent calender front I dont think that you have too many. But then I dont even have one up this year - opps bad bad mum!

Gina said...

I think Dot's Christmas card design is amazing! Very professional. Love your ladybird and you can never have too many advent calendars!

April said...

9 Advent calenders is about right! Can't believe it is only 3 weeks to go!!!!!

April xx

Unknown said...

Any less just wouldn't seem right .
Clare's Craftroom

Anonymous said...

Oh I am totally feeling ya sister! I can't believe how fast time is flying. I have so much to make in the next few weeks! But I'm going to try to sit back and enjoy the season because I know it will be here and gone all too soon. x

Kaz said...

No 9 is not too many, you obviously have one of mine!

Loving the stitching you have done, I wish I did it like you. That ladybird really is something else!

I am in the '3 weeks??????' camp too.

Kaz xx

BIG sister Ally said...

I actually love the ladybird - excellent and well done from your big sis.

I have already told dot her card is fab so pats on the back all round and keep watching for my next posting. (It is slowly happening).

Ally x

sewkalico said...

Such a gorgeous ladybird!
And cute kids crafting creatively for Christmas: perfect!

Annie said...

Short answer ... yes!
Love all the christmas talk though. I hadn't really started thinking about it until tonight.

rachelmp said...

Love your lady bird and the stocking and great to see the kids cooking (and Mr Locket :)) Hope the christmas sewing is getting there!

April said...

You have been tagged! Please come to my blog and check it out

April xx

Michaela said...

So did you like the mincemeat? I love the lady bird and the stocking, but best of all is Dot's Christmas card. I just love it so much - going to have a go at one like that myself. Is it under copyright?

est said...

great talent yr children got ! :) must inherite from mom !

Mistea said...

What a fantastic idea to make the advent calendar active! I love that card you certainly have a talented young lady there.

Busy Betsy said...

I just wanted to comment about your lovely red gingham table cloth (one of my favourite fabrics). I went to a talk the other day by Yvonne Droge Wendel a Dutch artist and she has done some fabulous research into this fabric and I was surprised to see it used in so many countries and cultures all over the world. I've blogged about this on 29 Nov 2008, sorry no idea how to link this but her website is just fab!

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see Christmassy stuff going on at yours Lucy, it's even making this old bah-humbugger feel slightly festive.

I love Dot's collage card.

:)

Kate North said...

9 advent calendars is a great number to have. For one thing, it makes me feel much better about the 7 we have in our house...

Jane said...

Your ladybird is very cute, i bet the homemade mincemeat tastes much better looks like lots of fun too. Dots collage Christmas card is brilliant. There is an award for you over at my blog. Jane x

UK lass in US said...

You're making me feel bad. I started off well (have mostly decorated and did make ornaments with the kids) then I ground to a halt.

Maybe I'll make the Christmas cake this evening. At least mum is bringing the mince pies (I hope they make it through customs...)

We've only got 5 Advent calendars - I'm sure that's not enough.

Yummers! said...

I think her Christmas card is fantastic! It looks so arty and professional. The ladybird is absolutely darling!!! Boy... have your kids grown up right before our eyes.
Joni

picperfic said...

haha, I think 9 is perfect! Love your blog, don't always comment but I do read it! You are so active and busy, it is a joy to read about your makes and your lovely children! That ladybird is soooo cute!

Jennie said...

I read this post and thought I'd commented but I hadn't :O.
Love what you have been up too so productive, I am quite in a panic reading everyones blogs and realising just how close Christmas is! Eeep!

Dotty said...

9, no make it 10 its a nice round number...

so lovely to catch up on your goings on. The picture about your sisters blog is so beautiful.

Ahhhh only two weeks now!!!!

Jen said...

I love the ladybird!!
And, NOTHING is excessive when it comes to christmas. Great post.