Christmas goodies and Grandma's Gingerbread cookies

I've been busy in the kitchen this morning, I've made almond and orange pastry ready for my cranberry mince pies and have made these gorgeous soft gingerbread cookies, using the recipe that Julie shared on the Cosmo Cricket blog, they are gorgeous and the mixture made so many! These will be taken to kim's tomoro for our Scrapaholix day, can't wait!

I will ice some later and add edible glitter!

These are a few pic's of our festive decorations. I made this chap last year and I love him!

I was not going to pay £30 for one in town, so I came home, found a cardboard box and made up my own pattern, the wallpaper was leftover from my craft room.

Not the best picture, (daylight, what's that?)

One more thing I hope to impress Julie (Mrs Cosmo Cricket) with is my attempt at the yule log that she showcased this week on her blog. I loved it so much I emptied out a tin of Cocoa, and ran to the supermarket to buy a birdy. I used CC Nutmeg paper and glitter glue. Again the photo is a bit naff, but we are shrouded with fog today! Have a good one C x

Day 8

Where is December going? So much to do, so little time! Had to go with Hubs to the hospital this morning, got there in good time, only to find he had not read the letter properly and we were at the wrong one!! We then had to leg it as fast as we could across Bristol, only to arrive 10 minutes late. His appointment was about breathing difficulties, so that little jaunt across the city didn't help! I couldn't be mad at him when he was sat there with his funny breathing mask on, I just made him promise me a nice coffee break on the way back. I feel so bad that he has to wear that thing every night, but am so desperate for him to be well that we have to put up with it. Hopefully in a few weeks he'll feel better and we can move on from years of broken sleep and fatigue.

Happy Birthday Chris! xx

Who lives in a room like this?...

Does anyone else have one of these disgusting creatures living in their house?

Crafty Christmas

For some reason, I've been feeling more Christmassy than I ever have before. I have made a journal, made my cards, hand made gifts, I have planned out menus and shopping lists down to the last sprout, and this masterpiece....

Well, if I say so myself!!

Very inspired by Natasja Verbeek, check out this amazing bouquet.

Photo quality not great, it looks like night time outside, no good natural daylight for us!! Have fun C x

Gifts

It's so nice to look out of the window and see blue sky! It has rained so much, I had forgotten about the sun. It's been a peaceful weekend here, post mock GCSE's, youngest son has almost put them behind him, last 2 today.
I went to my regular Scrapaholix class on saturday, 10-4 of pure craftiness! Then spent the day in my PJ's yesterday! My friend Kirsty said I hadn't posted any thing crafty in a while, so here's something I made earlier.
This little beauty was made using a Papertrey Ink Timeless Template, which you download and print for a couple of quid. Cut it out, stick it together and decorate in your chosen design. I stuck with Cream and red all the way through.

I love the flourish detail, with the sentiment stamped over the top in a darker ink, courtesy of  Dawn mcVey.

I even stamped some envelopes to match.

I embossed the background using a Cuttlebug folder. I added a stamped Butterfly form the Amy Butler range and a gorgeous coral flourish, using PTI Fancy flourishes and Stampin' up ink.

This card is lifted from Dawn McVey, it's so lovely I didn't want to change anything. I used Text style stamps, and real red ink.

I won't show all the cards today, it would take to long, but hope you like it so far.

This little cutey is also a Timeless Template, easy to put together, and fun to make. I stamped the cardstock with Polka dot basics, in white Stazon. I then punched out a window with my Nestabilities scallop circle, added a stamped acetate inside and decorated with snowflake die cuts. this will be nice with a small cake or some Florentines inside.

These are for Hubby's secretaries, I hope they like! Have a fab monday, C x

Thanksgiving

Today I am thankful for people who give second chances x

I got an award!!!!!

I had a really lovely surprise today when checking google reader, the lovely Leanne had left this for me!

I've not blogged much this last week, and this has given me a real boost, thanks Leanne!

It comes with a catch, I have to leave 5 random facts about me, and present this award to 5 other bloggers who inspire me. Well here goes:

1. I had my first baby at 17 years old, he's now 21, 6ft tall and has a beard!

2. When pregnant with bubba number 2, I ate bags and bags of tomatoes, he did not come out red!

3. The hubster and I renewed our wedding vows 5 years ago, 'cause I needed a new ring.( not as slim as I used to be!)

4. Have Bad thoughts about Gary Barlow! (don't tell hubster!)

5. Will be 40 next year, sadly :(

I would like to send this award, and throw down the challenge to:

My baby Sister Beki

The amazing Dawn McVey

My brand new friend Kirsty

The very talented Kate

and this superwoman Ruth

This has been fun, and random. I should be doing the ironing....