Friday 20 October 2017

Done and Dusted

Another busy couple of days adding to the store cupboard and ready for gifts some more jam. It took awhile to chop them but it as worth it in the end.  The finished product is a vibrant colour and I added a little ginger to give it a touch of heat, all ready for those Winter moments.



4 cartons of plums each 400g made 5 jars of jam.


They now have a fabric top and are ready to fill any gaps I may have.  I have been saving the fruit containers to use as the base for the jars, they usually hold three.  A great way to recycle and they look effective wrapped in cellophane and topped with a large bow.




Christmas tags have been made.



Written on and attached to the wrapped gifts.  They are all ready to be packed into the car.  All that remains to do is the write on the cards, which we intend to do over the weekend.  



Christmas done and dusted, all ready for Santa...!

We also have a lot of family Birthdays over the next few months so they need to be wrapped and that will be another thing ticked off the list.  I did spend some time making up the girls some bows for their hair, they do so love pretty things.




I loved sorting through the ribbon box, it has been awhile.  

I have had to stay focused to get everything ready and still a couple of weeks to go, but I am thrilled that I didn't get into a panic with last minute issues.  I will add that although Christmas is done and dusted,  many of the jobs I wanted doing in the cottage remain untouched.  We intend to take a break and relax prior to going away.  Our work on the cottage will start again after Christmas.  I have a pile of books that I want to browse and some little crochet and sewing projects to enjoy.  There is no deadline so I can enjoy the process.  

Mickey needs a little attention, he is in dire need of a wash and brush up.



Yes he is in his bed, I don't think it will last long but I am rejoicing in his attempt to try.


Oops!  Spoke too soon...

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.

See you soon.



44 comments:

  1. You are just so wonderfully organised, I am hoping I will get back to being like that in the future! Love all your Christmas gifts and tags, so personal and thoughtful.

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  2. Wow, already done for Christmas. You are inspiring me to get moving on mine. I was thinking about them while out digging in the garden.

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  3. Ha ha, I think Mickey's going to do exactly as he pleases. Well done getting everything ready and organised, and in plenty of time too. Time for a rest now.

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  4. I adore your Christmas packages wrapped in plain brown paper with lovely vibrant tags.....just beautiful.
    You deserve a little break now to get you all relaxed ready for your holiday.
    Hugs-x-

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  5. Love seeing everything you make, x

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  6. I love your creativity and taste! So lovely and festive, and your dog is adorable!

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  7. You amaze me even more.. so awesome that you have all your xmas things made and wrapped and bagged. I do hope you take photos of the girls wearing those adorable bows in their hair! I'm glad you have some rest times scheduled in! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  8. You have made such thoughtful and delicious gifts. I read every post but rarely comment. This post was so lovely I wanted to tell you how lovely these packages are. Your dog is beautiful too.

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  9. Don’t your gifts look lovely with the wrapping paper, tags and extras, so much more personal. You definitely deserve a break, you’ve worked so hard this year xx

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  10. You are so well organized! I love the Christmas tags.

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  11. Oh my goodness you are so prepared. I have done a bit of shopping for friends and Little Buddy but that is it. I am more worried about Halloween right now. But I better get going so I am not overwhelmed.

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  12. I love fresh plums and you have so much to even use them to make jam. Your jam gifts are so lovely. The receivers of the jam will be so happy!

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  13. You've been so productive!! I like what you wrote: There's no deadline so I can enjoy the process. Doesn't that sum up retirement?
    You'll certainly enjoy the break for Christmas.

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  14. Wonderful way to present your hampers, I usually scour the charity shops for baskets but will keep this in mind for when the baskets run out. The gift tags are lovely, I am hopeless with paper crafting but may be able to manage something similar.

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  15. I consider myself quite an organised person but flippin' heck. Well done you. Love the gift tags. We are not big on presents at Christmas, only for our two boys really but I love the preparation which for me starts at the beginning of November when I make the cake and mincemeat for the pies. Have to wait for Halloween to be over first!

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  16. Mickey looks very endearing with his slightly dishevelled look. Very cute! Have a lovely weekend, too. xx

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  17. Your jam looks wonderful and even more so wrapped and ribboned ready for gifts. Mickey obviously likes posing for photos, he's lovely:)

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  18. Today is the international of laziness...
    Enjoy it !!!!
    Anna

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  19. I'm amazed at how much you have done. The jams look so lovely in their bows. What a great idea to reuse the packaging as a base. The girls bows are perfect and I'm know will be well loved. All of your packages put me to shame. I've done virtually nothing for Christmas yet. Now you can relax and just enjoy yourself.
    Blessings,
    Betsy

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  20. It all looks fabulous! I love your wrapping very pretty and lots of attention to detail. You will be relaxing when everyone else is running around frantic!x

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  21. I love the gift tags. They are beautiful. I have only 3 gifts bought and nothing wrapped. You are amazing.

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  22. Surely we are all so impressed with your progress! I know I am. I can't even imagine being that far along at this early stage in the game. And I have to say that's a very cute idea of how to pack up jams for a gift. You win all the crafty awards to day.

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  23. Oh my word, you have so much energy, and you’re so organised, well done. My contribution to Christmas so far is knowing how many cards I need!! Your puds and cake look delicious and your damson jam is beautifully presented, what lovely gifts. I would love to get one of those in my Christmas stocking. I love your tags. Dear Mickey, what is it with dogs, they have lovely comfy beds of their own but they can’t wait to get up on the furniture!

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  24. You've got a lot of gifts ready which is nice. I found a nice sign about chickens I wanted for my dau-in-law but not sure where she'd put it in her small apt and $20 a little much. I'm getting photo cards done via Shutterfly thus weekend. 10 free is good. Windy and wet here today. Have a good weekend!

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  25. Honestly, how do you do it all ? You must never sleep! I LOVE your Christmas tags, that's really inspired me to make my own this year, thanks!
    Also live the idea of using the fruit tray for presentation, that is genius!
    Glad you were safe through the storm,
    Jillxx

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  26. you are so organized and ahead of time.. Love all you works...

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  27. You are really doing great job!That jam look totally yummy. I am sure it has lots of hard work behind this. All the best,thanks for sharing.
    I am you new follower #203, hope you follow me back.
    https://clickbystyle.blogspot.in/

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  28. You are putting us all to shame! I am very impressed indeed. And doesn't that jam look terrific? Your family and friends will be lining up for a jar.
    Amalia
    xo

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  29. When I see what you all prepare for Christmas already now, when I was a child and also later when our son was little I loved Christmas, now I would rather skip it. Sad.

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  30. You are amazing!! I can't even come up with good ideas for gifts...and you not only have the great ideas but get them done and ready to go, and so beautifully!! Mickey is a beautiful dog!

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  31. Look at you! Oh, I'm so impressed with your jam making. It all looks so good. And you made tags too! You are really on a roll! Thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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  32. Love those Christmas tags. I've started our Christmas prep ... slightly. Still need to make a lot more plans though to figure out what I'll be making this year.

    Blessings~

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  33. Amazing that you are all ready for CHRISTmas... how wonderful! :) the tags are just lovely :D

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  34. I do not do well with crafting or knitting under pressure. I crumble. Looks like you are more than ready for the holidays!! Love the pup photos :)

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  35. Your organizational skills are amazing. How wonderfully freeing to have Christmas done already. Just the enjoyment remains.

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  36. Love your sweetChristmas tags.. nice that your all done. Love the girl's bows so pretty.. have a fab new week with love Janice

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  37. Santa can obviously take some pointers from you, Lorraine, your bows and wrappings look so festive and the gift tags top. Even though you said that that Christmas was "dusted and done" you will certainly find more crafty projects and hope you share with us.

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  38. Well done, Lorraine! Thanks for sharing your lovely ideas for gifts that will be appreciated, I'm sure. Mikey prompted me to chuckle :) xx

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  39. My Goodness! You are the busiest lady I know. We have commercials advertising Everyready batteries which have a little pink bunny, marching around and beating his drum, and they say that like the pink bunny, their batteries keep going and going and going......You could replace the pink bunny because you also keep going and going and going......

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  40. Very Nice Collection.Thnx for sharing keep up the Good work..
    Embroidery shop

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