Christmas Is Coming...

I have succumbed, the Christmas music is blaring in the craft room and I am enjoying every moment of it.  I have been beavering away with gifts, cards and tags.  Apart from a little shopping for final gifts they are now complete.  The mammoth task of wrapping begins.  We did debate a cull of the Christmas cards due to the rising costs of postage.  But when we actually went through the list there is  no one we wanted to miss out.

Wreaths are in the process of been made or adjusted.  I am also in the process of making a tree topper rather than put the traditional angel on top.  Time will tell if that one succeeds, the girls like things as they remember from childhood.

Come on in and take a peek, a little glimpse of the works in progress.

 

Table runners for Christmas dinner are in the process of being made along with mischievous little elves.

 

It is the most wonderful time of the year...

 

See you soon.

Weekend

A weekend spent quietly together with my husband.  We did have a trip to the Garden Centre at Woodthorpe yesterday and treated ourselves to Sunday lunch, roast beef with all the trimmings.  It was nice to stroll around the Christmas displays and makes some plans for the coming celebration.  It was also a joy to sit and reflect, remembering Christmas's past.  We then spent the afternoon watching the Christmas channel  on TV with sweet treats.  Never tiring of the snow, the carolling and décor.

Today we are celebrating 35 years of happy marriage, we are going to celebrate quietly with a nice meal and a bottle of wine.  Time to reflect and plan for the future.

See you soon.

Reflections Of My Week...

As always a big thank you for all of your comments, I want you all to know how much you are appreciated.  I value each and everyone of you.  A warm welcome to new followers and visitors, I hope you enjoy my little adventures through life.

This week has seen a strange week with regard to the weather with snow predicted.  That thankfully never happened but we did have some hard frosts a couple of mornings.  The temperatures have certainly dropped making the stove a necessity, although it is one of our favourite joys of the cold season to watch the flickering flames.  Rainbows have been in abundance this week, if only there really was a pot of gold at the end some of us would surely be rich.  Whilst we are not rich monetary we are rich with the beauty around us.

 

Our eldest daughter had minor surgery on her wrist this week, so we popped down to Norwich to help with the children.  Hector has grown so much and is already pulling himself up, what a dream child he is.  He rarely cries and always has a smile on his beautiful little face.

 

 

He shuffles around on his bottom when he is on the floor, or scoots around in his walker.  His big brother Wilbur also likes to push him around in it amidst squeals of laughter.  One of the best sounds in the world to me is children's laughter.   Although I have to admit one of the best sights for a tired Mum/Granny is a sleeping child.

 

 

We certainly had some fun with Wilbur playing hide and seek around the house.  It always makes me smile when a child thinks if they can't see you, you can't see them.  He found some great places to hide.  We made some cupcakes together and chatted about his birthday which is coming up soon.  He is lovely company and a real joy to play with.

 

 

Norwich has a lot to offer with some wonderful places to visit but sadly it was a short trip this time worth it because of the quality time spent with the children.

 

There are a lot of birthdays coming up in the next month or so, consequently I have been busy with making a few tags to add to the collection.

 

 

I managed to pick up some pumpkins for 10p each, a bargain that I could not walk past.  I cut some down and roasted it in the oven, all ready for soups later.

 

 

Believe it or not we have never had pumpkin pie.  The times we have been to America at this time of year and yet we have never tried it.  In fact this is the first year in about 20 years that we have not been to visit the beautiful state of Florida.   Hopefully we will be able to plan a trip soon.  Anyway with all the talk of pumpkin pie throughout blogland I thought it prudent to make one.  We were not disappointed, it was beautiful.  We will definitely be making it again.

 

 

Both my husband and I are ex Military, so we will be taking the time to reflect upon our lives and our missing comrades.  We will certainly be giving thanks to all those who gave their lives so that we could have a brighter future.  Lest we forget.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Country Living Christmas Fair

I am so excited I could burst.  I am a follower of  Gems Country Life and last week she offered a giveaway of tickets to the Country Living Christmas Fair in London, Harrogate and Glasgow.  I won the tickets for Harrogate.  I believe there are tickets still available for the Glasgow show.  Pop over to www.gemscountrylife.com/ for a chance to win them.

My husband and I are going to make a mini break out of it and have a few days finishing our Christmas shopping.  We also plan to have an afternoon tea in one of the famous tearooms.  Outfits are already been planned.  I have also made a start on a Christmas brooch ready for the occasion.

 

The light is not showing the true colour of the yarn it is indeed a Christmas green.  I intend to make a holly brooch to adorn a plain red jumper.  Christmassy without too  much fuss.

 

 

I am thrilled and thank Gem for this wonderful opportunity.  I will of course take the camera and report back on all the wonderful goings on.  I am having a wonderful day, amazing how little things can brighten your day.

 

See you soon.

 

Winter Project Link Party

I have impressed myself this month with the amount I have got done.  The yarn I used was a beautiful Arran with 30% wool, it crochets up very quickly, so it became a very quick and easy make. 

Drum roll please for the big reveal...

 

The throw and cushion are finished, all ready to be packaged up for my youngest daughter.  I finished both the throw and the cushion with a corded edging or reverse double crochet.  It took a little of getting used to but I love the simple finish.

 

 

My crochet hook has been in overdrive as I have also finished two lap blankets for my parents, they just need the ends sewing in and then are all ready to be packaged up.

 

 

The zig zag pattern was another easy make and works up very quickly using arran yarn and a 5mm hook.  They are a lovely addition to the home at this time of year and will be well received.

 

I am joining Jennifer over at thistlebearhome.com.  Pop over and see what projects others are involved in.

 

 

Five on Friday

A busy week in the craft room having fun.  Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at Mamas Mercantile.  I have so far resisted putting on the Christmas music but its not far off.  I have been browsing several books and magazines and found some stunning tree decorations that I thought would make beautiful gift toppers.  A mix of styles but each beautiful so I have had some fun this week making toppers for my gifts.

 

One

 

Victorian Style Paper Fan

 

 

These were fun to make using some vintage style scrapbook paper and than a variety of embellishments used such as feathers, pearl strands, bows and mini cones.

 

Two

 

Lace Nosegay Ornament

 

 

They look so pretty and detailed and yet are quite simple to make.  Stitch along the top of lace and gather into a tight circle, once the lace is arranged embellish as desired.  I added some sparkly roses, pearl strands feathers and had some real fun with them.  They will look impressive on the top of a gift and then on a tree.

 

 

Three

 

Lavender Ball Ornament

 

 

I actually used some of the lavender that I dried from our garden which pleased me.  A circle of tulle is filled with lavender tied with a ribbon and little flowers and pearl strands added.

 

Four

 

Wooden Ornaments

 

 

A selection that my husband has cut out and painted.  Christmas stamps used and burlap used for bows.  Natural twine for hanging them and oddments to embellish.  Simple but effective.  Names stamped onto some to make them more personal.

 

Five

 

Jingle Bells

 

 

Finally some Christmas ribbon tied onto some large bells for the children.  Transfers added to them but their are endless  ways to enhance a bell just add bits and pieces and see what develops.  I have had some great fun with them.

 

I am once again joining the lovely Amy for the Friday link up lovemademyhome.blogspot.co.uk/ Hope you will pop over and enjoy some fun posts.

 

See you soon.

 

 

 

 



Trimming Towels

November is here already, arriving in a flourish of  falling leaves and mist.   A worrying time as the falling leaves despite their beauty means danger for those not as steady on their feet.  My husband is once again struggling with his RA, a recent flare up means swollen and painful limbs and not a lot of sleep, making walking quite difficult.   He had a steroid injection yesterday so hopefully that will help until his next appointment with the consultant, arranged for next week.

The diary is filling up already for next month, busy times that I love.  I am thrilled that all three daughters are coming home all at once with their little families so that we can all be together for a short while.  I am going to do a lot of baking and batch cooking so that I can spend quality time with them and not in the kitchen.  I am going to spend a couple of hours browsing cook books and then create a menu.  Exciting times.

I have spent the morning in the craft room finishing off some projects that I am working on for Santa and adding to the towels.  With so many visitors expected I thought it prudent to add to the towel stack.

 

I have bought some basic cotton towels and added  some festive cotton and vintage lace.  A touch of luxury and seasonal all ready for my guests.

 

 

Made with love  and all ready to be added to the bathrooms along with some seasonal toiletries and candles.   I do keep looking at soap making and wonder if I dare.  The chemicals frighten me a little, is there any real danger or is it all in my mind?  I would love to hear about your experience of  making soap and other toiletries.

 

Thank you for all your wonderful comments on my previous posts, it is so wonderful to hear from you.  I would also like to welcome new followers and visitors I hope that you find something to enjoy about my little adventures through life.

 

See you soon.