Christmas {M}

For {M} I thought about Mince pies and also added a "Merry Christmas"!
I enjoy mince pies and am always trying different makes to find "the ultimate pie!" The pastry needs to melt on my tongue, the mince has to have just the right amount of tang and of course, it has to go nicely with cream!
I haven't yet had a go at making my own but maybe this will give me the enthusiasm to try some this year. I have put 3 recipes in the book but there are several blank pages I can add to if I come across any other recipes that look nice or easy!!

Enjoy!

Inspiration {L}

Following on from the Christmas L is Inspiration {L} – Lists!!

Every one of us has so much to do in any one day that one sure way to combat the potential stress and to prioritise jobs, is to make a list or lists!

It might be an idea to start off making a list of the lists you would like to make – sounds odd but this is what I had in mind:


My List of Lists to do

1. Craft commitments
2. Work priorities
3. Food shopping
4. Books to read
5. Films to watch
6. Days out
7. Birthday and Special occasion card/presents
8. What to take on holiday
9. Daily list
10. Housework

Each of these lists to do may have one list or more than one list. It’s a good idea to prioritise so that number one is the most important and it may certainly doesn’t have to stop at number ten, it could go on and on, but ten seems a manageable number for most list making.

The list should also be achievable, otherwise you are going to be disappointed and this in turn will create more stress which the list was originally meant to help eliminate!! (Don’t laugh – I do make lists and do aim to get them done, believe it or not!!)

I am thinking mostly of the daily list. I make a list of what I want to do in a day, be it vacuum, mop the floors, do food shopping, do new advertising for the shop, sort out orders, etc. etc. but in order for the complete list to be done you can’t put too many big jobs down, you have to be realistic and allow for disruptions, lunch, chatting on phone, picking kids up from school, etc. (and of these distractions I have many!).




A life revolving around lists sounds a little silly to some, but I have to say it certainly helps me. People who know me know how I can appear disorganized but I am finding that of late the list making is certainly a step in the right direction!

So whats on your list/s…………??!

Christmas {L}

Better late than never – Alphabet Funk Christmas {L} !!






I was going to go along the lines of Lights – but couldn’t find a half decent photo of any of my Christmas fairy lights so I finally decided on Lists. We all make lists at Christmas, in order to aid our memory and so we can manage to get things done so as to actually enjoy the few Christmas days that it is all geared up for.

This list of typical of some of the many things I want to achieve each Christmas and I usually do manage most of them!! I enjoyed doing this page as I love the colours and the paper – BG Snowed In – is to die for. I have to say, and some of you have probably gathered this, I absolutely love using my sewing machine and I think I am sewing on almost everything I do lately. I just love the look it gives, its easy, effective and a different way to using adhesive!!

{K} for Knitting

Knitting used to be thought of as a more mature ladies pastime, but more recently Knitting has become big business with younger people too. The availability of many fab new yarns has given a lot of crafters the urge to make something and so the needles have come out.

Regardless of fashion I have knitted for years, I have knitted cardigans, jumpers, baby clothes and the classic scarf. Nowadays a scarf is what I turn my knitting hand to most of the time. So quick and easy and so fashionable too - my daughter is a great fan of my scarves to the point where her friends are asking me to knit them one too! (I have to graciously decline - I don't have so much spare time these days)!





Scarves need not be just about knitting a long length. You can add pom poms, ribbon, buttons, beeds, ooooh just about anything that can stand a wash! A couple of years ago I knitted family and friends a scarf each for Christmas. They were gorgeous chenille scarves with ribbon threaded through and as the wool is chunky they were quite quick to make.

To make a really quick scarf, you can use bigger needles. I have some mega chunky 15mm needles that will produce a really loose knit and you can, of course use any type of yarn. Chunky needles aren't just for chunky wool!




I fancy trying my hand at knitting a mobile phone cover. How easy would that be?! The width needs to be just slightly wider than the phone itself and the length would be 2.5 times the size of the phone. You then have a little flap which can be velcroed down or use a button! Funky.......

So get those needles out! I know its Summer (although the weather would have you think otherwise at the moment) but if you start now, you can have your Christmas pressies done and dusted so that you can enjoy December instead of panicing.......or is that just me........?!!

Christmas {K} Page

Di O's {K} Page

For my Christmas {K} Page I chose Kings. I decided to utilise some of the beautiful Christmas cards we had received and I picked out the ones that represented the 3 Kings.

The little tags are ideal for journalling or additional photos, whatever you prefer.
It's a great way to use some of your old Christmas Cards.

{J} Jewellery

We all love jewellery - and what fun to be able to make your own. Follow these simple instructions to make a fabby necklace that is suprisingly quick and easy to make!..........


pic 1: these are the tools, findings and beads required.

Clockwise from top left:
round nose pliers, pliers, wire cutters, eyepins, jump rings, brown waxed cord, selection of small coordinating beads, shell pendant and large wooden bead.



pic 2: cut the end off an eyepin and make a small closed loop at one end using the round nose pliers.




pic 3: open the right size jump ring using the pliers and put through the hole in the shell pendant and the loop on the eyepin. Close the jump ring completely.




pic 4: thread each bead onto a separate eyepin. Using the wire cutters, cut the eyepin leaving about a 1cm length above the bead.




pic 5: using the round nose pliers make a loop on each cut eyepin for each of the beads.




pic 6: thread the bead loops onto the eyepin that's attached to the shell pendant. They will fall into a cluster.




pic 7: thread the wooden bead onto the eyepin followed by a single bead to cover the opening of the wooden bead for neatness.




pic 8: make a loop at the end of the eyepin with the round nose pliers, making sure it is closed completely.




pic 9: thread the waxed cord through this final loop and cut a long length. You can then wear the necklace as short or as long as you would like simply by adjusting where you tie the knot.



How fab is this necklace! Go on - give it a go..........
Many thanks to Kaz for the great instructions and photos........

{J} Jack frost!

I chose "Jack frost" because I like the way the frost makes everything sparkle and glisten! Spider's webs are turned into jewels in the hedges and the stories told about Jack Frost are magical.