Oh Christmas Tree............

Thought I'd say Hello while Twiglet is upstairs helping :) his Daddy decorate his new big boy bedroom. (Why do men decide to decorate and move bedrooms rounds 5 days before Christmas, my brother in law does such things too, we call it Extreme DIY).

Anyhoo surprise, like many of you, we're ill again, I'm so bored with coughs,colds,snot but have developed a bit of a thing for lovely Beechams Hot Berries. bought loads today and might make them up into Christmas cocktails.

Here are some Christmassy pics for you, inspired by noseying at everyone elses lovely bloggy Christmas Tree pics. you'll notice I do like an eclectic Christmas tree, no colour themes for Twiggy :)

Lights off...................Lights on..................................

Twiglets super cute Christmas decos, the trees are for Grandparents the hearts for me and Daddy and they are called `because I love you decorations' awww. Do you like the Elmo backing?My lovely fairy lady (49p from Homebase years ago!)Our knitted Christmas Guinea Pig, not every tree has one of these you know, they are a limited edition knitted about 5 years ago by a friend to raise funds for another friends Guinea Pig Sanctuary.

One of the lovely decs I received from Jenny.Gorgeous deco from Vicky. Just below you'll see our eskimo girl and a red snowman made by Twiglet - looks like he's having a lie down.Do you have Christmas rituals? this is one of mine get out my lovely sherry glasses that used to belong to my Grandma and fill with ruby port.Guzzle, I mean sip delicately whilst writing Christmas cards (aren't these from Charliemotel pretty?)Here's homespun corner, Twiglets original artwork for his nursery Christmas card, in a jaunty green Ikea frame, Alf the dog made by Jenny, my knitted Christmas tree and some pine cones a neighbour gave us from his garden prettified with silver paint and glitter, ohhhh get us.Received a lovely surprise package from Josie yesterday, my giveaway prize a fab peg bag, isn't it pretty? Thanks Josie.Twiglets Christmas card to Mummy and Daddy - he's signed it too!!!Birthday card I made for my MIL.Angel mince pies made by Twiglet and I, they were so scrummy we're going to make a load for Christmas - yum yum.The one good thing about having the lurgy this week has been watching It's a Wonderful Life (yes, again) the Snowman, Father Christmas and lots of other Christmas films whilst laying on the sofa eating quality Street. I swear I opened the tin and could smell Christmas 1976. Magic.Will pop back before Christmas. Meanwhile don't get stressed, do get well and eat lots of choccy.

love

Twiggy x

Busy, busy,busy................

Here's a photo of one of the (feels like 1000s) of Christmas cards I've made this week.

Blimey we've been busy here the last few days. It was Twiglets nativity yesterday, I would show you some pics but we forgot to charge the blimmin camera batteries - grrrr!!! Anyhoo, was very fabulous and eclectic. Twiglet was a snowman, but Spiderman and Upsy Daisy also made an appearance. The 3 Wise Men wore dressing gowns and one had flashing shoes, it was held in the little village chapel and was FANTASTIC.

We've been on the Santa Express today, which was also fab despite the pouring rain. Where else could you get away with quaffing sherry at 10.30am on a Saturday morning. Grandma Twiggy came along too and we all agreed the last couple of days have made us feel very Christmassy even the late night trip to Ikea yesterday which resulted in Twiglet not going to bed until 8.45pm - shock,horror!!!!!Here are Twiglets FABULOUS reindeers which even had a guest appearance on the homepage of Papercraftersunited yesterday.

His lovely painting which was made into cards to raise funds for playgroup. (Each child painted a picture and they were then printed up and made £285 altogether). I bought a lovely bright green frame from Ikea for it yesterday and it looks great. I think it will become a Christmas family heirloom.
My WIP is finally finished. Some good guesses but it is a sparkly Christmas tree.
Received a couple of lovely surprise parcels this week. Firstly from my lovely friend Helen, will have lots of fun with these lovely crafting bits and bobs. Secondly from lovely Vicky @ Anglesey Allsorts.Gorgeous handmade Christmas decs for all of us and a beautiful bag containing lots of fantastic sewing notions. Thanks so much ladies.

A few of you have asked for the recipe that I use for Chilli Jam. Here it is, it's a Sarah Raven recipe taken from the Gardeners World Magazine and abbreviated because this post is long enough already :)

You will need :- 500g very ripe tomatoes, 4 garlic cloves,peeled,4 large red chillies(keep seeds in if you like it hot), 6 - 7cm root ginger, sliced, 300g golden castor sugar, 2 tbsp Thai fish sauce, 100ml red wine vinegar.

1. Blitz half the toms with garlic, chillies and ginger in a food processor. Pour into heavy based saucepan. Add sugar, fish sauce and vinegar bring to boil stirring slowly and reduce to simmer.

2. Dice remaining toms finely, add to pan. Simmer for 30-40 mins or until mixture has darkened and reduced to sticky consistency, stir occasionally.

3.Store in warm dry sterilised jars and seal while mixture is still warm. Longer you keep the jam, hotter it will get. Keeps for about 3 months in fridge.

This recipe makes enough jam for 2 small Kilner jars, I usually triple it or more.

Phew, that's enough for now so off to eat my dinner cooked by lovely Mr Twigs and to watch Strictly later and might do a bit of Christmas crafting.

Love

Twiggy xx

It's that time again ...............

(Here's a photo from one of our local Wintery walks last weekend).
The time of year when I get out my old battered copy of A Christmas Carol, I love this book, particularly this copy. I was given it by a lovely old bloke who used to have a second hand book shop, we used to spend many Saturday mornings there. He'd give us coffee, tell us all about his belief in UFOs and hold forth on all kinds of topics. We'd then buy a few books and he'd always throw a `bit extra in'. Just check out these colour plates. Magical. The little chap in the photo is my darling Dad when he was very little, I keep this photo in my book as a little bookmark, it always makes me smile because Twiglet really looks like him. Think it's the cheeky twinkle in his eyes. (Apologies for sideways photo!)

I'd just like to say, thank you sooooo much for all your lovely get well messages.

In other news, I seem to have been writing or making these all week (on top of the pile is Twiglets letter to Father Christmas). He dictated it to me, it says. Dear Santa, I have been really, really good please would you bring me a motor speed Thomas, Special Delivery Service and alsorts! He has been very good this week, had to go for his nasty pre school jabs - 2 at once and was sooooooooooooo brave, he's suffering a bit now but what a star.

Here's a bit of Christmas crafting for you. This mess is hopefully going to result in reindeers, will blog them later.A WIP by me - blimey, me, knitting...........................I received this lovely bundle - my charity competition prize from Margaret who runs Papercraftersunited - what a lot of lovely stash.
I've mad another batch of chilli jam for Christmas pressies this afternoon, the house smells lovely, great for clearing the sinuses. I LOVE my jam pan another bit of Freecycle gorgeousness.
We're keeping our poor old postie very busy at the moment as I'm so averse to shopping I 'm doing my Chrimbo shopping on line and getting it delivered. I really must buy him a pressie, poor chap.

Big thank you to Solsticedreamer for my tag, I'll post it at a later date when I've had a good think about it.

We're all more or less better now (apart from post jab nasties) I went to the doctors the other day, turns out I've had a chest infection for the last 3 weeks - urgh!!! so I have some nuclear strength antibiotics and had to promise not to wait 3 weeks before going to see her next time I'm ill - oops!!

Did you get any snow this week? we had quite a downfall on Wednesday night and like an eejit I didn't take any photos durr.

I also acquired last weekend, something I've always wanted and think it might be love but that can keep until next time.

Take care and enjoy your festive preparations. Don't get stressy!

love

Twiggy x

PS I'm quite giddy as I actually made an Etsy sale today, just as I was thinking about throwing the towel in too, a thousand thank yous kind buyer :)

Ooooo Festive Post and the Lurgy!!!!

Oh I'm sure you're bored with reading that we're ill, I'm bored with it too. We've now all got Twiglets flipping chest infection, there's a lot to be said for home schooling. (Check out the sunset we photographed on Wednesday, photo doesn't really do it justice).
Not really done much on the crafting front due to feeling grotty, but have watched a lot of evening tv instead. I'm enjoying The Devils Whore on Channel 4, I do like John Simm, anyhoo I digress......
I have many pretty festive piccys to show you, so here goes.
A few cards I've made for my MIL, she's keeping me in crafting stash at the moment with all her orders, Gawd bless her.I sent off my festive PIF to Moogsmum, Pretty Shabby & Jan @ Daylily Lane (note to self, tell Jan not to read my blog, in case parcel hasn't arrived yet!)

Hand sewn Christmas decs, mulled wine spices and Green & blacks choccy, Christmas in a parcel!Here is my swap that I made for lovely Jennie at Falling Down the Rabbit Hole for Indigo Blues Christmas Decoration Swap - you'll notice I don't do understated!

I dragged my weary self down to the post office to collect a parcel today - in the rain, I hasten to add for extra pathos! So glad I did as it was my swap parcel from Jennie, what a load of loveliness. Not only 3 gorgeous trinkets for my tree including a darling little puppy - how did Jennie know I write puppy on my Christmas list EVERY year and Mr Twigs says erm, no chance!!But ALSO a totally fantastic, gorgeous mucky bunny for Twiglet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Isn't he splendid? Twiglet has decided to call him Humfer ! He also got very excited about the bags of sweeties in the parcel and the cardboard box it all came in to be honest, but that's 3 year olds for you. Jennie you are a lovely lady but I already knew that anyway. Many thanks from both of us.

I have a confession to make I always buy pressies for people I REALLY like and then want to keep them, exhibit 1, birthday gift for my MIL from Silver of the Valley. These are make from a silver cast of a honeysuckle blossom and I WANT them!!!!!!!!! Aren't they beautiful.

I think I'm going to buy some for me and tell Mr Twigs he's bought them for me for Christmas!And finally, I've been spending my Christmas card earnings in the fab-u-lous (said like Craig Revel Horwood) sale at Artymiss, check out my stash it only cost me £8.88!!!! the quality is so fab, I went back and ordered another load of stuff, but that's for next time.

Keep warm, keep well

love

Twiggyx

Halcyon Wintry Days

It has been a lovely day here today so we got wrapped up warm and went for a walk in some local woods, they really are beautiful Mr Twigs has discovered loads of local walks around that area so we will definitely return. I LOVE Wintery Sunday afternoon walks.
I had my hair cut yesterday, can you tell :)
Who would have thought there were snakes in West Yorkshire woods, we were surprised.
Well it turned out poor old Twiglet has got a chest infection so the very lovely doctor gave him a I am a star sticker and a bottle of medicine and although he is still poorly at least he is sleeping through at night again. He had to miss the fancy dress day at nursery on Friday, so wore his cowboy costume at home and made biscuits with Grandma while I was at work. Very tasty they were too (that's why half the plate disappeared before we took a photo)Mr Twigs deserves a mention, here is the Ivor the Engine he and Twiglet made. Not only that he's made potato and pancetta (we didn't have any bacon before you accuse us of being poncey:) soup for tea AND homemade bread to go with it, what a star!I spent a bit of time clearing out my greenhouse this afternoon, a sure sign Winter is here, it doesn't seem two minutes since we were checking for ripe tomatoes on a daily basis. I've made all my November and December ATCs for Papercrafters this weekend. Have just finished a few bits and bobs off that I can't show you yet, including my Christmas Decoration Swap for Jennie, hope you like it Jennie.
I'm currently making a pompom snowman for Twiglet and might get my knitting needles out and have a go at some Christmas jiffyknits from here.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Greenhowes-Jiffyknits-Exciting-Garter-Stitch/dp/B0010YRLB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1226855318&sr=1-1 my knitting skills are rubbish so no laughing ok?

I'm VERY excited as we booked tickets for us to go on the Santa Express in December, today, steam trains, Father Christmas and sherry - woohoo!!!!

We're also hoping to have Bonfire Night on Thursday - 3rd attempt due to illness, so keep your fingers crossed.

Righto off to scoff my lovely tea now.

If you're one of the millions suffering from colds/coughs/lurgy hope you're soon feeling better.

Have a great week.

Twiggy x

PS Have just popped my brooches in my Etsy shop.

Staying in is the new going out !!!

Well that's what we told ourselves last week, both of us were off work sick but we're ok now apart from wee Twiglet, one boy germ factory, he has a doctors appointment on Thursday morning for his old mans cough. Had to laugh, when I rang surgery to make an appointment for him they couldn't see him until Thursday as 3 of the doctors are off sick!

Anyhoo, he loved having us both at home and to be honest although we felt grotty it was nice to be at home with no visitors or real life stuff to deal with - we declared ourselves a germ zone, and huddled under blankets watching telly and mooching about, it was just like being on holiday but with lots of medicine :)

We (well me really) like to get in the Christmas groove nice and early so this weekend we got cosy on the sofa under Twiglets Ducky blanket and watched our top Christmas films (well apart from Scrooge - too scarey for Twiglets and Miracle on 34th Street of course). The Snowman, Father Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol (yay!), Elmo Saves Christmas and It's a Wonderful Life, tip top!!!

I kept my fingers a bit busy whilst film viewing. Here are a few brooches I've made, which will go in either my Etsy or Folksy shop soon..........

A few ATCs for the November Papercraftersunited swap.And a sneaky peek at a WIP, I'm saying no more.................These are a joint effort made my Twiglet and me for Nana and Grandma.
Today we did a bit of baking after nursery and started to make cheese straws that ended up being cheese Thomas the Tank Engines and friends!!

Met a lovely lady at the weekend through Freecycle who has very kindly given me her old jam making pan, so I can make big batches of chilli jam and chutney now, hooray!! beats having to halve all recipes and very slowly stir contents in a casserole. We also exchanged jars of chutney and recipes :) I've just parted with one of Twiglets baby gates this evening - sigh. I couldn't resist giving it away to a very nice man called Dickie who needed it for when his grandaughter stays over, isn't Freecycle excellent?

Also, sorted out Twiglets outfit for ~Friday he's going to be a cowboy!!! yee haw !!!

Bought him a very fetching sheriffs hat, if I didn't have such a big head I'd steal it. I will provide photographic evidence of his cuteness after Friday !!!

Righto that's me for now, stay cosy and if it's as windy and wet where you are as it is up here. Stay wrapped up and inside the house.

love

Twiggy x

Armistice Day - 90 Years On.

Today we commemorated the 90th anniversary of the end of WW1. I was at home around 11am so watched the ceremony at the Cenotaph and as ever found it deeply moving. Particularly (like no doubt many others) the three old soldiers who were laying wreaths who had fought in the first World War (one of them had actually fought in both wars). http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7720601.stm

I know many people who had loved ones who were involved in the two World Wars and several who had relatives who sadly, never came home. My Mum had several cousins and uncles who died for their country. It makes it even more poignant now that I have a son as my Mums cousins were boys really, 19 and 20, no age at all.

Anyhow, we used to attend Remembrance services with my dear Dad every year as he was in the RAF for a time and later in life became a member of the Royal British Legion, where he had some fun times with his old mates :) I'll have to do a post about their fundraising books that helped to build a local war memorial sometime. Here is a poem that was always read at the services and one that I personally find extremely moving and evokes memories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who are doing the very same thing today and finally my dear old Dad.

The Soldier (War Sonnets No. 5)

If I should die, think only this of me:
That there's some corner of a foreign field
That is for ever England. There shall be
In that rich earth a richer dust concealed;
A dust whom England bore, shaped, made aware,
Gave, once her flowers to love, her ways to roam,
A body of England's, breathing English air,
Washed by the rivers, blessed by the suns of home.
And think, this heart, all evil shed away,
A pulse in the eternal mind, no less
Gives somewhere back the thoughts by England given;
Her sights and sounds; dreams happy as her day;
And laughter, learnt of friends; and gentleness,
In hearts a peace, under an English heaven.
Rupert Brooke (1887-1915)

Get your thinking caps on please!!!

Just received an email from Twiglets nursery, saying the children can go in fancy dress on Friday to celebrate Children in Need. Any ideas/thoughts will be gratefully received.
Cheers
Twiggy x
PS I might just pop to Asda tomorrow :)