A giveaway and a gift, make that 2.

First the giveaway.

One of my presents was a copy of this book,

While I am not a total fan of Kirstie, anyone who promotes crafting as fun and accessible to all is Okay in my view, mind you glass blowing does not appeal at all my cheeks are fat enough now.

I have a copy of this book already, I did check with the giftee/giver and they offered to change it. We had a little chat and she agreed that I could put it up for grabs, it is after all the thought that counts and the rest of the present was edible and totally lush and I am keeping that.

So, the usual drill, drop a comment to the effect that you would like this. Names will go in some thing hattish to be drawn on New Years day, in the day, not at the last stroke of midnight cos I will be sleeping. fingers crossed.

Now for the suspended photo,

A glorious fat quarter and a set of bright coloured pretty buttons. I want to keep the fabric in as large a piece as possible and I have a plan.

I wear aprons all the time in the kitchen so this may well become the skirt of a waist one, I will look for toning solids in the stash for ties and a little pocket. If I do not have the right colours I will think again.

Today's 12 days of Christmas gift was this sweet little candle.

I like a scented candle burning in the evening and when my current Winter Spice is finished I will light this. 

I managed a good walk with Ben, in sunshine , yesterday we both enjoyed it immensely, he was rushing along like a puppy. I also managed a load of washing almost dry outside. It went on a horse to finish drying and is now awaiting a visit to the iron, it can wait on.

I popped into The Works in the morning and bought a calendar with a diary for £3. and a Cracker making kit for £1.50, both needs as well as wants. Francesca and I were talking about crackers while she was here. Last year I bought some posh ones, reduced because the box was damaged and they were nothing to write home about. This year I bought "luxury" ones in the January sales and they were rubbish.

Next year I will be making my own, I will keep my eyes open for little things to put in them when I am out and about.

That is the sum total of my sales shopping, I was intending a trip to Hobbycraft but it would be buying for the sake of it. I still have loads of yarn and fabric to use, not to mention ribbons and sparkly things.

Storm Frank has been howling round the houses all night, rattling the letterbox and gusting through my bedroom window. At one point the curtains billowed and set Ben barking, I am sure that he thought somebody was trying to get in. He went into full guard dog mode and put his hackles up and snarled quite viscously. I was impressed, he sounded like a much larger dog and it would have made me stop and think twice before entering.

I am more determined than ever to concentrate on using what I have before buying more. I intend to buy nothing new next year except to replace items too worn out to use or breakages. Birthday gifts will be made by me, as will Christmas gifts. 

I am off now to help Maggie move some more stuff from her house, this task has reinforced my limited spending plans for next year. I am a bit of a hoarder but the sheer volume of stuff in that house was and is frightening. The bungalow is to all intents and purposes full, I have taken several car loads away and there is still as much again, if not more, to go. I have no idea where she is planning on storing this stuff, I just hope that she does not try to cram it all in. I am sorry to say that she has been on a buying mission since moving. There are lots of new things cluttering up her space. 

                     TTFN                                                Pam