Worn Out

Must be that time of year.  I'll make the most of the odd occasion when this happens though as it doesn't & won't for much longer... 

A new ornament for the last few evenings of craft time.  It's another Mill Hill one with beads.  He is surprisingly big!  Not the nicest design but he's done.  Some more stash used up too.  Yay for stash use!  But I will need more white beads from work to do one other Santa face that I have the chart for.  All good.  Then I can trade the patterns with a friend.  Yes, I have a like-minded ornament addict!  

Are you ready for Christmas?  I'm not.  Mostly I am.  The boys are sorted.  That's the main thing for me.  For the rest, whatever happens, happens. The grown ups can manage without if that is the case.  It's never happened yet though!  lol

Our Family Elf

Yes, I caved in & our family now has it's own elf named Douglas.  Quite in interesting little character he is.  He showed up on the first in this mess of snow with his book & a letter for the boys.  

Last night he decided to play with the popcorn that was left over & hung it & himself up alongside my gingerbread men.  At least he didn't throw the popcorn around which is something I guess.  Not that I can't guarantee that won't happen tonight!  

I won't bore everyone with our elf's antics all month as I am sure you see plenty these days.  I might do a weekly post.  I'll see how we go.  Anyway, hope your own elves are enjoying their stay in their holiday homes!

End Of November Already

Hat production is on again...  another request for someone with fabric they chose.  This is very cute fabric too...  

& yet another Mill Hill beaded ornament.  

And Another Off That List

I saw this simple idea the other day for Santa pants...  They had done it on red plastic cups.  I needed to find something red first...  I was looking for something like a plant pot thinking I would have to paint.  

Done...  red ramekins from the cheap shop.  $2 each...  bargain.  A bit of black felt ribbon, a white felt belt buckle & some glue - voila...  these will hold my pillar candles on the Christmas table.  

They are so cute & effective I think, that I went back to the cheap shop & bought 8 more.  I will fill them with something, cello wrap them & gift them.  Nicer than a throw away cup & something cute & useful later on.  

I can't find the original picture that I saw but there are a few other types of this on Pinterest if you care to look on there with the search of Santa Pants!  

Now I don't know why I did this yesterday but I did.  I was in the middle of making hats, but couldn't as the little guy wouldn't have a sleep so that messed up my make time.  So instead for some reason I picked this up & went with it.  I had no intention yesterday of doing these but well, things just happen sometimes & I went with it.  Since I had the back ground cut & the sun fabric still left over from the other squares it really didn't take long.  If you remember or not, I did the first 10 Happy Sun quilt squares at about this time last year.  I was caught up with them & then had to wait for the last 2 to be released.  Well of course I didn't do them at the time.  But these last 2 were on my list on the right hand side of my blog "to try to do list". & well there is another done!  I guess for next year I had better put making the quilt top on the list.  

The Happy Sun quilt squares are now available to buy from the designer April Mae, but if you would like the Happy Moon quilt along set she has those available now on her site.  Check them out!  They are like the suns, but night time!  

Weekend Bits

We actually had some sunshine on the weekend.  Wasn't bad considering it was forecast rain all weekend.  

BJ got his Ninja Turtle ornaments made.  We got the idea from Pinterest.  There are so many different versions out there, so you can really pick your own way to make them & do them to suit the age & ability of your children if they want to make them themselves.  A box of Christmas balls from the cheap shop & a bit of felt & google eyes & easy done!  He is most pleased!  Going to make for an interesting tree of course!  

& yes, one more ornament, Chilly Penguin!  Bit cute.  He has lots of bling...  a pretty holly berry, a snowflake, a bell & a fringed scarf!  lol

Taking Stock

Here is my list for today!  If you want a list you can get it from Pip at Meet Me At Mike's too!  

Making : Cross Stitch Christmas ornaments, hats, dishcloths, 
Cooking : boterkoek
Drinking :  coffee
Reading: Coming Home - Rosamunde Pilcher
Wanting: lots of time to finish making
Looking:  at the toy shop catalogue with the boys
Playing: Bug Trails our new favourite game
Deciding: what to get some grown ups for Christmas
Wishing: for a bit more sunshine
Enjoying: planning for a big Christmas.  
Waiting: for new episodes online of Hart of Dixie & Homeland
Liking: a new series to watch, Chicago Fire
Wondering: How much sleep Master 5 will get on Christmas Eve?
Loving: hunting down new recipes for Christmas.
Pondering: the point of hunting down new recipes for Christmas
Considering: what would be best in the boys Advent Calendars
Watching: Chicago Fire
Hoping: That all my effort with the cotton yarn at work will be worthwhile!
Marvelling: at how Master 2 if finally saying everything or at least trying too!
Needing: an early night
Smelling: the clean dog
Wearing: daggy home clothes
Following: My friends Sally & Bron...
Noticing: how grown up my big boy is suddenly
Knowing: I spend too much time playing Candy Crush.
Thinking: I am never going to get every thing done before Christmas that I would like too, but I won't stress over it either!  
Feeling: content
Admiring: Claire Danes as I watch her in Homeland.
Buying: too many Christmas ornaments & things.  But I love it!
Getting: lots of ideas on Pinterest to make more Christmas stuff!
Bookmarking: recipes
Opening: the One Pot Wonders cook book for our dinner tonight
Giggling:  at how some people love Christmas so much that they put up their tree in November & even October!  

How fun is that then.  I love reading what people put down for some of these things.  It's quite enlightening don't you think.  If you want to do it too, go to Pip's page & use her blank list to paste.  

Another Thing Crossed Off

Yay, The Patchwork Stocking is no. 6 of the Mill Hill ornaments.  I had 6 on my list to do this year.  Another one I can mark as done!