We have had a lovely day today. Santa had visited through the night and had brought lots of gifts. But the best present that I had, was the pipes defrosted to my washing machine so that after a WEEK we can finally do some washing! Yes, we were very very desperate!

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones.
May your time together be blessed, and may 2011 hold many wonderful surprises for you all!
Jille x

We were due to go to Wales on Sunday so I made some hampers as Christmas gifts using the jams, chutneys and sloe gin that I made. I'm pleased with the outcome and hope the recipients will be too. Sadly due to the weather they won't be given at Christmas as we had to cancel our trip across.I have used the extra time that I now have to complete (start!) a project! I thought that I would share - Charlotte's Mum - you still have time!

Fabric Chains Tutorial

Fabric Chains

You will need: fabric, iron on hem tape.

Cut the fabric into strips that are 8cm by 100cm (or any multiple of 20)With fabric face down, fold a 2.5cm hem and iron.

As you can see in the picture it is fine if the selvege edge is used, as it will not show.

Using the iron-on tape secure the hem all the way along. Repeat on the opposite edge so that both edges are turned in and hemmed (the hems do not meet in the centre -there is an overlap). I don't seem to have a photo of this stage but the final width of this long strip of fabric is about 2.8cm (I know this seems quite random but I measured after I had made one!).

Cut the strip into 20cm lengths.

Using a small piece of hem tape, iron the ends into a loop.

Join loops together as in a traditional paperchain. Continue until the fabric chain is to your required length.
There we are - a fabric chain that is washable and involves no sewing and in time for Christmas! And it was about time I became acquainted with our new iron!;0)

Thank you for the good wishes and emails for my birthday - they are very much appreciated!

I stumbled across this website - make your own snowflake here!
Far more fun than housework anyway!

I have had a lovely day, a few more wrinkles (we are talking shar pei here!), a light sprinkling of snow, gifts, meeting up with a friend. What more could a girl want on her birthday?

We wandered around the market, visited a couple of old faithfuls (Boyes, Wilkinsons, every charity shop that we saw) then we discovered a little shop that we'd not seen before. It sold some handmade crafts, fabrics and notions...We both indulged our fabric habit! Shopping builds up an appetite so we decided on a little tea room for lunch. This photo of Karen was 'take 125' as she just wasn't taking the business of 'ladies that lunch' very seriously at all! One of the many outtakes!
I didn't have my photo taken as quite honestly I wasn't sure that my camera would be able to take the strain! I have enjoyed my day so much today that if it wasn't for the extra wrinkles I would celebrate my birthday more often!

I have treated myself to the latest edition of Antiques and Homes. I was lucky to have a copy sent to me in the magazine swap with Lorraine and have become a fan. There was a lovely article by Mandy Shaw of Dandelion Designs - you know the the embroidery one that Kirstie visited last Christmas who has inspired me to make some more decorations (alas not this one!) There was a lovely picture of some vintage baubles hanging from a chandelier - I don't have a chandelier but I do have some vintage baubles! Here is my attempt at recreating it...it looks all shiny and kitsch in real life and although not normally my style (I love traditional!) I am really quite taken by it. It would look better tied with ribbons but I didn't have what I wanted so have gone with buttonhole thread! I am feeling even more Christmassy now that I have watched the second Kirstie and Phil Perfect Christmas! I liked the scarf that Phil made and it looked very easy hmmmmm....

Talking of Christmassy - the weather forecast is predicting more snow for us, as much as I love it, I'm hoping we don't have any until Thursday. The reason? It is my birthday tomorrow and I am hoping to meet a friend for lunch!

Also last week when the snowy weather arrived I had far too many of these...

and these......and I enjoyed them, but if I eat any more I will burst out of my clothes! And now, I shall leave you with that image!

I loved the Kirstie and Phil Perfect Christmas programme this evening. I am always inspired by her makes and ideas. I wish the programme was screened in November because it would give me chance to make all the things that I am inspired by. As I haven't got the time that I'd like I'd better get cracking! Last night I made this stocking...
...only three more to go!

It is Husband's birthday today but he wasn't alone in having presents - My Christmas decoration swap parcel arrived today - it was just brimming with festive treats!
And my absolute favourite...I have been totally spoiled! Thank you so much! I love all my gifts! Hopefully Maria will receive mine soon!

Thanks to Sew Scrumptious we found this site here. You can never be too old for Santa and I made little messages for all of my children.You can upload pictures which makes the message even more personal. It's all quite magical! No 4 got quite emotional when she heard her message. She is on the brink of not believing, which is all a bit sad being as she is the youngest. It is a blessing that she has got to 12 and still believes - I think that being deaf has meant that there is a naivety about her as parts of life just pass her by.
On the snow front. Between 8 and 10 last night we had heavy snow, which brought another 2inches. Sometime during the night it began to mizzle so some of our snow has started to melt. We still have lots though!
This evening we are off to Kinema in the Woods. It was No 4's birthday yesterday and she is having two friends for a sleepover. Goodness knows why it is called a sleepover, they will talk and giggle all night!

We are snowed in! These pictures were taken two days ago and we have lots more snow now!Even 16year olds make snow angels!As do 18 year olds!

Then you roll about in the snow!

It's still snowing now, so a time to be cosy and warm in front of the fire and catch up with my stitching! It almost feels like the Christmas holidays.
I also received some good news, I have passed module 1 for my Masters degree!