Did you make many gift this year? I didn't make as many as I wanted to, but I would like to share this one with you ... My Auntie and Uncle have moved down the road which is really lovely having some family so near. They spent Christmas day with us too. I find making gifts for men is especially hard, and was originally thinking of getting him an AppleMac mug, but couldn't find a funny one. I then thought that I could paint my own ... then I had a brainwave. My Uncle is full of silly funny sayings that he likes to repeat ... one is a great grace that he says ... 'Thank you Lord for my dinner and bless my wife who is a winner' ... so I decided to paint it onto a dinner plate.


I haven't done ceramic painting for years, so had to buy a new set of paints.


I worked out with a 6B pencil the wording onto the rim of the plate, so I would fit it on ...



... and then using lots of colours I painted ...


I am really pleased with it, and I think he liked it :)

 
I have had my Clippy bag for a month and I have loved using it ... it is a great size and brings a smile to my face everytime I see it :D

I thought for New Year I could have lots of firework photos, or numbers in each pocket 2 0 1 2, or a list of my New Year resolutions ... but in the end I have gone for lots of lovely positive sayings ... perfect for starting a New Year!

• it's a good day to have a good day
• keep calm and stay positive
• every day may not be good ... but there is something good in every day
• all our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them ~ walt disney
• always keep a notebook handy. you never know when inspiration will strike
• breathe and smile, it's a brand new day!

• live simply
• take a roadtrip
• make everyday a cloud nine kinda day
• be silly be honest be kind 
• let all that you do be done in love
• so do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will care for itself

Clippy have a SALE on at the moment, so why not pop over and treat yourself to a New Year gift!

If you would like to join in and link up, please pop over to our FRIENDSHIP VIGNETTES blog ... next weeks theme is COLD

I love decorations and so have loved making these paper baubles


I got the pattern from this tutorial, that was behind door number 10 of my blog advent calendar.

I hope you link up anything you have made or photos you have taken :)

Last year I made thank you note cards with pretty tags on ... this year I have decided to make writing paper.

I bought these little wooden stamps from Oxfam this Autumn and I have been dying to use them.

I also have some little letter stamp, so using gold ink, I have stamped some pretty writing paper ...
The top left has a bird and the word 'THANK YOU'

and the bottom right has a pretty flower
I am loving how they have turned out :)

Have you all had a lovely Christmas day and boxing day? I hope so ... mine was quiet ... never had such a quiet one, but as I was pretty ill for most of the day, that was ok! I am still feeling pretty ill today, but having a quiet boxing day ... managed to catch up with Downton Christmas special ... wasn't it lovely! and am now watching one of the films I got yesterday ... Apollo 13 ... one of my favourites, that I have watched many times before but always makes me cry :/

I have missed not seeing any of my brothers, sisters in law or nieces or nephews, but thanks to the internet managed to open presents with them with skype :)

Here are some of my presents :)


Some lovely book, DVD's and a CD


A pretty tea cup and saucer, lovely watch, apple pot, heart decorations, hair flowers and some gorgeous earrings :)


A remote control for my camera and a camera cleaning kit (I feel like Harry Potter getting a broomstick servicing kit! haha)


Lots of lovely chocolate ... and how great is this box of Edward Monkton box of joy!


A lovely warm winter hat and pretty scarf.


And this great picture frame that I am really looking forward to filling with photos of all the people I love :)

I got a couple of crafty books ... one on tatting ... I had a go a while ago, but it was from a book that I got off eBay and kinda expected you to know how to tat already ... this book is far clearer and even has a DVD with it.


... and this lovely cross stitch book ... I love being inspired by antique samplers and this book is full of pictures and patterns that I will enjoy looking at :)



I wanted to show you these fab cards made by my sister-in-law and little nephew ...


Aren't they lovely :)


I am looking forward to having a really restful week and working on some samplers that I am trying to finish and just picking up some other half finished projects and working on them. Did you get any new crafty bits for Christmas ... something you haven't tried before perhaps? I would love to hear how you get on :)

have a lovely Christmas Eve ~ click on the door for some true Christmas-ness.

please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.

please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.

please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.

please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.

please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.

please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.

I think its time I gave you an up-date ... basically all that has happened is that my fringe has mostly grown out ... it kinda stays back now, and is not really annoying. Slimming world lasted 2 weeks before I thought 'you know what, I am really not into this at the moment'. So since then, everyday I have thought I will be good, but have not really managed it and am now feeling really yuck and fat.

The problem is now, is that Christmas is nearly here and so there is a part of me that thinks well I may as well just enjoy it ... I hate that I am so weak willed :(


I'm going to cheer myself up with todays surprise ...
please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.

Ok, so this year our tree went up a little early (end of November to be precise) ... I have never put it up that early before, but I love it. It has to go in the sunroom as its too tall for the living room. It feels so magical when the lights are on.
I am looking forward to seeing lots of presents under it! haha


its advent calendar time!
please click on the door for some lovely Christmas-ness.