It's Nearly Christmas!

Just a few days to go til the Big Day

and it's starting to get exciting!

Our house is finally looking festive.
We have a tree we've decked with lights and mostly
 red and white ornaments.

And there are cards and little Christmas people on shelves
and the mantlepiece.

I have made a bunting similar to the one on the cover of
Home and Antiques' December issue using fabrics and
a length of red ribbon.

I think it's the perfect Christmassy trim for our window.

We've also been sampling a few mince pies (this one is Heston's)

but we all agree those made by my mother-in-law are still
our favourite.

The girls have been to Christmas parties in nursery and playgroup
and have met Santa Clause although I'm not too sure how much of it
my youngest understands.

Nevertheless she's enjoying the little treats from their
advent calendars as much as her big sister and they both
love reading their Christmas books. Doing Christmas is their favourite
at the moment.

I've had some early Christmas treats too

and there might be more of these in my stocking on
Christmas Day. Who knows?

On the making front there are still a couple more presents
I need to finish but I'm (slowly) getting there and I'm not worried.

This weekend I'm looking forward to more Christmassy orange and almond
cake. My husband and eldest daughter are making it again- hooray!
We'll be at my in-law's house on Christmas Day but on
Christmas Eve we have a little family celebration with Filipino food.
So this Sunday or Monday afternoon I'll most likely be found making spring
rolls while listening to Christmas songs on the radio.
Looking forward to it!

How are your Christmas preparations going?
 Hope it's all going well.

Have a lovely weekend!

Sew Last Summer

Around May this year I received a number of commissions, 

all from friends and family. It wasn't a lot but enough to keep me
 happy and busy. I spent many sunny hours working away in my sewing 

machine while my girls were in bed having their afternoon naps.

I made personalised buntings

and cushions.

This one was a first birthday present

and these were for a little boy and his new baby sister.
 The owls were a special request.  I added some toadstools
just because I like them.

I also made these little party bags.
I had lots of fun sewing those cupcakes and ice cream appliques.

And it was the first time I used my very own labels- exciting!

Last but not least this wedding present for my sister in law's friend.
I was asked to make a cushion with the names of the bride and groom
included in the design and the rest was up to me.
The happy couple both live and work in London and they also
got married there so I decided to put a bit of London in the design
and this was what I came up with

and the finished cushion.

My sister in law liked it very much and most importantly,
so did her friend. Hurray!

Some afternoons when I was busy sewing I had a little helper.
She was ever so good at keeping me company and (ahem)
 sorting out my things. I'm so lucky!

As I've said earlier it wasn't a lot, the commissions,
but it was plenty enough sewing for me especially with
 my crafting time very much limited to my girls' afternoon naps.
I'm so grateful to everyone for asking me to make some nice and
pretty things for them and to my girls for obliging me most afternoons.

And thank YOU for reading this post!

Wishing you lots of sunshine where you are.
(It's wet&miserable here in Sheffield)

Have a good week!