Handmade Christmas

I can hardly believe that I bought this book in 2012 and it sat on my bookshelf for years.  It was one of those projects which I intended to start, but I couldn't seem to find the time to get underway.

Last year, I got as far as tracing all of the pattern pieces and the mammoth task of cutting out all of the felt.  By the time this was completed, I had no time left for the more creative part of the project. I started the Christmas pudding, then laid it aside, carefully placing all of the pieces in a tin.

Who would have thought that a few simple felt decorations could be so time-consuming?

Last week, I came across this project in my craft room and decided to make a start.

The reindeer one isn't in the photo, but is almost completed, apart from a missing piece of felt for the bow.  I'm certain that I cut this out, but it seems to have vanished.

The Christmas pudding is finally completed and here is the collection of the other finished pieces.  I have five left to sew and then I will have my Christmas dozen, finished in time for decorating the tree next month.

Autumn turns to Winter

This is the last colour in our garden for this year.  It is sedum Autumn Joy and it has been a joy to behold for the last few weeks.  I've watched as the colour changed from a pale pinkish-green to the deep pink of its last flush before it goes into winter hibernation.

The temperature dropped dramatically on Sunday and it felt like winter had arrived as we headed out to the Remembrance Day service.  With a temperature of minus 1 C, but a strong wind, it felt like minus 9 C.  The water in our birdbath has frozen, so we need to rescue it before it cracks.  The poor birds are left to fend for themselves - they have been visiting for water, but have left disappointed.  We had hoped to put our winter bird bath outdoors, but we don't have anywhere to run an electric cable.  I've seen birds massing and a huge flock of geese flew overhead, so I think most of them are now migrating.  Winter has definitely arrived.

The English Home

One of the joys of the season is the arrival of The English Home, which appears in the shops long before any other Christmas magazine.  

There is nothing nicer than dipping into a bit of Christmas cheer and delighting in the prospect of the coming festivities.

Book News

As I mentioned in a recent post, my book is completed and I was anticipating my proofreader beginning work within the next few weeks.  I got some unexpected news last week when she contacted me to say that she had had a couple of postponements and was able to start earlier than scheduled.  I’m trying not to be a nuisance and leaving her to get on with her job, but eagerly anticipating her feedback.  

She has promised to have my manuscript finished by the end of the month.  In the meantime, I’m thinking about all of the work that I will have to complete in order to move forward to publication.

I will share more news about this soon.

Armistice Centenary: 1918-2018

Today marks the centenary of Armistice Day, when the guns finally fell silent on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month.  I look at images of the First World War today and can barely imagine the horrors of this war which was supposed to end all wars.

Millions died so that we could live in freedom and peace.  The Commonwealth War Graves’ Commission maintains military cemeteries throughout the world, like this one in Ypres, Belgium.

As I reflect on the sacrifice made by millions of men and women, many of whom were barely of age to go to war, I have shared in some of their stories through the BBC Radio broadcasts of Home Front.  I have spent the past four years listening to every episode and it has given me an insight into the daily lives of those who lived through this period of history.

I have always felt that it is important to mark Remembrance Day.  In this centenary year, the survivors of the First World War are no longer with us, but we can carry their torch and ensure that future generations know their story.

Postscript

Since drafting this post, I have learned of a personal connection to the First World War.  My great-uncle, Thomas Duffin died on 29th November 1915.  He had contracted dysentery while serving at Gallipoli.  He was 18 years of age.

We will remember them.

Thought For The Day - Part II

‘Happiness sneaks in through a door you 

Didn’t know you left open.’

John Barrymore

Cleaning up the garden at the end of the season when this rainbow appeared.

Flower Corsage

This was a quick knitting project, which I made in an evening.  A pretty flower corsage made with leftover yarn from my stash (used for the vintage jacket).  A sweet button adds the finishing touch.

If you fancy knitting your own corsage, the pattern is free and available here.