Bows

This Christmas I decided to try and make my own bows to go with my gift wrapping. After careful deconstruction of one of the foil paper ones you can buy in the shops, I found that construction was pretty easy.

It was just a case of figuring out how wide/long loops to make to get the right size bow. After a couple of attempts I came up with a medium size which was perfect. 

Think I might write a little tutorial for these as they are so easy to make and can be used for birthday, anniversary gifts also. What do you think? 

Festive treats

Can you believe how amazing this macaron snowman is!! My friend at work makes the most fantastic cakes and he brought these into work on the last week. The filling was white chocolate mousse and it was absolutely delicious. Sad to say I bit his head off ;) 

And we seem to have been indulging in quite a lot of these too!!! I was going to say complete with flake but they were scoffed before I got a chance to put them on the top. We had to make do with crumbs lol :D

Well it is Christmas after all.

Oh Christmas tree...

Oh how I do love putting the tree up at Christmas! We always have a real one and this year we went for this handsome fellow.

My theme is always red and green, very traditional I know and we have a mish mash of baubles. Some are shop bought and some are handmade. Sadly there are no gingerbread men on the tree as I just never have time to make them for myself.

But I do rather adore these stag head decorations Mr.B bought me this year. Maybe now my order books are closed I can sit and make some gingers for our tree! 

I'm most definitely on Christmas Countdown now......not long to go! :D

Party time!!

First time in a long time I've been on a works Christmas party and I had a fabulous time. 

Now the day job is over until the new year it's time to get ready for the big day. Turkey is sorted and veg ordered, presents are being wrapped this afternoon, there has even been a little bit of festive crafting. Can't wait to get the table set for Christmas dinner! 

Getting that Christmas feeling?

Where have you been? Well where do I start! As my order books are now closed I've been off enjoying the festive season like no year before. With no Christmas craft fairs planned in I was able to visit Lincoln Christmas Market. Even though it was about an hour away in the car it was worth it. 

Everything was so Christmassy, given the fact I drank way to many samples of festive tipples I was definitely "Merry" :D  

I left with some goodies for us, elderberry port, some homemade chutney and a cute ceramic robin ornament. This really got me in the Christnas Spirit. What was next on the list??? Oh yes, works (dayjob) Christmas party....

Christmas goodies

Before I get the paint out to get cracking on with some more decorating I thought I'd just pop by and tell you about my day yesterday at the Christmas Market at The Round House, Derby. 

We decided to buy VIP Tickets as we hadn't been before and it sounded like the perfect way to experience the Market first time round. I have to say I was very impressed right from the start. VIP parking was right in front of the entrance and the stewards in the car park were very helpful and friendly. 

It was all very well planned and the layout was very good. There were 3 seperate rooms full of handmade treats. I liked the fact that the ratio of handmade to mass produced (there were a couple of gift shop stalls selling well known brands) was biased towards handmade. And the standard was very impressive. 

The tickets also included prosecco and cake in the VIP area which was beautifully decorated and a goody bag packed full with samples and leaflets from the sellers. We felt very important indeed as we were given VIP lanyards to wear which also entitled us to 10% off and additional offers to a large selection of the stalls. 

Later on in the afternoon after we had sampled an Artisan Toasties from one of the food stalls we visited the Vintage tea room. All of the ladies were dressed suitably vintage and were very efficient in a very busy pop up tea room. 

I had such a lovely day, I got to catch up with my friend Andrea and spend my well earned pennies on some fantastic handmade gifts. Oh and bought myself some goodies too. 

Can't wait til next years Market already, I'll be sure to reserve my VIP Tickets again. I definitely recommend if you live in the area of Derby or neighbouring counties you should make the trip, it's the best Christmas Market I have been to.  

Exciting!!

Oh I've only just realised I missed last Saturday's post!! We had a visit from my Dad so we had a nice relaxing weekend, no decorating and no work.

Still working my way through my gingerbread army, this weeks parcels have been jetting off to USA, Canada, Australia and a few for the UK.

I'll be taking the day off tomorrow to go to the Christmas Market at the Round House in Derby with my friend Andrea.

I'm so excited to be going to a Christmas Market as a buyer rather than a seller. I cant remember the last time I did.....

I've been saving my pennies up so that I can buy some Christmas presents and of course support designers and makers like myself. They even have a vintage tea room and a Prosecco bar!!! I've started to feel a little Christmassy this week, well its hard not to when you're making Christmas decorations, so this will really get me into the festive spirit.

Maybe I will even think about signing up for next years ;)