Cakes...

Just some pics of some cakes that I've made recently...

Bunting!

Just wanted to do a quick post about one of my favourite things just now - bunting! I absolutely love making it and love making it for other people.

I've bought some ribbon to make some more. The material is from Lexi Loves in Cirencester - has to be one of the best shops I've been to.

Christmas... x

My favourite bit about Christmas is not really Christmas day itself, its more the gathering of presents for everyone and picking them items that you think that they will love.

Every year my Mum and I go to the SECC to enjoy the Christmas Fair. Its a such a delight to go and see how creative and skilled people are. The British are some talented people!

Just a couple of pictures from the fair. This is the first year that my Mum and I have not wanted to leave!

Christmas Crackers

After buying the House Beautiful Christmas special yesterday and reading it this morning with a cup of tea I decided that it was time that I started making my Christmas decorations.

Started with the crackers and was quite happy with the results. These aren't functional ones but ones for the tree and the table. I've been saving bits and bobs off previous Christmas presents are re-used them. I really like re-using old cards and decorations from presents and giving them a new lease of life.

Next weekend I'm hoping to get the basis of my holly wreath and also the polystyrene balls to make my Christmas puddings for the tree.

I love Christmas - just can't wait to get the tree - 5 weeks and counting!

Jen .....

x

Getting ready for xmas...

Don't hate me! Yes, I'm already getting ready for Christmas.

I try to make as many homemade gifts for people at Christmas as possible. Last year every girl got a homemade angel and I made chocolate evening mints for everyone too. My Mum made tablet and gingerbread men for everyone too, it was fabulous.

I'm meeting with my Mum tomorrow to decide what we are going to make for everyone. I think that this is far better than presents which people won't really use and I feel that this shows people that I have looked at what they like and tried to make them something personal.

Will post some pics later, just finishing off my little felt stocking

Jen x

My little potato bag

Decided to turn an old dress into a bag for my potatoes

Edinburgh and the wonder that is John Lewis x

I always went to Edinburgh when I was growing up. My Mum didn't drive so it was an easy place to get to on the train and she knew it really well as she used to live there when she was a student.

I used to hate going in. The sound of the ladies shoes on the flooring in John Lewis always made me feel queasy so I used to sit in the changing rooms trying to stop feeling so sick. Strange, but there we go.

However, Edinburgh, to me now, is a place where I can go with my Mum and have a good gab and a good laugh. My favourite place to walk through is the area just outside Harvey Nichols. It is always full of people milling around. I'm not a huge fan of all the tourists in Edinburgh but I guess they add to the atmosphere. After walking through the little gardens you get to the designer shops. I rarely go into them as they always seem a bit intimidating. They probably aren't but I avoid them anyway. After a quick few steps through the little alley you get to the St James Centre in which lies my favourite shop of all times - John Lewis. No longer do the noises fill me with dread, they now fill me with excitement. I don't always need to buy something to make myself feel good, the experience can be enough sometimes. Today I bought a lovely present for someone and then wandered around the clothing floor discussing with my Mum that "if we owned JL the floor would look so much better".

I cannot describe John Lewis as being anything else except my mother ship - to which both myself and my mother belong!

Jen