Blogmas Day 25

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 25 🎄🎄🎄

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones! Thank you for joining in with my Blogmas posts this year. I hope you have a lovely day, filled with wonderful things. Take care of yourself and your nearest and dearest. xxx

Blogmas Day 24

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 24 🎄🎄🎄

I love to watch the Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge each Christmas Eve. Beautiful singing and the retelling of the Christmas story. I've linked to a recording of last year's service but if you get the chance, try to tune in to this year's broadcast later today on Christmas Eve. xxx

Blogmas Day 23

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 23 🎄🎄🎄

Mr JK and I always did a jigsaw over the Christmas holidays. We used to treat ourselves to the Ravensburger 1000 piece Christmas jigsaw every year. I haven’t had much enthusiasm for doing a jigsaw since he died, but this year, I fancied giving it a try. I found this lovely Christmas one on the Gibsons Games website and fell in love with the image. The gold makes it really special. I thought that a 500 piece jigsaw was the way to go to see if I still enjoy doing them. So far, so good. Florence has of course decided to lend a paw, mainly by laying on it! I’ll share another photo once I’ve finished it. Are you a jigsaw fan? xxx

Blogmas Day 22

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 22 🎄🎄🎄

It wouldn't be Christmas without sitting down to watch a festive film. Getting myself all cosy on the sofa, snuggled under a blanket, with a mug of tea and Flo close by, I think that a lot of the pleasure that comes from rewatching old favourites is the memories associated with them. Really hard to pick a favourite but if I had to choose, I'd probably say White Christmas and The Polar Express. White Christmas reminds me of my dad as it was a standing joke that we never managed to watch it the whole way through without being interrupted by visitors so never got to see the end! (This was in the days before videos and DVDs!) The Polar Express reminds me of a magical weekend spent in Amsterdasm with Mr JK when we first saw the film. How about you? Is your favourite listed here or do you have another Christmas film that you enjoy again and again? xxx

Blogmas Day 21

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 21 🎄🎄🎄

My Christmas tree is up! I was given this tree along with quite a few of the decorations by my lovely Knit and Natter friends on Instagram. There are quite a few handmade decorations on there including some beautiful ceramic and fused glass ones. It was like meeting old friends as I unwrapped the tissue paper from each one. This isn't the tree that Mr JK and I always had; that one is up in the loft and I can't get up there at the moment. My mum's childhood tree is up there too and that one is really special as it was the one I remember growing up with too. Memories are so precious aren't they? xxx

Blogmas Day 20

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 20 🎄🎄🎄

I love the fabric Advent calendars that you can buy as a panel to stitch yourself. I have made several over the last few years as gifts for friends and finally got round to making one for myself this year! You can find the fabric panels in the Christmas fabric section of many fabric stockists and you might even be able to buy one in the sales after Christmas to sew ready for next December. There are instructions printed on the panel telling you how to construct the calendar and there are plenty of YouTube videos too if you find that easier. The pockets are the perfect size for a couple of chocolates - Lindor are my favourite! You can also fit a 10g mini Opal sock yarn ball! I like the fact that they can be used year after year and become treasured Christmas decorations full of memories. Which one is your favourite? xxx

Blogmas Day 19

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 19 🎄🎄🎄

I had originally planned for this to be one of my first Blogmas posts but thanks to the chaos that has been created by the postal strikes, I only received this beautiful Winter heart from Catherine Daniel Ceramics today. It's completely bonkers when you consider that (a) it was posted on November 28th and (b) Cathy and I live approximately 20 miles apart! But it was worth the wait as I absolutely love it! As you can probably see, the little robin and the berries stand out from the heart (there is probably some technical term for this!) and the effect is just lovely. I shall keep an eye out on Cathy's shop updates throughout the next year to see if I can add the rest of the seasons to this one. xxx

Blogmas Day 18

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 18 🎄🎄🎄

One of my favourite Christmas carols is the Angels' Carol by John Rutter. John Rutter is such a talented composer and if you've ever been in a choir, it's highly likely that you will have sung at least one of his many Christmas carols. The Angels' Carol was one of Mr JK's favourite pieces of music and it was one of the pieces of music played at his funeral. I have sung it since, but always with a lump in my throat. It's just beautiful. xxx

Blogmas Day 17

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 17 🎄🎄🎄

If you are looking for a Christmas present for someone creative, I can definitely recommend getting either a gift voucher from  the Craft Courses website or booking them an actual class. I have done a few since I discovered their website back in 2019 and have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. All but one I have given as a gift and gone along with the recipient so I have got to enjoy the experience too! You can search by craft and also by area so it's possible to find courses close to home as well as further afield if you fancy making a weekend of it. If you are interested, you can find the website here. What craft would you like to try? xxx

*** Silver jewelry making ***

*** Needle felting ***

*** Fused glass ***

*** Soap making ***

*** Lampwork bead making ***

Blogmas Day 16

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 16 🎄🎄🎄

Another cookery book to share with you today and it's a new purchase for me this year after seeing someone sharing some biscuits that they had made from the book on Instagram. It is packed full of every kind of festive treat you can imagine alongside beautiful photographs full of nostalgia. I know that Mr JK would have absolutely loved it as we always bought lots of German biscuits and cookies and also baked some ourselves so I feel sad that he's not here to share my excitement. There is a whole chapter just about stollen! I am enjoying browsing through it each day and remembering wonderful Christmases that we shared. What festive bakes are traditional in your home? xxx

Blogmas Day 15

 🎄🎄🎄 Day 15 🎄🎄🎄

I made this Christmas cushion cover several years ago when I took an applique class at a fabric shop in Norwich. I had a very clear picture of what I wanted to create and was thrilled with the outcome. We used to bring it down from the loft each Christmas and put it on one of the (many) cushions on the sofa. Of course Flo had to inspect it and ensure it was squishy enough! Have you ever done any festive sewing? xxx