It's a bit bright, I know, but I like it....still not made christmas cards yet! EEEK! ;)

(Fran and Pete's presents!)

Here is the completed advent calendar......HOORAHHH!

I had to compromise at the last minute and use a piece of aluminium tubing to hang it on rather than dowel. Might change that for next year, but no time to search out 70cm of the right thickness before Saturday! Each picture on the felt squares was hand-sewn as it's easy to knock a few up while eating lunch at work, also good for sitting on the sofa while we get through series 4 of the West Wing! I had to take the photo in the spare room as the living room, where it's hanging, was a bit too beige to photograph a beige based felt project on! (LOL, I just read back a few posts and remembered this was supposed to be a felt advent HOUSE! Ah well, this is a bit more 'ME'!)

I also forgot to show and tell what I made Sunday.....thanks to Delia and her Christmas, I made Christmas Chutney as 'Stocking Fillers' - some people aren't going to appreciate my gifts this year!!! ;)   It is a very nice chutney though, fantastic with left over turkey on a nice sandwich...MMMMMMM........

Before (after is a surprise! ;)

Can you believe it? For the first time ever I've had to add more bandwidth to the blog, even though there is really only one more day till I get the new quota! ;)

What I want to know is who the devil is reading it??? Come on now, don't be shy, make yourself known! I've changed it so you don't have to log in to post so you have no excuse!

Anyway, with this in mind I'm going to have to show everyone I know my blog for the next day (that'll be about 3 viewings then *cry*). Or is it just you viewing it all the time, mum??? Right, nearly got the advent calendar finished and got some mini haribo packs to stuff in the pockets. Will string it up and take a photo ASAP. BRB...

Hurrah for weekends! I've been having a bit of a tidy this week in preparation for putting the christmas decorations up next weekend and this is most of my felt selection.

I've made a start on Pete's Christmas present...not sure what it's going to be yet, I have an idea in my head but if it doesn't quite work out as i think it should, then I do have a backup plan should it all go pear-shaped! Here's a teaser! AND a smiley holly leaf I made after making the brooches.

And this is J having fun with William...

I saw something similar to this on someones ETSY shop over the weekend when I was on one of my internet-craft-athons and did my usual "I could make that" thing. J thought it was a bit mental but quite fun (as usual with most of the things I make). He wasn't sure if anyone other than me would actually wear it...what do you reckon? I made 6 so if you'd wear one you can comment and I'll post you one!

Making good progress on present making, with the odd felt distraction! I did a good 2 hours last night and the advent calendar is approaching being finished. I can't believe it's going to be December next week.....Where has this year gone?! Righty, off to do a spot more crafting, or at least cut out a few bits ready to sew tomorrow.

Sunday I went to bed hoping for a snow day...

(Sorry about the photo being in the dark, no flash and through a window!)

Here is what I've been working on this week...

I had a felt delivery on Tuesday(?!) with some new colours (including navy, burgundy and lots of Christmas pudding brown!), so since the start of the week I've been working on our new advent calendar. It's been quite quick and easy to do as I've taken my craft bag (also known as my posh Cath Kidston knitting bag!) to work and cut out the odd shape here and there when I've stopped to have a cuppa. We've also made a start on the 4th series of the West Wing so I can hand-sew in front of the telly with the fire on and a nice cuppa! oh! heaven!

I've finished Joy's Christmas presents this evening!!!!! (That's just to tease her!) ;)

There was some sad news yesterday; poor Dino (Franny's cat) had to be put to sleep. He's been poorly for a while and was recently diagnosed with bone cancer and has been having nose bleeds too. Franny took him on from a friend at work and gave him a good few years of love and biscuits. He's now resting peacefully in Fran and Peter's back garden awaiting a nice plant to mark his peaceful rest. Poor Dino - I'll miss your funny little meo...w

Just a quick little post to show you what Franny got for her birthday from us...

A giant microbe (Herpes - it was funny at the time!), a sewing kit, Lego cake/jelly mould and some panne forte from our hol.

Sewing kit contents...

This cheeky little monkey was knitted by Jackie (JJ!). He's such a cute little fella (is monkey a he? or she?) that I had to post a picture! JJ - If you want any felt to make him the waist coat let me know what colour and I'll post some, I've got tonnes of the stuff! And I've got a load of nice buttons too!

Here is the finished batch of felt 'baubles'. I made 2 of each so watch this space and you might get a little surprise in the post! My faves are (1st) the pud and (2nd) the fish! The pud was a firm favourite at work too but I don't have any more Christmas-pudding-brown left...just robin brown :(

I'm also going to have a go at some science based ones for the tree at work. I've made a nice conical flask and test tube shaped templates! I'm sure I'll get around to them once I've stopped being distracted and get on with my present making! EEK! Only 44 days to go!!! Well, less i suppose as we'll have to see everyone before Christmas....BUM! I had better go and sew something! BYEEE!