Then I started thinking about next year's cards - yes really - and cut out a 'tree' template. I cut several trees out:
And here is my first card! It needs some writing on and maybe a bit more glitter, but the idea's there. What's the betting I can't find them by next December?
Artist DollA lady who saw my 'Santa's Helper' doll on Etsy shop asked whether I could make her an 'artist' one. She teaches art at school and wanted it to sit on a cupboard. Well, I had a go and haven't charged her yet. I hope she likes it when it arrives:
She wanted the smock to be plain so that she can splodge paint on him!! What fun eh? I do hope she approves.
Garden
I mentioned that we've been trying to clear some brambles from the path to and from our little wooded are (well, one of them). I took a photo just to show what we've done so far:
Not a wonderful photo as it was very dull and rained soon after I had taken this. The carrying case on the left was a present from Jim for me for Christmas. It's brilliant. I started off with 2 coats and hat, but as you can see, I shed one coat when I started to warm up. Much more to do in the other direction though. You can see a bit of the bramble in the foreground. Blackthorn has also grown up all over the path and has to be mattocked out. It's hard work but good fun.
Dotee Doll
I made this Dotee Doll for Jim for Christmas - he seemed to be the only person without one.
She was made from a Christmas tea towel and embellished with stars and sequins. Her 'tail' consists of 3 pieces of raffia with a snowman, spring and heart button attached at the bottom.
Sandy
We think Sandy now thinks he is a dog and has taken to lying on the mat just like Buster, his head right down and even one leg out the back - it looks most odd!
He certainly believes in getting comfortable.
Today's Stone aros
I took Buster for a quick walk down to the lake. It was really misty and almost dusk. I noticed the following:
The farmer's gates no longer swing
Bound together now with wire and string
Young cows huddled close in the barn nearby
With curly coats and winsome eye
Visitors
I forgot to mention that we had Wolf and Melanie for tea a couple of days ago. Sunday I think. Jim made hot scones again and they went down a treat. We sat in the sunroom and chatted for well over an hour and drank 2 mugs of tea each. I managed to throw the first one all over the floor. Melanie bought me a present, which I have since used:
Wasn't that thoughtful of her? I put it by the kettle when Jim had gone to bed, not feeling well and I had done just what it says here!
Jim
Today Jim took himself to the doctors and came back armed with strong painkillers and strong antibiotics. It seems he has an abscess above the tooth he had root filled before Christmas. That could be the reason for his heart arrhythmia as any infection can set it off in some people. Fingers crossed. He is so fed up with being ill. On top of everything else he is now full of cold.
As a goal to getting better, he has booked us a 5 day holiday to Athens in early March to celebrate his 65th birthday.
Love to everyone - we could do with some sunshine here.
Cards
This year I decided to make collages for my Christmas Cards (I have made my own for ever). I made a large collage, then cut it up. I didn't like it as a big one and was having second thoughts, but once chopped up, I was quite pleased with them. Of course they have to be stuck on cards yet. I have made about 25 that already are: