the staring tree!

Not totally sure whu, but this year I decided against having a tree and have gone for a star instead.....

.....I found a beautiful wooden stat in Evie and Me in town and it was perfect. 

 I replace the rope hanging loop with silver ribbon and wrapped it round with 

ivy from the garden held on with florists wire.

I love the battery operated fairy lights you can get these days, it means you can put a bit of sparkle into all sorts of spaces, such as here. Then raiding my decoration box, I went for a peacock theme, with a very smart chap over seeing the center of the star...

...and butterflies decorated with peacock feathers ....

...and loose feathers every where else.  I know some people believe peacock feathers are bad luck, but not me, I love them and I love my star!!!

Happy Christmas xxx

Christmas Guernsey part 2

As I said last year I am not a fan of Christmas jumpers,  

but there is still Christmas Jumper Day and  Chris cant be the only one in his office not wearing one!

So this year I got my hands on his blue and red White Stuff jumper.

and I attacked it with jingle bells.  They will be able to know exactly where he is!

Happy Chris?

my life is in sketchbooks

 Every few years I come to a big moment, a new sketchbook!  

This one above is now full and it was started in 2012. 

For me a sketch book is more of an ideas book. Its where I jot down ideas, make notes, stick in articles and photos that I like and of course some sketching!  Its a way I can look back at ideas and memories and maybe draw from them in the future.

 This is my sketch book before last, the cover was a piece of embroidery I had done when I had broken my ankle and was stuck on the sofa for a few weeks!

 But this was my first ornately covered sketch book,

 before my books, were covered but just in simple fabric or leather.

 A few page from my last sketch book

 showing sketching, image and ideas...

 ....some pages are better than others, but its about a record, a record of thoughts and inspirations.

This is my new sketch book and as you see I am definitely carrying on with embellished covers, which make me happy!

Gingerbread

 Last month I learnt a new skill,

icing gingerbread!

I had first seen lace-like icing (see above) when we were in Colmar back in 2012.

So when i was given a chance to have a go, I jumped at the chance, and I must say I am hooked.

These are my attempts below, need more practice, but I must say I am pleased with my first attempted.  And I must say I never knew trucks, helicopters, diggers and planes could be Christmasy!