Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 8

It's a beautiful day today. Clear blue skies and crisp air. My favorite type of winter weather. I'm quite tempted to pack up my knitting, don my wellies and drive down to the beach. Nearly all the snow has melted by now and it doesn't look too icy either. Although half of the garden hasn't thawed for two weeks so some of these winding country roads might still be a bit slippery.

I should really stay in wrapped up in front of the fire and do some crafting. I bought some of the sweetest Christmas fabric a few months ago and I really should decide what to do with it. Stockings, bunting, place mats??

So behind door No. 8 is...

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...Riley Blake's Christmas Collection. I think the snowflake design is my favorite. So suggestions please - if you had your hands on a stash of yummy Christmas fabric, what would you make?

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 7

So the time has come to get those Christmas Cards sent! I have spent the past few days writing mine, and I'd say they'd need to get out early this year what with the snow and all. Remember guys that last post for the US and Canada is Friday. Last year I sent my UK cards the day before last posting date and they didn't arrive until after new years! I won't be making that mistake again this year.

So behind door number 7 is...

...this cheeky hand cut card by Storeyshop. I've been a big fan of Helen's work for a while now and she has some beautiful cards available. She'll even personalize them for you too so click on over to her shop for a look see!

Anyway it's back to the fountain pen for me if I want these cards out early. Then back to the knitting needles to get some prezzies made. It's all go!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 6

Well the snow has all but disappeared but the ice is here to stay apparently. The motor of my windscreen wipers cracked in the ice today - it's that cold!! So whilst it's being fixed and I'm stranded in the house I'll be warding off the cabin fever with some Christmas crafting.

So behind door number 6 are...

... these adorable stockings by Ticketty Boo.

Stockings are high on my list of things to make before Christmas. But if you're not handy with a sewing machine or haven't the time to make your own, there are some beautiful handmade lovelies out there waiting to adorn your mantelpieces.

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 5

I know I told you on the first day of the advent that I hadn't had a calendar for years, so I thought it's time to correct myself. No I wasn't lying, but that evening my mum decided she would get me one during the grocery shop. I unashamedly grabbed a Twilight chocolate calendar off the shelf and I have to admit the choccies are rather tasty, much like the two beautiful creatures either side of that lucky Mare on the cover. Anyway - I digress!

So today, behind door No. 5 is...


...this cute little Christmas Elves hanging! The pattern is by Jennie from Allsorts, and the instructions for the wall hanging above is found over on My Patchwork. So if you're all for a handmade Christmas, try your hand at making one!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 4

The village Christmas tree is up and the lights are twinkling. I used to love curling up in my bedroom windowsill and watching the lights through the rain (and let's face it, in Wales it rains a lot!) shimmering and blurring.

Now that I'm back in my childhood bedroom (and can still curl up in the windowsill - got to love those 3 foot deep stone walls) I'm disappointed that the tree has been repositioned to a new home up the road and I can't see the lights anymore. Pesky health and safety regulations at work to spoil Christmas again no doubt!

Anyway, back to the matter at hand. Behind door No. 4 is...

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...Christmas baubles. My mum has a lovely tradition of picking up a Christmas bauble when she goes on holiday or trips away so that the Christmas tree is decorated with little shining memories. It's so inspiring that I'm thinking of abandoning my "everything must match and be even and symmetrical" OCD way of decorating my tree. Yes I know!

I'm have a big stack of felt just waiting to be fashioned into lovely baubles so I'm going to spend a good chunk of this week making my own Christmas decorations. And before I go to doodle and jot down some ideas I'll just draw your attention to the lovely necklace by FunkY Pendants. I haven't come across this shop before but I have my eye on a few of the lovely pieces - pop on over to take a look for yourselves. :)

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 3

I love rituals and traditions. I love how we as human beings have created this global festival that takes over the dullest, darkest months of the year. And I love how we've adapted traditions to suit the rituals and religions of dominance.

Behind door No. 3 is.....

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...the Christmas wreath. After a bit of research it seems like hanging wreaths from doors derives from Roman times, and was adopted as a Christmas tradition when Christianity took over as the dominant religion.

I'm gonna try my hand at making a wreath this year. There's nothing better than donning a pair of wellies on a crisp winter's day and scouring the countryside for holly and fallen pine cones. I might wait until the snow has thawed though before venturing out - those pine cones might be a little hard to find otherwise!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 2

Behind door number two is...

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...Christmas lights! When I was little the village Christmas tree used to stand opposite my bedroom window and I used to sit for hours in my old-farm-house windowsill and stare at them.

Unfortunately our local town has had a Christmas light disaster - It's even made the news! Needless to say the big switch on tonight was rather dark, although Mince pies and carols were still had in abundance. It takes more than a little health and safety overkill to quash the Christmas spirit in Cardigan!

Virtual Advent Calendar: Day 1

It's December the 1st! Pinch punch and all that. So I guess it's time to well and truly crank up the Christmas spirit! I was sitting last night wondering whether to start up my Folksy Friday posts again and wondered whether it would be fine to have them all Christmas themed for the next few weeks. Then I started to play with the idea of a crafty advent calendar. A feature to showcase one Christmassy crafty item every day until the big day. I don't know why but I've never done real advent calendars. I don't think I've had one of the chocolate ones since I was 16. I had intended on sewing one for this year but the series of unfortunate events put a halt to that idea. So here's my first offering for my Virtual Advent Calendar.

Behind door No. 1 is....

...Felt Me Up Designs' Christmas ensemble! I am a big fan of Mel's needle felted birdies and even have one perched atop my chest of drawers. Those little Santa hats are beyond adorable! You can get one of your very own here. (Psssst! If you use the discount code CHRISTMASPUDDING at etsy checkout you can get 10% off in Felt Me Up Designs and Ink Me Up Designs - Merry Christmas!)

Come back tomorrow to see what's behind door No. 2!