Lost and Found

It's still mad with Christmas preparations here in the monda household - I just thought I'd take a few moments to say 'Merry Christmas' to everyone who has popped by and read my ramblings for the last year - and supported me, my craft and my shop. It is so nice to have met (virtually and physically) and been so inspired by some lovely crafty types (that means you!).I also wanted to share something I found out today. On Christmas Eve and on Boxing Day, if you live in the UK or have access to channel 4 TV you can watch 'lost and found'. This marvellous book by one of my fave illustrators, Oliver Jeffers, has been made into a short film.
If you click this link, you can watch a small excerpt from the film. What a nice lead into the Christmas festivities.
As well as watching this, tomorrow will be filled with making mince pies, and preparing food for the big day - the day where you eat so much you feel uncomfortable, and then lie around on the sofa all day wishing you hadn't eaten so much. Tonight will be a trip to the supermarket to pick up some essentials - the queues of traffic into our local M&S tonight were just horrific - they are open till 10pm, so I'll be going out at about 9.30 - wish me luck!

faking it

I'm not a fan of artificial Christmas trees. One of things that conjures up a Chritsmassy vibe for me is the smell of a real tree. All my life, and Christmasses since I was born (33 in fact) I have had a real tree at Christmas time.
I recently read this article about trees, and now I'm even more convinced that a real tree is the right thing to choose. My tree doesn't go to waste after Christmas time. I get it collected for chipping in January.

You might wonder in this case why this year I have got an artificial Christmas tree. I'm not happy about it, really, I'm not, but the choice this year was artificial tree or no tree at all. This is really down to space - and not having any basically! which might have something to do with my lovely but rather large sofa which was purchased earlier this year. No tree was just too baa humbug for me, so we opted for one that looked as much like a real tree as possible - except for the fact that it is tall and slim of course. I have asked people who have been to the house what they think, but are they saying it looks real just to be polite? What do you think?Christmas is speeding here at a rate of knots. I still have presents to make and I'm rapidly running out of time - not to mention the wrapping of said presents. eeek.

donna and blitzen

Don't be put off by the video, just listen to the song. This is the one the BBC are using on it's Christmas idents. I defy you not to love this, and not to feel at least a little bit Christmassy after listening to it.
I have loved this song ever since the first time I heard it (it's on the soundtrack to the movie 'about a boy') Enjoy :o)

wet wet wet

nope, not the band from the late 80's, early 90's, but the weather today - it has been rather wet, but with relatives visiting - we were going to stick to plan and go into London.
This pic has not been altered in any way - it was so grey - the red double decker buses were the only things that stood out on the horizon!The relatives wanted to do the things that as a (semi) local, you just wouldn't do on a Saturday before Christmas. We ventured into Covent Garden, Oxford street and Regent street - and as predicted they were all jam packed. We didn't do much shopping - just lots of walking. We also ventured down Carnaby street, as the decorations there are usually pretty good and this year was no exception - These are giant inflatable snowmen - really great. The last pic below the snowman is the lights on Regent Street.I had to by pass a couple of shops I really would have liked to go into, but today wasn't really about me - so these shops will have to wait for another day.
I will be popping back into London again just after Christmas to go to the Theatre darling! so hopefully both shops will be open and I can shop till my hearts content!

I'm off to read some blogs now - I have over 350 posts to read (gulp). The relatives have installed themselves on the sofa and are watching Dad's Army. I'd rather eat my own head than watch this, so I have 'Christmas with the Rat Pack' playing in my headphones as I type away. Very festive indeed.

absent

I've been a little absent from my blog this last week or so. A lot is happening here and I just can't seem to find enough hours in the day. How is it that every year Christmas just sneaks up and bites you on the bum? I have lots of emails and messages to reply to - apologies if you are waiting to hear from me - I will reply to everyone eventually. I am also massively behind with my blog reading too.

Thanks to everyone who has swung by my little shop and made a purchase in the last couple of weeks - I've had quite a lot of sales, and some custom orders too, which is very nice, and despite my lack of time I have enjoyed making them.
Here are a few pics of my latest custom order:I have some family visiting this weekend - we thought we would head into London and try to find some Christmas markets - does anyone have any ideas of such things in London this coming weekend? Any suggestions will be gratefully received :o)