Christmas Greetings dear friends & readers - and a Happy Friday to you all
(or Happy Thursday in some countries)
(or Happy Thursday in some countries)
 |
| Source : Pinterest |
I have been a busy little elf these past few days but just today have finally wrapped the last of my families gifts
At 85 years old my Mum no longer wants or needs any more "stuff" so I find her incredibly difficult to buy for ...
I try to make handmade gifts for her that are special
It is a Lynette Anderson design - Mum was with me & she loved it so I planned to stitch it for her
I finally finished it this week (good things take time you know) so I used Jennys' wonderful tutorial to frame it myself
Whenever I read Jenny's tutorials on her blog elephantz I often tuck them away in the corners of my mind to refer back to "one day"
Jenny's tutorials (& her blog itself) are just wonderful & so easy to follow ... I have never had the confidence to actually frame a stitchery myself & would often pay large amounts of money for the framer to do it for me
I just used a simple wooden frame bought on special at The Warehouse ...
I was really pleased with how it turned out
I was really pleased with how it turned out
Once I had gift wrapped the parcel I sat that evening & stitched one of the "wish tags" designed by Tracey North from I LUV COUNTRY
(just thin cardboard sandwiched between 2 layers of felt)
(just thin cardboard sandwiched between 2 layers of felt)
which just seemed to set Mums parcel off beautifully I thought
- Merry Christmas to my dear Mum -
- Merry Christmas to my dear Mum -
My friends & I don't really exchange gifts as such at Christmas time, we all have quite large families to give to ...
but instead I like to do little baking gifts for my local friends
but instead I like to do little baking gifts for my local friends
Every year I make my gingernut bites & package up ... you can read the recipe at the bottom of this old post
Also this year I made some apricot fudge fingers ... really simple to make ... I have popped the recipe at the end of this post today
I find the decorative paper cups available from the $2 shop are a perfect size to present my baking in
Also I have been dehydrating some apple slices ... I got this vague idea in my head to make a dried apple wreath
You have to soak them well in citric acid before drying them to prevent them from turning brown
Now that I am halfway through this process, I must confess I am not sure about the apple wreath ... ???
I shall keep you posted on that one !!!
I shall keep you posted on that one !!!
Every year I like to buy a new decoration, not necessarily for the tree ... just to dot about somewhere & enjoy
This year I came across this felted reindeer & just loved her so much
(yes she is a HER, she is wearing a dress!!!)
This year I came across this felted reindeer & just loved her so much
(yes she is a HER, she is wearing a dress!!!)
 |
| Her little satchel was empty but I popped some berries & greenery in it to make her more christmassy |
\She looks most at home sitting on my egg container along with last years christmas purchase
Sometimes the busy-ness of the season can be quite overwhelming & you find yourself thinking "I can't wait til it's all over"
Yesterday I read a blog that said at this time of year "queues are long, wallets are empty & tempers are frayed"!!!
How true I thought . . .
Even Little Miss Jinxy was feeling it this past week, bless her !!!
My Mum arrives by bus this weekend so I may not have time to pop back again before Christmas
I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you that stop by to read my ramblings
I very much appreciate that you take the time in your busy days to do this
May I wish you all a bright & happy festive season & hope that it brings good things to all of you & to your families
Don't forget to be a bit kinder to yourself & take some time to just rest a little along the way
with much love & friendship & blessings to you all
Julie & little Miss Jinxy & Blackie
x0x0x0
Apricot Fudge Fingers:
125gm (4 ozs) butter
90 gm (3 ozs) brown sugar
1/2 tin sweetened condensed milk
1 pkt crushed wine biscuits
1 cup chopped up dried apricots
Melt butter, brown sugar & condensed milk in pot.
Add apricots & crushed biscuits, stir well, Press into a greased tin & sprinkle top with coconut.
Set in fridge & cut into fingers.
Yesterday I read a blog that said at this time of year "queues are long, wallets are empty & tempers are frayed"!!!
How true I thought . . .
Even Little Miss Jinxy was feeling it this past week, bless her !!!
My Mum arrives by bus this weekend so I may not have time to pop back again before Christmas
I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge THANK YOU to all of you that stop by to read my ramblings
I very much appreciate that you take the time in your busy days to do this
May I wish you all a bright & happy festive season & hope that it brings good things to all of you & to your families
Don't forget to be a bit kinder to yourself & take some time to just rest a little along the way
 |
| I am unable to spread the presents right around the tree as I need to allow a space for Missy to rest her weary self!!! |
Julie & little Miss Jinxy & Blackie
x0x0x0
Apricot Fudge Fingers:
125gm (4 ozs) butter
90 gm (3 ozs) brown sugar
1/2 tin sweetened condensed milk
1 pkt crushed wine biscuits
1 cup chopped up dried apricots
Melt butter, brown sugar & condensed milk in pot.
Add apricots & crushed biscuits, stir well, Press into a greased tin & sprinkle top with coconut.
Set in fridge & cut into fingers.
0 Yorumlar