Handmade Monday - Catch up

It's all gone a bit quiet hasn't it? Sorry. It's just that I have been deliciously busy making things! Unfortunately because they're...... ssshhhhh......... top secret surprises for lovely Christmas customers I'm afraid to show you any for fear of spoiling those surprises.

Suffice it to say a young lady will have a lovely new bedroom to look at thanks to her quick thinking mum, a window seat cushion and a roman blind and many customers will have their own personalised Kindle Covers. I'm desperately trying to replenish supplies in my Folksy shop which is not easy a the moment as their system seems to be struggling abit - anyone else having problems?

Day 5 and all going well......

Buds starting to open.....

House is starting to feel a little more Christmassy each day.........

So for now I'll just direct you in the way of Wendy at Handmade Monday who must be dreaming painted plaques at the moment as she is very busy with her elves in her own little Santa workshop.

Advent tree- Tutorial

I'll never forget the look of sheer disappointment on my eldest son's face last year when I told him that "No, I wasn't joking, I hadn't bought him an Advent calendar." I had purposefully not done so for fear of patronising a fast maturing young man - How wrong could I have been?!

You forget that Christmas and the family things you do are so important to your children, almost ritualistic. Needless to say I hotfooted it to the nearest Tescos and came home proudly displaying my purchases, but the moment had gone.

It's going to be different this year! I made an Advent tree!

I scouted around my garden for a suitable candidate to donate it's branches and was amazed to find buds on, I think, (after researching), a Quince bush. The horticulturally minded amongst you may be able to offer advice on this one. But anyway I'm hoping they start to open up in the lead up to Christmas.

Remember the technique from yesterday? Well I used it to make these cute little bags to put on my tree. Lots of sewing around edges......

Can you see the other pieces of paper waiting patiently in the background?

......choosing colour schemes

and attaching handles.

Handles have been attached with a brad on each side

Careful to attach the handle to one side only to make room for your treats

I used my Big Shot and a Stampin' up Sizzlit die to punch out the numbers

 and glued them into place.

I filled the bags with little treats.......

and hung them on the tree.

After reading in a Christmas makey something or other, I rather like the idea of adding a little note to each day, personal to the boys reflecting on the year just passed, just something to make them smile, think or raise an eyebrow :)

Just in case you were wondering the gorgeous papers came from Stampin' Up, my favourite, in fact my only supplier of all things paper crafty. You can purchase them here.
I must apologise for the poor light in the photos today. I've waited for better, but sadly I don't think it's going to happen.

Before I pop off, I'd like to say a very warm welcome to a few new followers. It's lovely to have you along and I look forward to visiting your blogs soon :)

I wasn't feeling the remotest bit Christmassy but this make is definitely getting me in the mood. Why not have a go, I'd love to see your results.