Christmas 2011

In the end I managed to pull off our Christmas lunch, I got everything done and even got to make the little things that I wanted to.

I mosaiced this jewelry box for M, who is 7 years old.  Her favorite colors are pink and purple so I used different shades of pinks for the hearts and the M (including a glitter tile because every girl has to have some bling!) and finished it off with a lilac tile.

I made these Christmas trees to put next to the the centre pieces on the table, my sewing skills are not great but I was still happy with my attempt. I found the tutorial here

I bought cookie jars, took off the lids, tied a ribbon around the top and filled them with baubles to use as centre pieces on the tables. I needed a bigger centre piece for the middle table so I used one of my vases.

The Christmas cake

 

The day of Christmas eve, I worked really hard to get everything done, I managed to finish by 6pm.  I put the leg of lamb in the oven to roast overnight and G and myself went through to my mom's house for the evening.  It was a wonderful evening spent with family and friends. 

Christmas day was lovely, we ate to much and spent the afternoon lazing around and swimming.

Till next time!

L

Getting there!

Everything for Christmas day is slowly starting to come together, finally!

I have finished sewing the little Christmas trees that I am going to be putting on the table, the hems on the table cloths have been pinned I still need to stitch them but I am getting there.

I have decided that I need to stop stressing about everything, I am going to do the things that are essential and the little extras that I wanted to do if I don't get to do them I am going to have to let it go.

I am really being stretched in a lot of areas right now, this being one of them.  I like everything to be perfect and I like to be organised and everything to be ready way in advance when this does not happen I can be very hard on myself about it.  I am learning that I need to let these things go and that I can't beat myself up about it.  They are important to me but everyone else will probably not even notice!

Yesterday, G's aunt who has been making the most exquisite cakes and icing decorations since before I was born came to help me put the marzipan and plastic icing on our Christmas cake.  It was such a special time!  Since my Ouma is not here to teach me the little tricks that you need to do I find it so special that I still have someone that will impart their knowledge to me.

We have agreed that next year she is going to give me lessons on how to make icing decorations, I can't wait!  I was looking at some pictures of the cakes that she has made, they are amazing!  The roses that she makes look like real flowers on the cake, she really does have a talent.

I better get back to the preparations!
Till next time
L

The Grinch!

My Christmas present shopping is done!  I powered through the mall for a solid 4 hours last week and then another 2 hours on Saturday.  I really do not enjoy the malls at this time of the year but I am thankfully done!  Well I have one more gift but that is a voucher so I don't need to brave any malls or queues to buy it!

I have also managed to wrap everything, it is all sitting pretty under our Christmas tree.  Now just to prepare for the 17 people that are going to be here!

I usually LOVE Christmas and I also LOVE entertaining and making crafty things such as decorations.  This year however, I am feeling like a bit of a Grinch!

I don't feel like it's Christmas even after putting up our tree, shopping and wrapping all of the presents.  I don't feel like entertaining 17 people on Christmas day, I don't feel like making all these preparations, I don't feel like being happy and smiling at everyone!

I probably sound like a horrible person but believe me I am not, I am usually a very friendly, bubbly, happy person!

This year however, I just wish that G and I could run away to Bali or somewhere, anywhere for Christmas!  I can't of course because I would most likely have 15 very unhappy people that might be slightly angry with me, but the thought is nice anyway.

I know everything will fall into place and I will go back to being my bubbly self, this is after all mine and G's first Christmas as "Mr & Mrs" but for right now, I'm feeling grumpy...

Till next time!
L "aka, the 2011 Grinch"

Where has the time gone!

As I sit and type this, I am busy watching the rain fall on the window in front of me.  It is supposed to be summer in South Africa but we are getting enjoy a wonderful winter's day in between!

Christmas is almost upon us and I am not nearly as ready as I would like to be.  I haven't even finished my Christmas shopping yet, I don't enjoy going to the malls at any other time of the year so I really don't enjoy going 11 days before Christmas!

I still need to buy fabric for my table cloths and runner and then I of course need to sew them ~ yikes!

I'm not quite sure what happened, one second I have plenty of time to prepare I blink and suddenly there are only 11 days left...

I have been mosaicing till it comes out of my ears trying to finish a Christmas present and some birthday presents, I finished the last project today now I just need to grout and paint and then it can go under the Christmas tree, phew!

I still have some Christmas baking to do, I would like to make some biscuits this weekend and I am trying to decide how I am going to decorate the Christmas cake that G's mom is going to make for Christmas day - ideas are welcome!

Oh well, off to the mall for me :(

Till next time,
L