Tinsel

Here's my really quick, simple and inexpensive Christmas Wreath

For my base, I used a polystyrene hoop. They're very cheap to buy - this one was a £1!

I wrapped two silver tinsel garlands around the hoop (£1 each), securing the ends with a modified paperclip...

Using wire cutters I cut a U shape. I then pushed it into the polystyrene, securing the tinsel.

Once all of the wreath was covered in tinsel, I made a bow out of silver wired ribbon (£2) and secured it by tying it around the wreath.

Total cost: £5 (that's $7.79 or €6.34)

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Stocking Filler 2014

I've just finished off my crochet coaster stocking fillers for this Christmas.

I previously posted about this crochet pattern here

I used some silver ribbon to bundle up my sets of 4 slate coloured coasters and I added a very simple label - made using my trusty tag punch and a christmas tree punch.

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Miracles do happen

Today is the the fourth annual World Prematurity Day - 17th November.

It's an international day to raise awareness of preterm birth - 15 million babies are born prematurely around the world each year.

In October 2013, my baby boy Max was born almost 11 weeks early weighing just 1lb 12oz.

What should have been a joyful occasion was in fact a very frightening time. I had undergone an emergency c-section and my emotions were all over the place.

I feared for my baby. I had no control. I had to put all of my trust in the doctors and nurses to look after him and keep him alive.

I didn't get to hold him until the next day and even then, he was covered in wires and on oxygen. They call it Kangaroo care, placing the baby skin to skin with the mother.

When the nurse placed him on my chest, I could hardly feel him - he was so light in weight. He gripped my finger tight ... he had some strength and that gave me strength.

The work the doctors and nurses did was amazing. My baby was so tiny and they managed to care for him in such a gentle, delicate manner.

Each evening I would leave the neonatal unit in tears, but I knew I was leaving him in safe hands.

After 7 weeks, weighing a mighty 4lb 3oz, Max was allowed to come home.

Of course, all journeys are not as straight forward, so the work charities such as Bliss and Tommy's do is vital.

I know how lucky we are.

Pucker Up

This is my first Christmas make of 2014...

This mistletoe pattern is by Marina Hoffstrom and it's very well written. You can purchase it in her Etsy shop.

I used Sirdar Cotton DK yarn and a 3mm hook. Instead of using pearls, I chose to use some pearl buttons.

A red ribbon bow finished it off and it's now ready to be hung over my doorway! xx

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Vampire Vodka (including label download)

Halloween isn't just for children! This Vampire Vodka will be a welcome addition to any spooky party this October!

It's basically a cherry infused vodka and is very simple to make.

The longer you leave it to mature, the better it gets †

I used a 250ml clip top preserve bottle.

To the bottle I added 100g of frozen cherries and 70g of caster sugar.

I then filled the bottle with vodka - don't use an expensive one!

After an initial very good shake, all you need to do is shake the bottle once a day. That's it!

And to make things even simpler, feel free to download the label I created - you can resize it as you wish!

DOWNLOAD 'VAMPIRE VODKA' LABEL HERE

If you have run out of time for Halloween, this recipe would be great for Christmas!

Enjoy!

† UPDATE: I found that after just two weeks the drink was already delicious!

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