Hand Made Christmas Year Two

I know I'm super late with this. My blog has really been going to the dogs lately and I'm getting kind of sick with starting every post with an apology so I'm not going to anymore. I'll post when I post, no apologies. Anyway, remember how last year I tried to have an 'ethical' christmas? If not read about it here, here, and here. This year I did buy alot of my presents (yes, I tend to be more 'ethical' when I am sort of cash) but I still decided to hand make or bake presents for some of my friends and family.

The necklace below was a gift for a friend. I think my jewellery making has come a long way from sticking bits of puzzle together last year.

I also made necklaces for three other friends and my nanny (grandmother) but I didn't actually finish them all or have any wrapped until New Years Eve when I was due to hand them over and in the rush I forgot to take pictures. The necklace I made for one of my best friends was a shorter version of this one because we are like peas in a pod :) Another was a version of this necklace using a heart charm instead of a locket. For the third friend I made a version of this necklace minus the bow using bronze chain and the bronze coloured pearls from a necklace in this post and it was much shorter, so totally different really. For my nanny I made her a long gold necklace with this charm from the bead shop. She had a stroke around a year ago and lost the feeling in her fingers so she can no longer work the clasps on necklaces and can only wear ones that she can put over her head.

My aunts, uncles and cousin were again 'treated' to my home baking. This year I made oat cookies (though they came out hard more like biscuits) in plain, raisin and dark chocolate chip.

Soo Much to Post...

Can't believe I forgot to post these. Pictures from my last day at Center Parcs (ever, hopefully!)

The snow in the car park the night before and the reason I was 2 hours late on my last day.

The 'Global Cake' I baked for everyone. Was very good if I do say so myself! Though not an acturate portrayal of the globe, it's a little imperialist.

My parting gift, Cheeky Ray, complete with passport. I had to promise to take him with me and picture him in exotic places. The girls (and David) also kindly contributed to my fundraising efforts.

I promised to post this charity shop find AGES go, but I was being lazy and I haven't really figured out how to wear it yet. I'm not sure about this combo with jeans and shirt. It did make an interesting silhouette though and I wanted to wear it before I went away. Mainly just so I could post it.

Close up of the jacket done up. As you can see it is a bit of a squeeze. I picked it up for just £4.50. I loved the sleeves. Only thing I have done to it is take out the shoulder pads which were falling out anyway. We reckon it was designed as an 80's evening jacket to go with a ballgown or cocktail dress. Was made in England by a company called Nightingales (an Irony one or two of my special readers might understand).

My sewing efforts for today and the last for a while. The old curtains one day skirt. Makes a lovely knee lenght conservative skirt when worn on the waist...

But with a little strategic folding and the help of a studded belt I think can be funked up a bit. Don't know why I'm looking kinda tanned in these pictures. I'm as pale as ever.

And finally perhaps the best postcard ever. Thank you A x

Thats me done for today. Going to watch the new Gossip Girl finally!