It's almost here.......

2011 is almost here and I just wanted to take a little time to wish you all a happy, healthy and crafty new year!

Advent Swap - Day 16 & 17

This is my final post for tonight I promise......

Day 16 I chose

I don't really have a "beauty" regime just facial wash and moisturiser but these samples from Clarins and Decleor will get me motivated to try a bit harder for 2011 as I'm not getting any younger and might need a bit (more) help now I've reached my 40's!!!!

Day 17

This was one of the most special Advent Swap gifts that I received from Annie

She had taken a photo that I had posted of my three children and popped it into this silver frame - I just love it and will always treasure it - thanks Annie!!!

Right I'm off to Bedfordshire see you all tomorrow!!!!

Advent Swap - Day 14 & 15

I feel thoroughly spoilt with my advent swap goodies and I have lots of lovely new scents to try and beauty samples to experiment with here are the next two days goodies.....

On Day 14 I opened

Now I wasn't sure what to expect, a small smelly alien came to mind but I was relieved to find this perfume sample instead!!!

Day 15 was

These beautiful lilac and purple beads and flowers sequins will come in handy to use with some lovely summer lilac flowery fabric that I have just waiting to be transformed into something gorgeous, not sure what it is yet but I'll let you know when it's finished!!!

Advent Swap Catch Up - Day 12 & 13

I have so much to write about before the start of the new year but I have a feeling I may still be posting about Christmas way into February at this rate!!!

I feel that because the Advent Swap was such a wonderful swap to have been involved in I don't want to spoil the fun I've had by not carrying on with my individual posts about the beautiful gifts that I received.

So on Day 12 I chose......

I'm keeping this delicate glitter to myself as I've only ever used childrens glitter before and didin't realise that grownup glitter was so spohisticated!!!! I can't wait to try it out!!!

Day 13 saw some more Cath Kidston goodies and I now feel that as Cath and I are on first name terms and I now have one of her craft books we are going to have a long and happy friendship!!!

Bluebell Body Lotion to use after I have had my Bluebell shower!!!

What a fab day!!!

Just popped in to say hope you all had a wonderful Christmas - we thoroughly enjoyed our relaxed Christmas day the food was excellent - thanks to Paul - smoked salmon and scramble eggs for breakfast, turkey and all the trimmings for lunch. I even enjoyed my brussel sprouts this year as Paul had tried the Gordon Ramsey recipe and they were very tasty!!!!

The kids were thrilled with their gifts from Santa.......

We're off out today to visit family - more pressies too!!!

I'm going to use the time over the next few days to catch up on blogging about my advent swap goodies so watch this space!!!!

I'm a Winner!!!!

I recently took part if a 50th Follower Giveaway over at Vintage Hearth, this lovely blog is written by Linda and her wonderful granddaughter pulled my lucky name out of the bowl to receive all these wonderful goodies which arrived today.

Firstly there was a copy of Sew! by Cath Kidston, now I am a bit of a Cath novice and we have only recently been introduced (don't ask me where I've been hiding I just not sure!!) but now Cath and I are friends (first name terms see!!!) I'm itching to try out a few of the bag designs in her book, especially the hexagonal patchwork one as I've been wanting to have a go at hexie quilting for some time - now there is no excuse!!
Next were these custom made Gift tags which I am going to use on my swaps and any future giveaways that I have.
And the lovely package wrapped in tissue paper, tied with a raffia bow and adorned with two candy canes to look like a heart contained this lovely vintage table centrepiece cloth, what I love about these pieces is that they are as neat on the back as they are on the front. I'm keeping this for my hexagonal summerhouse which I hope to finish re decorating just for me this summer.

Finally Linda enclosed a gorgeous blue beaded bracelet that she had made - it's just beautiful and I had to hide it away as the magpie (aka Rachel) was out and nearly fly off with it into her room!!!!

Thank you Linda for a truly wonderful and generous giveaway to see more pictures check out Linda's blog Vintage Hearth.

Advent Swap - Day 11

Right I know I should be getting ready for Toddler's but I thought that as Tomas is quite happy watching Fireman Sam I thought I'd quickly post about Day 11

Pretty Sticky conjures up all sorts of things

and the package gave no indication of what was inside....

a beautiful butterfly magnet, which is going to be great for sticking my TO DO LIST to the fridge!!!! thanks Annie....