three months.

Well well well.....

I bet you didn't expect to be hearing from me? I could sit here and be all "excuse excuse excuse..." But instead I shall simply say, that I have had some stuff to deal with both in body and in mind. 

It kept me away from my blog, and craft in general. 

I am happier when I blog - I realise this now, it is somewhere for me to pour out thoughts without (too much) judgement. Just quickly on that note -When I blogged more, I had regular anonymous blog comments of a mean nature, which,  bothered me at first - but now I realise that I cannot take on other peoples passing remarks to heart or give them any weight, as if they truly believed what they were saying, they wouldn't feel the need to hide their identity! I am grateful for all the gorgeous comments I get on my blog, the encouragement and thanks for the freebies, they mean the world. - I am after all, a real person with real feelings, most of which I hide from my blog xxxx

MOVING ON SWIFTLY lol!

Blog plans for 2013.

1: To blog (lol)

2: Monthly Journal card giveaways for Project life or for adding to your craft stash in general.

3: Regular shop updates.

4: Life posts

5: Crafty posts 

In order to kick start Jan as I mean to go on - I have prepared a journal card pack freebie called 

"SAY WHAT?!" 

 Each card can be printed as 6x4 or more (or infact less if you choose to print two on one 6x4 sheet!)

You can download the pack free

HERE

As I can't do a blog post without adding photos...

Here are some recent life shots.

Finlay turned 5 in November!

 we started a new tradition called "the birthday fort" Where you blindfold the recipient and build a fort from their gifts around them making as much rustle and noise as possible lol  :) - then when you whip off the blind fold its a fun surprise!

 I'm so stunned that he is 5. He is developing so beautifully, so proud of him!

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Thanks to pinterest and its ideal life suggestions - I decided I could make his cake. * urk *

I gave it my best shot, and I was pleased with the end results. I wanted it look like the cake was made from lego with a white icing top, peeled back to reveal the lego bricks.... I ended up with this....

 and a lovely friend made Finlay a lego board table decoration from real lego. Seriously we couldn't have been more impressed. No colour touches! very cool. We still have it made up.

He had a cool party at a local indoor soft play.

I gave out blank lego men colouring pictures with each invitation, and gave instructions to bring to the party, and we used them to create a cute line of lego picture bunting :) I did one too... cheeky

Other things I have been doing is, a last minute gallery showing. 

In the summer, me and my mother in law booked a week in a gallery shop.

My mother in law prepared way in advance.

We were due to set up on a Monday - and on the Sunday I still hadn't sorted myself!

I was sat on the floor of my dining room covered in tape and mounts and singing loudly to prevent madness (or perhaps the singing was a sign it had already kicked in!)

But I did it - and I loved seeing my typography up on the walls in a gallery. Fun stuff.

Talking of pictures.

Before Christmas, Finlay drew me a picture, and proclaimed beautifully that "It's Mary with baby Jesus in her belly!" I was so overwhelmed by the sweetness. I have kept it for project life. If I get around to finishing 2012 PL It will have its own page. x

December saw the return of TumbleFlump Hollie-Tinker the cheeky festive house elf.

he managed to get up to mischief every night - which was a challenge, but worth it when Finlay's face lit up in  the mornings! His first night here was problematic for him. Apparently the Moshi Monsters had missed the memo of his impending arrival... and they took offence at his arrival, fairly convinced he meant them harm.

silly monsters.

For the first time ever we had a REAL tree!

HOLY PINE NEEDLES BATMAN!

Whilst it looked lovely - I didn't appreciate the needle shedding every time anyone walked near it or breathed in its general direction.

I think I will still be finding them embedded in our socks in June!

I went with two of my bestest friends to see POST SECRET LIVE - which was really interesting! Esp audience participation.. it is amazing to me what people are willing to fess' up in public!

I had some couple time with my husband in Brighton where we Christmas shopped and generally drunk gingerbread lattes and ate skinny fries in gourmet burger....

And feeling ever so out of the crafty loop - I dug out my crochet hooks and yarns and started work on a crochet doll. I have decided I MUST learn to read a pattern. As I currently cannot, all the codes and abbreviations look like alien literature to me! So instead, I have been "winging" it - and working things out as I go along. I started with what I thought was going to be a tiny dolls head.

turned out to be the size of a tennis ball - but I carried on anyway. Adding hair, and a hat..

and then arms and legs....

and then a dress, leg warmers, shoes, scarf with mini flower detail, belt and bead eyes.

I love the freedom crochet gives you, to take your project anywhere.  We had some recent sun, despite it being cold still - so we took Finlay to our local park and let him play whilst we sat in the park cafe and drunk tea, hot chocolate and I crocheted :) glorious.

I also bought some super fine crochet cotton, and knocked up a plate mat for my husbands grandmother.

Again - pattern free - and needs blocking. but that aside I am soooo pleased with it!

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Archie update!

I am so in love with him - I couldn't wish for a nicer cat - his nature, personality and keenness for being loved  is beautiful. He has settled into our home wonderfully and I never want to be without him!

xxxxxxxxxx

Even when my little tripod-feline gets into very public cat fights!