Sewing Club: Make-up Roll

It's almost the new year and we're going to start a bit of a longer project...

Boxing Day Drivers

So, that's it, Christmas is over. Not quite! As you read this I am in the car on my way from somewhere in deepest darkest Lincolnshire to Blackpool to pick up my lovely step-daughter for Christmas number two!

Obviously with all the fun I'm having I don't really have time to post a craft Monday tutorial but I promise they'll be back next week, and it's a corker!

Heads up - you'll need tester pots of paint in two colours, a piece of furniture and a potato.
x

Christmas Day: The most important people in the world.

Christmas is all about family and friends for me so today I wanted to share with you some of the most important people in my life...

My husband is my rock. There aren't words to describe how much he means to me. 2011 was our first full year together and it has been fantastic. He's just lovely.

My little angel Ashleigh and her big sister Megan are two of the sweetest girls in the world. Ashleigh is definitely going to be a comedienne when she grows up, Megan will probably be a vet.

Most people who know me would tell you I'm a bit of a Daddy's girl. I love my Dad, he's clever, funny and always there for me when I need him. And his 'Mrs', Maigret, is just a legend. She's always thinking of other people, she's kind and generous, and makes a mean Rocky Road!

My sister and her kids Eartha, Bram and Violette. They're so French. We always have lots of fun when we're together but don't get to see each other much which is a real shame. Lucky for me I'm spending today with them though!

My brothers Richie and Luke are pretty odd guys, but so sweet and very similar. They drink too much, play weird instruments and have bizarre taste in clothes.

I don't know what we'd do without my in-laws (I'm going to HAVE to try and take a photo of them somewhere!). Sandra & Alan look after Ashleigh way more than most grandparents would want to, they were amazing when we moved house and (hearing what others say about in-laws) I'm very lucky to have them.

All my friends rock. This year Embo has made me laugh more than ever, Jess has got me into running and writing and I have missed Katy unimaginably so whilst she's been jetting off over the world.

And I haven't even seen these two beautiful blondes! But I do get to see Gemma and Gina VERY soon.

There are so many more people who mean the world to me, I'm sure you all know who you are. Love you all, and HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Merry Christmas!

Linky Saturday: NORAD

Of course, it had to be another Christmas related link... Follow the Big Man as he travels the word delivering presents! This is something I look at every year, I'm such a kid and just get so excited, and this year you can even follow him on your Android or iPhone! Ooooh... not long to go now...

Public Transport is an Inspiration

Photo Credit

 I work 2.9 miles from home. According to Google Maps it should take about an hour to walk, 35 minutes on the bus and 10 minutes to drive. Last night was my first experience getting the bus home and all I can say is wow. What a waste of time (and £2.20).

I had a few bits of shopping to do first but was still at the bus stop 10 minutes before the bus was due at 6.38pm. I walked in the door just before 8.00pm. Ridiculous. I could have walked it quicker.

So, there's the inspiration, the kick up the bum I needed. There's no way I can face getting public transport home when the distance is so small. Here's to running home in 2012!

Tasty Friday: Hot Toddy Porridge

It's really cold isn't it?! Warm yourself up with my hot toddy porridge!

Chistmas Eve Eve!!

Because it's Christmas Eve Eve I though I'd just share the treat with you today. Enjoy!

Who am I today?

Thursday sewing club was going to be how to make a last minute fancy dress costume (where do I get my inspiration from?!) but this cape tutorial is so good and easy I though I might as well just do a link!

And here's your special treat...

Kids Activities

I wanted to do a regular weekly spot on things to do with the kids, but moving house means I've not had time to see my daughter much - she's been keeping out of the way at Nana & Grandad's! So today I want to share with you all a FANTASTIC source of activities to do with your little monsters. Go to Playful Learners and get some great ideas for fun times!

Christmas Fancy Dress

So... what have I come to work dressed as today then?!

If you think you know the answer, good for you! There was a hidden link somewhere on the blog to take you to a special treat, but now it's right here!

Review: Running (The Only Book You'll Ever Need)

As a lot of you know I recently started running - catch up with that over at Running Bunn. I started off with the C25K programme, but have really struggled with technique and injuries. Luckily for me David & Charles, the lovely publishers of Running (The Only Book You'll Ever Need), sent me a copy of the book to help me along.

Crafty Monday: Snowflake Stencils

No window is complete at Christmas without a bit of fake snow. It shocked me recently to discover that not everyone knows how to make a snowflake stencil, so here I show you how.

My Week In Pictures

This weeks has been mostly about moving house! The fish tank had to be emptied and the poor guys spent the whole week in a plastic box in the bathroom. We got all the curtains down and boxed everything up.

A bit of mid-week fun came in the form of my little angel's nativity play at school and the work's Christmas party at Pizza Express.

By the end of the week everything was packed at the old flat and we got the keys to our new home!

Linky Saturday: Portable North Pole

I know a lot of you have already had a go at this but, just in case anyone missed it, enter just a few details to get a personalised video message from the Big Man himself!

How safe is your life from 'Facebook'?

I still remember when I set up my Facebook account. I got an email from a friend of mine who lives abroad telling me I should join. I had a look around the site, was amused to see I could 'befriend' people from school to whom I hadn't spoken in years, and joined.

Tasty Friday: Mulled Wine

All you need on a cold winter's night is a big mug of steaming hot mulled wine.

Sewing Club: Stocking Decorations

If you get into any difficulty with a project you'll be able to ask me questions through the blog or on Twitter, and at the end of each project you'll have something beautiful and handmade!

Crafty Monday: Gift Bags

Why go out and buy gift bags when you can make your own?!

And the winner is...

Early yesterday morning I got my lovely daughter to help pick a winner for the Breakfast Set competition.

We wrote down all the entries for the competition...

My Week In Words

Linky Saturday: Retro Chick's Christmas Giveaway

I love reading Retro Chick's blog anyway, but she's currently running a 12 days of Christmas competition where you can win some properly lovely presents! Head over to her blog and enter every day for the best chance of winning.

Pillowcase Angel Costume

When the school sent home a note saying we had to produce an angel costume for my daughter to wear in the school play I was very upset. Not because I didn't want to do it, but because they said we weren't allowed to make wings! Anyway, here's how I made the dress.

Getting back into it

As I'm sure you can tell by my absence, my first run after the injured knee did not go too well. After the first running interval I felt like I'd been kicked by a donkey. Since then I've just not had the guts to go back out.

For years I have hated exercise. I'd always tell people it's dangerous, anyone with an injury most likely got it from some kind of sport related incident. Besides, I've never been much overweight so why should I bother. Sporty people annoyed me with their happiness and their dedication.

I felt so good after the first few weeks of C25K that I suddenly felt stupid for all those years derision. I was happier, needed less sleep to feel more awake, I was breathing better and, dare I say it, looked better too - my skin was brighter, my hair shinier. That was just from a few weeks, imagine what I'd be like at the end of 9 weeks?! When I hurt my knee it was like I was being chastised for giving up my old beliefs so freely.

When Bangs and a Bun posted today about the new 'Team Bangs...' I was so jealous that I can't be a part of it. If I'd never injured myself I'd be up to 5k now and doing the Berlin half marathon wouldn't be a million mile target. But as it is I can't even chase a pigeon let alone run 13 miles.

So I've decided, "that's quite enough moping Mrs Bunn"! Tomorrow I will find time (in between the school run, Christmas shopping, house move packing etc. etc.) to go out. I'm not going to pressure myself by trying to do a C25K run, I'm just going to do my best. If I can't run at all then so be it. I need to get back in the habit of putting on my running gear and leaving the house for half an hour. I can build up as slowly as my knee (and my injured courage) needs.

Watch this space...

Ssssshhhhhh... Competition time!

You'll have noticed me being fairly quiet recently. I'm moving house you see and that takes up a fair bit of time and effort!