Henlow's new home and lots of crafty goodness

Well ok, it's the same home but it's moved and been cleaned out.

Out with the old mud and sand mix:

Temporary home on the coffee table for a few mins - not bothered at all - I'm pleased we didn't interrupt his lunch!

And in with the new substrate mix - he looks like he's doing a little mountaineering here:

He had to move out of his usual corner of the living room and into a nice little space by the side of the sofa to make space for the Christmas tree which will be going up shortly.

The advent calendar made its annual appearance this weekend:

Me and mum made this when I was pretty small and has been used every year since. It needed a minor repair job to keep it attached to the wood at the top this year but it's still going strong and I think it will have a few more years in it yet.

Today I went to another class at the wonderful Knit Nottingham to learn some Christmas Amigurumi - we made a snowman and also started a Christmas tree but I was a little too slow to get this one finished.  I have the pattern to make a cracker as well so might have a go at these at home. It was a brilliant class (as always) as we learnt a lot of new techniques and I also got my snowman from it too :-) I think it I were to make this again I would use beads instead of the french knots for the coal mouth and eyes but otherwise really successful.

Other news - sorry there are lots of bits and bobs in this post - I made a place on my wall to keep all of my ribbon. I have to say this was slightly inspired but Kirsty's Vintage Home and the way that she has ribbon stored in her workshop but looks really good as well as making it a lot easier to get to all of my ribbon than when it was stuffed in a drawer.

I was given the link to a craft club called Crafty Creatives through the blog of my craft swap buddy (http://quirkyhannah.wordpress.com/) and was so excited about the idea of a parcel of craft ideas and inspiration arriving through the post every month that I just had to sign up straight away. I haven't received anything yet as I was not in time for November's box but I can't wait to get my first box around the middle of December. Watch this space for what I receive.

I was asked to make a card for my boss at work who is leaving this week to have a baby - she is decorating the baby's room in yellows and other pastel colours with a Noah's arc theme so I found as many pictures of animals and other little baby things as I could. I hope that the rest of my department and her (when she is given it) like it! I am feeling under quite a lot of pressure for this one - fingers crossed!

 

Sorry for the big blanks in the photo's - the "social media policy" (really?!?) at work doesn't allow us to mention the company name and to be honest it's not worth the risk of losing my job.

And last but of course by no means least - I have also made a card for my Mum who's birthday it was yesterday (hence I can now blog about it!) My husband experimented with some new water brushes that he got and painted the Boofle picture and we also stamped the letters for Mum to go on the front.

  

Have a good week everyone out there in blog-land! I'm back at work and college again all week and have an exam shortly so I'm sorry if there's not too much excitement from me.