I should have listened to my mother

Hi there.

I meant to do a post yesterday, but the whole day just seemed to run away with me.  I did manage to visit a few of your lovely blogs though, and noticed that quite a few of you are under a few inches of snow.  We woke up to only a smattering on Saturday and when I looked out of the window this morning, it appears that we've had a couple of centimeters over night.  It's darn cold though, and I'm so glad that I don't have to wait around on these crisp mornings for a bus into work.

I took a trip over to my aunt who lives in Nottingham on Saturday and we decided to visit a Christmas Craft Fair, which was being held at Patchings Art Centre, not far from where she lives.  It was absolutely freezing. I missed out on a great photo opportunity of a Robin sitting on a snow covered fence because I was holding onto my aunt for dear life (she fell down and broke her arm the last time she ventured out in the snow).  

It's been years since I visited Patchings - I think the last time was 1998 when my cousin got married and had her wedding reception here.  There was country dancing and I remember twirling around a lot with my brother - blimey, that doesn't happen very often :0)

We did spot some stalls selling very old fashioned stuff, but we won't dwell on those.  I want to show you the talented folks.

Both my aunt and I were taken with the wares that Irene Campsill's stall had to offer.  She makes the most amazing bags.  I was smitten with a felt and tweed bag, crafted in an unusual shape, with beautiful free sewing machine embroidery on the front.  It was priced at £50, which seems expensive, but the craftsmanship involved made it totally worth it.  I'd limited myself to spending only £20, so unfortunately I had to love it and leave it behind.  Though I think I'm regretting it now.  If you've got a bit of a handbag fetish, then go and check out her website. 

I couldn't resist buying these cute buttons:

You remember how much Violet loves her penguins.  £2.50 for a set - can't be bad.

I just couldn't leave this singing angel behind:

Isn't she fab????

She's now gracing the top of our fire place.

I don't know about you, but I always like to stock up on birthday cards when I visit craft fairs - you can get your hands on unusual cards and something just that little bit different from the normal run of the mill cards can't you?

I've got a birthday coming up and spotted this really pretty card that'll do the job nicely.

It's by an artist called Vivienne Cawson.  I don't think my photograph shows it off to its full potential though sadly.

She was selling some lovely prints too.  I especially liked her 'Poppy Heads', so I bought it in greeting card form.  Not to send to anyone, but to frame when I get round to it.  It'll look great with a wide dark border around it and a dark wood frame.

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Yesterday Violet and I had loads of fun cutting out paper snowflakes, which I then laminated. 

 

Violet helped me punch holes into them and then we strung them on some red spotty ribbon. 

Et voila!

Our homemade garland.

 

There's something very therapeutic about cutting out paper snowflakes - I'm sure you all remember doing it as a child.

I love my laminator - it was dead cheap from WH Smiths and I use it all the time.  It's especially good for knitting patterns, Violet's 'artwork', making recipe cards, and for doing a million and one crafty things with a toddler.

Hope you're all managing to keep warm and take care out there on the slippy roads and pavements.

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