It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas....

Good morning all and hope that your weekend has been going well? It's certainly beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our house now as trees and decorations were put up yesterday.  I have to confess that it was probably a bit earlier than I would normally do them, but pressure (i.e. offspring nagging) made me do it!  It does get a bit easier as the kids have got older as they help rather than hinder - most of the time. Although tying gold tinsel round the dog probably doesn't constitute decorating the house (I think she quite liked it though!).  But I now have lots of little glowing white lights and feel ready to tackle the card-writing and present-wrapping.  I do get accused of my Christmas tree looking like a shop display, as I'm very boring (apparently) and only like white lights (and not flashing ones - a certain recipe for a migraine!) and gold baubles. So I weakened this year and allowed some soft glow coloured ones on a tree in the hall - and they do look quite nice! I do like my home to look cosy and festive, with lots of greenery and candles - we just need some snow now to make it look like a film set for performing 'Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...' lol!

And thankfully the building work on the bathroom is now finished - and it looks wonderful! It's fantastic to have a shower with a good strong flow and a toilet that flushes properly first time! It's quite sad really how excited a middle aged woman can get over bathroom fittings.....

Anyway, just thought I'd share a bit of cross stitch with you today. I've been busy making a last few Christmas cards as well, and will try and get some decent photos today if the light is a bit better.

This little hanger was made with a chart from Lizzie Kate. I stitched it onto gold-flecked aida fabric and added a few gold beads. I just liked the simplicity of this one, and the 'rustic' charm (although most of my cross stitch offerings have a touch of the 'rustic' about them - probably to do with dog & cat hairs!). 

And this little hanger was from a pattern in an old American cross stitch magazine

I stitched this onto ivory aida - and again, can't resist adding some beads!  I was a bit disappointed though, as it's supposed to be a heart shape, but due to my dodgy stitching up and stuffing technique, it's looking like a bit of a wonky heart! Sigh. 

Anyway, I'll be back soon with yet more Christmas cards - and much as I love Christmas, it'll be quite nice when I've finished these not to have to make any more for a while! 

Enjoy the rest of your day, 

Kim x 

I'm entering these hangers into the following challenges:-

Emergency Crafters - deck the halls

Fussyand Fancy - I love Christmas

CraftUsCrazy - Christmas/Winter