Christmas 2013

Hello everyone and I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Christmas?  Ours was fabulous and spent with the family over 4 days. We ate lots of good food, shared lots of laughter and exchanged gifts. Boxing day was our Christmas day number two and our darling Daisy Jane delighted everyone. Such precious family time. Everyone has now gone home and my Hb and I are enjoying a few more days off work.

This was my table all set for Christmas day.

  My handmade crackers went with a bang, literally and the presents I enclosed were so well received. I can now  reveal what was inside my Darling Daughter's and Daisy's. This was a secret surprise I had been working on at my  silversmithing class.....I made 2 silver daisies using the lost wax casting technique. First I had to make a pair of daisies in wax. I was able to texture the wax,using of all things the string bag from satsumas. I used cutters from my cake decorating stash (I love the way my crafting stash overlaps with my different hobbies) and then manipulated the petals and made a small centre piece which I gave texture to using a cocktail stick. Once I was happy with the wax models they went off to Hatton Garden in London to be cast in silver. When they came back they had a sprue attached which I had to saw off. I then filed and polished the pieces and finally put them into the tumble polisher. I bought chains for them, a short one for Daisy and a longer one for her Mummy. Here they are all finished

and a close up

and this is where Daisy found hers;

I received some lovely gifts including an amazing Butler and Wilson broach from my Hb. We dance so this was very appropriate

We are having a quiet night in this evening and then will start some more celebrating tomorrow right through to the New Year. What fun!

My challenge card today will be the last Christmas card I will share with you this year. I have really enjoyed making them since late summer. I am glad I started so early as I managed to make nearly 30. However I still  had to buy a few shop bought ones to make up the numbers I needed.

I have used one of the oldest rubber stamps I own made by the delightful Helen and Mark over at Visible Image. I bought it years ago and it still is one of my Christmas favourites. I just used clear embossing to give it a gorgeous sheen. I added a vellum sheet over black card stock to give a wintery night time feel. The Santa and Sleigh and the white holly leaf die cuts are Cheery Lynn. The candle is Marianne and the snowy corners Memory Box.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;

Visible Image Christmas
Oh La La winter wonderland
Pan Pastel UK anything goes
Rhedd and Rosie let it snow
A creative Romance sparkle
Country View Crafts Bah Humbug
Papertake Weekly pick of the year my challenge is November's Snow and Ice
Party Time Tuesdays anything goes
Vintage stamping cold and frosty christmas colours
The Artistic Stamper anything goes

Card Crafter's Circle Home for the holidays

Simon Says stamp Bling it on

I know you will want to see my darling granddaughter Daisy Jane at Christmas so here are a couple of snaps. She will be 7 weeks old on Monday.

Yes of course I had to make sure my girlie had a little dress...she looked so cute in it. My Hb and I had the honour of bathing her in her little bath tub 2 days in a row, just look at her holding tight to her granddad's loving arms..

Now I love Christmas and chocolate but when it comes to my little Daisy....I think she wins hands down ;0)

I took this photo this afternoon. She was giggling on my lap whilst her Mummy and Daddy loaded up the car to travel home. I miss her already, this little girl just brings so much joy into our lives.

I hope you are enjoying your time off and are looking forward to celebrating the end of this wonderful year and welcoming  in 2014. Thank you for all the kind Christmas wishes you have left me here in your comments, they are so appreciated. Take care,

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x