Christmas Crafting

This year I have decided to pull my finger out and get going on starting some family traditions for Louis. I've seen loads of wonderful and very creative ideas online. Many of which are way beyond my capabilities. But a few have shone out as potentially achievable. And I set myself a goal of actually finishing 1 or 2 in time for Lou's first Xmas. 

I've always loved crafting. I spent a couple of years making celebration cakes after attending a college course in the evenings. I enjoyed it a lot at first but at heart I'm a bit of a perfectionist and when something doesn't turn out the way I want it to, I do tend to just admit defeat and give up all together rather than honing my skills. So really, I love a craft but I want one that a) Has fast results and b) is idiot proof. 

So this year I decided to start out by researching some ideas for a Christmas stocking. It sounded like a good way to mark Lou's first Christmas and could be easily personalised. So I found some really rich cotton fabrics with cute designs and off I went with the sewing machine. I started over a month ago and have only just finished. It didn't take me that long in real time obviously. It's just been hard to find the time and energy to devote to it with a 6 month old to look after. I'd say it probably took me 3 hours tops to complete. But I'm really pleased with it. 

Next I turned my attention to making some Christmas decorations. Something we could put Louis' stamp on, not just for our own tree but as gifts for friends and family. My friend Rachel posted a photo on my Facebook page which got me inspired (Thanks Rachel!). It was super straight forward, and fail safe. I made 3 in the end. And again, it took a few days to complete - sleeping baby allowing. But now we have a cute Santa themed baby hand print hanging from our tree. I'll post the photo guide below incase anyone else fancies having a go. Hopefully as Louis gets bigger we'll be able to add to the ornament collection year by year with some different home made ones too. 

So there's my festive creations. What are you making this year? Xx

Christmas Prepping with our baby :)

It's busy busy busy as the Margetts/King residence!! Christmas preparations are in full swing. We could not be more excited to be spending our first Christmas with our 6 month old baby boy!! Eeeek!! 

For some reason unbeknownst to me, this year I've failed to do my Christmas gift shopping online. Last year I did 99% of my shopping that way which worked fantastically and meant I avoided the usual stress of Christmas mayhem in Kingston. For some bizarre reason I have spent most of my days in one town or another getting lots of last minute 'necessities' (the inverted comma's signal that their actually necessity is questionable to anyone other than myself!). As lovely as it is to see all the lights and festive cheer, I could really have done without it. Especially with a bubba who shares my disapproval of public transport. Please God bring me a driving license for Xmas!!! And nope, that doesn't mean I have a test booked. I'm just hoping to miraculously find said piece of qualifying paperwork in my stocking... Long shot? 

I was sensible enough to at least do my food shop online this year. So I'm expecting a hearty consignment of Christmas carbs to arrive from Waitrose tomorrow. Yippee - no trolley wars for me this year .

We have loads of exciting things planned around the Christmas period. We plan to visit a Christmas event at Kew which should be very pretty as they decorate the gardens with lights. It's also an opportunity for little Louis' to have his first meeting with Santa Claus (more for Sean and I's benefit than Louis but it's all part of getting into the spirit).

We have our real Christmas tree covered in 'Baby's First Christmas' ornaments which is lovely. Quite a few have spaces for photos so we've been filling those up too. 

We are very excited for the 25th and look forward to catching up with everyone... And eating our own body-weight in chocolate and turkey...

Feliz Navidad! << thought I'd mix it up a bit by writing than in Spanish {I think I've been somewhat overdoing the Bublé albums}

Above photo is in the same location on the Southbank that Sean and I got engaged just over a year ago. Note new addition :p