Friday Chat Day

 Hello friends

Happy Friday!

Hope you are all well and you've had a good week so far.

Crochet:

Something a little different - I made a pin cushion, 

it could easily be confused with a foot stool for a small animal!

I used a hook that was too big and the wrong yarn

but I still like it and I'm unlikely to lose it.

The pattern is lovely, very easy to follow and available here. 

Also - not a blanket (shock!) is the beginnings of a cushion cover.

I am determined to try to use up some of my yarn leftovers.

When you are a papercrafter you have scraps,

when you are crocheter you have leftovers - cannot escape it.

I'm at the stage of sewing all the little squares together -

going to be a total of 36 each side.

Let's just say the crochet part is a lot more fun.

And this is Lily who you probably don't see very often, she's quite timid but

loves yarn.  She makes crocheting challenging.

Recipe:

Cheating this week and sharing Christmas Cake progress.

And here it is - the Christmas Cake is finally marzipanned. 

Don't look too closely - it is thinner in places and my joins are a little off.

I went with the knowledge: 'no-one sees this under the icing!'

Also there were some very delicious offcuts.

I will certainly not be entering Bake Off.

I will be embarking on icing at the weekend - a simple snow scene is calling me.

This week was Christmas duvet week, yes I've made that a thing and 

I have festive/winter design covers - the boys refuse them now sadly.

Each time I change the covers I have a pristine bed for about ten minutes -

 then this happens...

She knows she should not be there but she is equally safe in the knowledge

that I will not move her - totally soft.

That face! 

Telly:

 Dickensian - BBC iPlayer

 Very happy to see this available on BBC iPlayer.

Fictional characters from famous Charles Dickens novels come 

to life when their paths cross each other in 19th century London.

A Dickens 'mash up' if you like!

Worth watching if only for Pauline Collins playing Mrs Gamp - very funny.

The Prom - Netflix

Down-on-their-luck Broadway stars shake up a small Indiana town 

as they rally behind a teen who wants to go to the prom with her girlfriend.
Starring James Corden, Nicole Kidman and Meryl Streep.

It's a musical, it's cheesy, funny and comes with an important message.

Other news:

I am pleased to report that our Covid tests came back as negative, phew.

We are still being very cautious - here in Kent we are in tier 3.

Like many we are celebrating Christmas very differently this year.  

As a family we have chosen not to be together.

I am meeting my sister next week in a park to do a swap

over of gifts (the drop and run as we are calling it)

and having spoken to our parents we feel all eating

together over Christmas is far too risky.

It is so hard for everyone but ultimately it is the safest decision.

Here's to new normal next year.

Thank you to those who have sent wonderful handmade cards,

all on display and looking gorgeous.

I confess I did not make cards this year, I did a lot of clicking

on Etsy and supported small businesses.

And talking of Christmas ... this time next week is Christmas Day!

I will not be doing a chat day next week, instead I will be back the following

week - New Year's Day with a double dose of chatter.

It remains for me to say: 

I wish you all the best Christmas possible and please be safe.

Thank you so much for stopping by each week and reading my ramblings 

and natterings - it means a lot.

Much love,