So, this is why we haven't been consistently writing for a while...
EVERYTHING HAS BEEN HAPPENING!
(this may or may not be hyperbole)
I'll talk you through things. First, remember that crochet baby blanket that I started, er, in February or something? Z was born healthy and happy about four months ago. But I still hadn't finished the blanket. FINALLY, when I had finished they got invited over for lunch (unfortunately very brief) and I got to meet mummy for the first time, and little Z. So cute!
 |
| All the ends cut off after being sewn in - what an achievement! |
 |
| Mapping out the blanket - took a long time as it was really hard to colour match properly. |
 |
| Doing four more lines of border |
The TA-DA picture will have to wait until I can get it off A, I'm afraid, but they seemed very pleased. It was my first go, so a lot of mistakes and pretty messy, but they seemed to appreciate it. Just hope it gets used!
Okay, so big thing NUMBER TWO has been taking up A LOT of time. We (as a family) have decided to raise £1500 over the year for The Hope Project, which is a branch of The Dogs' Trust. It specifically helps dogs whose owners are in housing crises, as a lot of shelters will not accept dogs, and there isn't a lot of veterinary support for them. Dogs are vitally important to some people: a friend, protection, warmth... We'll have another post more on the fundraising in the future with lots more details, and in case anyone wants to be involved.
SO, we left it all a bit late, so by the time we'd booked our stall at a local school's PTA craft fair, we only had four weeks to make everything for it. Here's some shots of our work in progress:
 |
| Sequin ball-balls - would you believe that we spent £18 on pins alone?? We didn't know that, and certainly made no money! |
 |
| Felty decorations (there were also stockings and snowmen) |
 |
| Cutting out the tops for A's 'Luxury mincemeat' and 'Christmas Apple and Cranberry Chutney.' They both sold very well. |
 |
| Stall putting up in action - great way to display things between canes with sticks. |
 |
| And here is our stall! I won't bore you with pictures of everything we made, but I can do a list, can't I? Mini bunting, big bunting (both sold well), hot chocolate sticks, Christmas cards, glittery baubles, reindeer baubles, mini and larger glittery stars, printed wrapping paper, a scarf, beautiful paper stars made marvellously by Alison (we had 30 or so and only FOUR left), little felt critters made by a generous woman from A's work, salt dough decorations, willow stars, willow bird feeders (all went quickly), Christmas cushion, Christmas flannel... I think that was it, but it would've been really easy to miss something out. What a great stall. |
 |
| And look how much went! The top bunting was reserved already, but everything else went. A few bits and bobs left for sale TWO (yes, I know we're mad, but it's a little stall this time). |
 |
| Good idea for next year - cinnamon sticks wrapped up nicely. So easy! |
 |
| I had to show these. They may be very cute, but they are made from books. As in entire books. One book = one hedgehog. I just couldn't do it. |
 |
| These were our very nice next-stall neighbours. Apparently, this was a really bad selling year, but we did all right! |
 |
| Few other bits and bobs - a lot of chocolates, big raffle, jewellery, nick nacks, pens, wreaths, glass work, loads of cards, clothes, scarves, accessories... A real mix. Not much time to get round, but looked like a great a sale. |
So, onto other things. We had our very last family therapy session with J and S. It was hard, and heartening, and humorous and sad. We've been with them for a long time, and it seems so alien that they won't be journeying with us anymore. We will be travelling in a different way.
 |
| Our memory book - one for each of them |
And not to forget Joyce's 93rd birthday! A nice evening at Sewell house with two cakes (a homemade Victoria sponge and a shop-bought chocolate cake) and alcohol! Only one person got drunk, so that's not too bad!
 |
| Joe, Susan, and Joyce |
That's about all, folks! Well, a lot of other things have happened as well, but it's a quick run-down. Hopefully, we'll get into a schedule again, but no promises.
(No Guardian Quizzes - no time!)
