Tuesday 1 December 2009

Christmas Crafting

The first chocolate has been eaten from the Advent Calender, and so I feel comfortable discussing the preparations now. When I was little, our advent calender had no chocolates in it, and we got the same one out year after year - the kids think I had a deprived childhood - especially as my mum still has the chocolates (umbrella shaped ones, very late 50's looking) that were hung on our tree.

Anyway, before he was struck down with a mystery virus, the young man decorated the Gingerbread house. I bought the house flat packed (what else!!) from Ikea for about £2.50. The icing and jelly tots were from Asda. The chimney has slid off, but it is making the house smell lovely. Whilst he was in bed all day yesterday (doctors orders), I made a pack of hounds,

I only had enough black felt for this chap, I need more supplies.

Inspiration and pattern came from here.
This sorry looking fella appealed to my sense of humour - a half eaten felt gingerbread man. Again, I only had enough felt for one, but I have a trip to John Lewis planned for extra supplies.
Inspiration and pattern were found here .
I'm on a bit of a roll now. I have a few more bits n bobs to sew, then the sewing machine is getting packed away for a while.

23 comments:

sarah-jane down the lane said...

Yay do you remember that terrifying Ladybird book the gingerbread man, gave me night terrors I can tell you!

I have just bought the flat pack Ikea House too, cant wait to make it...when I have finnished the to do list from hell!

Sarah x

andamento said...

The gingerbread house sounds interesting - I like things that smell nice for Christmas.

Love the Scottie & Westies too.

elsy said...

love those little hounds....you clever thing

Lisa said...

I can almost smell that gingerbread house! I love the little shocked looking mouth on the gingerbread man/
Thanks for the comment about the living room.
Lisa x

Caroline said...

Loved the Westies and the poor little gingerbread man.
I did not have chocolates in my advent calendar either, far too new fangled that idea was. Mine was an angel with pictures in the little doors on her skirt. It stayed with me all through my childhood, indeed, I might still have got it somewhere.

Hope the young man is making a swift recovery, clever him, by the way, for finding a way up to the roof of Lafayette!

xxx Caroline

Rebecca said...

I love the dogs and the gingerbread man - he reminds me of the gingerbread man in Shrek!

noelle said...

great crafting Diane! i too thought about that gingerbread man story! Hope your boy is better soon x x p.s. it stopped raing for a while here today!!

noelle said...

ooh sorry, RAINING!!!

LOVE STITCHING RED said...

Hello, loved your post today especially the half eaten gingerbread person and the chimney that keeps sliding off the roof ... surely begging to be eaten????

Have fun with your sewing. I've been sewing ornaments all day. They are taking me ages, much longer than I thought, but I'm enjoying them

Love
Carolyn xx

Marie said...

We also had the same advent calendar year after year with no chocolate, but I think I have come through that possible childhood trauma without any ill effects! Love your little doggies, they're so cute.

VintageVicki said...

Love the partially eaten Gingerbread man - yep he looks just like the one in my ladybird book.

Gorgeous house too - if only we had an Ikea near here.

Michela said...

Hi Diane, sorry to heat the young man is still unwell. Love your Christmas bits and bobs, can't wait to set up mine next weekend :)

Rosie said...

Love those little dogs - thanks for the link to the pattern - I have some felt and think I may have a go myself. Hope the young man will feel well again soon:)

Gilly said...

Love those hounds! You are so neat-fingered!

The Girl said...

I need to go to Ikea!!! Why is the only one near me all the way in Leeds?!

Love the little gingerbread man.

Hope the young man feels better soon.

menopausalmusing said...

Did I read that right? Your mum STILL has the chocolates???? :O)))
Great little Scottie dogs.....

JP said...

love the dogs - is the gingerbread house eatable or is it just for show?!!!!!!!!!! - hope the little one is better and you haven't caught it

Susie's country cottage said...

That's a good idea to buy the house ready made, after all, the decorating is the best bit in my opinion. I love your little dogs.

Karen said...

Very funny gingerbread man. Looks like you're well ahead in your Christmas preparations!

Jennyff said...

I don't mean to go all Monty Python but I can't ever remember having an advent calendar when I was a child. Love the dogs, hope they are doing on the Christmas tree.

BadPenny said...

oh poor little ginger bread man - yes the Ladybird story was quite traumatising !

Imagine keeping the chocolate umbrellas !!!

The Ample Cook said...

I think advent calendars sadly are all about the chocolates now.

Love the gingerbread man! Made me smile.

Blueberry Heart said...

the gingerbread man soooo appeals to my rather warped sense of humour!! Great stuff! Fab little 'Radleys' there too, you have been rather busy, hope you've managed to squeeze in a 'medicinal' GnT!!

BH x
PS hope he's on the mend now