Thursday 30 December 2010

A little bit of Christmas and A HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Hi Everyone,

I hope you all had a really wonderful Christmas spent doing anything that makes you happy, be it a quiet day just mooching around with your beloved or  full on manic with your family, especially if that includes little ones as ours does.  Christmas Day saw my Hubby and I dashing off up the A1 to our daughter's for dinner and back down again that evening as we had my Mum here for Boxing Day lunch.  Then Jenna and her family came down the A1 to spend Monday and Tuesday with us and naturally when they are here, Jamie and his family spend mosgt of their time here as well (they only live 5 minutes away) so for 2 days our little bungalow was bursting at the seams, Lol!



This is Izzy after opening one of her presents from her Mamma and 'Bamps' (me and Hubby).  That expression was priceless!


Here Izzy and Alexa are cuddled up under Mamma's special blanket watching Finding Nemo for about the three hundredth time, Lol!  You wouldn't believe Alexa is 3 months younger than Izzy would you?


And here they both are singing nursery rhymes with the 'babies Annabelle', just like they do at nursery.

I've had a couple of days when I should really have been setting the house to rights again but instead I've just mooched about really and now I have to get a crack on because we have our oldest friends coming for a meal tomorrow night.  We've spent New Year's Eve together for over 20 years now, taking it in turns to host and they used to be very noisy, lively affairs when the kids were all younger but as they got into their late teens things quieted down somewhat.  Mind you for several years at least one parent had to stay sober because there was usually a phone call from one or other of the four offspring saying their taxi hadn't turned up and could we do the honours!  I'm glad those days are over although staying sober now is not a problem as I can't
drink alcohol any more.  Sod's Law again isn't it, Lol!

I thought it was about time I shared a few makes with you although they have been a bit thin on the ground recently.  I thought all but my closest buddies were not going to get handmade cards this year but because of the lovely quick technique of Joanne Wardle's which my CSQ buddies and I have just used for our latest project, I used it to make quite a bundle of Christmas cards right at the last minute.  I almost forgot to take any pics but here are three different variations on the theme.




I do have another special card I made for my three CSQ buddies but I also made if for a blog buddy in America and I don't think she's received it yet.  I was a bit late posting for America to say the least and then there were several problems with our mail because of the snow bringing everything to a halt (and confining me to the house, Lol!).  Even Judith and Jo only received their cards yesterday and Jo only lives 40 minutes away!  As soon as I know the last card has been received I will post some pics because it was one I was quite pleased with.

Well, 2011 is almost upon us and for a number of reasons I personally won't be sorry to see the back of 2010 and I know many others feel the same so I'll take this opportunity to say many, many thanks to all of you who visit my little bit of web space and leave me such lovely, encouraging comments.  I can truly say I have met some really wonderful people, both in reality and in the virtual world,  since I started my blog and for that I am really grateful.  I want to wish you all the very best that life can bring to you for 2011, but most of all may it bring you peace and contentment.

Lots of love to you all and many warm virtual hugs
Lesley  Xx

15 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh Lesley, the photos of the bairns are lovely and Izzy's expression is priceless! Thats what Christmas is all about.

Hope you have a happy and healthy New Year and we'll see each other at some time next year. Thats something I'll be really looking forward too!!!

Love always

Jill (MWAH!!!!)
xx

veronica said...

lovely cards Lesley - can't think how I missed that article in CS, but I did! will be having a go myself when i get everything sorted out. Hope you have a very happy and healthy new year, hugs xxx

Beryl said...

Oh those cards are stunning Lesley and the family photos are lovely. I'm glad you had a good Christmas - quiet here - ut I'm not complaining. Hope you enjoy the New Years festivities.
Happy New Year.
Beryl xx

themessycraftroom said...

Hi Lesley, your little ones look like they had lots of fun over Christmas. Your cards are lovely. I like the tree one best. Lovely colours and stamping. I'd like to wish you and your family a very Happy, Healthy, Prosperous and Crafty New year. Lots of Love and Hugs x ChrisB

PinksyDoodles said...

Lesley, your cards are stunning!
It sounds like you had a lovely Christmas. I hope you have a very Happy New Year too.
Clare x

Janet said...

Your cards are stunning! Your grandchildren are gorgeous and I wish you and yours a happy and healthy 2011.

Janet xx

Sally H said...

Your cards are beautiful, the Christmas tree I can say is even better IRL! Izzy's expression rivals Meg's many years ago when we got her a slide. Bless them, it looks like they had a wonderful time, but I'm guessing you are exhausted now! Have a wonderful, quiet, happy new year. We are off to a friends' house too (about 25 new years spent together I think)and it's my turn to take the puddings!

lisa said...

What a lovely post Lesley. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about what sounds like a really lovely Christmas. Your Grandchildren are just so adorable. Christmas really is about children isn't it. I'm so glad the weather behaved and all your family could get together.
Your cards are stunning. I think this idea has to be the most popular of 2010, however it's used it looks fantastic and it's perfect with your Christmas stamps. I shall have to remember this for next year!!!!
Well, I hope you have a lovely night tomorrow with your friends. We are very boring nowadays, we always had a party here but in the end got fed up of never being invited anywhere else and gave it up, sour grapes I know but we just enjoy having a quiet night in together now with a bottle of wine.
I'd just like to take this opportunity in thanking you for being such a lovely Blogging buddy over the past 12 months and wishing you and all your family a very Happy and Healthy New Year. I hope 2011 is a good one for you.
Hugs Lisax

Suzanne C said...

Love these cards. I made a few today inspired by you and the stamping quartet. :) Love the pictures of your grandkids. They are so sweet! How lovely to have everyone in your cozy bungalow at Christmas. :)

Elaine said...

Lesley, what super pics of the little ones - happy memories for years to come.

Your cards are great too.

It's been wonderful sharing special times with you over the last year - here's to many more honey!

Elaine xx

Jules said...

Hi Lesley

What brilliant Christmas photographs. I love the first one very much.

Our New Year celebrations went well but the revelers only left about an hour and a half ago!!! Nearly 24 hours after arriving!!!

Your Christmas cards are fantastic.

Thank you for all your help, support and inspiration during 2010Lesley.

All the best to you and yours for 2011.

Love Jules xx

Lynne K said...

Lovely photos of your gorgeous girls, Lesley. Glad you all had a good Christmas.

Your cards are brilliant, and as a recipient of the reindeer variety, I, like Sally, can say it is certainly even better IRL. That style is definitely a winner.

Thanks very much for all your support in 2010, on and off the blogs, and I wish you all the best for 2011. Hope it is a much better year for you. Looking forward to seeing you soon.

Big hugs, Lynne xx

Shirley said...

The wee ones are precious and the card are so sophisticated and elegant too!!!

Michelle said...

Lesley
it was such a surprise to receive one of your cards before christmas, they are beautiful! So much so that I am using ythe technique to make cards with the creative crew girls and dispite their particular difficulties they are doing an amazing job. Thanks so much for your good wishes and your inspiration.
Much love
x Michelle

ikki said...

Hi Lesley, I just love this selection of cards - so elegant and classy! Hope you are well and finding something to do! ikki x