Christmas already?

I bought some Fimo clay a few weeks ago with the intention of having a go and hopefully making something I could add to my Christmas cards. The plan was to make little stockings and attach them to the front of the cards with those glue dots. They would also have ribbon so that the stockings could be removed from the cards and placed on the recipients tree. Well I attempted a stocking and it went disastrously wrong. Should have started with something simple. So I next made some candy canes and I am thinking of attaching this to peoples gifts. These are fairly easy to make and I did have fun doing it. Here is my top tip if you want to try using clay. First of all have a packet of wipes handy. Colours transfer to other colours just through touch alone. This isn't exactly ideal when working with red and white. The black is the worst for it though. You need to wipe your hands, clay knife and surface before starting on a new colour. I also advice that you work with the paler colours first. One other tip which is probably just common sense, keep your window open while baking the clay and then air your oven after words. The smell is awful. It's not pungent but you will be aware of it. Other than that it is a lot of fun though.

Speaking of Christmas I really should make a start on my Christmas cards this year. My theme is going to be snowmen. I think snowmen will be easier to make than the stockings. I have been in the mood to make Christmas related items so I should use that feeling while I can to get all my cards done. I managed to make handmade cards for everyone last year and I am hoping to do the same again.

Another reason to look forward to the Christmas season is that a few weeks ago I finished another scarf. I used another pattern from the knitting bible. This one is called eyelit rib. The pattern was very easy to follow. I quickly got into the rhythm of it and knitted away while watching the last of the Star Trek episodes. This scarf I have decided is for myself. I have knitted many scarves since taking up knitting and this will be the first thing I have made for myself. I'm looking forward to wearing it as the yarn is so soft.

Here is the last felt mascot I made. A friend requested the alien from the book but in brighter colours (the one in the book was done in gray). Since passing it on to her she has decided that it is an elf rather than an alien. I haven't made any more felt mascots but plan to make more at some point. I'm thinking of making some Christmas related ones to attach to presents along with the candy canes. They don't take too long to make so I am hoping that it is possible.

Crazee4books, it probably does make us book fanatics but I'm proud of the title. I bet most people who come under that category are proud of it.

Timewarden, I have been tempted to buy the magazines with all the different Dr Who covers such as the radio times. I just don't have the space to store it all. Being a crafter, book fanatic and DVD collector leaves you limited in space unfortunately (doesn't help that I tend to hoard things).

Lili, I tend to get rid of the books I don't enjoy too. Generally by giving them to charity shops. I also give them away if I read the book, enjoyed it but have no intention to ever read the book again as it was just a light, trashy read. Admittedly the last type are few and far between as even some books I class as my trashy reads I find difficult to give away. I also am more likely to read a book I have never read before than reread a title. There are so many books I would love to read again but so many more I would love to read for the first time. I wish there were more hours in the day.

I am missing my sister but we are on the phone to each other all the time. I think she gets lonely all by herself too which isn't helped by not having a television (she plans on getting one but is low in her list). I also see her at least once a week. She has been requesting her days off so that one of them matches mine which is nice. So I am seeing her today and going over to her place tomorrow. As I said the only good thing is that I now have a craft desk which I have been making full use of. I have been loving having the things that I am working on at hand. Usually everything is stored away as I don't have the space to leave them out.

I apologise for not commenting on everyone's blogs. I have been reading them but need to catch up on my comments. Will do so soon.