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.

The Sound Of Drums

The Doctor, Martha and Captain Jack all made it back to Earth using a method we could all see coming a mile off. They get there to discover that the Master is now Prime Minister. The Doctor is possibly partly responsible after weakening the position of Harriot Jones in Tennant's first Christmas special. The Master has promised to introduce an alien race to humans that promise to bring them friendship and gifts. Instead they bring destruction and help enslave the human race. The Doctor meanwhile has been aged 100 years and Martha disappears with a promise to come back. Now it is down to Martha to save everyone.

I'm not sure about this one. I am mostly reserving my judgement until I see the last episode tomorrow. I still feel the Master is far too similar to David Tennant's Doctor but then apparently it was deliberate. It was meant to make him more of an equal to the Doctor. Personally I still feel that Jacobi's Master would have been a far better and scarier choice. While Simms version seems to be larking about I think Jacobi's serious nature would make for a far more sinister character. Since it was clearly not meant to be I guess I just have to get over it. I am looking forward to seeing how Martha can save the Earth. I am hoping that this will be her opportunity to shine.

I know a lot of people find knitting to be dull but I find it to be therapeutic. Also it's supposed to be the hip craft of the moment. Either way I like it although I have yet to advance to anything beyond the scarf. In all the scarfs I have knitted so far I have used very basic stitches. I have wanted to learn to do lace knitting for a while as I love the beautiful shawls and scarfs you can create with it. I bought the Knitting Stitch Bible and chose the design lace wheels from it to knit this scarf. This is my first attempt at lace knitting and while it is yet another scarf I'm actually a little proud of it. I have put it away as part of my mum's Christmas. I am now taking part in a knitting supplies swap and am knitting a bag for it. This will be the first time in years I have sat and followed a pattern so I am hoping it will turn out and will encourage me to do something other than scarves from now on.

Here is the sock monkey I made for Lili which she has now received. Her name is Madleen and she is a monkey of cheery disposition. She also loves nature. You can see here that while she was with me she did some chores for her keep.

Lili, I liked your question. Yes, I do sometimes read more than one book at a time. If I am reading a non fiction book I always have a fiction title on the go too. If I am reading a large book I will also read a smaller one at work. If I am not really enjoying a book but still want to finish it I also read another book along side it. At the moment I am getting into graphic novels which I have been reading alongside the book I am reading at the moment. I find they are good to read when I am tired but not tired enough to go to sleep. At the moment I have three books on the go. One by Stephen King, a graphic novel and The Island of Dr Moreau.