Pipedreams Sugarcraft Cake Decorating Supplies

The postman delivered our first Christmas card this morning and it made me realise just how close Christmas is. I still have so much to do, unfinished projects in my sewing room, cards to write, presents to buy and wrap, will it all get done? Of course it will, it always does, and I will enjoy every minute of it. I am a lover of all things Christmas. I think my love of Christmas stems from a very happy childhood, where I was the 'baby' of the family and consequently, very spoiled. Not just at Christmas, I hasten to add. Actually I was a bit of a BRAT, there I've admitted it. My long suffering sisters were usually the ones at the sharp end of my tantrums when I didn't get my own way. Fortunately for me, they are now my two closest and best loved friends. Christmas always started with Mass at the beautiful St Edwards Church in Windsor and then we would spend the rest of the holiday with Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. Lots of games and lots of laughter are the two things I remember most about those Christmases, oh, and everyone doing their party piece, especially Dad, who's rendition of Paddy McGinty's Goat always had everyone in stitches. I still go over to Windsor for Mass at Christmas, it's like going home and the only way to start the celebrations.

In the sewing room this week I have made a start of a few Christmas bits and pieces, the first project I completed was an Advent calender. This was made from a pre-printed fabric panel bought from www.ladysewandsew.co.uk . It has all the pockets marked out ready to cut and these are then top stitched and sewn on the corresponding squares on the panel. the whole thing is backed with wadding and a backing fabric, then quilted. I must say it was a lovely thing to do and the pockets are going to be filled with chocolate coins and little gifts for my sister to give to her great grandson at the weekend.

Joshua's Advent calender

I have also been making some hanging hearts, these are made from woven ribbon (there are some lovely ribbons in the shops at the moment). The hearts are made fom a six inch square of the woven ribbon and are backed with a toning fabric, before being stuffed with polyester. The edge is then trimmed with a complementary chord. The selection of ribbons I used are from my local cake decorating shop, Pipedreams in Eton Wick, www.pipedreams-sugarcraft.co.uk .

Ribbon hearts

Next Saturday I am running a workshop at Pipedreams, ' Four from One' where I will be showing how to cut four small Christmas cakes from one and decorating them in four different styles, looking forward to that, sample cakes almost complete so will post some pictures on here soon. For anyone local, there are still a couple of places available on the workshop. If you are interested, ring Frank on 01753 865682.

Well, it is now 37 days to Christmas so enjoy your preparations and have fun.

Jenny xxx