Day one...

Start of advent and a tingly feeling of excitement (and a little fear) for Christmas coming so soon.  Advent stockings sewn years and years ago come out again and have been filled with chocolate are ready for Lula.  Damian bought us each a card calendar too- I adore these, no chocolate, just nostalgic Victorian scenes, cherubs and an excess of robins.   I wanted one so much as a child that I would create my own out of plain paper and felt tips, preparing little scenes underneath the tiny window.  I finished my winter quilt but there never seems to be sufficient daylight to photograph it and now it is crinkled with use and has the usual cat and dog fur clinging to it!  You can see it under these pics.  It is well loved on these chilly, dark evenings.

I don't buy many Christmas cards and so for the few I do purchase I fancied something different.  These little  letter press drink mats (perfect for a beer) can be found in the Little Red Press Etsy shop alongside some extremely tempting Keep Calm and Make a List notebooks and other fancy paper goods.

And these cuties came beautifully packaged from another UK Etsy seller, Charlotte Vallence.  She has some beautiful prints and cards for sale, The Amsterdam greetings cards are so charming and the mini silk screen Union Jack in green and pink is so a favourite colour combination for me and a lovely take on the flag.  Both these card ideas were random finds on Etsy and I was so pleased with them.  Meanwhile, a big stack of fabric squares is calling me, and I know you are busy too, in the midst of gift making and thoughts of presents, wrapping and how it will all be done in time

Advent

I love Advent, it is all about the build up.  Christmas day itself can be a bit overwhelming and the magic can wane, but now the preparation and excitement is building and I can start to get out a few decs.   I found this sheet of gift stamps on Etsy 1970 the year I was born so I couldn't resist a seasonal picture for the walls.

 Once you are properly grown up and have your own place it is fun establishing your own traditions.  I did some when we were a twosome and we added to them when Lula was born. When she was little and I was in creative baby frenzy I made these little advent stockings- they are easy to do but as there are obviously 24 I do remember them taking an age to complete.  First time round she was too young for sweet treats but now on their 10th outing chocolate is king and there is a pile of chocolate money to go inside them

Lilacs and pinks were her favourite colours back then.  She has 'matured' to purple.  We used to go to a parent/baby craft group where I made the stockings and the fairy below.  We shared a pattern, sorry  I cannot find it so I can't pass the reference on.  Happy times x  For more advent makes visit my blog friend Mia's Christmas Calendar blog for makes every day up to 25th Dec- I have one coming up for her  on 6th Dec

Couldn't resist making mince pies especially as it is so cold here.  I am not a big fan of pastry so I used just enough to contain the mincemeat and added flaked almonds instead- yummy- quick recipe below, borrowed largely from Nigella Lawson

60g Margarine or butter- depends on your preference

60g Trex/vegetable shortening

240g Plain flour

Juice of Orange

Half a jar of mincemeat (200g)

Flaked almonds to top

Rub in or cut in the fats with the flour.

Place in a fridge or outside covered up if it is really cold!- Leave for 20 mins.

Now add orange juice- you need just enough to bind the pastry, if you are short add very cold water.  You can do this in a processor or by hand- up to you, just go easy with your hands, minimal touching.

Divide the pastry in two, cover and chill 20 mins again.

Roll out one ball of pastry as this as you dare.

Cut out using circle cutters or a glass/cup- your circles should be a little wider than the pie pan they are going into.

Add a small amount of mincemeat  to each one and top with a few flake almonds- you don't need many as they burn easily.

You can repeat with the second ball of pastry or leave it in the freezer for another time.

Cook gas mark 7 220 c for 8-10 mins depending on size.  Keep an eye on them, they don't take long

In total I made 36 approx with a 2 1/4"/ 58mm cutter and this included some jam tarts too

If you are super organized, cook 18 as above and also cut out the next set of pastry circles and place the baking tray in the freezer, ready to be filled and cooked at short notice.  

Yeah right- like I do this but it sounds good!