Merry Christmas!

I was hoping I was going to wake up to copious amounts of snow so I could take a photo of a lovely wintery scene to accompany this post but alack, it's just damp and nothingy weatherwise.

I've still not finished the Christmas shopping - I'm going to have to go and get the last few bits today. Then there's the wrapping. I'm so, so, so behind this year.

Robyn's going to the Christingle service at the church this afternoon. Sally says that every time they drive past the church Robyn says 'That's the place where we get the orange!'. So Sally asked Robyn if she'd like to get an orange and sing some songs about Baby Jesus again this year. Robyn said 'Jesus that was in my play?' and when Sally said yes, Robyn asked 'Is Jesus really going to be there?'. Sally tried to explain that he wasn't and Christmas is Jesus's birthday and all that but Robyn just didn't get it. A few minutes later Robyn asked Sally 'Will Mary be there having Baby Jesus instead?'. Bless her! Now, that would be quite the Christingle service ......

Right. I'm off to go and sort the last few Christmas purchases, get a bit lot stressed and stand in long queues, but before I do I'd just like to say thank you to all my wondeful bead customers for their business and support in 2007.

I'd like to wish my customers, all my friends in Bead Land and my website and blog readers a very Merry Christmas and a happy and healthy New Year!

Warm wishes

Laura xxx

Off for a few days

Yet more Wiggle beads! These'll be on my website later.

I'll be quiet for a few days as I'm off to Cambridge tomorrow.

Have a good week!

Another Heart

A lot of you seem to be liking the 'Roses' hearts I've been making. I love red so I thought I'd make a heart in this rich shade. I was a bit sceptical because I'm always wary about putting red with pink but I think it's worked okay.

I ventured into town this evening and yes, I did actually buy a few Christmas pressies. But something has occurred in town. I was just about to go up the escalator when I saw it. Those two words . . . white letters on a black background . . . calling to me . . . Hotel Chocolat.

Yes, they've opened a branch of my favourite chocolate emporium in Southampton. I was pulled in by its tractor beam and I wandered around in a happy daze looking at all the beautiful chocolates. And if you're reading this Chris, I was very good and didn't buy a single thing for me. You'd have been impressed at my self discipline!

More Wiggles

These ones are slightly different to the last lot, though. These have been rolled in frit and they catch the light beautifully.

Starting to panic

I get lots of requests for heart-shaped beads but I have to be in the right mood to make focal beads. I was when I made these. I'm particularly fond of the black one.

I went to see Robyn's Nativity play today. Kid's costumes have come a long way since I was at school. The donkey was wearing a proper Donkey from Shrek suit and the sheep were sporting actual full-on sheep costumes. The angels were so pretty. When I was an angel in the school play I just wore a converted bed sheet and a loop of tinsel on my head. These ones had lovely white and gold dresses. Robyn was the star - she had a sparkly dress and a big gold star on a headband. All the children looked slightly bemused and startled at the amount of grown-ups that were crowding their playschool. Halfway through one of the sheep announced that she was 'going to see my Mummy' and she wandered off the stage!

I've really got to get my arse in gear as far as Christmas is concerned. So far I have the following :

1 x Chocolate Orange

1 x Bag of Chocolate Coins

1 x Frozen Turkey

1 x Jar of Goose Fat

1 x Packet of Paxo Stuffing

That's it. No presents. I am seriously starting to panic now. I've got some ideas for people - just got to actually physically make the purchases.

I have just finished putting the tree up and the cat is wandering around with his annual why-the-heck-have-you-put-a-tree-in-the-lounge face on.

Christmas. Why? Why? Why?

Lots of Wiggles

I do like these little beads. They're fun to make and they're just so bright and sparkly! I call them 'Wiggle' beads as they have a twisty kind of thing going on. Very tactile - great beads for those of us who like to fiddle and twiddle with our jewellery.

I'm off up to Cambridge tomorrow for the weekend so I'll see you next week!

I always say it . . . . .

. . . . . but it really is tricky to pick a favourite from all the great names you've suggested.

I narrowed it down to five names and I kept gravitating towards one of those. The name I've picked is 'Persian Glow' as suggested by Janine. Thanks Janine - I'll get your beads in the post to you!

Big thanks to everyone who entered! There'll be another bead naming competition soon.

It's bead naming time!

I made these greeny-bluey beads and I can't think of a decent name for them!

If you've got any thoughts please post your name suggestions in my comments section. You can post as many names as you like. I'll pick my favourite name at 7.00 pm (GMT) tomorrow night and the winner will receive the pair of 18mm lentil beads pictured below.

Marian Keyes

You may remember that last month I went to see Marian Keyes at the Chichester Literary Festival. After Marian's fantastic talk she did a book signing and I got the opportunity to meet her. She is such a lovely lady!

Now, you may also remember that way back I wrote a blog entry about how much I loved her book 'Anybody Out There' and how it had me laughing and crying the whole way through. If you haven't read this book, it deals with death and grief but Marian writes in such a down-to-earth way that she doesn't make it depressing or miserable. I know it sounds cheesy but 'Anybody Out There' helped me a great deal after my Mum died.

I knew when I went to the literary festival that there would be a good chance of me meeting Marian so I made her this bracelet to kind of say thank you for helping me. A few days later Marian sent me a lovely email to thank me for the bracelet.

And today I was very flattered, very excited and very pleased when I read Marian's November Newsletter - yours truly gets a mention! Please click here to have a read. Oh, and if you've never read a Marian Keyes book then make sure you stick one on your Christmas list!