Feeling Festive and Marvellous Mums
My mum is the most talented crafter, she seems to be fantastic at pretty much every craft she has a go at (except for felting, that one didn’t work out well!). As an example of her crafting range; we have a beautiful stained glass window panel which she made from scratch, she made my clothes when I was a kid and taught me to sew my own clothes when I was a teen - culottes and a matching scrunchy anyone? We have a painting on the wall that she did in watercolours of Marley, I have a knitted mouse called Frederique which sits in my office keeping an eye on me. She makes quilts, curtains, blinds and cushions and her home is lovingly curated with items she’s made.
I’ve inherited mums love of craftiness but I’m nowhere near her level of talent. One of our favourite things to do is to book on a crafty course together. We’ve weaved willow obelisks (which had to be cut down to get into the car when we’d finished!), sewn complex dresses and blouses, spun clay pots, painted mugs, decorated cakes, and made door wreaths and giant garlands. We have a terrible tendency of getting the gist of the instruction and then going off in our own direction - the garland workshop saw us getting told off by the teacher as we were speeding ahead of the rest in the class and not waiting for instruction!
Christmas is always a favourite time for both mum and me. It’s a great excuse to get crafty and pull down from the loft the multitude of boxes that have built up over the years, diving in and getting creative. Most years we plan to visit each other to see the work we’ve done and mum always wins on the magic front. Perhaps its a parents thing but my mum does THE BEST Christmas, always has. She puts so much thought and energy into everything. I recall one year she made us an advent calendar that every day was a riddle to solve and a mini treasure hunt to find that days delicacy - mini boxes of smarties being a favourite. This was before the internet so the ideas came from her brain and not of off Pinterest! Later as adults mum made me a hanging advent calendar with all sorts of treats inside; I shared it on my Facebook page and my friends followed me every day as we discovered together what was inside - there were a lot of jealous friends because their mums hadn’t made them an advent calendar (we never really grow up do we!)
After mum’s surprise calendar we started to make them for each other as an advent calendar exchange with my sis-in-law joining in; every year we upped the ante until we were starting to plan them in the summer to ensure they were ready in time- I’m sure mum mentioned knitting mini stockings whilst sitting on a beach. We’ve been having a rest for the last few years and now have little nieces (mums granddaughters) who get them instead.
Last Christmas I visited her house; a converted listed barn in the Suffolk countryside, and we raided the garden for foliage and decorated her house, making garlands for doors and beams. It doesn’t look like we’ll get to do that this year, perhaps we’ll have a video call and decorate together that way instead?
Another thing that is looking highly unlikely this year is visiting craft and farmers markets on the run up to the festive period. I’m often attending them as a stall holder but the best ones are when I’m with my mum or my besties and either post-browsing or mid-way we stop for tea and cake. yum. All of my Christmas markets for the business have been cancelled this year, some moving online instead and others hoping to see us next year. Being crafters Mum and I often walk around the stalls admiring the talent and skill of the attendees but in the next breath whispering “you could make that”…. Those four words must be hell for the crafters that have spent so much time and energy making their products, only to stand in a chilly hall and to catch that being said as someone walks away.
But there’s also an upside to knowing how something was made - you know the time, energy, effort and imagination that has gone into an item and so you can recognise its value. It’s when you see an item that you fall in love with and don’t want to make yourself that I get excited, then comes the decision as to whether to buy as a gift or to treat yourself - or buy two!?
This year instead of visiting markets in person I’ve been scouring social media to find small businesses that I’ve interacted with before, one’s that I’ve been looking for a reason to support, or completely newly found ones. I’m not saying all of my shopping will be done with small businesses, having worked for a major drinks brand I know the importance of supporting bigger businesses too but there is something special about supporting a small business where you can directly see the love, sweat and tears they invest on a daily basis (and often into the night!)
I’ve added a list below of some places I’ve been shopping this year that you might like to check out. In the meantime I will be using the next few weeks to continue making items for my shop and planning my own house decorations, I feel like this year might be a year of lots of twinkly lights and lots of foliage and of course my signature orange and cinnamon scent. I shall enjoy a few mince pies and hot chocolates whilst browsing Pinterest and hitting up mum for ideas!
Little Businesses I’m Liking This Year:
Bread and Jam - lovely items made by two lovely people. Thoughtful, beautiful, practical and creative gifts for all of the family. https://wearebreadandjam.co.uk/
Whiskers & Wildflowers - stunning handmade dolls, toys and tree fairies using organic, natural or heirloom fabrics. Eleanor has a shop on Etsy
Sometimes Sarah Paints - Sarah creates original artworks but also takes commissions for portraits too, we have one on our wall of our odd little animal family www.sometimessarahpaints.co.uk
The Tea Lady - if you love jam you’ll love The Tea Lady. My husband particularly recommends the strawberry and champagne whilst I’m a big fan of the Blueberry and Lemon. drool! https://thetealadyuk.com/
The Sticky Pickle Company - if you’re more of a savoury person then take a look at these guys. https://stickypickleco.co.uk
English Spirit - This distillery isn’t far from us and makes my favourite drink, it’s called Christmas Spirit and really does taste like Christmas. https://www.englishspirit.uk/shop
Chapel Soap - If, like me, you’re trying to be more environmentally friendly whilst avoiding nasty chemicals in your cleaning routine then take a look at Dean’s soaps, shampoo bars and shaving soaps. https://www.thechapelsoap.co.uk/
LillyPuds - Most of my family enjoys Christmas Pudding, I’ve never made one myself as they seem to be quite a faff but these are the best around to pretend you’ve made yourself. Dad swears by the brandy butter being just like his mum and uncle used to make. https://www.lillypuds.co.uk/
Mrs Pink’s Sewing Basket - This one comes as a recommendation from one of the besties after a most magnificent birthday badge was made for her son. https://www.facebook.com/MrsPinkSewingBasket
There are definitely more but these are the guys that spring to mind today.
Keep well my lovely readers. xx
