A Photobox For Mum

 I made a few Christmas presents this year. I made a photo box for my mum and dad. The idea being that all the families could print some out and put in there each year. 

Stupidly I didn't take any photos of it finished! But here's one before I made the inserts. 

Carved Mirror Frame

I know I'm in danger of blowing my own trumpet a bit too much on here, but I wanted to show you all the mirror I had made for my wife.

My wife can be tricky to buy for so I'm always trying to think of something I can either make for her or buy. I've also been trying to learn to carve lately, something I've always wanted to do, and I thought it might be an ideal time to make my wife something small and complete a little carved project.

It's only simple, carved on lime wood (from a tree that once grew in the grounds of Hereford Cathedral) and the design itself isn't mine but part of the online course I'm doing, but I enjoyed making it and my wife is pleased with it. 

Homemade Mask

One of my favourite presents this year was from my eldest (8) daughter. 

She's still mad on sewing (in fact on making anything really!) so I think she enjoyed making this with her mum! 

 She knew I'd like the material she had chosen (I'm forever the biggest geek you'll ever meet)! 

I can't believe she's going to be 9 in a few weeks, it's gone so fast! Trying to decide what to get her for her birthday is so tricky so close after Christmas as she never asks for much. I'm tempted to make a tool box for her as I think she'd like that. 

Pirate Treasure Chest!

Our children never ask for much, normally their requests for presents are quite random (last year one was a treasure map). This year the boy asked for a  treasure chest, we searched online but didn't really like (or could afford) anything we saw, so time for me to contribute to Christmas (my wife does so much!). 

We decided that it would be ideal if it could double up as a toy box, but I might have got a little carried away with the dimensions as it's a proper treasure chest size! 

Making A Climbing Wall

A month or so ago I mentioned that I was going to be building the kids a climbing wall for Christmas. 

With my bout of flu I was worried it was never going to happen, but luckily I felt well enough a few days before Christmas so dad came over to lend me a hand.

The video below shows how I built it (with dads help on day one). The mud was a real barrier to getting it finished easily! 

Letters To Father Christmas

I've loved the children's letters to father Christmas every time they've sent them, and this year is no exception. 

Our eldest has asked for a sewing machine, she is sewing obsessed at the moment.

Our middle child has asked for a toy robot and a pirate map.

And the youngest has asked for two toy whales (to go with the one he has) and a bubble gum dinosaur (a weird toy for about a pound he saw in a shop a while ago).

To have such simple wants in life is lovely.