Tuesday 8 December 2020

Wise Men FROM The East ...

 ...Crazy Woman TO The East

Last week I did a round trip to Cornerstones - leaving Thursday, returning Friday. As we will probably arrive late Christmas Night, I wanted to ensure the place was ready. I'd stripped the beds and washed the sheets at the end of our last visit, and nobody wants to have to make up a bed late at night. I had some items to deliver, and also wanted to take a chest of drawers and an armchair. I put my new Rend Christmas CD in the player, and set off. The journey was not too bad- it rained incessantly but I arrived early afternoon whilst it was still light. The CD is brilliant imho. Songs old and new, and great to sing along to.

Cornerstones was fine- but my poor neighbour's garden fence has been completely demolished by a reversing vehicle. In the evening I strung up a few twinkling lights [on timer switches] and decorated the Christmas Tree. I so missed having the family around to help! After I good night's sleep, I was up bright and early for the journey back. Norfolk was cold. In fact I wasn't far out of the village before I encountered snow. Lots of it. I was grateful to be in Bob's big car and not my little Toyota. 

I stopped along the A11, and purchased a coffee from a friendly guy with a roadside catering caravan [and made a mental note that on a future trip, we'd sample his bacon rolls]

This photograph is in colour - but the trees and snow and fence were monochrome. Perhaps I should have got out of the vehicle and included my blue car and the red  lorry parked next to me in the shot!I was home in good time to help Bob record the Communion Service for Sunday [alongside the still tacky Advent candles]

Then we sat and watched Kirstie's show together - and were thrilled to see Alison winning the papercrafter's trophy. She is the most gifted papercrafter I know - and her prize is well deserved. 

On Monday, Alison and I took masks and flasks down to the church and decorated a couple of Christmas trees in the front windows, for the benefit of passers by. And then in our socially-distanced coffee break, she told me more about the filming of the programme.  

I took this photo from my TV screen, so it is a a bit out of focus. You cannot see clearly the incredible detailing and delicate colouring of the Christmas baubles in her parchment picture.

I think that this year Kirstie [or maybe her production team] has worked hard to find a lot of different crafts. But judging must be so difficult -like comparing apples and oranges.

The winner of the Three-Million-Views-Draw is "Trundling Through Life" - a lovely blogger from Lincolnshire. Once I have finished stitching it, a special Christmas Tree Ornament will be on its way north to her. My crafting over the weekend involved finishing a baby jumper and embroidering a bib celebrating the birth of another great-niece. That's two babies in one month!!

New babies at Christmas time always seem extra special






9 comments:

  1. And Trundling Through Life (me!) is very grateful! It will be so nice to have a special memento of this "Special year". I know for many it has been a difficult year but as well as memories of the challenges I will also have memories of real kindness and support. Thank you.

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    1. Congratulations on your win - how nice to have a special memory in what has been a weird and horrid year.

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  2. The Christmas tree looks so nice up at Cornerstones- excellent curtains too!
    How exciting to know a winner of the papercraft! Her piece is wonderful- much deserved!

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    1. Thank you for noticing my curtains. I've always hoped for this print (William Morris Strawberry Thief) and saved up birthday money a couple of years back and treated myself. Thanks to John Lewis in Norwich I bought them ready made (usually I make them from scratch) Next year I hope to redecorate the lounge in a complementary shade. Watch this space.

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  3. I haven't watched all the Kirstie programmes but did see the papercrafters and their lovely things made just with paper a scissors. Well done to your friend.

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    1. She's such a kind person, and a good craft teacher. I hope KA invites her back next year to do some demos.

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  4. Sounds like a lot of driving and a couple of busy days! I'm glad you had a safe drive with all that snow on the ground!

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    1. Very grateful for a reliable car - and for the coffee stop (I'd foolishly left my previously prepared flask in the kitchenl)

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  5. Snow! It seems as though the whole country might get a white winter , though so far we have only had hail. Glad your journey went well. How pretty your tree looks.

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