A creative up-date at last!

As I shall be away for some days over Christmas at my Mother's and then bringing her back to Essex to see in the New Year, I have been trying to get some panels stitched up ready to embellish during this time.  I don't want to take my sewing machine away with me or be in my play room while Mum is downstairs- not very sociable!  I am not getting as many prepared as I had hoped.  Maybe at the weekend I will be able to squeeze in some stitching time but I must do some more Christmas shopping:0(

Sketchbook challenge.

This sounds like lots of fun, I hope to be taking part.  Click here for details.
Reports are being proof read tonight;0).  I have been slaving over a hot computer to get them finished.

:0(

That time of year-writing school reports.

Update

13 more butterflies have safely landed at Trudis, see here for all the latest news.

The snow has melted quite quickly today and I have seen the concrete drive for the first time since last Monday. They say more snow is on its way though!
I have been busy in the kitchen making leek and potato soup and sticky gingercake as well as all the other usual weekend chores.  I have even managed a bit of time this evening to do a bit of sewing :0)
Sunday's go far too quickly.

 Late this afternoon, due to the snow starting to melt, I started the Christmas shopping as I cant ignore the fact that Christmas is fast approaching.  I didn't get as much done as I had hoped as Kezzy was asked to babysit so had to cut the shopping trip short.  I did mange to get 2 very noisy dinosaurs for my Grandsons-my daughter will love me LOL!!
 I also found these stencils (very good value, 2 in a pack) in 'The Works' and just a few more beads and buttons.(Sorry photo's are a bit dark)

I have taken part in the Butterfly Effect and sent off 2 butterflies a few weeks ago, and tonight I had an email from Trudi to say I had won the book ' I Never Saw Another Butterfly' she was giving away:0)

Snow and ice.

I just couldn't resist taking this photo of all the icicles on the bush.  Another morning spent making phone calls.  There seems to be glimmer of ope on the horizon that we can sort out my young friends problems.  Should know more Monday afternoon.
Nickie and I were supposed to go to Cottenham tomorrow for our FET meeting and Christmas lunch.  The roads around here are so treacherous that we have decided that it is not a good idea to travel;0(  My car is still snowbound on the drive and even the taxi driver would not come up our very icy road today.

And yet more snow.

Woke up to another couple of inches of snow that had fallen during the night. 
It was a good job that school has been closed again today,(it has snowed all day today) as I had to get to Basildon County Court with a young friend who was being evicted from his flat today.  Several reasons why he is in this mess and not all of them of his making.  We were lucky that the Judge was kind and concerned and has given us a week to try and resolve matters.  Once I had cooked a Harak Muss curry (Sri Lankan Beef Curry), I have then spent most of the afternoon on the phone trying to get some help.
I have now finished cutting out my panel, time to start embellishing:0)

:0)

I have had another day at home as school was closed due to the snow:0)
It meant I got more of the cutting out done than I thought I would have time for.  As there are lots of small areas to be cut away, I can only do it in daylight.  Not even the daylight bulb is bright enough- the joys of growing older!
My Mother lives in Buckinghamshire, and as yet the snow has not arrived there yet!