11th December 2020 Mailer

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New York at Christmas by Chris Wells-West

I love to travel but the events this year have meant Ive not ventured far, like most people. Thats when my travel memories keep my going and I love to look and plan my next trip for when we can all start again. At this time of year, with all the Christmas movies on, I remembered my trip to New York, at Christmas to see all the lights, the windows and experience the magic that we often see from the Big Apple during this season, on our screens. It was indeed a fabulous trip with the windows dressed and animated, the skating in Central Park, the Rockefeller Centre with its huge tree and I got to see the Radio City Christmas Spectacular with the world famous Radio City Rockettes....it made me feel like a child again, all that was missing was the snow! It was unseasonably warm and sunny whilst I strolled around Central Park, with the autumn colours still hanging on and a friendly squirrel to keep m company!I am so looking forward to being able to go back again but in the meantime thought i would share some memories with you all...Hope you and yours are staying safe and well, wherever in the world you may be reading this and heres hoping that 2021 lets us all meet up again...

This squirrel reminds me of my little friend in Central Park, minus the snow! And no Winter is complete with =out a sighting of robin..

cup1083339_65 by Chris Wells-West

cup1083341_65 by Chris Wells-West

Conservation Ponies and an Apology!

by Janyce Cotterill

I had known for a while that in a nearby pond and meadow not far from where I live two conservation ponies had been introduced.The grazing these beautiful ponies do prevents grasses and shrubs becoming overly dominant and allows for more wild flowers to grow and in turn supports more insects and other animals. These ponies are looked after by a local wildlife trust. I had been looking for these ponies every time I visited the pond and finally the other week whilst out walking I came across Dixon & Jonah. It was an absolute delight to finally meet them. What a great job they are doing. These are just two of the many ponies across Britain that are doing such great and vital conservation work, long may it continue. Next I have to give an apology! Not sure if anyone noticed but last week in the mailer I said I was leaving you with a quick Christmas card sheet - em, no sorry, I didnt do that, I left you with a quick birthday sheet!!! I didnt realise until it was way too late to change it - so this week here are TWO quick Christmas sheets. Like I said last week you are all probably done now with Christmas card making, but just in case you arent, Im making amends for my faux pas last week! Both on special offer. Thanks again for all your wonderful custom and crafting friendship.

cup560145_1035 by Janyce Cotterill

cup909605_1035 by Janyce Cotterill

Another Graduation by Vicki Avcin

This week saw another of our grand children graduate. This time it was Zac as he graduated from Junior school to Senior school. Junior school finishes in Yr 9 and the start of Senior school is year 10. He wont change schools just moves to Senior for the last 3 years of schooling when hell finish in Year 12.We stayed at their place over the weekend to attend Zoes 18th Party and proudly showed off his certificates for 100% attendance. So proud of him. He doesnt know what he wants to do after finishing school yet but will get some certificates over the next 3 years that will give him some qualifications at the end of school. Whether whatever he does will be his chosen path we will have to wait and see. Once again it was livestreamed as parents could not attend. A lot of schools have a no parents on school ground policy since Covid restrictions were applied. Its quite sad really as so many parents are missing graduations, presentation nights, school plays etc. It really has been a hard year for both parents and kids.

This weeks designs are a funky birthday design and newly uploaded designer resource, 12 Ribbon Angels.

cup1086597_543 by Vicki Avcin

cup992937_543 by Vicki Avcin

New Hobby by Tina Fitch

Ive taken up a new hobby, Wreath Making Id been given some deco mesh and some wreath forms so thought Id have a go.Ive made 2 so far and Im really pleased with the results! They take me roughly 1 hour 30 mins and thats to cut the mesh roll it and secure to frame I was really surprised how quickly they came together and how beautiful they actually look once completed.Im excited to play now with the different shaped frames you can purchase.Maybe Ill open a ticket with Cup directly to see if I can offer for sale to youAnyway thats all from me this week. Happy Crafting

cup1086297_596 by Tina Fitch

cup1083285_596 by Tina Fitch

Craft Market by Joan King

Every month my husband and I attend the local Bay Artisans Market. It is full of arts and crafts only and held inside so not weather dependant. It is on the last Saturday of every month but as it is now Christmas time they changed the dates to the first Saturday and the 19th December to catch more of the Christmas trade. It worked as the end of November was our best one ever for both of us and then last Saturday wasnt far behind. We have one left for this year on the 19th December and then we take a break until the end of January. It is our summer here now so more people around but of course no tourists as no flights are coming in or out of the country only ones with kiwis returning home.

I am showcasing two of my latest designs.

cup1086329_1716 by Joan King

cup1085511_1716 by Joan King

Welcome to my home by Judith Henry

Isolation gives you a whole new appreciation to whatever you call home. I have the luxury to have an old victorian home with beautiful woodwork. It has taken over 20 years to renovate but gives us room to have several hobbies and interests. This picture is what you would see when you walk into my home.

cup1085852_2228 by Judith Henry

cup1084788_2228 by Judith Henry

Frosty ... by Carol Clarke

... Morning!! One morning this week we went on a lovely early morning stroll at our local Country Park. It had been cold and frosty but somewhat misty when we set out but then the sun started to shine a little through the mist giving us this lovely view! We are so lucky to have so many lovely areas like this within a short distance of our house and we regularly visit them. Below are 2 of my 3D Large Christmas Cracker Boxes which are a lovely way of giving a small gift.

cup931901_359 by Carol Clarke

cup910813_359 by Carol Clarke

Christingle via Zoom by Janice McFarlane

Traditional Christmas celebrations will be a little different this year. Christmas markets, and Craft Fairs cancelled. Church carol services limited etc. In order to have some normality a lot have taken to the internet, we have virtual Christmas Markets and fairs, along with online church services. On the RAF camp where my daughter lives, the Chaplain there decided to do a Christingle Service via zoom for the children. A goody bag was delivered to each family who wanted to take part. In it was a bag of oranges, some small jelly sweets, cocktail sticks, red ribbon, candle and lots of activities centred around the Nativity and the meaning of Christingle. My two grandsons made up their Christingles, the orange representing the world, the sweets representing Gods creations, the candle to remind us that Jesus is the light of the world and the red ribbon representing Christs love for us by shedding His blood on the cross. A virtual service was conducted, with songs and carols sung in the safety of their home. We may not be celebrating as normal, but this was a lovely thought and thing to do to engage the children and remind them of the true meaning of Christmas.

cup1086564_905 by Janice McFarlane

cup1086098_905 by Janice McFarlane

Merry Christmas by Anne Lever

I am never organised, especially where Christmas is concerned. Normally you would find me madly wrapping till midnight on christmas eve. But not this year! The dinner is in the freezer, the tree is up, the presents are wrapped and under the tree, the cards are written and posted, and I am enjoying my Gin advent calendar! Merry Christmas everyone!

cup1086527_1763 by Anne Lever

cup1086517_1763 by Anne Lever

POST COVID HUMOUR by Wanda Lipski

As something happened to the story I tried to add last week, this is rather old news, but this was my solitary birthday breakfast as my husband was in hospital. I got a really good present though. He was sent home in the afternoon in its been a long slog since hes been back. However, its given me a take on covid humour and so Ive been having fun. I hope you enjoy my latest covid designs. They have jsut cancelled new year for us as we will have a nightly curfew from 8pm - 6am from the 15th, lifted on the 24th, but not the 31st. I hope Santa puts a few packets of Prozac under the tree!. Laugh about it, or go mad. Stay safe.

cup1083985_2237 by Wanda Lipski

cup1086613_2237 by Wanda Lipski