Christmas is coming .. and my studio will be open on Sunday 7th December 10 - 5

It's a busy time of year and having also been away in Portugal for a few days, everything is a bit of a rush!!
My studio will be open tomorrow and luckily it was mostly ready before we went away or I would be in a real panic by now .. well, I must admit I am in a "slight panic"  but that's pretty normal for me ..
Running up to Christmas (possibly literally!), I will have my range of Christmas cards out on display and these have proved very popular so many have been reprinted.  Some are completely made of stamps and others have some painting in the  background as this one does.

I used the view from my own studio window as inspiration for the snowy hills where people sledge and build snowmen as you can see on the picture!  
Hoping that it won't be such a snowy view tomorrow, but hot drinks and cake will be available as always! Also available is a Quiz which children and adults like to have a go at!

At the moment our lane is a bit muddy but not as bad as it can be - I think the frost helps!!. Please park in Bisley road near the cemetery and walk the short distance along following the signs ..  Look forward to seeing as you!

I must get knitting again ..

The first programme in the Fabric of Britain series (BBC4 8.00 Sunday evenings for 3 weeks) featured Knitting's Golden Age and  I suspect will further help the revival in interest in the craft. Having knitted complicated Fair Isle  and Aran jumpers for my family over the years, but not so much recently, it reminded me that I still have half a pair of Fair Isle mittens to complete!  And also, as this is a blog which I try to link to stamps as often as I can, I've included a photo showing said mittens, together with the Holiday Knits stamps issued by the USA Post Office in 2007.  Christmas jumpers have always been popular and these  41cent stamps feature four Christmas themes often popular on hand knitted jumpers traditionally given as presents in the Christmas season.
I'm not familiar with any other knitting themed stamps, but will be doing my usual research into the matter, although I should really be getting on with my knitting ...

Christmas Wreath

I've been making my own Christmas wreaths for many years and it's really easy!  All you need is a wire coat hanger, and some florist's wire (or fine wire which is strong but easy to cut).  Gather anything you can find including holly, evergreen foliage, ivy, clippings from fir trees, yew etc.  I even used a few of the lower branches of our Christmas tree which was just a bit too tall.  

You need to bend the coat hanger into a circle with the hook at the top, then wind your greenery around it, at the same time fixing it in place with the wire. Either cut into manageable lengths and knot regularly or use the wire on its holder , wrapping it round as you go. It can be a bit fiddly but you soon get into the swing of it!   You can decorate your wreath with pine cones, either left in their natural state or sprayed or painted with gold or silver paint or glitter.  Add a ribbon, and your wreath is ready to hang on your own front door! 

Stamp Collages on Show in Stroud 3rd and 4th December

Rachel Markwick's Studio will be open to the public on Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th December from 10 am until 5 pm on both days. A wonderful variety work including original Stamp Collages, framed and unframed, prints and canvas prints, as well as greetings cards will be available to purchase. Christmas cards also taken from original designs made of stamps will be available.