what a week!

Just a quickie - this week is just proving to be the busiest week ever!

I came back from Cornwall on Sunday evening to organise the decorating for my daughter's school Carol Service. I'm the Chair (please don't take that literally!) of the school PTA and I have to say when I took on the role in September I knew it was going to be fairly busy but I didn't count on it being quite as hectic as it has been this term. Right from the start there has been one thing after another - Welcome Drinks for new Reception parents, Harvest Festival, Open Day, Christmas Card art work to be coordinated for the printers, presents to buy for a variety of people on behalf of the PTA, Carols on Monday, Childrens' Party yesterday (including entertainer and Santa), sorting out gifts for 108 to be done on behalf of the man in red himself, etc, etc. All that as well as preparing and chairing two meetings. Phew, I for one am mighty glad it's all coming to a close and now I can pay a bit more attention to organising my family!

Santa gave all the children a little bag, beautifully wrapped in cellophane and containing a silver decoration, the ribbon printed with the school name and year, together with a sachet of reindeer dust. This is made up of bird seed mixed with glitter and the idea is to sprinkle it on the doorstep the night before Christmas so the moon can light it up, so pointing Rudolf and his friends to the right house. A very simple and inexpensive idea that went down an absolute storm!

Of course, I just had to slip some crafting in there somehow, so I made eight stockings to use as "collection bowls" after the service. I made them out of some fabric originally bought to make a pirate costume (red/white striped skirt with a plain red headscarf) for a themed party on board the Golden Hind last Summer. And what a party that was! How satisfying to be able to go to the "stash" on the spur of the moment and have the luxury of choosing fabric - don't you think? Anyway, the eight children who had done little readings during the Service each donned a Father Christmas hat and took their stocking round the guests. It was perfect and worked a treat.

The PTA members all made festive cookies so that each child got one on the way out at the end which was a lovely touch too.

Finally, some last minute presents for teachers - these embroidered lavender pillows which, hopefully, will be appreciated.

snowdrop

clover

bluebell

cornflower

I do hope you approve?

Anway, got to go, school run beckons - one child just about to finish, second one tomorrow. Hurrah! I hope your end of school week goes well.

(PS - heartfelt thanks to those who left messages on my last post - I can't tell you how much they mean to me, it really is a wonderful place this Blogland!)