These are the difficult days!

If you live far from your family (I'm not talking an hour or two's drive, I'm talking thousands of miles here) then you will know that the high days and holidays are the difficult ones. The special events, the birthdays (both yours and theirs) and the Christmases.......!

Today is such a day. It's my mother's birthday and it's one of the hardest days of the year for me to get through, and what makes it worst, is the knowledge that it's difficult for her too. Knowing that she misses us on her birthday and would have loved to have us there. That being said, it is good to know she still celebrates properly with friends and family, having lots of tea and cake! Mmmmm.... we're missing out on that calorie-laden cake table!

But, we always try to make the best of things, keep the spirits up! We are grateful that we all still have each other and at least we have e-mail, e-cards and Skype. We can keep in contact with all of them everyday, and especially on their birthdays!

Now, while I can say a lot of nice things about both my parents and my In-laws, today's post is dedicated to my mum. Because it's her birthday of course, and because she is always there for me, supports me in everything I do and she's such a good mother and grandmother to us all!


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Do you live far from your family? How do you cope with those "wish we were there" days? Personally, I see to it that I have a LOT of work and/or fun crafty things to do to keep me busy all day. Keep the mind occupied you know! 

Thanks for stopping by Life on a Cupcake! If you are a first time visitor, welcome! I would be honoured if you would take a moment to leave a comment; subscribe to my blog or "like" my facebook page, Little Canvas. Do keep in touch, I love to hear from new (and old) friends! Until next time, keep well!

Advent Calender

How are all you lovely people today? Are you slowly but surely getting things ready for Christmas? I have to admit, I cannot bring myself to take out my boxes of Christmas stuff before the last week of November. I've done it the same time and same way for so many years. I just feel it's all become a bit too much.... not only the commercialization of Christmas, but why on earth do we have to start preparing in October already?  One of these days we will all probably just leave our Christmas decorations up permanently! Just kidding! haha

Oke, rant over. We're talking Advent calenders today. Now, anyone who knows me, knows I have a thing for Advent calenders! I mean a serious thing. And there are lovely ones out there. Some gorgeous, but highly expensive ones, some cute, but more affordable ones, and of course, the lovely DIY calenders of all the talented crafters out there! I share with you just a few of my favourites.

First up, this stunning calender in a frame


How cute is this one, made with baby socks?


The calenders with little drawers are always a favourite!


How about something completely different? Activities, instead of gifts or chocolates?


Now, I am ashamed to say, I've been threatening to make this one for two years!
I just LOVE it!!
Maybe next year?


And now for the one that's haunting me at the moment.....


I doubt if I will be able to lay my hands on gorgeous, strong, dry branches like these within the next few days (everything is wet from all the rain here in the UK at the moment)
BUT
I'm working on a plan, will let you know how it turns out! 

Till next time, happy decorating!

Thanks for stopping by Life on a Cupcake! If you are a first time visitor, welcome! I would be honoured if you would take a moment to leave a comment; subscribe to my blog or "like" my facebook page, Little Canvas. Do keep in touch, I love to hear from new (and old) friends! Until next time, keep well!

A Misty Morning!

Oh how I love a misty morning......... something mystical and eerie about it all, don't you think?? And even more so in the evenings when it's dark and the street lights are on...... I'll take some pictures for you tonight if the mist hangs around till then.

This is what it looks like here today:


I
LOVE
IT!!!


What's the weather like in your part of the world at the moment? Nice hot summer? Maybe you've had your first winter snow already? 

Thanks for stopping by Life on a Cupcake! If you are a first time visitor, welcome! I would be honoured if you would take a moment to leave a comment; subscribe to my blog or "like" my facebook page, Little Canvas. Do keep in touch, I love to hear from new (and old) friends! Until next time, keep well!

Altered Printers Tray

I have a printers tray that I bought while on honeymoon............. almost 21 years ago! I've used it for different displays in different rooms over the years. With bits and bobs in the living room and kitchen; and even as a display for small Christmas trinkets. But it's been waiting in my craft-room for a while now as I planned to give it a bit of a spruce up and display some craft goodies in it. However, I changed my mind this morning and decided to decorate it for my bedroom instead, to display some of my smaller perfume bottles along with things I love like keys and maybe even some jewellery.


I'm not sure exactly how I'm going to decorate it, although I do know I don't really want to paint it. You know I just love ribbon, so there will most probably be some involved here again! I will show you what it looks like when it's done.

At the moment it looks like this, so a proper clean is needed first:


There are hundreds of lovely ideas for uses and decorating printers trays out there, but let me just share a few I really like with you:





Have you altered a printers tray, or have interesting things on display in one? Then please share the link in the comments below, so that we can all take a look!

Thanks for stopping by Life on a Cupcake! If you are a first time visitor, welcome! I would be honoured if you would take a moment to leave a comment; subscribe to my blog or "like" my facebook page, Little Canvas. Do keep in touch, I love to hear from new (and old) friends! Until next time, keep well!