Congratualtions to Glynis who won Janet Clare's beautiful book and little Fred in the giveaway on my last post. Glynis wrote to me yesterday to say thay had arrived safetly and that they were as lovely as they looked on the blog.
Thank you Glynis i am so glad you are pleased x
Well hello December! I am pleasantly pleased to see you! I have not done a thing to prepare for the festive event which is rapidly approaching and yet with this turn to a new month I am feeling excited.
my excitement stems from it being a family time, a time for slowing down. i am lucky that i feel no pressure in it all being perfect. we are entertaining on Boxing day for 11, (yes and in our tiny house), but i know there will be food, company and some festive fun and games and that sounds great to me.

I have been thinking about how much people mean to me; family, friends and cyberfriends too and feel like I want to say thank you, to put back into the world in a small way to show my appreciation for all that others bring into my life.
i enjoy giving and inspired by Julia I would like to give away some small gifts during December here on my blog.
the idea came to me whilst washing up (i often get inspiration whilst at the kitchen sink). I initially thought that, like Julia, a gift each day of Advent sent to one person drawn from who comments on that day would be good. i now realize that due to other responsibilities that each day may be difficult for me to keep up so I shall post with about 10 giveaways over the month. Are you up for it?
Today though i want to share a Pay it Forward that i signed up to in 2009 on my friend Caireens blog.
The idea of a Pay it Forward is that 3 people leave their names in the comments to be sent a handmade gift by the blogger, and in return, will forward something of their own once they receive the gift and then promise to make and send a gift to the first 3 people who leave comments on their blog and so on. Caireen beautifully describes it as 'a stone rippling in a pond, sending out lots of handmade goodwill!'
Well I was one of 3 lucky people to be chosen by Caireen and this is what she made and sent me;

a specially made 'Clutter Bucket', some of her recycled gift tags and a beautiful photo card.


Thank you Caireen, i love them!
So would you like to join in and pay it forward? you have a year to make up and send off the 3 gifts. If so please leave your name in a comments section. I will take the first 3 bloggers names and promise to forward a handmade gift to you within 365 days - When you receive it, blog about the pay it forward and continue the love by giving something that you have made away to another 3 people.
I shall be back with a 'December Love' giveaway post soon.
love Ginny x
Hello - Your brooches are lovely! I would be very happy if I could have one like the red velvety one in the middle of your picture.