Why Handmade is the new Harrods

Day 88

Spent the afternoon out yesterday with my friends from college, Carole and Diane, and had a lovely time. Aren't good friends just the best gift in the world? Went round 'Unpopular Culture' - the Grayson Perry curated art exhibition (fabulous), then onto 'Hansel und Gretel', a little Swiss shop with a cafe in it's basement, for coffee and strudel. Talked A LOT! You'd think I hadn't spoken to anyone for weeks!

Mind you, being quiet is something I've never been very good at. At school, I was always sent to the back of the class so my chatter wouldn't drive the teachers mad. Even at college last year my tutor told me how quiet it would be once me and my mate Sarah (just as bad) had left. "You'll miss me" I said. "Yes I know I will, but it will still be quiet" he replied. Thanks Dave.

Steve is at his phsycho-babbler course today and the house is a tip, so have a lot to do. Bought the last few bits and bobs to finish my homemade Xmas presents with yesterday, and intend to do that this weekend as well.

Have been watching 'Kirstie's Homemade Christmas' on the telly, hoping for good ideas. Bit of a waste of time. She seems a nice woman, and I really love her simple enthusiasm for everything festive, but money saving she ain't. Has she any clue at all what coping with Christmas means for most of us?

The most ridiculous thing she showed us as an 'economy,' was going to a glass blowers and blowing your own tree baubles! On what planet is that cheaper than a pack of six from Asda, gussied up with a bit of extra glitter and a bow you saved off the only bunch of flowers you ever got sent? Honestly, rich people, I don't know!

Cheap is gathering pine cones from the woods, then buying a 50p bag of birdseed and making your own bird feeders - bit of cellophane, bit of ribbon, bish bosh, job's a good 'un. Or picking up those empty wine boxes free from the supermarket, and then painting them to look like chimney stacks to stick all the pressies in and save on wrapping. (This is only cheaper if you have all the paint already like I do, obviously).

Still, I did like her hand embroidered table napkins - very festive - even if she did cheat and get other people to do them for her, (oh, the time pressures of being on the telly!). And she has made it look as if homemade is cool and chic, which is good news for me as that's all my family are getting, so thank you for that, Kirsty.

Still, time's moving on, and in these days of shallow daylight, the sun is almost over the yardarm already and I am not even dressed yet. Better get on. Cheerio.