There are those of us who don’t throw ourselves into the pre-Christmas madness of frenzied shopping and partying, and yet December is always a busy time. I’m not trying to be a wet blanket, and I’ve loved seeing everybody’s xmas crafts (and no vendor loves a Christmas market more than me!), but there was something about emigrating to South Africa when I was 8 and having to swop snow and the Blackpool illuminations for a sun-burningly hot holiday where a braai was more appropriate than a traditional xmas dinner, that kind of ruined it all for me. It has also always been a time of extreme family tension so, while I enjoy watching everybody else’s fun and find myself singing along to Boney M in Pick ‘n Pay, I remain detached and only really perk up around the 28th. Father Christmas used to make a quick visit when Alex was small, and we even used to put up a tree (never a family tradition on my ex-husband’s side, being a Goldberg!) but by about 14 or 15 she grew out of it herself.
Right, now that I’ve got that off my chest, December has been busy for Jam Tarts because of all the December markets. We have another one lined up tomorrow, the Rondebosch Night Market from 3.30 to 8.30, and two more on the weekend. In between I’ve been making new stock and meeting orders. (Excuse lousy pics).
Right, another scorchingly hot day coming up – in fact, it was already too hot for comfort by 06h00, so I’m really going to suffer today.
To be continued…
Nice piece of work 
Love your creations in the pics; you are so talented.
Thanks Gail, so are you!
Love the shoes and hearts always seem to make me feel good just by looking at them. It is hard to misinterpret a love heart. It is very hot in Australia too. : )
I’m sure it is! I really should stop finding things to complain about, I sound like a real whiner!!!
That mirror is so wonderful! Even though you don’t enjoy christmas very much, you must bring big smiles to lots of people on that day from the lovely things you make.
Thanks CM, that means a lot coming from you :-)
totally in love with the jam tarts crochet bangles…..
Thanks! I’m busy making more. Do you want a pink one?
I love your honesty :) I also emigrated from the UK (2yrs ago!) really struggle with getting into the Christmas spirit in a hot country!!! Love, love, love your button hearts! God luck with the rest of your Christmas Market :)
Thanks. I could have been more honest, actually, but don’t want to offend any of my more sensitive readers.
Hope you have a good xmas in spite of :-)
Jill,
I’m glad that you were able to express yourself about the whole Christmas thing. I know how you feel, the older I get the worse I am. But that doesn’t stop us from helping others enjoy this time of the year, right? I love all the things that you have made; the mirror is one of my favorites but I still have to say that I love those Oma slippers. Thanks so much for sharing and good luck at the Market this weekend.
Love and Hugs,
Tamara
I am perfectly happy to help others have a lovely christmas, more than happy! But for me, it’s like going to an aerobics class – it’s only good when it’s over :-)
:) I feel the same way, but I do really like the old Christmas carols and have asked my loved ones to play them during my funeral. Oh my gosh I’m not sure why I told you that, but oh well I said it and now you know. Love sent to you from your US Sister, Tamara
Stop it now or I’m going to find myself filling up with christmas spirit…. heh.
For my funeral, I have asked my loved ones to play ‘Dazed and Confused’ by Led Zeppelin, from their first album.
Love to you too xxx
Oh my gosh I love Led Zeppelin; now I’ve changed my mind. O’ Holy Night and Stairway to Heaven will be played. :) Oh by the way I haven’t told you today that you make me laugh. ((((( :) )))))))
Well at least Christmas is probably reponsible for more people buying your stuff at the December markets. :-D
I’ll give you that one! :-)
I spent one Christmas in India, and another in Spain and you are right. Christmas and warm weather should not go together! It’s just wrong. I’m back in a cold place as normal so I will go ahead and enjoy it ;) lovely things!
Hope you have a great Christmas, Trish, and a nice little break from your new job. :-)