I used to cross-stitch all the time, but fell out of the habit a few years ago.

Then Arthur bought me a Tigger bookmark kit for Christmas last year and I promised myself I would make it before next Christmas.

At the start of lockdown, I sat at my desk and carefully drew up a pattern for it onto graph paper (Artie bought the set at a market stall and it was missing the proper pattern, just had a photograph included with the materials), with every intention of following this up with actually making it.

But then home-schooling stole all my time and brain power, so I didn’t.

A couple of weeks ago, I finally picked it up, and after about fifteen minutes found myself wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner. I remembered how much I actually enjoy doing it, how satisfying it, watching it all slowly come together as you add colours and then bursting into life when you add the backstitching and details.

Now the bookmark is finished and ready to send to its new owner, I have dug out all my stuff and planned some Christmas cards to make next.

Yes it’s a bit early for the C word usually, but these things take time and if I leave it until the actual festive season, I will never get them done.