Our first project of the season is one that we've been doing every year for some time.  My dad (Grandad Leigh) always comes over from France towards the end of November for his annual 'Christmas visit', and over the years a tradition has developed where we exchange a box of edible goodies (French treats for British ones - I think we get the better deal....).  Me and Eilir always decorate a shoebox that will contain the presents, and normally we will get it back again the following year refilled.

This year we decided to cut up all the junk mail Christmas catalogues that have been pouring through the door since October, choosing festive images we liked, and then higgldey-piggledy pasting them onto the box using PVA and water in a crazy decoupage patchwork.  We also shredded junk mail to make protective padding for the inside the box.

Here are some of Eilir's best quotes during the making (which took place over a couple of weeks - what with the drying and everything - we used a lot of glue!):

"I think Grandad Leigh will really like this one"

"...this one's really funny [a finger puppet snowman image]"

"This is my favourite sort of gluing.......Can I get my hands messy?" - silly question really!

"That's awesome isn't it!"

"I'm gooder at cutting circles than you"

"Oi! You glued me!"

"Just a bit more.... [box overflowing with paper shreds]"

"The Moshi Monsters are helping"

"Write 'Ho Ho Ho Merry Christmas'"