Christmas Detail...

 This time last year, i had only just turned my life upside down and moved into a new home.

Everything seemed like "just keeping up" then. Life is equally as hectic now but i definately feel more settled so the house had a decent decorative make-over this weekend...

 Having friends round for Tea / Coffee and Christmas Biscuits today, was a great excuse to tidy up! and get the Christmas Details photographed. I just had so much fun tinkering, playing, hanging, making...

 Every year my daughter gets so excited that the Christmas China is out.

Somehow it makes every mundane activity seem a bit more magical.

 I never make Gingerbread mid year - but December aches for a sweetly coated cinnamon and ginger treat.

You cannot beat a bit of food sparkle. Seriously, every meal should have fairy glitter on top.

 I found this Blue Scottie fabric i had stashed away in the cupboard so i ran up some crazy bunting with hege bells on and i am so happy with it. I have gone quite Aqua, Red and White this year, despite my intention to stay like a Nordic Gnome. I am no believer in a Christmas Colour Theme but somehow, a theme tends to emerge on it's own.

 I love getting the tree out. All these LEDs help to fend off any Winter Blues.

And all those toys help to hide the weighted base on the tree.

 Bells.

BellS.

BELLS.

Utter Joy.

 And a Robin Mug filled with Candy Canes that are making my teeth fall out just looking at them.

At the end of school i shall hand them out to some little local friends : )

 A beautiful Robin to remind me of my Nanna.

Thank you dear friend - it was so very thoughtful!

Collecting the Christmas China is an ongoing joy.

And just when i think i own 'enough' then i will be 80yrs old and ready to palm my old fashioned hoarding onto unsuspecting recipients.

aaahhh, i am feeling so very Christmassy now.

x x x 

What I wore at the Weekend...

 Oi Oi, Outfits Ahoy -

what i wore at the weekend only really matters because it means i had nice things to go do :)

So, please be upstanding for my new Dickensian Boy Shorts in Tweed! *love*

They make me want to 'talk cockney' and quote "Oliver" at opportune intervals

(much to my friends' amusement... or not...)

 Also sporting a newly cropped and mega blonded ruffle hairdo.

Vanity wins HANDS DOWN where a good haircut is concerned.

I feel 'dressed' in my PJs if my hair looks decent.

 I missed the apron shot, where i am making up some bottles of Sugar Syrup ready for Cocktails.

Shaker, courtesy of the WI Jumble Sale last month...

 Saturday Night Cocktails round H's in 'The Lane'

We love you H - you are our local scocial hub and we'd go nowhere / do nothing without you.

Thank you for washing up all those glasses and letting S dance on the Wii to Katy Perryt till 2am

x x x

 Honestly, i should be paid to shake these babies...

"French 75" was by far the Winner:

Gin, Syrup, Lemon Juice & Champagne - over Ice

oh yes.

 Believe it or not, Sunday morning started with a 5k run.

Me and the dog ran it in record time and it was a 'good un'

so, running kit is also on the outfit list.

 Then, Sunday Lunch in Beaconsfield with the extended family - what a treat!

SeaBass in creamy Fennel Sauce, mmmmm

Wearing a long Cardi with 70% Alpaca!

I swear, it's not 'what' you wear in Winter, that matters. It is the Wool Content.

This was like wearing my bed for the entire day...

 Indeed, after that dinner, a Chocolate Brownie and a few bottles of Prosecco,

i did fall asleep all the way home. Thank goodness my Dad was driving.

Animal print Scarf? and abundant Silver? Oh yes.

So, that is what i wore this weekend, mostly.

And you probably don't really 'care' but i told you anyway

HOPE U R not tooooo cold up North?

 x x x

2012 Photo Project...

Nothing is Black or White, a photo by kirstyfish on Flickr.

so, here is something for you to ponder on... (all of you, not just my MrsB above) If you like photography or want to improve or are stuck in a rut or just like being a bit of a club member... think about what you want to photograph MORE of in 2012.
Animals? Tea Cups? Landscape? Friends?
I shall re-visit this idea with you at a later date. I am thinking that I need a project.

Advent indeed....

 Dear Friend,

I am far more full of 'cold' than i am of Christmas Cheer this morning.

Never-the-less i am joyful! and replete with the excitement that Advent morning brings.

 And you are so right, of course!

To be gentle with oneself and not to keep demanding more. Put less expectation on 'what fabulousness needs to be achieved'... and to actually enjoy what fabulousness is already here.

 Memories!!

They are abundant and overflowing and the regularity of Christmas is so reassuring.

You are right, again, on every level.

I have done none of my shopping - none of my baking - none of my own making.

I care not a jot.

 The Angel Costume was hung up in the School Hall this morning with her name and class written boldy.

The Advent Santa was full on the advent surprises.

I have cocktails on Saturday Night with my local Girl Friends.

My dog thinks i am beautiful, even sat here in my tracksuit nursing the stinky cold.

And i can - just about - stomach my seething jealously of your Avent Elf  House for yet another year.

(they never made another as pretty and perfect as this)

Secretly you see, we instil the magic of Christmas into them, so they can keep it going for us when we run out of steam! Clever Mummies xxx have a Gluh Wein for me?

Winner * Winner * Winner... of Pip Lincolne's gorgeous new book

 It is Sunday... and i was just about to walk the dog....

then i thought, i shall draw this GIVEAWAY Winner now, or it will never happen!

 So: *drum rrroooolllllll*

It is YOU Joanne - http://rosedahlia.blogspot.com/ - from this place here

and Jo has 2 sons and a daughter and has been finding the time to do some very cool Christmas Crafting.

She shames us that she can find the time! Please go and see her amazing knitted NOEL letters. I am in awe of her talents.

I do not *know* Jo so it all Legit. like. But i know her now :)

Well Done my Lovely and i do wish everyone could win it though.

 And i thought i would stuff this little lot in to show you something new and wacky i made t'other week...

 It is a felt 'Paper Chain'

and i find it so amusing that my business is actually called PaperFish,

there is very VERY little to do with paper in anything i do....

Even my paperchain is felt!

This was hugely time consuming and it took me around 2 hours to complete a piece of chain barely over 2 metres long. Tcha, but it was very satisfying!

I might try some more colourways and styles.

Ya know, i have so much more to talk to you all about.

2012 is going to be so big for me. So special. i can just feel it!

And i am so grateful that people pop in, read for a bit, enter the giveaways and like sharing all this stuff too. ThankU xxx

me! in "Mollie Makes" Magazine...

 so, yeh!

I am in this Month's Christmassy Mollie Makes

There is something about the ego that loves a gentle massage and my ego is no exception.

My mum was showing the checkout operator in Sainsburys....

but i would have done the same

(if i were a real person who went to real shops and had a real life)

 My name in glorious red & white... yes, i know there are lots of other lovely crafters in here too,

just let me have my moment?

 It was a Scandi theme so everything had to be in red / white / blue type colours...

my Gingerbread Boy... ooooohhh, looking good there Fella!!

 I'll be honest, it isn't my strength really - tutorials and magazine work etc...

i am a less 'planned' type of a lady... design, make, move on - that is me.

 So, that something i did, was captured in still life, for a moment... that is pretty good for me.

A moment.

ssshhhhhh

i can look away - and when i turn back, i am still there. Stopped for a moment in time.

Catalogued. Tresured.

This issue of Mollie Makes is superbly inspiring.... of course :)

I shall be drawing the WINNER of our Book competition very soon, next day or so.

Keep your eyes on teh prize for your name (maybe)

anf your eyes on the shop for these cute Christmas mini Buttons.

me....

in Mollie Makes!!....

Win the *new* Pip Lincolne Book!!...

 Do you know Pip Lincolne? - "Meet Me at Mikes"? Australian Crafty Babe? you must do....

She is awesome.

And i was sent this Book to Review by Hardie Grant AND a copy to giveaway!!!

"Make Hey - while the sun shines"

I know!

 for FREE, to a Blog Reader.

So i nervously opened the book thinking *i hope i bloody like it or i won't want to give a copy to someone*

 Oh, my friends...

This book is pure JOY

I kid you not, it has every element i adore in my crafty books, and every element in beautiful abundance.

I want my Craft Books to be 2 things:

1. Inspirational with beautiful photography

2. Feel and Look so good, i want to keep picking it up.

funnily enough, the projects inside are of lesser importance to me.

 To start with, it wins prizes for having a Spiral Bind - seriously, more books should do this. The page stays open!! and is really pleasing to use because of that.

And the paper is like matt recycled style paper, so you want to stroke and feel the pages.

These things may seem minor, but how many of you also judge practical books by their actual 'practicality'

(it matters!)

 The projects are cute and varied with sewing and crochet and knitting and EVERYTHING :)

It gives you lots of basic tips and steps and it is written with charm and comedy, as if Pip is sat with you or you are part of secret craft club. Again, more books should do this.

 The photography.... well.

I want, want

 to be that lady below, in yellow shoes and floral dress, toting some sewing in a mad vintage case.

This book is own-able for it's awesome vintage photography and style shots alone. Let alone all the cool stuff you can make which is mostly vintage-ish but with a modern edge.

J'Adore x totally.

 When i opened it, i ignored the inside cover envelope and began with the pages themselves...

but when i came to close the book i took a quick peek at the inside pocket at the last.

I AM GLAD I DID !!

I shall not even tell you what is in there.

It is a surprise for you!

but...

 More books should do this.... seriously.

It is a charming and inspirational surprise and it makes me want to produce a whole book in this way alone.

You like my blog maybe? You probably like stuff i like then.

You'll definately love this book then.

And that is that.

 Lucky me has a copy.

But i have a second copy to give away to one happy reader!

It is such a special prize, all Christmassy and Lovely, worth nearly £20.00 RRP my chums,

please tell your friends or link it on your blog / tweet it, whatever!

i'd appreciate it...

And once you have passed this link on to a friend / tweeted / blogged whatever,

pop your name in my comments and why not tell me why you want it (or something like that)?

Love to you all,

Happy Christmas preparations my Lovlies

x x x