Friday 23 December 2011

Merry Christmas!



Ooops... it's been exactly a month since I last wrote a post, how did that happen! This last six weeks has been crazy busy especially in my Not on the High Street shop and it has been one big round of making up badges and mirrors - especially of the personalised variety! The amount of orders way exceeded my expectations so my own Christmas preparation plans have kind of been pushed to one side this year. As has my blog reading, I've missed so many lovely Christmassy posts I know but hope to catch up a bit soon.

I did put the tree up a few weeks ago, and gathered a few bits for the dresser, but all my plans of crocheted bunting, paper chains, Christmas baking and other handmade decorations sadly went out the window. Next year I'm going to start earlier... round about March I think! (I'm only half joking.)

Here are a few little snippets and favourite decorations from around the house...


My bargain candy canes I bought last year came out - some are hung on the tree, some are arranged in glass jars....

My lovely dresser... which still looks a little bare really, complete with homemade bunting!

The red and white rag wreath I made last Christmas is back too!



...some Scandi inspired red and white stars

Lots of candles...

 ...the little gingerbread house I treated myself to in Bath a few weeks ago
 
...a fairy with pom pom hands and feet :)

... a feathered and sequinned chicken with a crown

 ...a sequinned nutcracker and little reindeer

...a bejewelled peacock I think this one is supposed to be!

and lastly one of my absolute faves, Mr pom pom earmuff bear! 

There are many more ornaments just as random as these on our tree this year that I've collected over the past 7 or 8 years...  Collecting Christmas decorations is something I really love and it is a tradition to buy at least a few more every year! 

When I was a student I worked part time for a few years for Monsoon Accessorize so many of my novelty decorations with the moving arms and legs and pom pom feet come from there. Since then I've been collecting slightly more 'tasteful' ones of clear glass and red and white but the old favourites still have to come out. Last year I tried just a gold and silver tree but it looked so boring, so am happily back with the jumble of colours and styles this year!


I also bought myself an advent calender this year for the first time since I was about 12! Have loved the little chocolate before breakfast each day but quite dissapointed there were no pictures behind the windows like there used to be. Still for £1.99 not sure I can really expect anymore! 


 
And lastly my latest purchase is these adorable felt and knitted reindeer. For those of you who follow my facebook page, you may remember when I fell in love with them a few weeks ago... well I happened to be walking past the shop again and they were in the sale... it was meant to be obviosuly, hehe. Aren't they adorable? :)

Just before I go and since it is almost Chrismtas, here are my festive December projects for Crafts Beautiful magazine. (For more crafting ideas go to www.crafts-beautiful.com)

 Brightly coloured 'fill your own' decorated crackers... I love how these have been photographed. Too bad I didn't actually put in any gifts when I made them, otherwise we could have used them on Christmas day!
...and a festive stocking project!

Anyway so here's wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy New Year! We will be spending actual Christmas here just the two of us, then will be off to visit my parents and family over the New Year - can't wait as it has been a good few months since I was last there, and a whole year since I saw my brother! Hoping to squish in some kind of crochet project in my suitcase for the long train journey. My stripe blanket is still not finished, but is much too big and heavy to take with me... so something smaller... maybe a cushion cover I'm thinking. Or perhaps the bunting I never got round to finishing... at least it would be ready for next year! Anyway, hope you all have a wonderfully festive, happy  and relaxed week with your loved ones, see you in 2012!

xxxxx

18 comments:

Gem said...

Your tree looks lovely. I love a decoratin that tells a story, it means so much more. I still live with my parents but have already started to collect Christmas decorations and can't wait to get my own place and decotrate it for the festive season.

Have a great Christmas and a very happy new year x x x x x

my4lilgirls said...

Happy Christmas Jenny, your house looks so beautiful, love all your sweet decorations.
Have an absolutely wonderful time
Lol Karen x

millefeuilles said...

Dear Jenny,

This post more than makes up for your month's absence! What treasures abound here! I have a soft spot for your little pink angel and that colourful bird: oh my!

I wish you much joy in your new home and I too look forward to visiting you in 2012. Thank you so much for your lovely comment.

A bientôt,

Stephanie

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Oh Jenny I love your knitted reindeer, they are so pretty!! :)
Your magazine commissions are beautiful too and it's great that you have been so busy with your work.
I hope you have a wonderful Christmas and sending you my best wishes for 2012!
Vivienne x

Helen Philipps said...

Lovely post today, filled with things I would like too!! The dresser is looking gorgeous, I love your red and white and a little silver...all your decorations are so sweet. I spied your fab new designs in CB, and guessed you must be very busy with orders for Christmas from NOTHS...well done! You will be ready for a nice rest now! Wishing you and your family a very Merry Christmas and look forward to seeing you in 2012!
Helen x

Emma Thomsen said...

Hi Jenny, thanks for dropping by my Blog and for your Christmas wishes. I love your red and white theme. Our tree is white and silver with ice white lights, they make the conservatory 'feel' very cold! Although it is studded with colour from the children's decorations they've made at school. As I flicked through your latest post our 7 year old daughter was cooing at your tree decorations, she particularly liked the pom pom fairy. She still treasures your butterfly badges I won way last year! Pleased to hear business is going well! E x

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Hello Jenny...So much festive loveliness here...I love everything and your dresser looks so pretty...Your designs in CB look gorgeously inspiring too...
Oh my, I am sure you are ready for a well earned rest now so that you can recharge those batteries for 2012!..
Thank you again for providing such lovely gifts for my girls...all safely wrapped and under the tree now!
Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to following your journey through 2012,
Susan x

The Patchwork Heart said...

Congrats on your NOTHS success Jenny, enjoy a well deserved break. I know I am very glad to have come out of my sewing room for a few days! Your decs look fab I love the red and white and especially your tatty wreath.
Heather x

lemonade kitty said...

Love the pink fairy, so cute. Merry christmas, Lucey x

fee @ chipper nelly said...

I love a christmas tree tour (think it should be obligatory!)
Your house looks divine.
Wishing you a happy christmas and lots of fun times in 2012. I LOVE my shop being closed and bet you do too!
bring on the snowballs....fee x

Maria - A Playful Stitch said...

Lovely post Jenny! Have a great Christmas and New Year!
Maria xx

koralee said...

So pretty...I love all the red and white...hope your Christmas was Merry and Bright. xoxo

Poppy said...

All of it looks so pretty Jenny! I've just seen your FB page.....it might not be best to say what I think! ;)
Happy New Year!

Lou xxx

morikomidori said...

wishing you a wonderful 2012

warmest hugs xxx

sumea

Andrea said...

A belated Merry Christmas Jenny and family, hope you had a fun time. All your decs and tre look so lovely,
Happy new year to you too and I hope 2012 brings lots of happiness and creative joy to you,

Love Andrea x

silverpebble said...

You have such lovely decorations! I especially love that rag wreath and remember it from last year. Happy happy New Year to you Jenny!

Pipany said...

Bit late here, but Happy New Year Jenny! xx

LITTLE KITTEN homemade said...

Happy New Year Jenny, love your decorations and your Bunting is gorgeous ;-) Sarah xo

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