Finally...

This is my favourite angel.I bought her many years ago and she hangs on the wall all year.I believe...

This twiggy wreath also stays put all year.

Another unfinished symphony!This is the quilt I started for my mother fifteen years ago and apart from a bit of embroidery and a few hearts it's finally finished.It's also very basic using left over curtain fabric when I was in my green/pink phase.It may very well make an appearance under the tree.
Anyway all that's left to do is wish you all the happiest of Christmases.Hope you and your beloved ones have a wonderful time with lots of happiness to cherish and fortify you throughout the coming year.Stay safe,happy and peaceful.Love Anne xxxxxxx

A special thought for Rod and dearest Kate RIP x

Happy Christmas

The mince pies have been made. I use a sweet shortcrust recipe and put sweetened cream cheese under the lids.Naughty but very nice.

The presents have been wrapped.

My sister Jules and I have a bit of an unspoken competition to se who can come up with the most tasteful wrapping.This year I have used yards of lace and mercurised baubles-presents in themselves.The lace will be jolly handy for future projects.

Getting ready

This cushion was cross stitched by my very clever and talented sister Jules for my eldest son James when he was very small (Now 23) and it comes out every year.Its truly beautiful and a real heirloom.When I can find Harry's I will post that too.
£1 from a charity shop stored in last years M&S gift set jar
My red themed dresser

My very small tree

The mantelpieceover the wood burner

Now that school is out I have fuinally been able to potter about at home. Having done Christmas at the shop and school I must say my heart has not really been singing as it should. I reckon that's probably due to sheer exhaustion.(snow,inspection,reports,Christmas shopping stc)However, I shall be a much better blogger now I have a bit more time and having some daylight time in which to take some photographs. The above photos are the start of my Christmas preparations.

The Nativity

The nativity play was a huge success not a dry eye in the house - tears of laughter but everyone said how joyful it was and that is the most important thing about Christmas.Here are some our little stars.

Winter wonderland

The snow has been prety incredible here.These photos were taken before Saturdays heavy fall and its been very hard to get anywhere either on foot or by car.Yes the paths haven't all been gritted,yes,the snow ploughs cant get everywhere.Yes it's fit to freeze your eyeballs and yet look how beautiful it looks.These were taken on my walk with the dog and It was absolutly magical and it brings out my inner child9 who is always pretty close to the surface it has to be said!)

The frozen beck.

Let it Snow!

A little robin trying to keep warm

Wot you lookin' at?

The view from my window

PIckering market place at first light.

We're feeling very Christmasy here in North Yorkshire. Minus 13 and 9 inches of honest to goodness, white, fluffy stuff on the ground.

Its coming.......

I cannot believe how much time has elapsed since I last blogged.I'm very busy at school-We have and inspection tomorrow.(No pressure there!) I have a Nativity play to write and many end of term reports to do which is making me very grumpy as I just want to knit and fiddle about with my gift wrapping.Anyway hope you are all well and feeling 'Christmassy' as Michael the funniest man in the world McIntyre would say.'I can't believe its December already....' I have decided to put out my decorations a little at a time so the pleasure is drawn out and of course one must have a sherry at the same time! (I'm also sending a prayer to the angel of the christmas lights that they will work when I put them up.) I'mtrying to having a homespun Christmas and my lovely friend Jilly has a wonderful idea.If you have a lot of family to buy for then put the names in a hat and share the load between you. The rule is you have to buy something for a £1, something from a charity shop(No price limit) and you have to make something.I love this idea and I have either made presents or I have bought handmade.Lets keep it simple, girls!
I love the Dickens quote 'Hold Christmas in your heart and try to keep it all the year'.Let us spread the goodwill and love.........

Old Homestead Open House

I want to show you an incredibly talented lady, Dearest Rosella who runs an Italian restaurant with her husband. Rosella is brilliant at crochet and her work is jaw dropping in my opinion.
All these items were on sale a Heidi's Open House.Feast your eyes. Denim cushion with hand crocheted lace above.

Hours and hours of intricate work

Lovely Rosella

I have some of these jars in my kitchen and I love them.

In the kitchen

In the dining room

Sunday was the first dayof Heidi's Open House at Lebberston.Heidi has a beautiful shop called Old Homestead.Every Christmas she holds open House for her customers and friends and for me it is a wonderful shopping experience and really gets me in a festive mood.Above are some pictures.You can also see some of the things from the shop which were on sale.

The Perfect English Cottage

I love all this patchworky cleverness.



Loving the tea cosy and pompom trim
on the tablecloth

I love,love ,love the eiderdown and all the busy stuff going on in this room.

This is such a wonderful book with a chapter on different styles from Kitsch to Elegant!

You will probably recognise Girls Own and Caroline Zoob, who both feature
Put it on your wish list, girls. Its really lovely.

I need to get out more..

Has anyone else noticed the similarity between the front cover of last year's Country Living Christmas Issue and the front cover of this year's December issue of Country Homes and Interiors?
Practically identical if you ask me.
My sister says there is a word for people like me and that I need to get out more.

I have to say the anticipation of the December isssues of my favourite mags ( Homes and Antiques,Period Living, Ideal Home and the two above )is always better than the reality and often results in disappointment and don't get me started on 25 Beautiful Homes.

I am a total addict when it comes to home/interior magazines but have to say that I am in complete agreement with Jane /Posy about the most beautiful book in the world'The Perfect English Cottage' More later....

PS Period Ideas is very good this month and I love the sofa with the knitted loose covers!

More

I just love the subtle colours. So many Quilts that you find in magazines look too perfect too shiny and over done. All these quilts are made using scraps of fabric and all are handsewn.

Marche has many of her quilts hung on the wall like tapestries.Oh joy and rapture!

Patchwork

Hexagons by Marche

We went to Marches house a few weeks ago and we did some patchwork. My sister is well and truly adddicted just look at this

It is so lovely and she's only been working on it for a few weeks

Diamonds by Jules

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