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!