Hello!! Thought I'd pop in whilst all is quiet and peaceful to give you a peek at our Decorative Endeavours this Christmas, sorry it's a little late. Do you like my new little tree decorations? Aren't they aDORable?? Last weekend I hopped on the train and went off shopping in The City, and rather miraculously I managed a whole seven hour day all-to-myself. It was absolute bliss after such a long time being confined to home whilst Little Man was poorly, oh I did have fun! I was primarily shopping for gifts, but a few sweet goodies did become mine including these lovely decorations.
Awwwwwwwww, how impossibly cute, I was powerless to resist his charms and good looks.
I was looking back through my archives earlier today for a reminder of how our decorations looked last year. As is often the case, I was struck by how little really changes year after year. I find this repetitiveness very reassuring somehow.
I hung real peppermint candy canes for the first time this year, they've been a huge hit with the Little People. And of course my new Christmas birds are there in the branches, but everything else is the same as last year. The Little People did a wonderful job with the decorating, I set the tree up with the lights and the sequin garland, then stepped back and left everything else to them. Amazingly, Little B showed very little interest. He's been carrying out a little bit of rearranging on the lower branches, but on the whole his approach has been very cool.
I love having the tree lit at night time, the glow of the coloured fairy lights is so nostalgic and heart warming.
My fireplace is also very similar to last year. I bought some new red tin candle lanterns this year to replace the jam jars of previous years, but essentially it's the same set up.
I do have a new handmade Angel look, isn't she gorgeous? I felt that it was essential to buy her to accompany the first Angel which I bought from my talented friend last year. Actually, the truth of the matter is that the a-symmetry of having just one angel hanging on one side has bothered me more than I care to admit. It really, really niggled at me last year. All balanced out this year, and I'm happy.
Over to the other fire place at the dining room end of the room, and I've gone to town here for the first time. I really pulled out all the stops. Feel like I should be shouting out a Ta-dah here you know! Oh what the heck, I'm going to do it....................
Christmas Mantel 2011, Ta-dah!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you like it?? I LOVE love LoVE it.
Some new purchases here....a half price wooden nativity set and an impossibly cute and adorable hand made mouse (the Talented Friend doesn't just make Angels). The other bits and pieces are from previous years and are usually on the table, but for obvious Little-B reasons they needed to be up out of reach this year.
My twigs+baubles are a resounding, heart-skipping success, I just love it all soooooo much. Almost all of the 100 weeny glass baubles made it onto the twigs, and with the mirror behind, the effect is stunning I think. I'm going to be hard pushed to take these down in January. Might leave them up until Valentines day in February when I can ceremoniously pack them away and put the hearts back up.
I've got some stunning red Festive Tulips on the table, more same-same as previous years.
You know I mentioned earlier about my trip to the city? The Sweet Goodies? That's them above, very lovely Lucy-treats. I took inspiration from Jane and treated our bed oh ok, I treated Myself to new pillowcases for Christmas. I put them on the bed this afternoon and I'm ridiculously excited about going to bed tonight cos I know they're there. And the spotty candles, oh I've wanted them forever.
New cosy brush cotton jammies for Christmas too, I am so looking forward to wearing them tomorrow! I'm planning on wearing them All Day Long.
Little Lady and I ran some errands in town this morning. We went to collect our birds from the butcher (chicken and pheasant), have coffee/juice in the cafe together, purchase a sprig of misteltoe from the market, and choose/purchase this year's festive Nail Polish. Last year we did silver. Year before we went for scarlet. This year it's hot pink with a bit of sparkle. I really enjoy this little Christmas Eve ritual, it's always a very lovely part of my late afternoon.
Ahhhhhhhh I really do love Christmas Eve, love the peace and calm once all is done. No more shopping, no more rushing, no more wrapping.
Twinkle, twinkle, all is calm, all is bright. Sigh. Sooooo happy.
Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas time full of love, peace and joy.
And lots of twinkle too.
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Oh, my goodness. Love the twigs and baubles! I must do that, myself, next year. Hope you all had a great Christmas. I'm looking forward to all your posts in the new year.
Posted by: Kari | December 26, 2011 at 07:22 PM
Gorgeous! The photos, your work, the colours!
Thanks for sharing
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! All the best for you and your fammily! Health and Love!
Posted by: Angela - blegmeno kouvari | December 26, 2011 at 07:17 PM
Merry christmas Lucy and a very splendid new year. Thanks for sharing. x
Posted by: Jess Sellars | December 26, 2011 at 06:19 PM
Wonderful post Lucy! Hope your day was as lovely as your festive home :) wishing you & yours a very Happy Christmas although a day late & a very Happy New Year!!! Karen xx
Posted by: Karen Williams | December 26, 2011 at 06:15 PM
Happy Yule Lucy. Thank you for sharing your beautiful house and decorations, and for being an inspiration for me to keep crocheting. May 2012 bring you all you wish for.
Posted by: Dee | December 26, 2011 at 05:21 PM
wow your decorations are amazing! I love the overall look, but individually the twig bauble decoration really stands out and looks beautiful.
I love the idea of sequins strands on the tree too. Where did you get those?
Posted by: hannonle | December 26, 2011 at 04:44 PM
I do so enjoy reading your blog, you are an inspiration to us all. Have a Blessed and Peaceful Chistmas and New Year
Posted by: Heather | December 26, 2011 at 02:04 PM
So nice! Merry Cristmas!
Posted by: Elena | December 26, 2011 at 12:12 PM
Merry Christmas,Lucy. To you and your family.
Love from the Netherlands.
Edith
Posted by: Edith van der Bol | December 26, 2011 at 11:57 AM
A very Merry Christmas Lucy and to your family too :) I hope you all have a wonderful, cozy day!
Posted by: Justine Anstiss | December 26, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Boxing day here in Australia. Crickets on and the Sydney to hobart yacht race. Such very different weather. Muggy, wet and tiring. However, if you ever feel like a change, should love to experience a northern Christmas one day. Thanks for being there. You. have the best blog. And the fact that you are so generous with yor knowledge is wonderful. Sue, Australia.
Posted by: Sue,terang, victoria, Australia | December 26, 2011 at 10:41 AM
Merry Christmas from the South of Spain!
I recently discovered your blog and I am completely in love with it!
First of all I must say "Sorry for my English" because I am Spanish and maybe you will be find some mistakes...
Well let´s focus! I love your blog! I've come back to my crochet because of your beautiful patterns. You have opened my eyes to the lovely things around me,around my life, though my landscapes are not so beautiful like yours... My city is where Westerns were filmed so... You can imagine, but we have lovely beaches instead. Thanks again for your generosity and patience writing all the patterns. I am starting the ripple blanket and I look forward everyday to crochet a little bit.
I hope you vey, very happy 2012!
Posted by: Mariola | December 26, 2011 at 10:04 AM
Lucy Merry Christmas to you and your family. Beautiful decor. Thanks for sharing. A big hug from southern Spain.
Posted by: Esther | December 26, 2011 at 10:00 AM
Merry Christmas to you and your little family!
And thankyou for your so nice colorated blog I love it!
Posted by: Catherine (north of France) | December 26, 2011 at 08:41 AM
Very beautiful and worm! Tulips - they are wonderful in winter!
Posted by: Olga | December 26, 2011 at 06:53 AM
I recently discovered you thru some posts on Mark Lipinski's FB page - and now my day is not complete without a visit to your blog. The colors in all you do make my heart sing and you've inspired me so to crochet again..craft again..I just love all you do! Thanks so very much!
Posted by: Lynn Provencher | December 26, 2011 at 06:21 AM
Thank you, Lucy, for a visual delight all year. May you continue to blog and entertain us all.
Merry Christmas to you and your lovely family.
Posted by: Donna | December 26, 2011 at 05:49 AM
Your decorations are beautiful!!! Of course, I adore the teeny baubles and twigs!!! but I ♥♥♥ the sequined garland!! Did I miss that last year???? (Must admit, I was hoping to see the holly bunting....2012???) Merriest of holidays to you and your family!!!!!
Posted by: Steph @woolythyme | December 26, 2011 at 04:14 AM
Thank you for inspiring me Lucy.
A small technical problem - I wanted to look back at 13 October 2011 where you discuss how you make, your and your crocheting friend, your colour choices, but the photos and blog writing get intermingled, so don't give a clear view of your writing ... do you know what I should do to clarify this?
No prizes for guessing what my cerebral work is currently ... with Christmas money in hand ... its off to the Internet yarn sites I go ...
Posted by: StellaMM | December 26, 2011 at 03:22 AM
Thank you for sharing your life! I look forward to your posts. Your wonderful, colorful world inspires me. I've made a ripple quilt for my son, a baby ripple quilt for a new baby, a couple of flower pillows and countless birds. Again, you inspire me. Thank you! Have a wonderful new year.
Posted by: Lynn | December 26, 2011 at 02:00 AM
I absolutely have to have a tree topper like yours! Where did you get it? Who makes it? I live in America and I have never seen one like this before! :) Thanks for the info.
Posted by: Judi Musgrove | December 26, 2011 at 12:31 AM
Hi there, I just wanted to say Merry Christmas and Thank you for the lovely, lovely colors and freshness that you bring to the world of blogs - you never fail to give me a little skip in my step with all your delightful colors!!! So thank you and I so love your tree and your mantle - beautiful!!!
Posted by: se7en | December 26, 2011 at 12:06 AM
Dear Lucy, a few months ago you posted about a lovely Stella Violet print that you had bought. I showed my husband, and followed the link to Loretta's blog, and my hubby delighted me today by giving me a print of my own for Christmas! I'm so thrilled with it, and wanted to say a huge thank you for featuring her on your blog, she's so talented, and the print is like a rainbow in my room. Thank you x Jo
Posted by: Jo Eckleben | December 25, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Lovely ornaments and decoration!Merry Christmas!AriadnefromGreece!
Posted by: Ariadne | December 25, 2011 at 08:26 PM
Merry Christmas, Lucy!
Your blog brings me such joy all through the year, so I wish you and yours joy, happiness and every bright and colourful thing this Christmas!
Sue xx
Posted by: Sue Smith | December 25, 2011 at 07:38 PM