Hello, and welcome to the second of my Making The Seasons posts. This is me joining with my friend Gillian at Tales From a Happy House whilst we indulge in a little bit of gentle, therapeutic creativity inspired by the seasons - you can read November's post {here}.
December for me is generally less about Christmas and more about celebrating the living greenery, mainly because in this month I become completely obsessed with the upcoming Winter Solstice. I adore this celebration (probably more than Christmas) and love to make a fuss of the fact that the shortest day has arrived and that every day from then on will be ever so slightly longer than the day before. I know we've still got two weeks to go yet, but I felt inspired this week to go forth and gather in the green stuff to lift my spirits.
The whole green gathering adventure took me most of the morning, and even though the weather was uninspiring I knew I would feel better for being out and about instead of mooching at home. I went up to the allotment first (we have holly growing there), then off into the woods to gather in some ivy, and finally a detour up to the farm shop to see what they had in their buckets. The farm shop has a small but really beautiful floristry section, and I was thrilled to see a whole bucket of eucalyptus stems for sale. I really love everything about eucalyptus - I think the soft grey-green colour of the leaves is beautiful but that is nothing compared to the scent of the leaves. Eucalyptus is the scent of winter for me, more than pine or citrus or anything spicy.
I've got plans to make a solstice wreath next week, so I've stuck the eucalyptus and holly sprigs in a jug of water for now, and am keeping the ivy outside so it hopefully doesn't dry out too much. Mind you, there is masses of ivy to be had in the woods at this time of year, it's growing rampant as far as I could see.
Although I haven't made my wreath just yet, I did use some of the greenery to add a little bit of living decoration to an old enamel candle holder. Nothing elaborate, just some small bits of holly, pine, ivy and eucalyptus twined around the dish with a few shriveled up berries left over from my Autumn mantel display. Oh, and a weeny bit of gingham ribbon I found hiding in the Shelves of Doom, with a little wired toadstool added to the handle.
The reason for decorating this candle holder was so that I had somewhere suitable to stand my Advent Candle..................
...........ta-dah!!!!!!!!
Yes, I am performing a modest ta-dah as I am pretty darn pleased with my homemade advent candle. And yes, I did say homemade.....look..................
I've never had an Advent Candle before, but I've always fancied introducing this simple tradition into the Attic. Trouble is, as I am always without fail late for advent, by the time I go searching around the fifth of December there are never, ever any candles left in the shops. So inspired by some friends who both lit their Advent candles on the first of the month, I had an idea to try making my own. I used a white household candle from Ikea, and decorated it using some fine permanent markers. I made 24 numbered marks (placed 0.5cm apart), then added a bit of a foliage design running down each side. I drew the foliage completely free hand so it's a bit uneven, but I do rather like it.
I drew on my candle using these Sharpie Ultra Fine Point permanent markers which are amazing - I wasn't sure how well they would work on wax, but providing you don't press too hard (which clogs the fine tip with wax) then they do the job beautifully.
I lit the candle for the first time yesterday....
....and it really was a super-lovely moment in my day. Of course, I had to let it burn right down to the number six before blowing it out - I'll have to be more careful tonight as there will only be 5 mm of wax to melt through. It would be so typical of me to totally mess this up and burn the candle way beyond the relevant day, but I'm going to give it my best shot. I can do this.
During the past month I've been hugely inspired by this gorgeous book "Making Winter" written by my talented friend Emma. At first I spent ages just browsing through the pages, gorging on the stunning photos and drinking it all in. But eventually I made time to read the whole book cover to cover and it really is a very beautifully written book.
Making Winter is all about combining simple creative projects with nature-focused outings to combat the winter blah's. I've been taking Emma's advice and just lately I've made myself head out for short walks along the canal/into the park/woods on the greyest of days and have always felt brighter for it.
Emma's take on creative projects is fabulous - some of the ideas are as simple as gathering bits of nature (leaves, seed heads, flowers, feathers) and identifying them in a nature book, or having a go at drawing them.
But there are also some more advanced projects including jewellery making (which is Emma's speciality), paper crafts and crochet etc.
There are food and drink ideas too, and every single one of the baking recipes have honestly made my mouth water. I'm really looking forward to giving them a go, if not before Christmas, then definitely during the cold months of January and February when Winter really does have us in it's grip.
There are so many gorgeous projects and ideas contained in these pages that it was hard to know which one to go with first, but in the end I felt inspired by the idea of creating myself a small indoor flower garden.
Emma's photographs are incredibly beautiful - there is a simplicity and a stillness to them which I find captivating. The above image was enough to pull me out of my moochy mood this week and send me out into the cold to go track down some bulbs to plant. I didn't have to go far - the plant stall on the market was selling pots of narcissus for £2, and the cheap discount shop at the bottom of the high street had pots of hyacinth bulbs for £2.50. I like buying pots of bulbs that are good to go as they are already showing promising signs of growth, and there is earth and moss included.
Next job was to find some suitable containers. You can see from the pages of Emma's book that she went for a collection of tasteful, photogenic old terracotta pots and some quirky vintage jars and moulds. Well.....I went into my back yard and into my cellar and gathered together an eclectic assortment of old bowls, plus a floral mug and an old rusting enamel saucepan. Very Attic24.
I really enjoyed the process of discarding the plastic pots and introducing the bulbs to their new colourful containers.
There is something very optimistic about planting bulbs, and I love to see all the fresh green shoots and look forward to the anticipation of the fragrant flowers.
I thought it would be fun to add a few extra decorative bits to my bulb pots, so I gathered together a handful of colourful ceramic buttons, some pebbles and pieces of sea glass (all had been living in the Shelves of Doom for quite some time), and scattered them atop the mossy greenery. Such simple enjoyment on a freezing cold, grey December day, and gosh I do so love love love love love moss. I'll love it forever.
I had already decided that my bulb pots would do very well on the cold windowsill directly behind my desk. I sit here for many hours in a day and the window faces out to the back yard. However........this windowsill was in a disgraceful state of neglect and so I had to bite the bullet and sweep everything off and chisel through the dust layer. There was an inordinate amount of misplaced objects on this windowsill, it was all kinds of horrifying to be honest.
But after clearing and cleaning it all, I was able to arrange my new indoor garden with a few treasured objects (now all clean and dust free, yippeee!) which felt like a real satisfying achievement somehow. I really, really can't wait to see flowers growing behind my desk!
I bought myself an indoor watering can a few weeks ago too, and as you can see it's a rather uplifting shade of pink. I don't have many house plants any more (I had a lot at one time) but I do have my bulbs to water and a huge old potted succulent on this windowsill which has lived with me through various house moves for more than 20 years. How time flies.
Following on from my November Making the Seasons post, I know many of you loved the idea of the Craftpod subscription boxes and went on to make the winter Craftpod a complete sell out. I know Jo has been working flat out to make up all the winter boxes and get them mailed out (you can find her latest updates on Instagram). I've received mine in the post and it is beautiful, but I've decided to save it until the New Year so that there's not quite such a big gap between winter and spring.
A couple of other Instagram related things - thank you to everyone who has joined in with our #makingtheseasons hashtag, it's been fabulous to see some gorgeous creativity happening in your homes, and to find you as inspired by the seasons as Gillian and I are. Also I discovered a new Instagram account today which I think you might like, it's full of the most beautiful seasonal photography, so do make yourself a nice hot drink and indulge in some therapeutic imagery...{@early.bird.post }
I'd love to know what you've been up to this past month, what has inspired you, what you are making, creating and loving about this time of year?
You can read Gillian's latest Making The Seasons post {here} - please do tell us if you're joining in and blogging about your seasonal making so we can all come and see whatcha doing!
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What a very cozy winter you're having! I must seek out a copy of that book!
Posted by: Cheryl | December 12, 2017 at 12:43 PM
Hello Lucy, How about this wonderful Sonnenbörek to celebrate Winter Solstice?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xq3eOQy21cY The video is in German, but it's not hard to figure out - ingredients are listed in the info box below. If you use dry yeast, it's about 8g of the instant stuff, bake for 30 min at 175ºC (355ºF).
It's stunning, and absolutely yummy.
Enjoy! Greetings from Kingston, Canada
Posted by: Monika | December 12, 2017 at 01:24 AM
Your log has cheered me up as I personally haven't been blogging lately, but I have been inspired. Thank you.
Posted by: Carol | December 11, 2017 at 10:01 AM
I haven’t ever heard of an advent candle before, what a cute idea. Last year was the first year I had an advent calendar and that was a yarn one from opal I bought myself. Growing up we didn’t do things like that.
I’m also going to try and celebrate my first winter solstice this year, I learned about that a couple years ago but wasn’t able to participate. I’ve always loved that day because it meant my sunshine was coming back but didn’t know people did all kinds of things to celebrate it. The internet is a wonderful thing sometimes.
Posted by: Aimee | December 10, 2017 at 07:52 PM
A stunning fall of snow here in the Midlands so it really is starting to feel "a lot like Christmas" and your lovely post has added to that feeling. I hope we'll see some gorgeous snowy scenes from your camera. You take such beautiful photographs.
Posted by: Ruth | December 10, 2017 at 12:03 PM
oh My what a lovely post! I love your advent candle and all the bulbs too. I have seen the Making Winter book around on blogs and my instagram feed and now I really need to buy it! xxx
Posted by: Lyn | December 10, 2017 at 11:26 AM
Dear Lucy
I know you love the Brambly Hedge books so was saddened to read this.
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2017/nov/29/jill-barklem-obituary
Posted by: Laura Taylor | December 10, 2017 at 09:28 AM
I love your indoor garden! My youngest is doing a hobbit hole with a bonsai tree and loads of moss, even fairy lights inside the home. It's been fun watching her creation come to life, and now I want one. lol
Posted by: Angela-Southern USA | December 10, 2017 at 01:56 AM
PS your little window ledge garden is so beautiful. xx
Posted by: Lin Tarrant | December 08, 2017 at 04:32 PM
Well now, where to start! what a fantastic post, I so loved reading through this and am going to read through again and again I am sure. Last things first - I too ordered a craftpod - hopefully it will be waiting for me in UK when we get there next weekend. Hopefully it will be perfect for a quiet afternoon after Christmas. I love your Advent candle. I bought mine in the sales last Christmas and actually remembered where it was in good time for the first. It's something easy to take with me to UK. Sadly no decorating going on here although I have a bag of favourite decorations to take with me to decorate the little cottage we rent. The book looks amazing - I am off to seek it out when I finish writing this. Thank you so much, have a great weekend. xx
Posted by: Lin Tarrant | December 08, 2017 at 04:30 PM
I really do like the idea of that advent candle. :-) I've never seen one like that. Calendars and wreaths yes, but not a candle with the dates on them. That's very nice.
Posted by: Janis | December 08, 2017 at 03:03 PM
Can you take the bulbs up to the allottment after they bloom out and go dormant? they would be lovely next year in the outdoors.
Posted by: gina in alabama | December 08, 2017 at 01:37 PM
Hello! I also love the winter solstice! but since I live in the other hemisphere I celebrate it in June! So in this solstice I am being a little sad because the days are beginning to be shorter. But hey, I have all the summer ahead. I love everything you knit and post. The places you visit are beautiful, if one day I have the opportunity to travel around those parts I would love to visit them.
Posted by: Lourdes | December 08, 2017 at 12:32 PM
What a clever friend you have - it looks a lovely book :). nice to kickstart creativity in other directions too .
Your house will soon smell lovely with all that floral goodness!
Posted by: Ali Dufty | December 08, 2017 at 12:17 PM
Good morning! Sorry, I’m back again... I’ve a Christmas cactus in full bloom and another on the way - they have magnificent flowers in shocking shades of pink and, happily, can be totally neglected the rest of the year. I’ve brought some of my summer geraniums in from the yard and two are still blooming! They’ll be taken back outside next year and, hopefully, will romp away again in the summer. For now, they provide crazy splashes of colour at this time of the year. We’ve woken up to a beautiful crisp winter’s morning with a dusting of snow ❄️ Have a colourful, creative day xxx
Posted by: Clare | December 08, 2017 at 09:37 AM
Talking about the smell of eucalyptus, I'm sure you'd love the smell of our bushland when we've had a shower of rain after a dry spell of weather. It's so refreshing. The advent candle is a lovely idea & your decorating is so good. Look forward to seeing the bulbs in bloom & that book looks so good, I'm going to have a look for it. Am enjoying these Making the Season posts by you & Gillian. Take care.
Posted by: Susan Smith | December 08, 2017 at 08:26 AM
Emma's book looks wonderful and I'm so impressed with how she inspired you to make a new windowsill garden.. I will look forward to seeing flowers bloom there over time. You did a wonderful job on the advent candle.. I'm not sure I could handle the stress of blowing it out in time! LOL! Enjoy your creative days. ((hugs)), Teresa :-)
Posted by: Teresa Kasner | December 08, 2017 at 05:43 AM
Hi Lucy,
I've been following your blog for quite a long time and thoroughly enjoy it. You make us feel as if we all know you and are welcome in your beautiful space. I live in the States but would love to see your little corner of the world one day. I live vicariously through your words and gorgeous photos. I am so thrilled to let you know I just received my yarn pack for the January CAL and am counting the days! I had hoped for more earthy colors and you did it! Very excited to be joining in! All the best to you and your family and thank you for all you're doing.
Posted by: Jody | December 08, 2017 at 05:16 AM
Hello Lucy! Look up Paul Hollywood’s Sta Lucia buns recipe - I think your little people might enjoy making them as much as mine. They are very good with soup on the Solstice - I save some butternut squash soup from harvest time / halloween to remind us of the summer rather than winter roots and broth style soup. Blackberry whisky is a good tipple to wash it all down 😉 My favourite thing this year has been a tiny living Christmas tree in a pot, just by the front door, with a very short set of wire lights round. I’ve treated us to a little pernettya and skimmia reevesiana in pots to go with it. I’m thinking they can live on the plot during spring and summer and then come back again next year. Sorry to ramble on! Not long now, but some very wintery weather to get through first xxxx
Posted by: Clare | December 07, 2017 at 11:45 PM
Went out just in the gloaming tonight to gather holly,very few berries,birds must be hungry,found some lovely ivy...as you say Lucy so much around...was just getting into my stride when the heavens opened and the dogs and I thought we’d better scurry home! I have a lovely source of teazels to collect tomorrow so I hope Storm Caroline. Isn’t going to be as bad as predicted! Lovely candle,looks very professional!
Posted by: Mary Lloyd Jones | December 07, 2017 at 11:26 PM
I would love to gather greenery to have indoors but always feel like the man from the council will tell me off for taking anything away from public property like woods and parks and that private owners will shout and shake their fists at me with scary dogs at their heels if I abscond with so much as a pinecone. Can't afford florists so it's not something I get to do. I enjoy walking out and about and just enjoy natures bounty where it is instead.
Posted by: Michelle | December 07, 2017 at 10:49 PM
God Bless you Lucy. I have found myself at the end of my rope and got your cheery post. Thank you for the inspirations!
Posted by: Leah Lynch | December 07, 2017 at 10:48 PM
Hi Lucy, I live in a small town on the south coast of Western Australia. Last week I was sitting in the doctor's waiting room when a young woman sat down next to me and took a ripple crochet blanket out of her bag to work on. I recognised the colours straight away as your Coastal blanket, and we had a lovely chat about Attic24 blankets we had made and how much we enjoy your blog! Thank you for all you do, it is appreciated by so many, world wide!
Posted by: Liz Turnbull | December 07, 2017 at 10:43 PM
We invariably used to forget our advent candles for days and then let them burn longer than they were supposed to catch up - I didn't see any for sale this year at all so your homemade one is a great idea! xx
Posted by: Winwick Mum | December 07, 2017 at 10:23 PM
Thank you Lucy for your amazing blog. Your Advent candle and trimmings are beautiful. Thank you for sharing. 🎄🇦🇺
Posted by: Margaret Simpson | December 07, 2017 at 10:06 PM