Wednesday 12 December 2012

local loveliness...


Hello, how are you this week?  I'm slowing down, getting ready for Christmas and looking forward to time off from all the usual routines...the school run seems to get harder every morning!  It's been so cold here, though we've been lucky with bright sunny frosty mornings...but I'd still rather be tucked up under a duvet watching movies with my boys than hustling them out of the door...

I had a busy weekend, starting with the Christmas Fair at Max's school; I'd been staying up late to make stock for a few days beforehand, but as usual the buzz of the fair kicked in and I enjoyed setting up my stall...

 
 

I had great fun painting and decorating this little display house and styling it with little vintage goodies; though I'm not sure about my lovely assistant's novel method of 'helping'...



Luckily lots of M's friends were there so he frolicked off to wreak mayhem while I enjoyed some quiet moments before the crowds flooded in....well, not crowds exactly - but it was busy enough.  I sold enough to make it worthwhile being there, and got some commissions for the New Year, so all in all a fun and successful day! 

Later on M's school took part in the local annual Lantern Parade, which was a brilliant community event involving children from at least 3 different schools and many individuals from all over the area.  It was a cold evening, but the kids had an amazing time as the traffic stopped and we took over the streets as dusk descended...


M's class have been learning about ancient Egypt this term, so they designed a Zombie Mummy lantern...

it looked pretty spooky as the sky got darker!


the parade finished in a park, where as well as all the handmade lanterns we were treated to a glowing hot air balloon...amazing.
After all that we went to a friends house where the kids ran riot while the adults warmed up with cocktails...a busy but very lovely day! 

Sorry it's taken me till now to share it with you...as you probably know I am guest blogging over here this week...if you haven't popped over to see what I'm up to there, please do!

Hope your Christmas preparations are going smoothly, it can be a stressful time of year.  I'm feeling pretty calm so far, but there's still a lot to do!

Rachel x

34 comments:

  1. Sounds like fun, your stall look great as do those lantern's wish they had that in our area.

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    1. Thanks Tracey, it was great fun and I was pleased with how my stall looked. I think this was only the 3rd year of the lantern parade...sure you could start one where you are?! x

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  2. Your stall loooks brilliant, and I LOVE that little yellow house! the lantern parade looks like a fun evening too. x

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    1. Thanks! I had a lot of fun decorating that house, and actually I got 2 commissions for them in the new year in different colours. It's such a nice way to display little treasures. x

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    1. So do I Col! They loved making that...what 7 year old boy wouldn't enjoy making a zombie mummy? Kid heaven...x

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  4. Definitely on a wind down here too ... I went to Aladdin in our local parish hall today with the boys ... it was their first experience of a pantomine ... I think they mostly liked it ... but the littlest was a bit spooked by the baddie ... can't wait for the holidays ... bliss ... no washing uniforms, packing schoolbags or homework ... glad the fair went well and looks like the parade was a lot of fun ... Bee xx

    PS Did you get a chance to send me an invoice for the mirror ... no panic ... just thought I would check ... enjoy the rest of your week ... xxx

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    1. Hi Bee, yes hurrah for winding down! We've taken the boys to kids theatre productions but not a pantomime yet...we're off to see Peter Pan tomorrow, very excited!

      No I just remembered earlier that I haven't sent you an invoice or posted your mirror (though I have chosen you a lovely one)...I'll do both tomorrow, sorry about the delay! xxx

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    2. Thanks for choosing a good un :) ... look forward to receiving it ... the boy's school organised the panto but I think a less noisy production might have been more sensible ... chat soon, Bee xx

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  5. Your stall looks great, I love the cushion with the houses on it. We had a beautiful frosty morning here it was the heaviest frost I have even seen everything was white - its beginning to look a lot like Christmas. And we are getting very excited.

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    1. Thanks, I love that cushion too, it's got some of my favourite fabrics in it...it didn't sell on Saturday but I think I'm going to give it as a Christmas present...or keep it for myself! Though I have enough of those fabrics to make something similar, so if you'd like it do let me know!

      Isn't the run up to Christmas lovely? I enjoy it so much more now I have kids, their excitement is infectious! xx

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  6. Your stall looks great Rachel and all your things look so lovely. I'm looking forward to the Christmas hols too, can't wait for a couple of weeks of no rushing about in the mornings and watching Christmas movies under a duvet. xx

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    1. Glad you like the look of all my things...I had such fun choosing vintage tablecloths and plates to style it with!

      One of the best things about winter is the guilt-free time at home...I'm quite a homebody but when the weather's good I always feel we should be out making the most of it...in this cold snuggling under a duvet is definitely the best option! xx

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  7. your stuff is really cool! Love the fabrics!
    Renee

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    1. Thank you Renee! I've been collecting fabric for years, and I'm quite picky - only the brightest and boldest colours and patterns will do, and they have to be genuine vintage, mainly from the 60s and 70s. I was pleased with how the stall turned out, glad everyone else seems to think it looked good too! :)

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  8. I love your stall Rach, I see so many pretty things! I'm not feeling so Christmassy right now as we've had some terrible news bout Bo today (I've made a blogpost bout it, just had to somehow)! I guess I should try and focus on happy things and hope for the best. Enjoy the rest of your week! X

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    1. Oh Chantal I'm so sorry to hear that...I know how devoted you are to him. Please take care lovely friend, thinking of you. xx

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  9. Amazing stall and I love the lanterns! Xx

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    1. Thanks Nick! Yes the lanterns were lovely, a great way to enjoy a winter evening. xx

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  10. Hi Rach, Oh my! Your stall is amazing. I have just started following you, thought I already was to be honest.
    I am very jealous of your fabrics, I never find anything that amazing.
    Do you have an Etsy shop?
    I have listed the black tom cat and the fox for you on Etsy, please know that it is in no way a commitment to buy.
    Speak soon, Emma (Oooh Betty) xxx

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    1. Hi love - thanks so much for the cat and fox - I've just bought them...they're so lovely! And thanks for following me...I will be opening an Etsy shop in the New Year so you will get a chance to get your paws on some of my fabric! I've been collecting for years so it's quite a stash...take care and thanks again for the lovely custom order! xxx

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  11. I love your fabrics and how you bring them together, I adore your mini bunting, and please give a big hug to your sweet boy, he really made me smile!

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    1. Thanks so much for your lovely comment! I love choosing fabrics for patchwork projects, it's so fun putting them together and seeing how they look. And yes my boy was so funny that day - I will pass on your hug to him! x

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  12. Looks great! Did you get the idea for the little house from Ada, she does some lovely ones! And what's in the vintage sewing box - are they lavender bags?

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    1. I originally got the idea for the house from Jane over at Teawagon Tales - I think that might be where Ada first saw them too! It was great fun choosing the colours and wallpapers. Yes they are lavender bags - I need to make some more cause they've been really popular! x

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  13. The little yellow display house is precious. The latern parade looks magically fun.

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    1. Hi Trudie! Thanks for popping by...the lantern parade was amazing fun. x

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  14. Your pillows are to die for so colorful and fun. Great taste in fabrics I'm in awe.
    Www.PoppyFoxathome.com

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  15. Your stall looked fabulous! I'm glad it was successful. That yellow play house is totally adorable, I really want one of those! x

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    1. Thanks Gillian! I can always make you a play house, or tell you where to get a plain one if you want to decorate it yourself! xx

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  16. Mmm, lovely and so nice to see a fabric I found on my travels in your display xx

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    1. I love that fabric so much Tanya! And it works really well with a lot of my other fabrics - it was great fun choosing fabrics for that patchwork cushion! xx

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  17. love that cushion! and we have the same plates :) x

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