creating christmas...

Hello and Happy Christmas!!!  The presents are wrapped, the fridge is stocked, the tree is twinkling and all is merry and bright round our way...

For a lot of people Christmas is a time of continuing family traditions.  But some people don't like it at all, or don't get on with their families.  When I was little we lived quite an unconventional life; my Mum actively rejected a lot of traditions - including Christmas.  It was acknowledged but not really celebrated, which was hard mainly because it was yet another way that we were 'different', and being too different can be difficult when you're small and trying to fit in.  I understand her reasons for not wanting to spend all day with people she didn't feel comfortable with, or make a martyr of herself in the kitchen by slaving over food she doesn't even like.  But I did wish we could find our own way of making Christmas a special time.  

And that's what we do now.  I suppose the advantage of growing up without traditions is that we can invent our own, without fear of offending or disappointing anyone by not doing things 'their way'.  So we have a tree, and decorations - and we go to F's parents on the day, who are the opposite of my Mum in many ways...so I get the best of both worlds...no pressure from my side of the family,  and a lavish Christmas spread that I don't have to cook! 

Christmas is not always an easy time for people, but at its best it's a time to reconnect with those close to us and bring some brightness into these short dark winter days.  So however you choose to spend the festive season, I hope you enjoy it.

Rachel xx

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

an exciting day...

What a start to December! Yesterday I went to the Vintage and Handmade Fair in Chipping Sodbury, a little market town near Bristol.  There were lots of lovely stalls selling all kinds of gorgeous bits and pieces...

on the Country Cottage Chic stall there were vintage Christmas tree decorations...

lovely toys and books...

and I loved this elephant from a set of vintage wooden circus toys!

There was also a huge stall run by the lovely Lizzie Van Hasselt with all kinds of amazing vintage loveliness...

stunning french fabrics...

and buttons...

a very special pair of gold party shoes!...

and all so beautifully styled.

 
I also met the lovely Woo of The Devil Makes work, but do you know - we were so busy chatting I forgot to take any photos of her beautiful stall!  Sorry Woo!

Obviously I love vintage fairs wherever they are, but the main reason for going to this particular one was that I knew the lovely Donna Flower was selling some of her vintage goodies there, and I wanted to have a look at her fabrics in person, and of course meet the lady herself.  I follow Donna's blog and I had left a comment telling her I was planning to go...little did I know she would bring some really special fabrics just for me to look at!  But the sun is shining and we're off out for a walk, so you will have to wait until tomorrow to see if I bought anything....

Hope you have a lovely sunny Sunday!

Rachel x