Hello everyone. Hope you are not too busy in the run up to Christmas. I am on my holidays from work these days and I am enjoying my time off.  Below are some images of the decorating I have done for Christmas. First up is our new Christmas tree which I have put in our good living room. I also tried drying some oranges for their scent and decoration in the house. This was my first time trying to dry them and they worked out alright. They took so long in the oven that I gave up. Instead I dried them on top of the wood burning stove which took far less time than the oven. The smell was lovely in the room though as they were drying up on the stove. I also made some pretty paper doily snowflakes. They are now hanging over the double doors into my sun room. I'm thinking of adding some red to the centre of them to make them more festive. You should try and make some of these doily snowflakes they are so simple to make and look cute.

Below is just one more  photograph of my tree. The lights are a bright white so they match well with the grey/blue colour scheme in my living room. Today I made this flower arrangement to sit on my kitchen island. All the items were free as I just picked them from the hedge. Three of the hydrangea were already dried and one of them is a fresh one from the garden. All the foliage is fresh from the gardens. The final photo is just me deciding where to put the fairy lights, I haven't left them here and have yet to decide where to put them. I have a lot of dried hydrangea so hope to make some more arrangements.

Hope you like having a look around my home and also at my homemade/handmade items. Have a go yourself or if you have some items you have made, I would love to hear about them and see them. Until next time.... 

Here is a quick DIY idea for you all. I love bringing the outdoors into my home in the form of nature inspired home decor. Yesterday I made this moss covered star. Why not have a go yourself.

Step 1: Pick some moss from the countryside, I used moss from hedges and large stones. The larger the pieces the better, try to avoid moss that is very wet or with lots of twigs and creepy crawlies in it.... no one wants them crawling around your home...

Step 2: This is the boring part. Bring your moss home and remove any twigs/ stones/ insects and leave to dry on kitchen roll paper. I dried mine next to the wood burning stove and then on the radiator.

Step 3: Make a large star shape or any alternative shape you would like, I used a star made from wood but you could also use thick cardboard or paper to make your shape. Begin by gluing the moss carefully onto your shape.

Step 4: Continue to glue the moss to cover the entire front.

Step 5: Leave for a few hours for the glue to fully dry. Lift and shake for any loose pieces to fall off and re-glue again if required. There you have it, fully complete! 

Greetings everyone. It's hard to believe that it is almost the end of September already, where is the time going? The weather was lovely here this weekend. I tidied up the house yesterday and put out some of the Autumn accessories, however I feel like I still want lots of bright accessories around the home to brighten the place up. I was taking a look at Not on the High Street and came across these lovely items below which I would love in my home... For those of you who are not familiar with Not on the High Street you really got to visit the site, it is well worth it! Full of unique creative businesses.

All images from Not on the High Street

On our trip to Wicklow we visited Avoca  Mills and the Avoca shop at Powerscourt House and Gardens. Avoca Mills are Ireland's oldest weaving mill. Their products are really pretty, particularly their blankets- they are really soft and cosy! Avoca Mills is really quaint and interesting to visit too. We arrived too late to get anything to eat in the café however we did have teas and scones in Avoca in Powerscourt on Sunday. I will post some photos of Powerscourt House and Gardens in another post. If you are not aware of the Avoca brand, you can visit their website here. They also sell a range of homewares, books and gifts!

Wonderful Christmas Chalkboard Art from Lily and Val

 

If you haven't already picked up Mollie Makes Magazine- you will have to put it on your shopping list for over the Christmas! It is full of so much inspiration but on top of all that you get this beautiful 12 months of Inspiration from Selina Lake in the form of a 2013 Calendar- the images are so beautiful and cheerful, it would look wonderful anywhere in the home.... Feast your eyes on the lovely images below...

Selina Lake Inspiration from Mollie Makes

 

 Do you enjoy Kirstie's Homemade Home, Homemade Christmas and Vintage Home, they are full of homemade crafty inspiration which I love.

For those of you who haven't heard of her, you should visit her website. She also has a few books too. She loves all things vintage, craft and homemade :)  

 

Last Sunday I had a lovely day out with my husband, he treated me to dinner out and we also went to a local Christmas Craft Fair. I bought a few things but couldn't leave this Amy Butler fabric handmade bag behind- Isn't it beautiful? I love all things blue and this pattern really stands out. Do you like Amy Butler fabric? I love the patterns. Here are a few more Amy Butler patterns below....

{All images Selina Lake}

At the weekend my husband organised a birthday party for me as I was 30 last week. I had a great time with close family and friends. One of the gifts I received was Homespun Style by the very talented and creative Selina Lake- my friend must be able to read my mind as I really wanted this book but had never got around to buying it myself. I have just started reading it today and for those of you that do not have it yet, my advise is go buy it!!! I love it, it is filled with such lovely images and creative ideas.

For more information and for lots of inspiration visit Selina's Blog

The Country Living Magazine are holding their 20th Spring Fair this March in the Business Design Centre,  London where over 400 specialised creative crafters, designers, makers, retailers and small producers will showcase and sell their work. If only I lived nearer :( I am jealous of those who will get to go along.

{Images above from Country Living}

Oh so much work would be done, if only I had a space like any of these.... I can dream can't I!!

Check out some crafty christmas gifts for friends at notonthehighstreet.com