Merry Christmas to you all

So it's Christmas Eve tomorrow - the final food shop has been done (we have plenty), the house is having it's final clean and I have an afternoon of baking booked in.

Last night the final few presents were wrapped whilst listening to Christmas carols.

My wrapping this year was quite an eclectic mix - using up some old papers and adding a few new designs.


I LOVE the Ikea papers this year.



We still have the snow lingering - I know it won't be an official white Christmas but it will be lovely if the white stuff hangs around for Christmas day.

I know my parents in Cornwall haven't had the snow like we have, and if they have, it certainly hasn't hung around so I think plenty of snowy walks will be on the agenda!

So I will be signing off now for the festive season well until Christmas weekend is over. It just leaves me to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and just in case I don't pop back in a very Happy New Year.

All I want for Christmas is

I love giving presents, thinking what others might like but I am hopeless at giving people ideas of what I might like. But I have been inspired for a while by the work of Julie Arkell and whilst turning the pages of my Country living magazine ....

.... I was reminded that I really wanted her book but had had trouble previously tracking down a copy from Amazon

I find her figures mesmerising and would love one day, to attend one of her workshops but fear my lack of sewing and knitting capabilities may be a disadvantage.


This post has also been inspired by a very talented lady - Vanessa Cabban. She is a woman of many talents, a children's book illustrator, colourful knitter, inspiring blogger and now the creator of some amazing papier mache figures.

When I first saw this picture I couldn't help study it in every little detail. This piece is my favourite - it captures such a magical little character.

''She's called Evangeline.
And she's having a break from the dusting. She's heard an old favourite tune, and it makes her want to dance. ''

This second piece is so detailed and really would look lovely on my mantelpiece.

''The little girl is called Emily, and her piggy has won Best in Show at a country fair. They were both awarded rosettes. ''

Vanessa attended one of Julie Arkell's workshops and has continued to develop her own projects, which are beautiful. Follow her blog if you want to be inspired.


So, I'm really hoping I may get a copy of this book under the Christmas tree this year, maybe a figure of my own one year or a day at one of her workshops! Shouldn't be greedy - the book will do fine. And Vanessa, if you ever start to sell your lovely creations please do let me know. Now all I have to do is find a little 'me' time to have a go myself.

The igloo

I'm finding very hard to motivate myself to enter my studio at the moment - which is aptly call the Igloo during the winter months. This is the view out of the side windows.

It certainly feels like I am in a snow cave as I'm surrounded by the white stuff!

The view from my desk is mesmerizing as the snow falls (again!)

Out the front of the house, great huge icicles are forming!

I'm not a huge fan of the white stuff - it looks lovely but I'd rather be cosy inside. Hope my little heater has warmed things up in there - am about to go and do some work!

Magical

Every year, without fail we visit Father Christmas at Longleat - this is our 10th year. It is so popular you have to book it in May but it is worth every penny and to top it off this year - we had snow!

It was always Grandma's treat, she sadly passed away 3 years ago but Grandpa has kept the tradition going and it so special getting all the Grandchildren together ranging from a very unamused 14year old to the youngest at 2.

You take the little steam train through the forest, then once through the dark tunnel you arrive at Father Christmas's cabin in a wooded glade, lit spectacularly in fairy lights. It really does take your breath away.

There is a big roaring fire to warm yourself by, which was very welcoming as it was -4 today.

The trees looked truly beautiful.

There is a stable where you can peg up a letter to Father Christmas, a sleigh and a cabin serving Hot Chocolate - perfect festive treat.



Then there is Father Christmas's cabin it's self and 2 very excited children.

Inside all the presents are named and are age appropriate so that Father Christmas calls out the children's names and gives them their own special gift.

Father Christmas even comes down and stands by the fire and waves the train on it's way. It really is a truly magical experience and will always hold a very special Christmas memory for us all. A perfect time to share as a family and swap Christmas gifts in the car park!

Remember you need to book early to get a good time / date.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow....

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas is playing and how apt, when we woke up this morning to this!

It all looks picture postcard perfect!

Our view from the landing window.

Of course Sam couldn't wait to get out there and make the first mark in the snow.

And measure just how much snow we had. After much debate he decided to use a ruler - 12cm.

The trees look beautiful.

You can just make out the bunting!

Wonder if we will have a white Christmas this year?

I Love giving presents

Yesterday I took a little treat over to my printers - they are so good to me and I know I can probably sometimes be a pain - so I thought I ought to keep them sweet with a mug and a packet of biscuits each!

Today is the turn of the teachers. A jar of cookies and a simple but lovely Christmas star.

I've started to wrap other presents - just one or two.

Today is my last day with the children at school and that I am at home - so today is present wrapping day - all day! What a great way to spend a day!

Postman Pat!!

Christmas, when you run your own business, means one thing - long post office queues, audible sighs and tutting from the growing line of people waiting behind you and a wasted hour of your day! I have mumbled on about this before!

When you start to get piles of parcels that amount to few bags every day - things have to change - and change they did, when one day I received a phone call from Royal Mail, who noticed we were obviously posting out a lot of parcels.

We received a home visit from our Royal Mail area manager who talked us through our options and signed us up to a new online business postal system. We weigh the parcels we send out in total and divide by the number of parcels we send.

A few calculations and numbers typed into the computer later and we are good to go.....



.....straight to the sorting office in the morning.
No queues, no waiting, no tutting - just a cheery thank you at 8.30 in the morning and the days postal duties done!
I highly recommend it!