Festive Goodies.....

Well I have been very lucky - I think that Father Christmas thinks I have been a good girl this year as he left such lovely gifts under the tree and in my stocking....

crochet kit,candle making,sewing,baking-lots to keep me busy while sipping a sloe gin!

Hoping that you all got some lovely goodies too...

So almost another year over!.....

I wonder what 2012 will bring?

Here's wishing everyone reading this a year when all your hopes and dreams are fulfilled whatever they may be...

Warm Wishes,

Callie
x x x

The Gentle Art of (Festive) Domesticity.....

I feel like that that old advert of Cadburys Caramel- do you remember? When the lovely sultry Mrs.Rabbit tells Mr. Beaver to 'slow down and have a Cadburys Caramel'- not that I am lovely or sultry!It's just that I am a little perplexed by peoples attitude to the Festive Season.....

Why is everyone running around in such a bad tempered fashion??

I understand that time is a precious commodity but really!We ventured out on Sunday to the 'shops'- something we NEVER do- Sunday is for papers in bed and a roast lunch!But we had had a problem with our beloved vehicle on the Saturday so with a courtesay car at our disposal- (Thank you!) we went off on Sunday morning....

Feeling 'Merry and Bright'!

What an experience...,everyone that I said 'Merry Christmas'to looked rather shocked and hardly anyone said it back- apart from a lovely young lady on a checkout at Sainsburys and one lady in Marks and Spencers- everyone shopping seemed so bad tempered...I don't understand why?

Especially when online sites can really help with ensuring that you do not have to venture onto the High Street if you do not wish to....

 Munchkin has NO intention of going anywhere....

We were glad to get home and indulge in a bit of Christmas Spirit! Carols and Mince pies- not gin- though I am partial to a bit of Sloe Gin at this time of year....

I still believe that Christmas is absolutely what you make of it and I still find it the most JOYFUL time of the year and no-one needs to be a slave to 'commercialism'...

  My intention this Yuletide!

I really do....

Do you remember that wonderful quote in Miracle on 34th Street?

'I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanour. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.'

I first heard that years ago and it always stuck with me...

 Another saying I have always loved on this tin that I treasure ....

Once home I decided to get Festive and make some cards....

Mincemeat and  Mincepies...

I adapted the mincemeat from a  recipe by Mrs.Beeton that has no suet in it and NO sugar- just honey- it was DELICIOUS!!

And I put some vanilla essence into the pastry mix too.....mmmm.

After all that activity there was only really one thing to do....

 

 Sit back and have a Cadburys Caramel- I mean a cuppa and a cinnamon rock bun...

We are off to Totnes Late Night Christmas Market tonight which is usually FULL of Festive Cheer!

Wishing you all a Festive Holiday with lots of Love and Laughter

and 

Have Yourself 

a 

MERRY AND MAGICAL

time...

Warmest Wishes,

Callie- Noelle
x x x

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas......

....Here at The Gathering Room-(my little studio)...

The Thursday craft morning is very enjoyable and we are making all sorts,Christmas Cards,Christmas stockings,Festive scented Pot-Pourri....

Cards in the making....

Crafty bits ready to use....

 Christmas Decorations have been arriving....

'Tis the season....

 As well as Christmas Cards...

Wrapping paper...

And gift tags....

All from our favourite artist- Sally Swannell....

We have a few Christmas Markets to attend over the next few weekends so I am off to get making...

Hoping your preparations are as enjoyable as ours!

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Callie

x x x

Halloween Greetings.....

Happy Halloween!!!

Have a Good One...

Warm Wishes,

Callie

x x x

Keepin' Crafty.....

Well all is going well at The Studio.....

The craft mornings are fun,fun,fun, though until this week we still needed a fan cooling us, but not this week! Heating required! Has Winter arrived?

We are doing a mix of sewing and card making...

 Feelin' Festive....

 A couple of Handmade cards and craft goodies.....

' Before and After'- an angel stitchery I fancied trying.....

And some 'freestyle stitchery' to keep me busy on the darker evenings...

We are busy adding things to the website and we will be adding a Handmade section to the online shop with all my Homespun goodies in the next few weeks- so I better get making!

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Callie
x x x

Up and Running.....

Well we are finally there!

My other blog,craft studio and web site are up and running...

The Studio is ready for its first craft morning this Thursday....

 Jars of goodies....

 Some Crafty bits and bobs....

 Ribbons and Hearts...

Card Making.....

And the website is ready too...

www.merryandmagical.co.uk

So pop over and have a look...

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Callie

x x x

Well we are getting there.....

Merry and Magical is coming along....

www.merryandmagical.co.uk

It has been hard work getting The Studio (which now has a name) ready...

We thought it was an appropriate name for a place that I will be crafting in with friends and family.... 


''The Gathering Room''

I happily chose The Studio because it is up in the eaves of the building- not really considering the fact that it is two flights of stairs to get to the view and peace!!

So my back is feeling the results of that decision! As is my ever supportive Husbands'....

Anyway here are some photographs of our progress so far...

 General View....

Feeling Festive....

Country Dresser.... 

 Red and white Area....

 The Pink Corner.....

My Husband is busy working on the Website and on-line shop- which he is doing himself-I think it looks lovely and I hope that you will like it too.....

Still lots more to do before the 27th September when we will be open....

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Callie

x x x

Lavender Lovelies....

Well as Autumn seems to have arrived here I have come in from projects in the garden to projects in the Craft Room.....

I have been busy making things for the studio....

 Lavender Sacks.....

 Lavender Sacks...

Lavender Hearts.....

And ANOTHER Lavender Sack.....

Needless to say I am feeling very calm after working with all that lavender!!

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Weekend,

Callie- Noelle

x x x

What to do when Autumn returns.....

Mmm,well when the skies look like this....

and the garden is a little soggy....

 Growing well- but a bit too damp to be out....

What do we do?.....

 Mitsie says play!!

and play.....

 Millie on the other hand.....

does not wish to be disturbed.....

 My solution.....

Suits me best!.....

Hope that the sun comes out again soon....

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Weekend,

Callie- Noelle

x x x