mistletoe kisses

I think this may be my last post before Christmas as I have a lot of sherry drinking and wrapping to do. So a very merry Christmas and mistletoe kisses to all who follow and read my blog! This poem is from Peacock Pie, a lovely book of poems for children by Walter de la Mare. This edition with wonderful atmospheric illustrations by Edward Ardizzone was first published in 1946. My dad is a great one for traditions and one of his many was to read this beautiful and spooky poem to us on Christmas Eve, it still sends shivers.

last post

Today is the last posting day before Christmas so I have been rushing to get last minute orders to the post office. Thick snow is falling as I write this, all very lovely but I still have masses of Christmas shopping to do tomorrow - hope I can get out! This lovely vintage card came in the post, someone knows just what I like!

knit one

In weather like this I would just like to stay inside and knit woolly gloves, the red mittens are the ones for me. This book of knitting patterns was published in the 40's when it seems everything was hand knitted even the underwear, I love the end paper pattern.

let it snow

Christmas came early today and the whole of London and the the southeast was covered in a blanket of snow. It's the last day of term so out came the old sledge, fun and games for everyone! 

petunia's Christmas

I have always loved Petunia the silly goose created by Roger Duvoisin my favourite childrens's book illustrator from the 60's. Not so silly in her Christmas tale, Petunia rescues her beau Charles from the dreadful fate of becoming Christmas dinner. I have had these copies for years but more are always available on the fantastic abebooks website  where you can find almost any out of print book to purchase, dangerous!

last minute shopping

Well, I haven't actually started my shopping yet! But after the success of tea&make I am busy getting myself together for another sale on Saturday, where I am hoping I can also do some shopping myself. Its the Designer Maker sale run by Cassie English and there will be a fine selection of beautiful design and handmade products on sale.

more baubles

It's a good time to look in the charity shops for vintage Christmas decorations as 'people chuck out the chinz'. These beautiful painted glass baubles were £1.30 a box. My favourite is the pink stripy one, now all I need is the tree.

top tiles

One of the busiest stalls at tea&make was run by Barbara Ryan, she was selling seconds of her dad Rob Ryan's lovely ceramic tiles at Topps Tiles prices, all neatly wrapped up in newspaper parcels. I had to have one of each - who wouldn't?

Even better, she was selling issue 13 of her own tiny but brilliant screen printed magazine. Entertaining observations, drawings, tips and views from a 17 year old London girl. A big thumbs up from Lucy for the Top Shop piece, so true! Get your copy here.

 

roddy&ginger at the Christmas fete

In between trips around the UK doing university interviews with Lucy I found time to take roddy&ginger to the Tea&make Great British Christmas fete this weekend. Held locally in Honor Oak it was a very festive afternoon brilliantly organised by stylist Sally Curtis and artist Esther Yarnold. Loads of very creative stuff for sale and free workshops for lots of very cute kids, many of whom will be wearing roddy&ginger aprons after Christmas day!