Thank you Lola Nova - such a treat.

In November I was lucky enough to win a wonderful flirty fabric wallet created by Alexandra Smith, you may know Alexandra's creations as Lola Nova, wonderful designs from vintage fabrics. I absolutely adore the fabrics chosen for the wallet, I love the contrast and bold colours of the roses, working alongside pink pinstripe and delicate flowers, complete with green fabric, I  imagine it as the grass they bloom amongst. 

A total "wow" moment, I couldn't believe I had won, truly really made my day, along with the amusing and novel way the winners had been chosen, imagine firing a pencil, hitting the numbered target to select the winners.

Our love of winter became our entry on Lola Nova - What Ever Lola Wants blog - I wrote:

# 39 is Jamboree of Whitley Bay who said : "Winter, for all it brings the cold and dark nights, I love to think something magical is waiting to happen. The first snowfall, the hope of an adventure with James and the Snowman. Christmas, a time with family and reminiscing about childhood, reading a good book all snuggly inside and sipping hot chocy."

 The lyrics from "The Sounds of Music" are spot on 

it was a true treat just to unwrap the package adorned with Russian doll motifs this morning, not to mention the lovely discovery of a bauble inspired decoration to, thank you so much Alexandra for such a wonderful treat.

If your a reader of Mollie Makes you may remember the Lola Nova wallet tutorial and the pretty rosy wallet featured in Issue 5 to. 

I'm really looking forward to starting the free projects that came with each issue of Mollie Makes, and being inspired by tutorials inside. Time to indulge, relax in a total craft overload and nibbling chocie's over the festive period.

Do you love Mollie Makes to? be sure to check it out, a new copy out is out, and be sure to visit Lola Nova.

H

x

Even old baubles...

Glass, glitzy, kind of kitschy, hand made, stuck together from your school days,

rustic, vintage, shabby chic and stylish. Inspiration is the key to decorating your Christmas tree.

What has been your inspiration this year?

♫ ♪ O Kitschmas tree! O Kitschmas tree!

Today officially felt festive, transported back in time to being a kid with "The Never Ending Story" on ITV and pretty much glued to the films that followed, preparations for Sunday giving the living room a blitz, tidying crafty goodies and such. Even time to nibble a festive biccy or two and edit snaps of our Christmas tree.

To say we didn't love kitsch and vintage decorations would be a fib. Collected throughout the years and the introduction of new goodies the tree seems to take on a life of it's own, full of characters and creatures. I didn't realise just how many snowmen and angels guarded the tree. 

I think this year I bought one of the kitschest decorations I've bought in a long time, in memory of our Yorkshire Terriers to. Fluff and beaded detailing for the dress I couldn't resist the glass Yorkie decoration from Fenwicks, I really loved a juke box decoration to, but was finally tempted by a glass toadstool. I was surprised the Yorkie was about £3.95 - £4.95 I think, later discovering it was £6.95 in Paperchase.

Discovered last year: Two part Russian doll dec's from Accessorize, along with house dec from B&Q & gingerbread man from Pound Stretcher.

One of our oldest decorations from when I was a child, the angel I believe is meant to hold a candle, can't quite believe candles were used to decorate trees in Victorian times - match anyone?. 

Glass baubles: remind me of Christmases gone by to, although the amount of our vintage glass baubles have dwindled over the years, adore the vibrant colours and shapes.

Snuck Hello Kitty chocolate baubles on the tree to - they have all been counted and their will be daily investigations of said baubles for anyone tempted for a nibble - you know who you are! ;)

Each year I love to create decorations for the shop, but always forget to keep a few for our tree, this year this little owl flew into our collection. 

A reindeer and his hoodie, thankfully without a ban from shopping centres. And it wouldn't be Christmas without the nativity.

Another oldie from my childhood, now we know what Santa does after Christmas day - Play tennis, I bet Rudolf cheats ;)

Gingerbread folk always tempt me, I don't know why, maybe it's the total sweetness both nibbled and decorative :) the gingerbread house was a lovely edition from a dear friend, I thought it would look cute paired up. 

A close favourite of the festive season has to be "The Snowman" I have to confess I have been know to fly the mini snowman around the room whilst singing "Walking in the air"...and moving on lol. The larger snowman I rescued from a car boot, in need for some TLC of the bath variety he came up practically like new for a bargain of 50 pence I think it was.

You'll have to excuse the mess, quick snap the other night when the tree was finally up. Decided to fiddle with the camera settings, I think the second pic looks more like viewing the tree after a tipple.

These pic's I have called contemporary Christmas tree aka more camera fiddling trickery.

Throughout the bay I have found treats for the family, but just in case they are spying, other treats discovered recently further a field are two lovely tins discovered in TKMaxx. The temptation of the gingerbread striked again - snapped up for £5.99 with chocolate chip cookies inside. 

The stocking I discovered at Boundary Mills, although it was a pound our two cheaper in Fenwicks, but I had already bought it. The two sweet houses were a charity shop discovery, the pair for £1.50. I had hoped to use them for the shop as display, but they have came in useful for decoration at home. 

What is your Christmas tree theme this year? maybe a different colour scheme each year, or treasurer of decorations collected over the years to. We love hearing your festive traditions.

If you didn't know already we have entered The Best Dressed Window competition as part of a North Tyneside project for local businesses.
That's not only, their is also a chance to WIN a pair of tickets for one lucky winner for a performance of your choice at the Whitley Bay Playhouse. 

I thoroughly enjoyed creating the displays for the Christmas window, I think my favourite is Daisy the mouse, she was such fun to create along with Gingerbread Elvis and his fans.

If you would like to have a peek at our window pics - take a peek here. Any votes are truly appreciated - good luck & thank you.
It's lovely to see Whitley Bay decorated, shop windows and street decorations, I especially love the trees decorated of St. Paul's, I keep meaning to take photos each year, but I never get the chance. 
Well just in case this is our last blog post of the festive season - we would like to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy new year.

Thank you for your custom in 2011 - here's to 2012.

H

x

Thinking outside of the tin ~*New blog post*~

This year our theme for our Christmas window has been inspired by a love of vintage, but more notably Mrs Claus's kitchen. 

From Santa's cat a sleep on a chair, a naughty mouse painting on the naughty or nice list, to gingerbread Elvis whipping up a frenzy between the gingerbread gals. I couldn't quite find a vintage tin for Elvis's stage, so after last years nibbling of celebrations sweeties in store the tin came in handy.

I had some sparkly checked Christmas scrap booking paper/card I had been hoarding just right for adding some sparkle. Drawing around the lid onto scrap booking paper, wrapping paper could also be used, to continue the vintage theme. I left the edge of the tin exposed, but sticky backed ribbon would look sweet, or simply tie ribbon around as we did.

To fix the paper I used double sided tape, fixing the over lapped endings securely using glue stick.

And then your ready to rock and roll!

Lovely to store baked treats, fill with lots of mini present treats, or keepsake tin for Christmas photos etc.

How would you decorate your tin?

Peg folk packs ~*Give Away*~

Wow, seems many moons ago that I posted a blog. Well, with this catch up I have the help of sweet peg folk helping me along the way to create a give away. One pack is up for grabs for 3 lovely winners, all you have to do is pop a comment on our blog, facebook or twitter, more the merrier for a chance to win. Please state if you would like a boy or girl pack. Packs may vary from contents shown. Open for UK entrants.
Perfect stocking fillers, or for crafty fans, I love to create the packs and equally love to create peg folk, hope you will to :D.
Give away ends Saturday 10th of December - winners will be announced on Sunday 11th.


Good luck x 

{Inspired - Christmas} New blog post

For the past few months I have been moon lighting as an elf, burning the midnight oil creating Christmas decorations for the shop and leaving trails of glitter and painty finger prints - oops ;). 
Theirs nothing we love more then vintage & kitschy Christmas decorations and graphics, notably a big influence upon our Christmas range. I really do hope you will love it, I'm still undecided about a batch of felt birds I have created, very kitschy - maybe I can post and you can tell me what you think?. 
Rustled up the above montage, proving hard not to get carried away with so many wonderfully influencing, inspirational and generally adored vintage and kitschy ideas whirling around. 


Which is your favourite inspiration for Christmas? Shabby chic, vintage, kitsch, retro, traditional or contemporary? 


I was hoping to introduce our Christmas goodies this week, but realistically it will be next week pinkies crossed - shall keep you posted.


H
x

Under the sea... ~*New blog post*~

Today's post is inspired by fishy tails - mermaids to be exact.

One of my favourite paintings is by John William Waterhouse: A Mermaid - 1901.

John William Waterhouse (1849-1917)

Born in Rome, moved to England with his parents in the late 1850's.

Although often classified as a Pre-Raphaelite for his style and themes, Waterhouse is truly a Neo-Classic painter.

(Image source)

I think out of any profession, an object or being - I always wanted to be a mermaid as a kid, a fascination with these finned females, the possibilities of Selkies/Silikies - in the form of a seal that can shed it's skin to transform into a human. But, in reality, would you really want to smell like the ocean, have ratty hair, tortured by pollution, destined to only swim?. Like it would happen, I know...

Back to fantasy...

Christmas 2010, I was inspired to create a nautical themed Christmas window - Now, the challenge how to make a mermaid?. The poor gal ended up with a short-ish tail, but all in all I was happy with how she turned out, a real learning curve on how to construct such a large model. What I really loved, adding the finishing touches, strands of pearls, her crown of shells and jewels, a real crafting treat after the late nights of creation.

She keeps watch from the top of one of our display units in the shop now, accompanied by Sammy the seal, for now the ocean is all but a dream... For a peek at how the Christmas window was created - Link And sorry for mentioning Christmas in July ;) - oops said it again.

Moving along swimmingly...

This is the little lady that probably contributed to a love of Mermaids - Ariel/The Little Mermaid - Hans Christen Anderson. 

I loved the fact that Disney had added the extra characteristics that Ariel was a collector.

I still have my Ladybird book from my childhood, the real Hans Christen Anderson tale. Beautifully illustrated, for such a sad tale. (Image source)

Love this vintage mermaid postcard

(Image source)

Are their any fellow mermaid fans out there?

I'll never forget the Christmas.... :New Blog post: #fb

I'll never forget the Christmas I went flying with James, and The Snowman....


Ok, so maybe I dreamed it ?, or maybe just got incredibly hot jumping on and off the sofa, trying to imitate flight lol. 
Some books and films stay with you for the rest of your life, and undoubtedly the perfect time of year to snuggle up with family to watch a movie or read a classic story is Christmas.
I always find it hard to narrow down thoughts for a list:- so here goes, in know particular order.

• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Where is it always winter, turkish delight it's always so delightful, and if your lucky you will get to meet a host of fine creatures, and the jolly man himself - Father Chrisatmas. When C.S Lewis wrote Father Christmas into the book, he did come under some critisim when he shared this information with his reading group, by a certain J. R. R. Tolkien. I loved the BBC TV Series as a kid, and think it's a misfortune that the BBC has not continued the the tradition of a Christmas mini series on the build up to Christmas. Did you watch the series to? I love the film adaptation, although the TV series has a homely, quaint approach, not just from lack of major block buster effects, but it contributes a more realistic ambience of 1940's England. I will be snuggled up on Christmas Eve to watch the film, followed by Prince Caspian on Boxing day. Hopefully see The Voyage of the Dawn Treader soon. And if I'm honest I'd be off to Narnia in a flash.

Does anyone remember another Christmas mini series by the BBC, not Christmas themed I don't think, but the story involved two sisters, the oldest being rebellious, whilst under the guardianship of a sinister uncle I think it was, in an old spooky house?. Probably late 80's.

The Snowman: One Christmas James, a small boy builds a snowman, but he's not your regular pile of snow. The film reflects the lives of both characters in this beautiful, timeless tale. Published in 1978, and later developed into the classic animation in 1982, which was broad casted on Channel four. I'd love to have seen it that very first broad cast. I know I'll be watching this Christmas Eve, hopefully make it home in time. I've often wondered what if James made another snowman, or maybe he was just satisfied with such an incredible adventure. I've loved playing the story and score in the shop, and who can forget "I'm walking in the Air" song, who's ready for a sing song? 123....I'm walking in the air.....

It's a Wonderful Life: I bought this for my Grandma one Christmas, and I'm sad to say it's one of those films you turn over the TV and it's half way through, you know you have missed a great film. Filmed in 1946, the film depicts the life of George Bailey, played by James Stewart, who contemplates suicide on Christmas Eve, but it intervened by an guardian angel named Clarence, who shows George of all the lives he has touched, and his accomplishments with the community. From what I've seen you can't beat classics, I think it was in Asda they were selling the DVD - now with colour tint, is that sacrilege? Still love a good ole black and white film. I'll be watching it this Christmas. This film also popped into my head, and we have some lovely motto table sitter decorations, and one just happens to be - It's a wonderful life - £5-95 each.

• Santa Claus the Movie: I remember one Christmas this wasn't shown, and to be honest, I was gutted. Oozing 80's and a smidgen of cheese, but that's why I love it. And to be fair, if you admit it, I will, that we'd love Santa to create our very own Elf Portrait. Staring Dudley Moore as Patch, Santa's head elf, things go drastically wrong as the modern world sets to influence the traditions of a classic Christmas.

• Elf: Will Ferrell must of had the time of his life playing Buddy. Released in 2003, and to be honest it wasn't until last year that I actually saw this. I bought the dvd, maybe it's just me, but it's not the same as watching films from the Christmas TV schedule? random I know ;) It's hard to choose a favourite part, though the chewing gum scene sticks in my mind for the wrong reasons - you have to watch it, or best maybe not. Curious? you should be ;)

Which are your favourite Christmas tales or movies?