just remember...

'...you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think...'
AA Milne

it's too early...

HOWEVER! I, myself, like any female (huge generalisation coming up but stick with me) LOVE Valentines day! And even though I have not shared my New Years Resolutions (in capitals, yes indeed) with you yet, I would quite like to share this lovely little album from the delightful Kikki K range. Lurvely. I'm still dreaming of the day I get flowers on Valentines, and with a husband I think my chances have gone up somewhat (let's not get too cocky though), but how sweet would it be to receive this album filled with some favourite memories!? Answer? Very. And now, since you asked, I shall share my New Years Resolutions (in capitals)...

* Lose weight (ha! you say, but this year I'm like, serious).
* Read the Bible in a year...so far I've already a little catching up to do, but never say never!
* Be more organised, relax more, freak out less. It's a new one, but what with a few stressful situations last year (almost all the biggies, really), I feel this year, at least the first few months, I will allow to be calm. And to be more calm, I shall be more organised. I give this one 2 weeks.
*Write more letters. I live far away from home, and there's nothing better than seeing Mr Postman toodle down our driveway...especially when it's a parcel!

I think that's it. Apart from the secret ones. Which are really the most interesting ones aren't they?! Nothing like a good bit of suspense...
I hope you've had a wonderful Christmas and a lovely New Years, and are wriggling in your seat* with excitement in regards to what 2012 might bring!

*Figuratively speaking...
Album available from all Kikki K store, image from Kikki K

'..A thrill of hope, the weary soul rejoices, For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn...' - O Holy Night
'..The hopes and fears of all the years, Are met in thee tonight...' - O Little Town of Bethlehem
Two of my favourite lines from two of my favourite carols! Merry Christmas to you all, I hope it's everything you hope for, and I pray you find the real meaning of Christmas this year. Love xx

image via Christmas is Happening

a wee bit 'o inspiration...

Although Jamie has been the perfect chef to steal recipes from for my Christmas Eve dinner feast (excitement levels are high!), nothing beats Donna (totally on a first name basis) for the styling. And seeing as how I have zilcho cloth-ery nor napkin-ery, I shall have to be creative! Which is lucky for me, as working in a flower shop I have access to loads of lovely big Blue Spruce branches (garlands), shiny berried holly (spread about the place in clusters of little glasses), a beautiful deep red Poinsettia sitting merrily on my kitchen table, and a teensy bunch of lovely mistletoe! Delightful! And as I work in a little crafty store as well, I have access to metres of lovely thick calico (tablecloth!), which will be covered with lots of brightly burning candles and a Christmas feast to delight the peepers and the tummy...brilliant!

The turkey has been ordered (I have my turkey reference number (!) in a safe place), the cranberry sauce recipe found, the big red bow tied onto the wreath, and the Christmas cake rested and tested (yummo!). Tonight we're of to the Christmas markets in Edinburgh to sample the delectable Christmas delights on offer, and try our tootsies with some skating. Then there's some more rocky road to be made, some fingers to be crossed for some snow fall (unlikely), and some final presents to be wrapped.

And I do believe tonight...there shall be mulled wine x

images via Donna Hay

looky here...

Sometimes I see things (stationery, flowers, books, socks...) that I MUST have! Unfortunately I am rather penniless right now, but these prints almost jumped of the wall into my hands (literally) and said 'take meeee!'. Found whilst wandering about the Christmas heaven that was the Country Living Fair, Chase and Wonder are spectacularly talented and lovely to boot, AND have a special deal on at the moment on their blog.

Why not pop over and order some lovely Christmas presies from these clever folks! And if you're not sure who to get one for, send one to me! I'll be forever grateful x

pics via Chase and Wonder

holiday snaps...

Myself and the husband shopping*.

*HA! If we tried this little manouver (even without the thick layer of ice inducing graceless falls at every turn), twould end with blood, let's just leave it at that. Actually 'tis from the Neiman Marcus Holiday Book. Obviously.

ps - only 9 days! x

gifts-a-plenty...

It has been 2 months since I've had the luxury of internet at home, and miracles of miracles, today we were connected to the outside world! *sigh of relief* And as I am currently in my sick bed being waited on hand and foot (almost), I thought I would get cracking on sharing the lovely bits and bobs I came across at the Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow. First up in this list of gorgeous Christmas ideas is the beautiful site Papa Stour. Selling a delightful range of the most beautiful Scottish gifts (I get points for this, surely), why not pop over, have a wee look-see and see what you can find! It's full of things I WISH I could make but most definitely can not. Enjoy!

all images via Papa Stour

the best kind of fair...

Oh yes indeedy...the BEST kind of fair! The Country Living Christmas Fair in Glasgow! And my wordy, it cheered me greatly. Meeting the loveliest of people, being ginormously inspired, and being in the presence of the largest cinnamon and orange wreath I may have ever seen (a party for the nose), twas most definitely a good day out. Nothing like Christmas trees on every corner, and the most beautiful ceramic decorations I have ever seen! If they hadn't been so delicate the Australian contingent would have had one in every letterbox. Get prepared to meet some of theses crafty folks soon, I have a feeling we'll be in touch!
xx

happy birthday eve!

It's that time of year again my friends! And while I have always been a birthday FIEND (the good kind), this year is a little bit out of my ordinary. BUT! Instead of being the teensiest bit glum that so many of my loved ones are so far away, including the sun, I shall instead be looking excitedly at what this new year may bring, with some humming of a merry tune for good measure. A few ideas, as I do like to share, include a trip back to the land of warmth and beaches, spring time gardening (maybe even a warm summer!), and let's not forget Christmas, of which I am an even bigger fiend! Snow, holly and bright red scarves are just around the corner!

And so as the cake goes in the oven, I shall say cheerio! I'm of to finish sewing the wings on my latest birdy creation, whom shall for now be referred to as 'birdy'. Suggestions most welcome!

lurvely...

Discovered - the delightful Cecilia Fox. Go here, and here. You won't regret it and I promise you will be inspired! Think orchid plants hanging from the ceiling, vegetables as flowers (mulberries!) and the most gorgeous masses of poppies and roses...OH the poppies and roses! I do miss those masses...x

discovery...

Why hello! This past weekend I was lucky enough to go on a road trip to the very beautiful Wales, it's stunning! Whilst playing the tourist I came across the most incredible postcards I may have ever seen..ever! I hear you, big call there Nicola. But after being in London a few weeks back and choosing between Will and Kate or Will and Kate, these were just GORGEOUS! I even bought myself a set. Lucky duck. Pop over the the superbly talented Valeriane Leblond's website, look at the beautiful art there and tell me, TELL me they don't make you feel like you could right at this instant be wandering through a mossy green field surrounded by rolling mountains covered in fluffy white sheep and cottages snuggled into the crevices with a brisk breeze rushing around you and making your cheeks rosy red!

Genius!

where ARE you?!

Excellent question! I am HERE! I have moved house into a lovely little cottage, complete with cosy bay windows overlooking beautiful bare trees waving about in the Autumn gusts, I have finished up my previous job-let, and have opened this delightful little store 'Create' with my friend Lesley. Currently listening to Madeleine Peyroux and sipping on some green tea, after the madness of the past few weeks, this feels very nice. If you're local, pop by, I'd love to meet you and say hello! Apologies once again for lack of blogging (do they have an award for worst blogger ever?), having moved we are internet-less for another few weeks, and I refuse to let it send me absolutely nutso! So until I'm once more able to get online from the comfort of my own very comfortable cottage, I shall get back to stitching, sewing and creating!

xx

paper lovelies...

It is slowly but surely coming to my attention that Christmas is just around the corner...and I am EXCITED! Being a newly married and first-timer-out-of-home, I need decorations, stat! And whilst I have with me my treasures collected over the years, there a a few things that my crafty self may need to get cracking on. Stockings (a Christmas necessity), a suitably festive advent calendar and very importantly, a lovely wreath! Now, while I'm getting tres excited about the idea of holly, red berries and a dusting of snow, I have decided an indoor wreath might look quite festive as well! I'll let you know how the holly goes, quite spikey I fear...

And thrown in just for fun, the most beautiful quilling I have ever seen, most likely due to the fact it is Hermes quilling, and therefore super duper awesome. Created by the magnificent Yulia Brodskaya, it would appear quilling is back. If only Hermes had asked me when I was 9...

ps - the all white one? Made from cupcake wrappers! Genius!

Lovely crafty bits and bobs, from the top, Martha Stewart, papercrave.com, elizabethannedesigns.com, hermes.com

ahoy!

Hello there! Once again, I need to apologise for my tardiness with posting...there has just been too much excitement, and two extremely special visitors from my sunny homeland! My attention has been on many cuddles and smiles with my new baby niece (who just by the by, is the cutest baby in the world. The WORLD!), and lots of catching up with my sister dear. There has also been the excitement of moving myself into a lovely little shop front! 'Tis all very new, and shall take a few weeks to shiny up and fill with delightful things, but we do have the smallest of selections in our pretty little etsy store, so do pop by and say hello! We're also moving next weekend into the loveliest of lovely cottages just down the street...featuring a second bedroom, a laundry (my word how I've changed), a beautiful spot to sit outside, and a bath tub! SO! Whilst I'm creating many a lovely thingamabob for our lovely new store, packing bags and scrubbing down the walls, cleaning away the sweetest baby paraphernalia and learning what cold really is (crikey), I'll be keeping you up to date! AND letting you in on some new lovely creations I've discovered over here..exciting!

Some important information!
There is snow on the hills and many ice-y toes in my shoes.
Christmas is only 77 days away.
AND! Babies in the bath tub are veery slippery. Yes indeedy.

I hope wherever you are you are warm and feeling inspired! x

pic via weheartit

inspiration!

Hello my lovelies! As we all know, inspiration is super important (like air, you might say. Although that would be a touch dramatic...) and can be found anywhere from a shiny new magazine to a field of bright blue cornflowers to fashion to anything that takes your hearts desires! And! Because over here in the Queen's country where my hot water bottle is my new best friend we do like to share, here is my latest love. The lovely Kajsa Wikman from Finland has created this whimsical book filled with gorgeous crafty little bits and pieces to make. Check out her blog for even more lovely ideas, and if you're adventurous, think of all the lovely handmade Christmas decorations that could be hanging merrily on your tree in three months!

xx