kings, carols, and Lego - Christmas

 

Christmas whizzed past in a whirlwind of school performances, Christmas markets, rushed decorating and Lego building!
Christmas Eve we walked up to the Church in my parents village to the Crib Service.  This is my favourite part of Christmas.  Watching little children come up, dressed as parts of the Nativity as the story is told.  My boys dressed as Kings and Rufus was chosen to place one of the King figures into the crib.
Christmas Day was loud, as cousins played together.  Lego was the theme.  Dan spent the entire day building one Lego base or another - he was in heaven!
And before we know it - it's over for another year.
It was lovely - but somehow the magic just wasn't there for me this year.  I think all those markets before just sucked the life out of me.  Note to self - only do one next year!
Hope you had a wonderful break...

1. My parents tree
2. Charlie as King Caspar in his school performance of Hey Ewe
3. Rufus singing carols with his class in church
4. Charlie with our German Christmas Pyramid
5. Boys as Kings in the Crib Service on Christmas Eve
6. Lego in their Pyjamas - Charlie didn't change all day!
7. My parents table dressed for dinner
8. Cousins

x

Hey diddle diddle..

Christmas and a trip to the theatre go hand in hand.  As a family we always try to go.  To me, it is an important part of the Christmas magic.  This and maybe a sprinkling of snow!

A few weeks ago, in the heady excitement in the run to Christmas, I took the boys to see a spellbinding performance of Hey Diddle Diddle at the Bristol Old Vic theatre.  Written for younger audiences aged 3-6 years, the show is performed by just three actors - each one playing an instrument, acting and singing to bring the story to life. Popular nursery rhymes blended seamlessly to bring together a quite enchanting tale.

I thought Charlie would be a little too old for this style of performance, but he soon became swept along with the magic of each story, singing loudly to The Grand Old Duke of York and snarling to show his wolf like teeth!

Rufus' only words throughout was 'that's really cool' when the youngest child/actor climbed up into the fabric and hung from the ceiling as a spider.

As I no longer have toddlers, we don't seem to sing nursery rhymes much. I love to recall them and remember singing Twinkle Twinkle to my boys.  My favourite part of the play was the Owl and the Pussycat - I must get myself a fur coat!

Hey Diddle Diddle is on at the Bristol Old Vic until Jan 5th.
Do go along it is pure magic.
x

this is a gifted post.

Longleat to meet Father Christmas...

I had always thought that Longleat Safari Park was a place to visit in the summer, or at least in warmer times of the year.  But when I was kindly given tickets to visit by Moneysupermarket  to review as one of Britain's best days out... I jumped at the chance.

After looking through what was on over the Christmas period, my excitement grew.  A chance to ride a steam train to meet Father Christmas!  My two sons will flip with joy at the sight.

So just 3 days before Christmas... we set off early to Wiltshire.

As we arrived the sun just started to shine. The long road snaking down the hillside towards the big house, gave us sneaky views of golden lions on large gates, a giant Christmas Tree and an Ice Rink. We opted to experience the Safari before the Christmas delights at the Mansion House.  

We travelled up through woodland and came out to the top of the hillside.  Stretching down before us we could see small dots of animals. From the back seat there was squeals of 'I can see a Giraffe' or 'Is that a Rhino?', their excitement was infectious.  We started from the top, and after a quick loo stop, we drove through the enclosures of the Giraffes, Zebra's and Rhino's.  And then on to the Monkey enclosure.

Please excuse the high pitched squeals.  Yep - one of our family highlights!  The little blighters. You can opt out of the Monkey enclosure if you don't want to risk your aerial!

Then forward... into Big Cat territory.  Rufus, my youngest is a big cat fan.  He sleeps every night with his toy tiger 'Tigey' which he had on our first family visit to Longleat 3 years ago.  Tigey had come with this time to return to his homeland and say hi to his fellow Tigers.

We really didn't expect to see the Tigers so close.  I thought they would be lounging in their huts.. sleeping.  Happily, no.  They were prowling around, a huge beast crossed the road within metres of us.  It was breathtaking.  Paws the size of dinner plates.  At this point my boys were hushed in the awe of such a gorgeous creature.

We followed the road on into the lion's area.  When suddenly we came to a stop.  Two lionesses bounded across the road, quickly followed a by a line of tiny lion cubs. We all squealed with delight! Nine leaping, lion cubs (could be part of the 12 days of Christmas?).. snuffled, climbed and played amongst the trees.

The Safari was such a delight, much excitement and wonder.  It truly didn't disappoint. It really didn't matter that we were on a day out in December, the sun was bright, and most of the Safari was spent in the warmth of the car.

On to the house for a date with the man in red.  I had already bought tickets quite easily via the Longleat website, using their on-line booking system.  I had printed off the tickets at home, and advised them of the ages and names of my boys before they arrived to meet Father Christmas.  

We arrived at the train station in good time.  Everywhere was bedecked with garlands and baubles. Christmas music was playing.  We boarded the Santa Express, a small red steam train with beautiful bright yellow carriages. As the train set off, past the lake, we could see the Sea Lions jumping up around the paddle steamer.

Rounding the corner we gasped at the sight - a winter wonderland.  Snow!  As the train pulled into stop, we could see an avenue of fir trees and lanterns, marking the way through the snow covered woodland.  We jumped out of the carriage and ran up the path.  Past the Elves and on to the little wooden cabin at the end.  Hesitantly Rufus knocked on the snow covered door... it creaked open and a smiling elf stood there.

'What's your name?' she asked.  

'Rufus' he replied

'Well you better come in and meet him' she said.

We stepped through the door.  The warm glow of a real roaring fire lit up the faces of the elves and there sat beside the fireplace was Father Christmas in his long red coat and black boots.  Father Christmas asked the boys if they had been good, and said he knew they had done well at school and were kind to their friends.  He then gave them gifts with their names on, and wished us a very Merry Christmas.

It was truly magical.  Snow covered Lapland had come to Longleat.  He had even bought six of his reindeer too.  We waited by the steam train until all of the passengers had in turn seen Father Christmas.. when his last visitor had been, he walked down to the train to wave us all off.  A really lovely touch.

Back at the house, we visited the Jungle Kingdom and the Adventure Castle.  We feasted on mince pies and drank mulled wine.  Watched the ice skating and listened to the singing Christmas tree.

There really is so much to see at Christmas time in Longleat.  Next year I might book to see the Pantomime too.  

Thank you Tots 100 and Moneysupermarket for giving us such a magical family adventure.

x

merry christmas dear friends...

Wishing you all the most wonderful of Christmasses!
I am signing off now until sometime later...
To spend much needed time with my family, to play board games, build Lego creations, eat, drink, laugh and love much.
I am sure you are all looking forward to doing the very same.
Have a wonderful, wonderful holiday.
And thank you so much for your kind words and support you have given me, this blog and my work.. I am hugely grateful.
Off to wrap some more gifts.
Hugs!
x

Nature in the home - the Christmas Collection...

Image via here

Hello!
This weeks Nature in the home Christmas Collection comes from the pages of Cox and Cox.
Such a gorgeous shop... their festive range to me is just perfect.
In this image I love the wood and white.
The rough logs, branches and pine cones brings textures to the muted colour pallet.
Stars and a little deer and the Noel sign just give a little hint of the season.
Perfect.
x

trees of christmas past...

Just a little look back at the past 3 tree chopping excursions.
Look at Rufus.. he looks so diddy!
x

planning on what to do..

I've been looking back at last years decorations.
Thinking of where things will go and what I need to get.
These images above are from last year.
As you can see - my home last year was handmade decorations and full on colour!
This time last year we had just re-decorated the lounge after having the log burner installed - ah best thing ever!
This year I am thinking of paler hues of white, grey and a bit of gold shimmer.
We will see - I know I don't have long at all.
But I could still pull it off!
I can't wait
More of our Christmas past can be found over here.
Have a lovely weekend!
x

p.s Happy Birthday my love! Enjoy your Christmas works do.  (on his birthday, hahah!)

it's beginning...

Small changes are being made daily.  I can't go the full Christmas monty until after tomorrow... which frustrates my inner stylist!  grrr December birthdays!  But come this weekend, the tree will be up and I can go all out on decking the halls!

I have been full on this past month. Making and sending out my work to stockists, updating my shops, many trips to the Post Office.  I've also been involved in several Christmas Markets too.  The last of which is on Saturday, Made in Bristol Gift Fair at the Colston Hall.  (if you are local, please pop in and say hi).

There is still a few days left before the final cut off date for postal deliveries in the UK.  Sorry to my friends overseas, you've now missed the boat!  Head over to my shop for some Christmas gift inspiration.

This afternoon Charlie is in his Nativity play 'Hey Ewe'.  He has a speaking part and will be playing King Caspar, one of the three kings.  He gives the gift of Myrrh.  I shall try to take many photos to show you, between overwhelming sobs of joy (I always do!).

Have a wonderful day
x

Nature in the Home - the Christmas Collection...

Image via here

Hello!
Today's Christmas collection is from the lovely blog La Maison d anna g.
Her advent candles have been simply styled with white washed fir cones.
We have plenty of these around the home - my boys love to collect them throughout the year.  I love the way the candles and the cones are nestled in a star shaped cake tin.
Simple and effective.
Love!
x

choosing our Christmas Tree... at the farm

My favourite part of Christmas is choosing our tree.  We have been going to a small farm, close to my parents home for the past 10 years.  Each time Dan and I reminisce on past years.  Of us as a new couple chopping down our first tree when we moved in together, to coming when I was pregnant, the following year coming with Charlie nearly one and then the year after with baby Rufus - and the many years after as a family  til we reach here and now.

I LOVE this holiday ritual... it is and always will be my favourite Christmas thing to do.

Sadly this will be the last year of this family tradition... the farm owner is stopping selling trees after this year. He is an old guy and it's getting too much for him.

We shall have to find somewhere new.

See our past Christmas tree expeditions over here (2010) and here (2011).
x

Nature in the home - the Christmas Collection

image from here

Hello!

Today's Nature in the Home is part two of my Christmas Collection.

It comes from the quite stunning and oh so stylish blog of An Magritte.  An Magritte lives in Norway with her family and her blog is a mix of uber stylish interiors, and great photography.  I LOVE her home.  Wish I could move in.

I think her place really comes to life around Christmas.  Her simple Nordic decorations are perfect, she just get's it right every time!

The image above is case in point.  An has simply teamed together a couple of copper stars, a branch off a fir tree, antlers artfully placed on the sill and pheasant plumes in the jar and the Pia Wallen rug on the bench gives us a hint of coldness beyond the window.- a Christmasy/Wintery scene that doesn't scream CHRISTMAS.  

Quiet and understated - simply gorgeous. 

x

weekend & winner...

Image via here

Hello!

How are you all doing?  Did you have a wonderful weekend?

Advent has started... and my boys have enjoyed opening the first 2 little packages on their calendar.  Although Rufus was a little miffed that the first one was a reading book and not chocolate!  But he soon got over it.

This weekend I took part in Magpies and I market in the Spiegel tent here in Bristol.  Wow, it was enormous fun.  Selling all my goodies to happy Christmasy people.  Great food, mulled cider and music.  We (Melanie and I) are back there again next Saturday, we cannot wait!  I will show you photos tomorrow.

But the main reason I am here is to announce the winner of my bumper Christmas Giveaway. Gosh such a popular giveaway - 1924 entries!  Can you believe it?!  But the prize is such goodun no wonder there was so many of you who wanted it!

So.... who won?

Lisa from Matildeheartmanech

Well done Lisa!

Thank you to everyone who has entered and THANK YOU to my friends for donating their lovely work to make this giveaway such a fantastic one!

To mark the end of the giveaway I would love to offer everyone who entered 20% off in my shop!  With the code BUMPER20 ;)

I am thinking of doing a seasonal giveaway every couple of months.  Look out for the next bumper giveaway marking Spring!  If you would like to donate something - please contact me!

x

advent...

Tomorrow is the start of advent - hurrah!
For my two boys it couldn't come sooner.  The count down of days until Christmas Day.   Rufus started asking me in mid-November, 'how many days now Mummy?'  And who can blame him?  It's exciting, no?

This year I decided to make my own advent calendar - little packages of excitement to open every morning.  I've had so much fun doing it, thinking of cheap and different things for each day.

Here's how I did it:

First I thought up what would come on each day... on some days there is a definite activity/surprise happening. So I wrapped up something that would signify it.

My list is as follows:

1. Something to read (new small book)
2 Chocolate Coin
3. Tattoo
4. Chocolate Coin
5. Dinosaur glider
6. Lion & Wolf (going to Longleat to see Father Christmas and the Animals)
7. Picture of a Cat & a Fiddle (going to the Theatre to see Hey Diddle Diddle)
8. Chocolate Coin
9. Christmas Cards (the boys can write them to their friends at school)
10. Tattoo
11. Chocolate Coin
12. Lego Mini Figure
13. Lego Tree (choosing and cutting down our Christmas Tree)
14. Lego Mini Figure
15. A sheet of tracing paper (to make snowflakes for the window)
16. Train tickets (going to Bath on the train with Grandparents to the Panto)
17. A bauble to go on the tree
18. Popcorn (watch the Polar Express)
19. Badge
20: Tea Light (to make Solstice Lanterns)
21. Marshmallow (Hot chocolate after school in a cafe - end of term!)
22. Addressed envelope to the North Pole (write a letter to the big man)
23. Star shaped cutter (to make biscuits)
24. A jewel (to make a crown for Nativity at the church)

So.. as you can see lots of trips and activities.  Of course there is chocolate and chocolate coins are sooo Christmas aren't they?  And Lego - there HAS to be Lego in this house.  I have had so much fun - I love this time of year.

I used a mix of brown paper and red & white striped paper from Ikea.  Tied them to a Silver Birch branch with bakers twine and hung it from our fireplace.  (The branch we found in the park, blown down in the recent storms).

You will notice not all the days are up there, I didn't want it to seem too cluttered, so I will be adding to it as the weeks go by.

I love the finished result.
Hope you can have a go too.
x

Nature in the home - a series...

image via here

Hello!
This weeks Nature in the Home is the start of my Christmas collection.
Only 4 weeks til the big day and I am starting to think about decorations and bringing greenery into my little space.
Little is the word.  My home is tiny, so whatever I can squeeze in has to do the job without over powering everything else.  I still need to get into the kitchen without having a HUGE tree blocking the way! (a much heated debate in our home!).
I love this simple idea, above.  A gorgeous vintage Christmas cake tin, with a branch from the Christmas tree.  Moss and walnuts for decoration.  And to complete the look, one simple candle.
Simple.
Beautiful.
(Christmas pig?)
x

Christmas Giveaway...

Hi there!  Yes lovely people, it is almost that time... Christmas is nearly upon us.

Another year is nearly over too.. and what a year it has been.

Littlegreenshed has grown so much and I am hugely grateful to the love and support that this wonderful world of blogging has given me... thank you, you are most loved!

During these past few years I have 'met' so many inspiring and creative people.  These wonderful people have supported and encouraged me during my first tentative footsteps in launching my shop.  They know who they are!

So... as a thanks to you and them, I am so happy to bring you this little festive giveaway.

I have asked some of my incredibly creative friends to contribute - and what a giveaway it has become!  I am soooo excited!

One winner will win the following:

1. Flora of Through the Round Window has generously donated the following:  The Angel stained glass decoration.  Flora is also throwing in a Chevron Leaf tote, a Chevron Leaf mug and a few of her cards too.

2.  Amy of Robin and Mould has kindly donated one of her Fox Cushions.

3.  Francesca of Mrs Eliot Books has offered the winner a choice of any of her A4 or A3 prints from her shop.

4.  Cable and Cotton are kindly giving away a set of their Glow lights - perfect for the Christmas season.

5  Laetitia of Mamzelle Titoo has donated a Lord Cloud & Lady Sweet plate.

6.  Me!  I would like to give away the winner any A4 or A3 print of their choice, from my shop.

7.  Charmaine of Little Nest Box has kindly donated a Happy Day Garland - happiness in every flag!

8. Nell of On the First Day of Marriage is generously giving the winner a Pink Hair Bow from her shop Happy Circus.

9. Kerry of The SeventyTree is also kindly giving the winner a choice of A4 or A3 print from her shop.

10.  Melanie of Melanie Wickham Lino Prints is kindly donating a Tea Towel of your choice from her shop.

Soo ALL of these wonderful gorgeous items are for ONE winner.  Yep of YOU could win the whole lot.  

To enter please fill in the following form... giveaway ends on Saturday 1st December at 8.00am GMT.  Offer is open to Worldwide!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to my lovely friends for kindly donating these items, I am muchly grateful!  You all rock! xxx

Good Luck guys!

x

The Original Pop-Up Shop...

Okay - so it's only 5 weeks til the big day.. have you started shopping yet?  I did, today.  Just a few little bits for an advent calendar I am thinking of. It is so exciting!

Tell me, when do you start on your decorations?  On Instagram recently, I have noticed a lot of people have started to bring some glitz and shimmer into their home already.  Have you?  I can't wait, but as a rule I have to wait until the 14th December in our home... (this is Dan's birthday) so on the 15th our house gets glitzed!

I've recently discovered this wonderful shop - The Original Pop-Up Shop.  Starting three years ago, using the old Ice Cream Parlour next to their home, for the 6 week run up to Christmas it transforms into a Christmas pop up shop - selling the best of decorations, wreathes and all things interiors for Christmas.  Last year it launched an on-line shop too, so we can shop there.  (The real life shop is in Newark, Nottinghamshire, UK).

I love those little baking tin candle holders... and this year I WILL finish my felt ball wreath I started last year, this one is stunning!. Yep... I might have to have a white paper snowflake or two, too!  Do go and check it out - it has some lovely stuff.

How do you decorate for Christmas - do you have a style?

x