for Olga and Otter

I love blogging.

I love the inspiration it gives me.

I love the fact that it gets me off the sofa and makes me do stuff.

And I love the fact that you can talk to people all over the world about a shared interest.

So, this is a little thank you to a couple of blogging friends who have followed, visited and commented often, and given me much needed guidance (thanks Olga).

One of my handmade cards for Olga@stardust-decorstyle.blogspot.com

And one for Otter@otterling.blogspot.com

Thanks ladies for all the lovely comments and the cards look nice on my

christmas tree card holder (lol).

I hope you both have a lovely Christmas and a Happy New Year xxx

And the same goes for anyone else reading this - best wishes to all of you.

xxxxxxxxxxxxx

I'm off to play at table display (just can't stop !)

inspiring bloggers

Seeing everyone else in blogland get on with their own homes, has really inspired me to get a move on with mine.

I have always had tons of ideas but occasionally now, I come across something that really makes me think outside of my own little box ! I've never been that much into salvage yards, but I definately need to visit some now because I totally love Holly's bedroom at downtoearthstyle.blogspot.com

It's the headboard that really inspires me - the window, the mirror, the shelf and the chipped and shabby frame. I want one !!!! I think I would like to do a whole wall of something like this, that goes behind my bedside tables as well.

The pictures could go side by side if I did a long wall of wood and then I may be able to incorporate the candle sconces into the frame.

The lamps need re-painting as they were once in my lounge. I also need to replace the shades as one is broken, although I do love the 'bobble fringe'. The bedside tables were given to me like this and seriously need a facelift.

What's more, the old geezer loves the idea too, so it's off to some salvage yards we go (after Christmas of course.)

The second blogger who really inspires me is Donna at funkyjunkinteriors.blogspot.com - someone whom I'm sure you all know and love. But the one project that really hit me is her white twig chandelier.

How great is this ? I just think it's amazing and replicating it is going to be hard, but I have a light fitting that I really detest (well it's actually not mine, it belongs to my old geezer !) and it is seriously in need of an overhaul.

I never took very good christmas mantle pictures because all I could see was this beast in the reflection. Well it'll definately go white and then I need to go find someone with some vines !

playing with displaying !

I can't stop fiddling around with 'stuff'.
I do seem to waste alot of time 'fluffing' and 'primping' when I should be getting on.

But today is a good day, I'm finishing off the kitchen (been in our tiny boiler cupboard painting it out), AND finishing off a little thrifty find, which means 'playing with displaying' !!!

I'd already bought two ikea rails- which at £1.49 each are bargains in themselves.

But the lovely white enamel colander I got in ikea won't fit here so I needed some thing else.

I found this at a charity shop for £3. It's perfect - not only does it have the hooks I need, but I now have another place on which to display stuff.

So three layers of white and a bit of distressing and I'm in love (ok slight exaggeration, but you know what I mean !!!!!!!!)

I just love it all on our white t&g.

The salt box I've had since I was a child, and came from Austria. I thought I might paint it white, but actually I think I'm just going to leave it.

The fish mould £3, mini pie pan 50p and glass plate 50p are all recent charity shop finds.

The pink and white striped jug was my mothers and the other things I've just shifted around from the other shelves I have.

So it's back to the boiler cupboard for me - hoping to show you my finished kitchen soon, although I didn't blog when we started it, eons ago, so there won't be much of a 'before'.

linking up with

christmas house tour 2011

I know some of you may have seen all of this before, but the projects I've

been working on today aren't ready, so I'm doing a little house tour !

I had fun trying out THREE mantles here but opted to go back to the original one because it ties in with the decor on the Christmas tree, and because I'm a sentimentalist. These little decs have been with me for ages and maybe they are too tacky or twee, but I love them !

I really liked my mantle with 'a little bit of bling', so I moved it onto the sideboard in the dining room.

 

I added this large cloche, that wouldn't have fitted on my mantle.

And also this storm lantern with shells, which is from our bedroom.

The hall.

My old wreath with a quick makeover ( Yes I know - the front door really needs painting !)

I did put up a little 'garland' in my kitchen yesterday.

One packet of ikea biscuits (I couldn't believe there was actually ten inside, for £1.00 !!!).

Some little ribbons and a bit of string !

The kitchen smells great ( my old geezer has already eaten the other packet I bought, as they smelled so good).

And finally - my favourite Santa, candles, a tea light holder and my grandmother's mini Christmas tree.

The garlands !?! Well I still have a few days yet, and also there is the dining table to do.

(I'm still hoping I'll have time to paint it first !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Here's wishing everyone who sees this a very Merry Christmas x

linking up with

theinspiredroom.net

and

www.thenester.com

a little bit of history (about a house and a sofa !)

I had to go back to my home town of Sevenoaks again, the last couple of days. Nothing to do with Christmas, but nice all the same.

Sevenoaks is a really pretty town with a famous old school and it's very own stately home - 

Knole House.

Knole House sits in a 1,000 acre deer park and was built in the 15th century. Henry VIII actually owned it at one time. In later years it belonged to the Sackville family and subsequently to the author Vita Sackville-West.

I used to go there a lot as a child, and did some sponsored walks with school there when I was a teenager. You see the deer everywhere, and I remember one, once trying to nibble my ear !

Today, when I was there it snowed, and the park looked amazing. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to take photos.

Knole House contains the prototype for a kind of sofa that is quite unusual. Apparently it was originally designed as a kind of formal throne. The sides are the same height as the back, and are adjustable, being held to the back by decorative cord, tied to finials.

On my way home I visited my old (and much spoken of ) friend Pandy to find that she had finally uncovered her KNOLE SOFA in time for Christmas.

It sits in her conservatory which is hardly used at the moment, so it's usually covered up !

Pandy has very traditional and classic taste - usually.

Take one Knole Sofa and cover it in something unexpected and -

Oh yes - a Knole sofa in leopard print velvet !

And the rest of  the conservatory with Christmas presents all ready.

And her own Christmas decorations.

The tree is in her drawing room, and the photos below are from her tv rom.

And a little picture of her downstairs cloakroom (powder room!).

So now I am back home again and hoping to stay - I have spent too many hours in the car this week. NINE hours on Tuesday (don't ask !!!) and then a few more hours over the last couple of days.

Hopefully, I can just get on with my own projects. Christmas card writing tonight !

I hope you are all enjoying yourselves and not stressing out too much !