Monday 19 December 2016

Merry Christmas

 It is almost here.....the sleigh bells will soon be jingling and we have been busy with all our christmas preparations over the past week............baking, shopping, wrapping, card writing, stitching, knitting and hurrying to finish off work deadlines............here are a few pictures taken around our house this week..........
 ................this is a lovely maileg pixie girl who is keeping me company in the studio while i finish drawing templates and writing up a project............
 ...............below are the sugar mice, back again in their little maileg pram.............
 .............the things i make for my books and magazine work are things i would like in my house too, like this tumbler patchwork pillow.............
 ................i made some cute little festive flower arrangements in a variety of glass jars......
 ...............they have to be placed well out of molly our little dog's reach though.......she thinks the berries are yummy...........
 .................a seasonal sampler from one of my earlier books......this is all hearts come home for christmas from my home sweet home cross stitch book..............
 ..............we have quite a collection of vintage postcards........i love the spidery writing......
 .............we have bundles of very old letters too.......i decided to use them in my christmas decorating this year, dotted here and there...........
 ..................i love little houses like this one........it lights up which is sweet.....the lights also flash on and off rather rapidly but that is not the setting we prefer ;)
 ...............here is my advent calendar.....there are tiny chocolate figures in the little drawers for my grandchildren to discover whenever they visit..............
 ..........later this week i will be minding my two oldest grandchildren for a few hours and we will be doing some cookie decorating and christmas crafting together............
 .............my publishers recently entered modern vintage gifts into the homemaker magazine book awards and the title came runner up in the best patchwork and quilting book category.......this was such a lovely surprise and i was very happy to hear the news last week......
.............thank you for visiting me here dear readers, and for all your visits and sweet comments this year..........thank you for dropping by to share my crafty life, and to all those who buy my books, patterns and the magazines that feature my work.......your support means such a lot to me...........thank you all...........i will be taking a little blog break next week to spend time relaxing with my sweet family so now i would like to send you all my warmest wishes for a very merry, happy and peaceful christmas..............with much love to you all........xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

41 comments:

Unknown said...

Your home is beautiful for the holidays. Enjoy time with your grandchildren this week and celebrating Christmas with all your family. Thanks for sharing the beautiful things you make. Have a very Merry Christmas!

Mary

Jenn M said...

Your home looks so festive and fresh for the holidays: I hope you have a wonderful one.
Looking forward to seeing you again in the new year!

Jenn

Jacky H said...

Thank you for showing us around your festive home , it's so pretty.
Congratulations again on your award what a nice surprise for this time of year. It's one of my go to books it sit on my coffee table. Also thanks for all the inspiration you give though your blog. Have a lovely time with your family especially your grandchildren.
Happy Christmas Helen

greenrabbitdesigns said...

Your home is beautifully decorated Helen and so very you, if I had just been shown the images I would have known immediately it was you. :) I love all the pretty little touches of letters and jars of holly.
Many congratulations on your book success, well deserved indeed.
Wishing you and your family a very, very happy Christmas, enjoy those little ones and thank you for so much gorgeous inspiration this year!!
Love,
V xxx

KC'sCourt! said...

Pretty things. Love Pixie Girl

Julie xxxxxxx

Anonymous said...

BEAUTIFUL POST!
MOST MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU+YOURS!
msstitcher1214@gmail.com

Lily said...

Thank you for all the posts and inspiration, Helen. This year was heavily :O) influenced by your creations and therefore was quite productive and special
Merry Christmas!

Kate said...

Your décor is beautiful, Helen. Merry Christmas!

Cream Linen said...

Merry Christmas ,Helen! Your festive decorations are really pretty.Thank you for all the lovely crafts and photos you share with us.Tina x

pens and needles said...

How nice to visit your Christmasy home and see all your special touches. Beautiful! Enjoy your time with your family and I will be looking forward to more lovely posts from you in the new year!

Gabri millecrocette said...

All your decorations are lovely!!Have a magic Christmas

Mickie said...

Helen,
Thank you for sharing some of your cozy Christmas decorations. I love the red and white quilts. I am collecting red prints and almost have enough for a red and white churn dash quilt. Congratulations on the award for your most recent book. I am planning on buying one as a gift to myself if my elves don't bring one:). Have a very Merry Christmas with your family.
Mickie, Indiana

Lorrie said...

The merriest of Christmasses to you, Helen. Your blog is always a place of inspiration and delight.

GARAGE SALE GAL said...

Merry Christmas!
I love all the red & white and the berries in the jars is so sweet.
warmly,
deb

Ali said...

Beautiful photos your creations are always inspiring. Congratulations on your award :-) have a,lovely Christmas and look forward to reading your posts in the New year xxx

Gracie Saylor said...

Congratulations on the book award, Helen! I treasure and have used/will use patterns from my copy of MVG. This past week my grands have made a snow girl outside one of my windows. She is joyous even though she is being rained on today. May you and yours have a blessed Christmas celebration xxxxxxx

Christine B said...

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas Helen and all the very best for the New Year 2017! Christine x

cristina said...

How beautiful is your Christmas time, Helen!
love all your crafts! thanks for sharing and congrats!
Happy Christmas my dear Helen.......

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

So charming! I love your advent calendar! Congratulations on the book award! Wishing you a Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year!

handmade by amalia said...

Lovely decorations, Helen! And congrats! Merry Christmas to you and yours.
Amalia
xo

Jane said...

Your home is looking all ready for Christmas Helen...how beautiful.Well done on you book honours...so well deserved. Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas. Have a wonderful time.Hugs xxx

driftwood said...

Merry Christmas Helen x

Cantinho da Gaiata said...

Lindos os seus recantos, um desfile magnifico, Parabéns!
Um Santo Natal Helen.
Beijinho

Annerose said...

Oh wie schön bei Dir Ich wünsche dir und deiner Familie ein schönes und friedvolles Weihnachtsfest.
Liebe Grüße Annerose

Teje Karjalainen said...

Dear Helen, Congratulations! Your book deserves surely the award! I just mentioned it because used your templates (like on your pillow here). I have to make my 'flower' again because for some strange reason I didn't use my happy colours. I can imagine how beautiful and festive your home looks in Chrstmas time! Have a Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year! x Teje

Rhona said...

So many pretty things! Congrats on being the runner up for you book.
Merry Christmas.

Debbie - Mountain Mama said...

Your home looks wonderful and festive, Helen - such a talent, you have!! Merry Christmas to you and congrats on the book!!

Jennifer Hays said...

Everything looks so pretty, Helen. I especially love your pixie girl. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!

Lee said...

Hi Helen.Saw your lovely face in Crafts Beautiful.Love your home it looks so pretty,cosy and Happy.Wishing you and your lovely family +pets,A Very Happy Christmas.Hugs xx

crazydazy said...

Lovely festive photos. Particularly like your hanging flower arrangements. Have a lovely Christmas.

Pat's Patch said...

Thank you for sharing your beautiful festive decorations and makes. So 'merry and bright'. You deserve a well earned Christmas break. Wishing you dear Helen a wonderful time with your family. Love and good cheer. Pat XXX

Things and Thoughts said...

Merry Christmas Helen and may this new year bring you joy and laughter. To be happy is the greatest wish in life!Your blog space is a little heaven I always feel happy to visit.
Love, Olympia

Jo said...

Happy Christmas! Jo x

claire said...

Congrats on the book award and Happy Christmas x

PamKittyMorning said...

Merry Christmas Helen!

Jen Kershner said...

Merry Christmas! It's so festive around your house. I adore your advent calendar!

♥ Mary Janes TEAROOM said...

Merry Christmas to you and your family dear Helen ...thank you for another year of blog friendship and well done in the book awards...so well deserved...and a beautiful festive post!!
Susan x

Simone said...

Happy Christmas Helen! I look forward to reading your blog in 2017! x

butterfly said...

Beautiful blog , I have always loved your work.
Christmas blessing .

Marta said...

Tanti auguri a te e famiglia. Ciao

Art and Sand said...

Random thoughts:

I love the idea of old letters tied in a bundle and I'm going to set some out in the guest room!

I have never hung my Maileg Advent pixy, but I think next year I will follow your lead and find a place for Olaf on the wall.

I like to get ideas from you and I think I need to make a quilt using diamond shapes - in red, white and blue for a nautical theme.

Happy New Year