Rummage

This is about as close as I am going to get to a white Christmas. I do love seeing all those northern hemisphere shots of ice and snow but for me Christmas is all about heat and the screech of cicadas. It's mangoes and glasses of iced water with fresh mint and lemon, early mornings at the beach and lazy siesta afternoons.
Thanks for the tips on horses doovers and thanks too for all your comments.
I hope you are travelling well. x

Can anyone tell me what is the difference between a hors d'œuvre (horse's doover) and a canapé? You'd think living with a Frenchman would give me an insight into such matters, but no. Could it be dry sherry and plus fours versus a martini and Hepburn slides? I think so. Canapés just seem that little bit edgier. I'll leave it with you.

Do you have a super recipe for a canapé or two? Can you whip up a killer cocktail? If so please feel free to share the love right here. I'm looking for quick-fire, low-techy numbers that can be whipped up in conjunction with marauding infants at my heels. Thank you in advance, you are wonderful and I love you.

Very good.

And the picture? I like old wall calendars - this is the collection so far.

x

Crafters are some of my most favourite people! Hands down. When generosity was being handed out crafters seemed to get a double helping. Take Charlotte for example, when I asked, timidly, for a bit of sewing advice, BAM! There it was by the spadeful..and it helped, so thank you! x

Generosity seemed to be upped even a notch further during the silly season. Beaucoup de free tutorials, last minute present ideas and Christmas recipes a-go-go. Thanks to all those clever people who do that stuff - I salute you!

A special mention must go to Aunty Cookie for her splendid little girl frock pattern - heavy on the clarity and light on the jargon. I haven't made it yet as I am currently having a love affair with the halter neck as evidenced below. I also love the Small Object's guest post on Kiddley last year with the rockin' little figure which we have used upteen times for birthdays, Christmas etc. The photo shows the Small Object Christmas cards we made last year (this year's are conspicuous in their absence!). Finally, there is Tiel's ripper idea for Christmas Eve reindeer treats. We've made up a pile of these to give to the small folk around the place - my favourite kind of non-rocket-science-crafting - throw a bit of birdseed and glitter together and bob's your uncle. Suave. Thank you. x

Virginia Woolf is not my favourite author. She irritates the pants off me in her little opinion piece "A Room of One's Own", too blue-stocking-mumsy for my taste. But. She has a point, I do bloody well need a room of my own. Actually, I'd like a few:
one for crafting, one for languid reading of magazines and general chocolate eating, another supplied with superlative films and my most excellent girlfriends (you're all invited by the way) and finally a room with just a bed, fresh laundered bed linen and no alarm clock. Is that too much to ask for Santa?
Probably.
Hey ho! Maybe when we move I might eke out a space somewhere - perhaps I could apprehend the linen cupboard.

See enclosed shots of sporadic crafting for Christmas. The dolly patterns came from this super Australian publication. Thank you to Nest Studio and Herzensart for their spirited patterns. We are also agog with improvised Christmas decos here  - more sub-tropical than northern hemisphere inspired. I've always wanted an excuse for that Martha pom-pom number - am now planning a litany for the Christmas cork branch - will keep you posted.

xx

Whose idea was it anyway this 'Homemade for Christmas' caper? Not mine, noooo sir! I am just the poor sap trying to follow along. Lots to chat about ' but am having trouble typing with a baby on the bosom so will finish here with a picture or two.

ps Recipe for a 10 minute wreath - bend an old wire clothes hanger into some semblance of a circle and tie a lot of bits and bobs of fabric from your stash onto it and tah dahhh!

x

Hello if you are visiting from the lovely SFGirlbyBay site. Thanks Victoria for the opportunity, if you haven't visited her site before, check it out here! She and her site are gorgeous.

That Christmas tree is from my blog-supremo-wickedly articulate-and-hilariously-funny friend Nicole. She sent me a wizzbang Christmas parcel with this wonderful tree in a scrumptious vintage fabric and the definitive collection of Christmas Carols - think duet from David Bowie & Bing Crosby (who would have thought?), and a rousing Ave Maria from Liberace. Most excellent friend - thank you! x

love to all xx

We didn't get it..

Felt miserable, then cheered ourselves up with a smashing afternoon-tea at Lynwood in Collector.

Our house is out there, I know, we just haven't met it yet.

When we got home extra-special cheering up was required, so we cracked open the Christmas decorations. All I need now is a super Christmas cocktail, some Frank Sinatra crooning and all will be well.

x