Wednesday 17 December 2008

ho, ho, ho, the festive spirit kicks in.............

Good evening everybody, is the festive spirit upon you yet? It's well and truly arrived in this house. The tree is up, decorated to within an inch of it's life, the stairs are swathed in fairy lights and garlands, the candles are lit, as is the fire, Nigella's on the telly expanding our waistlines just by watching, the advent calendars have only 5 doors left to open and I've still a humongous pile of presents to wrap and Christmas cards to send.

So this will be a post of many pictures and very few words, apologies to all. However, I must mention the button maker since so many of you have asked where it came from. So I will let you in on my little secret because I'm kind like that. I bought it at Dunelm Mill for the princely sum of less than £2, the buttons themselves are about £2ish as well. I've also seen them at "The Range" - see, I go to all the best places don't I!! Of course whilst I was out and about scouting round the cheapo shops I felt it would be churlish of me not to throw another one in my basket along with a pack of buttons, so I have one to give away to one of you lucky ladies (or men). Just do the usual, leave me any comment before Christmas Day, doesn't have to be funny or anything, a simple hello is enough, and this little gadget will be winging it's way to the lucky winner. As Miss Sew'n'Sew will vouch I am the slowest parcel posting lady so I will not promise it before Christmas Day but it'll brighten up those post Christmas blues and give you something to do on those long dark nights.

So, are you ready, pictures galore to follow...........

...............let's start at the front door with my trusty old wreath. As tempted as I was with the truly delicious eucalyptus "White Company" one I was a goody two shoes and let it go. There is a limit as to how many a person can have and at the last count I had nine!

....................now have a nose through the window, go on tell me you do it too! I just love dusk at this time of year, it provides the ultimate nosing opportunity, curtains still open and lamps on. Does that make me sound weird, back me up here ladies!

.................the fire's roaring so come on in out of the cold.

....................Christmas tree by night (bloody hard to photograph it was too!)
..............................and by day.

.................we have our own little carol singers,

.................vintage baubles,

............................little sparkly snowmen,

The baby blanket will not be finished in time, surprise, surprise. It is coming along a treat, the Rowan yarn is a dream to crochet with, the colours are sublime. I've (sort of) followed a brilliant tutorial for granny squares with built in flowers kindly given by Rosehip, and I'm thrilled with the results. Give me another 6 months and we may have something resembling a blanket.

The only thing left to say is have a lovely, peaceful, joyous Christmas, and see you in the New year!

49 comments:

Curlew Country said...

Merry Christmas Julia, your house is looking so inviting and very festive. Glad to hear I'm not the only one who hasn't tackled the wrapping yet!

I got the paperchains from an ebay shop, very cheap and they arrived quickly.

Have a great festive season - enjoy yourselves.
Stephx

Claire said...

Your house is look gorgeous Julia. I've done a mountain of wrapping and have tonnes more to do.

I too love looking in people's windows and I always chuckle when people gawp in my window!

Have a lovely Christmas

Claire x

Shsjndkdns said...

Your home looks gorgeous Julia! I am a lurker on your blog (sorry) but I do love to read it.
Merry Christmas X Gemma X
gemahogan@hotmail.com

Miss sew n sew said...

Oooh goody I can hardly wait for Mr Postie! Your house looks like Christams heaven! So cosy and no your not weird I look through peoples windows too, I thought about doing the through the window shot too it's lovely!
The paint colour on my front door is Pidgeon Green by Farrow and Ball I love it too.
Have a wonderful Christmas!
Sarahx

Frances said...

You have definitely got the Christmas spirit alive in your home day and night!

Something about all those tiny white lights and the scent of evergreen creates such magic.

Cheers!

david mcmahon said...

You have wonderful judgement when it comes to photo composition.

No, make that impeccable judgement.

Ali said...

Don't feel alone Julia - I am an avid window peeker too. If I loved near you I'd have my nose to the glass drooling at all that gorgeousness in real life.

And is Nigella's secret festive trick to slap an entire packet of butter in everything? Seems to be.

jessica daisy said...

Beautiful decs Julia, Your house is looking gorgeous!
Those little granny squares are soo cute, can't wait to see the end result!
Jessx

Anonymous said...

Have a lovely Christmas!
I love the glass doors and the Granny Squares.
Oh, of course I peek through windows, but rarely to see such a comfortable home as yours, I must say!

Jo
x

Anonymous said...

Beautifully homely with a dash of class - what a wonderful place to retreat to on those dark, damp British days. Over here in Australia we will be sweltering our way through another un-festive Xmas celebration - boy do we miss the mother country at times like these!
Thanks for sharing,
Andrea
(ex-pat,now in Perth Western Oz)

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

oh my goodness that is a gorgeous tree!!! i keep seeing everyone else's tree and needing to re-do mine!!! the house looks very christmassy from outside as well :-)
and I will back you and confess to having volunteered to pop to the shop in an evening around xmas as I know lights will be on in houses and i can peek in!!! actually i do that all year round not just christmas.......... !!!
have a fantastic christmas and new year :-D
Lesley x

Anonymous said...

So much to comment on!

your house looks very stylish from the front (not that it doesn't inside too) but I love the front!

Love the tree too. I love being able to nosey into people's houses before they've closed the curtains so you're not alone!

Have a great Christmas.

Deb (at beingordinary)

Helen said...

I did press my nose against the window and then I tried the door, it opened and I came in. Lovely pictures of your cosy home. Its one of my favourite winter things to do - looking through peoples windows when the lights are on and the curtains still open. Sadly where we live now it isn't possible but where we lived before this it was wonderful, such lovely homely, cosy interiors some people had. But others ...! Say no more.

Claire said...

Well I've been window peeking since I was a little girl, lovely to go for a walk in the evening and go nosing...lol...your house looks beautiful, made me feel christmassy especially after spying all those wrapped pressies under the tree. Hope you have a fantastic Christmas in the Vintage Heaven household........claire xx

Jenny said...

I love the branches in a jug, very simple and pretty. I may have to borrow that idea!

claire said...

Try not to hate me when I tell you I've done all the wrapping (all 4 kids and the extended folk too!!) I have no food though so hope there is enough choccies to go around!!
Your house looks amazing - all those little touches - just gorgeous. X
Happy Christmas

sharie said...

How festive your home looks! I'm always sneaking peeks into peoples windows (obviously I don't go right up to the window that would make me a peeping Tom-belina)
Just nosy in as I'm walking past.
I like looking at eveyones christmas treess ;-)

Jo said...

I'm nosey too! and your house looks lovely, very cosy, I've just finished wrapping 3 pressies, cards sent last week, tree up.
Merry Christmas
Josie x

Anonymous said...

your house looks so warm and cosy.. merry christmas to you and your family
lisa x

Beki said...

You are most definately not the only one to nose through peoples windows. I always think if they didn't want us to look, they would close the curtains.
Your tree looks gorgeous by the way.
Must get back to wrapping my pressies, still so many left to do.
Take care
Beki xxx

Beki said...

Have a fantastic christmas xxx

Summer by the sea said...

Hi Julia, love the pics, and no - you're not wierd - my neighbours never shut their curtains and their house looks lovely, so I'm always trying to have a sneaky nosy - I have never been invited in unfortunately, but annoyingly, my hubby has, I quizzed him when he came back whether it was as nice inside as it looked from the road, but you know what men are like - he could give me no details whatsoever - men!
Have a happy christmas and a lovely New Year too - Look forward to reading more from you in 2009 - Natalie x

Jacoline said...

Merry Christmas, your house (home) is looking great! have a great time!!

Things Hand Made said...

Merry christams to you too! We will come and sing loudly outside you window and see how the christmas spirit(s) are doing!

MelMel said...

Why have i not read this post...?
Hhhmmm...

I just adore you home, so sweet and cosy n festive....xx

Kathy said...

Hi Julia, Your house looks gorgeous and if I walked past I would certainly have to look in. I was terrible whilst in London nosing through all the windows whilst walking back - it is amazing how many people donot close curtains/shutters - great for nosy people like me! I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas and Peaceful New Year and look forward to hopefully meeting up for an applique day in the Spring. Kathyx

Ragged Roses said...

Beautiful beautiful photos Julia, your home looks absolutely gorgeous. Wishing you and your family a wonderful Christmas and a very Happy New Year
Kimx

prettyshabby said...

I've just been watching Harry Hill taking the mickey out of Nigella..so funny,but in a nice way!
Hope the jobs going ok,the restraint you must have to have working there-that must be hard work in itself,I think I would end up working for free for 6 weeks!
lovely lovely photos.
Happy Christmas Julia and your lovely family (and BEAUTIFUL house) x

Anonymous said...

Happy Christmas! The house looks all gorgeous and twinkly...am in awe of how you've made it so cosy and stylish, mine never looks stylish when I mix things - it looks as though someone's sorting the loft!! :) Still I am 'watching and learning'!!!! :) Loved the peeping through the window...difficult to do over here without finding you have a farm dog attached to your leg...
Have a good one
Kate in Tassiexx

Miss sew n sew said...

Hi Julia
Your parcel arrved yesterday morning thankyou so much I LOVE it all I spent yesterday faffing about placing them all about the house thankyou you made me a very happy girlie!Photo's on my blog if you want a peep!
Sarahx

Anonymous said...

Well i would be nosing through your windows as it all looks so lovely and you might even see my nose pressed up against the windowpane!

i'm a terrible night time noser. Once when walking home from college I took a good peek in some man's living room as I walked past and I heard him shout "Have a good look love!" (I was ever so embarressed)!!!

We live right on the street with no front garden so anyone that passes can take a good look. Alexei is a nosy bugger too and shouts things like "Oh look Mum, they've got a really nice fish tank in there" while I hiss at him to be quiet. Luckily our road is full of really nice people who don't seem to have any secrets from us. lol!

Have a lovely Christmas. i fancy some paperchains to but can't be bothered to put them up.

Victoria - Florence and Mary said...

Your home looks so cosy.

Have a fabulous Christmas

Victoria xx

Country Cottage Chic said...

Your house looks superb! And yes, I am a "peeker-in-windows" too!

Just popping in to wish you a very Merry Christmas!

Jayne

Cowboys and Custard Mercantile said...

It all looks so inviting..fancy doing a house swap!?
Wishing you and your lovely family a super duper Christmas Julia.. and look forward to more invaluable help from the 'tea lady' next year..
With love
Michele xx

Suzie Sews At DOTTY RED said...

happy happy christmas to you and yours....

Beata said...

That'll be a gorgeous blanket once done -- happy to see that you found my tutorial useful! - I like how you adapted it!

gayle said...

I love those crocheted squares, esp the colours. The photos are just beautiful. Hope the festive season is fun. Happy new Year

MelMel said...

Happy new year!xx

Carol said...

Lovely pictures Julia, and as for the granny squares...well they are beautiful, you are too clever, I cannot get mine to look as nice.
Happy New Year to you and your family.
Love and hugs,
Carol xxx

Anonymous said...

I have a snowman just like that one Julia. Happy New Year.

Country Cottage Chic said...

Just dropping in to wish you & yours a wonderful 2009!

Jayne

Lesley (Notesfrommydays) said...

Just popped by to wish you and your family a happy new year and best wishes for 2009 :-) hope you had a fab christmas - are you completely over run with new toys from santa?!!!
Lesley x

Claire said...

Happy New year to your vintage heaven household! Claire xx

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

THANKS SO MUCH FOR DELIGHTING US ALL THROUGH THE YEAR WITH YOUR BEAUTIFUL HOME, CREATIONS AND FAMILY!
ALL THE BEST FOR 2009!
LOVE,
DEBBIE MOSS

jessica daisy said...

Sending you and your family warm wishes for the New Year ahead!
Jessx

Debbies-English-Treasures said...

Wishing you a WONDERFUL NEW YEAR!
Love
Debbie Moss

Anonymous said...

Hi, hope you had a wonderful Christmas...your house looks so warm and inviting.
Wishing you a very happy 2009!
Margaret and Noreen

Amy said...

I enjoy your blog.Love to collect vintage Christmas ornaments,only started last year.
Your house is very nice.

Anonymous said...

hi Julia, i love your blog!!! be still my beating heart.. i must say that not a lot excites me these days but your blog, every wonderous little corner or your home that you have shown and shared, from the kid days to the mag pages i love love love it... my little heart skipped a beat and i am now on a mission to cover all the tables in my house with pretty CK oil cloth or similar - if only i could source it here in Australia. your blog has def been added to my favourites and i shall treasure it, and love it and I shall call it "my squishy" blog... hmmmmm lovely lovely. :)