{if you want to be organised this Christmas and into 2011 you can’t do much better than funky Stuff to Do List by Moderne Motive find them here}

Hello!

I hate cellotape! Grrr. But love wrapping up my homemade online goodies!

I have been wrapping presents all afternoon. I started off  very smug as thought I had followed a plan this year in time for this Yule Season.

Having bought gifts as and when I saw them throughout the year (mainly online) and I stored them away awaiting wrapping day (today). It has not worked out.

I decided to get busy after lunch. (Did I mention I hate cellotape?) First I got hold of my stash of lovely things from their hiding place in the bottom of my wardrobe (eep! my secrets out!) and out all my pretty gifts and tried to arrange who was having what.

Oh tinsel! (my Christmastime expletive of choice) I have made a hash of this, too many of things, not enough of that, he gets this, she gets that… Head in a spin what was I thinking of?

Ok, keep calm… Pa says Christmas is not a time to stress over. I’ll give him the Christmas Cards to write that will kept him quiet.

Now let me think I need some ideas for gifts. Must get organized. Get a pen, some paper. Doing well so far.

1.Names down the side.

2.Ideas.

3. Ghi ( She has a birthday too the first week of January so a few things for her then). Jewellery. She likes unusual well designed stuff… …loves big earrings. Dressing gown perhaps ? Cotton is good she has problems with silk .

4. Boo ….. a bag I think. She is into recycling and natural things.

5. Rhis ….Loves smellies but what ? Something different and natural. Draw liners ? Perhaps something to go with them.

6. Marie now she is into handmade things. Loves her teas. Herbal and the like so perhaps something along that line.

7. Nettie… have lots for her but perhaps some soaps or a hat ?

8. I have yours wrapped hence the fight with the cellotape. I hate that stuff. Ohh feeling better now. Will get on and do the rest.

Looks like snow again have been stuck in for days so I am going surfing for Christmas.

Now what was that web site called?

Love,
Ma

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Its the second day of advent and I’m feeling somewhat creative, in a mood to digest some snowy images…

I love prints, images, cut out scrap books, hulking great canvases. I’m sure my house would be overridden with framed up pictures but with an entire wallposter and 3 ft pin board to add inspiration there isn’t much space!

Will have to find somewhere for the beautiful works from Hidden Eloise. I’ve been a great admirer of this Yorkshire lasses work for some time now and wanted to share with you her newest work. Absolutely stunning.

Would make a fabulous Christmas present for someone.

Prints are available in at Hidden Eloise, but do also check out her blog page Hide & Seek – its a beaut!

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Inspired by my mothers alternative Advent calendar this year.

This year Ma sent  me 25 emails with a suitable festive picture attached. I get to open a new one each day, included in the subject line is the date to help with this. 2 things I wanted to know – How the hell do I get my 8:30 cheap chocolate fix? And Why are all these unopened e-mails in my inbox is just as enticing as the lure of a choccie calendar.

I want to open them all up in a frenzy to endure the ritual guilt and quick following sadness that I now associate with Advent calendars.

*Note to self must buy me some chocolate today. OK… moving on..

A new Christmas tradition that has been instilled at Extinct Design HQ (Home-Quarters) is that Big G and I sit down with a glass of something to cut out paper snow to hang from the beams all round the house. I love how like snowflakes, each are different, so quick to do and look stunning when all dangling down from the ceiling. I like to keep my decorations to a the minimal end of the spectrum (possibly as my house tends to look like a grotto of vintage and retro in riot of colours most of the year round) Some cut out snow shapes, a sprayed twinkerly tree branch with my homemade decorations and vintage baubles will suit me just fine…

Ahem… or so I have to tell myself. Another little tradition I started since living here was to “allow” myself to buy just 1 new special vintage Christmas decoration. It is the most exciting thing that I’ve limited to just one thing. Not found “the one” yet but will have to make a purchase soon!

Here’s some inspiration that I’m loving:

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Perfect example of taking something old and turning it into something beautiful..

Could listen to this all day.

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