Sunday 2 December 2007

Twinkle Twinkle...

This weekend did not go as planned.. I had so badly wanted to go and say Hi to Nonnie and meet Sue @ Vintage to Victorian as arranged at the craft fair held in Bath, but I still felt as though I had been hit by a bus by this horrible virus that is doing the rounds....I couldn't stand another day looking at the ceiling and listening to the distant hum of Christmas shoppers.. I even took a photo from my bed to pass the time after I had read the Telegraph glossy back to front... how desperate is that?!


I could not resist the lure of the glitter today and determined was I to get in the mood for Christmas I got up from bed and decided to seek out the Christmas trimmings.
Every Christmas as I dig out the boxes of decorations I do feel a sense of what went before and remember Christmasses past.
Every decoration has some poignancy or memory attached to it... some bitter but mostly sweet.
This year is no exception and I, eager as a child, rummaged through the boxes to find forgotten treasures and landmarks of the festive seasons from childhood to now. I have managed to salvage a few very precious decorations from my childhood which have all kinds of memories for me as they have appeared every year over the last 40 something years to adorn our tree. My favourite is a snowman made of card and old tarnished glitter.. just the way I love it!
They are still wrapped in tissue waiting for the arrival of the tree but I was keen to decorate my mantelpiece this year as I promised you earlier.. ..

I had bought a collection of vintage bottle brush trees from the good ol U.S.A and these were going to be my main feature... a forest of bristle and wood and old mica dust.









Well it took me all of 10 minutes or so to dress the mantle and I suspect that I will be tweaking this and that to perfect the festive scene. I have used one of our prize pieces of sculpture, the angel centrepiece, by Edwina Bridgeman an eminent local artist and friend and my favourite mercury glass votives to add the twinkle and magic!


It was unfortunate that my camera decided to run out of juice in the middle of my photograph session so I resorted to my mobile phone camera which gives the effect of a print on linen... or in other words..a poor photo!



So did you get the glitter urge today and wrap the family in tinsel?

P.s Note to Fiona aka Nonnie.. so sorry didn't get to see you at the fair... I hope you did well. Looking forward to hearing all about it.

24 comments:

this is my patch said...

Hi Michele, sorting out some of your decorations must have made you feel a little better, there is always lots of surprises when pulling stuff out of the boxes, you forget what you have got. If I had your bedroom I wouldn't want to get out of bed, it looks lovely and cosy. No wrapping up in tinsel in our abode today, I have yet to clamber up the loft ladder, scratching my head trying to remember where I have put everything? What a shame you never got that tuna sandwich, Pickles always makes a good one. x

Anonymous said...

Your bedroom looks so pretty and love your decorations. I so hope you are feeling better today. ~ Lynn

Anonymous said...

Hi its me again,
Your bedroom is dreamy and so beautiful,i hope you can shake this virus off soon.
I love your display of bottle brush trees they look stunning.
They way you talked of seeing the decorations once again really touched me this is exactly how i feel,made me teary actually but in a nice way.
Thanks for a nostalgic post.
Kristina x

Georgia Peachez said...

So glad you are on the mend, enjoyed reading about your christmas memories. I always feel that way when I unwrap all my precious christmas decorations. I finally have them all up and am now in the tweaking stage. xo, suzy

Alice said...

I love your decorations and the way you've put things together.
I've always wanted to go to England and hope I make it someday.
alice

noodle and lou said...

Michele...you poor dear!! I'm so sorry you are feeling so bad. Sending you lots of well wishes and hugs...feel better sooooon.
Thank you for your sweet comment on my blog the other day:) It really meant so much to me. I'm so thrilled we met through the magic of blogland!! xoxoxo...jenn

ps...I want a mantle in my room!!!

bj said...

Your mantel looks just beautiful. And, your bedroom is so pretty.
Mostly, I am just so glad that you even felt like doing your mantel...that means you are on your way to feeling much better soon.
hugs, bj

Niki Fretwell said...

Hi Michele,
Hope you are feeling lots better today....
You have certainly spread some pixie magic along your mantle. I am a big fan of bottle brush trees too, but your other little trees to the left and right of the mantle look very interesting as well, as does that gorgeous angel - your friend has a unique talent.
Take care,
Niki x

Carol said...

Hi Michele,
I am now home and very tired!
I love the decorations.
Those bottle brushes bring back childhood memories............
We are going to get our decorations down from the loft tomorrow, I really do need to sort them out properly. I try to but them in colour order!!!
Your bedroom does look pretty - what I see of it!. I love the old brass and iron bedstead.
I hope that you getting rid the dreaded bug!
Big hugs,
Carol x

Mrs Moog said...

We decorated on Saturday and the kids and I love rediscovering all the little things they made at preschool and school in years gone by.
I'd be photographing from my bed if it looked as pretty as yours! That's one of my projects next year - some bedroom prettification!
xx

Lucy Bloom said...

Hi Michele, glad you are feeling a bit better now. Isn't it great starting to put the decorations out - I love to spread it out as for as long as possible. Your mantle display looks really lovely, those brush trees are so sweet. Yes, do let me know when your are next going to Marlborough, it would be great to meet up.
Keep well,
Lucy

Woodwitch said...

Hi - I've just found your blog.... it's lovely and I LOVE your bedroom.
Michelle

Woodwitch said...

Hi - I've just found your blog... it's lovely! I love your bedroom too.

Michelle

Woodwitch said...

I love your blog - and so nice to see someone in the UK too!
Michelle x

Anonymous said...

Hello Michele
Thanks for stopping by Willow House what a coincedence you liking Julie Arkell & another - I too ended up reading the Telegraph mag from cover to cover from sheer boredom. (Sad huh?)
Still your Christmas decorations are looking lovely, love the angel it is so unusual.
Hope your feeling 100% again now, such a shame you weren't well enough to stop by the craft fair it sounds very much as though Nonnie would have welcomed a friendly face.
Carolyn
http://willowhouse.typepad.com (Sorry it's looks as though the only way I can leave a comment is anonymously)

Sandra Evertson said...

Love all the bottle brush trees!
Happy Holidays!
Sandra Evertson

DianeSchuller.com said...

Goodness, I see I'm not the only one who thinks your bedroom looked yummy enough to stay cozied up in bed. Despite that, I too love to reminisce with each ornament. Love what you did with your mantle -- it's especially lovely with the light. I'm procrastinating -- and working -- so much that I haven't yet packed all my Christmas decorations into the house. If I don't get at it soon, I'll be working like a dervish to get it half done before you know it!

Cheers from snowy cold Alberta
Diane, Sand to Glass
(& Dogs Naturally)

Anonymous said...

Hi Michele -
Found your blog through a comment you left at Sophie Honeysuckle.
I know I will enjoy reading your past posts. We have 2 cats - Tiger, a tabby who is mostly outside, and my baby, Muffet, who is part Siamese. She and I are the only females in the house and we stick together.

Hope you feel better soon. It is bad to feel so bad and want to do so much. I have the sniffles today and hope it is just from allergies and not a cold coming on.
Too much to do during this holiday season.

I have just started a blog and hope you can visit!!
Blessings,
Robin

Rubyred said...

Hi Michele,love your Christmas decs!I've only recently found your blog and I love it!Hope you're feeling better now.

Ragged Roses said...

Hello Michele, hope you're feeling better. The view from your bed is very pretty! Love the bottle brush trees,, the mantlepiece looks very pretty. Take care
Kim x

Country Cottage Chic said...

It looks very pretty - glad you felt a bit better & I bet all that twinkle cheered you up!

Amy said...

i found your blog through a post from lily's house. i love your shadow boxes. they are beatiful. and your house is beautiful. i wish my bedroom was that peaceful looking. i am enjoying your blog and will definitely be back for visits.

Joanna said...

I love getting the christmas decorations out, just wished I knew where my little box is. What a magical scene and you have a lovely metal bed, what a wonderful bed to feel ill in, hope you are feeling better

Louise said...

Da da, the tree is up, how pretty it looks and little Christmas trimmings have been strategically placed. Is your tree up yet Michele?