December | 2012 | 19th century modern squared

Beautiful hand-blown baubles at the Jinney Ring this morning

I am still living in a house of half finished rooms, hence no new posts. However, I have been doing some Christmas decorating and have a few pics to share. This morning we visited a local craft centre, the Jinney Ring (oo er missus) where there are little individual workshops where artists are making stained glass windows (including restoring our front door), chocolates, violins and other beautiful things. We have started a new tradition, buying a bauble from the glass blower. I could spend a fortune in there, but we’ll have to limit it to one per year for the time being! We’re on a bit of an economy drive this year. The tree came from a local farm (much more fun than picking one up from Homebase in the middle of the city) but we chose a ‘dropper’ and I’m slightly concerned that there will not be any needles left for Christmas. Our only new decorations came from TK Maxx (I love that place) and I managed to get 20 little blue glass gems for 6 pounds, which looked far more impressive with the addition of Hobbycraft ribbon. And I couldn’t resist the peacocks. Neither can my daughter, who keeps stroking them. I’ve attacked the enormous conifer in the back garden and wired the trimmings to the banister, making our curtainless, artexed hallway look a little more festive. My old Woolworth’s neon Christmas light is bathing everything in a ruby glow. I haven’t finished Cillit Banging the minton floor tiles in Downton Abbey scrubber style yet so the floor is looking a bit patchy. And finally I’ve tied glittery deer to the lampshade in the dining room and added some sparkly baubles to the Cable and Cotton string lights that are a year-round feature on the mantelpiece.