Christmas starts in my kitchen and then works it's way around the house and garden!

Every Christmas is special........ I always look forward to the moment I can unpack my christmas treasures collected and created over many years.  There are hidden memories and dreams entangled in each item .... be it that it is something inherited from my Mom, or a special piece collected from the magical Christmas Markets in Europe. Each and every item is a Christmas treasure.

This simple, fabric wreath has been a treasure for many years. Each year I create a new version of this original...... as seen in the photograph below.

mmmmm ..... Time to think of a 2011 version of the original. Watch this space for an update!

If you are lacking Christmas inspiration, do yourself  a favour and take a trip to Starke Ayres Nursery in Mowbray, Cape Town for a peek at the best Christmas display I have seen in South Africa in many years.

What cheerful little characters...... how can anyone be miserable during this festive season? May the spirit of Christmas be in your heart today, and always.

Warm summer evenings are here, so embrace the soft light and delicate shadows that dance across the lawn...... take the inside out...... and enjoy the pleasure of entertaining your guests outdoors.

Decorate your home with warm and loving memories...... each item carries its own treasure..... unpack these memories in your heart and keep them alive all year round.

This silver angel comes out of hiding to decorate my jacket every year. It is wonderful to create one's own Christmas traditions and rituals.

More creative Christmas inspiration tomorrow...... happy Christmas dreaming.

Beading Inspiration for Christmas.

My mantra around beading is...."To bead is to live"......... I am passionate about being creative with any craft, but you can lock me up in a room packed with beads any day, and I will be in bead heaven..... as I did today! Here is my latest Christmas inspiration...... especially for you, Judy!

I was asked to be creative with these pins.....so, here is the result, a festive, Christmas beaded tree decoration..... or as you will see later, it has other uses!

And so the beading bug has bitten me again and I cannot wait to make some more of these decorative pins...... thanks Judy!

Since I love to decorate my kitchen as well.... being the heart of the home, these beaded pins are also happy to hang around in the kitchen!

A close up look at the bead selection and threading...... just get creative!

Not only at Christmas time, but all year round will you find a use for these pins. Here I have decorated a plain bag and it looks like a designer piece in an instant.

What was a cheap, factory shop bag...... now has some style and class added to it. I think I will use this one!

Beaded Wine bottle Lariat..... a great way to spark up a bottle of wine to make it more presentable as a gift.

The secret to this piece is to use a three holed spacer..... so simple and fun to create.

Simple and practical beaded wire serviette tie's. Easy to thread and create a colour scheme to co ordinate with any dinner party or event theme. I once made over 100 of these for a dinner party in bright, festive Moroccan colours. It was great to inspire my sister to help get creative to help with this task. Thanks Anneli!

Yes, I am a nutter..... I decorate the garden as well. I actually still have these suncatchers in the tree from last Christmas...... I love to watch the sun catch the facets on the beads.

Do not forget those Christmas cards...... create a Card holding lariat using a piece of ribbon and a decorative feature at the bottom. Use small clips to keep the cards in place. So easy!

Happy beading...... until next time!

We started celebrating early this year.....

Well, why not? I have so many hidden treasures to delight and decorate our home, garden and anywhere else that I find fitting, that it is sad to only use them just before Christmas.

Fresh from the garden, my first Festive Wreath of this season. I created my own base wreath with flexible stems and built up the wreath tying with strong thread as I created new layers. Be creative and try different mixtures of  foliage and flowers....even a touch of Aloe to add to the ethnic, African flavour!

 

My signature serviette fold in the form of a jacket on a charger plate to set the scene.

Sprinkle a festive touch in every room...... you will be amazed at how uplifting the bright red, green and gold can be. From crockery and food, to foliage and beads, there is no easier way to evoke the Christmas spirit than dressing up your table. A little creative thinking can have surprising rewards....and take the breath away from your guests when they arrive!

Dig deep into your linen cupboard and pull out those wonderful, inherited family treasures from Granny. These red serviettes have many a story to tell from many years back, and I still love to use them.

Be green this Christmas..... avoid those nasty crackers and rather decorate your table with love from the garden. Beautiful and peaceful, white Iceberg roses with a touch of festive ivy will do any table justice. No rubbish to throw away....your guests can take their blooms home with them.

There is nothing more consoling and powerful than a single candle burning bright....... with sweet memories of many happy festive seasons gone by...... with special family and friends........

Especially at this Festive time of the year, remember that happiness is a perfume, you cannot pour on others without getting a few drops on yourself. - Ralph Waldo Emerson.