Not wanting to go into 2012 surrounded by clutter I am trying to spend the day having a good clear out before heading off later to enjoy the celebrations. That said I have been doing more than a little procrastinating; I keep finding fascinating lost objects that have been drawing my attention away from the task at hand. The most fascinating object I have found is one of my mum's old photo albums from the 1970's. At the time she was using the Zenit-E that I was using for a while. I think they are so beautiful. And to go with these old photos - some new geranium blooms to brighten up a bleak winters day. Happy NYE x

softness

The new year is almost upon us, have you been thinking of resolutions? I rarely make them but this time I have a few. Mostly I want this year to be the one I finally open my web shop. I have a concept I feel proud of and much more confidence to really go for it. In the mean time it's very gloomy outside, always a good excuse to curl up with a pile of knitting and a pot of tea.

Slices of Christmas Day, I hope everyone had a lovely time :-)

merry christmas to all and to all a good night

I am off from work from now until the beginning of January, this is the first period of time off since I started working full time over summer and I am quickly getting used to it - I had very lazy day today, just finishing off the last of the making, wrapping presents up and enjoying the shiny things in the house! I also bought a big bag of my very favourite seasonal fruit, cape gooseberries. They are also called Chinese lanterns because of their shape and their delicate shells and sweet flesh makes them look almost as lovely as they taste. I am going to be offline now for a couple of days so I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas - eat, drink and be merry, have fun and enjoy the festivities :-)

presents and crochet

Last night I saw my friends for a pre-Christmas dinner party of incredible baked delights created by my very good friend Ajeet. We were impatient and exchanged our Christmas presents early and I was so pleased with the gifts I received especially with those of the edible variety including some sweet little gingerbread men, plum jam and blackberry, apple and cinnamon chutney. I also completed my crochet shawl, it is made up of a two tiered shell stitch with little picots on top. I love how Edwardian it looks.

can't stop listening

Do you have songs that you play over and over again, that you know all the words to, that are constantly being played in your head? Here are a few of mine...

sunday

I had a very industrious last Sunday of advent, baking gingerbread and making homely gifts for loved ones like these little arm warmers which make good use of my spare wool. I am also very much enjoying knitting with the blue wool, it’s a blend of cashmere and merino and is so soft. It has turned very cold here, with a little snowfall in places which, until recent years, has been something of a rarity before January. I am crossing my fingers for more flakes to fall, I love playing in the snow and seeing how pretty the earth looks covered in a crisp, white blanket. Has it started snowing where you are yet?

last minute

Christmas day is just around the corner and I have been running round like a headless chicken all week trying to get everything done in time. I am so looking forward to relaxing with friends, family and some good food next weekend!

o christmas tree

We decorated our little Christmas tree this weekend. Out came the familiar decorations, old friends I remember from my childhood together with some newer additions. Decorating the tree always fills me with a warm sense of nostalgia for the past and gleeful anticipation for times to come.

The decoration in the first picture is the most special in our collection as it was hand made by my mum on the year I was born. You might not be able to see very well but she also stitched my name at the bottom. I am also very fond of the Murano glass icicles, a gift from Venice, they catch the light so beautifully.

There is so much love poured into each one of these little objects that it reminds me of the story of 'The Velveteen Rabbit', I am sure that they have all become real by now...

saturday

We took a trip to Spitalfields market on Saturday to visit an independent record label sale that was taking place, followed by a stroll round the local area. I love this time of year in the city, you cant help but come across the sites and sounds of the season wherever you turn - something about the smell of fresh pine combined with roasted chestnuts never fails to make me smile :-)

london through a new lens

The shutter curtain on my beloved Zenit-E shuffled off the mortal coil a few weeks ago but instead of taking it to be repaired I decided to let it go and bought a new 50mm lens for my canon. As soon as I saw the pictures it produced it was love at first sight. It's lovely quick and bright and produces just enough ethereal haze to make a beautiful photo but still picks up details.