Higgledy-piggledy Christmas houses

At last! I've actually managed to sit down at my Elna today, and I've made some quirky little Christmas houses for the craft fairs I'll be selling at. Such fun!

A gazillion more to go! But for now...a cup of tea...

Blessings, Tania ♥

A Most Marvellous Place To Shop!

Today we took a little drive to Northampton, with a very specific goal in mind...to visit  'A Most Marvellous Place To Shop'. This emporium of all things vintage, retro, antique and handmade was featured in issue 16 of  'Mollie Makes' a few months ago, and has been on my list of places to visit since! And, I was not disappointed! This warehouse is brimming with loveliness for the vintage collector, and is packed with all manner of quirky handmade gorgeousness. The only problem was that I felt a little like a chameleon on a Smartie box...I didn't quite know whether to be pink or blue with all the choice around! Where does one start?

Handmade brooches, pins, corsages...

 

 

Candy for the crafter...

 

 

Gorgeous collectibles...

 

 

 

 

Pretty perfect china...

 

 

 

 

Old suitcases brimming with beautifully crafted treasures...

 

 

 

Oh my...♥

 

 







Doris 'n' Doris handmade folk art...sigh...

 

I have a feeling I'll be heading back here soon...next time without the kidlets!

 

 

Blessings, Tania ♥

Pop Art at Harrods...

Now, yesterday was supposed to be spent at the sewing machine. But, the opportunity for a little impromptu visit to the Big Smoke presented itself, so the whole fandamily set off to the business capital that is Canary Wharf, London. While hubby had to attend a meeting the kidlets and I pootled around the shopping mall. I realised soon enough that I'm more of a country bumpkin than I thought! The crowd of suits and heels did not appeal to me at all! However, the children were in awe of the tall skyscrapers, and a hearty lunch at Wagamamas hit the right spot! After lunch we set of for Knightsbridge to visit the very luxurious and iconic department store that is Harrods.

The highlight of this visit was most definitely the Halcyon gallery display. During this autumn season one can peruse the Pop Art Exhibition on the second floor, and with art and sculpture from Andy Warhol, Bob Dylan, Mauro Perucchetti and Lorenzo Quinn on display, the ooh's and aah's are plentiful!

Lorenzo Quinn...'Force of nature'

Mauro Perucchetti...'Guns and Roses'

Andy Warhol...'Cowboys and Indians'

 

My favourite...'Marilyn'

 

 

The children's favourite...didn't quite catch his name...

 

 

 

Please excuse the poor quality of some of the pictures...They were taken with a mobile phone, and in a hurry!

 

 

One of the best treats in Harrods at this time of year has to be 'Christmas World'. Now, I used to work in Harrods many years ago, and got to experience the Christmas department in all it's glory over several years. I was a little disappointed with it this year...it was a lot smaller than it used to be, and the atmosphere didn't seem as Christmassy as before. Still, it had some beautiful elements to it.

 

 

Disney boutique...where little girls can try on new shoes like little princesses!

 

 

Well, a fun day was certainly had, and my only regret is that I couldn't take better pictures! I'm frightfully aware of just how strict the photography prohibitions are in Harrods, as it was expected of us to pounce on people with cameras back in the day when I used to work there! They seemed even stricter this time round. I did however ask permission to take a few snaps, and was given the 'I'll-turn my-back-and-pretend-I-didn't-see-you-permission-slip'!

 

If you have never visited this luxurious store, and ever have the opportunity to do so, I can highly recommend it. There is so much to see, and if you want to play a game of 'spot the celebrity', you have a good chance of success. We managed to spot singer Alexandra Burke yesterday...no photo though, as I respect the fact that she perhaps wanted to eat her lunch in peace!

 

Have a super day wherever you are, until next time!

Blessings, Tania ♥