Sunday 23 December 2012

getting ready for Christmas...

for the past few years I have hosted Christmas for my family and we have been lucky to have good weather so that we can have it under the pergola. Our house isn't the biggest so it could get quite squashy if it was inside. It so needed a freshen up so we have been topping up beds, getting a few new plants for the pots. I can only have pots or big established plants thanks to the dogs. They tend to pee on them or dig up the ground under them looking for treasures, so shall we say they don't last too long in the ground.
Here are some shots after the tan bark was spread...
minus the new plants

the camelias got a bit of a prune too (this is before).
 
Let's see how long before some naughty four legged people start digging?
Who Me???

I'm much too mature to be doing silly things like digging in the garden, unless there are treasures to be had of course.

Some last minute christmas crafting got done and gifted..
 

this little one stayed here....

I ordered some more Theodora Cleave buttons so that I can start making more of these decorations for gifting next year. The ones I did gift this year were well received! I do enjoy making them too.
A wonderful surprise gift was also received.....
Fiona from Bubz rugz sent me this magnificent mini for my hanger. 
I have admired this pattern when I have seen it on blogs and I am pretty sure Fiona has made one before too.
It is just too much and I love it!! I felt quite special receiving it
(the mini is perfectly square it looks uneven because of the way it was resting unevenly on the tree to photo graph it)
 here is a close up of the stitching it is divine! so little and perfect.

Thankyou so much Fiona!

Christmas is just around the corner... 
I wish everyone that visits here a very safe and happy Christmas and an especially low stress one. Christmas can be a very stressful time of year. 
I am looking forward to lunch with my family and time to catch up with friends and family. Of course there will be some time to chill and craft!
Big hugs to you all!
Marina



19 comments:

  1. Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas, Marina. Have a lovely Christmas. Hugs, Christine xx

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  2. ** Merriest of Christmas wishes to you **
    Groeten, Heleen en Corry

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  3. Such innocent faces, I don't believe those dogs would harm any garden plants! It sounds like you are making the most of your holidays already, very pretty and productive work. Fiona's mini is lovely, must dig that pattern out. Enjoy your Christmas too.

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  4. Lovely little gifts you made.
    Cute birdie decoration.

    The mini from Fiona is gorgeous.

    Enjoy this Christmastime.

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  5. Wow Marina your garden looks fantastic,what a lovely area to entertain.Love your xmas sewing and how special to receive your gorgeous mini from Fiona,merry xmas to you and yours and a safe new year,see you in Feb.xx

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  6. the garden looks great... adn the dogs look so innocent! I love all the beautiful decorations you have made... and glad you like your mini.. yes I made one for Michelle and I have another one traced out for me too!!
    Huhx

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  7. It all looks great Marina. I love the expressions on those gorgeous furry faces. I loved my Theadora Cleave ornie. Fiona's stitching is beautiful and it is such a lovely stitchery.
    Hugs Michelle x

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  8. Lovely Mini,,,your garden looks great Marina...I am sure it was only a little dig....great last minute gifts...

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  9. Love the mini & your ornaments. The garden looks great. Merry Christmas. Hugs,

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  10. Merry Christmas to you, yours, the dogs and of course, Maisie! Love your Christmas crafting especially the button decoration, that bird is so cute, good decision to have it stay right where it is. Lucky mini hanger to get a new quilt by Fiona, it's beautiful, enjoy!

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  11. Merry Christmas !!!
    Liebe Grüße Grit

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  12. What a lovely gifts you made, and I can see that the weather there with you better is than in the Netherlands. its raining and raining and dark outside.

    Wish you and youre family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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  13. I'm sure Monty is telling you that he's waaaay too dig-nified to do that sort of thing :)

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  14. I hope those innocent faced little puppy dogs have been behaving themselves!
    Your projects with the buttons are lovely and I am glad that one stayed at home with you. Fiona's stitchery is pretty and thoughtful and will hang beautifully on your little stand.

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  15. Butter wouldn't melt in those doggy mouths would it?

    Lovely decorations and a Merry Christmas to you!

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  16. Have a great Christmas under the pergola! It's all rain and floods here in the UK.
    Happy Christmas
    Lin xx

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  17. Those two surely wouldn't dig anything up lol. Have a wonderful day tomorrow with your family and Merry Christmas.

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  18. May you and your family have a wonderful time tomorrow. Merry Christmas and every best wish for a blessed 2013

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  19. Great work, in the garden and the stitching! The decorations are so cute, I love the buttons too.

    How could you accuse those poor innocent dogs of such behaviour lol

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