Christmas Cheer.

I received a glorious parcel yesterday from Ginny, which was so beautifully wrapped. We arranged our own private swap between us and this is what arrived. I wish you could smell this candle - the fragrance is so intense - Cinnamony and Christmasy - divine!

Inside the other gift was a scrummy pile of fabrics tied with ribbon and lace and one of Ginny's handmade ballet boot lavender sachets. She has made these for many years and I have always coveted them and now I am lucky enough to own one!

I have hung it from the key to my French armoire.

Thank you Ginny for your generous gift - I of course, love everything!

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I have worked on creating a costume for the plaster half doll that I received in a swap parcel from Louise recently. I used a section from a strong cardboard poster tube to bring her up in height, gluing it in place with my glue gun. There is a plastic stopper in the bottom, so I can hide secret things inside her!!

I then set about styling her hair with ostrich feathers, millinery forget-me-nots and a vintage magenta rhinestone brooch.

Her bodice is made from a section of beaded chiffon with a deep cummerbund decorated with a vintage dyed mother-of-pearl buckle.

The skirt is stitched from a 1920's eiderdown cotton printed with pale Hollyhocks, with antique lace hem and overlaid with dusky pink net at her waist. I also repainted her finger nails in pastel pink and gave her a small glass bead necklace.

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Today was the last posting date for Christmas deliveries - I would like to thank everyone who has made a purchase from my website this year, which I appreciate very much indeed.

Things are starting to get a little more festive around here.....

We will be decorating our Christmas tree tomorrow........