Friday, December 04, 2009

Patience is a Virtue!

Patience, they say, is a virtue, and is one I like to think I possess...but during these last three months, that virtue has been seriously tested! The final hurdle with my on-going saga was to spend two hours at a solicitors office this morning...If I were to have written a comedy sketch show for the likes of John Cleese, who's characters are perhaps used to things not going their way, then this mornings events would have made for a very funny (read frustrating) show.
I won't bore you with all of that now, because I'm trying to forgot it, thankfully with my patience still intact...
Yes, today I have finally been given the keys to my shop-to-be!! Yippeeeee!!!!
Now the hard work begins and the first job on the cards is to order paint and start wielding the brushes...that Barbie pink wall NEEDS to go! ;-))

There is a lot of work to be done, which will need to be juggled with all the organisation of Christmas too...something I hadn't counted on, because I actually thought I might have been open by now if all had run smoothly...
Being realistic, I think it will be the New Year now before I can open for business...a New Year and a new chapter of my life...
I'll keep you posted with progress, for anyone interested....but for now, here is a sneaky peek at the place I shall be calling 'Nostalgia at Number 1'.

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As a change of subject, here is something I worked on yesterday - a very quick and easy make if you want to have a go yourself...
Shortly after we first moved into our home, it was my hubby's Birthday, and I decided to plant a Silver Birch tree in our garden for him. Over the years the tree has thrived and become very tall and willowy, with beautiful silvery bark.

Sadly, during the high winds that blew last month, a lot of it's whippy twigs were ripped from it's branches and our lawn ended up strewn with many broken stems.

I decided these could be very useful and so gathered them all up in a huge bundle. Enough for a broomstick(!), but that wasn't what I had in mind...

No, I thought I'd make a festive wreath for our front door. These long twigs are very pliable, making them perfect for the job. You could use the stems from a grapevine or a willow too, as these should also be quite pliable at this time of year and not brittle.
Start by making a simple circle to your desired size, winding the twigs around themselves. They should hold themselves in place quite well, but if you have trouble, then a small length of fine wire twisted round will help, as you build on it.

At this stage hubby walked into the kitchen...sighed...and then walked back out! ;-)) You have to be prepared to make a mess, selecting the best pieces of twig to use...
(They do say 'Creative clutter is better than idle neatness'! ;-))

Winding round and round in the same direction will soon build up a thick and strong wreath. By tucking each end into the wreath, it should hold it's shape well.
Stop when you have made the wreath even all the way around and to your desired thickness.
You can decorate your wreath in any way that appeals to you. I decided to keep mine very simple.
A length of vintage white lace was wound round it and tied at the back. (This will help hold all the twigs together too). I tied another shorter length to create the tails.
A wire loop was made at the top for hanging, by twisting a short length through the wreath (optional).

And a single white millinery rose was glued to the bottom.

I used white glue, applied with a brush...
and sprinkled with old fashioned mica glitter...
Making sure to add the frosting where snow would naturally fall and settle.
Including a sprinkling on the rose.

I then left it to dry.
When dry, it was simply hung on our front door, using the wire loop. Ta-da, a wreath that cost me nothing, as I had all the bits and pieces to hand. I was inspired to make this by Natasha, who has been adding glitter to silver birch logs. You can see what she made here.
Hope you have a lovely weekend...I'm off to celebrate, to order litres of paint and make plans....
See ya!
Niki x

39 comments:

  1. Jackie M3:19 pm

    Brilliant news about the shop Niki, congratulations and what a beautiful wreath, you are so clever. Jackie M xx

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  2. I cannot wait until your shop is open...It's gonna be a succes!!! eat your heart out mister Harrod's...here she comes!!!

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  3. So wonderful to hear about your shop! Im so happy for you :)
    I wish I lived in England... maybe one day! ;)
    Happy holidays!

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  4. Anonymous5:22 pm

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  5. Anonymous5:23 pm

    I'm sure your new shop will be fabulous Niki!..good luck..Dee

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  6. Anonymous5:55 pm

    I'm so happy for you! Good luck in your new venture.
    I wish lived nearer, I'd come and help you with the painting, especially if it meant you could open before Christmas LOL!

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  7. CONGRATULATIONS!!! Great news. Can't wait to be a visitor. I like the name by the way. Have a great time celebrating.
    Hen x

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  8. I forgot to sya who I was in last comment, how rude of me!
    It was from Sandie at Sandie's Patch.
    P.S get lots of white paint to cover the 'Barbie pink'!

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  9. Fab news! Well done Niki! Love the wreath too, have a wonderful weekend planning & buying paint. Lizziecaret xxx

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  10. I sort of know what you were going through at the solicitors. My husband does conveyancing for a living! Hope it all goes well for you and I will try and visit when you open.
    The christmas wreath looks absolutely lovely

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  11. Anonymous6:50 pm

    Congratulations! Now you can finally start! Please keep us posted about your progress!

    Love the christmas wreath!

    Ciao, Helena

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  12. Congratulations, you must be so excited! I hope to visit soon, it looks like an ideal place.
    Lovely wreath, I shall make one but will decorate with driftwood, knotts of driftrope & shells.
    Tracey

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  13. How exciting, Niki! I'm thrilled to pieces for you! I can't wait to see how your shop progresses. And your wreath is stunning, especially on that front door you have! Happy Weekend!

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  14. YIPPEEEEEEEEEEE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
    SHE GOT THE KEYS !!!!!!!!

    now the magic begins inside there ;-0

    Congratulations Niki can't wait to visit !

    btw love the wreath.
    best wishes Ginny xx

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  15. Congratulations Niki!
    Good Luck with the painting, can't wait to see the results! Love the wreath, so pretty!
    Rachel x

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  16. Julie Bell8:26 pm

    I will be seeing you in the new year, congratulations Niki.

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  17. And lucky for me my birthday is in January, and we usually have a trip away - I know where it will be! Congratulations!

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  18. Congratulations Niki! I'm looking forward to following your progress with the shop!

    I used to make similar wreaths using grapevine which is also very pliable.
    Yours looks very pretty!

    Jayne

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  19. Yay! You go girl! Have a ball playing shops. You are sooo wise to take the pressure off yourself a teeny weeny bit about opening dates. I'm very excited for you. I'm off to the local farmers/craft market tomorrow - I'm excited for me too! Love the wreath - thanks for sharing, you gorgeous business woman. Cheers (with champagne in hand of course)! Suzy hugs xxxx

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  20. At last! I heard your sigh of relief from here!!!! So exciting.

    White glue ... when I first married I glued and glittered a beautifully-shaped log, which then rested in the unused fireplace all over the festive season. When we took down the decorations the log was packed in a bag and decamped to the loft until the following year. Eventually all the glitter and paste came off and the log was burned, but it lasted 5 or 6 years. I don't know if anyone still does this, but my 'snow' was a flour and water paste as opposed to glue. It's what we always used when I was a child.

    Congrats again.

    Sue x

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  21. am adding my own best wishes to everyone else's for finally getting your shop! What a great Christmas present...

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  22. Hi Niki,
    What great news and what a charming store front that is! I wish you all the luck.
    The wreath is so lovely and looks stunning on your beautiful blue door.
    Hugs,
    June

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  23. Dear Niki.. a big congrats to you! At last the keys are yours! Can't wait to see the progress of the shop..

    have a good weekend
    xo
    fitty

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  24. Wohoo you finally got the key yeah!
    Congratulation Niki!!!
    I'm very happy for you!
    I always loved the view of the beautiful english country side that you have around your garden oh and your gorgeous blue door of course, which looks even more gorgeous with the beautiful birch wreath!

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  25. Good morning Niki! I am happy for you and your new store :)
    Soon as possible we will come visit!
    Dear greetings, Maria.
    (with translator)

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  26. I'm eyeing up our neighbours birch tree now! I love the wreath and I love the quote 'Creative clutter is better than idle neatness'. Oh, how I'm going to use that one!!
    I wish you so much good luck with the shop. Congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading the progress and about your opening day. xx

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  27. oooh wow congratulations with your shop! I wish you good luck!

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  28. Wonderful news about the shop! How fab I can't wait to come and see it

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  29. Oh Niki, you are living my dream...I would love my own little shop...the wreath is lovely...I dont think i could make one though...I would end up with twigs every where...sorry I havent been in touch ...I dont know where the time is going we are so busy at work and home ...knitting like a mad woman...there are sparks coming off my knitting needles I can tell you .....and I feel I have deserted my lovely bloggy pals...lots of love to you and yours...H

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  30. Fantastic news!! Congratulations! Looking forward to following the process ;-)

    Bye Kirsten

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  31. well done Niki. Bet you can't wait for 2010! I'm sure your shop will be absolutely gorgeous and filled with fabulous finds. Wishing you every success, Lucyxx

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  32. Love your garland!
    Happy Sunday!
    Don't miss a gorgeous Christmas giveaway next week on Sweet as a Candy!

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  33. Congratulations on the new SHOP! That's just too exciting for words. xo, suzy

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  34. Wishing you the very best of luck in your new venture,I THINK I recognise where it may be?
    Love What You Do and Do What You Love!!!!!
    Warmest Wishes,
    Cally x

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  35. This is all so exciting, Niki!! I'm so happy that things are finally moving along for you and I look forward to seeing lots and lots of photos of your new shop!!! : )

    ~ Wendy
    http://Crickleberrycottage.blogspot.com/

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  36. Congratulations with your shop, I am looking forward to follow the progress.

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  37. So glad to hear about the progress on the shop. I'm looking forward to hearing more about your adventure.

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  38. Hello Niki

    CONGRATULATIONS! At last the keys! Something exciting to look forward to in the new year, as you say a fresh new start for 2010.

    A great way to use up unwanted twigs! It looks really pretty. I had thought of making a broom with twigs recently but I can't stand the noise, I only use soft brushes. The sound of hard brushes give goosebumps! ( A bit like when a nail scratches a blackboard)

    Warm wishes
    Isabelle x

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  39. wow, congrats niki!! I am so excited for you! I am sorry I missed out last year when I was in your area, I would have loved to visit your shop! Maybe now I have another excuss to travel cross the pond to see your lovely shop!
    xoxo, Tiffany

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Thank you for finding the time to visit me...
Niki xx