Today being the first of December I have installed our Christmas tree.  Last year we didn’t have the tree up and it didn’t quite feel like Christmas.  This year we’re staying home for Christmas and given all that’s happening in our lives I’ve decided we need some festive cheer.

I purchased our tree the first Christmas HUBBY and I were together.  Year year I buy a Christmas ornament that has the year on it and I try and get ornaments that reflect what we’ve done that year.  I usually head out to the Christmas Barn in Bredbo and purchase individual ornaments for us and our family and friends.  I haven’t had a chance to get out there this year and I’m starting to consider making my own ornaments instead.

Last year when I was in the UK I was lucky enough to be there in time for pre-Christmas shopping so I made sure to buy Christmas ornaments.  Both the puppies have their own ornaments with the year of their birth on there.  We have ornaments celebrating our wedding, our first home and our trips overseas.  I love the there’s so many memories attached to our tree.

I’ve stuck with a basic theme of red and gold.  I occasionally wish I could change the theme, but colour fads come and go but the traditional stick around.  This year I’ve not put any tinsel on the tree.  I’m going for a basic look.  (That and I hate tinsel.)  We have some skeleton ornaments which I adore.  Not really the traditional Christmas message, but it’s reflective of us.

I can’t wait for the Christmas spirit to start seeping into our days.  I adore Christmas time.  I love listening to Carols and Hymns.  (I even listen to them during the year when I need cheering up!)  This year I need to get stocking anchors so I can hang our stocking on the bookshelves.  Need to see if I can find some online…

Lately a lot of people in my blog’osphere have been mentioning a magazine called Frankie.  I had seen it on the shelves at the newsagency but never picked one up.  That changed this week though, while I was waiting for a prescription to be filled (I know, life in the fast lane or what!) I wondered around the newsagent next to the chemist.  There I found Frankie.  I picked it up, flicked through it, my heart swelled with desire and I took it home. (Yes, I paid for it first!)

I’ve been reading through it ever since.  Savoring all the beautiful images and wonderful things out there in the world of art, fashion, music, craft and life.  I’ve also added a subscription to my ever growing list of things I want for Christmas.  (You listening Santa?)  So if you’re wondering whether you should rush out and get a copy (the answer is yes, by the way!) then check out some of these amazing artists that are featured.

1.  Victoria Mason Jewelery – I love this range of everyday items turned into bling.  I’m especially fond of the sharpening necklace, sneaker-fetti necklace and the peg earrings.

2.  Only Midge – I’m really loving the current trend in hand made bags and purses.  Only Midge have taken that a step further by allowing you to specify the type of bag you would like and then the material that you would like it made in so you get a truly individual experience.  Genius!  Even if you’re not in to bags and purses check out their website, it’s cute to the extreme!

3.  Brave Moonman – If the name of this Etsy store doesn’t suck you in, the adorable mix tape purses will.  It’s something that those of my generation long for, the mix tape.  You used to spend hours constructing the right order of songs and then trying to record them off the radio without getting the DJ in the mix as well.  Many a great love story played out via mix tapes.  So what better way to carry this nostalgia for better times close to your heart than with a felt mix tape purse.

4.  Lady Monicle – I love these porcelain items.  They remind me of Golden Circle Children’s Books, which I adored as a child.  These are really unusual and would definitely get you noticed for all the right reasons.

5.  Ninainvorm – I swoon every time I see European art.  I don’t know why but at the moment I just can’t get enough, so my heart skipped a beat when I saw this artist profiled.  Love it!  The colours, the shapes, the upcycling – it’s all wonderful, and really well priced.  Check out the Etsy store or just drool over the blog.

6.  Pink Lou Lou – This would be the only way I’d ever show off my “map of Tasmania“.  These great pieces capture the Australian lifestyle while also giving a nod to our tendency to take the piss.  It’s also the only way I’d ever wear a gold thong!

7.  Ecococoon – Another item attached to the memories of my past.  There’s nothing better than being served ice cold water in one of these cups on a stinking hot day.  (Much like today!)  These cups are made using new environmentally friendly techniques and are really well priced at A$39.95 for a complete set.

8.  Frankie – The magazine that inspired this Friday Fancies.  The magazine also has a great online presence, so if you can’t afford to splurge on the magazine you can definitely afford a little online time to check it out.  They have also produced their own cookbook, Afternoon Tea, a bargain at AU$19.95.    I’m also adding this to my Christmas Wishlist, as well as everything else in this fancy!

Merry Christmas!  I was supposed to post yesterday, but we spent the day in the car driving from Canberra to Melbourne and I didn’t get a chance.  So I’ve snuck away from the festivities (read: snoozing on the couch as we’re all too bloated from Christmas lunch to move!) to make my last countdown post.

I’m ending on an important one – HUBBY.  I’m so very lucky to have this man in my life.  I could wax lyrical about how wonderful he is, but I’m sure you all want to keep your Christmas meals down.  Just know this – he is amazing, and I love him more then anything.  Still managing to keep the Christmas lunches in place?

Melbourne has been delightful today.  We went for a family lunch at HUBBY’s brother’s house.  They have the immense honour of giving the family the first grandchild, and as it was the grandchild’s first Christmas they were the center of attention.  As it should be!  Lots of cool kids presents and clothing.  It’s just all too cute!  I’ve had a really lovely day.  I miss my folks, but that’s to be expected.  I hope they’ve had a lovely day too.

I want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with much love and merriment!  Just be safe!

Another one of my favourite treasuries.  I’m really digging the combination of red and blue at the moment.  I think it started with the wonderful design layout that Miss T did for me when I went to London.  It’s a scheme I wouldn’t have come up with on my own, I don’t think.  But it’s out there, and I’m enjoying it.  I also wonder whether you could do a blue and red Christmas theme.  It would be a lovely way of tying the beach in with the traditional, and therefore perfect for an Australian Christmas.  So, to celebrate the fact that it’s only eight days till christmas, and my new found love of the blue and red combination I have for you eight etsy finds that would make perfect blue and red themed Christmas gifts. (In no particular order.)

1. Paper Stories: I need to write my Christmas cards (I know, I know, I’m really late!).  I love giving people cards that are mini pieces of art.  This letterpress card is stunning and could be framed in a simple frame from Ikea and hung up at Christmas time to add some extra festive cheer to your room.  It’s the gift that keeps on giving!

2. Strawberry Luna: This print reminds me of George (our beagle).  She’s so quick to get things that she shouldn’t, and then she runs and tries to hide with them.  (She then sets about destroying them!)  This just made me smile.

3. ScotiaMade: I’m a smart arse and therefore I love gifts that share that trait.  This artist has a great range, this is just a sample.

4. Curly Sue:I love this piece, it would make any outfit come alive.  I love the combination of materials and the colour choice.  Two other things working in it’s favour – it’s made by an Aussie, and it’s title is “May the Bluebird of Happiness Poop on your Head”.

5. Fabric Farrago: Robots! These thumbtacks are just so cute and geeky.  I love them and must have a set!

6. Obsecurities Hot Glass: Handy and attractive.  Every woman needs zippered cases.  I use so many to keep things ordered and convenient.  Nothing like changing a hand bag and not having to do the “pick up handfuls of random crap and throw it in there hoping you’re not missing anything” routine.  Keep them all grouped together and easy to transport.

7. Enamor: What list would be complete without a gnome.  This lil guy is so colourful and he’d make an unusual and welcome change from a standard Christmas card.

8. Sofia Masari: I love these earrings.  They just pop.  In fact, I think I would just about order one of everything in this store.  I love it, the way the glaze clings to the depths of the design.  Love it.

Sometimes life hands you a few curve balls and you’ve got to roll with the punches.  Sure the urge to dwell on things might seem overwhelming at times, but it’s only by making lemonade from lemons that life is worth living.

I had big plans for the month of December on this site.  In the weeks leading up to Christmas I was making a little list of all the things I wanted to post about. The little adventures I was going to have and then post about them back here.  But December has rushed away from me.  I’ve not done half the things I had planned, and chances are it’ll be Christmas 2009 before they happen.  So, in an effort to get this train back on it’s tracks, and to prove that it’s never too late.  I give you some Christmas cheer.

This little guy is Rudolph the Red Nose Mouse.  He’s available from The House of Mouse on Etsy.  I’ve featured the House’s work before, and I couldn’t go past doing it again today.  I just love this lil guy.  So, Santa, I’ve been a reasonably good girl and you know the drill! *wink*  The other great thing, the creator of The House of Mouse has a website: Life, Craftiness and Everything Else.  I’d recommend you check it out, you never know what wonderful creations you might find there!  In fact, a post on there has inspired me to add a new item to my list.  So there’s something for me to start working towards.

While on the subject of Etsy (do I ever leave it?) – I have been accumulating some of my favourite treasuries that have appeared on the front page of late.  So I thought it about time to share another one with you.

I liked the whimsy in this treasury.  Unlike most treasuries, where there’s some piece in it I’d like to own, I don’t particular yearn to own any of these pieces.  I just really liked the colour combination and theme of the pieces chosen.  I think my two favourite are “how i got my st…” and “Red Poppy Vase”.  Although “Fall 2008 – Jus..” is closely following those two.  I have more treasuries waiting to be displayed and over the next few weeks I’m going to do just that.  Use it as a motivation to post, which is what I need these days – motivation.

Tomorrow is a big day, and I have to be up early and facing the world.  Which is much easier typed then done these days.  Hope you all have a wonderful sleep or day – which every you’re indulging in.

I love December.  I love that everyone starts to get excited about having time off work.  I love that we make plans for December as early as June most years.  The reason for December being such a special month – Christmas.  I love Christmas!

I love watching people decorate for an event.  Houses that are normally bare all year suddenly come alive with badly done Christmas lightening and decorating.  I love that everyone goes into a frenzy and our social calendar gets out of control.  I love thinking about what gifts I’m going to get people.  I love listening to Christmas songs.  In short, I love Christmas.

We have our own family traditions that we like to carry out over the Christmas period.  We have foods that we only eat at Christmas time.  People we only tend to see at Christmas time.  It’s an awesome time of year.

I do realise that I’m in a minority when it comes to Christmas, but I don’t care – I love it!  So be warned, if you’re a bah humbug kinda person this website is probably going to drive you nuts for the next month.  If you love it like I do, then I hope it brings you some smiles and ideas.  I’ve got a big month planned, so prepare to get festive!