First let me welcome you to another week joining up with Julia and the gang at the Stamping Ground for WOYWW Photo heavy post and it goes on a bit, sorry Julia!
So, we had a fab Christmas office party (well, afternoon tea and later dinner... full story with lots of photos here ) here are a couple of my favourites!
Afternoon tea (Mad Hatter's Tea at the Sanderson, whacky flavours but gorgeous!)
I managed to collect a few souvenirs for altering at some stage... the box is my "doggy bag" from the leftover steak from dinner, that I brought home with me... a napkin from the bar we stopped at for drinks between tea and dinner (as you do!) and a napkin ring (paper) and "drink me" label from afternoon tea.
Plus, a Liberty catalogue, just for drooling over, and also because I need some magazine images to finish a challenge I've been doing for weeks...
This was the scene in bed on Sunday morning...
Christmas card writing... I don't normally do this kind of thing in bed (stop it!!) but it was too early to get up and I was cosy, so I brought the cards back to bed with me! I admit to staging this shot to show some of the cards better!
Lots of grumpy penguins as you can see!
I haven't made room for a Christmas tree (definitely will next year..... probably) but I have decorated a couple of window sills..this is the living room
I'll try and get a better photo for next week..
and bought this fab garland which I've wound along the sill. (John Lewis if you're interested!)
I did get some presents too, didn't only end up with stuff for me... one present, one for me, one present,,, that kind of shopping!
So, the cards went in the post on Monday morning.. all but one of my presents are bought, the ones that need posting have been, and so it must be play time, right?
I turned to the journal page that was the mop up result of my "oops moment" a few weeks ago
the pens are still out so I can get on with some doodling but I kind of ran out of 'oomph'... weird, have the time now to do something for me, and can't get cracking!!
oh, and in case you're wondering, no I haven't got round to trying to clean the rug, it's still blue!Hope you are all racing ahead with your preparations and find time to relax a bit too!
Catch you at a desk soon!
33 comments:
so much going on here. Love the look of that tree and the tea!
robyn 3
Lots of fun photos. The afternoon tea looks fun. And cute little cards. Have a fun WOYWW and enjoy a great week.
As what comes I must follow the link to see your day out - the afternoon tea sounds perfection!
Love the journal page and the array of Christmas cards, the only place to write on them is tucked up snug in bed - but I did mine in my craft room.
Great journal page and lucky you getting Seth's stamps. I adore that man.
Hugs, Neet 6 xx
One thing I miss about not working are the "Works" parties and afternoon/Morning teas etc.
That tree must have looked pretty spectacular!
Love the "souvenir" bits and pieces to use later! Shopping in London must be Hectic to say the least!!
Have a good rest of week!
I enjoyed seeing your party day pics before...what a great time you had! And that John Lewis garland was worth every penny, so beautiful, you'll enjoy getting that out every year!
Hugs, LLJ 11 xx
Fab desk and pix, loving the journal but especially that Christmas tree!
Happy (Hic!) WOYWW
Kathyk
#10
Mm, your rug still blue, maybe permanent then Helen, love your windowsills very pretty, and well done on being so organised too.
Thanks for sharing,
Shaz in Oz.x #7
{Calligraphy Cards - Shaz in Oz}
I want to be you!!! :-) so well organised! love the garland. Your do sounds fab! Great cards as well. Off to look at the photos of your 'do' :-) Anne x #13
Everything pic has me wishing I was in the UK to really experience a traditional Xmas. Have a lovely week.
sandra de@15
Hello. I'm missing in action today....having a much needed break away for a few days. Just wanted to call in on a few of my fav blogs to see what you have all been up to. Have a great week.
Hugs,
Annie x
I've really been enjoying your photos - the garland is beautiful. Hope you get your oomph back soon!
Happy WOYWW,
Diana #20
Hi Helen, loving those penguins, and now I know at least one pressie I'm getting for Christmas, lol. The garland is lovely. Smiled at the way your Christmas shopping goes, same thing happens here too. Great colours on the journal page, they go together so well. Have a great week, Hugs, Shaz #5 xxx
Happy WOYWW. Great post. Your Chistmas Do sounds brilliant - and quite lengthy! I wouldn't be able to cope with Afternoon Tea and Dinner. Liberty - possibly my favourite store ever and haven't been there for many years. Every year I say to hubby we should get to London for Christmas shopping, but it is always busy on the farm and then we have family to visit. Perhaps next year! No tree or decorations up here yet - waiting for hubby to get them out of the loft. Ali x #25
The afternoon tea sounds like a lot of fun. London, at Christmas? Not so much lol. Your journal page looks fun. I have so much to do that I'm starting to panic.
Happy WOYWW
Sharon K #27
Good morning Helen. Loving you window decorations and that garland you found is gorgeous. Wow that is alot of cards you managed to get done and yup i would stay in bed to do mine but when my DH is working the two dogs seem to hog what space is left. I love the journal page you have made looks just fab. Countdown begins and so happy you only have one more gift to buy I have a few left still to grab with appoiments still and baking straight for a few days need our treats at Christmas. Have a wonderful week and thanks for visiting me earlier. Hugs Always ~Anne L#9
Wow what a good time you had. Afternoon tea. love Liberty's and the Regent Street lights and your steak dinner. Hope you enjoy Christmas.
I think the hardest part of sending Christmas cards is the writing the insides, the envelopes all of that part. so, I think you had the best idea for doing them in a warm snugly spot Helen :) ~Stacy #31
Wow, you have been busy, Helen. I love the idea of collecting stuff like that for altering. I often wonder if I can make art out of things while I'm out and about!
Thank you for your visit and your good wishes - leg pain much better on meds, and finger pain gradually improving I think, but comes and goes!! I'm glad you like my current project! The frame was really quick to do (unlike most of my cutting projects) and maybe I'll use a version of it on the album cover... Have to think about that!
Happy WOYWW,
Shoshi #18
You r Afternoon Tea looks like it was loads of fun! And that tree - WOW! would love to have that in my living room! LOL! Your journal pages look great just the way they are, and you have done a lovely display in your window! Thanks for sharing! Lindart #35
Wow, what a great Christmas party, your pictures are amazing. you got to hand it to the London businesses, they know how to decorate their city! I wrote cards sitting at my desk, I think there's a huge big argument for doing them in bed..I should try that. At 3pm on a wet Wednesday!! I agree about the grumpy dog, a week ago when I was feeling a bit Humbug about it all, they seemed quite fun, but now I think it's too ironic to put on a Christmas card. Will change the choice of hat and use for birthdays! Love the new garland, and what a fab quick way to dress up the woundowsill!
I love seeing what others do for Christmas! My hubby works 6 days a week and barely takes much time out for fun (but we do have parties the next 2 weekends). Decorating at our house is minimal but we do have a small tree up and decorated with snowflakes. Thanks for sharing your Christmas fun! And thanks for the visit!
Carol N #26
Love that Christmas tree and the penguins, of course. You know the feeling of getting up after very little sleep from your party night. I shall need an afternoon Nana nap tomorrow!
Your window sills are lovely. The blue rug referrence makes me smile, again. You are doinga great job with your journal. Thanks for the peek. #39
Oh it is the busy season!! I understand about why not just do it where things are comfortable! Lovely photos. Thanks for stopping by with kind comments....I would so LOVE to be able to say I just popped into London to do a bit of shopping LOL. Very pretty art journal page. Keep smiling and creating.
Great journal page, and I love that bottle tree!
Thanks for the fab Christmas card Helen!
Alison x
Helen, you are soooooo funny, I was totally snickering at my desk!! LOL I love all of what you got going on. I haven't made room for a tree this year either. I have a baby cat and the thoughts of her tearing my tree down with all my beloved ornaments on it brought tears to my eyes. So it's just decorations here and there for me as well! LOve, love that journal spread! Sometimes you just have to step away for awhile and when you come back it will be an ahaaaa moment for a fabulous spread! Thanks for stopping by my blog and Merry Christmas to you!: )
Great post Helen! Afternoon tea sounds just perfect and the goodies on the cake stand look delicious. Your bed makes an ideal alternative to a desk - lovely cards. I like the new garland too and your windowsill looks very festive already.
Happy belated WOYWW. Have a great week. Hugs, Elizabeth x #40
Hi Helen, You are certainly well organised with your Christmas preparations. I like to have a nice quiet week leading up to Christmas, so should something suddenly need doing it's not a problem.
Your tea party and meal sound lovely.
I love your festive ornaments and the garland. I don't have room for a tree, so have a few Christmassy things about. As it's my birthday Christmas Eve, I have my birthday cards and Christmas up, so plenty of strings to take them, as I hate having cards everywhere. the nice thing is when I take my Christmas cards down, I still have my birthday ones up till 24th January, when I take them down.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Happy WOYWW
Sue #17
Hi Helen, sorry I'm a bit late this week you know how it is. I am loving the journal page, gorgeous colours. I so love your Christmas cards too. Popped over to look at your party..... I want to be a guest there!!!!!! looked great. Have a happy belated WOYWW and thanks for the visit to mine, Angela x 12
I love your kind of shopping! LOL. Great photos and you sure do have a lot going on. It's that time of year! Thanks for visiting me earlier. Dorlene #41
Just chuckling at your shopping trip - I hate shopping but your way is fun! Love the garland - so pretty. Your journal page is lovely - I like the blue/green combo! x Jo
Wow, sounds like you are mega-organised... my problem is I did the play-time stuff first, though have managed to buy a tree today. Decorating doesn't happen until the day (or occasionally two) before Christmas Eve, and stays up the full 12 Days until 6th Jan, so won't be doing that for a while yet.
Most of the present shopping is done - almost entirely online though, these days, I'm afraid... and just as easy to do the "one for them, one for me" version that way. Besides, if I went into London to shop, there would probably be murder done!
Love your swanky looking office do - two swanky looking spots, no less! - glad you had lots of fun.
The cards are looking great, and bed seems like just the right place to get the writing done. The blue-greens in the journal page are right up my alley, and I'm sure you'll find the doodling oomph in the long run.
Can I have a prize now for the longest comment ever? Blogger better not wipe it...
Alison x
Great post Helen and I love all the quirky stuff you came across. I don't do Christmas cards, I stopped a few years ago and people who cared were soon in touch to see if I was OK but so many never even noticed!!! DH insists on sending out some "specials" so I let him. Ho ho ho!
Thanks for popping in on me and YES!!! you'd love the Christmas markets in Germany. Neet missed this year due to her health but has made a Weinachtmart trip every year for so long. Ask her advice for the best places if ever you go.
Jo x
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