End of Year stroll.....

A New Years Eve stroll this afternoon around one of my favourite Northumberland houses.....Wallington Hall.

The clock tower and estate cottages lead visitors through to the 17th century Hall, home to the Trevelyan family and now managed by the National Trust....

Everything was locked up and just a handful of people were walking through the grounds and woodland.

Peace and quiet.....

Craggy, old trees lined the paths....some divided....

Some with many branches to follow....

Others broken.....

A bit like people really.

Then the  "hiding tree" where children love to play amongst the branches....

Fun and laughter.....joyful times.....


Time to reflect on the New Year and what it will bring for all of us.....I'm hoping it is a good one!

With love,
Julie x

Floppy holiday.....

Hope you all having a lovely Christmas holiday and are slowly working your way through your books and chocolates.
Mine have all gone because I have no restraint...it's all or nothing!

Oh to be able to take one chocolate then close the lid.

Meanwhile, things are starting to flop around here now......hyacinths with their horizontal, heavy heads,

Candles burnt down and finished.....

Pillar candles from Christmas Day creating strange, floppy shapes...

 One even managed to burn a hole in its side allowing wax to spill out onto the table....

 When I moved the candle away, I was left with.....an angel's wing!

Well, I think so anyway....some might not agree....

Julie x

Getting festive...

The tree has been chosen from the farm down the road.....

A big beauty for the sitting room, now standing upright in the poss tub with the first set of lights on.

I often think I should stop just there....keep it simple.... and set the lights to a gentle twinkle.

But I know there will be questions asked on Christmas Day from the "big children" as to where the decorations have gone if I don't keep going.

So on I go.....handmade baubles, shaker style angels, boots and hearts from long ago....

Mustn't forget the Christmas Angel ....

Meanwhile, I am having a bit of an addiction to this stuff....

Gluhwein from Aldi with added apple and orange slices popped in the pan as it warms. I love the smell as it simmers and it tastes pretty good too...an ideal accompaniment for a spot of tree decorating.

Also from Aldi.....something a little more practical.....

Not the kind of thing I would normally buy you understand, but I thought they would be fun....

Tacky toilet rolls with a Christmas theme....

Rudolph and friends in many poses.... but mainly bottoms up.

And guess what?..... they are scented and smell strangely of mulled wine too.....amazing!

 Julie x

Tidy...

This has been a rare sight at Chez Cloth Shed for a long time....the snug room with the woodburner actually dust free and tidy!
The "tumbleweed fluff" that has gathered under the sofa and furniture for weeks on the oak floor.... is no more.....very satisfying when emptying the Dyson, yet also a little embarrassing because of my neglectful housekeeping. 

A shift around of furniture from other rooms today, has resulted in the Seth Craige travel trunk now under the painted table....

And the old pine dresser brought in from the hall...and as you can see...still unpainted!
I did try painting the side with American milk paint a few weeks ago, but I washed it off as I wasn't sure.

What a ditherer...

Getting me into the festive mood...an early Christmas present arrived yesterday from the lovely Lynn at Sea Angels....

Beautifully wrapped with a gorgeous card........

Vintage ribbon, snowflake and a printed moth on a fine gossamer thread....

Gorgeous Frenchiness....now hanging on the skinny cupboard in the hall....

Yep! my very own Christmas stocking which I am hoping "Santa" will notice when he comes in from work this evening....

He still has lots to do yet.....Christmas tree this weekend and fairy lights and decs to be unearthed from the loft.

I will help him of course...


Have a good week.
Julie x

Final flourish.....and a start...

My last Fair before Christmas is tomorrow at The Rheged Discovery Centre, Penrith, Cumbria....so more painted furniture on its way...a 19th century bedside/ pot cupboard with reeded legs and castors, a small pine corner cupboard with a door and another one without.

A couple of big picture frames...and some more Kate Forman cushions, which are selling as fast as I can make them at the moment.

 Vintage silver plate...a Mappin and Webb ice bucket and a Walker and Hall bowl will hopefully be gracing a new Christmas table in a few weeks time.
These old pieces of silver plate from well known makers just smack of quality. Why would you buy a modern copy when you could have an original piece for the same price or most probably less?

This old letter with the remains of a seal is an apology from W. Haward, Oxford Street, London to Mr Burroughs at Mr Crofts in St Martins Lane...dated 9th November 1763.

Sir,
I ordered my clerk to be with you by 9 o'clock yesterday morning-
As you have signed a ........?
I expect him to pay the loss of it
as it was his neglect and therefore I hope you will take a Guinea for
the loss, that he may take more
care for the future, your
compliance with the request will oblige Sir....
Your most humble servant,
W. Haward.

  And finally,

 The start of the Christmas decorations has begun at the front door today...in the form of a wonky wreath....

And the temporary log store by the door is going to have be emptied to accomodate the big tree that will be arriving next weekend....

Poss tubs make great Christmas tree containers, watertight obviously.... and with the help of a few logs to wedge the trunk in place......deep enough to stop them falling over.

Now, what would my Granny have to say about the new use for her old washing tub?

Bye for now....back soon,
Julie x

Distressed...

A charming trio of watercolours depicting early 19th century hunting capers..... slightly battered and worn, but just how I like it.

Standing in front of two hand painted 19th century long case clock faces..... with shooting scenes above the dial.... also battered, worn and pitted with rust.

I think they all work well together and will probably have to stay at Chez Cloth Shed.....but where to put them?

Alongside the old American box perhaps?

I have also been fiddling with a large wooden initial O, painted and distressed, a metal leaf heart and a lavender filled heart with a faded crown printed onto a piece of old French linen.

Now hung on a wall in the bedroom....

I must admit it is getting me in a slightly festive mood......

Now, where are my Tesco crown lights?

Have a lovely week.....

Julie x