Christmas Greetings Cards

I know I am not the only one to feel like advent and Christmas have come around far too quickly. My perception of time has been completely skewed this year and I can’t quite believe we’re only a month away from 2016.

In my last post, I was raving about all things Christmas and my attempts to immerse myself in the festivities! I don’t intend to stop and soon I’ll be writing and sending my Christmas cards. I therefore thought it was time to share a few more of this year’s Christmas greetings cards.

Less than three weeks to go until Christmas day!

Katie 

A Christmas Visit to Waddesdon Manor

 

On Sunday evening I went to Waddesdon Manor; a National Trust property between Aylesbury and Bicester. For the past couple of years I have gone with my family to soak up the atmosphere and this time was no different!

Wrapped up against the cold, we braved the wind and made our way to the little Christmas Fair behind the manor. We tucked into roasted chestnuts and clutched cups of mulled cider while we took in all there was to see - the manor was bathed in blue light at the back and the trees were adorned with warm yellow lights. With Christmas music in the background, there was nothing the rain could do to dampen my spirit!

One of the draws of Waddesdon is the light installations of Bruce Munro who has had a three year residency there. In each of his pieces he incorporates light, sound and colour to various effects.  For his final year, Bruce used pulsing illuminated tents, radio snippets, sections of songs and morse code to create a fun yet intriguing installation. An immersive experience my sister and I danced our way around parts of the path and I definitely sang along to some of the songs!

Later on I was very happy to sit, sipping hot coffee and eating mince pies in the gorgeous outside seating area which was all dressed up for Christmas with rugs and fairy lights.

I’ll take any excuse to immerse myself in Christmas. I’ve managed to do this a lot at the Christmas fairs where I have had a table but it’s also been nice to enjoy the festivities as a spectator too. On Wednesday I went to a late night shopping event in a local village. Windows were adorned with snowy scenes for a competition, and shops were brimming with people seeking the perfect decorations. There were even donkeys wearing Santa hats! So much Christmas and advent has only just begun!

I hope you’re enjoying the lead up to Christmas!

Katie 

Christmas Greetings Cards and Craft Fairs

At the weekend I had a table at my first Christmas Craft Fair of the season. It was a little bit of a rainy day but after a coffee from a very nice local café my mood couldn’t really be dampened!  With low ceilings and wooden beams Amersham museum made for a cosey location and my first mince pie since January paired with some Christmas music meant I could feel my festive spirit rising! I was more than ready for a cup of mulled wine and some mulled cider as we celebrated Bonfire Night with friends later on in the evening!

Now that November is well under way and the Christmas events have already started, I thought I was well over due to share some of my handcrafted Christmas greeting card designs. They’ve been well received, with cards such as the elf’s washing line proving to be a favourite not only with my customers but also those who were at Fired Works’ First Birthday celebrations. (Congratulations on one year in Chalfont St Peter, Marie!)

I also wanted to tell you about some of the Christmas events I will be at in the coming weeks! Katie Sarah Handcrafted Greetings Cards will be available for sale at:

Downley Makers’ Christmas Market

Saturday 14^th November

From 11am until 2pm

The Downley Memorial Hall, Commonside, Downley, Bucks, HP13 5XJ

I had a table at the Downley Makers’ spring event and it was such a nice atmosphere with a gorgeous array of crafts that I am really looking forward to this Saturday!

Goring Craft Fair

Saturday 21^st and Sunday 22^nd November

From 10am until 4pm

High Street, Goring-on-Thames, Oxfordshire, RG8 9AG

I was lucky enough to be at the first of Goring’s Christmas craft fairs and it has been lovely to return every year. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly and there is a great range of crafts. Good food, and coffee and cake available too!

Hughenden Valley Village Hall’s Christmas Bazaar

Saturday 28^th November

From 2pm until 5pm

Coombe Lane, Hughenden Valley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP14 4NX

I’ve got so many memories of visiting this bazaar as a child so after not being able to attend last year it is nice to be back! With crafts, a book stall and a traditional tombola the appearance of Father Christmas is just the cherry on top!

Thanks for letting me share some of my Christmas greetings cards as well as the details of a few crafts fairs I’ll be attending. I did a spot of Christmas shopping with my mum yesterday so I’m getting very engrossed in the festivities already! I’m craving another mince pie! 

I hope you have had a very good week so far. Happy Wednesday! 

Katie