It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

...Well, here in our new studio it is!

We have moved since last Christmas and we are lucky enough to now have a little studio for all Merry and Magicals' goodies...

So the Festive Dresser is decorated....

The tree is decorated!!

 And I am busy making and doing...as well as little bits of lovely new stock arriving daily!

Isn't she a sweetie?

I always get excited when I know the new Sally Swannell stock is on the way...and it is! I am such a fan of her work...here's a sneaky peeeky....but sssh don't tell anyone!

We are also pleased to be doing...

The Christmas Shopping Fayre at Westpoint this year-which is where Merry and Magical started...with a tiny table in the craft marquee.....so it will be lovely to be there again this year!The first year we did it it snowed and driving through Haldon Forest to get there was magical...

Right then.....today I am experimenting with air dry clay to make some decorations...

Have a Merry and Magical Day!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Well here at Merry and Magical it does for most of the year but especially now!

I am busy sending out orders of Christmas Cards and Advent Calenders...

 By our favourite lady Sally Swannell...

  while getting ready for our Festive Fair on November 25th in Exmouth...

Pretty Posh Festive Fair 

 

I have been making some cards of my own...

 I hand painted the reindeer and house decorations so you have a keepsake...

 This dear little ted was in a dirty and unloved set of three so he has been through the washing machine and has had a smart new bow tie and a Festive tree added to him and he now looks lovely...

This little heart wreath has had some dotty ribbon added and some dotty bells to match...

Off to do some sewing and candle decorating next...

Have a Merry and Magical Day!

Callie

xox

The Gentle Art of (Festive) Domesticity...

I feel like that that old advert of Cadbury's Caramel- do you remember?  When the lovely sultry Mrs.Rabbit tells Mr. Beaver to 'slow down and have a Cadbury's Caramel'- not that I am lovely or sultry!  It's just that I am a little perplexed by peoples attitude to the Festive Season.....

Why is everyone running around in such a bad tempered fashion??

I understand that time is a precious commodity but really!We ventured out on Sunday to the 'shops'- something we NEVER do- Sunday is for papers in bed and a roast lunch!  But we had had a problem with our beloved vehicle on the Saturday, so with a courtesy car at our disposal (Thank you!) we went off on Sunday morning....

Feeling 'Merry and Bright'!

What an expereince is all I will say,everyone that I said 'Merry Christmas'to looked rather shocked and hardly anyone said it back - apart from a lovely young lady on a checkout at Sainsburys and one lady in Marks and Spencer's - everyone shopping was so bad tempered!  Why???

Especially when online sites can really help with ensuring that you do not have to venture onto the High Street if you do not wish to....

 Munchkin has NO intention of going anywhere....

We were glad to get home and indulge in a bit of Christmas Spirit! Carols and Mince pies - not gin- though I am partial to a bit of Sloe Gin at this time of year....

I still believe that Christmas is absolutely what you make of it and I still find it the most JOYFUL time of the year and no-one needs to be a slave to 'commercialism'...

  My intention this Yuletide!

I really do....

Do you remember that wonderful quote in Miracle on 34th Street?

'I'm not just a whimsical figure who wears a charming suit and affects a jolly demeanour. You know, I... I... I'm a symbol. I'm a symbol of the human ability to be able to suppress the selfish and hateful tendencies that rule the major part of our lives. If... you can't believe, if you can't accept anything on faith, then you're doomed for a life dominated by doubt.'

I first heard that years ago and it always stuck with me...

 Another saying I have always loved on this tin that I treasure ....

Once home I decided to get Festive and make some cards....

Mincemeat and  Mincepies...

I adapted the mincemeat from a  recipe by Mrs.Beeton that has no suet in it and NO sugar - just honey - it was DELICIOUS!!

And I put some vanilla essence into the pastry mix too.....mmmm.

After all that activity there was only really one thing to do....

 

 Sit back and have a Cadburys Caramel- I mean a cuppa and a cinnamon rock bun...

We are off to Totnes Late Night Christmas Market tonight which is usually FULL of Festive Cheer!

 Heres wishing you all a Festive Holiday with lots of Love and Laughter

and 

Have Yourself 

a 

MERRY AND MAGICAL

time...

Warmest Wishes,

Callie- Noelle

Up and Running.....

Well we are finally there!

The Studio is ready for its first craft morning this Thursday....

 Jars of goodies....

 Some Crafty bits and bobs....

 Ribbons and Hearts...

Card Making.....

And the website is ready too...

www.merryandmagical.co.uk

So pop over and have a look...

Warm Wishes for a Wonderful Week,

Callie

x x x

Almost Ready......

Well we are getting there.....

It has been hard work getting The Studio (which now has a name) ready...

The Gathering Room...

I happily chose The Studio because it is up in the eaves of the building- not really considering the fact that it is two flights of stairs to get to the view and peace!!

So my back is feeling the results of that decision! As is my ever supportive Husbands'....

Anyway here are some photographs of our progress so far...

 General View....

Feeling Festive....

Country Dresser.... 

 Red and white Area....

 The Pink Corner.....

My Husband is busy working on the Website and on-line shop- which he is doing himself-I think it looks lovely and I hope that you will like it too.....

Still lots more to do before the 27th!!!

Have a Merry and Magical Day!

Callie-Noelle

x x x

Taking Shape.....

Well as promised here are some photographs of the Studio from day one to now....

A blank white office space....

Pretty uninspiring,don't you agree.....

But look at the view......

Just Lovely.....

Painting the walls.....

A nice warm cream colour.....

My ebay bargain.....

Little Lilac Sofa.....A junk shop find...

Oooh filling up and in need of sorting.....

The Wedding Dresser.....not yet finished...

The antique day bed....

I still have the other half of the room to do,photograph all the stock and get it on the web site!

I think it will be a busy week....

 Have a Merry and Magical Day!

Callie- Noelle

x x x

 

Welcome Friends......

Merry and Magical is a small Craft business devoted to the Magic of Christmas and my love of everything crafty!

Our website will be up and running in the next few months full of lovely goodies for Christmas, your home and your craft room...

We are also getting our Craft Studio together, which we will be photographing and Blogging about from the day we begin... 

We are very happy to be a stockist for Sally Swannell lines....

Everyday Cards

Christmas Cards 
 

Advent Calenders

Lantern Candles

Just a taster of her wonderful range....

We also stock East of India

Country check ribbon..

Hearts and angels...

Country Heart ribbon...




Prints from one of our favourite American Artists...

Linda Spivey...

As well as lots of Handmade and Homespun Goodies....

Scented Hearts...

Millie and Mollie Dollies...



 We will be photographing lots more of our goodies as we build the website so keep in touch....


Have a Merry and Magical Day!

Callie - Noelle