Tuesday 10 July 2012

Christmas in July

No you have not read the title of my post incorrectly. I am so fed up with this weather that I decided that as I am such a Christmas lover that I would have a Christmas in July post. Yes there are only 167 to go. I thought I would show you some recent things I have been up to and put a fun Christmas slant on it . It is official that June was the dullest wettest June on record and so far July is going the same way...but

It must be Christmas in July because....
the hosepipe ban has  been removed!

We had this introduced in our area our area in early April and within a week it started raining. We have actually been more fortunate than some poor souls in the North of England where very severe flooding has and is still taking place.
Despite the rain it has not been cold and my plants are still flowering beautifully.






I have hardly had to water any of my pots this year. The flowers don't seem to mind the weather and still show off in all their finery. They are all so cheerful to see growing away.














Even the lawn is lush and green, the only down side is that I hardly have a chance to mow it as I have to keep dodging the showers.











It must be Christmas in July because......
I have finally re potted my indoor cacti and succulents!


This is only about 3 years overdue. I am such a keen gardener but I am afraid that any indoor plants I have survive by total neglect. As I have been unable to work outside in the garden very much I decided that my poor indoor souls would finally get their Christmas in July present.


Just look at them, especially the one in the foreground, it had so outgrown its tiny pot that it had difficulty standing up. I spent a few hours re potting them all a few weeks ago and to my amazement some of my cacti have even started flowers again and the plant in the front here looks so happy....













We call this one Clint Eastwood and look at the new "arms"  he has grown, I think I can even hear him humming now in my porch ;0)















The flowers on these 2 cacti are amazing and no these don't have names ;0)

It must be Christmas in July...
because I bought a new tin.




Yes I spotted this in good old M&S. It is another that has been issued for the Olympics/Jubilee and I think the images on it are really good fun. The shortbread biscuits inside were yummy and the tin has gone down to my studio and is already being used for my crafting stash.

It must be Christmas in July because...........................................

I made my first Christmas card.



Yes there are a lot of  Christmas in July card challenges on at the moment so it was time for me to join in with one.  This one is using one of my Lili of the Valley stamps I bought last year. It is called Milly winter window and I love it so much as it reminds me of my Milly and Billy sitting waiting for Christmas.

I decided on a "white on white" theme for this card as I think these cards look quite sophisticated. It is also a great way of using up your white stash! I have hand punched some snowflakes and used holly embossed backing paper and embossed glittered velum.

 I also used lashing of glitter glue to give some bling to it! As I have been so organised I have put this one up for sale in my Esty shop here. Last year I never had enough time to make more than a few Christmas cards for my shop so I am determined to make a start early this year.

I would like to enter my card into the following challenges;


Ladybug Crafts Ink Christmas in July, new release!
 Christmas card challenge Challenge 32
Ribbon Girl Girlie card
Winter Wonderland white on white
Sparkles Christmas Challenge #18 sketch
Make it Monday Linky Party #97
The Stamp Man Bring on the bling
Lili little Fairies Anything Goes
Crafter's Companion Ho Ho Ho Christmas #26
A&T Emerald Faeries Challenge Use Lace #28


It must be Christmas in July for Billy.......

because it was so wet outside yesterday that when I saw the naughty boy flat out on my just changed bed linen......

 I actually let him stay there!



What a cheeky lad he just stretched out when he saw me and that little pink nose as always melted me and he was allowed to stay.


And finally, it must be Christmas in July....

because in 18 days time my darling daughter is getting married.

And that has to be the most exciting count down. I went to her Hen Party on Saturday held in London. We had such a fab time, we mixed cocktails in Vodka Revolutions in Soho. There was a lot of laughter there.  I won't tell you what the design of the straws we drank through the cocktails through were but there is a clue in the word ;0) Afternoon tea in the Dorchester in Mayfair was so elegant, the tea was a special "Wimbledon tennis tea" and all the cakes were tennis related and totally delicious. We ended the day with an evening at Ronnie Scott's Jazz club, such amazing music and then caught taxis back to our hotel where we collapsed into bed at nearly 2am. Such a fab time.....I will share a couple of  photos.

On the tube to Soho.
Cocktail shenanigans


Walking past Bank to catch the tube with her bridesmaids to be 



A slightly more sedate afternoon tea at the Dorchester hotel. We made this last for nearly 3 hours! There was no photography allowed at Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club, our last Hen stop in the evening  but you can take my word that is one place in London that you really should visit!

I hope this Christmas in July post brought a smile to your faces. Let's hope that the weather really does become more summery soon.

Enjoy the rest of the week, 

Back soon,

Bye for now,

Jane x (AKA Mrs Christmas)



58 comments:

  1. Sigh!!! Jane!!!!!!!
    I know things are a bit dire, weatherwise but 'C' !!!!!!!!
    Please no!!!
    Right I'm going to comment on your 'JULY' photos. ;)
    Your flowers are looking amazing and I love your flowering cacti.
    Looks like the Hen night was a great success! :)
    Good old Billy, he knows how to look after himself.
    Still dry here today!
    Vivienne x

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  2. I knew this would get you pulling out your hair Vivienne...LOL!! It is actually dry here at the moment....glad you liked my Christmas...sorry July Flowers.The Hen was such fun. Enjoy your week my dear,
    Jane x

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  3. Lovely white on white Christmas card Jane and enjoyed your plant flowers and the antics of the hens night! Saw it on MIM.
    Stamping Shanni

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  4. Thanks for visiting Shanni.
    Jane x

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  5. Fabulous pictures! And your card is a vision in white! Just wonderful! Thank you so much for joining us at MIM this week! Don't forget to leave a comment for another entry and mention you saw them on MIM for a chance at our second prize! Good luck,
    Rene :D

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  6. I'm glad you enjoyed the photos and my card Rene,
    Jane x

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  7. Glad I stopped by to read your latest post. I really like the cactus pics as I also have a bunch. I'm emotionally connected to a few as they were given to me when my 22 year old daughter was born. My Christmas cactus has salmon colored flowers (it's really a Thanksgiving cactus), was given to me by my now deceased grandmother when she came to visit us and to see the new baby. It always blooms right on schedule around my daughter's b-day. Anyway, thanks for sharing your flower and plant pics and other news. Hope your weather improves for the games!

    Jane T.

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  8. Gorgeous card Jane - stunning colouring and love the design.
    Thanks for popping by my blog via MiM and your lovely comment.
    Enjoy your evening.
    Take care
    Debs xx

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  9. How lovely to have such special stories attached to your cacti Jane. They are the only indoor plants which survive in my house and it's lovely to see them in bloom. Thanks for stopping by today and yes start doing a sun dance for the end of July please ;0)
    Jane x

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  10. Good to see you here Debs,
    Jane x

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  11. Hi Jane, I had to come looking to see what I might find on your site after reading your note. I see beautiful cards and fun times being hard. Thanks for stopping by my blog.

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  12. Oh Jane how I adore visiting your blog it is just so intersting and pretty, beautiful cardsm and a beautiful daughter, I love as north east as I can ugh tenmiles south of newcastle and our floods were horrendous last thursday people were in their canoes on the coast road into newcastle, im pleased you didnt get it as bad hunnie, have alovely evening huggies June xxx

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  13. Hi Karal thanks for returning the visit.
    Jane x

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  14. You are so kind June. Please stay safe up in the north...the flooding has been so dreadful for you. It's always lovely to see you here.
    Jane x

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  15. Fabulous card, love th wow and gorgeous image. Thanks for playing at WW.

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  16. Yes this post did make me smile :) Thanks! It sounds like you're getting all my rain. It's dry, dry, dry in Ohio. Lovely photos of everything. It cracks me up that you're drinking cocktails from those kinds of straws and then having such sophisticated outings. A woman of many sides LOL

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    1. Glad I made you smile Linda and I don't think the Dorchester would have let us use those straws for our tea lol! The weather is mad isn't it.
      Jane x

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  17. Wow, you've got lots going on! Your card is wonderful--LOVE your darling image and your beautiful coloring! An adorable creation! :)

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    1. Life is certainly busy at the moment Mynnette !
      Jane x

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  18. Hi Jane! Fine with me, but I'm thinking of Christmas because of the winter weather - here it's just too hot for me and can't stay only inside sewing.
    Your flowers are amazing and even cactus!
    I love your Christmas card! White is really good!
    I'm sure you had wonderful with the girls! x Teje

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  19. It would be good if we could share our weather Teje. I had such a fun time with the girls .
    Jane x

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  20. Gorgeous card Jane, love the image and design.
    Hugs
    Caz x

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  21. Love this post. Happy Christmas in July,
    Looks like a terrific Hen's gathering!!

    I'm having trouble leaving comments, but please know I've read all your latest posts.

    Happy last fews days til the Big Day.

    Anne
    PlumCreek22
    etsy

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  22. It's always great to see you here Anne, I think blogger gets the sulks sometimes re comments! It is indeed the last few days now..all so exciting.
    Jane x

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  23. It's very hot here in California today, so I loved my little "Christmas in July" visit immensely! Such fun to get a glimpse of your world...so much going on over there this summer! Enjoy the wedding...I hope the sun shines all day.

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  24. Oh Jane, your Hen Party looks like it was loads of fun. I'm excited for you about the wedding getting so close. I do hope you share photos with us! ((hugs)), Teresa :-)

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  25. Dear Mrs.C,

    I don't believe that ANYONE else knows how many days there are until Christmas but you dear ;) and I saw Vivienne almost freaking out for this, poor girl! The summer has been bad here too, no flooting fortunately but rainy and cold. But your flowers look perfect, and Mr.Eastwood looks charming in his new pot!

    The hen night looks fabulous, I'm sure you had greatest time! Now it's just a few more days...Lovely!

    Have a great week, dear friend, and kiss that sweet billy-boy for me, please!

    Yours,
    Mia

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  26. Congrats on getting such an early start on your Christmas cards. I'm envious! Your card is gorgeous! I love the pretty details.



    I’m stopping by from MIM. (I’m entry #99)

    ~Cheryl~

    **I am having a give-away on my blog. Feel free to stop by if you are interested.**

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  27. Thank you for sharing these gifts of joy! As always, there is so much beauty to discover here. What a perfect way to wrap it all together with a Christmas in July celebration? P.S. Love that Billy is taking it all on his own terms! :o)

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  28. I am very envious of your sunshine Sarah...the weather looks stuck here and has been since late April. Whatever ther though we are so looking forward to Big Day. It's a busy summer here indeed!
    Jane x

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  29. It was such a fun day Teresa but I was SO tired the next day! Of course I will share some photos, not long now.
    Jane x

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  30. such a pretty wow card just gorgeous, thank you for joining us at the Winter Wonderland
    Hugs Kate xx
    ps I have 1000 follower candy if you are interested

    and always love looking at your photo's :)

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  31. Dear Mia, I knew you would enjoy this post my fellow Christmas lover. This summer is such a wash out isn't it but there are so many wonderful things happening that I do feel that the sun is smiling. Billy sends a purr...from my bed again.
    Jane x

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  32. I am really enjoying my Christmas in July Michele, so lovely that you could join me (and Billy).
    Jane x

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  33. Hi Kate, glad you enjoyed the photos and my card. It's great to be entering a Christmas challenge in July!
    Jane x

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  34. Loved all your pretty flower pictures with the raindrops. It is confusing weather wise, and I am designing things for Christmas magazines at the moment too! So it often is a bit Chrismtassy in July here anyway! Love the tin and the sweet card. Glad you all had fun at the Hen party!!
    Enjoy the coming weekend...hope the sun peeks out!
    Helen x

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  35. I have been very Christmassy today Helen, made some more cards in my studio. It has actually been lovely and sunny...bliss. Enjoy your Christmas in July work too.
    Jane x

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  36. congrats on your 1st Christmas Card! And is truly a beautiful one :) Thanks for playing along with us at Christmas Card Challenges :)

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  37. I have actually made a 2nd as well!
    Jane x

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  38. OH Jane! What a fabulous post. I do hope your July is a bit warmer than June!! Your cacti are wonderful..Clint Eastwood looks amazing! And your garden flowers are beautiful too. Lucky Billy! Wow, to see your Christmas cards make me feel as though the season is about to start..delightful work!! And then to the Hen party. Goodness, it's so neat to see the photos..your daughter looks absolutely happy!! I'm so excited for you. And finally, if ever I get to London, we shall take a Route 15 bus..I'd love to catch one of the old route master's double decker's!! Thanks so much for your kind visits..you are a gem!

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  39. It's always lovely to get your happy comments here Shirley and you never know one day we may well be making that bus trip on a number 15..that would be such fun! Have a lovely weekend my friend,
    Jane x

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  40. Great photo's - looks like she had a ball.Your card is gorgeous.Beautifully coloured and glittered and I love the embossing.Thanks for joining us over at Sparkles Christmas Challenge with our sketch challenge.Good luck.Hugs Debs x

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  41. We had such a fun day Debs...only 2 weeks now until the Big Day! Thanks for visiting,
    Jane x

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  42. Oh my, Jane...you have been having a seriously good time haven't you?....I'm not sure where to begin!
    Your flowers are beautiful...they do all seem to be so happy in this rainy weather....it's just a shame we have to admire them from the window isn't it?
    I really love your Xmas card...so pretty!...If I think of the word 'bliss'...it is definitely Billy in your wonderful pic...and I can clearly see that your lovely daughter had a hen night to remember!...(I would definitely love to visit Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club too!)
    Hope you have a lovely weekend Jane,
    Susan x

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  43. We have been having a ball Susan and 2 weeks today we will be celebrating their wedding day..so exciting. Billy does so love our bed and yes he gets that bliss face on when he is allowed to stay :-) Enjoy your weekend.
    Jane x

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  44. Absolutely in love with your project! Thanks for sharing!
    I saw this on Make it Monday!
    These are my entries: #77, #163, #183, and #258 and would love it if you could visit.
    Hugs,
    Julia

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  45. What a lovely card...awesome monochromatic creation! And a wonderful day for you and your daughter!

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  46. Thanks for visiting Julia,
    Jane x

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  47. Hi Rinne, we will have a wonderful day..the dress has now been collected too!
    Jane x

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  48. Fabulous card
    Thank you for joining in the fun at Sparkles Christmas challenges for our * Sketch * challenge
    Hope you will join us again & good luck in the draw
    Hugs Shaz x

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  49. such a darling Christmas card, and I love all the sparkle! Congrats to your lovely daughter! Best wishes to her!

    Thanks for joining us at Party Time Tuesdays this week!

    Holly PTT DT

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  50. There's nothing like using plenty of sparkle on a Christmas card Holly. Thanks for visiting me.
    Jane x

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  51. What a mega post! Good to see how busy you've been with your flowers and cacti... but the card is the true eye catcher for me, wow! Love it!

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  52. Glad you enjoyed my photos Barbara. Yes life is pretty busy at the moment but such fun.
    Jane x

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