I think we're beginning to come out of our mini ice age here. As the plaster dries, and the extension is less damp, it's feeling a little warmer.
The painter came this afternoon to scope out the job... we all - me, BB and the painter - are dubious that it will be dry enough tomorrow, but he's coming round first thing in the morning to have a look. He says he can swap a couple of jobs round and come in next week so we're not worried. We've chosen a very pale sandy creamy colour.
We took a trip to a nearby store called The Range... we were enveloped in Christmasalia from the moment we walked in the door.
I was rather taken by a lampstand like this
Except the one in The Range had THREE lanterns, each with a different scene. I didn't look at the price... but what fun! The 'snow' is blown through a hole in the top of the tree, or Santa's hat, or the cottage in each scene. chimney. If I had unlimited space, and unlimited storage, and unlimited money, I might have succumbed.
Jean asked me where Ang and I find the patterns for our knitted squares collaboration. We're using this book;
'200 knitting blocks' by Jan Eaton, although there are actually about 150 blocks as some are in different colourways. I don't feel cheated as I'm unlikely to want to knit 200 squares. Ang and I are using double knitting yarn and 4mm needles, and the blocks are a pretty consistent 6 inches square. (That's a fine mix of old and new measurements!)
I suppose if you use thicker yarn and larger needles it would probably still work... and make larger squares.
We went into our nearest branh of The Range yesterday. It was HIDEOUS. Just inside the door a larger than life skeleton confronted us, and everything was orange and black and draped in cobwebs. The whole store felt overcrowded and oppressive. Id wanted some small adhesive stars from the crafts section. They don't have anything as simple as that. We left very quickly.
ReplyDeleteI have gone off our local Range... it felt as though half-term had wreaked havoc! Halloween was half-price, we were met by a huge Merry Christmas banner. (I didn't buy any wool...)
DeleteMary & I have often enjoyed wandering through the displays of Christmas decorations in the Range & various garden centres and admiring the LED scenes in particular!
ReplyDeleteI remember the Range down in Worthing when it was new and shiny. I reckon the garden centre is better than the local Range.
DeleteI really like visiting The Range when I'm back in England. They have some really reasonably priced crafty items - like I need any more (eye roll). The only thing I don't like is that they don't have many people on the tills.
ReplyDeleteI like the video - I've got a little one of those - more a tabletop one than on top of a pole like that.
I think our local one was disheartened before it even opened the site has been all kinds of DIY stores each going under in turn. It's very tatty inside.
DeleteChristmas is everywhere and so tempting.
ReplyDeleteI so nearly bought a pannetone at the till....
DeleteHope you get some paint on the walls soon, I find that fleshy pink tone disquieting.
ReplyDeleteHe's starting on Monday - phew!
DeleteThe lamps are a novel turn on snow globes - great fun.
ReplyDeleteYup! Pure tat, but oh so wantable!
DeleteWe have a Rnge store. I avoid it. But what fun the lamp is! Very Narnia!
ReplyDeleteNarnia! Of course, that's what it reminded me of
DeleteWe were given one of those lanterns with a single Santa in it. The snow part doesn't work but DH is going to see if he can fix it. It's not something I'd buy for myself and IF he gets it to work it can sit on a post out front. Maybe by the mailbox.
ReplyDeleteI think 'not something I'd buy for myself ' sums up a lot of presents!
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