Sunday 1 December 2013

Houses and Trees, Inside and Out

Outside I saw this huge dolls house in the window of an Eltham charity shop.
The shop is great for really old books, often from the 20s, 30s or 40s (and a couple recently from the 1890s) and for weird conversations with the people who work there, especially while they get to grips with the till. This time I was paying and instructing the woman serving me how to spell 'ornament', when the woman next to me at the counter said hello in a warm and affectionate manner. I couldn't recall who she was. It turns out I taught her two children in the nursery-one of them over 11 years ago. She did look familiar and I remembered the children once she started telling me about them. She gave me a hug and a kiss goodbye and it was actually really touching and pleasant to be remembered in such a nice way. I didn't buy the dolls house!
 Inside I am engaging in Christmas crafts, trying to get in the mood. I am reading 'The Woman Who Went to Bed for a Year' by Sue Townsend at the moment and really enjoying it. I have just read a part with a brilliant description of the main character Eva's last Christmas, as she tries to tell her husband Brian what he will have to do to prepare for this year's, as she is staying in bed. Very funny in a depressing way. Anyway, these little trees which will be my cards are pretty untaxing to make. I am using brusho paint which I love and this brilliant children's glitter glue with loads of stars in it which I rub on with my finger once the paint is dry.
 This little house was an ebay purchase from a while ago. I was painting a branch with white gesso and thought this would benefit from being white too. I am going to add white glitter and things in the spaces. Not sure what things yet but I am sure they will appear.
This tree is in Greenwich. It was very windy on the night I was there and it was wobbling a lot and looking pretty lopsided.

8 comments:

Jenny Woolf said...

Sounds like my kind of charity shop. I was in Eltham on Sunday but I suppose it would have been shut then. Which one is it?

Anonymous said...

I'm amazed that you resisted the doll's house - even I would have been seriously tempted by it! I love your Christmas trees _ I must get on with my cards!

Sarah said...

I resisted it because I already have three and it was £95! Other than that it was very tempting!

Sarah said...

It is the hospice shop Jenny.

Linda Sue said...

Oh yes, I think that maybe things may appear in the post, Little doll housey things...That tree looks like it wants to fly! That is a hefty price for a charity shop doll house. Yes, you were wise to walk away.

Tracy said...

Love the house! And all the festivity here. :o) Happy Days, Sarah ((HUGS))

snoopydogknits said...

That's one very beautiful Greenwich tree..... lopsided or not! Love the doll's house! Hope the last two weeks of term pass by smoothly. Ros

Candace said...

The trees made of green musical paper are great! Thank you for sharing this season on your side of the Pond with us.
Candace, Still in Athens.