There Is No Love Between Us Any More...

...Or at least not until dusk. Jon's banished me from his sight for the rest of the afternoon as apparently my constant chatter whilst precariously balancing on the step ladder is slowly driving him mental. I've strict instructions to shut up, entertain myself and report back to the kitchen in time to meet the gang in the pub at 6pm.

Here's why I've driven him daft. I'd happily go without decorations but there was nothing interesting on the telly and I'd read yesterday's Guardian from cover to cover. The stocking's full of the cats' Xmas presents.

Offcuts of sparkly crimplene stuffed with the contents of an old cushion and stitched up.

 I made the patchwork chain from fabric offcuts and iron-on interfacing. The laurel, holly, pine cones and ivy are from the garden and 1960s metallic braid was from my sewing box.

The Vintage Vix fairy was a present from Emma last year. The "tree" is a couple of branches from a fir tree in the garden stuck in a vase which I covered with a Hessian sack I got given by a shopkeeper in Kerala, tied with a length of 1960s braid from my stash.

Total cost of my Xmas decor - NOTHING!

Last night was fantastic, Jesus Jones, PWEI and The Wonder Stuff sound as good now as they did way back when. Miles Hunt did the most fantastic cover of fellow Brummie band, Duran Duran's Planet Earth, which brought the house down.

I went to my first gig over 32 years ago and still haven't tired of sweaty mosh pits, ear-splitting guitars and overpriced lager. I'm not alone, most of the crowd were our age, reliving the heady days of the legendary Grebo scene of the late '80s.

This morning, despite the copious alcohol and post-midnight cheese on toast I got up to answer the door to the postman and man, was I pleased that I did. This fab parcel was my prize for winning The Small Fabric Of My Life blog giveaway, a gorgeous Pashmina which I'll be travelling to India in, Barry M and Jemma Kidd make-up, a cool nail file designed by the best Apprentice winner ever and some fab samples. Thanks, Jane! 

No prizes for guessing who sent this beautiful card. If you read Edie Pop's Homesick Blues blog you'll recognise her incredible art work immediately and if you don't go there and follow her immediately.

She also sent me a fits-like-it-was-tailor-made 1970s dress (which will be perfect for showing off my post-Goa tan) and groovy floral blouse, some incredible ethnic jewellery and the best tote bag I've ever seen.

It's me, only better!  I love her!

I'm off to catch up on blogs and then I'll getting my glad rags on and going to the pub. I might not be a Christmas kinda person but I never turn down a night out.

See you tomorrow with my fabulous eBay find (and if you're not around I'll wish you and yours a Happy Xmas now and see you on the other side!)

xxx