Moss End Village Christmas Trail & Victorian Fair

Christmas is not Christmas without a trip to a village fair.  This year we went to Moss End Village to see what they had to offer.  The fair was situated on an old farm converted into shop suits, including a garden centre and lot's of craft shops.  

 The children were given a trail card and told to look out for 15 elves that were hiding around the site.  Our first stop was to write a letter to Santa and collect a stamp on the trail card.  The next stop on the trail was inside a glass blowing shop.  The children helped to decorate a glass Christmas tree and collected another stamp on their card.

The next mission on the trail was to feed Santa's reindeer.  The children were given a sprig of lichen, which the deer gobbled up.  I guess they only eat carrots on Christmas Eve...

As we walked around the trail there were lots of stalls, rides and games for the children to enjoy and the smell of roast chestnuts and freshly made donuts filled our nostrils, making us rather hungry...

Little T enjoyed the rides and playing all the games.

After collecting our final stamp it was time to see the big man himself...

We really did have a lovely day out and I hope you all have an amazing Christmas...

Catherine

x

Advent

Well haven't the last few weeks been super busy.  There has been lots of crochet, school Christmas Fairs, School discos, The annual Reindeer Parade and of course the Christmas craft Market.  I have also been doing a little pattern testing on Ravelry, hence the neglect of any bloggy pursuits.  I'm hoping the next couple of weeks will calm down a little but who am I kidding...

I have just enough time to share a few photos with you.

The Reindeer Parade.  

We love to go to this every year.  It begins outside Windsor Castle with a marching band, 

followed by Santa's Elves

and finally the big man himself with his reindeer...

We like to follow the parade as it winds its way around Windsor.  The band playing a jolly rendition of "Santa clause is Coming to Town" and little T madly waving his flag... Having children certainly brings back the magic of Christmas. I am fondly reminded of the traditions we kept when I was a child and now I have the pleasure of making new traditions with my own.

This weekend was the Christmas Market that I have been busily been preparing for.  I arrived early to set up and had plenty of time to relax for a bit before it all started.  The other stall holders were all amazingly friendly and very complementary of my table (I was more than a little nervous it being my first craft fair...).

There were hotties, stockings and baubles galore...

It was a little on the quiet side but the atmosphere more than made up for it.  Everyone was visiting each others stalls and buying those last minute gifts.  I had my lovely friend Karen along to help me who did very well on the raffle.  We even had a visit from the infamous Captain Jack Sparrow. 

Here he is with the lovely Sarah from The Mint Makeover.

I hope you are all enjoying the Christmas festivities where ever you are.  Take care...

Catherine

x

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Pudding Cup Art Market

Gosh, what a busy day I have had today.  I spent a couple of hours this morning at the allotment.  It was the most glorious sunny day here in Berkshire, not a cloud in the sky.  Then home to cook Sunday Lunch, Roast chicken with all the trimmings... and then after lunch I went to our local monthly craft fair.  Pudding Cup Art Market.

By this afternoon sadly the sun was disappearing and the temperature had dropped considerably, so sensibly everyone at the market had their stalls inside in the warm.  I love perusing craft fairs and especially love to stop and chat to the crafters about their wares.  I am always fascinated to hear about how things are made.  Especially crafts that I know nothing about...

This stall caught my eye as I walked in.  They were displaying the most beautiful glass jewellery.

Another table had some really cute ornaments made from Fimo clay.

More hanging decorations...

These super cute doggy face cloths.  What an ingenious idea.

Beautiful hand painted Christmas cottages, jewellery boxes and bird houses.

More tree ornaments.  These ones made from felt are just adorable.

Pretty tea cup candles.

Home made fudge!  Oh my goodness I just had to buy some of this...

and finally my most favourite stall 

The Mint Makeover, decoupaged furniture, lanterns, candles and gifts.

These stunning items are made by Sarah Jennings and would you believe it she makes them all from paper napkins.  I chatted to Sarah when I visited the market last month and she was happy to share with me exactly how she makes these beautiful pieces.  

This snowman ornament is one of my favourites, he is just so perfectly jolly.  Exactly how a snowman should be...

I chatted to Sarah again today and she was kind enough to give me lots of tips and advice about running your own craft stall.  Which leads me to my very exciting news.

Next month I will be having my very own table at the market.  I am so excited!  I have never had a stall before.  Over the next few weeks I shall be like one of Santa's little helpers busy making things to sell.

The next market will be The Christmas Extravaganza on the 11th of December at the Clewer Youth and Community Centre on Parsonage Lane, Windsor.  Starts at 12 midday  going on until 4 pm.  They will be having a bouncy castle, raffles, name the teddy bear, the teddy bear raffle and of course all the lovely artisan stalls.  All proceeds go to Whizz Kids, a charity that works to support and transform the lives of disabled children in the UK.

So if you are local be sure to pop on by...

I made it home just in time before the rain started and treated myself to a nice cup of tea and some Salted Caramel Fudge.

Delicious!

Have a fantastic week

Catherine

x