Handmade for the holidays...

I have always been obsessed with vintage French linen. Now mostly found in the attics of old french chateaux's and the cupboards of textile enthusiasts, I am drawn to its slubby softness and irregular weave and I am always on the lookout for a pretty little bundle. I dream of an old armoire stacked high with piles of neatly folded linens, interspersed with soft, floppy lavender bags and tied with ribbons and twine. I spend a LOT of time hunting out the real deal, and if I find a piece with a red stripe and a hand embroidered initial thrown in there and I am near passing out with joy.

Naturally, lots of the gifts and cards for sale at Verity & Thyme this Christmas have been made from treasured pieces I have saved up for my favourite time of the year. I have spent many a chilly autumn evening hand embroidering festive motifs onto tea cosies and cards, and have not been surprised that both these and the embroidered lavender pillows have flown out the door as fast as I can make them!

For the tea lover in your life, one of the jolly hand embroidered french linen tea cosies would go down a treat this Christmas and with a limited supply left at the pop up, you best snap one up quickly. Made from a vintage french linen sheet and trimmed with handmade french lace, they will look pretty as a picture next to the Christmas cake this December.

The lovely soothing scent of lavender is one of my favourites, and this natural relaxant fills the little plump pillows seen above. Made from old french linen tea towels and adorned with handmade lace and a button (either a 1930's glass button, mother of pearl or a piece of a vintage chandelier) they make lovely stocking presents, perfect for placing on your pillow before you go to sleep. Alternatively pop in a drawer or wardrobe and enjoy it all day long as it lightly scents your clothes.

Also filled with lavender are the stocking and heart handmade cards. The perfect card-gift combination, the sweet little stocking or heart can be taken off the card and hung as a decoration on the tree or a door handle to be enjoyed all year round. The lavender is grown by the lovely people at Long Barn in Hampshire, as I believe it is important to support our very own hardworking farmers here in the UK.

And finally, tied with ribbons on festive red and white check linen from the 1930's, these lovely long cinnamon stick bundles are ready to be placed on the mantlepiece or the Christmas table to release their warming scent. 

Don't forget the pop up will be open over the weekend too as Oh Me Oh My serve up lots of festive afternoon teas on Saturday and Sunday, so pop in and pick up a few one-off gifts for your loved ones!

There is also still time to order a lovely fresh festive arrangement or two for the ladies in your life, but if you can't make it this weekend then pop your details in an email and I will get back to you.

Charlotte xx

December Greetings

Good gracious, I can hardly believe December is finally here - we are in the last month of 2014, how did that happen so fast? The Verity & Thyme pop up shop is now open and the final countdown is on to the 25th - what a wonderful time of year indeed.

On Sunday, serenaded by live acoustic music and happy chatter, the first of the Christmas wreath workshops took place at Oh Me Oh My with a lovely group of ladies with a lot of talent. Having mossed the wreath rings, we set about choosing the right foliage for the look we wanted to create (we did both traditional and romantic) and then added lots of french lace, ribbon and flowers to finish off. It was such a joy to see the ladies leave with a fresh wreath and a smile on their face!

Alongside the festive wreaths, fresh floral table centres are available to order in time for the 25th (for collection a few days beforehand) in the soft romantic pinks, greys and whites V&T loves so dearly. I have always found inspiration in Scandinavian design and the emphasis on the beauty of the natural world, and I have added my love of muted pinks and fresh whites to give a feminine edge. Layers of lace and tulle add a touch of whimsy, and there are a few strings of sparkling pearls draped from candles too - it is Christmas after all! Perfect as your Christmas day dinner centrepiece, or as a gift for the host, all you need to do is light the wicks and enjoy the flickering candlelight and scent of winter foliage as you feast...

Fresh arrangements start from £35 and will be available to pick up from Oh Me Oh My on Water Street or The Garden at Fact on Wood Street before or on Monday 22nd December.

If you would like more information on the arrangements mentioned above, please feel free to email Charlotte at verityandthyme@gmail.com, or pop into Oh Me Oh My this December and have a little chat...

xx

Christmas is coming...

See you there... xx

Christmas at Verity & Thyme...

I am the biggest fan of Christmas. As I type, I have a Christmas episode of one of my favourite programs on in the background and most of the films on the Christmas film channel are already pre-recorded. The minute I am back from my summer holidays I am already planning the festive season, much to the annoyance of my loved ones. I do, however, try to pace myself until after we have enjoyed bonfire night in all its woodsmoke and caramel-y glory or I fear I might burn myself out before the first advent door is opened! 

I have been sketching and planning and dreaming of Verity & Thyme's first Christmas in Liverpool for some time now, and I am so excited to be able to share it with you finally. The lovely ladies at Oh Me Oh My have welcomed Verity & Thyme into their arms this December and it is such a pleasure to spend the festive season in such a beautiful venue.

I am delighted to be running a handful of Christmas wreath making and table arrangement workshops this year; a place I hope you can come to escape the madness of the high street and spend some time creating something really beautiful for your home amongst the twinkling lights and relaxing music of Oh Me Oh My. I have been collecting bundles of vintage french lace, luxurious velvet ribbon and all manner of sparkly bits and bobs to adorn wreaths and table centres for the workshops, and selecting the loveliest foliages and herbs to incorporate into them too.

'Old English romance' is the phrase I often find myself using when describing the Verity & Thyme style, and those beautiful soft pinks, muted greys and silvery foliages I am so often drawn to will be at the forefront of my Christmas colour palette this year. However, it wouldn't be Christmas without the more traditional red and green of the season, so expect to see deep wine reds and fresh forest greens amongst the fresh arrangements and gifts too.  

If you are unable to make a workshop however, the great news is that Verity & Thyme will be at Oh Me Oh My for the whole of December! From the 1st - 22nd, you will find handmade wreaths, home decorations, gifts and cards for sale at our pop-up from Monday to Friday, where you will also be able to order any fresh festive arrangements or wreaths for your home. Come and enjoy a cup of tea and a festive treat whilst browsing lots of lovely Christmas wares, surrounded by the glittering Christmas tree and happy chatter of this grand tea house.

I have no doubt it is going to be the most wonderful time of the year...!