christmas festive spirit

T'was the night before christmas and all through the house.....

Well, finally it is almost upon us...only how many sleeps to go???

I have bought the sparkling (a christmas essential!!)  and am dying for work to finish so I can open it. 

I almost have the presents organised and just the wrapping, cooking, finalising business, staff party, dog toys, biscuits and stuffed turkey to go.  Have I missed anything?

I have even managed to do the Christmas decorations and get the house in order....

Its been a busy few weeks with lots of people in the garden store to buy presents, trees and generally share some bon ami.  It's lovely to catch up with so many people.  I hope everyone has a great Christmas and wonderful New Year.....and lots of rest and lovely family or friends to enjoy celebrations with. 
 

Thankyou to everyone who has supported us for the last 4 years and especially for this past year.  We have had another great year with lots of fun, great gardens and the nicest people....many of who I am pleased to say have become friends.

I thought I would share some of the lovely things we managed to do in the house this year to decorate for christmas...much of it thanks to my wonderful children.....well done girls.

this is the most beautiful fresh wreath that a rather clever friend of mine made for me...thankyou...maybe we will talk her into doing them for the store next year...

....and these are all the other things I thought were great but never got time to do.....maybe next year but great ideas......

Merry Christmas to All and to All....a good night!  Bon noel!

christmas tree inspiration

With those fresh cut Killicrankie Farm christmas trees due to arrive Friday next week, I suddenly realised I might need a little inspiration for the decoration for the tree this year.

Definitely lots and lots of tiny christmas tree lights....always ....because of their of  little firefly glow and twinkle that is irresistable and never fails to give a definite warm and fuzzy feeling.

But then should I have a colour theme.....or just do a lovely mix and match of the things I have tucked away.  These range from expensive porcelin hand painted ornaments -very exquisite- right through to the rather crushed and tattered precious daughters makings from a long time ago in year 1 at primary school.

So here goes....a few ideas and inspirations....baubles, colours, gingerbread, cottonwool balls!!, candles, real and dried fruit,  urns and tubs, stars and sparkles.....something for everyone.

snap snow fresh peas

At this time of year I am trying to remember to sow my snap peas, snow peas and varieties of beans every 3-4 weeks to get a continuing supply throughout my summer months.

Its a bit of a struggle this year as one of my main antagonists is the black birds, which love ferretting out those juicy succulent pea and bean seeds once they are planted and have had a few days absorbing moisture and are just starting to uncurl their dicots sprouts......aaahhhhhgggggg.
So late one night struggling to think up a good looking effective remedy,  I remembered how impressed I was with the garden growing structures last time I was in England and France.  That has to be my solution.  Construct a fabulous looking growing frame, temporarily swath it in netting to keep those birdies at bay, whisk it off when the seeds are well sprouted...like unswathing a fabulous sculpture....and then enjoy the growing produce....sounds easy at least.

I was then lucky enough to be offered some freshly cut poles from a local that are perfect for building wonderful classic structures with....voila.  
Under construction in my back yard!!!
Although I think we will be employing the KISS principle for starters.

We have excess poles in the store if anyone is wanting some of them for their own creations.  Straight, long, beautiful, textured and interesting.  Get to it.....now is the time to create something fabulous, french and tres practical at the same time...
In the meantime, here is some inspiration for just how to go about it all.....

If anyone comes up with something fabulous ...would love to see the pictures.
Happy framing and enjoy all those yummy peas and beans.

Fresh Christmas Trees

 I am finding myself happily sliding into the Christmas spirit and enjoying the thought of a little christmas bling planning and of course I think there will be lots of green for this year.    I oscillate year to year from contemporary wire or branchy trees right through to the traditional green over the top tall European style Christmas tree - it just depends on the year and the mood of the family really.

I do however really enjoy using lots of green and greenery for christmas and my family always love a freshly cut living tree that gives a piney resinous aroma to the house. So this year we have decided definitely a real green tree.   We will hang it with lots of sparkly lights and a few special ornaments both homely hand made and upmarket heirloom porcelin.  Viola, who could resist that traditional Christmas feel.

...the only problem I had was finding a fabulous green tree.

So I recently had a chat with Lee from  Killicrankie Farm who are growing Christmas trees on their farm in the Tamar Valley.   We also decided that I wasn't the only person wanting a lovely carefully grown and selected green live tree in Hobart.
So we hatched a plan and now its possible to place an order for your Fresh Cut Christmas Tree to pick up at Karen Wagner garden design on 1st December.

As you can see from the lovely pictures from the paddock, these aren't spindly skinny trees, these are lush shapely full green trees that will give the most fabulous Christmas tree.  I was impressed.

Don't miss out.  Let us know soon and order one on the killicrankie on line store website.

Or contact us directly at Karen Wagner garden design.  (03) 6234 1245.

in store.....a few of our favourite things

As always happens at this time of the year, there are lots of fun and interesting things coming in store and we have picked our favourites for this week to share....yes christmas is coming and we are all thinking of present lists to send to santa.....

outdoor metal stools and handy christmas gifts

classic trugs .....always useful and beautiful.

whimsical hanging garden ornaments

amazing cinnamon votives....made of cinnamon wood and smells divine.

this could be the favourite of the week I think....we all love it....hanging egg chair.  Big enough to curl up in with a book and amazingly comfortable.

beautiful hand made and recycled glass

one of my favourite decorations for this year... slightly unusual but quite groovy

classic wire pot holders for indoors or outdoors. 

coloured letters and numbers.  white, charcoal, red, yellow.  a great size and we all love these.

a bit of christmas time bling......

for the gardener who loves beautiful things...great wooden handle shears - very french- and great english topiary shears - clip clip.

lots of wreaths for christmas and other times of the year.  magnolias are beautiful anytime.

hang these with tealights for lovely lights in trees, amongst decorations and on the christmas table..


We've also extended our opening hours so we are now open Tuesday to Friday 10-5 and Saturday 10-1.
have a great week....more during the week as we unpack all those boxes....
Enjoy the sunshine ...and see you on Saturday for our paeony tour.