Wishing you all a New Year filled with Love, Laughter and Joy!!
Little Birds and Crowns
This little bird named Louise was made by the amazing Ann Wood of Ann Wood Handmade. She makes the most remarkable birds and other fantastical pieces of art. If you have never been to her site you must visit! I was lucky enough to have purchased little Louise. Here are some pictures of her.
Louise
I just love her!
I added a little crown from Melissa Valeriote of The Holiday Queen. Melissa is another wonderful artist. Besides being one of the sweetest people you will ever meet Melissa's little crowns and wonderful handmade sculptures are gorgeous. If you've never been to her blog check out the link above. 
Hope you enjoyed Her Majesty Louise!
A Christmas Thank you!
Imagine my surprise when I came home today to a lovely package from Lisa at MOTH TO A FLAME STUDIO and The Milliner's Daughter ~ Early American Dolls.
I could hardly contain myself. I was like a kid in a candy shop... :<)
Please excuse the pictures, my camera is on the blink. They do not do justice to Lisa's amazing artwork. To see the artwork more closely try and click on the pictures. Sometimes you can enlarge the photos that way.
The gift was so pretty I didn't want to open it without taking a picture first.
I could hardly contain myself. I was like a kid in a candy shop... :<)
Please excuse the pictures, my camera is on the blink. They do not do justice to Lisa's amazing artwork. To see the artwork more closely try and click on the pictures. Sometimes you can enlarge the photos that way.
The gift was so pretty I didn't want to open it without taking a picture first.
These tags are gorgeous!
Here is a picture containing all the goodies. I love the Merry Christmas Banner!
If you've never seen Lisa's artwork you should go take a peek now at the links above. The images she uses in her work are stunning. I think her art tags are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen and her dolls are scrumptious!!
Lisa, Thank You for this lovely assortment of goodies. Your kindness and thoughtfulness make a wonderful season even brighter.
More Christmas Details...
I started gift wrapping my presents today!
The first year I went away to college I got a job during the holidays wrapping presents for Macy's. I had a blast!! The wrapping department was amazing with yards and yards of gift wrap, ribbons, bows and fun baubles to attach to the gift boxes. I thought I was in heaven.
The first year I went away to college I got a job during the holidays wrapping presents for Macy's. I had a blast!! The wrapping department was amazing with yards and yards of gift wrap, ribbons, bows and fun baubles to attach to the gift boxes. I thought I was in heaven.
Just a simple little wrap for this one. I used white paper, red French ribbon, and one vintage rose attached with a pearl stickpin to hold it in place.
Silver Bell on Garland
A jar full of ornaments... The red ornament tied to the jar was given to me by my mother.
While visions of sugar plums danced in their heads... :-)If The Shoe Fits
We know what Cinderella wore to the ball. But what tiny foot could possibly have fit this slipper?
Fashioned out of leather by a master artisan.
Vintage Miniature shoe ¾ of an inch long resting on French document paper for scale. I wonder who made this and for whom. If you have any ideas let me know. :<)
Memento
It was a pretty busy morning but there was the sign… Estate Sale. I don’t go to many of these because I’m always running around on the weekend trying to get ready for the week. I thought to myself, It’ll be my little treat. And that little voice whispered, Go ahead. So I did…
By the time I arrived, it was pretty cleaned out. Things were strewn here and there and the remaining people were digging in the piles to see if there were any treasures left. I had a strange, uncomfortable feeling. These items had once belonged to someone else in this very home. I kept thinking about that scene in Dickens’ Christmas Carol, when Scrooge observes the strangers who’ve raided his house and were selling his possessions.
I walked from room to room, thinking about who it was that had lived here. It had been an elderly woman, and the cocktail dresses of her youth still hung in the closet.
I was about to leave when I saw it. It was sitting on the shelf, forlorn and forgotten in the rest of the rubble.
A relic from years gone by. Some people might say, Oh look: one of those preserved flower arrangements from the 70’s; isn’t it interesting. But something drew me to it.
By the time I arrived, it was pretty cleaned out. Things were strewn here and there and the remaining people were digging in the piles to see if there were any treasures left. I had a strange, uncomfortable feeling. These items had once belonged to someone else in this very home. I kept thinking about that scene in Dickens’ Christmas Carol, when Scrooge observes the strangers who’ve raided his house and were selling his possessions.
I walked from room to room, thinking about who it was that had lived here. It had been an elderly woman, and the cocktail dresses of her youth still hung in the closet.
I was about to leave when I saw it. It was sitting on the shelf, forlorn and forgotten in the rest of the rubble.
A relic from years gone by. Some people might say, Oh look: one of those preserved flower arrangements from the 70’s; isn’t it interesting. But something drew me to it. 
To me, it was beautiful. And suddenly, I had a vision into this woman’s life. She had been artistic, and here she had created something of immense delicate beauty. I cradled it in my hands and wandered through the rest of the house.
I saw several other similar pieces, but the one I held was special. Clearly, she had loved to work with dried flowers, arranging them into lifelike scenes under glass. It was so strange to see such beautiful creations, with no one interested in them but me! I imagined myself telling the artist, I don’t know your name, but I will treasure this lovely memento and remember the amazing creations you nurtured in love and patience. I felt like in doing this a little bit of dignity was restored to her. She wasn’t just a forgotten memory in this stripped down mess of a house, but she was clothed once more in one of her lovely dresses from the closet, and she was creating again something that brought her great joy.
If you like, you can click on the pictures and they will enlarge and show close-ups of this beautiful creation.
:<)
What do you LOVE about your Hoilday Home?
’m glad you could join us all in this fun Holiday Celebration hosted by the lovely and talented Karla Nathan. It was so nice of Karla to invite me to be a part of this wonderful party. I’m pretty new to blogland. I’ve only been blogging about a month, but I’ve already made some great friends. I love the sense of camaraderie and encouragement. So cozy up to the fire, pull up a blanket, and settle your teacup or hot chocolate next to you and enjoy this Christmas Party in blogland.
One of the things I love the most about my Holiday Home is that I often make a lot of the things I decorate with. If I don’t make them I often buy hand made items that inspire the warmth of the season.
I fashioned these crystal Heart Dangles after a product photo I found on landRomAntikk.com. This is an amazing website. The only problem is that I can’t read a word of it.
I hand-fashioned this tissue paper rose. I made dozens of these one year for Christmas and gave them as gifts.
A Special Christmas Wreath
I made this by hand applying silk flowers to a pink satin-covered foam wreath. The flowers were then covered in glitter. I have had this wreath 8 years now. I love its delicate shimmering glow.
Details of the Wreath
These doves were hand made by the creative Wendy Addison.
Wendy also fashioned these candy boxes.
I made this Advent calendar years ago. It was an idea from Country Homes that I adapted. I started with a frame and then papered the cardboard with some fun scrapping paper. I then made numbers and inserted them inside the tins. The tins were attached to the papered cardboard backing and then I embellished the frame with paper flower cut-outs and glittered moons. I don’t hide treats in these. I put Scripture verses leading up to the birth of Christ. Reading a little everyday about the true reason for Christmas is great fun.
THE MANTLE
When we first moved into our small little cottage I loved all the brick. The house had been remodeled by an artist from England and she really loved brick. She bricked the front room fireplace and most of the kitchen. At first I loved it, but after a while I felt like I was living in a cave. I fought the brick for years but I could never bring myself to paint it. Then this last year I had a revelation: stop fighting and go with it. The result is that I often just choose soothing natural elements or crystal to brighten up the brick. I know that Rachel Ashwell would paint away, but I just can’t!!
This year I chose a wreath and garland to decorate the mantle. I love the simplicity.
Add a candle for romance and voila!Another thing I love is a beautiful Santo. Some people think me very strange for this choice in décor. They shall remain nameless. ;<)
This amazing Santo was a gift from the lovely Carole at Rose and Thorn. Please check out my Rose and Thorn blog entry to learn more about her fabulous shoppe.
This Santo I bought at a quaint little shop in town. She’s been dressed up and given a little angel helper. 
I love this little Christmas Fairy!
Tables full of glitter and light... what can be more beautiful!
Of course, who doesn’t love sleigh bells?
A bird perched on a hand-painted and glittered branch. I bought this pretty bird from Heather at Pretty Petals.
CHRISTMAS MEMORIES
I have some special Christmas things that I take out every year. They remind me of what Christmas means and make me thankful for the grace I've been given.
This Christmas ornament was purchased the year I married my love. He is a man after God’s own heart and he has shown me what it is to lay down my life and love others.
When we were courting he sent me these angels. They were lost in the mail and turned up at my front door a year later! I love them dearly.
This lovely Jesus Santo helps me to center my thoughts on the reason we have our wonderful Christmas celebration.
And the peek at my Christmas tree that I promised in the last post. It was so hard to photograph!
I hope you enjoyed yourself...
Have a Very Merry Christmas!
Oh Christmas Tree!
It was a pretty hectic weekend!! I can't believe all the activity we fit into two days. The best part of the weekend was getting our Christmas tree. When we got to the tree farm it was empty and sooooo.... very beautiful.
This was just a small portion of trees the farm had.
The property was gorgeous and they had some great farm animals.
I would have loved to bring home this white goose!
The donkeys were adorable!! They nuzzled each other sweetly.
SOME PIG!
OK how much can a pig fascinate you? My husband and I were captured by this beauty. She really was something to behold and quite a flirt as you can see.
We wandered through the entire property looking for OUR tree. 
I couldn't stop taking pictures of the amazing blue sky and fluffy white clouds.
Then in a little clearing we saw it... the tree that would grace our home this Christmas.
Just Kidding!!
Though I have to tell you it was a Charlie Brown moment. It was so forlorn it was almost irresistible...
Here is the beauty we settled on, a Monterey Pine...I have to say this was the easiest Christmas tree we've ever put up. There was no falling down, no poked or bruised fingers. I was thankful for that!
We ended the evening with a roaring fire and quietly decorated our pretty tree. I will give you a peek at the tree on December 12th.
Please join me on December 12th as I join some wonderful ladies for a fun Blogging Christmas party thrown by Karla Nathan of Karla's Cottage! You can hit the button below to find out all the details.
Merry Christmas!
