It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

"Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf. The good you do for others is good you do yourself..."

~Norman Wesley Brooks, "Let Every Day Be Christmas," 1976~Happy Monday to one and all! I am feeling a little chipper that I actually got the tree decorated this weekend AND the mantle to boot! Today I will do the vignette for the dining table and that will be my meager offering for Christmas decor this season. Sad but true.(Run to your nearest Big Lots ~ bottle brush wreaths on clearance for $3.50!!!)

I am so in love with my first very own tree! It is tricky taking a photo of a Christmas tree. No flash and it is too dark. Using a flash and it is washed out. I tried a trick a friend recommend to me and I think it turned out more realistic. She said to put a piece of vellum over the flash and then take the photo. My flash pops up from my camera so I made a little vellum sleeve to slip over it. It seemed to cut the glare of the flash.My friend, Pam, generously donated her dried hydrangeas and all the spectacular emu feathers that adorn my decor this year. She does not have an emu she just knew someone who raised them. Oh, she also gave me her used coffee filters dyed to perfection, I don't drink coffee so she gave me some of hers, that I used on my paper birds and a hunk of foam that became my sculpted paper birds. OK, she actually gave me a bunch of foam to use as packing products but around here anything is fair game for crafting with.Thanks so much, Pam, for not only the cool crafting supplies you pass my way but for you friendship, the fun and laughter we always share, and for knowing that you are always there. I love you sister of my heart.

It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas here at the Quill. Wanna have a close peek at the tree? I present to you my version of a Rustique Christmas... Topped to perfection...The in between..The glue gun was drawn and the glitter flew, from these... To these...To down below...

I love every inch of my tree!

My mini mantle...(grrrrr, I still don't like Handy Hubby's big ol' TV!)May your nest be filled with joy this holiday season!

Blessings,

Miss Sandy

P.S. Rose and Bonita, the ornament tutorials you requested will be up by Wednesday. I had to babysit the grands last evening and I did not get the photos up loaded. I am so sorry but will have them up for you next post.