A QUILL COTTAGE CHRISTMAS...

I know that like me many of you have turned your thoughts towards Christmas crafting whether it be making gifts, ornaments and holiday decor, or filling shops with custom items for sale.  I wanted to share a little reminder of the Quill Cottage Christmas site where you can find a grouping of my FREE holiday tutorials that have at one time or another been featured here on my blog.  

For a full listing of the tutorials visit A Quill Cottage Christmas, scroll down to the bottom of the blog where you will find an archive linking list.  All tutorials feature photographed step by step instructions with variations on each project.  I have placed a clickable icon on my sidebar for easy access.

Besides the tutorials that share a variety of ornaments, tips, and techniques, you will also find an Advent celebration that my family I share with friends and family featuring a handmade center piece idea for using in each weeks gathering plus a program guide.  I hope you will join me for the holidays.

Happy Holiday Crafting!

blessings,

sandy

GRAND OPENING: QUILL COTTAGE CURIOSITY SHOPPE...

(Banner design by Kris Hurst of Blissful Elements)

I finally got a few things finished up and listed in my new shop, Quill Cottage Curiosity Shoppe, where you will find original design handmade art pieces as well as an assortment of unique odds and ends for your crafting needs.(Cinderella's Slipper Altered Shoe Art Kit)

A curio is an object that arouse interest because it is something unusual ~ perhaps something worthy of collecting. I hope that is what you will find in my new shoppe. Feel free to browse through my few meager offerings.(Snow Bird Winter Collage)

Should you have any questions, you can contact the proprietress of this establishment, Miss Sandy, through leaving a comment or via email. My email link is on my upper side bar. Thank you all for your loving encouragement and support of my blog and my art.(3D Collage Nature Inspired Christmas Star)

Since I am new to online selling, I hope I set everything up right. I have payments set up through PayPal, which is very secure and makes ordering very easy.(Stella's Sepia Slipper Altered Shoe Art Kit)

I would sincerely love to have some feedback on the set up of the site, the items listed, and even the pricing. This is vastly different from selling at shows or in a booth and there are extra costs to factor in. I am starting with a small inventory and will add to it a little at a time. I had a grand plan of working up a whole bunch of inventory but that did not work out so well.(Carmen's Cameo Slipper Altered Shoe Art Kit)

Mostly I will be selling one~of~a~kind pieces but to get myself started I did do a few duplicates. I have several items almost finished on the work table and hope to have them listed by the end of the week as well. I'll be listing some supplies in the near future also.(Brier Rose's Dancing Slipper Altered Shoe Art Kit)

Thank you for visiting.

Blessings,

Miss Sandy

Come Away (and play) With Me...

"Come Away With Me."

~Nora Jones ~

I woke up this morning to the sound of rain dancing on the roof. Snuggling deeper under the covers in the inky darkness I listened to the rat~a~tat~tat harmonic rhythm of rain mixed with the soft breathing of the one I love, enveloped in sleep and lying next to me. Nora Jones began to sing in my head, "Come away with me...I want to wake up with the rain falling on a tin roof...Come away with me." I pondered over all the delicious possibilities that the invitation of those four little words, "Come away with me.", held.

Perhaps they could be an invitation to spend some time away from hustle and bustle of real life with the one who is next to me. They could also be an invitation from the One from whom I seek daily guidance, to sit at His feet and learn from Him. They remind me of a Bible passage in Song of Solomon, "Arise, my darling, my beautiful one, come (away) with me..." Who could resist either invitation? Only the latter is possible today, I'll accept.I think those words could also be my studio beckoning to me, "Come away (and play) with me..." I think over my short "to do" list for today. A short list, a rarity in my world, but, today it held an open invitation at its end. I'll accept. This is a perfect day for crafting.

I got a bit of head start last evening, yes, using some of that new paper stash, with two finished ornaments... And a third one in the design phase... I made elements for a fun set of birdcage tags, an idea that has been rattling around in my head for a bit now... and, I did some collage backgrounds for some other ornament designs...

It did not take me long to answer the call. I whooshed back the blankets greeting the chilly air doing a waltz twirl into my robe to the tune of Nora and the rain. I plan to dance through my day with a grateful heart for each ticking second I am given with the one I love, with a listening ear bent towards the One who guides me, and with delightful anticipation of the invitation to "Come away (and play) with me..." from my studio.

Below are a few scans of some of my new papers.
Please feel free to save them and use them in your art.

An 1875 receipt from a bookbinder...An 1898 canceled check...A BINGO checking chart...And I'd like to introduce you to Herbert Patrick Smrek, his real name written of the back of the photo, who looks like he is ready for some winter fun. Either that or he is ready to chunk the rock he is holding in his pocket at whom ever it was that made him wear that hat! Enjoy!

If you were given the invitation to "Come away with me...", who would it be from and what would you be doing?

Praying your day holds glorious things!

Blessings,

Miss Sandy