A PARTY, A SNEAK PEEK, AND UPCOMING SURPRISE...

I have to say a huge THANK YOU! To all of you who sent me the sweetest and warmest and kindest get well wishes and prayers. The worst is over (bad reaction to both shot and antibiotics on top of trying to get well! Two allergic reactions at one time should not be allowed, aren't there rules about those kinds of things?) and I am starting to mend, enough so, that today I get to have a decorating day! I had to change my course of action and forget about planning out a new tree and display. I had my heart set on a warm white winter theme, snowflakes and feminine fluff like this...These are my favorite vintage gloves and I wear them every chance I get!
No such stuff. I had to make a decision between " want to" , " need to" , and " have to". It is not always easy to put aside our dreams or our visions when we set our hearts on them and then plans change. Like, a mouse eats your white tree, or you get sick, or you have a reaction to your medication which delays your recovery, or any number of other things that can, will, and usually do happen during the holidays. I learned something from this experience, what I set my mind and heart on are not always what is best or needful and sometimes the outcome of giving in and letting go can be a greater blessing than I can imagine. I imagined ice skates and snowflakes...And creamy dreamy wreaths, velvet flowers, and my grandmothers jewelery...
My holiday decor looks nothing like what I intended it to, and even better than I expected it to, and I can't wait to share it with you...on Friday. I got a little head start late yesterday afternoon and by days end what is done will be it, and I will move on to other matters. I did not drag out the bulk of bins and decided to turn my everyday decor into a bold holiday display, one big splash and hopefully a couple of small scattered touches in the dining nook and buffet serving area. Below are a few sneak peeks.

It wouldn't be my cottage if there were not a quill...Or a little songbird trill...It wouldn't be my cottage if there weren't a book...Or a little something with that shabby tattered look...Time is ticking...Although I'd love to stay and chat a while I don't want to delay my decorating day!

Oh, before I go I have to tell you about the party! Rebecca (A Re-Purposed Life) is having a birthday party and all the land of blog is invited! To join the party on December 18th post on a special gift you have made for someone you love. It can be anything, an ornament, a poem, a photograph, something you have fixed up or collaged or baked, its up to you. Post about why you want to give this person something special and show what you have made on your post, leave Rebecca a comment on her Dec. 18th post so she can visit. She will be picking out three of her favorites and handing out a gift to each of the three chosen because it is her birthday and she believes it is better to give than to receive. To take a peek at the gifts just click on the highlighted birthday party link above. I know there are some great ideas out there and I can't wait to see them!

I hope you day is filled with all the glory and goodness it can hold!

Blessings,
Sandy

P.S. I hope you will stop back my way on Wednesday to sign up for my holiday give away, I'll have the details and sign up posted then.

KEEPING CHRISTMAS IN MY HEART...

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.

-Roy L. Smith-Yesterday as I puttered around the studio, I listened to Christmas Carols hoping to capture a little bit of that spirit that seems to be waning in light of all the plans and preparations before the blessed celebration day arrives. A paper layette that I have been working on as part of a larger project caught my eye just as the these words hung in the air above my head, " Away in a manger, no crib for His bed, The Little Lord Jesus laid down His sweet head..." He had nothing fancy fashioned for Him at birth, no special clothing, no preparation of pretty things, only a simple swaddling wrap.
The only decor for his nursery were the twinkling stars in the velvet night sky and the sweet smelling hay where he lay, " The stars in the bright sky, Looked down where He lay, The Little Lord Jesus, Asleep on the hay..." The message of keeping it simple began to permeate my heart. As much as I wanted to add to my list of things to make and decorate with this year, like these fantastic woven star tutorials (part 1 & part 2) by Amanda of House Revival, I knew I needed to reign myself in.The next verse of the song drifted through the air, " The cattle are lowing, The poor Baby wakes, But little Lord Jesus, No crying He makes..." Christmas is not a time for complaining about what I need to get done or what I want to do but can't get to. The baby lay in a noisy stable just like I live in a noisy and clamoring world where attention can easily be drawn away from what is important. He did not complain about His circumstances but quietly and calmly took in what surrounded Him, the faces of his earthly mother and father, those He loved beyond measure. Imagine, a baby who knew where to place His priorities.My heart swelled as the next stanzas lifted themselves upward like a prayer, " I love Thee Lord Jesus, Look down from the sky, And stay by my side, Til (Christmas) morning is nigh. Be near me Lord Jesus (as I plan and prepare), I ask Thee to stay (reminding me of what is important about Christmas day), Close by me forever, And love me I pray. " This is the message I wanted to tuck away in my heart, that none of the trapping of tinsel, tree, or lights should ever dim the message of Christ's birth on that long ago night. Christmas is a season of love and gratitude for what I do have, faith, family, friends, and all the necessary fundamentals of food, clothing, and shelter to meet my daily needs.
Do I really need one more decoration? Yes, I do, I need a decoration of the heart that keeps me properly focused for the next 24 days as I am baking treats (favorite fudge and goodie recipes from the kitchen of Quill Cottage), wrapping gifts (gift wrap ideas), and trimming the tree (Christmas pasts decor at Quill Cottage 2009, 2008, 2007). On Christmas eve, as I fill the stockings (stocking tutorial by Thespa of Vintiquities Workshop) I can only hope that I have kept Christmas tucked away in my heart, its little messages of love reminding me of all my blessings. (Tuck Away Hearts by Peggy - these personalized messages of love would make great stocking stuffers!)My plan is not to give up on all the holiday festivities that I love, (more festive decor ideas here at Marie's Masion - these are a must see!) but to curb them back just a little, being slightly more selective in how I spend my time and energy, and above all to keep Christmas in my heart.

And my Christmas prayer for you, my dear blog friends, was sang sweetly in the last refrain, " Bless all the dear children, in Thy tender care..." make their Christmas' memorable, merry, and blessed beyond compare!

Christmas Blessings,
Sandy

Holiday Home Decor, Tutorials, and More...

"Snowmen fall from heaven...unassembled"

~unknown~

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday weekend. We kicked off the Christmas season yesterday here at the Quill by celebrating Advent. Many hands made much work go quickly as Handy Hubby, Darling Daughter, The Young Man Who Calls On Her helped to deck the halls. The main tree went up in the entry this year, a table top tree in the living room is fully lit with with white lights and is awaiting decor, the nativity is in place, the stocking are hung, and the Advent wreath is shaping up as the centerpiece of our family gathering spot. Today the mantle gets gussied up and a few more touches to the living room and all will be ready there. The dining nook and kitchen will be next. Hopefully the rain will lift and I will be able to get the outdoor decor done in a day or two. I'll post pictures a little later on. If you wish to see our holiday decor from last year visit this post to see what I love about my holiday home!

As promised last week, today I have two guest bloggers who have graciously allowed me to link to them to share a couple of wonderful tutorials with you. Continuing on with the theme of "Let it Snow!" You are sure to need some wonderful warm mittens before building your snowman. Visit Dawn of The Feathered Nest for a tutorial on making the most darling mittens to adorn your tree! Dawn is a mixed media artist whose precious mitten creations were recently featured in one of the Somerset publications. You will find Dawn's Mitten Ornament Tutorial here. Her instructions are clear, concise, and easy to follow with full color photos . These little mittens warm more than just the hands, they warm the heart. Enjoy!

Dawn's mittens warmed my heart so that I wanted to make some of my own. I thought these were so darling that I had to make many little pairs to put on packages as extra little gifts. I even tried this idea with a few different fabrics an loved the results! I am still in the process of embellishing my mittens so I'll post pictures later. I do have a photo of one pair that I made from an old sweater. I positioned the pattern so the cuff was on the band of the sweater and they look like a tiny pair or crochet mittens! They are embellished with holly leaves, berries, and velvet ribbon.Now that you have your mittens, you are ready to build your snowman. Lori of Faerie Window is just the person to consult for snowman building. Lori is a paper clay artist who is graciously sharing her paper clay technique for making an adorable snowman box. Lori was recently featured on Joli Paquet and you will find her Snowman Box Tutorial here. She, like Dawn, has written a wonderful step by step tutorial with easy to follow directions with full color photos. Lori made this look so fun and easy I just had to give it a try. Enjoy!

I admit I cheated a bit on this one. I found round boxes covered with a wonderful shiny silver surface and cute snowmen at Dollar Tree, so I skipped the box part and went straight for the snowman. I did embellish the silver ones a little. I also took liberty with the snowman's shape. Lori's is tall and regal while mine is short and round. I still need LOTS of practice and glitter covers a multitude of sins! I never did get the clay as smooth as I would have liked it but I am still pleased with my first attempt. Here are two of my little snowman boxes:
This is one is for my grandson. I embellished him with a little crochet chain hat and scarf with pompom fringe.This one is pretty in pink and is not quite finished yet. I have some shiny silver gift wrap with flocked snowflakes on it that I want to wrap the bottom of the box in and then glue a pink jewel in the middle of each snowflake.These are still waiting in line:I plan on giving these as gifts with a little treat tucked inside. I got so carried away that I even sculpted a little Snow Cone Man! (woman) To continue on with the Spirit of Giving this little gal will go into the Give Away on Thursday, Dec. 4! Come back then to sign up!

Thank you so very much Dawn and Lori for allowing me to link to your tutorials and for sharing your talents with us all. Thank you for the bits of beauty you both bring to artful living. You are both a spring board of inspiration. Blessings multiplied to both of you dear friends.

KIDS CORNER:

How about some edible snowmen for a frosty morning breakfast? These simple to assemble snowman are almost too cute to eat! Children will love making and eating these yummy creations. Be sure to have an adult supervise the oven.Ingredients:

Refrigerated Biscuits ~ 3 biscuits per snowman
Raisins or Chocolate Chips
Pretzel Sticks
Cookie Sheet
Vanilla Frosting (Optional ~ see note below)

Optional:
Powdered Sugar
Milk
Colored Sugar
Clean Paint brush or basting brush

Mixture of cinnamon and sugar
Spray butter

Powdered Sugar
Spray Butter

Assembly:
Lay three biscuit vertically on a cookie sheet with each one touching.

For a Plain Snowman:
Add raisins as eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons. Add pretzel arms. Bake as directed on the biscuit can.

For a Dirty Snowman:
Lay three biscuits vertically on a cookie sheet with each on touching. Spritz snowman with spray butter. Sprinkle on cinnamon and sugar, add raisin eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons. Add pretzel arms and bake as directed on the biscuit can.

For a Powdered Snowman:
Lay three biscuits vertically on a cookie sheet with each one touching. Add pretzel arms, raisin eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons and bake according to biscuit can.

Spritz with spray butter and dust with powdered sugar.

For Frosty the Snowman:
Lay three biscuits vertically on a cookie sheet with each one touching. Add pretzel arms and bake according to biscuit can directions.

Mix together powdered sugar and milk to make an icing. Have children paint the icing on the snowman. Add raisin or chocolate chip eyes, nose, mouth, and buttons. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Enjoy!
I invite you to return on Wednesday for two more terrific tutorials by two other talented artists and I will share with you my twists on their designs. Thursday is Give Away Day! On Friday Give Away winners will be announced and I will have another of my own tutorials up as well as a few other tips and tricks. I hope to see you there!

Blessings,
Miss Sandy