Merry Christmas!

Over the years, my mom and began collecting bird ornaments here and there. Eventually, we had so many that we had a separate bird themed tree for Christmas! This year I celebrate Christmas with my very first tree and I have continued the tradition in my home.

I bought a plain snowflake tree topper, but it just didn't fit into my bird theme. So.....I challenged myself to create a fanciful tree topper that suited my bird ornaments using only what supplies I already had around the house.

Before: A NEST

After: A pefect tree topper for my BIRD TREE

 Sparkle, shine, and lots of whimsy are the only requirements to make it on my tree and maybe a bird or 10!

 Take a look closer and you'll find friends of a feather

Lady Ostrich

 

Mr. Cardinal

A royal peacock

and one of many bird houses

Kissing fish are welcome too 

and the sea horse

I can't forget about the little Santa Dachshund

 and some of Santa's helpers too!

Sampson is on the left and Mia is on the right. Samp is mad because the tree skirt can no longer serve as his napping area due to wrapped presents!

Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

I'll be back refreshed and ready for the new year....lots to do and a little relaxing too!

My Sweet Savannah Ring Giveaway

Thank you My Sweet Savannah for the nest ring giveaway! Check out this blog from a wonderful lady named Melanie. I appreciate it!

Can you guess the theme of my Christmas tree this year?

Here's just a tease of my tree topper this year!  I'm going for the enchanted forest on Christmas morning look.

 A little colorful owl living in my tree.

More to come on my tree topper....there's so much more to share! 

Vintage Dish Collage

Over the years, I've collected several decorative plates, both antique and new, from my grandmother, my mother, and I've bought a few myself. Instead of hiding my beautiful mementos in a closet somewhere, I decided to display them where all (who come to my apartment) can see. There are several ways to hang decorative dishes: regular wall mountings, stands for individual dishes, china cabinets, and heaven forbid....to use them for serving food! That's too boring for me!!!!

A few years back, I saw a magazine photo that displayed dishes in a bold way. There was no measuring or perfect alignment, just fantastic dishes of all sizes hanging in harmony as a real statement piece. It appeared as art rather than plates hanging on a wall...I had to do it with my very own dish collection!

How to do it yourself:

1. Get some dishes in all different sizes and shapes:)
2. Use the floor to arrange how you want your dishes to look
3. Take a picture of your desired look as reference
4. Get plate hangers (so cheap) and begin hanging. You can perfectly line things up and draw exactly where you want the dish to go, but I like to do things a little haphazardly. Just approximate and start hanging!

Can you guess which dishes are vintage? There are 7!

When we buy a house (hopefully in 2011), I will reserve a wall in my kitchen or dining area for this dish collage! At that time, I hope to have some color on the walls instead of the boring "rented apartment off-white" color that's in the photo.

I still have several vintage teacups and beaded purses from the 1940's locked up that I inherited from my grandmother. One day, I'll find a creative way to display them too!

Faded Notions SALE

There is a 20% off sale on my Faded Notions Copper Charms collections! The collection contains pressed copper images of fleur-de-lis, dragonflies, flowers, birds, and leaves....40% off on all leaves!

http://www.oftheearthjewelry.etsy.com/

WINNER of Of the Earth Jewelry Giveaway!

We have a winner of the FREE Robin's egg nest ring! Congratulations Christy Marrone!

Also, I've reached over 100 orders! Thank you to my 101 customer who will receive a free nest ring!

Help tip the sales to over 100!!!

I'd like to announce that I've almost met my goal of 100 sales on Etsy! However, I'm only at 97 sales. I'm offering a free gift to my 101 customer! My 101 customer will receive a Robin's Nest Ring of your choice. I hope it's you!

Randee