Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving - or as we sometimes call it Turkey Day! This year we had a far smaller and less stressful holiday. With the main breadwinner out of work still we simply couldn't afford to have people over and cook a huge meal. Not to mention as we are stressed we wanted a bit of peace and quiet. I did decorate the house a wee bit, though...

My fireplace is the main place to see - gourds and (fake) leaves and bittersweet vine. I added our little Indian friends on that side with all the nature - a wood carving, a squirrel, etc...

And on the other side are our Pilgrim friends. They have our candlesticks and metal pinecone. Just a bit of blending of the two sides. :)

I thought it was cute.

We did cook a turkey and the usual sides for ourselves (stuffing, corn pudding, sweet potatoes, etc.) And I made pumpkin and pecan pies as well as a few mincemeant tarts. Most of the canned goods we had leftover from either last year or previous shopping so we didn't have to spend too much. Mincemeat in a jar is the most expensive thing and I had two whole jars left over from last year's sale - still good until next October, can you believe it?

We aren't doing any Black Friday shopping. I did most of my Christmas shopping ahead of time when Borders was closing - got a few books and calendars, etc. I've had them wrapped since August so I'm pretty much ready. Still probably do a tiny bit of shopping, but I must stay on budget. I'm hoping things take a turn for the better next year!

And I'd like to close with saying I'm thankful for every one of you who comments and shares here on my blog and on their own blogs as well as all the wonderful people who buy an item or two from the Etsy shop. Thank you and may you have a wonderful Holiday Season and a Happy New Year!

Shabby Sheep Custom Order

I got a request for a custom order awhile back that I found tremendously flattering - it seems that a customer who had purchased a Shabby Sheep canvas from me had a mother who loved the same canvas so much she'd taken it home with her! Instead of just requesting I make another for her - she decided she wanted 3 more!

As requested, I made a grouping with all the same details (background, French text, sheep plus crow, etc.), but slightly altered. It took me far longer than I thought it would, but this is what I finally produced:

Listing found HERE

It's kind of hard to see the details except close up - two of the sheep have extra texture to their woolly coats and one is complete mirror image, while one is simply the crow mirrored.

I had the devil's own time trying to get my stamping to work right and had to paint and repaint and stamp, repaint and restamp and stencil, etc. until I was pulling my hair out. They look super simple, but that can be so deceiving, can't it? I ended up making four when one of them simply wasn't good enough and it would take longer to repaint the whole thing rather than start from scratch. I think they turned out nice, though - don't you? I've posted it up on my shop and I'm crossing my fingers it meets with her approval.

It's a dreary overcast day - makes me want to curl up back into bed.

ETA: And SOLD already. :) If you are interested in a similar set or something custom made feel free to comment here or convo me at etsy!

November Inspiration - Etsy Update

Hello, sorry to have been so quiet lately. I've been busy and sick - and then sick and busy, etc. I'm working on a commission for an Etsy customer for three Shabby Sheep canvases - each a bit different so they can be hung as a group. The canvases are being very stubborn about the whole thing and I've been tearing my hair out working on them when I feel well enough to, but I am nearly done so yay!

Also - there are a few new items in the shop I'd like to point out. First up - a new set of Thanksgiving/Fall Prim boxes.

This set is the best looking so far, I think. Since each one is handpainted and stenciled and then antiqued and sealed - they never look exactly alike. This one is more matte finish than the last one and I think the colors all over look very nice indeed. I'll gladly keep this one around if it doesn't sell. :)

They are nesting boxes - they store nicely - I also like to keep some of my other holiday decorations inside them and then I know just where they are since the boxes are of the same theme.

They look great individually and stacked up high. I just love the Early American Font that spells out 'Give Thanks' on the top box. The middle box has a sprig of Bittersweet on it and the bottom box has three pumpkins. I also stenciled the backs so there is no true 'back' to them - they look great all around.

Available at my store here.

And I have new jewelry to show off! First up - a Fairy Door necklace! I love fairies (as you probably know from my Fairy houses and also my Fairy silhouette) and this door pendant is so darn cute!

It's a Gothic/Medieval looking door - kind of Hobbit looking - just check out those tiny details! The door hinges, the window, the doorknob, etc.

Available at my store here.

And best of all? It opens up!!

You could put a pinch of glitter inside or a teeny tiny photo maybe. The door has magnetic closure - it doesn't swing open unless you tug on the knob to open. A very nice steampunk/fairy jewelry piece. I've strung it on a similarly colored chain, but you could change that easily enough - maybe a beaded necklace or on velvet or satin ribbon? So cute!

And the typewriter jewelry has a new addition, too!

I found a new setting I like a great deal - it is a bit more substantial than the filigree setting - I love both so much I've posted a necklace in both round settings. This H has the new setting.

You can see larger images at my etsy store, of course.

And here is another of the very popular filigree setting...

I love the letter E and as I was making this it struck me that it could stand for Edward. Yes, I am one of those secret Twilight fans. I like the books better than the movies. I can't help thinking this is an excellent necklace for Twilight fans as it is an old fashioned setting and using the typewriter key - well I'm sure he used one and probably has one in his room still. ;)

Available here.

If you have a Twilight fan you'd like to buy a gift for (or one for yourself!) - this would be a great choice. I could also make one with a B for Bella - or any initial you like. Make sure you convo me asap, though, the popular letters sell out fast. I've already run out of black N keys, but I do have some in white, etc. Just convo me on Etsy or comment here if you are interested.

Happy Thursday!