I can hardly believe Thanksgiving is next week and Christmas is right around the corner! Where has this year gone?! I am busy making lists of everything that needs to get done between now and then, food that needs to be purchased and baked, gifts that need to be selected and wrapped... I realized I needed a place to keep all of this info readily available. So here we are,
I just added these pretty little lined linen journals to my Etsy shop and just in time too! The covers on them were created using rare copies from my private collection of antique European fashion plate engravings.
You will find each has a hand sketched inspiration and personal message written inside the last page.
I have reconfigured and hand painted these engravings to give them a fresh new style and look.
They are approximately 6" x 9" a very convenient size and have 90 lined pages.
There are even a couple of designs well suited for the man in your life.
It's the perfect place for him to keep his "honey do" list!
I've also been working on some different types of Christmas tree ornaments for my Etsy shop as well.
I wanted to make something a little out of the ordinary this year.
I have a wonderful antique illustrated copy of
The Night Before Christmas, circa 1896. It is printed on linen pages and in beautiful condition.
I used some of my favorite images from that old book, along with the antique hot air balloon images, which by the way
has always been the way I imagined Santa delivering his gifts to everyone! In my Christmas "story" the reindeer are back at the North Pole having a big ole Christmas party with all of their little woodland friends! It sounds festively romantic to me and more jolly of Santa to give them the night off don't you think?!
I have also decided to celebrate the holidays this year in a not so traditional way.
These whimsical heirloom ornaments are rustic, peaceful, beautiful and meaningful.
I am imagining a simple, serene holiday, warmed by wooden logs and hot cider.
The glass orb ornaments are filled with memories
which are kept frozen, forever sealed within.
Placed upon a bed of excelsior are "her" trinkets,
scattered about... a ring she once wore upon her tiny finger,
a tattered scrap of rose colored silk flounce that belonged to her very favorite dress,
you know, the one she wore every chance she got!
Pressed posies she picked on a warm summers day when thoughts of Winters chill was far, far away!
There is even a precious braided lock of hair that still retains the color of her vibrant youth.
They also contain a few Victorian glass buttons and last but not least
an image of "her" a dainty little paper cameo peers out from within! So thats how I am imagining my holidays... How are you imagining yours? And Yes... to be sure, Wishing you and your a Festive, Fun and Happy THanksgiving too!
