Mini Mustard Seed and I have been working hard to get lots of ornaments made for the Lucketts Holiday Open House (Nov. 4, 5 and 6.)  I’ve lost count of how many we have made, but it’s certainly in the hundreds.    That’s going to continue this week, but I’m also going to have to do some shopping, painting and upholstery work to get ready.  I’ve also had to do a lot of online ordering…clay tags, pillows, stockings, runners, ten pounds of glitter, ten yards of hemp fabric…  whew!  I also just spoke to a local tree farm today about getting a live tree at the end of October. They thought I was a little nutty, but they said they would give me a saw and I could take my pick.  Here’s a sneak peek of a couple of new ornaments in the line this year…  Of course I’ll have some

I have received tons of requests for a tutorial on making the ruffled tree skirt pictured under the tree in my living room.  Never fear…I did write one.  Here’s the thing, it’s for HGTV.com for Christmas 2011, so you’ll have to wait a few months.  You aren’t going to set up a Christmas tree anytime soon, though, right?  In addition to the tree skirt, I’m writing fifteen other tutorials including how to make this versatile wreath… …no knit stockings… …a few tablescapes… …and others.  I’ll put the links on my blog when they are posted next season.  So, while all of you are packing up the holiday decor, I’m just getting warmed up!  I’m hoping to have it all done in the next couple of weeks, so I can move on to getting ready for the Lucketts Antique Market in May and keeping my retail spaces stocked through the spring. 

It’s two days before Christmas and I finally put up my “pretty tree.”  It’s the first live tree I’ve had since I was six and I am sold on buying live trees.  It is so beautiful.  My artificial one is going to the thrift store the day after Christmas. And I’m crazy about the new tree skirt I made.  The little girl in me still loves a twirly skirt.  Sorry about the bad lighting.  These pictures were taken at night.  Sooo…some of you know about my musical background.  Well, I thought Christmas was a good time to share it with you.   (I’m a little nervous about posting this.  I’m really not a performer anymore…) Merry Christmas to you and yours. 

Just so you know, blog advertising does work.  If you read The Nesting Place, you may recognize the footed bowl I am using in my Christmas buffet vignette.  I spotted it there and then had to hit the Pier One when I was in Raleigh.  I bought it and I love it.  It was the perfect centerpiece for my buffet and I’m sure you’ll see it in many other places in my home.  I simply gathered things from my Christmas trunks and the house and put them all together.  There really isn’t a science to this vignette.  It’s symmetrical and traditional. I added some fresh cranberries around the candles and pine cones in the footed bowl.  It’s nice to add natural elements when decorating with artificial greens and berries. I used colors that would tie in nicely with my mantle, since they’re both in the family room.  I am linking my vignette