little bits.
The decorations are starting to go up. And look at that Tord. (Wow, blogging friends are so generous, I am spoiled rotten, thank you!) I realized after some monkeying around that these garlands don't really drape, so the shelf seemed the best place for them. The deer is new and I heart her so much. She is flocked and jaunty as heck.
The village is up-almost exactly the same as last year. We also have one less snow globe in the house now. I didn't see what happened, but I found glass and snow and a lot of water in the couch and the 2 year old won't stop talking about it.
I made that white feather tree on the left about 5 years ago. I blocked it out. I actually made it from floral wire, real goose feathers, and floral tape with what could have been the most vague directions I have every read. It took a long time. A really really long time. But if you have ever priced one of these things, the real ones, you'll know why I made it. I don't plan to ever do it again, but I love it, and I usually hang little balls on it but these photo were taken mid-process.

This shelf now has a Tord garland too. The snowmen are from here, they come in a 4-pack. With these new items, I'm done buying holiday decorations this year. (Except the sales after Christmas, can't help that.) And we hope to get the tree this weekend. Seems so early this year, it's not even December 1st yet, but that early snow fall got me all excited. And the banner has a new holiday look too, refresh if you can't see the snow.









Sweet!
Posted by: Grammie | November 30, 2006 at 03:01 PM
I really like those snowmen.
Posted by: Tamie | November 30, 2006 at 03:04 PM
I really love reading your blog...it makes me happy!
Posted by: Heidi | November 30, 2006 at 03:30 PM
Huh. Your Tord garland is different than the one I got. There must be a couple of different designs, as mine has swans or geese, not deer.
Posted by: Sundance | November 30, 2006 at 03:39 PM
Looking good.
Posted by: carolyn | November 30, 2006 at 04:02 PM
Nice Banner! I just love that wintery, holiday blue
Posted by: Jen | November 30, 2006 at 05:33 PM
It looks lovely. I love the deer and the snowmen too. We've always travelled for Christmas and this is the first year we're in the same city as our families (we used to live across the country), so I've yet to collect many of my own decorations. Thanks for being such a great inspiration!
Posted by: elizabooth | November 30, 2006 at 05:36 PM
Lovin' the village! So cozy looking ...
Posted by: Mae | November 30, 2006 at 06:33 PM
all refreshed now - love the new banner!
Posted by: erin | November 30, 2006 at 07:18 PM
Yes, I discovered that the garlands weren't very drapey either. I've had to revise my plans for them! I like the shelf-edge solution though.
Posted by: amy h | November 30, 2006 at 08:02 PM
Your village is to die for... so warm and cozy looking.
I grabbed 1 of the last 3 TORD's at our Targe't, I wanted all 3, but 2 of them looked to be bunnies and I just couldn't bring myself to get bunnies at Christmas. I did get the Geese though. (sadly no deer) After seeing how lovely yours looks though, maybe I should have just gotten all 3. darn.
Posted by: jill | November 30, 2006 at 09:59 PM
I love the new blog banner, and the little deer is so adorable! Is it vintage?
Posted by: Cerri | November 30, 2006 at 10:32 PM
hey! it's 11:20 and i'm eating tillamook peppermint holiday icecream in honour of your christmas decorating. that's right. *all for you*
Posted by: melissa f. | November 30, 2006 at 11:19 PM
Still loving the Tord garlands. Still jealous as heck that Target here isn't the same as Target in the US so the chances of us getting them are between Buckley's and none.
Your decorations look all snuggly and serene.
Posted by: The Shopping Sherpa | December 01, 2006 at 12:56 AM
So much loveliness!
Posted by: kali | December 01, 2006 at 02:46 AM
I went the shelf route myself. My longest shelf is only six feet long, so I had to tuck a few feet behind the books, lol. The cut-outs look great against the dark spines.
Posted by: Shannon | December 01, 2006 at 05:30 AM
my tord-y thing has bunnies. strange.
love your new banner. and that feather tree is gorgeous--definitely worth all the work!
Posted by: julie | December 01, 2006 at 06:54 AM
Beautiful christmas decorations. Love that village. I am hankering to make my own little houses. I have seen the patterns for them in MS. Oh! And love your new banner too!
Posted by: CrystalT | December 01, 2006 at 07:44 AM
Beautiful garlands!
Posted by: aj | December 01, 2006 at 08:04 AM
So lovely!
Posted by: Jenn | December 01, 2006 at 08:27 AM
Everything looks so pretty! Kudos to you on that feather tree! I'd love to try one, but haven't worked up the nerve just yet!
Posted by: Bettsi | December 01, 2006 at 09:45 AM
Awww, cute!
Posted by: Kat with a K | December 01, 2006 at 01:07 PM
I covet that deer, dear! I have that garland as well, but for the life of me can't figure out the best way to use it because of the drapeing problem! I would put it on shelves, but none are big enough, yet I refuse to return it!
Posted by: claire | December 01, 2006 at 01:17 PM
love the new banner! I had that red deer in my shopping basket this summer at a gift shop on vacation and I've been kicking myself ever since that I didn't get it. I wish you could come over and see my tree. Tim and I are always disappointed that people aren't more excited about our ornaments. I have a feeling you'd be the perfect audience :)
Posted by: hillary | December 01, 2006 at 03:03 PM
Your banners are the BEST! the decorating looks good, I better catch up to you. I only have a few things up.
Posted by: jen | December 01, 2006 at 05:50 PM
boy, when you start decorating it doesn't take you long (including the rockin new banner). Lovin the tord. Loving the feather tree, loving your description of making it.
We had a sno-globe tragedy around here at Halloween. Let's just say it was weeks after and I was still picking up tiny glittery black cats.
Posted by: Blair | December 01, 2006 at 05:52 PM
Love that yellow pitcher. I haven't decided where to hang my tord yet but I was wondering about the drapey-ness. Thanks for the tip.
Posted by: Mama Urchin | December 01, 2006 at 07:04 PM
I love your new banner and that circle mirror. There is another blogger that has one. I have been looking for years for a vintage circle one and the more I see them, the more I want one. Have a great weekend.
Posted by: Gina | December 01, 2006 at 07:33 PM
I have the Tord deer too, and can't find a good place for it. I did see the swans and wanted to get them both, but did get that hordey feeling... such a great description of it... so only got the deer. Love your feather tree!
Posted by: kelly Beisbier | December 01, 2006 at 08:48 PM
Your Xmas decorations look great and make me home sick for snow down here in hot Aussie land - its never the same but we do our best. We have a blow up tree this year to contend with #1 son (9mths) and the heat as a 'live' tree will die inside - maybe one year we'll do a feather tree I like the idea of that and it looks so pretty too (worth the effort) :). All the best for the snowy season!
Posted by: Naomi M | December 02, 2006 at 12:59 AM
I was so envious of that feather tree tucked in the corner the other day, and low and behold I found a cheap substitue the other day at my $ store! I posted a picture on my blog.
Posted by: Jenn | December 02, 2006 at 07:22 AM
Love the new banner!!!!
Posted by: Leta | December 02, 2006 at 06:31 PM
I've got some Tord Bunny garland with your name on it.
Posted by: Tasha | December 02, 2006 at 07:51 PM
Festive! And love the new banner.
Posted by: jennifer {creatingfromscratch} | December 02, 2006 at 11:58 PM
such a pretty Christmas atmosphere!
Posted by: ratichoo | December 05, 2006 at 07:07 AM
Aaaarg! Thanks to your link to Bayberrycove I just dropped $150 on ornaments while going into cardiac arrest because I've spent years combing flea markets for similar stuff. Your decor is inspirational :)
Posted by: Jessica | December 05, 2006 at 04:57 PM
What is this TORD thing? I'm not following, although i do like the garland. it looks like an intricate snowflake chain.
Posted by: Jen | December 10, 2006 at 05:11 PM
Dude! I have a red deer like that from when I was little. Except it is in much much worse condition. ;)
Posted by: Kari | December 14, 2006 at 05:34 PM