If you are interested in my Blog Candy... CLICK HERE.
Another Christmas card today. This time I went in the Country Christmas direction. The image is one I printed last year from The Graphics Fairy, I have added some real stitching to the panels, as I have been much braver with my sewing machine since my talented bloggy friend Anne of Redanne did up a post about using sewing in crafting. You should really check that out here. THANKS ANNE!
The papers are from Michaels Craft Store. The green is from My Minds Eye - Holiday Cheer, and the music notes paper is from DCWV - The Primrose Stack. The doily is from Prima, the flowers are from Wild Orchid Crafts, the laces are from May Arts and everything else is from my stash.
I picked the miniature pine cones myself, how awesome is that!! I couldn't find any information on the internet about if picking pine cones is harmful to the trees or not, so I only took a few. If anyone has some knowledge about this, please let me know.
***
Last weekend we took a trip to a spot along the river in the Riverwood Conservancy. This place is massive and will take us dozens of trips to cover all of the trails. The entrance is at the top of a huge hill, which was great on the way down to the river... not so great coming back!! lol
There were such fun paths, old ruins and amazing trees, it felt like being in some enchanted forest straight out of a J.K. Rowling's novel!
The remains some old building or lookout, with a stone staircase which looked much to rickety to actually walk down. Maybe next time? lol
Then finally we were at the river. I have saved those photos for another day because I took about a billion of them. lol
BUT THEN WAS THE UPHILL HIKE BACK TO THE CAR. DOH!
Back on the home front our little baby sparrow has decided it's much easier to take food from the balcony than bother with flying up to the feeder. So sweet!
I FINALLY HAD MY FIRST WOODPECKER!!!! YAY!!!!
This little guy is a Downy Woodpecker with just a small patch of red on his head.
PATRICIA has quickly become one of my favourite little visitors. She just loves to play hide and seek in the tree, and watch me as I go about my daily routine! I can't help but smile when I see her peeking out from behind a branch!
Oh SKITTLES, how cute are you!
Be very very quiet, something has caught the full attention of dear MR BAGGINS!
I'm not even sure what to say about JUNIOR today... I think this photo is worth a thousand words!
My token after dinner shot...
That's it for today. Thank you for stopping in and for all the amazing comments. If you have any questions or interesting tidbits about today's wildlife, please let me know.
LOVE the frost over the card! Such a beautiful Christmas card it is!! LOVE it! Stunning shots of conservancy, squirrels, birds and coffee shot! :)
ReplyDeleteSuchi xx
Your card is amazing. I love all the dimension and details. Great job!
ReplyDeleteAnd you made wonderful photos again.
Valerija xx
I am loving your Christmas in July cards, Pamellia!! This one particularly captures my eye. It is so sweet and vintage. All the layers and texture have me wishing I could reach up and touch it! I have a Downy family at my feeder as well. I've started keeping a list of my little visitors, but I haven't named my squirrels yet--lol! I love that you named one Mr. Baggins!!
ReplyDeleteSending hugs,
Nancy
Wonderful card, I could almost feel the cool air on my hot brow. Lovely photos, looks like a great place you went to. Glad the woodpecker s visiting you now, they are so pretty. Hugs, Valerie
ReplyDeleteHello! Been rubbish at visiting of late but I still see your fab creations! Love this with all your fabulous embellishing. Very hot here so loving the frosty feel of your card! Xx
ReplyDeleteA very beautiful card and well done on the stitching it looks amazing. Thank you for the link to learn how to do I will be going there after commenting here.
ReplyDeleteLove the photographs with the many quiet retreats that you find along life's way. Great to see a woodpecker as well. We hear lots of them when we are out walking but I have never even caught a glimpse of one yet.
Love Chrissie xx
Gorgeous snowy effects on your beautifully designed card and what wonderful walks you have nearby. I love Junior he is soooo adorable, well they all are really xxx
ReplyDeleteLove your wild life and feathered friends and so love this stunning card, I can imagine in real life they are just amazing.xx {aNNie}
ReplyDeletevery beautifll christmas card!
ReplyDeletelovely potos!
have a nice day
hugs
Oh what a gorgeous card Pamellia - as for Junior.... no words for that one - he is a comedy act on his own.
ReplyDeleteBlessings
Maxine
Stunning christmas card...again! Love how you've framed the peaceful little scene with all those beautiful elements..the little pine cones look gorgeous - and real stitching too!
ReplyDeleteThose forest walks look wonderful, can see what you mean about the Harry Potter novels- there's something so mystical and mysterious about trees. As for Junior...well what can you say!!!
Chris
x
Beautiful card, Pamellia! I don't know if it hurts the tree to pick pinecones. I do know that years ago, an aunt of mine collected some outdoors to make a wreath. The next morning, the room was covered with spiders. Apparently, you should bake them first in case anything is in them ready to hatch. Junior is too funny. I enjoy these pictures.
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful Christmas card Pamellia! The image you used looks like landscape of your neighborhood :) and all they gorgeous layers of papers and embellishments make this card a showstopper!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Samra
Paper Talk with Samra
Awwww.... This mixed media card is just magical! Such a fab scene you have created with this wonderful image and all the things added!! Great design!!! Your true little pinecones look amazing!!
ReplyDeleteYou have done a beautiful trip in that wood and the river is a fabulous place to see! But your friends with fur and feathers are the most wonderful! :D
This is beautiful. I love the beautiful winter scene you created along with the floral arrangement.
ReplyDeleteIts Beautiful ,cosy Christmas card ! The papers give it a vintage look and I loved the "snow" on embellishment and lovely addition of real pine cones !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card! So many lovely elements. Wonderful photos too!
ReplyDeleteWow another breathtaking card, how you manage to include so many beautiful details is a real art!! Beautiful photos too, a real trip into fairyland I think and your visitors always make me smile!! xx
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness, Pamellia, your card is absolutely stunning!! Wow!! The vintage country look is amazing!! I love the image...so peaceful and beautiful!! You've showcased it perfectly!! The layers and details are spectacular!! I'm not kidding when I say it takes me so long to comment...I study each picture to absorb the details!! Your stitching is perfect!! Love, love, love this my friend!!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful place to walk!! The paths and scenery are so gorgeous!! The river is awesome!! The uphill walk back would be a killer, though!! So much easier when you go up first and then downhill back ;) Yay a Downy Woodpecker!! What a gorgeous shot of him!! And your squirrel babies are just the sweetest!! Amazing after dinner shot, too!! I hope you have a wonderful Wednesday my sweet friend!! Big hugs :)
Lisa
A Mermaid's Crafts
Fantabulous card Pamellia! Gorgeous grouping of embellishments. Tis very very hot here at the mo, but I reckon if I study card for long enough I might convince myself cooler! The little cones are supercute - I'm sure nature is happy to share with you, just dont let a ranger see you. Photos look great, love your woodpecker! Nicola x
ReplyDeleteBeautiful card Pamellia and love your little pine cones and all the snowy glittery textures..what CAN I say about Junior..lol..he is a character!!
ReplyDeleteluv CHRISSYxx
Hi Pamellia,
ReplyDeleteStunning card, love the design. Oh my adore that photo of Junior, he has to be my favourite lol!
Love & Hugs
Jacquie J xxx
http://jewelscardcraft.blogspot.co.uk/
You're getting a dab hand at the machine Pamellia, you have made an awesome Christmas card and your hand picked cones are a great twist. I'm sure that just picking a few will do no harm whatsoever...pines produce so many cones.Your walk looked great fun but the uphill return not so. How cute is little Junior's feet...awwwww.Hugs to you xx
ReplyDeleteAn awesome card, great stitching with all those beautiful layers.
ReplyDeleteYour photos from your walk look lovely and as for Junior, he gets a gold star from me today, he is simply adorable.
Yvonne xx
An amazing card, love the beautiful layers, details, traditional colours and snowy features. A super addition to your Christmas collection.
ReplyDeleteLorraine
Oooh gorgeous card Pamellia, could do with some of that Winter chill today as it's so hot here in the UK! Ah Junior cracks me up, I'm surprised he's ever awake long enough to eat!
ReplyDeleteHugs
Donna xx
What a lovely idea to put your own mini cone on this fabulous card. The textures and colours are gorgeous and love the stitching! Loved the photos of the enchanted wood lol x Those squirrels are so adorable and who knows what Junior is up too? Thank you for sharing Pamellia I always like to take my time and look at your glorious photos properly, brings a smile to my face...Thank you x
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card but it is scaring me watching you make the Christmas cards as I know I will be on the last legs as usual. Lovely photos of your little friends too. Have a great crafty week, Angela x
ReplyDeleteThis is sooo gorgeous Pamellia! love all the gorgeous layers with that beautiful image and floral arrangement..
ReplyDeleteYou have some beautiful places to visit around you, these photos are fabulous, so are you cute furry feathered friends.
Pam x
Such an exquisite Festive creation and a stunning floral arrangement.
ReplyDeleteJulie x
Stunning card Pamellia, I love the image and all the berries and flowers so festive!! gorgeous photos too
ReplyDeleteKevin xx
Beautiful card...Christmas...its still like 100 degrees over here. Never see snow either lol. Its just like when the stores stock products for new seasons and Im stunned because it comes by so fast! As for the cute little pine cones, it doesnt necessarily harm the tree...the cone just doesn't fully mature. They fall off when they get big enough. Tree branches are a different story. I like how you used the pine cones. You just gave me an idea! :)
ReplyDeleteSo very very beautiful (card and nature phots_. I could use some of that frosty goodness here. It's just a tad bit warm here in NC. Love the layers ... as usual. You have such an incredible gift Pamellia. Give my love to all the squirrels. Seriously ... Junior ... I can see why you are at a loss for words! How adorable. -- ME
ReplyDeleteAnother beautiful card Pamellia, your layering and embellishing never cease to amaze me! Thanks for the lovely pictures too and love the pic of Junior 😁 Deb xo
ReplyDeleteJunior is so funny, I just adore him!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful Christmas card, I am loving the stitching, I have never been brave enough to use my rather precious (that's precious as in it can be very temperamental, not that it is dear to me) sewing machine. Wonderful beads and lacy bits, and I LOVE your tiny pine cones.
Dionne xx
Absolutely brilliant Christmas card, Pamellia! I so excited to see that you used your sewing machine and your stitching is fabulous! Your tiny pine cones are cherry on top! I am always amazed by your fantastic layering and perfect embellishing! What a spectacular card this is, my friend!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your fabulous photos! Always love to see your little friends!
Big hugs to you! Branka xx
Oh Pamellia! I have missed so many of your posts - IG is good to see your fabulous creations but I have been away so much lately I need a massive catch up here! LoVe your card and the handpicked cones! Your photos are brilliant and I have missed your furry and feathery friends too Big Hugs, Chrisx
ReplyDeleteYou really have captured a vintage country look in this beautiful card Pamellia, the papers themselves are beautiful but it is always your embellies that catch my eye. Adding real pine cones is such a lovely idea (not sure if it does harm to the trees, although they usually all drop off anyway.... so the animals can move the seeds around the forest). And, of course, your stitching is wonderful - well done for having a go because it is a wonderful finishing touch! Thanks so much for the shout out too!
ReplyDeleteJunior looks hilarious, I have no words either... and Patricia is a little darling. Love the 'enchanted forest' shots too! Hugs, Anne xx
Hi Pamellia! A gorgeous Christmas card you have conjured up here! You like with incredibly good, the many details and great vintage image! A very nice day wishes Sylvia
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely stunning card!!!!
ReplyDeletehugs,Jackie
What a very beautiful card, so traditional and so many layers and the stitching? too many things to pick up on, so I will say EVERYTHING is GORGEOUS.
ReplyDeleteYour squirrels are a joy and as for Junior!!!!!!!! such fun. Fabulous scenery and don't envy you the walk up hills. Gorgeous sunset too, love coming here, SO much to see.
A beautiful Christmas card Pamellia. The image is so charming and the frosted elements look amazing. How wonderful to be able to use your own hand picked diddy pine cones.
ReplyDeleteYour woodland walk photos are lovely xx
Another stunning card, love that you picked the pine cones yourself. Still loving the squirrels! Cara x
ReplyDeleteStunning Christmas card Pamellia, love the addition of the little pine cones (they fall off eventually) Looks like a lovely peaceful place for your walk and today's photos of the 'family' are just so sweet, especially Junior!
ReplyDeleteAvril xx
Another gorgeous card, and your foto... wow.
ReplyDeleteMarjeta
Very sweet. Your acorns look perfect. j.
ReplyDeletefabulous Wintry Christmas card love the vintage image,snow and stunning details and embellishments -beautiful scenery
ReplyDeleteCarol x
You amaze me Pamellia with your talent you make the most amazing creations, the embellishments are stunning. The photos are gorgeous .
ReplyDeleteHugs Julie xxx
Hi Pamellia
ReplyDeleteFabulously festive and the addition of your hand picked baby pine cones is inspired.
Well, what can I say about Junior? Any squirrel confident enough to have his bits on display is obviously comfortable in his environment lol!
Ang x
Fabulous card and nature pictures. Love all the close ups you get of our furry ans feathered friends.
ReplyDeleteFabulous card and nature pictures. Love all the close ups you get of our furry ans feathered friends.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing wrong with this card is that it didn't come with a video. i am sure one is coming soon, but in the meantime I will just watch one of your old ones. lol. Beautiful design as usual love the real pine cones and the red berries and of course the sewing and all the fabulous layers. Fabulous pictures too. Just love visiting your blog.
ReplyDeleteLovely card, I like the music note paper and the baby pine cones are adorable. The pine cones have seeds that some birds eat, at least the bigger ones do. I think I might bake them before I use them, like that other lady said, just in case. I like your nature photos. That Junior! I have never seen their little hands (feet?) in such detail.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous card Pamellia, wonderful design.
ReplyDeleteMore fabulous photo shots, your walks look super, Kate x
Oh, dear Junior! He had me giggling! What sweet tiny feet! He looks as if he has had enough of the northern heat! Perhaps he would enjoy a trip to Wilmington to cool off??? Your baby starling is so sweet, and you have captured his/her beauty with your wonderful photography.
ReplyDeleteLove seeing all your shots of your trip through the woods; indeed a magical setting! We hiked though a similar looking Christmas tree forest on our vacation, but the path was not so clearly marked. If you don't pay close attention you miss the blazes on the trees marking it, and can easily get lost. Those steps look enticing, and I think my curiosity would have gotten the best of me! I never tire of your coffee/after dinner shots, either!
As for your amazing Christmas card, it is full of nostalgia and nature--two things I love! The colors you've used are perfect and the image is indeed beautiful! Love to see the stitching, and am currently working on a project that should have some stitching on it. I'm checking out a machine I was given a while back and have forgotten about. Fingers crossed it works! I have been pricing new machines, and I just can't swing one just yet. Big hugs to you, Pamellia!