Holiday Shopping

I will just start out and say that I don't have a single photo of Thanksgiving. Not one.  Once the family starts to arrive and begins milling around preparing their contribution to the feast, it's fairly hectic, and warm and loving. Just the way Thanksgiving should be :>) And I just can't be bothered to run for the camera and stage a bunch of pictures to post. There is too much going on and every moment is to be savored and enjoyed. Everyone looks for their favorite dish, and there are hugs and greetings and the latest tales from Uncle Clarence. This year the story was about how earlier this week his car was hit by a semi and he walked away unscathed. Another thing to be thankful for! And typical of the adventures he has lived through. We love Uncle Clarence and his stories of survival!

So here we are the day after. The house is still clean and, I don't know about you but I am not one to brave the crowds for the Black Friday sales. Can I just ask? Why do people even go to WalMart on Black Friday? It seems every year someone gets trampled or a fight breaks out. Christmas spirit anyone? At any rate, I have been doing a lot of my shopping online. And that doesn't mean I hit the big box websites and Amazon exclusively.  I love etsy and I love buying products from cottage industries who really care about my business. This year I purchased this beautiful photo for my brother who has been looking for some pastoral art for his walls.

 It's from Jenn Diguglielmo's beautiful etsy shop, and it is a photograph that has the feel of a gorgeous vintage painting. My brother was up for a visit last week and I gave him the gift early and he loved it. Her prints come in a variety of sizes, and the delivery was lightning fast

I also admire the products in the Happy Little Cottage shop. Oh my, the gorgeous colors and the wonderful work that Debbie does will make anyone's heart happy! A darling pincushion stocking stuffer, pillow, quilt or holiday banner is like a little drop of sunshine for your home. Go. Look. You will be so glad you did.

My dear friend Trish is a sewing dynamo. She does quilt pattern testing and still finds time to make beautiful things for her shop natnkat. Adorable tissue holder covers for your purse make a great stocking stuffer, but she also has pretty Christmas pillowcases for sugarplum dreaming, and a candy colored scarf that will keep your loved ones so warm and cozy:>) I have one of her scarves and it is a favorite that I pull out again and again.

Last but not least is my sweet friend Karen Harvey Cox. I have several of her lovely watercolor paintings throughout my home and I love their vibrant color and the dreamy style she paints in. She
has an etsy shop called French Script where she sells her fabric designs in totes, pillow covers and by the yard so you can make your own beautiful creations if you like. She even has cut and sew tea towels by the yard so you can make a set for someone special, or for yourself! She has delicious designs that take advantage of her original art in so many different ways. I have ordered from Karen and always been thrilled with my purchases.

So there you have it. Some of my favorite shops this year and all accessible from the comfort of your home with a nice cup of coffee and preferably still in your cozy flannel jammies. Don't forget to check out my shop, I have my sparkly Christmas stocking marked down for the Black Friday weekend.  So who needs to get trampled at the big box stores?  If you have a favorite shop please tell us who it is! Do you go out on Black Friday?