Merry Christmas from Birch Landing Home!

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas with family and friends!

It felt more like spring than December here in New England today, but it was still a wonderful Christmas.

I'll be taking a little break from the Etsy shop until the end of January and am hoping to get some projects finished around the house in the meantime (like my annual New Years Resolution closet purge).  I'm also hoping to expand the Etsy shop in the New Year with more New England-inspired home decor items like painted signs and handmade boxes. 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone! 

Thank a Veteran

Thank a Veteran, today and every day. Veterans don't get nearly enough credit for the sacrifices they gave and still give for us to have the freedoms we do.  

For those of you who haven't seen "Honor Flight" yet, watch it tonight. It's a documentary about a volunteer group who's mission is to honor the Greatest Generation by flying them to see their WWII Memorial in Washington, DC.  It's such a beautiful, moving documentary and the inspiring stories it tells will make you shed a tear.  

I've included the link to "Honor Flight" below or you can request it from your local library.  It will certainly move you and remind you of how lucky we are to have such brave men and women come before us.   

Featured on Life on the Shady Grove

Wendy from Life on the Shady Grove will be sharing her Christmas home tour and hosting a HUGE series of giveaways in December featuring 32 crafters, including Birch Landing Home!  She's just posted a little introduction to some of the participants on her blog so you can get a preview of some of the makers and items involved.  

I can't wait to see how she styles our hand-etched ornaments in her home and I'm looking forward to sending the lucky winner their own set of ornaments to use this Christmas!  

Don't worry, I'll let you know when Wendy's gorgeous home tour is up on her blog and when her 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways begin!  But in the meantime, don't forget to follow her on Instagram (@lifeontheshadygrove) so you don't miss another inspiring home decor post.  

Here Comes The Sun

I had to share this picture, I just love the sun that comes in the craft room in the morning.  It makes you want to get started on some projects.. now if only a little one would let me get some work done ;)  

Okay, so I totally framed it..

Okay, so I totally framed the December issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine along with the little feature of my Hand-Etched Maple Snowflake Ornaments.  

I felt a little silly about it at first but being featured was a huge honor and having it hanging in the craft room is just more motivation to keep at my little Etsy business and blog.  

And I have to confess.. it is fun seeing it hanging up :)  It's always been a dream to get into a big publication like Martha Stewart or Country Living and even though the feature was small I can now say I've done it. 

So tell me, would you have framed it too..? 

Loop Giveaway on Instagram

I'm partnering with five other small shops/creatives on Instagram to do a Spring Loop Giveaway!  It's the first loop giveaway I've been a part of and I'm excited to be working with these other wonderful ladies.  At the end of the giveaway we'll each be selecting a winner so there will be a total of six winners!  Each account will be choosing their own prize - mine will be a piece of jewelry from the Etsy shop.  

Please stop by my Instagram to join the loop and enter to win - with six prizes being awarded your odds of winning only increases!  

Favorite Finds: Free Nature Stock Photos

Insert shameless plug here ;)  

My husband Adrian and I love the great outdoors, and he loves taking pictures.  A few months ago this passion launched into little side project called Free Nature Stock, a place where he can share some of the many photos he takes as a stock photo resource for others.  

Everyday a new nature-themed photo is added, and the best part is they are free and can be used in your personal or commercial projects without any attribution.  

Please check it out and don't forget to follow Free Nature Stock on Instagram and Twitter to see what the latest photos are.  

Please note:  The previews of the photos may look a little grainy, especially on Instagram or Twitter, but the downloadable files are high-quality and large.  

Small Business Feature at Bumble & Co.

Honored to have been interviewed by Charlotte of Bumble&Co. for her first Small Business Feature of the year! 

Be sure to check out the full interview and the rest of Charlotte's beautiful blog!