Friday, December 5, 2008

O Christmas Tree & GIVEAWAY TIME!


We finally got our tree today. I found a place just down the road. Literally, 1/2 mile down our street that sells them cut or you can cut one yourself. I am a stickler for freshness and my husband was still in his work clothes and didn't want to get dirty so I cut our tree. I am very happy with our choice this year. It's so full and smells wonderful. I think it's a Douglas fir.
Most of our ornaments are old. Some we've had since we were kids. Some are antiques. Some I even made. There is nothing more fun that hanging each special ornament on the tree and remembering when you got it and Christmases past.
Since I can never find a topper that I like, I just hang a large ornament up there. Last year my husband's step mom gave me this cute one with kittens riding a rocking horse. My two favorite animals, how perfect! So I'm going to make you look at my tree pictures before I get to what you probably came here for, the giveaway:)






Okay, time for the giveaway!
I just painted this fun winter windswept tree pendant. I love bonsai and that is what it reminds me of (I had one once and I killed it -very sad). I added glass beads in white and cobalt blue and it has a silver plated toggle clasp. Here's the deal, to be eligible to win this pendant you have to leave a comment on this post. Not just any old comment, mind you. You must tell me what your favorite ornament is on your tree at home. If you don't celebrate Christmas please let me know what your favorite winter time activity is.
Contest will last ONE week. I will have my little Zoe draw a name on Friday, December 12th around noon. I will try to contact you through blogger. If I don't contact you I will leave a post and ask you contact me with your shipping info.
So good luck everyone. Thanks for stopping by!

Oh, if you don't win the pendant and still want one, I have one in my etsy shop.




57 comments:

Mason said...

Hello,

My name is Mason and I also have a blog. I randomly came across yours and saw your pendant and quite liked it. aas for my favorite ornament, I like the blue bal with glittery snow stuff in the last picture before your contest annoucement. I am personally amazed that it is handmade and excited that I might actually win it!

I hope I do,

Mason Kujanpaa.

Dianie said...

Hi Jen, What a gorgeous tree! I love all those special ornaments and the beautiful blue on your tree. Looks like your cute little helper, had a great time decorating and is very proud of her tree:)

My favorite ornament changes year to to year. It is always a new surprise and memory each year when I take them out of thier box. This year I will definately say.. the ornament my husband made me on our second Christmas together. It is a clear egg shaped ornament and inside is a nest and a little blue bird.

That is a lovely pendant! :)
Thank you for the opportunity to win such a beautiful piece from you.

~Diane

erin, maker of chimes said...

my fav ornament is one we picked up on our honeymoon, we've only been married 2 years but it's good tradition to have started :)

dinnertimechimes at aol.com

Digital Misfit said...

My favorite ornament is one I received almost 30 years ago. It really doesn't suit the style of my tree, but it must be there every single year.
It is Smurfette, dressed in a red Santa dress, playing tennis. I am not sure WHY she is playing tennis in a winter dress, but she was the first ornament I received as a gift when I was 3 years old and I loved it so.

heidig@gmail.com

Danielle Barlow said...

Lovely tree Jen. We haven't even thought about getting ours yet.
my favourite ornaments are some my mum made when we were small. They are little angels made from a hazelnut glued to a conker. They have a face painted on the hazlenut, and a gold halo, and a red felt cloak round the conker. We still have them!

Heart of a Cowgirl said...

Hi Jen: Beautiful tree! Here in AZ, trees dry out too quickly, so I have to go the artificial route. I do love the smell of a fresh tree, though! I'd say my favorite ornament is a picture of my 2 dogs (both passed on now) sitting on Santa's lap. The picture is in a little ornament shaped frame. Every year I get it out and look at those 2 silly dogs and it brings a smile to my face. :)

Jennifer MacNeill said...

I am really enjoying everyone's comments. Keep 'em coming!

Marie Patterson Studio said...

Hi Jen
Thanks for stopping by my blog! Your work is BEAUTIFUL!!! I'd love to win your pendant!

Marie Patterson Studio said...

OH, btw, I'm adding you to my blog list too!

Christopher A. Klingler said...

Your tree is BEAUTIFUL Jen!

Real trees always look so much more charming than artificial ones.

Season's Greetings

Chris :-)

Enchanted Productions by Joyce Stahl said...

Mmmmmm....I love the smell of fresh pine! What a great tree Jen!

Hey...I've given you an award....so pop over to my blog if you're interested!

Hugs,
Joycee

~dani~ said...

Gorgeous tree!! Looks so festive and cozy! Thank you for your super sweet comment on my blog. You totally made me smile!
btw..your horses are amazing. I will be sure to come back. Happy Holidays~
Dani~

Anonymous said...

Love it! Must have pendant! hope I win.
My favorite ornament?

I'm afraid that's hard for me to say, it's like asking an artist what their favorite color is.

I do have fave ornament artists-and most of them in aHa! I'm afraid to ask me to pick one, would be asking me to choose which of our house rabbits I love best, or again, my favorite color.

demmi said...

pretty tree thank you for the giveaway con5459(at)gmail(dot)com

Sweet B Folkart said...

Hey Lady - your tree is beautiful - not surprising to see so many horsie ornaments!
My favorite ornament is a strange little angel from the 70's - I used to love putting her on the tree when I was a little girl - she has a tulle skirt like a ballerina and glitter (of course) on the tips of her toes. We still have her - but she is a little worse for wear - I think too many grubby little fingers have handled her over the years.
- Sweet B

moxylyn said...

I found you through Etsy and I have to say you have THE MOST GORGEOUS artwork. I just faved you and added your blog to my bookmarks. I love that you have old ornaments on your tree.

My favorite ornament is a big gold Santa face that I've had for maybe 6 years now. I keep it hung from my favorite gold antique inspired lamp year round.

Miccosukee said...

Jennifer,
Would love to add that beautiful Christmas pendant to my collection. I actually keep my favorite ornament out all year. It is a 3" tall resin fox in a huntsman attire, complete with horn and whip. It sits next to a Jack Russell about the same size holding a Wreath in its mouth.

I hope I am the lucky winner!
trisha at
briarrosefarm@hotmail.com

Zan Asha said...

Hello There, I've been reading your blog for a little while now..you are wonderfully talented!

My favorite ornament is at least 20 years old, an old Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer ornament that I still have, since I was about 10. Lots of wonderful childhood memories!

Anonymous said...

Love your tree. It's great even without anything on it. Also love the pendant. Hope I win!

Unknown said...

Cute Tree Jen!!!! I spy a snow man ornie on the first tree, i have one just like yours, that my daughter mad in kindergarden! : ) My favorite ornies are the ones my girls have made all thru the years!!!! Your painting is out of this world!
Many Hugs,
Jackie

Carolee said...

GORGEOUS tree - makes me want a real one this year! My favorite ornaments are the ones our daughter Courtney made as a small child - painted plaster with ribbon, milk cartons covered in wrapping paper, etc.....Just wait until Zoe gets into school, lol - you'll have more handmade ornaments than you know what to do with, and you'll treasure every one! :)

~ Carolee

vintagepaletteart said...

OH Jen! It's lovely! I didn't even know that you were doing a giveaway, I just stopped by to say HI and I Miss You! =o)

Your tree is gorgeous too!!

Let's see......my favorite christmas ornie..........hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. That is a very tough question and I don't have my tree up yet to look at it and see! I think that mine changes too, but I have one that used to be my mom's and it's a pink basket filled with little candies and covered with sparkly sugar!

Happy Holidays Jen to you and your family!

*Lori

Loves.Nature said...

Wow Jen, you are an artist when it comes to transforming a tree. Sadly I think we are going to skip the tree this year, without having kids it's not very fun and we do the artificial tree thing and they are boring year after year.

I don't have one particular ornament that I like, but I do have the tradition of getting a new one each year to kind of represent that year, I make sure the year is on the ornament. Before my tradition, I have stained glass type ones, that I made as a kid, your remember those ones kind of like paint by numbers where you put those colored crystals in the ornament outline and then bake in the oven. Looking back I'm impressed how neat they turned out, pretty good for a young kid.

I have a 1993 ornament with a skunk on it, since that was the worst year of my life. 1994 a little acorn squirrel house, since that was my first year living out on my own. I can't remember the years, but I a rescued dog one for the year I got Scooter and then the biggest/heaviest ornament with a Christmas tree with all the dog's and bird's names hand-painted on them.

Darn, now I want to put the tree up just to see my trail of life my ornaments represent.

For having the longest comment, do I get a bigger piece of paper with my name on it for Zoe to pick from, huh, hint, hint? LOL!

Merry Christmas! (or whatever holiday or belief everyone celebrates) I hope everyone has a happy and safe one.

Tina from Illinois

Melissa Valeriote said...

Lovely pendant Jen! Your tree is a sparkling delight. We just chopped our tree yesterday. I put the lights on last night and will have the girls help me decorate it today. I'm so excited!! Taking down the ornament box is my favorite thing. Opening up the box with my girls and reminiscing about each and every ornament are priceless times. My favorite ornament changes from year to year. They've all made the list at some point. My favorite one this year is from the Shakespeare festival in Ashland. A small vintage Venetian mask ...ssshhh...don't tell the others. I don't want to hurt their feelings. Happy Holidays!!

Shelley K. said...

My grandmother started giving us ornaments from the time we were born so as you can imagine I have some OLD ornaments on my tree (LOL!!) Actually, I am SO grateful for my grandmother for doing this because by the time I left home, I had a fair amount of ornaments to start on my OWN tree (instead of just "store bought ornaments, y'know??)

Anyway...back to my original train of thought...my FAVORITE ornament...that would be a tough one. There are SO many...we must have hundreds by now. And SO many good ones!! I think though I would pick this beautiful peppermint fairy ornament. She is made of porcelin (sp?) and has beautiful dark brown hair and light blue eyes (she sort of reminds me of Snow White) and she has this really gorgeous dress on. It is just the right size too..not TOO big...some of those "doll" like ornaments are just too darn big, but this one is just perfect. I LOVE her. She always gets a prime spot on the tree. LOL!!

Thanks for a great giveaway. I enjoyed reading the other entries. I always like these sort of contests.

tskrush (at) cox (dot) net

Julia Guthrie said...

Oooh I love this pendant..so I have to enter!:) I hope it's in the rules for me to be in the UK? I would happily pay postage *if* I won..hehe...

Your Christmas tree looks gorgeous btw...& I would have looked at the pics regardless of the giveaway *grins*

My fave ornament is our star on the top. It's made of a delicate transparent material with gold embroidery...I'd leave it out all year if I could. I love stars! :)

Diana Dang said...

You have such a lovely tree! I think my favourite ornament on the is a Beanie Babies Christmas themed bear that my mom stole from my plushie collection! It's so adorable!

faked_sugartone at hotmail.com

Rosalynn said...

I love fellow Etsy shops!
My favorite ornament on our tree is one with my kids' pictures on it when they were smaller. Such wonderful memories!
Thanks for the chance to win.
rhbdesigns at hotmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Hi Jen!
First I wanted to say- your Christmas Tree is gorgeous! And reminds me so much of my holidays from childhood.

I've had lots of favorite ornaments before I moved. But currently-my favorite one is clear, glass ornament- with hand painted my name on it. I got it few years back from friend of mine- and it always reminds me about her.
This is not too special story, when you read it- but it brings out very nice memories to me. :)

-Joanna
http://www.JoannasPhotography.etsy.com

Ro Bruhn said...

Just discovered your blog. I love the tree, it looks magnificent lit up. Your paintings and jewellery are fabulous too.

Anonymous said...

Your tree is beautiful! My favorite ornament is a little Santa's Elf that used to hang on my mom's tree and now hangs on mine-I always think of childhood Christmases when I see the elf.

Elaine R
emrosser@shaw.ca

Zan Asha said...

Hey there, Jennifer...sorry to double post (I promise I'm not trying to be sneaky and double post to win :) )...I am wondering what an direct email/best way to contact you is? Don't seem to see an email on your website...hmmmm...

Unknown said...

Jen, your tree is gorgeous!! I've never had a real tree and am envious!!

I haven't put up any tree for Christmas yet... but I did buy some evergreen scent and midget lights this w/e to try on my feather tree.

As for my favourite ornament(s), well it's one of the few I have from my grandmother. It's a large pink, white and silver beauty with a few hand painted flowers around it. I think it's my favourite mostly because it reminds me of her at Christmas time.

Lori

Anonymous said...

Hmm, I have a set of favorite ornaments, its a few birds. We love wildlife, and was thrilled when I found these, they are cute, and look great hanging from the branches.
enchanted_wart(at)yahoo(dot)com

BandaiBlossom said...

Argh. We barely celebrate Christmas anymore. It's quite sad, really - we stopped with the tree when I was about seven, and stopped with the whole "cheery, cheery, happy holiday season" thing when I was about ten.
But still, I love the necklace. Might get (at least) me back into the spirit again. /Sigh.
I remember there used to be a cute little teddybear ornament in red that I loved. No idea where it is now, though.

Shakti said...

What a simply gorgeous tree! I love your blog!

Anonymous said...

I know that I have just bought one of your tree pendants, but if I should be so lucky to win this one, I will give it away to someone who I know will love it as much as I love mine.

I have several favourite ornaments, all of them kept from my childhood tree. But the one that first comes to mind is a little crocheted white christmas mouse with scarf, hat and a little present in his hands. I used to play with this ornament for hours when I was little, and usually made him a shoe box home complete with furniture.

my7kids said...

my favoriye ornament is a HUGE natural-shell knobby star that I got at the Sponge Docks on Tarpon Springs FL. I hated living in FL but the one thing I kinda miss is the Sponge Docks.

Nikki
my7kids.etsy.com
HeartFeltFun.etsy.com
My blog
jesus_iscomin at yahoo dot com

Anonymous said...

My favorite ornament is a little elf that was on my dad's tree as he was growing up! I always place it at the top of my tree...

:)

kjams1213@yahoo.com

ikkinlala said...

Your tree is gorgeous!

My favourite ornament is a little wooden skiier that my mom got when she was about my age. I'm impressed by how long something so delicate has lasted, especially considering that as little kids my brother and I were not especially careful with ornaments.

carahkristel said...

We aren't getting a tree this year, since money is so tight. I live in Florida, so there aren't many "Winter activities" here. Some times I in December I like to drink hot chocolate and think of snow.

Anonymous said...

My favorite ornament is one of those picture ones from about 18 years ago. It is a picture of me and my little brothers when we were small!! My mom has had a few and was so happy when i asked her if i could have one for my tree a few years ago:)
I enjoyed checking out your shop and reading your blog, your tree is very pretty!!
I will be back:)

cyclona66@aol.com

Anonymous said...

I love your pendants! :)

The favorite ornament on my tree this year is one my son made a few years ago when he was still wee-wee small: a paper snowman with a photograph of his face on the top snowball :) This year, he tried to throw it away but I rescued it. Then when he saw it on the tree he said, "Hey, I didn't want this." But I said, "I do! I love that picture of you when you were so small!" So he left it :) And I hope it always stays :)

carolinaren at bellsouth dot net

Nesa said...

I love your painting. I have never seen a real snow before but your white tree pendant gives me that cold and snowy feeling. It's a great piece.

Aleda said...

What a delightful tree - I am *such* a fan of the mix-and-match ornament style. As for my favorite ornament, that's a tough one, since nearly all of mine have sentimental value. I think this year, though, my favorite is a ceramic cat that has my name and "1979" painted on it - my parents bought it when I was 1 year old, and it's been on our tree every year.

Jess said...

My favorite ornament is the felt santa my 17 month old son and I made this year before putting up the tree. The hat is sideways, the "fur" isn't quite on right and the beard is falling off. Not to mention the glue spots everywhere. But it's our first craft together and his first ornament. I'll treasure it forever.

jessaromero [a] gmail [d] com

Anonymous said...

Hello Jen,

Love your artwork!! Yu are very gifted and blessed.

For me it would have to be a cardboard circle, covered in gold paint with wee pieces of macaroni that one of my boys made me when he was little. There are many treasures I love but every time I see this macaroni laden gift, I smile!

Hope your day is a beautiful one!

Rebecca

Kathleen Coy said...

I'm NOT entering this giveaway for the obvious reason - (I just received a winter tree pendant from Jen yesterday.) BUT I had to let everyone know how beautiful it is, even more so in real life. Jens work is amazing, you won't be disappointed!
Good luck everybody!!!

Anonymous said...

your tree looks absolutely beautiful!!

my favorite ornament has to be.... hmmm i have several... there is a glittery star from a friend that moved very far away, there is a glass pickle (it's not MINE but it's on our tree so :P) aaannnddd i have a huuuuge snowflake that's too big to put on the tree so it goes on the wall. :)

flamegoddess65@aol.com

Unknown said...

Beatiful pendant/necklace! I don't celebrate christmas so my favorite winter activity is siting in the house under my blankets with a cup of tea and a book lol. Or ice skating is fun too even though I end up on my butt more then anything! Thanks for entering me.

Lona said...

My favorite ornament is a painted wooden teddy bear with our last name initial on it. Not being a large fan of teddy bears or cutsey things in general, I can only attribute my affection for it to the fact that it was one of the first ornaments on our first tree as newlyweds.

You do lovely work! Thanks for hosting this giveaway.

Lona at shadysidefarm.etsy.com

LYNDY WARD said...

Hi Jennifer, pretty bonsai pendant! All your pendants are pretty...

My fave holiday ornament is the miniature photo of my late Mom & Dad in a snowflake Christmas frame hung by a red ribbon my mom attached... Fond memories are sometimes the only family we have left.

Blessings Of Good Tidings,
Lyndy

Luck Happens said...

What a beautiful pendant...the colors really pop. My favorite ornament is a Margaret Furlong angel. I have several ornaments by Margaret Furlong, but my favorite is my biggest and heaviest angel of them all. I have to carefully select just the right branch to hold its weight. Thanks for the generous giveaway!

kellifrobinson2 AT gmail DOT com

Ilissa said...

Since winter means lots of snow and cold weather, I stay indoors and enjoy spending time with family and friends. Thanks!

Unknown said...

My favorite tree ornament is out "Wish" ornament. It's a beautiful raku-glazed blue bulb that has a lid where you put a piece of paper with your hopes and dreams for the new year. Everyone contributes. Even when we can't be there in person, my brother and I still send in our wishes on tiny, folded scraps of paper. It's my favorite holiday tradition.

boldnessbe(at)Gmail(dot)com

janetfaye said...

My favorite ornament is one I have that has a photo of my grandson when he was a baby.

Thank you!

janetfaye (at) gmail (dot) com

Anonymous said...

Greetings Jennifer,
Thank you again for creating the pendant I purchased from you on etsy.
My favorite ornament? I have several,
I collect horse ornaments have for years. Love your work!

Blessings!
Jann