Designs by Mary Christene

Dropped off my 12" x 12" canvas to Melinda's shop in Creignish, Melinda By The Sea. The wrapped canvas with Cape Breton Tartan has Christmas greetings in four languages; English, Gaelic, French, and Mi'kmaq. Other shops in the area where my cards and prints are available are the Four Mermaids Gift Shop in Port Hood and Celtic Sisters Gifts in Auld's Cove. All these shops have wonderful gift giving ideas. Support your local businesses this holiday season! Check out my new fingerless gloves that Melinda's mom made. Love that burst of red and they're Black-capped Chickadee approved!

Packing up some last minute items for the Wine and Wonderful Things event at the Curling Club in Port Hawkesbury, including Christmas gift tags, made especially for the event! Don't let a few flurries keep you home. Many of us are from the generation that walked knee deep in snow for 5 miles (not kilometres) to school . . . UPHILL . . . BOTH WAYS! Hope to see you at the club!

Thanks to all those who Liked, Posted and Shared for the Christmas Note Card Giveaway. There were over 60 people who shared their stories about favourite traditions and those things that make the holiday season extra special. The draw was done through an online randrom draw generator. All the names don't show on the pic, but they were all entered. The winner of one dozen Chirstmas Note Cards of her choice . . . Marie MacNeil. Congratulations Marie, and have fun picking out your cards!

This Note Card features one of my Christmas treasures, a wooden Santa that was made in 1995 by artist Imelda George, and was given to me at Christmas by my niece and goddaughter, Christene. It is definitely one of my favourite things to display over the holidays.

Your chance to be the lucky recipient of 1 dozen Christmas / Holiday note cards ends tomorrow at noon. So, if you haven't already, go to the original post below and LIKE the post, and then LEAVE your own post indicating something you do, or that someone does for you, only during the holidays. It could be making or eating something special, watching a favourite movie, or anything that makes the holidays a little more memorable for you! Finally, SHARE the post. The winner will be picked at random on November 14th, so make sure you enter for the giveaway by Noon on Wednesday, November 14th. LIKE the post, SHARE the post, and LEAVE a post!

This post is from the event, Wine and Wonderful Things, which is happening on November 16th at the Curling Club in Port Hawkesbury. Hope to see you there! : In recent years, Mary Hankey of Designs by Mary Christene has developed a strong interest in photography and digital scrapbooking. After being encouraged by a friend and fellow curler, she started designing note cards and prints using her photos and digital designs. Several of her designs have a local theme, and also draw... on her love of nature and home. Now when taking photos, whether it’s in the backyard or further afield, she is always wondering if there’s one that will provide the inspiration for a card or print that others will enjoy. Mary is always adding new cards and prints to her line, and more recently added canvases and fridge magnets! Check out Mary's Facebook page at: https://www.facebook.com/DesignsbyMaryChristene/ Friday, November 16th - 4:00pm to 8:00pm Strait Area Community Curling Club, Port Hawkesbury Tickets $10 - Call Jean 625-0609 or Valli 625-0576; also available at the door. Your ticket for Wine and Wonderful Things includes a complimentary glass of wine and hors d'oeuvres. All the artisans and vendors will be featured on our Facebook page leading up to the event.

It’s time for another giveaway! You could be the lucky recipient of 1 dozen Christmas / Holiday Cards of your choice. All you have to do LIKE the post, and then LEAVE your own post indicating something you do, or that someone does for you, only during the holidays. It could be making or eating something special, watching a favourite movie, or anything that makes the holidays a little more memorable for you! Finally, SHARE the post. The winner will be picked at random on November 14th, so make sure you enter for the giveaway by Noon on Wednesday, November 14th. LIKE the post, SHARE the post, and LEAVE a post!

We might not be thinking about snow or Christmas quite yet, but I have been busy making new holiday cards. My friend, Brenda suggested the photo might make a great Christmas card, so I took her suggestion. The photo is of our granddaughter who was visiting us on a school snow day. The note card has been granddaughter approved!

Several people have told me that cards that have a 'from home' theme are the ones that make the most emotional connection. These cards feature the Cape Breton and Nova Scotia tartans on 'Merry Christmas' along with 'from our home to yours'.

The first two canvases sold quickly, so another 12" x 12" one made its way down Route 19, and is now hanging on the wall at Melinda By The Sea in Creignish. For those of you living in the Strait Area, you may have seen this Bald Eagle hanging out on one of the poles at the bottom of Prince Street in Port Hawkesbury. He patiently waits until supper shows up in the Strait below and is quite the poser.

A visit on this beautiful day to see Melinda in Creignish at her shop and studio, Melinda By The Sea for a drop off and a pick up! I was dropping off two canvases, which are my first ones and they are also available as note cards and prints. Melinda didn't waste any time putting them up! She has a new line of gorgeous necklaces and I couldn't leave without getting one!