Countdown to Christmas with Julie and Blu - Ivy

In my last post about plant traditions I talked about Holly.  Whenever we hear about Holly in a Christmas song or poem it seems to flow together with Ivy; "The Holly and The Ivy" is song by many.  This Christmas duo, as with may of our Christmas traditions, goes back to pre-Christianity days.  In some traditions it was considered sacred because it grew evergreen throughout the winter months.  The green ivy along with it's bright counter part holly promised the people of pagan times that better days were to come and they had not been abandoned.

In some ancient traditions the holly is the male because of its edges and thorny leaves, while the ivy is female with its soft curves.  While this is not part of the Christmas tradition the connection still lives in one's mind.  It is balance visible in the natural world; the yin and yang.

For Christians the Ivy symbolizes how Christ strengthens us as the winding ivy gives strength to the structures it climbs.  It also symbolizes how we are intertwined with, bound, to our Lord and Savior.

Now for some of this week's Countdown to Christmas Favorites!

Found at Covergirl Beads

Glossy transparent light amber or light topaz handmade lampwork glass beads wrapped in fine silver with a shiny bead finish.

Quantity: 1 bead
Measures approximately 10-11mm x 7-8mm
Mandrel size 1/16
Hole size approximately 2mm

Found at Linor Store
Flower Christmas Earring

These lovely flower earrings are vintage style and look lovely on your ears for Christmas celebrations.

The colors of red, green and white are used for these celebration earrings that are around 1.5″ long.

Vintage flower beads and pearls

Green Swarovski crystals

Found at Shadow Dog Designs
Zen Necklace, Handmade Pendant Palm Wood Mother of Pearl Yoga Jewelry for Women

What a perfect piece of jewelry for the woman who meditates / practices yoga!  The handmade necklace, appropriately named ZEN, features an artisan made ceramic Zen pendant with a lovely rustic feel.  Spotted palm wood tubes add a fun organic feel while faceted mother of pearl shell gives a sleek look, more than a hint of yin yang in the design.  Copper disc spacers, beads and toggle clasp set add beautiful glow.  A meaningful gift idea for the woman who loves unique jewelry, the one of a kind ZEN necklace

Found at Lady Green Eyes Jewelry
Antique Copper Heart Lady's Wrist Watch | Topaz Glass Wrist Band Round Face Women's Watch | Lady Green Eyes Jewelry

Elegant antiqued copper watch featuring dark topaz picasso Czech glass window beads.

Look no further for the perfect watch to wear with all of your outfits; this handmade watch band is sumptuous and ready to wear.

Found at Colleen Cornelius on Pixels
"Closeup of Bobcat" is a wonderful photograph of a young Bobcat resting in the desert sun. He is one of many desert creatures that reside at the Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert California. Interesting fact is that at this amazing zoo hikers can stand on the San Andrea's Fault
Taken in Palm Desert CA

Found at Treasures of Jewels
Clock Necklace Bronze Owl Necklace Charm Cluster Long Necklace Victorian Style Steampunk Jewelry Gift for Women

Are you looking for an unique necklace, look no further.
What a gorgeous owl necklace perfect for the Fall. This clock necklace includes Red Jasper stones which gives this necklace a very warm and Fall like feel. Fall is upon us. I love how the reds and bronzes explode in color...great combination.

The charms are attached to an Antique plated Terra Cast ring, which is lead free. The chain is antique bronze plated and is lead free and nickel free.

Found at The Singing Beader
 Brown Guitar Earrings

These handmade earrings combine acoustic, folk, or ukulele style guitar charms, sparkling, dark topaz faceted Czech crystals, sterling silver beads, and sterling silver lever back ear wires. All other findings are sterling silver. I also make my own earring cards. This one is yellow with a music note trim.

The pewter guitars are remarkable! They are hand painted with a glossy brownish tan color enamel. The enamel is also painted on the opposite side.

Found at Postcards In The Attic
Flame Orange and Burnt Umber Trees in Tranquil Country Scene Vintage Postcard Watercolor by E. A. Escher Edition Stahli Switzerland

Found at Diane's Dangles
Sage Amethyst Agate Faceted Polished Nugget Gemstone Necklace

Sage Amethyst Gemstone beaded necklace is a mixture of earth-tones mixed with feathery black matrix, pale purples, speckled pinks, striped creams, and shimmering blacks. It is really not an amethyst but rather an agate. Sage Amethyst is just the trade name for this agate stone. Amethyst sage agate comes from the foothills of the Bilk Creek Mountains of Northern Nevada.

Found at Umeboshi
Convergence Handmade Dichroic Glass Cabochon Pendant Multi-colored

This is a simple and beautiful dichroic fused glass pendant that has striking black lines that converge towards each other.  The lines flow across the smooth cabochon and add a point of interest to the pendant.

There are several  layers of fully fused dichroic glass that create a beautiful flow of color that transitions from a golden copper at the top of the cabochon to a blue-green teal at the bottom of the pendant.  The colors are brilliant and will show color shifts with the changing angle of light.

Found at Sew Amazin
Red Poinsettias and Roses Christmas Dog Bandana:

Christmas Red Poinsettias and Roses with holly leaves and berries, evergreens and metallic gold accents are featured on this elegant bandana. Perfect for your pet's holiday photos!

Order it as either a Scrunchie Bandana with an elastic neck or as a Collar Slipcover-style bandana.

Found at Magdalene Knits
Crocheted Infant Bolero Sweater w Lace Collar Cuffs Autumn Red

This precious Crocheted Bolero/Sweater was made to fit an Infant Girl 12 - 18 mo. Crocheted using Caron's Simply Soft Yarn in Autumn Red. Accenting the little Bolero is a Crocheted Lace Collar w tiny Red Rose accents, with Crocheted Lace Cuffs, both in an Antique White Yarn.
The front and bottom were Crocheted using a Ruffled Shell stitch, and closes at the top with a tiny White Pearlized White Button.

Found at Blue Morning Expressions
Christmas Snowman, Stocking and Snowflake Charm Bracelet with Swarovski Crystal Drops

Show your holiday spirit with this charm bracelet filled with Christmas theme charms and dangling Swarovski crystal bicones.

Style: Charm Bracelet
Materials: Soldered chain, metal plate, charms
Size: 6 1/2 inch wrist and up
Stock: JW-CB-02
Blue Morning Expressions

Found at Blonde Peach Jewelry
Freshwater Pearl Earrings, Red Earrings, Long Dangle Earrings, Leather Earrings, Silver Earrings, Handcrafted Jewelry, Boho Earrings

The perfect freshwater pearl earrings you've been waiting for! Beautiful, white, pearls hang gracefully from three graduated lengths of red leather cord. These earrings have sterling silver end pieces and are connected to handmade sterling silver ear wires. The earrings are 3.5 inches long and look fabulous hanging from the ears.

Found at Marcia McKinzie Art
Red Lilies Giclee Print From Original Painting, Choose Size

This is a giclee print produced on acid free paper using archival inks.

Unframed and unmatted. There is a 1 inch white border surrounding the print, allowing for easy framing. The work can be framed with the deckled edges hidden or in a floater frame emphasizing the deckled edges.

TITLE: RED LILIES

Found at Adore By Nat
Thankful for You Gift Tags

Beautiful Thankful for You Gift Tags with a hint of Autumn Flair for you to use in Fall season.  Autumn marks the transition from summer into winter. Leaves shifting color in autumn/ fall. It’s the time when deciduous trees shed their leaves. Fall is one of the most favorites seasons of the year for most people. Fall is also a season to celebrate Thanksgiving. And if you celebrate Thanksgiving, make it festive! Decorate your Thanksgiving gifts with these beautiful vintage inspired Thankful for You Gift Tags.

Found at Resetar Glass Art
White Iridescent Art Glass Plate with Blue or Green Snowflake, 5 Inch Square, Winter Fused Glass

This art glass plate is made of a beautiful white iridescent glass and has a snowflake adorning its center. The opaque white glass has a rainbow iridescent coating so you see hints of many colors sparkling at you when you hold it under the light. The iridescent coating also gives the plate a satiny finish that reminds you of frosty ice so is a perfect resting place for the beautiful snowflake that sparkles in the center.

Found at Pretty Gonzo
Truth Necklace, Leather Boho Necklace, Truth Word Necklace, Inspirational Bohemian Jewelry, Unisex Jewelry, Tribal Style Tibetan Greek Beads

The word "truth" prevails in this inspirational leather boho necklace with an artisan-made pendant, Mykonos ceramic beads, a hand-carved Tibetan bone bead, agate gemstone rondelles, pewter daisy spacers, and brown deerskin lace. The pendant, which is made of polymer clay, is roughly 1 5/8 inches in length and quite durable.