Thursday 2 December 2010

Modern Country Christmas: Cinnamon & Heart Garland


Hi gorgeous! 


Look, I've put our first decoration up....


{Yes, just one. Don't laugh...it's a start, right?}

And it's not just any old decoration, you know, it's my heart and cinnamon wreath that I showed you how to make here, if you'd like a peep.


It has pride of place in our dining room.

{Notice it's up high...out of reach of little hands...}



Have you seen our dining room? I whizzed through it on here in a fit of blogging exuberance when it was first decorated a few months ago but I think in the New Year, I can show you in more detail.

{Would you like that?}

  
These photos were a nightmare to take.

It threw my camera into a tizz.

{And it threw me a bit too....}

The camera didn't know where to focus....in the mirror or out of the mirror...


I currently have a point and shoot Canon and, while it's great for what it is, it's thoroughly automated so it's hard to make manual adjustments for situations like this.


Let's just say there were a lot of photos in the edit pile...


Now, for Christmas, I hope to be getting a new digital SLR. I'm still unsure about which one to get. I would SO like to hear your recommendations.

  
How much should I spend? What features should I particularly look for? What should I avoid?



And most importantly...


What colour should it be?

{That was a joke...honest...}

But I'd be very grateful for your thoughts...


Anyway...back to the heart and cinnamon garland. I'm so pleased with how it looks there. I love this style for this time of year: simple, homely and warm. The smell of the cinnamon is gorgeous. Perfect for a Modern Country Christmas, don't you think?


I think I'll want to leave it there after Christmas.

{Do you think I could get away with that?}


No doubt I'll want to leave the tinsel up too.

And the lights...


Not to mention the tree...


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43 comments :

Unknown said...

Hi Sarah
Unfortunately I am a bad photographer and I don't know about cameras
Love your hearts and cinnamon garland and I think you should leave after Christmas
Hugs
Mari

Olive said...

Sarah, the garland is terrific up there away from the wee ones. I use a similar Canon point and shoot to take some of the auto off of it put it on "Close" setting. I use it for all shots even if it is not a close up plus it tuns off the flash. I long for another camera but with a kiddo in college it has got to wait. merry♥O

Courtenay@Signal Hill Interiors said...

Hahahaha. I have a fight with my camera everyday! One day I'll learn how to use it. I totally think you could get away with leaving your garland up, at least until Valentine's Day. And I can't wait to see more of your dining room. I love your sewing machine on the piano in the background!

michelle said...

Your garland looks adorable there!! Your dining room is just beautiful and the ceiling, gorgeous!! I am jealous!!! I have a Canon SX120, you can point and shoot or work all the do-dads which I am still playing with. I really like the camera though! Have fun!!!

It's me said...

Hi Sarah ...what a nice guirlande....beautiful done !! love it......love Ria.....

Anonymous said...

Dear Sarah, Your decoration looks very pretty indeed and would, I am certain look god on occasions other than Christmas. Of course, the idea of the garland could be customised for other seasons/celebrations.....easter, birthdays etc. etc.

As for a camera....I do not have one and have not owned one since I gave up my trusty Brownie more years ago than I care to remember!!! Advice....you will have to ask elsewhere!

Room Seventeen said...

Mmmmm...cinnamon.....a very pretty winter smell! Love your mirror!

Anonymous said...

Yes I read your garland tutorial and am glad to see it hanging in your home now. Looks just lovely!

I have a samsung point and shoot and a Nikon D5000. Love the Nikon. LOVE IT. The quality of the photos between the two is not even close.

Indoor photography is always a bit of a challenge, especially if you're trying to eliminate the flash.

I read this tip, but haven't tried it yet - place a coffee filter over your camera's flash to reduce the harshness. That way you can still get the type of focus you're looking for.

The Nikon has tons of pre-set adjustments for photography situations and there are about 3 or 4 I use just constantly. I need to branch out more because it is a powerful camera.

I'm sure whatever you get will be fabulous. The digital slr technology is really awesome.

Tricia said...

Hello Sarah! Oh my, your garland looks so nice hanging on the mirror. Good idea keeping it away from the wee ones.

As for the camera, you and I are thinking the same I see. I have been on the hunt myself. I've been comparing Canon and Nikon. I think I might go with the Canon Rebel T2i. At some point here, I just have to choose. It is so hard to compare, because I don't understand all the terms and whatnot.

Holly said...

I totally want to see your dining room, and the rest of your house, and the exterior!
I have a Canon point and shoot too, although I can switch it to manual and do a few extras with it. Probably more if I would read the instructions. However, when/if I get a digital SLR, I want a Canon Rebel. Pretty much any blogger with amazing photos always says that's the camera they have.

Anonymous said...

I looks nice,sarah, just great, and yes about a camera, i'am using a olympus E500, so i don't know a lot about other camera's i'am sorry, but i just love mine.

greetings

Blondie's Journal said...

I love the heart garland...I have to have a look at how you made it! it looks perfect on the mirror!

I wish I could help you with the camera. I have a simple Canon and I love it much more than my old Nikon. Much luck finding your new one!

XO,
Jane

Samantha said...

Love the garland way up high! And I am looking forward to your dining room tour in the New Year - it looks beautiful. No help with the camera, I'm afraid. I am not a good picture taker!

Teresa@1800 Farmhouse Rd said...

I would love to be smelling that cinnamon right now. I bet it smells Christmassy (if that is a word) lol. I don't have a clue about cameras, can't use the one I have. Oh, and I love, love, love that ceiling in the picture! Your gonna have to show it to us.

Wierdkidz said...

Hi Sarah, love the garland and love the fact that it's scented too. Wicked! (as they say).

We have a Panasonic Lumix thingy which was recommended at the time by Which magazine. It's an SLR but the fact is I probably would be better with a point and shoot. If you know what you're doing I'm sure it's a very good camera indeed.

You asked me about my wreath - well I aim to do a post about our homemade Xmas decs and it will feature in that. (Stop sniggering).

Bye bye xx.

Brandi said...

I love your scented garland! I have a point and shoot camera too! Let me know what color you choose! Because that is equally important! hahaha! you crack me up Sarah! : )

Unknown said...

Your garland looks fabulous on the mirror. I also love the extra glimpses of the room that can be seen in the mirror. I think you did a good job photographing.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sarah!

You're dining room is beautiful! I love the old piano.Well, it looks like bits and bobs of Christmas coming out. You're garland is charming on the mirror. Look forward to the full tour.

I have a Canon Power Shot (w/ image stabilizer). It works well for taking photos at night, but not so great with up close shots. From your photos... I'd say you have a pretty nice camera. I'll have to scroll up and see what others have recommended.

Hope your day is good!

xx,
Michelle

Catherine said...

Hey Sarah!!

I love this garland and totally think you can leave it up post Christmas - after all it has hearts and is red! At the shops, once the Christmas decorations go down, the Valentines decorations go up - so really, you will be ahead of the times ;-)

I love your mirror too! I have mirror envy...{sigh}

As for the camera, I too have a point and click but am also wanting to upgrade to something with a little more manual intervention...I will let you know what I find in my researching!

And as always,...THANKS for stopping by my place and leaving your beautiful comments. It always puts a smile on my face first thing of a morning which, if you ask my family, is quite an amazing feat! :-)

Hugs

Cath
xx

Brenda Pruitt said...

It doesn't look so Christmasy that you couldn't leave it up. In fact it doesn't at all! So cute and cozy. I had the expensive camera, but I managed to wear it out as fast as the less expensive ones. So I'm back to a camera less than $500. Maybe you'll have better luck than me!
Brenda

Lisa said...

Really pretty! You could even use that for Valentine's Day! You do celebrate Valentine's day over there, don't you?

Heather said...

I can't help in the camera dept...I usually have the hubs take the 'good' pictures, but the garland looks fab! I love it hanging over the mirror.

Sarah @ Cozy.Cottage.Cute. said...

Right now I have a Canon point-and-shoot but have been itching for an SLR camera for awhile. We picked one out together but I'm not allowed to have it until Christmas morning (ahhh, the wait is driving me nuts). All the reading I did led me to either a Canon or Nikon. I ended up choosing the Canon Rebel T1i as it had similar settings/menu to the Canon point and shoot that I already had. Plus it has great reviews. Good luck!!

:)

Spots & Stripes said...

I find that for both blogging and family snaps, my Sony Cyber-shot is great. Easy to use and the quality is excellent.

Prior said...

I love the material around the spool. It is all so sweet! Lezlee

Tina said...

I love, love , love your garland Sarah!! ~ Tina xx

trish said...

Super charming!
I love it!
Sincerely - Trish

Joanna said...

Visiting via Sassy Sites blog hop...
Love the country style of this. It is so cute! I just posted my new garland and I think I'm addicted. I'm making tons, just have to find places to hang them all!

Marie said...

I do love your garland Sarah, and I can imagine the smell already!

I'm dreaming of a new Canon Rebel myself coz my P&S camera sucks.

Stopping by from Courtney's Holiday Feathered Nest party!
-marie

Olive said...

If you read this already please forgive me but Donna at Funky Junk Interiors had a tutorial on close up shots on her blogg yesterday and she does exactly what I do she just explained it better. Seems everyone likes the canon rebel.

melissa said...

What gorgeous decorations (I bet it smells wonderful!) and what a lovely room you have. I'm off to look at the tutorial now (another one for my growing list of projects I think!) - Melissa x

Sandy Ang said...

Your garland adds such a pretty, subtle holiday accent to the room !

Holly Lefevre said...

The garland is perfect - I just love it...sweet!

My camera doe snot like taking photos in my house...I need a new one too. Hope Santa brings you one.

Unknown said...

What a gorgeous garland. I completely agree with you "less is more" especially when it is as gorgeous as this. Will have to try and make one , I absolutely love cinnamon!

Courtney ~ French Country Cottage said...

Hey there~ I came by earlier to comment and I guess it must not have been working- so here goes again ... I am loving the simple beauty of that garland draped across your mirror~ it is so charming and sweet & the perfect little touch- I just love it! I have no help in the camera department unfortunately! I am using my iphone3 for all my pictures - I need a regular camera too- let me know what you find! Thank you for sharing this at my party! :)

Erin said...

Love the garland Sarah!!! This must smell heavenly! I think you could leave it until after Valentine's day, besides, by then, you'll have something else you'll want to put up, lol! Looks wonderful! No help on the camera, I have a Kodak PS.

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

Your garland is sooo cute! I would definitely leave that up all year. Very Pretty!
I don't know much about cameras, but my sister just bought a Canon Rebel and seems to love it. She's still learning...I HOPE to get one some day soon!

Thanks for playing along with my Friday Pretties. It's been very fun visiting you.
Joyce

Debra@CommonGround said...

Oh Yummy, I can almost smell it here! Love cinnamon for the Holidays. I'm on the hunt for a new camera myself, so I've been gathering info from your comments. Thanks for linking up with the party at VIF!
xo,
Debra

Blooming Rose Musings said...

I am just catching up on blogs because I have been working long hours and haven't had a chance to keep up this past week.
I love your garland and yes, you can definitely leave it up after Christmas. The mirror is gorgeous.
As for a camera, I have a Canon rebel xsi and I love it. It's both auto and manual.

Elizabeth said...

This is beautiful! You did a lovely job! Would love for you to come visit me at Sew Chatty and link up to Made with Love Monday! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com

Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

Cute garland! Wish I had some of this for my kitchen!

Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites last week. Hope to see you again this week. Also, I'd like to invite you to come by next Thursday for my Holly Bloggy Christmas Recipe Party!

Unknown said...

This garland is SO sweet. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your email, Sarah. I will respond separately but wanted to make sure I left feedback on this project. As for DSLR, my sister has a Nikon D5000 and loves. Personally, I prefer Canon. Hugs to you and thank you so much for linking again, Sarah.

xoxo,
Jami

Sarah said...

I'm also on the hunt for a new camera. Good luck!
The garland is sweet. ~ Sarah

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