Hickory dickory dock

. . . the mouse ran up the clock.

It was time for an update in the guest room even though there have been no guests for months.

Mainly I was ready for a different quote on the typewriter.

 I have lots of clock faces and mice so I decided to use them together.

Rather than a quote, I printed out some images of vintage post cards for the typewriter and added dried flowers.

The mouse door stop was a gift from my daughter, the pocket watch was found at a Paris flea market  and sadly the clock face sits in back because I broke a favorite clock while gathering items for the vignette.

I do like decorating with quotes so I wrote one on a little clipboard.

I googled quotes about time and saw one where a clock face made the O and knew that had to be my choice.

I know all the clocks and mice are a bit silly, but I like silly.

With a goose and a horse thrown in for good measure, I really should call this the animal room.

The guest room is all decorated, but we will be having guests in a few weeks

and I will have to remove a lot of stuff around the house.

My tchotchkes and creatures will be too tempting for these little boys.

a bit of an addiction ....

About 4 years ago, I saw cute Maileg wall hanging Pixies in a Garnet Hill Christmas catalogue and pinned them to my Pinterest Jolly Ol' St. Nick board.

It took me 3 years to find a Pixy and surprisingly, it was on Amazon.

I don't know his Maileg name, but I call him Olaf and he was my "gateway" Pixy - one look at him and I had to have more.

I found a cute story here about the history of Scandinavian Pixies or Nisse.

Maileg is a Danish company so I guess my Scandinavian (Norwegian) roots are showing in my love for these little creatures.

I felt like a little girl playing with dolls as I set my pixies out this Christmas.

They like to hang around the house 

and pop up 

in unexpected places.

Magnus and Maria fit perfectly in my grandpa's rocking chair,

I didn't stop at the Pixies.

I bought the mega Santa last year

and my sister recently gave me a mini Santa.

I'm gradually adding some mice to my collection

and just discovered the adorable pigs.

A band of Maileg ornaments

snuck into Steve's kitchen the other night and he didn't even notice.

You would think that I would be content,

with all the creatures I have, 

but Wednesday I ordered one more Pixy from Maileg USA and by this afternoon, I expect to find 40" tall Henry chasing Magnus and Maria out of the rocking chair.

via

I just can't help myself - they are too cute.

What do you collect at Christmas?

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join me at 

French Country Cottage for Feathered Nest Friday

Have a Daily Cup of Mrs. Olson for Share Your Cup Thursday

and 

mark your calendar for the Creating Christmas Link Party

and

where this blogger creates

We live in a small cottage where every room serves multiple purposes and I create in many places.

I write my blog posts at the dining room table, always the same spot -

 on the window seat with my sweet companion.

 A lot of creativity happens in a corner of the garage,

but I struggled to find even one little shelf in the garage that wasn't filled with wedding decor.

 Just one more week and that creative space will be back to normal.

An armoire in the bedroom has recently become my sewing area - I am still bringing supplies in from the garage.

And yes, I sew on a 50 year old sewing machine that I absolutely love!

Lately, my favorite place to create is my little garden house.

In December, Steve asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I told him I wanted a house.

Our dear friend Manny built me a tiny garden house with windows for the side walls.

A neighbor gave us a beautiful beveled glass door for the entrance.

And soon I had a lovely blank canvas to decorate just as I wished.

Originally, we just installed shelves for storage,

but when my daughter gave me back a long narrow table, I knew it would fit perfectly in the house.

Now I have a place to doodle - something which I need to do more often.

The shelves are filled with tchotchkes

for creating vignettes,

books for inspiration

and a few supplies.

There are even a few mice hanging around.

It may be a little space,

but there is plenty of room for creativity.

And, just looking at my little garden house inspires me.

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Don't forget to visit

My Desert Cottage

to see more creative spaces.