Remember When . . . Courtney and Connor left the nest?

One of my dearest friendships is with my teaching partner, Mary Lou.  We were a formidable team as our talents and temperaments were a wonderful combination that greatly benefited our students.  Our relationship goes far beyond the classroom to the point that I was officially inducted into her family!   
​No surprise, I was pleased to get the announcement that her grandson, Connor, was getting married.   I offered to make a tree skirt as my gift to them, and Courtney, the bride-to-be, graciously accepted.  

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 Courtney liked this design by Penny Lane Primitives, a 13 inch candle mat.  So I used it as inspiration to create a 39 inch tree skirt.

Each part was cut from felt, fuzed to the background and machine stitched in place.

The branches were hand embroidered while local chickadees looked on with approval.

Leaves were cut out and fused in place then hand embroidered.

Beads were added as eyes and berries.

I added a blessing and pinned some spare beads to the inside.

Oh the chickadees are so cheerful!

Best wishes to the happy couple for many happy Christmases to come.