Expanding my tiny studio!

An early Christmas present was all the inspiration that I needed to create this little space.

I finally after much whining (yep, I admit it) and begging got the laptop computer that I’ve wanted for sooooo long!  Now there’s no waiting for “my turn!”  I can just hop online and browse and post whenever I want to.

I’m in heaven I tell ‘ya!

So……several years ago I had purchased this desk at a local furniture store in the “as is” department.  It was  a HUGE bargain, and all of the damage was on a back corner.  Unfortunately, not only did I get a heck of a deal, I also brought home a desk that was enormous!  It didn’t fit where I wanted it to and just kind of floated around the house never really finding its proper place.  It finally made its way to the master bedroom. 

And….. it has found its purpose!  In fact, I’m sitting at it as I write!

My little world sits between our armoire and the bedroom alcove.

So I sat across the room from the desk the other night and just had to laugh at myself.  I always start out with great intentions of keeping each space uncluttered and clear.  But that never works.  I feel more cozy and comfy with all of my “stuff” around me.  What can I say….I love it all!

Right down to my newest paper doll that I made at last Friday nights party.  WHICH I still have to post about!  There are just too many fun things going on right now.  I’ll get around to all of them eventually though, I’m sure.

Miss Molly was a happy pup!  Now she can lounge on the bed while I work.  Nah…..she’s not a bit spoiled!

Hope you’re having a wonderful week.

Denise

An Amazing Gift!

You know I say I never ever ever win anything.  Well…..I can’t say that anymore!  Because…..not only did I actually win something but it came all the way from Brisbane Australia AND it is absolutely gorgeous.  I was selected out of nearly 500 followers as this months winner to receive a surprise package from Chrisy at Sophismpress blog! 

Thank you so much Chrisy!  You are amazingly kind and generous to send such a beautiful gift all the way from Australia to the U.S.! 

So…you’re all asking “what is it, what is it??”  Well…….

This beautiful Nativity book and several cute and whimsical cards!

But then, I opened the book and received the biggest surprise of all!

The book folds out into this incredible manger scene!

Look at the incredible detail in the beautiful pictures!  The colors are actually much richer and prettier than this.  Because it’s such a cloudy dreary day here, I had to use my flash and it kind of washed them out a bit.

Again, thank you so much Chrisy!  I will find the perfect spot to include this manger scene with my Holiday decorations!

Denise

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Vintage Christmas Monday!

This is my second vintage Christmas Monday to participate in and I really enjoyed blog hopping last week and seeing all of the wonderful decorations that everyone had to offer.  If you have not browsed any of the blogs participating you can find a list HERE. Be sure and check them out, there are some wonderful Christmas inspirations just waiting for you! 

Speaking of which…….when I was nearing the end of my Christmas decorating, I needed just one more garland over one more picture.  I was totally stuck on what to do.  I was out of money, out of energy, and just generally out of ideas.  But once I got started on this one…….it ended up being one of this years favorite decorations!

So…..this is an example of what you can do with a little determination when you combine the old with the new and come up with a vintage and vintage inspired look!

 

This garland consists of vintage items like the pages from a Christmas book dated 1945 which i used along the top.  A few of my fragile glass vintage ornaments which I scattered here and there, my little white reindeer, who were so happy to finally find a place where they felt they belonged, and my little digital paper dolls which I made from some original old family photos and some copyright free images that I gathered from the internet.

Even the elements that I used which were not true vintage, at least have a vintage feel to them.

 

The old book pages worked out perfectly.  The were so brittle that they just kind of did their own thing and tore along the edges ending up looking just right!

 

Lastly, I swaged several different ribbons of different textures and one with the little crowns on it throughout the entire piece.

Here are a few more pages from the 1945 Christmas book that I used.  I am in love with the darling illustrations!  I’m sure that some of them may find their way into my digital art.

Have a wonderful Monday!

Denise

Let The Party Continue…..Or Part 2

Don’t miss part one of today’s blog party.  It’s the post prior to this one.  I just couldn’t get enough posted last night (too tired!)

I never did get a chance to show you the inside of my terrarium.  I made the crown for my little garden guy and glitzed everything up.  The little battery operated lights were tucked in here and there last night and really made everything sparkle.

Just a quick project using some scrapbooking elements and papers that I already had.

More close up views.

More views in the living room.

My new chairs!  I am SOOOOO in love.  They flank either side of the fireplace in the living room.

And I just realized that I didn’t take a good picture of my tree in the living room.  The tour will continue later! 

To be continued………………………………… AGAIN!

Denise

Let The Party Begin!

What a fun day of parties this will be!  We have a wonderful group of bloggers participating in our very first blog party and they’re sure to provide everyone who is visiting today with some fabulous ideas!

Here at Bella Manor it’s been several weeks worth of party planning, polishing, and painting!

The Ice Queen has declared……..”let the party begin!”

 

This chest (as you can see) stayed much the same.  I did add some glittered candles and the little glittered fairies into the mix.

Plenty of votive holders scattered here and there.

Here’s my newest purchase that I was telling you about on Monday.  This rectangle caddy with all of the little cubby holes.  I didn’t have a clue what I intended to do with it when I purchased it, but I filled some of the holes and left others empty.  It contains a mix of old and new and some of my digital art.  I even included some vintage Christmas cards.

My snow man is happy in his new home.

I must really like that little pink fairy.  She keeps showing up everywhere.

I find myself using seam binding ribbon everywhere these days.'

 

The dining room chandelier.  Adorned with snow flakes and my paper doll banner which I glittered with mica flakes.

More trays (of course) this time with a perfectly tarnished silver service and neutral colored ornaments.

The coffee table and fireplace.  Decorated in neutrals and yummy mercury glass.  I can’t seem to get enough of mercury glass!

When I hung the giant mirror above the (also) giant chest, I swore I wouldn’t hang anything on either side of it.  Until I acquired this photo portrait of my grandfather as a child.

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With all of the decorating that I have been doing, I probably had the most fun in my (almost) studio.  As I call it.  Hubby and I painted the walls which gave the room an entirely new feeling.

They are now a soft cream color instead of that ugly yellow.  What do you think of my tree bed?  I finally found the right combination of bedding to make me happy!  One great thing about a bed made from a tree……you can drive nails into it all you want to.  Which is how I attached the cream felt garland across the head board.

I also nailed the nest on the top and hot glued the little velvet bird into the nest.  Kind of appropriate, I thought.

 

There’s my tiny pink tree.  Tucked in a corner and topped with another piece of digital art.

Out of everything that I decorated, these shelves are probably my favorite. 

On the top.

More shelves and supplies

I keep this sweet little bowl beside the bed.  It’s stamped “made in France” on the bottom and has the most wonderful colors of pinks and turquoise on the inside.  Hard to see, I know with all of the goodies I found to fill it with.

And now, this party girl needs some sleep!  It’s 12:37 AM Saturday morning and I am tired!  Our party here was a lot of fun this evening and I’ll have pictures of that later along with the rest of my home.  I took 106 pictures with my digital camera, so it looks like this party will continue well into next week!

Be SURE to visit everyone who is participating in our Holiday party!  I know that everyone has worked very hard so that they would have some great ideas to share!  The list of partiers is on my left sidebar.  Just click on each name and it will take you directly to their blog! 

Now it’s off for some sleep so that I can enjoy cruising all of the great blogs!

Have Fun!

Denise

Vintage Christmas Monday!

I kept seeing all of the wonderful blogs around who were participating in Vintage Christmas Monday and it looked like so much fun!  I was unsure whether or not I would be able to come up with enough “goodies” to keep everyone interested but thought I might give it a try.  To visit all of the other fabulous participants, simply click on the party button on my right side bar.

After looking around, I have more true vintage decorations than I thought.  Like this cute little sleigh and reindeer.  Although I found them recently while cleaning out a cabinet at my mother’s, I know without a doubt that they originally belonged to my Nanny.  That gold spray paint is a dead giveaway!

I added the little bottle brush tree, angel, and glittered wreath.

 

I think I agree with my Nanny in this case.  The little guys look very festive painted gold!   I know I know, you “neutral” girls are thinking “how could you!”   Then again, you probably don’t have a pink Christmas tree either! 

These little carolers are also a recent find.  I’m thinking that they are probably from around the 1960’s?

I’ve had this little guy for years.  Somewhere along the way he lost his lantern.  I can’t WAIT to show you what he’s sitting in!   I just purchased it Friday.  My favorite shop in OKC, Room 22, had a 1 hour 40% off sale from 8:00 to 9:00 AM Friday morning and I had been eyeing this particular item for some time.

That was the first time EVER EVER that I have been out on a black Friday, so you know that I really really wanted it.  I went shopping there and then came straight home. 

This waiting until Saturday to show you what I’ve been up to is just KILLING me!  I hope you all enjoy all of my decorating.  My party post Saturday is going to be a looong one!

I’m looking forward to my party here Friday night and the blog party Saturday!  What a fun filled weekend that will be!

Again, for anyone who is interested, it’s not too late to sign up for the blog party!  We have wonderful participants already and the more the merrier!

If for any reason I have failed to add you to the party list at the top left of my sidebar or failed to answer your e-mails let me know.  It’s been a crazy couple of weeks and although I think I’m caught up with everything, you never know.

Hope you ALL had a perfect Thanksgiving!

Denise

Happy Thanksgiving!

To ALL of you in blogland!  I have just one word of importance today……BENIGN!   Those were my test results!   Sooooo…..that’s that and now it is back to business as usual with a big smile and much relief!

I am back in full decorating mode!  I don’t DARE reveal too much.  I’m trying to save most everything for the big blog party on Dec. 5th!

So I REALLY shouldn’t tell you what this gorgeous fabric is covering that Miss A seems so intent on breaking in……….

Naughty kitty!

I WILL tell you that there have been some new arrivals at Bella Manor.  They can hardly wait to make their grand debut on Dec. 5th!

Huummm….do we see a neutral theme going here?  Maybe, maybe not…….

Vintage goods are being used again after years in the cupboards gathering dust……….

Like this eggnog set.  Now that I see a better picture of Santa, he looks a little creepy!  No wonder I had him hidden away.

Some of the girls who have been around for awhile are getting a little extra ornamentation and are gracing redecorated spaces……………

Hubby is declaring that we are suffering from glitter inhalation as I glitter and glitz everything in sight!

And some new ornaments are finding their home in special places!

And so it goes!  I am actually sitting here posting with paint all over my hands.  Sometimes I just need a good kick in the behind OR a party to get things done that I have been putting off!

I’m pretty sure that I got the e-mail problem fixed if there is anyone else who would like to join us here in Oklahoma for our party Dec. 4th! 

AND…don’t forget, it’s still not to late to sign up for the blog party Dec. 5th.

Thanks so much for all of the well wishes regarding my biopsy!  It’s such a wonderful thing when you know that so many people care! 

Here’s hoping that everyone has a “fantabulous” Thanksgiving!!!

Denise