Share The Joy! Let’s Party!

As I mentioned earlier last week, this will be an all out deck the halls and trim the tree holiday at our house.  But, I need IDEAS!  I need INSPIRATION!  So………………….

I am excited to announce that I am having my first time ever Blog Party

Saturday Dec. 5th !!

We would like to know what makes your holiday magical! 

It’s easy peasy and it will be tons of fun for everyone!  Just share your inspiring ideas and creations with all of us!  Here are some ideas…..

• The way you trim your tree
• Your favorite ornaments
• How you create a special vignette in your home
• Your family traditions
• Children's crafts.  We’re always looking for ways to keep the kids entertained!
• Outside decorations
•   Creative ways to wrap packages.  I sure need help in that department, mine always look like a disaster!
• How to set a beautiful holiday table.

Just anything and everything that would be of interest to all of us bloggers out here!  You are all so creative and I know that you have fabulous ideas that you are just waiting to share with all of us!  Just be sure and include a short explanation so that we may all be inspired by your creativity!

Here’s how to participate…..

Leave a comment on this post or email me with your info if you would like to sign up.  I will be starting a list of participants on my sidebar.  You have from today until the day of the party.

Post this flyer on your blog…….

Just left click the image to enlarge, and then copy to what ever program that you use for your pictures.  Post the flyer on your blog ASAP and spread the word that you are participating to all of our blog friends out there.

Put a button on your side bar so that people will remember to attend the blog party that day.

This is super easy if you have never done it!

1. sign into your blogger account and go to your dashboard.
2. select “ layout” under your blog name.
3. when your template comes up, select the box that says “Add A Gadget”
4. scroll down to the gadget that says “Picture”
5. you may enter a caption if you like, this is optional
6. under link, after the http://   type in my blog address
7. under image, search for the picture wherever you stored it in your computer and insert
8. be sure to hit save in the bottom right hand corner
9. the computer will shrink the image to fit on your sidebar

Promote, promote, promote.  And mention the party often on your blog.  We will all enjoy the party and have tons of comments and visitors!

BUT WAIT!……THAT’S NOT ALL!!!……….

For all of our local blogger friends, many of whom I know were also customers of ours when we had our shop……..WE MISS YOU!!  And we would love to see you again!  For any local blogger friends that we have yet to meet…..WE WOULD LOVE TO MEET YOU!!!

So…….Friday Dec. 4th, the evening BEFORE the blog party, Heather and I will be hosting a craft and dinner party at MY HOUSE!  We have selected a craft that requires only a small supply list but will be lots of fun for everyone! 

The price of admission?   FOOD!!  Make your favorite recipe (pot luck) to bring.  We would also like for you to bring copies of the recipe so that we may have a recipe exchange. 

We’re gonna EAT!  We’re gonna CRAFT!  We’re gonna have a fun fun girls night out!  DON’T  feel intimidated or think that you will be the proverbial “odd man out”  or feel awkward because you don’t know anyone.  Most of the women who will attend will not know each other, so it will be a great opportunity to visit, make new friends, and share our craft project with each other.

• TIME:  Friday evening Dec. 4th  6:30 PM
• PLACE:  Denise’s house
• RSVP:  via email

We will give you the address and your supply list when you confirm!  We can’t WAIT!  We’ll be sharing pics. of our evening during the blog party Saturday with everyone!

I hope to hear from many many of you soon!

Denise

Because I Love It All

That’s why I love blogging so much.  All of the different styles.  All of the different color schemes.  I love it all.  In my alternate existence, the one where I have lots and lots of money,  I would have houses furnished in different styles.  One very French with the neutral tones thrown in with grays and off-whites.  Another with lots of color.  And on and on.  It’s very difficult for me to decorate because I have such a hard time making a decision.  Because I Love It All! 

But…..the thing that I love the most is being a bit different and a LOT unmatched in my decorating. 

I remember in 1998, this crazy fabulous book came out.  I had never seen anything like it!

It was Tracy Porter’s Dreams From Home.  Oops!  My scanner cut off the D!

At that time, everything was all matchy matchy.  Waverly was the hot hot thing.  EVERYTHING matching!  From wallpaper to bedding.  Even then I hated it!   And I didn’t even know why.

But Tracy Porter……that girl was way way ahead of her time.

I had never ever seen anyone dress a bed this way.  I was amazed at all of the completely different fabrics that she had thrown together.  And her wall decor…..WOW!  I loved it all!  It was just so……well, weird.  And I found out that I really really liked weird.  Right down to the way she combined furniture.  Some painted, some antique, some not.  But again….nothing matched.

It was the first time that I had ever seen a Santos.  I didn’t even know what it was called.  I just knew I HAD to have one!

All through the book, there were pictures of these quirky little journals that she had made.  I had never seen anything like that either. I was hooked!

I must have studied every page of that book a hundred times, just trying to figure it all out.  Now I know, there’s nothing TO figure out.  You just DO it.  Go with what you love, and somehow it all works together.

In 1998, very few women understood this “look.”  At the time, I worked for a wallpaper store.  Wallpaper was the rage then.  Tracy Porter came out with a wallpaper book and we could hardly sell any of it.  Women were just scared to death.  Customers  couldn’t think “outside of the box.”   I think Waverly had brain washed the whole lot of them!  HA HA

Today, I still have women come into my home and say “wow….I never would have thought to put those things together in the same display.”  Or…..”you sure have a lot of stuff.”  It’s their way of saying “I don’t get it.”  

And THAT’S what I love about all of you.  All of my blogging friends.  You ALL “get it.”  We all appreciate and admire each other’s style and enjoy sharing it. 

And isn’t it wonderful that we’ve found this community.

If you haven’t checked in on Tracy Porter lately you need to visit her web site HERE.  Of course, her taste has evolved and changed over the years, but that same style that I love is still there.  You can link to her blog where she has a bunch of short little tutorial videos.  Just getting a good look at her great room and kitchen are a delicious treat that I’m sure you will all enjoy!

Have a happy Friday and weekend!

Denise

P.S.  I just loved the comments to my last post.  You girls are too funny!

Could It Be?

Do you believe in love at first sight?  I never really thought of it before now, to tell you the truth.  But it seems, yes it seems, that someone I know may be experiencing this strange phenomenon.

What is it do you suppose?  The sparkle in your eyes when you happen to catch a glimpse of your reflection?

Just the KNOWING the FEELING that this is “the one.”  The rest of your life, for better or worse real ONE?

The last person that you think of when you lay your head on your pillow at night?

And the first person that you think of when you wake in the morning?

The feeling that every day is just the BEST day ever, and knowing that you have many many more of those days to come?

The only person who has ever made you feel like your are special, that you are royalty?

It is strange, very very strange, this phenomenon.  Other people ALSO feel this THING that is so hard to put into words.  Even someone very young has commented on how “right” this feels.

So…..I’ll wait, and pray, and hope.  Because this person deserves this happiness, this phenomenon known as Love At First Sight!

I’m holding my breath, watching this life change direction to a better place and MOSTLY praying that heart break does not follow.  Surely not, this time, it feels RIGHT to me also.

To be continued……

November!

It’s here!  When do you start planning your Christmas decorating?  I usually begin decorating the day after Thanksgiving.  This year COULD be a very depressing Thanksgiving and Christmas.  The first without my Mother.  It’s all still so surreal.  You know, you think of something you need to share, and almost reach for the phone.  BUT…….I will not give in to this depression.  Certainly my Mother would not want me to.  SO…I’m decorating BIGGER and BETTER this year.  Creating Christmas vignettes is my favorite thing to do. 

My new banner was taken from this picture.  I found those little felt angels in my mother’s decorations.  They were, each one, lovingly handmade by my great aunt.  Her name was Florence, but we all called her “Tootsie.” I never knew why, but the name certainly fit her.  She was silly and happy and always had a smile for everyone. 

SO……my banner honors the holidays, my mother and her aunt.

One of mother’s Christmas houses.

A closer look.

A few of my favorites.

I found some really really ugly Christmas ornaments with these cute little doll heads just covered in ugly green silk and lace.  I tore all of that off and was left with these little sweeties.  I may use them in a project or not.  They’re cute as is.

And so……the decorating has already begun.  It always begins around November 1st when I decorate BIG.  Which isn’t often.  This will be a holiday infused with laughter, glitter, beauty, and fun.  I am determined!  Which is not to say that there will not be crying.  I’m sure there will be.  But that’s okay.  You have to work through these losses.

You notice I didn’t say cooking or baking.  Any volunteers?  NO? 

Huuummm……..now who will see all of these fabulous decorations?  I’m scheming.  Yes I am!  Stay tuned for more……………………………..

It’s Halloween !

Have a Bootiful Halloween everyone!

Denise

Rainy Days

It’s raining non-stop here today.  Sometimes, that’s a good thing.  Don’t you think?  It forces you to stay indoors and accomplish something.  Okay okay……maybe you just sit, read , and have a nice cup of coffee.

Or sort through old trims and such.

And think of a new use for your vintage finds.

This little vintage coat is just crying out for some kind of cute project.

What do you think?  That flat trim looks adorable around the bottom.  And maybe tuck a couple of things in a pocket.  My question is…….do I hand sew everything or glue.  I would hate to ruin the coat, it’s in almost perfect condition.  Just a few little worn spots here and there.  Of course, those imperfections make it all the more perfect.

All of the above, including the little vintage doll bedspread, came from my mothers.  The initials on the bedspread indicate that this was apparently hers when she was a little girl.  

I started this little house a couple of weeks ago.  I still have to add glitter.  I cut the little window panes out thinking that it would be easier.

Instead it looks like it’s staring at me.  I keep adding little touches here and there but it only makes it scarier!

Oh well….I’m sure I’ll work it out.  One thing I know…..glitter makes everything better!

I’m having Halloween decorators remorse.  I took everything down and now I keep seeing such great displays on other blogs that I’m regretting it!   My decorating showed a lack of enthusiasm this year anyway.

Which doesn’t mean that I’ve abandoned the season all together.

Hubby moved my concrete urn to the dining table for me. 

And I’ve been doing a bit of fluffing here and there.

If you’re like me and you haven’t had quite enough of Halloween……..check out The Old Painted Cottage HERE.

Chances are, you have already been to this wonderful web site, but for those of you who haven’t, grab a cup of coffee and prepare for some serious eye candy.  Click on cottage of the month, and October’s cottage will come up.  After you have drooled over all of the Halloween decorations, scroll down to the bottom of the page, where you will find links to almost four years of fabulous cottages.

Have Fun!

Denise

New Apothecary Design

Halloween is over at our house.  The decorations that I usually can’t get enough of were driving me nuts.  Probably because I’ve been doing so much sorting and cleaning at my Mother’s I’m feeling the need for organization and a sense of calm at home.  Or at least that’s my analysis of things!!  But I have to admit, I needed a new post for all of you girls out there! 

Before above

After below

Since I hung this mirror over my favorite colorful chest, it’s been my favorite surface for constantly changing vignettes.

This arrangement was super simple!  If you have an especially deep jar like this one, fill the bottom with the natural colored shredded paper.  I think I’ve shown you this in a previous post.  Then, with that I added dried rose petals and the white dried delphinium petals.  Then stack 3 birds nests, starting with the largest one, one on top of the other.  Be sure and keep things uneven like I did here the bottom one in the middle and then the next to the right and the next to the left.  I also used three completely different nests not only in size but also in texture and appearance.  Work in several silk fall leaves around the edges.  If you are having a problem tucking these in the sides, use something like a butter knife to push them where you want them.  Next, I used other dried elements such as whole dried roses and sprinkled these along the top.  I tucked my three dried delphinium stems along the left side and THOUGHT I was done.  I stood back and took a look and decided that I needed more height.  Your finished height will depend on the piece of furniture where it will be placed.  So….I had to go BIG!

I found a silk potted paper white and stuck it in the back left side.  It was a good start but I still needed more.  This is where exploring your yard comes in handy.  Twigs are almost always good filler.  AND……they’re FREE!  I cut mine from a wispy vine that I have growing in the back yard.  Just start adding them here and there until you get the look that you want.  Finally, I added one more tiny twiggy nest in the top.

Those delicate twigs did not photograph well.  But it is really quite full and wispy.  You learn a lot about photography when you blog!

……………………………………………………

Speaking of photography, I loved these Princess and the Pea type photos.

Right down to that crazy curly white hair do!  Somehow, it looks just perfect in that photo!

As usual, I did not write down my source.  If anyone knows anything about these photos, please let me know so that I may give proper credit.

Have a wonderful week everyone!

Denise