Christmas Mantel

I always start holiday decorating with the mantel.

It seems to get me focused.

Some things, like these small church birdhouses and Sants, are a staple.

This year I found some items I haven't used in years,

 like this stocking hanger I made in the 1980s!

And this reindeer candle holder from the 1990s.

 

 Lots of stockings this year, everyone will be home!

Now, if only I can get focused on the rest of the house!

 Happy Holiday Decorating!

http://www.remodelaholic.com/2014/12/12-days-christmas-link-party/

http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-style-sisters-christmas-home-tour.html

Spring!

I have been super busy getting ready for a show and a wedding all taking place on the same weekend!

But, I found a little time this week to get some spring looks together.

 On the dining table, I put out a bright flower quilt, birdhouse, 

a nest-basket of eggs, little white birds and a potted freesia. 

 The entrance table just got a small potted English Daisy and pretty clock.

 This clock is a favorite of the grandkids because the ladybug 

and carrot go around and the frog comes out of the top! Oh, it plays music too!

 For the mantle, I just did a quick redo of things already there,

like the window and sign,

 then added some spring touches like...

 English Daisies under glass

a ceramic bunny

 tiny English pots and pretty blue tin piece

Spring details also include a bunny pillow

and flowers in a birdcage.

 Happy Spring!

http://www.commonground-do.com/2014/03/be-inspired-182.html

Seasonal Decorating: Moving on to the Dining Room

This year I am using a lot of burlap, linen and wool. I like the combination.

For the dining table, I layered a burlap runner with linen ruffles and a cream linen table runner on top.

Then I began to play with different pumpkins, gourds and squash.

 A garland with acorns, fall leaves and pheasant feathers weaves in and around the squashes.

 I added my tall, pear candlesticks that I got on a trip to Gettysburg.

I also added some little elements like a church birdhouse 

and small white rooster doorstop.

In the center I started with a white, square cake stand, added a wreath of dried fall leaves and a  pumpkin-spice candle. I am thinking about replacing this with a pumpkin filled with mums.

On the Welsh dresser in the background, I changed the candles and added squash and gourds to a white bowl, plus some faux pears and acorns. I may add a banner.

On the shelf above stand 2 small pewter Pilgrims and seeds from Plymouth Plantation.

I still have some more areas to decorate, entry and small tables.
Autumn is definitely  my favorite season.http://livingacottagelife.blogspot.com/2012/10/decorating-is-in-details-fall-mantle.html

Decorating Snippets

I had my camera out the other day and decided to snap some more pictures of some of my favorite vignettes.

This little church birdhouse was a gift when my children were little. It sits on a blue journal that was written by my great-grandmother about 100 years ago. The little silver tins also belonged to her. Her name was Lottie Gathing Baldwin, widowed and lost her only son in the same year, raised her 2 daughters alone in Texas, then moved west with her youngest daughter (my grandmother) and son-in-law during the Depression. 

 My oldest friend, Bonnie, gave me this picture several years ago. She and I have been friends since we were 10 years old (never mind how many years ago that was!). The little marble-top table was my dad's and the pitcher, a gift from my husband.

 My stepmother brought me this pitcher from Ireland many years ago. It was made by monks at a monastary that has been in existence for hundreds of years, making this pottery the same way, from the same clay, for all those years.

 The angle is kind of funny because this is a corner, but I love this painting. It belonged to my dad, as did the little outfits hanging below. They were made by my grandmother in the 1930's.

The bottom of this little tea cart holds some of my quilts. The rooster is one I found at a shop in Chico, Ca; my granddaughter loves to place her little stuffed bear on it and push it around the house.

What are some special pieces you decorate your space with? I would love to see them!