Friday, October 21, 2011

Christmas decor ideas


Here is my birdcage that is part of the centerpiece.  I added Christmas greenery, battery lights and a cardinal.
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I will also be using some grapevine cone trees.
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I need to go work on my pillows and napkins.  I will show you those when I am finished.
http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/2010/11/themed-christmas-table-pt-1-chair.htmlYou will love the post I will do when I get to see everyone’s tables.  They are always amazing.  

Neighborhood Photo Linky Party



Did you get out and take photos of the homes in your neighborhood?  I hope so.
The homes in my neighborhood were mostly built in the 70s.  I have 2 previous posts here and here showing you different tours.  I have also mentioned that I live where trees are hard to come by, but it is not as obvious in the older neighborhoods like mine.  My favorite street has an area that is tree lined and it has some of the biggest houses.  Of course there are other neighborhoods that have humungous homes, but these homes are big for the area I live in.
I will start off with one of my favorites.  This home is newer and built in the 90s in one of the last empty lots.  It is very custom and so pretty.
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There is a cute little bridge on the left side of the house.
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And a large beautiful fountain on the right side.
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The door is gorgeous.
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The gutters are made of copper and they all have the green patina on them.
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Such a pretty home.  It is always decorated so nice for the different seasons.
The next house I will show you is across the street from house above.
During the summer of 2008, the family of this home had just completed an extensive remodel and had just moved everything back into the home when the house caught on fire.  The wiring for the security system  caught fire and gutted the home. The system caught fire the day it was being installed.  The windows were blown out and at least half of the roof was totally gone.  The family once again lived elsewhere while the house was renovated this time inside and out.  It doesn’t even look like the same home.  I had a really hard time photographing the house because it was 8:30 in the morning and the sun was right above the roof line.  I had to hide behind the shade of trees to get some of the photos I took.
Here’s the first shot with the intense sun.  I did get good sun flare, but I really didn’t want it.
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Here are some other shots where I hid from the sun.
This is the left side of the home.  I love the flower beds and the rock accent on the columns.
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The front.
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More of the home on the right side.  I didn’t hide from the sun very well here.
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And the entire house.
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Look in the trees and you will see remnants of toilet paper.  I tried to get my photos on Saturday morning before everyone was out and about and this house had been toilet papered on Friday night so I had to go back on Sunday morning.  They missed a few pieces.  Smile
So that’s my last neighborhood tour post.  Now it is time to see yours.  I am looking forward to seeing all the different types of design and architecture.    http://tracys-trinkets-treasures.blogspot.com/2011/07/neighborhood-photo-linky-party.html

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Stocking Holders




RAZ Christmas collections offer whimsical stocking holders in
every collection.  Their fun designs look great on a Christmas mantel.
Not only can they hold all your families Christmas Stockings
but they can also be used to hang a Christmas garland.

Today we are featuring the four stocking holders from the
RAZ Santa Approved Collection. 













Matching Present ornaments from the Santa Approved Collection are also available.


http://razchristmas.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2011-07-19T12%3A11%3A00-07%3A00&max-results=7
Four flocked present ornaments in red and lime green.    

Stocking Holders ReVaMp

If you've never visited Shanty 2 Chic head over and partake of their fabulousness! I look forward to checking in everyday to see what new ideas they have. Thank you Shanty Sisters for sharing your talents with the rest of us.
Now for the revamp....
SO, I had these shiny gold "SANTA" stocking holders that I just loved when I bought them a few years back. WELL....they just aren't doin' it for me anymore. Quite SHANTY don't you think?


While I was studying up on my Pottery Barn Catalogs, I saw this picture. So beautiful, right? *CHING* on came the light!


This is what I did:

Took the fuzzy stuff off the bottom of the holder. It peels right off. I saved it so I could reuse it. Then I took out the little screw and removed the weight.
Under the weight it has little screws that hold the letter onto the holder. I removed those.
Then, I went on a hunt for some old frames I've been keeping. PERFECT!
I removed all the backs and glass from them.

Now for the fun part...I took the party outside and sprayed the hooks and frames all with RUSTOLEUM (Satin Classic, low-sheen finish) in a pretty red. LOVE IT!
Then once the frames dried I scuffed them up a bit with medium grit sandpaper.
I screwed the weight back into the bottom of the holders and stuck the fuzzy stuff back on. Then I got my GOOP glue and spread it on the top of the holder to attach the frame.
Since I don't own a pair of clamps (hint, hint, Santa!) I rubberbanded them together to hold until they were dry. (About 2-3 hrs.)

Next, I found some pictures of the little chicks and the hooks found their place on my mantle....DONE! The kids should be able to spot thier stocking on Christmas morning without a problem. Thanks again Shanty Sisters. You guys are great!


Monday, August 1, 2011

Crafts room

Every crafty lady daydreams about an impeccably decorated and organized craft room. One day you’ll get yours and I’ll get mine! But for now lets look at some great craft room ideas!
My most favorite craft room of all time is Heather Bailey’s. Everything about this room is perfect. From the pale pink walls to the funkified antique furniture. It is the perfect blend of beauty and function. I want!

Here is another great craft room. Simple, clean, classy. Desks can be made with any sort of shelf or cabinetry and a hard surface on top. Keep your eye out for furniture items that you think could be made into a desk.
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This is such a beautiful closet craft room. I love the wallpaper behind the shelves. The color palate is what really makes this space delightful.
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Of course most of us will never get a huge dreamy craft room, but whether you get a whole room, a closet or corner, or just the occasional daydream, here are some things to remember when planning your craft space:
Functionality:
Of course the number one reason that you have a craft room is so that you can actually do crafts. In all your glorious plans make this aim the central focus of your room. If you spend a lot of time sewing, then think of the best way to store thread. Sketch out your space and imagine yourself working through a project, where would things be most easily accessible. If you scrapbook or paper craft, an old card catalogue with lots of small drawers can be a great way to organize your embellishments. Just think about the things that you’ll be using all the time and build your room around that.
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Inspiration:
Remember that your room is a place for you to go and create. Sensory input is a huge part of inspiration. Paint your walls your favorite color, or the compliment of your favorite color. Put up a huge bulletin board and every time you see a great photo, postcard, magazine article grab it and post it on your board. Here is a great idea from Martha Stewart — A large frame painted white and a piece of homasote fiberboard cut to size and covered in fabric.
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Expandability:
Use the height of the walls to your advantage, when you buy furniture for your room go big! You’ll never know when you will need an extra drawer or a nice long work surface. If your space is pretty small, a drop-leaf table is a great item to have. Ikea has big ones and small ones, this one is only $50.
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Variety:
Don’t get caught up in making everything match or coordinating the style of your desk to your cabinet and shelf. Have some fun with it! Go to garage sales and pick up some unique items, China hutches make great storage units, Just take out the glass and everything becomes more accessible. Anything that has a shelf in it can have holes drilled and a dowel inserted and you have a ribbon rod. The best thing about variety is that you can add to your room at any time, you don’t have to do it all in one day or one week, just collect items here and there, customize them with a little paint or glaze, maybe add a shelf, rods or hooks, and pretty soon you’ll have a beautiful and functional space.
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Be Creative:
The reason you have this dedicated space is because you love to create! Don’t rush through the “decoration” process, use it as your creative outlet. Paint some wide horizontal stripes on the wall, Mod Podge patterned paper onto the top of an old table, sew some chair pads or reupholster your chair. Whatever crafts that you like to do, tie those into your room and really make it your own.
Tell me about your craft room. Do you have your dream room? I’d love to see it. If not, what great ideas do you have to make your space truly yours.

Tuesday, July 19, 2011

A Tiffany Blue Christmas

 



The new pictures for Tiffany's holiday campaign are absolutely stunning. I'll take the snow, the guy, and whatever is in that little blue box of course :)  http://alovelylife-jess.blogspot.com/2010/12/tiffany-blue-christmas.html

Tiffany Blue Christmas

Tiffany Christmas
Tiffany Blue Christmas
When you are trying to come up with a color scheme for your Christmas home decorating take inspiration from your favorite things- flowers, food, nature, shoes etc. Try doing something bold and be inspired from your favorite fashion designer or boutique. Hermes orange, Valentino Red or in this particular blog articles case Tiffany & Co’s iconic blue box!
Turquoise and Teal are unconventional Christmas colors but are very in fashion is both large and small portions. This color always makes me think of the perfect shade that is Tiffany blue. Imagine turning your home into a Tiffany’s Christmas masterpiece. This color goes well with light medium and dark woods, light and dark modern or traditional homes…. there is always a great way to bring Turquoise in!
Here are some fabulous Tiffany decorating ideas:
Teal and blue Christmas Holiday
Teal and blue Christmas decorating
My favorite combination for Turquoise or blue Christmas color schemes is white. White is the freshest way to make a color pop, as if the Christmas ornaments had been dropped in the snow. Add a hint of silver and you have instant sparkle and shine. Turquoise is very in style for Christmas 2010. Try it at home in varying shades from blue to sea foam green in both bold and pastel shades. This look is both fresh and icy! Use vintage mirrors and crisp white lace on your table, don’t forget the silverware! For a great shade of blue for your walls or invitations pick something similar to Sherwin Williams SW6464 Aloe.
Teal Christmas Decor
Teal & Turquoise Christmas Decor
Have you created a beautiful Tiffany’s blue Christmas for yourself? I would love to see the results. Let me know how it went and how you made it extra special.  http://www.laurabielecki.com/blog/interior-design/tiffany-blue-christmas/

Blue Christmas

Oh Tiffany & Co., I would really love to live inside your new ad campaign (and your stores for that matter)! These images have me anxiously awaiting that first snowfall, and perhaps great things in tiny packages. Santa, are you out there?  http://www.hiphipgingin.com/2010/11/29/blue-christmas/

Decorating with Tiffany Blue

 

I was browing Canada's Style At Home website and found this fresh and beautiful Christmas inspiration photo.




I love the deterant from typical a Christmas color scheme: reds, whites, greens and golds. Tiffany blue, silver and white are the perfect combination for modernity, class and sparkle to add that special "Christmas Magic" (as my niece calls it).



Here are a few more WHITE inspired Christmas trees:





What Holiday color scheme are you into these days?  http://loveofinteriors.blogspot.com/2010/12/decorating-with-tiffany-blue.html