Monday, December 15, 2014

A Holiday Tradition-A Tour Through Christmas in the Mansion-Rahr West - 2014

One of the new holiday traditions that my sister and I have started was to spend a wonderful day together touring the exhibit, Christmas in the Mansion, at the Rahr West Museum.  Even though I am one of the many designers who participates in decorating a tree or a room, often I decorate so early that I do not get a chance to see the entire collection of everyone's work.  Even before I took to doing the work at the museum, my sister and I for several years always enjoyed selecting a day where we could be together to browse leisurely through the Christmas displays, have a healthy lunch at some place new in the community and have fun doing some shopping.   What a very pleasant way to start the holiday season and share it with someone as dear to my heart as my sister.  We look forward to it each year and speak of fond memories of those visits in the past.  

Included in this post are some of the pictures from our memorable visit.  I hope this has inspired you to create your own "special day" with loved ones during the Christmas season.  Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year.  







Wednesday, December 10, 2014

A Vintage Christmas Tablesetting-Days Gone By

I really loved creating this Christmas tablesetting for 2014.  It really gave me the cozy and warm feelings of days gone by.  (Please see the matching vintage Christmas tree under the "Christmas Decor" category.)  This tablecloth combines two different patterns into a tablecloth that screams retro.  I love the use of red and white gingham with the rustic holly, pinecones and birds.  It really gives a "homey" feeling.  The vintage bucket which holds the candle, holly, pinecones, peppermint candies represent the same theme also used in the Christmas tree.  

Because I always incorporate a bit of whimsy in my tablescape designs, I choose to use the peppermint striped appetizer plates and the polka-dotted santa-face mugs,  It delights both children and adults alike.  

The nativity set was displayed on a little table but was scaled down in quantity because of the size of the table and lack of space.  Again, the use of the same fabric added to the consistency of the rustic, country-vintage feel.  The nativity has a little silicone light bulb which is lit in the evening and reminds me every night what Christmas is all about.  The nativity glows brightly in front of the dining room window, giving all who see it a warm and peaceful feeling.  

A new baby is born, sweet baby Jesus.  Have a blessed Christmas.







A Vintage Christmas

Remember the thrill of past Christmases?  The house full of friends and family, the kitchen table packed full with food and snacks, the dozens of Christmas cookies from the many days of mom's baking, the silver tinsel tree shining brightly in the living room as it changes into the four colors from the spinning color wheel.  Hanging on the tree are the sweet candy cherries that are wired to the tree.  The sound of laughter and the cracking of nuts from the cast iron dog nutcracker can be heard coming from the tons of people squeezed into the kitchen around the table where all the good conversation and mountains of delicious, mouthwatering dishes create a delightful invitation to stay a spell.  

Although I do not have a silver tinsel retro tree, I thought it would fun to reproduce the "feel" of those vintage days.  Therefore, I choose to use burlap, dried hydrangeas, apples, peppermint candy canes  and red and white gingham to match the vintage Christmas tablesetting I created in honor of the "good old days."  (Please see the picture of the vintage Christmas tablesetting  under the "Tablescapes" category.)

The tree came pre-wired with white light.  So, throughout the house, I also added garland wired with colored Christmas lights.  There is something nostalgic about the multi-colored lights.  It really added to the feel of the years gone by.  I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Merry Christmas and many, many blessings to you and your family.