Pretty Little Things

Yesterday, I decided to get out of the house for an hour or two. We've been pretty much home bound for the last week due to a lot of snow. When wandering through a fun shop, I found these sweet little puffy hearts and couldn't resist them. Who can resist vintage quilt fabric, ticking, hearts, and tinsel stars? They were made as ornaments, but I think these sweeties will stick around through Valentine's Day and maybe even year-round.

Beautiful winter-white roses my brother and sister-in-law brought on Christmas Day. They were in a huge vase combined with the red ones below and were absolutely gorgeous. They were needing a good trim to last longer so I separated them. Red ones for the red/white kitchen and white ones for the snow themed living/dining area.

My husband is home for the day entertaining the children out in the shop. I'm enjoying the quiet I have all to myself after a week and a half of boisterous kids home on break, prepping for Christmas Day at our house, etc. So nice to have the house to myself. **sigh**

I hope you're enjoying your holidays wherever you are today!

A Tapestry

Isn't it beautiful? It's almost 5 feet long.

I'd love to know the origin of it. It was really inexpensive at one of my favorite shops. In fact, I don't think they could have framed it for the price I paid. I would have expected it to at least be double the $$$.

It's much more beautiful in person. It has the faintest pinks and blues and greens in it. I think if I were to paint the wall the Prussian Blue I showed here, it would add so much more to it. Some winterizing around the house. Love the Wendy Addison glass glitter snowflakes. They've tarnished a bit now and add that "just right, vintage patina". All that dark wood - if only I could paint it a beautiful shade of white! Then my browns and gilded pieces would be so much prettier. Someday....(can't come soon enough!)

The last time I went to visit my Mom, she gave me these adorable (perfect shade of blue) ducks. I added a little glitter pick around their necks for some holiday bling. They are in front of a mirror so it looks like more than just the two of them. They currently reside on the top of our built-in hutch (another piece of dark wood I'd love to paint white).

Here's a view of our massive fireplace mantle. It's at least two feet deep by six feet wide and stands shoulder height (yup, I'd love to paint it white, too!). I'm wanting to paint the green walls a creamy shade of white or the Prussian Blue now.

The huge Tiffany glitter wreath I picked up at Lowe's on 50% clearance. Pictures don't do it justice! It's beautiful and fits in with the Wendy Addison snowflakes and "Winter Dreams" garland. I picked up the clear glass candle holders piece by piece from thrift stores and a few I had on hand already. With the clear twinkle lights in back and lit up at night, they glow so prettily.

I kept things in the house very simple for the most part this year.

I'm headed outside with the kids now to enjoy our Winter Wonderland! School has been cancelled so we're going to enjoy every minute of it. Then I have to get down to business and straighten up the house a bit for company tomorrow night.

Ginger Update

I know you must be sick of me talking about gingerbread, but please indulge me one last time!

I filled in the shelves a little more this year with extra finds found last year, gifts, lights, etc. Oh, and I also faced the front of each shelf with coordinating ribbons and trim. Not too happy with the top shelf, though. The ribbon was a little blah. Needs some green buttons or something. Maybe a solid red ribbon instead. I think I'll trim the vintage flashcards with some ric-rac and buttons.
I usually put all of the collected ornaments into jars, but this year I decided to display them. I looked for white garland because I think I'd like that look better, but none was to be found. I also thought of doing the white faux wreaths, but when I went back to Wal-Mart to pick a couple up, they were already gone. Maybe next year. I think the ornaments would stand out much better against white, too. Love the red and white peppermint look!

Love the cute utensil ornaments I found this year at Kmart by Martha Stewart.

I'm bummed that our Country Clutter went out of business because I could always count on a couple of gingerbread items there. But really, does it look like I need any more???

The oh so sweet ginger couple from my sis-in-law. The colors are perfect! I adore them! They sing as well when you push their hands.

No gingerbread collection is complete without a Disney castle gingerbread ornament from Disneyland! A reminder of our Thanksgiving trip.

The man who started the whole collection. He was tied onto a Christmas package from my best friend from high school. I think of her every time I see it.

Velvet ribbon and pompom trim on shelf front.

A favorite nightlight.

A fun and simple project. I had my daughter cut out a few snowflakes, I added a couple of vintage reproduction cards, gingerbread man felt garland (Martha Stewart @ Michaels) and a piece of scrapbook paper. The MERRY is a scrapbook piece as well.

Sweet little vintage pair that makes me smile every time I see it.

Gingerbread Galore

I'm hoping you can enlarge this photo. This was taken last year just before the holidays, when I pulled out my gingerbread collection. I add to it every year with a few items. I found several new (to me) things at Goodwill last year that aren't in this picture. Then my sister-in-law sent me two adorable stuffed gingerbread people that play tunes. My favorite piece is probably the cute girl teapot in the center compliments of my mom.
I wish my shelves looked this neat and orderly right now. It's already the 2nd week into December and I have yet to put out all my gingerbread. I did have my husband drag the tub upstairs from the basement, though.

We're to have our family over this year for Christmas dinner. So I think I better get a move on, especially with all the baking I want to do. The rest of the house is clean and organized, just not the kitchen. Doesn't help that we had to deal with mice twice in the past few months. It meant removing everything from the lower cupboards and washing - twice... Ugh! And in the kitchen of all places.

Can you see why this would be a wonderful addition? It's even on sale now.