1 Year Blogoversary Giveaway!

 

One year ago I started this blog.  I used to decorate years ago and I also did store windows.  I have talked about how much I loved decorating over the years and how I missed it.  I have been a wife and mother for the last 20 years and never worked in the art field.  I never used my creativity beyond helping the kids with grade school projects.  My husband was aware of this and told me to blog.  Why blog?  He knew there was something I was neglecting, my creativity.  When I began to blog, I had only read Paris Parfait (which is a great blog) and a family member's blog.  I had never viewed tablescapes other than Sandra Lee's.  I hadn't spent any time doing things to the house other than helping with our big remodel.  So, in the picture above I sewed up this Christmas sock and I welcomed you into my house and am I amazed at the year I have had.  I have met some of the most amazing, talented, wonderfully kind people!  I can't believe I get to create, talk, share ideas, and recipes with you.  I had never read a "decor" blog before I hit publish with that Christmas sock and within a week or two I had found so many amazing blogs.  I was in awe!  If I had seen your homes and talent I would never have had the courage to put my sock out there.  But, I am glad I did.  Because I am now having fun creating everyday with you.  Thank you so much for stopping by, visiting, and especially commenting.  I don't know how to ever thank you enough.  But for this; my 1-year blogoversary, I would like to give you a gift.  

The Giveaway:

1 copy of Style at Home by Mary Carol Garrity

kitchen towels

oven mitt

candle ring 

votive candle and holder

Below is a few images from Style at Home.  I love Mary Carol's style. 

To enter  the Giveaway:

•   Just leave a comment saying you would like to win. ( 1 entry) This is mandatory to win.  Always leave your email or make sure it is visible in your profile.

For extra entry after you have done the mandatory entry above:

• Post on your website about this giveaway; linking back to this site and let me know that you did.  And, be sure to grab my picture to help advertise it. (2 more entries)

This giveaway is now closed!

 

 This giveaway is open and will end on Tuesday, December 7, 2010 at midnight.  Winner will be announced on this blog Wednesday, December 8, 2010.   I will email the winner.   Feel free to leave your entries in separate comments or all together.  I will add up all the entries and use random.org to draw a winner.

Thanks to all who stop by!

Sherry

Handmade Pretties

I've been getting a ton of emails asking about our Christmas stockings from the Better Homes & Gardens shoot. 

They had the recycled sweater stockings made for us by Lara Newsom of Handmade Pretties and & I can't get over them!!!  (We have our ratty old sentimental ones that we love for Christmas morning but these beauties are hanging on the mantle :)

We also tied some of her felt ornaments on wrapped packages:

And they're hanging in our tree too:

The boys absolutely love the sweater balls she made...

They're under our tree right now and it's fun to see the boys go in and start playing with them.  It looks like presents waiting under the tree!!  Here they are:

{photo by Lara}

I know Lara is totally backed up before Christmas but if you can wait, it's so worth it!!

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Woodland Mantel

I am happy today to be joining Layla at The Lettered Cottage for a Mantel Party.  This is just the first of four fantastic parties being hosted by a group of very talented women.  You can join Rhoda at Southern Hospitality for a Christmas Vignette Party on Dec. 2nd, Centsational Girl for a Christmas Craft Party on Dec. 7th, and Thrifty Decor Chick for the Christmas Tree Party on Dec. 9th. 

I went with a woodland theme for the mantel.  I have been very inspired by the German and Swedish blogs in their use of natural materials. 

I have stacked classic books across the mantel and filled red and white transferware with moss, pine cones, gingerbread, cinnamon sticks, a bird's nest, and an orange pomander.  The candles are a hazelnut cream, so the mantel is putting off some wonderful smells.

I will also join Marty for Tabletop Tuesday at her blog A Stroll Thru Life.   Go and visit these blogs for great Christmas ideas.

 With the candles aglow.

Convex Mirrors

{Mount Vernon Federal reproduction Convex Mirror by the Friedman Brothers  $3200}

I've had my eye out for a Federal-style convex mirror for a while...  Alone, they can be very serious pieces, often thought of as formal & symbolic.  Above, the 13 balls surrounding the mirror represents the 13 original colonies, and of course, the Eagle, chosen by our Founding Fathers, symbolizes the United States of America.  Originals and even good reproductions like the mirror above cost in the thousands.   In the 1940s and 1950s, a bunch of reproductions were made out of plastic and other cheaper materials and then painted gold.  I looooove the one below on liveauctioneers.com with a starting bid around $1200. 

In the photo below, Dorothy Draper used a massive ornate convex mirror for the Greenbrier Hotel:

{Dorothy Draper, the Greenbrier Hotel, photo via tilevera.com)

Below, Markham Roberts used a guilded Regency convex mirror above a fireplace in a new home that he worked hard to "age."  This story came out a few years ago and I really loved it because it showed how to add patina and a sense of history & permanence to a brand new home. 

{Markham Roberts in House Beautiful by Eric Piasecki}

...But as formal as Federal style convex mirrors can come across when used traditionally, they can also read modern & fresh when used unconventionally.  Below, Darryl Carter has a painted black convex mirror in his bedroom. 

{Darryl Carter's bedroom in Elle Decor Magazine}

I love Eddie & Jaithan's small white one below.  It's so unexpected and adds a bit of whimsy to the room:

{Eddie Ross in Lonny, photo via Matters of Style blog}

And how pretty and & glam is this mirror layered over mirrors below?

{also Eddie Ross!!}

A bit more versatile are plain convex mirrors as seen in the living room below.  The domed mirror itself is beautiful:

{JB Randall Powers in House Beautiful, photo by Luca Trovato}

Smaller ones can be added almost anywhere:

{image via decoroad}

If you look closely at many of them, you'll see the balls or starts inlaid in the frame reminiscent of the 13 original colonies.  Many of them have exactly 13.

{House Beautiful}

{image via Homeandgarden.com}

The convex mirror below lends a cool vibe to the room.  I love it when the mirror is old & spotted.

{Miles Redd in House Beautiful}

...And... -finally-  I found my very own vintage convex mirror when I was shopping at a thrift store in High Point with my friend Maria of Colour Me Happy.  I think it's one of the 40s or 50s reproductions and I might reguild it.  The mirror has been aged to perfection and it's complete with the 13 balls representing the original Colonies.  It was just the thing missing from above my nightstand:

{my bedroom.. photo by Helen Norman}

I'm always on the lookout for them and ebay has some pretty good deals.  That being said, there's nothing like an original & the beauty & history it posesses, so antique stores & sites selling mirrors in the thousands are also worth looking into if you have the budget.

If you'd like help creating a home you absolutely love, contact me about our design services.

Tree Topper

Today I have been working on the tree topper.  Instead of a traditional tree topper I am making my own.  Just about every tree I have seen in decor stores lately have had a tree topper done in this fashion.  Here is my before bare tree top.

 I have now added two glittered oak leaf floral picks.  I found these at Hobby Lobby and got them 50% off.  Along with these two picks I have spray painted two twigs gold and added them in and tied them to the tree top with wire. I am not sure I have enough twigs at this point.

Here, I have added a very large bow made with a 2-inch wired floral ribbon.  I purchased three spools of this ribbon from a floral shop after Christmas last year and got it at 50% off.  You can find out how to make a great florist's bow at Sue's blog I Need Mom!

This link will take you right to the bow making tutorial.  I made all my bows this way this year and they turned out really pretty!   

I spray painted a few more twigs and added them to the top.  This look is more what I was going for.  Looks festive without looking too busy.  The rest of the tree isn't finished but, I will keep working on it.  Progress has been slow but steady.

I will join these wonderful sites, go and visit them.

Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Show Off Your Cottage Monday at The House in the Roses
Make It For Monday  at Cottage Instincts
Before and After Party  at Savvy Southern Style
Re-Party at First a Dream 

Just Something I Whipped Up  at The Girl Creative

Market Yourself Monday at Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Amaze Me Monday  at Dittle Dattle

Baby Pink

Baby pinks are some of the most perfect pinks.  I went to a baby shower today and this was a little bouquet made out of baby socks.  Isn't that sweet.  I see a lot of really cute ideas at baby showers.

Here was a cute way to decorate as a backdrop for the table.  So many little onesies will soon be dirty but, being so cute who would mind.

I will join Beverly for Pink Saturday at her blog How Sweet the Sound, go and view all the wonderful pinks.

Natasha Has a Great Christmas Blog

http://keepingthechristmasspiritalive365.blogspot.com/

Image from Keeping the Christmas Spirit Alive 365

I might be the only one who hasn't found Natasha of 5 Minute's Just for Me 's Christmas blog; but, I thought I would give her a shout out anyway.  She has done a wonderful job.  Lots of wonderful ideas and eye candy there.  I heard this song there and just loved it.  Such Christmas inspiration!  Go and visit her.