Beginning Anew

Welcome 2012!  Time again to begin anew.  Fresh changes going on around my house for the New Year.

I created these devotional candles for the mantel.  In seeking peace and tranquility for the new year, borrowing from the French, this made for a wonderful look. 

The candles are really easy to create.  You just need the candles, which I bought from the grocery for $1.79 each.  I printed the holy cards from The Graphics Fairy, just browse images under religious.  Then to finish them, I tied twine and religious charms onto the front.  As the candles burn, the images should glow even more.

My rusty wire crown was from TJ Maxx.  I am seeking to borrow the calm and tranquility of the French Nordic style for this year.  I think there is a reason it is so popular, we need the peace of white.  My house is not white, but I am thinking I will adapt a lot of the looks to make for a peaceful setting in my home this year.  
I was so amazed that on my Christmas post I was wished Merry Christmas from people all over the world.  This blogging adventure has been wonderful.  So, to all of you reading all over...
Have a very Happy New Year!  
 Sherry
 I will join:
Show off Your Cottage Monday  at The House in the Roses  
Brag Monday at The Graphics Fairy
Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Seasonal Sundays at The Tablescaper

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday  at Coastal Charm
Tabletop Tuesday  at A Stroll Thru Life
Masterpiece Monday at Boogieboard Cottage
Amaze Me Monday  at Dittle Dattle
Berfore and After Party  at Thrifty Decor Chick
White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

Home Sweet Home #47

Hello and Welcome to Home Sweet Home!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  I am using some photos I took last year for New Year's Eve. 

May each and every one have a wonderful New Year!  Here's to 2012!

Now, I will highlight some of the posts from last week's Home Sweet Home.

Sylvia at Sylvia's Simple Life showed off her home and the way she celebrated Christmas.

Gina is so talented at Gina Ceramics, she showed how to create your own Toile de Jouy ribbon.

Holly, at Down to Earth Style showed off her home and family in a Christmas home tour.

Linda at Beautiful Ideas showed off a wonderful "Christmas Tea for Lucus."  Click the links to view.

Thank you to all who join me at Home Sweet Home!  It is awesome to have you here!  

Sherry

I will join these ladies today: 

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence
Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground 

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Fridays Unfolded  at Stuff and Nonsense

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Guidelines for Home Sweet Home Party:

Attention: To link up with inlinkz you must have a permalink back to this party in your post or they will not allow you to link.  

Link up anything in your home or garden.  During the holidays, I'll love seeing neat shops too!

My button is on my sidebar for the party, if you want to use it.   If you are new here I hope you will become a follower. Please don't link up more than two posts.  No Etsy link ups or direct advertising, please.  Please visit some of the other blogs and get some great inspiration.  Thanks.:)

Now let's see your beautiful homes!

Christmas 2012....Trends to Ponder

 source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

I finally did it.  I have had this magazine in my shopping cart at least 3 times this year and I haven't ordered it.  I wasn't sure what I was getting.  It is very expensive.  But, I found this with free shipping and I finally got it for Christmas.  I had to see what I was missing.  And, I was missing a lot!   Now it all makes sense.  This French/Nordic twist that is cropping up everywhere.  Not only is the magazine more like a soft cover book with very little advertising, it was packed with the ideas I was craving to see.

 source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011
 

I wasn't really disappointed with any of it, but the most interesting article to me was the prediction of what might be the new trend for Christmas 2012.  The magazine predicts, next year, the trend to be looking for will be a "Rustic Minimalistic Christmas."  Okay that is mouthful....let me explain it.

source: inhumanable.com

Here is an example of a minimalist staircase.  Nothing extra, just what is needed to get down to the lower level. 

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

So let's apply this to a Rustic French Country style.   Very few items used to create an impact usually repeated in a series.  I so loved this article because it was exciting.  Art imitating life!  This is what great design is all about.  Never in my lifetime could a minimalistic approach be more appropriate than now.  In the above photo a rustic French sign with wooden spools used as candle holders and a bit of greenery with an old bag. 

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

Now let's look at this picture.  It would not be rustic minimalism because they adorned the advent wreath with Christmas ornaments.  Take away the ornaments and it would qualify.  Yes, that is right we are talking about decorating for Christmas with no Christmas decorations!  But.....you'll create an artistic rustic French vignette that conveys the season.  Now do you see why I think this is exciting!  Creativity can abound.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

These vignettes create this look perfectly.  My favorite is the dough bowl in the top left.  So easy and so pretty.

 source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

Again, the tree above would not qualify for this rustic minimalism.  It has Christmas decorations, no matter how simple it won't count.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

This tree would qualify.  Imagine trying to explain this to the kids.   A nice idea for a tree arrangement would be a grouping of several small trees to create a little forest in one corner of the room.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

A more affordable idea would be to use three or more jars with Norfolk pines in a windowsill.

  source: scanned The Jeanne d'Arc Living Magazine 8th Edition 2011

So, Jeanne d'Arc Living describes this being a "spinoff" of the French Country style.  Above would be some great props to create the look with.  So...what do you think?  Can you see your self decorating this way for Christmas next year?  I will probably leave it up to Jeanne d'Arc Living to create the look as only they can, but it might work on the mantel......

Sherry

 I will link this to: 

White Wednesday  at Faded Charm

What's It Wednesdays  at Ivy and Elephants

Wednesday Show Off  at Elna-Sudden

Blog Wins

I have to blog about a few blog wins and give some credit to some talented ladies out there.
First up is this adorable little pillow created by Abundant Haven.   Susan who owns Abundant Haven creates pillows to "comfort the home and soul."   Susan has wedding pillows and decor pillows, including many French designs.  Check out her shop it is very well stocked and full of great ideas.  I won this pillow at Larissa Hill Designs this blog owned by Heather who is paying it forward each week with a spotlight on an Etsy shop and a giveaway by that shop.  Heather is also a very talented lady with many fun DIY ideas.  Check out her blog, you'll be glad you did.

Attached to each Abundant Haven pillow is a vintage key charm....a reminder to "open every door" to peace and abundance in your home.

Next, I won a bag from Linda who owns the blog Linsueray and the Etsy shop Linsueray.  Linda is very talented seamstress with the cutest handmade bags ever.  You have to go check her out if your needing a bag.  You will be amazed at her unique and adorable designs.

She appliqued this design on the front of my bag for fall.  I was very impressed with the amazing skill and talent that went into this bag.

My bag also had a cute contrasting lining, a pocket, and her "handmade by linsueray" tag.

The last win I need to blog about is a beautiful teacup I won over at Martha' s Favorites.

If you haven't been to Martha's blog, each Tuesday she has a linky party  Teacup Tuesday that she hosts with her friend Terri.  Between them I think they have one of the most amazing teacup collections in the blogosphere.  Martha also sells some of her teacups at her website Pretty Vintage Things.

Martha even included a lovely piece of vintage bling with my teacup that I wore on my lapel on Christmas Eve.  She also has an amazing collection of vintage costume jewelry.  Check out her blog too, you'll be glad you did.
Thank you to these talented ladies that made my day by giving away their wonderful products.

 Sherry

Merry Christmas!

Everyone have a very Happy Holidays!

Sherry

Merry Merry

I can't believe Christmas is almost here!!!



{our Christmas tree...  my mom has given me an ornament every year of my life

& now I have a treefull!  ...thanks ma!}

.....And I swear I'm not 200 years old.. I've also been given many others & bought some myself over the years ;)

 We finished up the work year with a condo installation today and are now totally ready to veg.   Tomorrow is our last-minute shopping day & I'm also hoping for some downtime reading & cuddling by the tree (if at all possible) before the holiday rush of parties.   I'm off for the night, but: a very merry holiday - whichever it is you're celebrating!!- to you & yours!!!

Big hug.

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

If you're interested in browsing &/ or purchasing my line of textiles, please visit purestylehome.co

Home Sweet Home #46

Hello and Welcome to Home Sweet Home!  It is almost Christmas are you getting ready?  I am showing off my dining room today.  I have had it all decorated but, never showed it off.  I just never got around to creating a table in here.   This tree was made simple on purpose, just some vintage pink and silver ornaments and some silver tinsel garland.  The tree is elevated in an antique Victorian baby carriage.

My paperwhites bloomed right on cue.  They are very fragrant and a nice addition to my Christmas decor.

I was trying to use some of the French, German, and Nordic blogs for inspiration here. 

I hope everyone has the best Christmas! 

I will highlight some of the posts from last week's Home Sweet Home.

Jen at At Home in the Northwest showed off how to personalize a simple doormat.

Laurie at Heaven's Walk gave us a tour of her home which has a great French/Nordic look for the Holidays.

Rebecca at A Re-Purposed Life showed us how her homes shines at Christmas.  Rebecca, I see a magazine feature in your future!

Erin at Salvaged Whimsy showed off a farm table her husband made out of reclaimed barn wood and an old door.

And last, Jill at Feather's and Flight created a winter white Christmas tablescape that was just gorgeous!

Thank you to all who join me at Home Sweet Home!  It is awesome to have you here!  

Sherry

I will join these ladies today: 

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Fridays Unfolded  at Stuff and Nonsense

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here

Guidelines for Home Sweet Home Party:

Attention: To link up with inlinkz you must have a permalink back to this party in your post or they will not allow you to link.  

Link up anything in your home or garden.  During the holidays, I'll love seeing neat shops too!

My button is on my sidebar for the party, if you want to use it.   If you are new here I hope you will become a follower. Please don't link up more than two posts.  No Etsy link ups or direct advertising, please.  Please visit some of the other blogs and get some great inspiration.  Thanks.:)

Now let's see your beautiful homes!