~ Fabric Flowers

A little sneak peek at the pillow I'm working on. I wanted something for Valentine's Day, and thought I would use traditional red. But just like Christmastime, I wasn't quite in the mood for really having red in my more neutral color scheme. So instead, the flowers, the pillow and the rest of the decorations will be in the greige, taupe and white colors.

These flowers are made from a thick unbleached cotton, with the edges frayed some, and old lace, with a white felt flower and leaves. The combination is subtle in color and textures.

Just a little sneak peek while I get some photos taken and ready to post.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

~ Thinking of Weekend Projects & Some Relaxing

As I'm thinking about a little decorating for Valentine's Day, I remembered a post about a beautiful set of dishes that now belong to my Sweet Daughter. So here is a little repeat of that one for you.

______________________________________________________

Most of my “old” blog friends have heard the story of how I turned down this beautiful set of red transferware dishes that had belonged to my husband’s grandmother. Not once or twice, but a few more than that. It was quite a while ago. No one in their family wanted them so we were given a chance to have them. Sometime later the set was offered to Sweet Daughter, years before she had her own home, and she happily accepted them. A few years after that, I was sorry I had turned them down. They are so pretty, so vintage, and so charming.

Johnson Bros. England, English Chippendale

I kept them for safekeeping for a several years and used them just like I owned them. By now I had come to appreciate them much better. So I thought maybe Sweet Daughter would forget about them or decide she didn't want some "old lady" dishes from so long ago. But when she bought her first home, she was quick to take some of the dishes to their new home. I still got to keep some. When she recently had a party, she needed a lot of dishes and the red transferware was called into duty.

It was rather interesting how many of the ladies oohed and aahed over those dishes. A few of them had been collecting the same dishes as well. But what they all loved best was the fact that the dishes had traveled through time and family. They had belonged to Sweet Daughter’s great grandmother and that was special to others. It’s a treasure whether you knew the relative or not to have a continuation of your family in your home.

Usually I bring out these lovely old dishes because the red is so perfect on Valentine's Day. This year I'll miss them except for the very few pieces I still have. Lesson learned.

~ See Y’all Soon ~

Donna

~ Celebrating Wisdom & Magic ~ Epiphany

This day is always more like the true beginning of the new year for me. It's the last day of celebrating the Christmas season, and we have a tradition of having one last special meal together, although it is a peasant meal for sure.

I have no better words than the ones I have shared before.......................

What better time than Winter to look within and seek Wisdom? It's a natural instinct to slow down. Although we don't hibernate, it sure seems like everything around us, and within us, tells us to live more slowly and quietly. Some people are almost afraid of silence, but I love it. Not as much as the sound of the ocean or the song of a loved one's voice, but the stillness is beautiful. Of course long term as some monks and nuns have lived would be a bit too much for me.

The story of the, Magi, men of Magic and Astrology who were priests and followers of Zoroaster, has always intrigued me. They had to travel over 1,000 miles from Persia (Iraq, today) to come see this new person predicted by their stars. There is no known number of the priestly visitors, although we often think of only 3 because of the three gifts that are mentioned in the story. It is the the symbolism of the visitors and the gifts that I like to celebrate each year , which are the reminder to seek Wisdom, and to treasure Gifts of the Heart and Spirit.

We look forward to this special day because it means it is time of French Onion Soup! Since we don't eat red meats, I make it with chicken broth instead. I'm sure it's lighter tasting but after all these years it taste perfect to us. It is a simple peasant meal of soup, French Bread and fruit salad. There's always something chocolate, too. This year homemade gluten free Chocolate Chip Cookie dough is the fridge waiting to be baked up fresh!

Wish You a New Year
of
Magic & Goodness
&
Wisdom

Donna

~ Peace On Earth ~ Merry Christmas

~Let there be Peace on Earth~

From our home
to yours,
Merry Christmas
Donna

~ Christmas Tree Sparkle

The lights dance so lovely at night.
Lots of tiny lights on the Christmas tree,
and they spill over to the shimmering mantel
that shines with its own glow
of lights with silver and Mercury glass.

Even during the day time
when the sun shines
through the windows
creating light and shadows
across the walls and fireplace too,

the lights of the Christmas tree
are always magical.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

~ Christmas Mantel Decorations 2011

It's been several Christmases since the beauty of Mercury glass caught my eye. I don't think I'll get tired of it anytime soon. It's wonderful to use all year round, but it really is beautiful at Christmas with all the lights shimmering off of it.

I wanted to keep it as simple as possible this year. In the past we have enjoyed different traditional Christmas colors in this room and on the mantel, but it is mostly white and silver this time. And lots of tiny lights.

Sometime during the past year I found the Mercury glass crown and the decanter knowing that they would be a welcome addition to the other decorations at Christmas. Still everything else was from years past. Using not only what we had, but using a lot less.

I've found many ways to decorate with the large Mercury glass tree each holiday season. I've seen some smaller ones being displayed this year and it's difficult not to look a few of those to go with the big one. So far so good.....

If you have been by previously, you probably know this is a faux fireplace with an antique fire insert that we created several years ago. I always love it, but at Christmas maybe just a little bit more. Thanks for stopping by and sharing Christmas.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

~ Christmas Beads & Baubles

I have been quite determined to do the Christmas decorating slowly this year and enjoy the process and each day. So instead of waiting and posting lots of pictures all at once, I'm showing little bits at a time. We bought the tree

~ Celebrating the Days of Christmas

At first I thought there might be more color in the Christmas decorating this year. But even after opening the boxes of goodies, it was still the beauty of simple white and silver that was chosen again this year. I tried to make no new purchases, but I did find this pretty greenery with a little faux snow that is the perfect complement to the mercury glass and baubles.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas... fa la la la la.

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

~ Shiny & Brite - White Christmas Decorating

The box says shiny and brite, but it is the dulled and aged patina that makes these old ornaments so interesting. The silver bell in the corner is from another treasure hunt, and it's the only one I've ever found. They all seem kind of special all mixed in with the other ornaments.

~ Give Thanks

A very Happy Day of ThanksGiving
to You and Your Families!

See Y'All Soon~
Donna

Comments are turned off, but thanks for stopping by.

~ Antiqued Old White Chalk Paint With Paris Grey Accents

Antiqued Old White Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

with Paris Gray, and Raw Umber.

This is either the 4th or 5th incarnation for this wood frame. I'm not sure if it was just a frame or a mirror originally. It is solid wood, heavy and ready for a whole new decorating direction.

In the picture above you saw it in its last redo. It had been black and gold before this and was then repainted to go nicely with the turquoise French dresser that was in the same room holding art supplies. I kept the toile cover in the middle which went with both the previous decorating.

This is how it looks today. Newly painted, on freshly painted walls in a different room to be used for more creating and art.

For this project I used the Annie Sloan chalk paints again, for a couple of reasons. First of all I had the paints, and I knew they were the right colors to complement the wall color I had just painted in here. I also painted a small French style china cupboard - hutch, and the frame was painted to go well with it.

Secondly, the chalk paint covers very well, and there were different kinds of paints on the frame including some metallic. The chalk paint covered it all without much fuss. A big plus not to have to prime.

I began with the white paint which is mostly Old White chalk paint. Everything was painted white to cover all the old color.

The inset area is Paris Gray, which has been lightly antiqued.

Antiquing was done with a combination of raw umber and a little Paris Gray added to it to soften the dark color.

At the end, I did some dry brushing as the last step with a mix of flat white and the Old White.

It hasn't had any wax applied yet, but it will later.

See Y'all Soon~

 ................................................................................
Click on any of the pictures below to shop  art from The Decorated House 

~ Happy Halloween

This year some of my own art found its way to the mantel for Halloween decorating. Beau Bunny Rabbit the Bandito is waiting for the Snickers. They are hidden so he doesn't eat them all before the kids come trick or treating. He is also a bit scared of spiders, and these are big enough to scare anybody. He is however being brave with the promise of chocolate soon to be consumed.

On the other side is my sweet little Izabella dressed as a little witch. I love the face of this little Victorian girl so much. It would be so interesting to know if she was always able to keep her wonderful spunky personality as she grew up in a time so difficult to be a strong woman.

Hope you have a wonderful Halloween~
See Y'all Soon~

 ................................................................................
Click on any of the pictures below to shop  art from The Decorated House