Welcome to our Home for Christmas . . . . . .

This week I'm sharing our home for Christmas. 

We just returned from celebrating Christmas with our kids and granddaughter in Boise, Idaho. Is there anything better than that?!

Now, hubs and I are going to relax and enjoy the beauty of Christmas. Gifts have been bought, wrapped and delivered. How about some homemade cookies and hot cocoa by the fire . . . okay, we'll need to do some more baking . . . and I should send out some Christmas cards . . .  but, for now . . . 

Welcome to our home for Christmas. We are so glad you came by for a visit. 

Today I'm sharing our outdoor decorations.

The Front Porch

 Greeted by toy soldiers and cedar garland

[Learn how to make this wreath at upcoming wreath tutorial next week]

Caught our angel in her evergreen bird bath this morning covered with frost

A few pics from our White Christmas in 2008

Next week, come inside for a Victorian Cottage Christmas.

Merry Christmas to you and your family.

~ Julie

Today I'm linking with:
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/tiny-tinsel-tree-feathered-nest-friday.html
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-inspiration-friday-16-altered.html 

http://www.thenester.com/2010/12/christmas-tour-of-homes-2010.html 

 http://www.aholidayhaven.com/2010/11/its-christmas-blog-party.html

http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/12/show-and-tell-friday_16.html 

http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/12/holly-bloggy-christmas-home-tour.html

Christmas Historical Homes . . . in Boise

While celebrating Christmas in Boise with our family, I just had to take a few pics of some homes decorated for Christmas in the historic district. At night, many of them were so pretty with their lights lit up.

Merry Christmas!

Don't you just love wreaths?! I do! From now through Christmas, I'll be sharing our home, decorating ideas and inspiration for Christmas, and I look forward to visiting yours.

While hustling and bustling and getting ready for Christmas, take time to relax and enjoy each day and moment with your family. That is what's really important. Each day is a new memory.

Merry Christmas!

~ Julie

Today I'm linking with:

http://asoutherndaydreamer.blogspot.com/2010/12/1215-outdoor-wednesday-101.html

Christmas Mantel Garland

A few weeks ago, Susan,  at Between Naps on the Porch, posted this gorgeous, gigantic mantel garland. Look at all of the different plants and textures.

It inspired me to make one with items from our yard. I got busy pruning everything I could find that wasn't an evergreen. The garage was already full of evergreen branches that my hubs had cut for wreath making.

So, here is my interpretation and a much smaller version; although it is 8-1/2' long . . .

This garland has Japanese boxwood, douglas fir, noble fir, holly, western red cedar, incense cedar, weeping Alaskan cedar, red wood, scarlet oak leaves {which, fortunately, don't lose their leaves until spring}, camelia leaves, wild rosehips, dead twigs from our lilac bushes, and some round flat leaves from a plant I don't know the name of. I love all of the different textures and colors, and I would never have thought to add fall leaves to a Christmas garland.

Thank you, Susan, for always showing such great inspirations on your blog! You can see Susan's complete mantel inspiration post here. 

For years I have had our vintage style snowmen on our mantel and have changed it up sometimes with a Pottery Barn garland, but this year I combined the snowmen with the evergreen garland. It adds some fabric texture and height, and the colors blend well together.

I just taught a wreath class last week and plan to post a wreath tutorial, which is the same technique for making a garland. Let me know if you would like to know how to make your own evergreen garland.

What's on your mantel this Christmas?

Don't you just love Christmas?? Thanks for all of your inspirations! I look forward to visiting your homes for Christmas through blogland.

Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season with your families.

~ Julie

AND

WE HAVE A WINNER TO ANNOUNCE . . .

Random Number Generator picked #1

CONGRATULATIONS TO:

SUBURBAN PREP

YOU WON THE $35 CSN GIFT CERTIFICATE!

HAVE FUN SHOPPING!

Merry Christmas!

Today I'm linking with the following Christmas blog parties:
http://www.theshabbychiccottage.net/2010/12/transformation-thursday.html 
http://commonground-debrasvintagedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/vintage-inspiration-friday-15-cream-and.html 
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/deck-halls-its-feathered-nest-holiday.html 
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/2010/12/show-and-tell-friday_09.html 

Christmas Whites

Sharing some crafted and vintage Christmas whites for White Wednesday.

 German glass glittered bird

Monogrammed vintage sheet music ornaments

White vintage button garland

[directions available here]

 Repurposed pillow from curtains adorned with vintage lace and brooch pin

 French dictionary wreath

 

Black and white toile wallpaper wreath

[Some of these items are available in my etsy store.]

Thanks for visiting.
I'm still decking the halls for Christmas and will be sharing our home pics soon.
I love seeing how you're decorating your homes for Christmas.
You are all so talented and creative. Love reading your comments and your blogs.
Hope you're having a great week.

~ Julie

YOU CAN STILL SIGN UP FOR MY $35 CSN GIVEAWAY here!

Check out more pretty whites at:
http://fadedcharmcottage.blogspot.com/2010/12/white-wednesday-77.html
But, be warned . . . you can get lost in blogland looking at all the beautiful whites this week.

Also linking with:
http://www.bluecricketdesign.net/2010/12/show-and-tell-with-miss-ruby-sue.html

Christmas Winter Market

We had a fun time at the Christmas Winter Market at the Rusty Grape Vineyard Saturday.

Here's a glimpse of some of our booth. I shared a space with a friend who also deals with antiques.

Scarves and baby booties crocheted by daughter Whitney

My favorite customer . . . . baby granddaughter, Tayvee

[Thank you, Whitney, for taking some pics.] 

The crafting crunch is over, so now I'll have time to come visit your blogs. If you're new to my blog, thanks for visiting and following. I look forward to meeting you.

Some of the above booth items will be listed on my etsy this week . . . . . sheet music and french dictionary ornaments, glittered letter garlands,  jewelry trees, Christmas stockings, sheet music wreaths and a toile wallpaper wreath.

We had a lovely Thanksgiving with our daughter and husband in Yakima, and this weekend our other daughter and granddaughter, Tayvee, came home for a visit. Love you and miss you all, already! But, we're going to be visiting them again next weekend to celebrate Christmas.

I look forward to sharing some of our home decorated for Christmas and visiting yours through some of the great blog parties.

Please leave a comment; I'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.

~ Julie


REMEMBER TO SIGN UP FOR THE $35 CSN GIVEAWAY here
ENDS ON DECEMBER 8.

We have a Winner!!! & Another Giveaway!!!

The winner of my vintage "White Christmas Giveaway", selected by random generator is . . . .

TIME WORN INTERIORS

Congratulations, Theresa!!! I'm enjoying your blog so far,  and I'm looking forward to getting to know you better this year. I just love your vintage inspirations.

If you don't know Theresa, check out her blog here.

    AND . . . 

ANNOUNCING ANOTHER CSN $35 GIVEAWAY!!!

CSN has offered me another $35 gift certificate to giveaway.

Just in time for some online Christmas shopping!!!

CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find everything from tv tables to fantastic fitness equipment, cookware or anything on your Christmas list!

 HOW TO ENTER?

Just leave a comment on this post.

You don't have to have a blog to enter; just leave your email address with your comment.

To give you time to use your gift certificate for Christmas, this giveaway will close at midnight on December 8th. You will receive the gift certificate via email the next day.

Thank you to all who entered my White Christmas giveaway and for those who became new followers. I look foward to getting to know you.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas!

~ Julie