More of My Christmas Decor

I decorated my dish towel dryer with ornaments.

I did this last year and liked it.

Two favorite ornaments.

This is shows my fireplace blocked by the flat screen tv I bought last summer. I enjoy my tv much more than a few open fires and my house is much warmer since the heat doesn't go up the chimney. I cut a piece of pink rigid insulation to fit the opening and put an antique storm shutter in old blue paint to cover everything. I draped some cranberry beads and hung two stockings and I'm ready for Santa.

I saved this Christmas Card box lid from a partial box I purchased years ago at a tag sale. It never fails to make me smile. 

My kitchen windowsill at night.

With the last one I shall say goodnight to all.

See you tomorrow.

xo

A Little Christmas Decorating Happened

I put a stool for books and a floor lamp beside my sofa a couple of days ago because the lamp on the other side isn't good for reading and I am really enjoying it. It overlaps the opening to my hallway but I think it looks nice. I put my wooden cranberry strands around a lot of my artwork too.

It's not much, but it's a start.

I have straightened this painting since taking this photo. I can remembering stringing popcorn and real cranberries with my mother for Christmas trees in my youth. She loved these wooden ones!

Happy decorating and wrapping.

It's almost here.

xo

Scandinavian Christmas DIY Ideas for Next Year

I love the simplicity of these architectural  gingerbread cookies in a skyline arrangement.

Who wouldn't love a gingerbread house hanging on the rim of a cup filled with hot cocoa?

You wouldn't even need a pattern for this A-Frame gingerbread house! Start looking for a large heart-shaped cookie cutter. You could do the triangles from a paper pattern in the scale of the hearts ending with rounded ones at the entrance. More ideas here.

If you leave your Christmas decorations up until 

12th night, you might still want to keep 

baking and making! xo

Dish Towel Dryer Christmas Tree

It was an afterthought to hang ornaments from my vintage dish towel dryer in the kitchen.

I think it will become a Christmas tradition because I love it.

🎄🎄🎄

Christmas Decor at My Cottage

The wire carrier that is usually loaded with fruit makes a cute Christmas tree on my coffee table filled with shiny vintage balls and bells. The sun is just rising so the light is dim. I have been on a mad metal polishing marathon and all of my silver trophies and brass candlesticks are shining bright.

I had completely forgotton about this mercury glass tree stored in my attic. It looks perfect with the tall thin Santa that was a gift from friends years back. Little gift box ornaments complete my desk decor. The "tree" looks gold in the early morning light but it's actually silver. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.🎄 xo

Elegantly Simple Christmas Decor

I'm not exactly sure what this is; a changing room for a pool or a gatehouse? The double wreaths are perfect, aren't they? via

Thank you, auntp for your comment identifying James Farmer as the owner of this delightful structure. It's on the cover of his new book.

http://www.jamesfarmer.com/shop

Gorgeous Holiday Wreath

This is absolutely one of the most gorgeous Holiday wreaths I have ever seen. I would leave it on my door until spring. via Denise mentioned a DIY video on YouTube for a similar wreath. Thanks, Denise!

Window Box with Christmas Decor

So pretty! Found on Instagram.

Bookish Christmas Card

I adore this custom Christmas Card designed for The London Library 2020. It's easy to see why it's sold out. Isn't it a perfect card for a library, librarian, or book lover? Perfect to send to your Book Club members too.

Cute Christmas Pancakes

I found this image somewhere this morning when I was browsing and fell in love with this idea for decorating pancakes this time of year. Please share with your loved ones! I added the text below the image.

xo

Christmas Tree Ornaments

I wonder how many glass birds are on this Christmas tree? They are so beautiful!

Pinecones are always a good idea. This is definitely a DIY project using ribbon and twine or string. via

Evergreen Garland

This looks simple enough to make. There should be a tutorial womewhere. I'll look for it tomorrow. Good night all. DIY instructions here. Have fun making them this weekend. Easy.

Here is the YouTube tutorial Jean Ellen sent in the comments for trees that look like the ones above. Thanks so much.

xo

Christmas Illustration by Thomas Nast

Christmas decor by Thomas Nast illustrating the poem 'Twas the Night before Christmas by Clement Moore. I have never seen this one and I love the mice not stirring in their cozy little beds. I but have often blogged about Nast and his famous Santa Claus illustration in my collection. I copied this delightful image from @maccullochhall on Instagram, a local house museum across the street from Thomas Nast's house in Morristown, NJ.

Christmas Stars from Paper Bags: Video Tutorial

This is the best and easiest video tutorial I have ever seen. You can make Christmas stars from brown paper lunch bags and craft glue. You will need scissors and ribbon for hanging. Nothing else. The hardest part is waiting for the glue to dry. Found on Instagram @clausdalby.

Christmas Eve for Three Lucky Girls

Isn't this the sweetest bedroom for three little girls to share? The rustic beds with the flannel sheets and woolen blankets must be so cozy. I love the windows over the beds too with deep sills. Waking up on Christmas morning with filled stockings at the foot of your bed must be the happiest childhood memories ever for these girls. via

Nature's Christmas

How darling! via

Anne Anderson, “The Busy Bunny Book” illustration, 1916 (by Anne Anderson and Alan Wright)

Good Things come in Threes

I got this candy cane needlepoint pillow about a month ago in a charity shop and I love it. I put in a new feather stuffing insert salvaged from an old pillow I no longer liked. Isn't it lovely?

I could not believe my luck when I came upon this antique beauty shortly after the candy cane. This pictorial needlepoint with the reclining goat as the central theme was purchased at an estate sale full of quality antiques. The pillow is quite large, in perfect condition, and is stunning in person. I am thrilled with it.

I have had this one with Oak leaves and Acorns, Cherries and other leaves, for at least 12 years, maybe more. Now I can say I have a collection but I don't think I need any others. The seasonal one I shall put away with the Christmas decorations.

Happy Thanksgiving Day. Peace and prosperity to one and all. xo, Rosemary

Simple Christmas Decor

I love this minimalist Christmas tree and package wrapping. Simple is good. My neighbors across the street put out luminaria last year on Christmas Eve and this year they invited all the people on the street to do so too. They ordered all the supplies. I decided to only do my front walk and just finished putting out my white paper bags filled with sand with a fat candle inside. I won't be home when it's time to light them so my neighbors will light mine. It will look so nice when I come home.

lu·mi·nar·i·a

noun

a Christmas lantern consisting of a votive candle set in a small paper bag weighted with sand and typically placed with others along a driveway, sidewalk, or rooftop as a holiday decoration.

UPDATE: I was amazed at how long the luminaries lasted after they were lit at dusk. The special candles lasted for almost 12 hours. My neighbors ordered them here.

Pumpkin Pies in a Basket

Two beautifully decorated pumpkin pies ready to travel. via

DIY Window Ledge Trees

I love this idea. It takes some advance planning to get the bases ready. If you have several different varieties of evergreens on your property, it would be fun clipping the perfect tips for the log bases. via