common ground

Sunday, December 9, 2012

Christmas House Tour 2012

I wanted to join in with a few of the Holiday Home Tours this year, so this will be a mini house tour in "broad strokes". I have lot's of fun "details" coming of the house decorating this year, but since I haven't been able to get to them, I'm just showing larger views of the rooms in this post.. You'll be able to see a little of what I've been up to, but look forward to a little more coming soon.

Here's the Dining Room.

Living Room

Just a sneak peek of the sunporch

The Entry Hall

Hallway Sidboard

and these next two are from the kitchen, last year

I'ts about the same this year,

but the day I did this post I was packing for out of town
and the kitchen's still not photo ready...

Besides, I want to share a few new things this year,

so hopefully you'll want to come back.

Joining in with these parties this week:

Wow Us Wednesday at Savvy Southern Style

Jennifer Rizzo Holiday House Tour
Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch
Make it Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House
Table Top Tuesday at A Stroll Thru Life
Tweak it Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Have a wonderful Sunday and come back tomorrow

for some fun Christmas Shopping

xoxo,

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Christmas Copy Cat

Happy Weekend Everyone!

One of my favorite link parties is Debbiedoos' Copy Cat Challenge, where we take an inspirational image from a magazine, book, Pinterest, etc. and then try to "copy cat" the look.

This time, I chose an image from one of my favorite Christmas books, Merry and Bright , a Country Living Publication that came out several years ago. It's full of wonderful vintage ideas for decorating with a Vintage Christmas.

I don't have a lot, but Red Transferware is always a staple for my Vintage Christmas decor.

And of course a little glittered Bottle Brush Tree

This is just an easy little "copy cat" with a lot of charm.

I'm posting early since Monday is The Marketplace

over here at Common Ground.

But run by Debbie's and get your Copy Cat on in plenty of time

for her fun party this Monday December 10!

Have a great weekend!

xoxo,

Friday, December 7, 2012

Vintage Inspiration #117 Gifts from the Heart

Time for another Vintage Inspiration. I know this month will just fly by...and I know you all feel it too. There were so many wonderful links last week, I could feature all of you. Today I want to share one outstanding post that just personifies the joy of giving at Christmas.

Syliva from Sylvia's Simple Life shares her wonderfully made
"Gifts from the Heart".

If you don't know Sylvia and her beautiful blog, then you'll want to take this opportunity to visit. Each post is an amazing experience, and you feel like you've spent a moment just sharing her world. Here are a few photos from her post from last week, each one makes you feel like you're flipping through the pages of a magazine. The following images are some of her yummy recipes that we might gift to special people in our life.

Enjoy...

Thank you so much for sharing your recipes, Sylvia!

And here are a few more of the wonderful links from last week:

A traditional Christmas DIY Cranberry and Bay Leaf Garland

from Angela at Number Fifty-Three

A Rustic Christmas Gingerbread Vignette

by Carlene of Organized Clutter

Jean from Ruby and Arthur

shares her antique collection of beautiful and delicate
die cut calendar tops.

And a Tree Farm Inspired Sign Wall

from Courtenay at The Creek Line House

I also want to share some Christmas goodies

from one of my "Sweet" Sponsors,

Sweet Magnolias Farm.

Lots of fun Farmhouse Goods

just in time for Gift Giving

Bless Our Nest Burlap and Lace Tablerunner

Christmas Flour Sack Kitchen Towel

Women's Justin Black Leather Cowboy Boots

Thankyou, Abbey and Sara!

Hope you'll join in today with "anything vintage or vintage inspired". And since we're celebrating all things Christmas, please feel free to link up to three post of anything Christmas, including recipes, DIY, decor, traditions, and great finds for the Holidays. Please have a link within your post to be featured.

If you're in a party mood,

then here are some other fun Friday Parties to visit:

Have a great fun filled weekend!

xoxo,

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Top Three from Vintage Inspiration

Hi Everyone,

here are the top three from last week's party.

We had a great turnout,

thank you so much for joining in on the fun.

My sweet friend Julie from Idyllhours, found herself in a vintage ornament dilemma, would she "simplify", or would there be just "one more tree". Julie has a stash of vintage Christmas that will make your head spin...these amazing pink beauties just have to be admired!

I'm always inspired with Kate's decorating and photos. You'll want to see all that's going on in her amazing Christmas Kitchen from Kate's Place. Bread boards and Plaid wrapping paper are just two of my favorite things!

And Trisha from Glass Slippers is dreaming of a vintage Christmas with her wonderful vintage ornaments and Christmas decor. Love this little vignette with a great scale and bottle brush trees!

Thanks so much for joining in last week...so much Christmas fun!

Hope to see you Thursday morning for

Vintage Inspiration

Hope you're having a wonderful week,

xoxo,

Chalkboard Cheater...

OK, I'm the first to admit that there have been several other gals who have beat me to posting about finding a way to do a "faux" chalkboard. It's not that I don't love real chalkboards and respect the huge amount of talent and patience that goes into creating those amazing works of art. It's just that this year, decorating for Christmas has been a rush job in every sense of the word.

So I just had to resort to cheating...

Above my sideboard in the hallway is a perfect spot for a chalkboard. I wanted that look without all the work. sounds bad...but Hey, I just love all the ones you all are doing out there. And then there's the fact that I hate to think about all the hours put into coming up with a fabulous creation, only to have to wipe it down the week after Christmas!

So I just bought some black foam board at Michael's and then proceeded to enlist the help of my sis and her trusty Silhouette Machine.

I think it's pretty good.

Maybe not the real thing, but I love the look.

I bought the chalk markers, so hopefully at some point I can try to create a more "realistic" one that actually resembles a chalkboard design. But until then, I can pop this one out and then beg my sister to make me another one...maybe one that says "Happy New Year". Have I told you what a great sister I have?

Yep, she's the Best!

(she reads my blog, too)