Christmas wrapped up

We had simple Christmas decorations this year. I took down all the Christmas boxes, looked at a few of them and put them right back up. I decided it was a good year to simplify things. 

I put a few lights on the tree, sprinkled some green balls around ... and added some antlers.

I also framed a couple of Christmas quotes. I framed this quote from Jolie's Etsy Shop in an inexpensive white frame that I spray painted gold.

I purchased "The Weary World Rejoices" print from Lindsay Letters. The frame is from Aaron Brothers.

I made a NOEL banner and brought in a new bar cart for a little fun. The bar cart is from Crate and Barrel.

Our thankful chain from Thanksgiving didn't make it on the tree, but I like it where it ended up.

My Christmas paper this year was primarily brown packing paper. I also purchased a few rolls of Kate Spade paper in black and white stripes. It was reversible with with gold dots on one side and I ended up using the dots instead of the stripes.

Kate Spade wrapping paper from Lifeguard Press

I had also purchased some French velvet ribbon in emerald green and blue I and mixed it all together. Everyone got a little of the pretty gold dotted paper or some velvet. But mostly there was a lot of brown paper. I loved mixing the simple with the more special.

I don't think I did it intentionally, but the dots seemed to inspire my tags ...

And once I came up with the tag design, I used it to make a simple banner.

To make the tags, I started with a Kate Spade iPhone case image:

Kate Spade iPhone case

I put the image in Picmonkey (the program I use to "photoshop") and blurred it a little and tweaked the color:

I also changed the color to green for a second tag choice:

And after I got the image the way I wanted, I added the initials:

I also used plain black card stock and a gold pen for some of my tags and even painted directly on the brown paper for a little fun...

My daughter who lives on a farm came into town today with her gifts all wrapped:

She used feed bags ... I LOVE IT!

So that's it ... we are all wrapped up here and ready to enjoy some quality time with family and friends these next few days while we reflect on the greatest gift - a baby who came down from heaven. I wish you all a wonderful Christmas filled with love and joy. Joyeux Noel! 

Joy to the world

In the midst of all the hectic getting-ready-for-Christmas, all the shopping and the wrapping, the baking and fighting for parking spots ...  it is nice to be reminded sometimes of what Christmas is really about.

A friend sent this to me last week. It is fantastic! I hope it blesses you as well:

Free printable images here.

Snippets of Christmas

It's the most wonderful time of the year .... and the craziest, right? I'm off to get one last gift ...
My goal was to finish last Sunday night. I didn't quite make it but that's okay.

I'll be back soon with more details. 

xo

Houndstooth and a radiant orchid

When I was shopping a few weeks ago for the library project I wandered into Crate and Barrel... 

And fell in love. I love houndstooth especially a really big one. I can see this chair - two of them actually, with a simple white Parson's table - one on each end. But I already have chairs and a table that would not work with them, and as much as I am tempted, you I just cannot change everything just because something better comes along. You can read about the chair designer, Paola Navone here. 

Como Grey and White Woven Chair | Crate and Barrel 

But I am super excited that when I showed the chair to my sister she fell in love too ... and ordered one to go in her downstairs studio. Because if I can't have something for myself - I want it to go in one of the homes I design.

via

And did you hear that the year is up for Emerald Green and a new color has been chosen?

Pantone's color of the year 

I don't know about this one. But this is what Pantone says about their new choice:

“An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.”

We can all use more joy and love and health ... but I am not sure this is the avenue to receive it (for me anyway!). You can read the rest of the press release here. 

clockwise from top right: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

I did a little research to see what was out there already in this color and was surprised to see that Lamps Plus already had a lamp in the Pantone color. And I really don't mind it in the artwork that Sally Wheat used. But for now ...

I think I will keep it to a minimum in my own home. 

Happy Monday everyone!

Live your best life

Love love love. Be thankful. Choose happy thoughts. Be courageous. Be happy. And take care of your health (stay calm, cultivate peace ... and eat more veges!).

"Satisfy us each morning with your unfailing love,
    so we may sing for joy to the end of our lives."

-Psalm 90:14

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