First, I don't EVER remember having all my Christmas decorations up this early. Usually I drag my feet until at least the 15th or later so it is nice to have everything out and up and finished. Don't know why I got motivated this early, but happy I did.
Let's start with an overall look at the place... most of my decor is in my living room....
cross stitch and the beginning of my newest collection of deer...
and a selection of Santas!
I added this cute little quilt from my friend Laurey to accent this pillow!
Santa is watching over my little chest that I filled with quilts and topped with the Nativity set I needlepointed over 30 years ago.
I made this when my first son was born, as I wanted a Nativity that he could handle without fear of breaking. If you make the picture bigger you can see all the sparkly threads and dimensional stitches I used. I thought that someday I would replace this with a ceramic set but I never did and I'm glad I didn't. This one has lots of memories in it and I hope more to come.
Across the room I have another tree...this one decorated with only food ornaments. My younger son started this theme a couple of years ago and we've been adding to it every year.
Our stockings are hung on the TV cabinet as I don't have a fireplace in this house...they are hanging out with a collection of tins from Mary Engelbreit.
This is my stocking...
and this is my son's stocking...
These are two of four stockings I needlepointed back in the mid-80's. I don't know what I was thinking back then, as these are BIG...24" long...and it takes quite a bit to fill them up. If I knew then what I know now (and doesn't that apply to lots of things in life?) I would have stitched smaller stockings.
On the big wall in my living room I always hang a quilt and this year I picked this vintage Debbie Mumm Santa one that I did years ago...still looks good in my humble opinion...as does Big Dude!
My newest addition to my decor is this 3 tier galvanized tray. I used my collection of needlepointed Santas as my theme for this...
before I did cross stitch or quilted or knitted I was really into needlepoint... can you tell? LOL All of these decorations are 25 to 30 years old...oh my goodness...how fast the years fly by! I did a whole series of these Santa's dolled up in different costumes. My favorite is this one, which I refer to as my Bing Crosby White Christmas Santa...and you know how much I LOVE White Christmas!
And if all this wasn't enough...and it wasn't...I've added a bit of holiday cheer to my bedroom.
My Christmas quilt is cozy to sleep under and I'm loving my sparkly new accent pillow that picks up all the colors in the room! Thanks Linda!
Okay... are have I worn you out? In looking over all of this I realize it has taken over 30 years to amass this collection of decorations. I remember when I was pregnant with my first child... 30 years ago... that I had a dream that I wanted a home filled with quilts and cross stitch and needlepoint and I think my dream has come true! I am very blessed...
I decorated the outside of my house with multi-colored lights in the bushes and a couple of inflatables... a gingerbread man and a snowman...but the surprise this year is that somehow the lights reflect on my brick house and it looks like my house is polka dotted!!!
It is sooooo coo1... and total serendipity that the Polka Dot Chicken should live in a polka dot house!
I hope you've enjoyed this tour... please go over to Cozy Little House and see all the other wonderful holiday displays. It is great fun to be a part of a celebration of this season.
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
carol fun
Oh Carol, your home is just lovely. It is so warm and inviting. The needlepoint is amazing. What a great idea you had about a nativity that was child friendly. I love all the quilts and stitching! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the polka dot house! What a bonus! The needlepoint nativity is a treasure. I used to do needlepoint so I can appreciate the hours of work that went into it. I wanted to crochet a nativity many years ago but I only got the 3 wise men done before Christmas and I never did any of the other figures. Better than nothing, right?
ReplyDeleteLovely! Thank you for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYour open house is lovely! Thanks for the tour.
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the tour! Isn't it great to pull out all this wonderful memories and show them off? Loved it.
ReplyDeleteYour hard work has payed off. You have done an awesome job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Christmas tour - I loved the stockings, Santa's, wall hanging, everything; especially the colourful bed cover - that yellow made everything look so cosy, ahhhh - Merry Christmas :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour Carol!
ReplyDeleteI'm all Christmassy now :) and how lovely that your handmade items have come out year after year, I think that is becoming a little dream of mine as well! (After seeing your wonderful sewing).
ReplyDeletevery festive and pretty! thanks for the lovely tour
ReplyDeleteYou are amazing - cross stitch, needlepoint and quilting! Wow! Enjoyed the tour.
ReplyDelete