Friday, December 27, 2013

Christmas Cardinal Tablescape

Has Christmas come and gone already?  I hope not!  Due to an unfortunate chain of events in real life - I have not been able to blog much.  The timing of life's dilemmas happen to coincide with the most Wonderful Time of the Year!  Making it not quite so wonderful for us this year, but certainly we still feel blessed and thankful for all that we have and still find much joy to celebrate!

With that said - I am finally posting my Christmas Table!
I used traditional Red and Green, with a cardinal theme.
We do see quite a few cardinals in our trees, they are the Ohio state bird.
and the cardinals always look so beautiful against the evergreens and the snow. So I thought I would try to bring a little bit of that look to my table for Christmas once I found these plates.
The stemware reminds me of the swirling snow outside our window!
And of course, my hutch had to get into the Christmas mode too!
With some of my Santa collection
and this adorable Merry Christmas cup and saucer
 I just love the fonts used on this set!
I hope you are having a wonderful Christmas Season and are able to enjoy the peace and joy that the Miracle of Christmas brings.

I am linking up at the following parties:
Feathered Nest Fridays @French Country Cottage
Be Inspired @ Common Ground
Seasonal Sundays@The Tablescaper

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Christmas Mantel - Winter Nutcracker Theme

Wow!!  I am way behind in everything these days!!  I attribute that to -  Too much work and not enough play!  I just love decorating my house for Christmas, after all it is The Most Wonderful Time of the Year! 


 So I was glad I had some time too get this far with my Mantel, which has a Winter Nutcracker theme this year.
 I fell in love with these three guys when I found them at Homegoods!


Since our family room is painted in a variegated muted green - I thought this green color would look good on our mantel.   I am so glad I snatched these up the first time I saw them, because when I went back to buy one as a gift - they were all gone.
Once I purchased the new Nutcrackers, I started collecting lighter green Christmas picks to use with the garland I already had so that it would match better with the nutcrackers.  Layering the light green foliage with the dark green garland changed up the look from last year quite a bit.

 Just adding more and more greenery until I was happy with its fullness.

  I used all my snowflakes again.  Since we have snow on the ground now - It just seemed like a natural!
I also pulled some candles and pillar holders I already had out of the cupboard.  I figured the more I can reuse some of the things I already had, the more money I can drop in the Salvation Army bucket on my way out of the stores this year.

Do you notice something missing??  
Yep!!  The stockings!  I was going to dish out some bucks to buy some white knit stockings I saw at Hobby Lobby - and of course when I went back - they were all gone!  I bet you thought I had learned my lesson with the Nutcrackers - but apparently not :)  I am going to try to make some - but we they probably won't be done until Christmas Eve the rate I am going this year!!

I hope you are finding the time you need to prepare for 
The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!!

I am linking up at the following parties:
Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper
Wow Us Wednesday @Savvy Southern Style
Fall into Fall @ DIY by Design
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage