~ Ooh ... Shiny ~

I loved decorating my sweet turquoise coffee table (aka "the surfboard") this year and am thrilled to see how the blues and greens sparkle together.

This little bowl was a find several years ago ... I believe at the Dollar Store. It could be a priceless antique and I wouldn't love it anymore.

A couple of years ago I picked up these green sparkly "picks" at Hobby Lobby, to put on my tree but found that they blended just a bit too much. I simply arranged them in my santa bowl and they light up the room.

I love how they mirror the color of the green vanity table just inches away. The green table is an honest-to-goodness antique, passed down from my father's side of the family and "antiqued" in the 60s or 70s by my mom who was clearly ahead of her time.

I pulled these candle holders out of my bathroom and put them in a proper Christmas setting, which was the original intent when I bought them at Target last year.

The white snowflake buckets were a Target dollar-bin find last Christmas. You may be wondering why I was purchasing Christmas decor last year when ... truth be told ... I was up to my eyeballs in boxes and bubble-wrap (planning for my move on December 29.) I wondered that myself ... last year. This year it is crystal clear why I was so inspired.

The most important things about the buckets are the treasures nestled inside them. Pretzel M&Ms. Enough said. Enough eaten.

I have decorated my family room in reds and greens with a cozy, traditional, Christmas vibe. But I can't tell you how much I love the cool elegance of my living room's own seasonal colors.

And the M&Ms. I can't stress how much I love the M&Ms. How about you?

Linking to Coastal Christmas
Linking to Home Sweet Home
Linking to Creative Me Monday
Linking to Turquoise Lovin' Party
Linking to Holiday House Party

~ Winter Wonderland ~

As a person who obsesses over Christmas and the decorating possibilities, I had been concerned about my lack of a proper mantle.

What I have is a gas fireplace that sits between my Family Room and my Dining Room, leaving a ... space ... on the top that sometimes puzzles me.

While in the midst of pondering this dilemma, I came across this lovely snow-covered cottage while browsing at TJ Maxx.

I already had several trees (trust me, I'll add to that collection) and the snowy white fabric has been a part of my Christmas decor for umpteen years.

I loved that the cottage was painted the same lovely aqua that my dining room is painted.

I really loved the fact that she sparkles in the light that comes from both rooms.

I just love my snowy little village on my "mantle". Because, let's face it, it was 80 degrees here in the Southland earlier this week, and it was a tad hard to break out the hot chocolate.

Now all I need is Parson Brown and I am good to go.

Linking to Tuesday's Treasures
Linking to Savvy Southern Style
Linking to Coastal Christmas
Linking to Open House Thursdays
Linking to Turquoise Lovin'

~ Fa la la la Fabric ~

When the bell chimes and it's officially time to get out the goods for Christmas, the first place I go is the closet in my studio and start with the essentials ... Christmas Quilts. 

I taught this little (and I do mean little) number just a year ago.  It is not my own design, it's from a book called Fat Quarter Quilting by Lori Smith.  The fabrics are all my own choice and I changed up the applique on it to add a Christmas vibe.  It measures 16" x 20" and was extremely fun to make.

These next two came from a block exchange quilt from several years ago.  These two blocks were my own.

These next three were from an even older block exchange (bordering on the prior century). The first two pictures are from my own design, filling in the other blocks.

This last one was the contribution of my friend Claudia, who organized (and taught) the whole exchange.  Turns out my friend Claudia has gone and made herself famous among sewing circles, especially those involving machine embroidery.  She is pretty much the Queen of Machine Embroidery and sells her own original patterns here.

Prior to doing that ... she was just The Queen. 

Speaking of quilts and queens and questions:  Who won the GiveAway from last week?

Why, Nanette from Freda's Hive, that's who!  Congratulations, Nanette.

I am in the thick of decorating for Christmas, these quilts are just the tip of the iceberg.

And even in Southern California ... this is a mighty fine iceberg.

Linking to Sew Happy Geek

Linking to Made By You Mondays

 

~ Pillows in Pink ~

While I get over the fact that I ate way too much pie ...

... and spend the day bringing up (from the garage) a kajillion blue bins filled with Christmas Joy ...

... let me show you what I did with my delicious pink fabric.

I made pillows for my living room ...

and more for my bedroom.

The possibilities for mixing and matching are just endless.

Now, please excuse me while I do light calisthenics in preparation for the umpteen trips up and down the stairs.

Possibly interrupted by some bites of leftover pie.

Linking to Home Sweet Home
Linking to Common Ground



~ Give me a Hand ~

When my 4 year-old grandson Mr. Gee came to my house last week, he immediately gave me this card. I could tell he had been thinking about that moment of giving ... with pride ... the entire 1/2 hour trip to my house. He made this card at pre-school.

He chose to give it to me.

I am very thankful for him and for a thousand other things.

I am looking forward to Thanksgiving where I don't have to cook the whole meal but I am contributing and spending my afternoon making pies. I can't believe that I am spending my Thanksgiving in California with nary a plane ride (or a 6 hour car drive) involved.  Sigh.

I wish you and yours a beautifully, thankful day.

~ Ginger Scraps GiveAway ~

In the summer of 2008, I was trying to decide upon a Christmas quilting project, specifically to be taught at Bernina Connection ... the store where I worked/taught in Arizona. One thing led to another and I ended up designing this quilt (above) which measures 37" square.

I found this gingerbread house a much less sticky project than the flour and sugar variety.

It all started here ... on a teeny little notebook ...

... and ended up here ... as an easy to follow pattern (under my former pattern name, simplehappy designs.)

Today I am giving away one Ginger Scraps pattern to a lucky winner along with a couple of red/green fat quarters to get you started.  All I ask is that you leave a comment here on my blog + join up as a follower for chance #2. Make sure I have access to your email address.

I'll announce the winner next Monday, November 28th.

For anyone who cares ... I want it on the record that I did finish my stocking this week.

I am SO ready to deck my halls!!

Linking to Creative Me Monday
Linking to The Girl Creative
Linking to Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays

~ My Chest of Dears ~

Several weeks ago, while browsing at TJ Maxx, I came across this lovely chest, which frankly had my name on it.  It was on sale for a hefty amount which furthered my belief in it's destiny.  I remember thinking "Why do they need to put this on sale?"

After getting it home and out of the car, I found out why it was on sale.  One of the legs was very wobbly and basically became unattached in the process of my struggle to get it out of the car.  Ultimately my daughter and son-in-law fixed her up good as new. Thank you daughter and son-in-law.  You guys are the best.

Oh, how I love this new addition to my home. I love the way she mirrors the color and the basic shape of the chest I have in the guest room.

I love the very textured wood top.

I really love the decorative painting ...

... from every angle.

But let's be honest ... what I love the most is the bevy of beauties that sit on the top.

I just love a story with a happy ending.  Don't you?

Linking to: Common Ground