Monday, December 7, 2020

It's Looking Like Christmas!

 


 How is everyone? Are you all decorating and getting cards done? This is the earliest I have ever had the decorating done-it took me three days (it gets dark so early and I can't do it without the daylight) but it's always worth it! 

 I pretty much keep everything the same year after year. Here are a few more pics:


                           This is on the kitchen table. And above it is a shelf:


 I have a very eclectic mix of new, vintage, and handmade sprinkled throughout the house. That Santa hanging on the first knob is a hand painted starfish from an uncle of our BFFS. He's been gone quite a number of years but we treasure all the things he gifted us with over the years.

Moving into the den area:


  One of the two corner cabinets hubby built. And next to it is this very old small table hubby refinished:


      I got the snow globes years ago from Macys. Hubby made the clock, and I made the tree. I made lots of those trees in different themes and colors and gave them as gifts over the years. And this is my handmade ornaments tree that holds ornaments from swaps and exchanges past years. I cherish this tree which sits on a vintage small roll top desk!:


The main tree is in the next (sitting)room:


and then into the front living room:

     My main Santa collection

 And the nutcrackers:


 They sit on a beautiful antique cabinet we bought from a neighbor up the street some years ago when they were having  a yard sale and we got it SO cheap:):) Our front door is to the left, and on the right you can get a glimpse of the way I decorate the windows with garlands. There are other tables and decorations but I won't overload this post with pics of everything else😉

 Time to have dinner and a drink to link with T Stands For Tuesday:

 
 I had been dying to try this vegan Irish stew for quite awhile and finally made it. It is my "almost vegan" Irish stew because I did not have vegan stout - only a regular dark stout to put in the stew. It was absolutely delicious and a hit with not only my hubby but also our son and DIL! And the warm garlic bread and Cabernet Sauvignon and/or water choices went perfectly with it. I also introduced a new to them vegetable- parsnips😁 Cheers!

 For Tag Tuesday (Christmas or Anything Goes), and Try It On Tuesday (Sparkly Christmas) I made this:


 I used a wood veneer tag (I got a bunch of these freebie sample tags from Home Depot) and decoupaged a napkin onto it. The German scrap is vintage- a small box of a variety of designs I got at a flea market. It has a beautiful gold shimmer which I had a difficult time capturing. The felt die cut angel, dimensional peace sticker are from Michael's, and the hand died ribbon came from an online shop no longer in business.

And for Art Journal Journey(The Meaning Of/Anything Goes) with guest host Tracey this month, the Simon Says Monday Blog Challenge (favorite technique), and Paint Party Friday:



  A mixed media page with lots of layers!! I love using many products to build up layers and get messy! I used Dina Wakley paints in Marine, Turquoise, Evergreen, and Lime. The word stencil and Curly Frond stencil, and image are also Dina Wakley. I added some mark making with a pencil, white Posca pen, black acrylic paint, and a black Fude Ball pen. Now this represents the meaning of... play... don't you think?

 OK, now I have GOT to get going on Christmas cards if they are to arrive on time to their destinations. Have a super week ahead!

" Creativity, which is the expression of our originality, helps us stay mindful that what we bring to  the world is completely original and cannot be compared."   Brené Brown


41 comments:

  1. Your Santa and nutcracker collection really caught my eye. And that antique cabinet is quite a find. Beautiful!!
    Loving your journal page.
    happy Tea Day,
    Kate

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  2. Hi Linda, I really loved all of your Christmas decorations-thanks for the tour. Your meal sounds delicious, and I liked seeing your art too.
    This morning early I did my Christmas cards and got them in the mailbox too. I had planned on making them this year but just wasn't up to it-
    Goo dluck with getting your cards out-I do enjoy doing them. Happy T wishes Kathy

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  3. Wow your place looks great with all the decorations. Your DH made a beautiful clock. Lovely art too. Happy T day.

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  4. Lovely decorations! Merry Christmas to you!

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  5. Your house looks gorgeous all decorated for Christmas Linda. You have some beautiful pieces. I found this year I was really ready for some holiday cheer in my home. And nice tag and journal page. I love the lady in the house. It is perfect for Tracey's challenge at AJJ. Thanks so much for joining us. Have a wonderful T day. Stay safe. Hugs-Erika

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  6. i adore your tag, i certainly wish for peace on earth! gorgeous journal entry and christmas tree photos also! thanks for linking to tag tuesday! xo

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  7. Your place looks so festive, just beautiful. Nice art, too, thanks for joining us at AJJ! Happy T Day, hugs, Valerie

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  8. I think Christmas is all about the eclectic mixes. You have some wonderful furniture! I love all those lovely bits and bobs of Christmas and that tag fits brilliantly with the vintage feel of your home xx

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  9. Wow Linda, your home is stunning and your trees are to DIE FOR. I really love them. Your nutcrackers are amazing and so are the vintage Santas. I am truly in awe.

    I really enjoyed the art, especially the piece you created for Art Journal Journey using Tracey's theme. Thank you for sharing this beauty. And that veneer tag brought back memories of ones I made one year using that same substrate.

    Thanks for sharing it, your art, your garlic bread, and your Cabernet Sauvignon for T this Tuesday, Linda. I haven't even started my tip-ins yet. No motivation, I guess.

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  10. You have a great assortment of Christmas decorations around your house. I love the Santas and Nutcrackers. (This year I put up the Christmas decorations early, too.) Your artwork is beautiful. Happy T-Day!

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  11. Such beautiful decorations full to Christmas cheer - perfect! That Irish stew looks yummy too and your tag is perfect with all the Christmas sparkle 😀. Thanks so much for joining in the fun at Try it on Tuesday and Happy T Day wishes! Hugs, Jo x

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  12. I am impressed with all your Christmas decorations.(How many trees have you got?) I particularly like your Santa collection.
    Here is Spain people don't have Christmas trees. I think it is beginning to become fashionable but as we live in a rural village, it has not permeated here yet. But we have a municipal one (see my blog) with lights which is very pretty when lit up.
    I haven't got any decorations (we are going away) but I have some red candles which I light in the evening to make it look cozy.
    Your art is wonderful. The mixed media piece is stunning and the card is lovely with a message of peace.
    Happy T-Day,
    Hugs,
    Lisca

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  13. Gorgeous tag, love the Anel.
    You home looks so warm and welcoming. I think most of us have put our christmas trees up already, well worth it though,lol
    Thank you so much for your kind words you left in your comment over at Tag Tuesday..x

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  14. I love all your decorations! The trees and snowmen and Santas and nutcrackers :) So festive! Stew sounds like a great idea! Happy T Tuesday

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  15. are you sending cards??? I am trying to decide... I don't like opening my mail too soon... oy vey! LOVE love love your santas, your snowglobes, your nutcracker collections! I so wish I could come visit and see the glory of it all in the house! I remember going to the mansions at Newport RI during the holidays one year... so gorgeous all the pretty decorations! Thanks for sharing and thanks for loving animals too. I meant to say "some people" not so,people like it got typed... I know there are kind wonderful loving people!

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  16. I so enjoyed seeing your tree and gorgeous decorations! The tag is super gorgeous Linda. Thanks for sharing with us at Tag Tuesday.
    Pinky

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  17. Wonderful Xmas decorations and that Vegan Stew sounds delish!

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  18. Your Xmas art tag is beautiful! Exquisite!

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  19. I had no idea your hubby was so handy. Lovely woodwork. Your decorations are nostalgic - like mine. Memories of many people who've meant a lot to me. So many of my decorations have names attached to them, like yours.

    I'm wondering how you made the little trees. Maybe you meant decorated ready made trees. Either way, I'm thinking they might be perfect gifts for this COVID year. Many of my friends have risk factors and are very careful about what they accept into their homes. Little trees like yours could sit outside until they're sanitized by time.

    Your Santa and Nutcracker collections are very special. Thank you for the lovely tour.

    Very pretty tag too.

    Happy T-day! Stay safe and well. Hugs, Eileen

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  20. Your decorations are gorgeous! It's not keeping things the same year after year, but tradition. Happy T Day

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  21. Hi Linda, Merry Christmas! And what a wonderful winter wonderland tour! Your trees, Santas, all the decs are gorgeous and your hubby's handiwork as well! But when you got to the food, you had me fooled for a bit, thought it was cornbread, haha. Had to click for an enlarge. I must be a southern girl, my mouth salivated at the thought of cornbread. But hey, garlic bread a close second. XOX

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  22. Wonderful christmas decs! I am excited about it!
    The journal page is very nice and the card !!!
    Hug Elke

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  23. Definitely illustrating the meaning of 'play' is your page. I love the main colour you have achieved. If I do several layers I end up with a muddy mess most times but it is lovely when i get a good result.
    I just enjoyed your home so much with all the decorations. The cabinet is just wonderful. It really is a thing of beauty and I would love to find something like that to buy. I must say you have a lovely house and it is the kind of home that lends itself to Christmas so well. absolutely beautiful.
    Hugs, Neet - thanks for sharing x

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  24. Mixed media piece is great! ~ You look like Xmas is coming to your home ~ enjoy ^_^

    Live each moment well,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  25. Your Christmas decorations look wonderful Linda, always a lovely feeling getting out our treasures that hold many memories for us all. I too have a mix of Vintage and many handmade ornaments it usually takes me a good couple of days to display it all.
    I love your journal page, a great technique and a fabulous feeling we get when we just play freely with our creative vision.
    Thank you for sharing, creative wishes Tracey xx

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  26. Love your Christmas trees but the Santa and Nutcracker collections got me (love that old cabinet too - beautiful). Very festive at your house. Super looking Vegan Irish Stew - yum!

    Your tag is super fun - very cool gold touches and rich colors. Your journal page is wonderful with the vibrant colors, cool image, and fun script. Definitely fun and playful.

    Great post, LInda!!!

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  27. Happy PPF and have a wonderful weekend, hugs, Valerie

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  28. Beautiful posting. Happy PPF

    MUCH❤LOVE

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  29. Creative Christmas decor. I haven't gotten started yet.

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  30. Wonderful creations Linda ~ busy time and you are still creating ~ Wow!

    Live with love each moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  31. Your place looks happy and festive Linda! Beautiful art this week and the stew looks delicious, goes well with wine!

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  32. Your place is looking so festive and warm and cosy. Your husband is a wonderful clock-maker. Lovely journal page and the angel tag is so pretty, love how you used bit and pieces of little thing that you collected. Happy Holidays!

    -Soma

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  33. Hi, your Christmas tree looks very festive and beautiful. You have many nice things to decorate your home with.
    Your Journal art looks great. I love the green, guess I want spring instead of grey autumn/winter. Take care and enjoy the season. :)

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  34. Beautiful Christmas decorations and feeling.
    Enjoy weekend and holiday time ahead xx

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  35. Hi Linda :) Your santa collection is great and I love those Nutcrackers! We haven't done a stitch of decorating yet...usually we do it yearly on December 10th, but this year we are so overwhelmed by the house that we haven't found the Christmas boxes yet!! Your stew looks delicious!! Your art is lovely too. Oh that roll top desk...I am still hoping to find a used one, one of these days!! I love it!

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  36. Love all your Xmas trees ~ especially the little one you made on table with the clock hubby made ~ talented people ~ ^_^

    Live each moment with love,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  37. Looks like you're having xmas already!
    I'll have a blogging break - Happy Holidays!

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  38. Oh your header is beautiful! ~ so happy and joyful ~ Xox

    Live with love each moment,

    A ShutterBug Explores,
    aka (A Creative Harbor)

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  39. Your Christmas decorations look wonderful, I love the ones with memories. I have some items that just have to come out every year! Your stew looks and sounds good! I love parsnips, especially roasted ones - a must with our turkey dinner on Christmas day!
    Your tag is fabulous - the red angel fits perfectly! Hugs, Chrisx

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  40. Beautifully decorated for Christmas. I collect Santas too, and I enjoyed admiring your lovely collection.
    Dinner looks tasty. I love your antique cabinet.

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Thank you so much for your comments; it's a pleasure to connect with you!