Tuesday, December 11, 2007

Karla's Cottage Holiday Home Party

Welcome to my Holiday Home! Special thanks to Karla Nathan for hosting this fabulous party. I have to warn you that I may have gone overboard with the photos but I couldn't bare to edit any out! We'll start with the outside - we put evergreen wreathes on all of the windows. This year I decided to go for a more natural look and leave out the bows. The window boxes are filled with faux snowballs. Project information can be found here.


As we approach the front door, you will find the wreath I blogged about here.

Please do come in, make yourself at home and pull up a chair. Can I interest you in some hot cocoa, tea, coffee?

I dressed up the dining room chandelier with some vintage glass ornaments I found while at an estate sale this past year. I only dropped one in the process of tying these on LOL!

Please come have a seat in the living room. Here is our Christmas tree. It is real - Jeff won't go for a fake one! Yes, our living room walls are a golden yellow though I've noticed they come across a lot more vibrant in photos then they are in person. These walls were an awful shade of peachy brown when we moved in - I really can't even describe the color! We went with a creamy white but I soon decided we needed more color! I've recently told Jeff that I may want to change the color yet again - he wasn't too happy!


Allow me to show you some of my favorite ornaments. This little red clock is my most favorite. This has been part of my Christmas tree since I was a child and I snagged it from my mother when I moved out. I have placed this ornament on the tree every year for as long as I can remember. I don't know why it appeals to me so much - my mother thinks I'm crazy as it is just a cheap little thing that came in a package with many ornaments but it is very kitchy don't you think?


This is one of two Italian themed ornaments my mother gave us last year. This one depicts the Trevi Fountain in Rome. We have a special love for Italy as both Jeff and I are of Italian ancestry and we honeymooned in Italy.


Another favorite - this one also came into our collection last year. I love old movies, esp. old Bing Crosby films. I love, love, love Holiday Inn - one of my all time favorites and of course love White Christmas. This ornament plays the movie version of White Christmas. Our dog Margot can't figure out why the tree is singing - it is quite funny to watch her cock her head from side to side in confusion and wonder!


Speaking of Margot - there are several ornaments with a dog theme - this one features her photo and was given to us by Jeff's grandmother.

This is a lovely addition for this year - it is from my mother-in-law and she just gave it to me last week. Cardinals are my favorite bird and we also live on a street with Cardinal in its name so we have several cardinal items throughout our home.


This is our mantle. I was just telling Karla that I am leaning towards more silvers and creams in holiday decor but you'd never know it! Most of our decorations are in the traditional red and green.

Before Jeff and I got together he used to decorate his Christmas tree in all gold. We have several boxes of gold glass ornaments that we don't really use anymore. They go up and down from the attic year to year. So this year, I decided to create some wreathes for the living room windows.


This is a Cardinal Christmas tree that is stationed by our front door.


An adorable tie on that Kari and Kijsa included with my silhouette I posted about in my last entry.


Here are the results of some of the fabulous Joli Paquets I purchased. The bell kit came from Heather...


...and this Sugar Shack kit came from Holly. She had such a run on these I was lucky to snag one!


This lovely doll is from Angelina.


This little pillow is one of the first Christmas themed items I bought when Jeff and I first moved in together.

Care for a sleigh ride? I have to say I've always wanted to go on one but haven't yet... The cone is another beauty from Holly.

My mother made me this Santa mug when I was a child.

As we make our way into the kitchen we come across a few more Santas. This tin one was given to me by my grandmother. She used to use this in her holiday decor.

This sleepy time Santa was a craft fair purchase many, many years ago. I like his slippers! This is what Santa does after a long Christmas night!

Even my aprons are ready for the holidays!

We do have a chimney but in case Santa has had too much milk and cookies or has a really big gift - say a new flat screen TV - he can use his special key from the famous and local Woodbury Pewter.

Ready or not here comes Santa Claus! I took this photo a few days ago as you can see - I think we are down to something like 13 days!
I hope you have enjoyed your tour of my Holiday Home. I'm off to visit some others now!
Wishing you and yours much peace, love, and happiness throughout the holiday season and beyond.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays,



53 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Karla,
Thanks for the visit! What lovely photos and great ideas here!
p.s. love your blog banner and am now going to check out your Etsy shop!

Joy

Kingswood Food and Craft Market said...

Hi Karla ! I found you via Joys blog. WOW you and i have both gone photo crazy for this one! I love all your photos...how gorgeous! Your home must look amazing in real life.
Your christmas tree looks huge and totally gorgeous!

Love it all !

Shannon :)

Kari said...

What a beautiful home! LOVE the fresh greens. Your kits turned out great and your tree...wow!!!
Holiday cheers!
Kari

Anonymous said...

Oh my I love your wreaths and the cute snowballs make it even better! I have gotta get me one of those white christmas ornaments I am a bing cosby fan as well! I love all your decorations there soo lovely!!

Merry Christmas!!
Sarah

Betty said...

Fun, fun, fun! Thanks for sharing all of your decorating and artsy projects!

hogan said...

Your holiday home is lovely especially your mantel!
Mary

Vicki Chrisman said...

Oh BEAUTIFUL!!! Too many photos? ummm... NEVER! Is there such a thing? lol I'm so glad you took time to photograph the details of the pretties! LOVE them all! You home just looks so warm , beautiful and welcoming!!! That's for the tour!

Heidi said...

I loved taking this tour of your home, all decked out for Christmas! I love seeing your collections, which you've gathered and created through the years. Nice to see a real tree, they are rare these days! We put ours up on Sunday, Mark cut one down from behind our little barn! It's home grown, so it's perfect to me! Thanks for the lovely pictures today!

Debbie Doughty said...

Everything looks so festive! Thanks for the hot cocoa!

roseroomnz.com said...

Karla your decorations are beautiful and special. Your house looks wonderful. Merry Christmas and Blessings - Take Care - Rachael - xo

Anonymous said...

Karla, your blog banner is breath taking, I love your decor, maybe your yellow wall looks alittle bright to us, but you know I think it makes your christmas tree pop, If hubby doen't want to paint the whole room leave one wall yellow as a feature wall and paint the other three walls with the same yellow maybe three to four shades lighter, kind of like a warm cream this will help lighting up the room but still having a sence of warmth & cozyness, which is what you get from a warm yellow that you have used. Love those vintage toys, you know I wish I lived over there, Here in Australia we do have alot of vintage but I find alot of people like all new, new, new. Anyway thank-you sooo much for letting me into your home.

Warmest greeting these holidays

Kirstie
Adeline Country Cottage

Anonymous said...

Everything is just beautiful! Thank you for sharing your Christmas pretties with us!

Merry Christmas Karla!

xo,
Kim
deardaisycottage.typepad.com

Jessi Nagy said...

yeah! thanks for sharing so many wonderful photos! i love everything!!
jessi

Marina Capano said...

your holiday home is lovely!
I like very much!

Marina xo xo

Paul-ene said...

Love your holiday decor...........and love your dining room so much! Place setting is super fun.

Enjoy the rest of the blog party day...and thanks for sharing your christmas cheer.

Anonymous said...

karla
everything looks fantastic!
your table settings are beautiful
happy holidays
tamy/simplymein

Brittany said...

Hi Karla,
Everything looks simply gorgeous!! Your kits turned out great! Thanks so much for all the great ideas!
:)Brittany

Amy said...

Karla,
I just loved your house tour. Your ornaments are just charming. I loved all the stories behind everything! Have a wonderful holiday season! Amy

ShabbyInTheCity said...

Hi Karla! Everything looks so festive and bright! I love the things from K & K :)

Lennea said...

I'm so jealous of the sugar shack from Holly! I want one! Thanks so much for sharing your home
Lennea

Natasha Burns said...

LOVE all the wreaths and ornaments! I can almost smell the fresh pine wreaths, your photos are so beautiful!

black eyed susans kitchen said...

So many wonderful things to look at. The table is set so beautifully. Susan

Southern Heart said...

Your home is so beautiful, and such lovely, festive decorations! We are big fans of the Bing Crosby holiday films, too!

xo, Andrea

~Becca~Bluebird Rose said...

Karla, your home is just wonderful. I enjoyed each and every photo!
:)
Please stop by and visit our holiday home too!

Cape Cod Washashore said...

Everything is soooo lovely, Karla! And your tablesetting is gorgeous! =)

Erin Earls said...

Such a festive home! LOVE it all! I must say White Christmas is my Favorite movie at this time of year. That Pillow is so cute!!
Love Erin~

Rhondi said...

Hi Karla. I enjoyed visiting your holiday home. It was fun to see all the individual ornaments up close and to have ones that are meaningful to you. The little snowballs are cute. I'll have to checkout how you made them.

JANET said...

Great decorations!

Preppy Lizard said...

Karla,
Your house looks great. I love your secret Santa key...what a wonderful idea.

Sandy said...

Thank you for the lovely home tour and for sharing your special treasures as well as your great art pieces. I have enjoyed my visit. Christmas Blessings,
Miss Sandy

Jenn said...

Karla,
I LOVE all of your decorating. The vintage ornaments on the chandalier is a GREAT idea and your sugar shack is the cutest EVER!!!

Jenn :)

Alison Gibbs said...

Thanks for sharing all of your gorgeous christmas decor.
Alison

wanderlustandpixiedust said...

Just loved the Trevi Fountian! I have one similar that has one of those black Venetian boats in front. Lovely home!

Monica said...

Lovely Karla!
I love the fresh greens and faux snoballs!
I love all your ornies with the special meanings behind them , I have lots of those too!
Your kits are perfect, I adore that sugar shack!
Happy Holidays :)

kari and kijsa said...

LOVE, love, love it all! Everything is brimming with holiday joy and Christmas spirit- exactly how a wonderful home should feel! Thanks for the fabulous tour!!

blessings,
kari & kijsa

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Oh what holiday lovelies you have!! Your tree is gorgeous as is it all!
Have a wonderful day.

Blessings,
Sandy

kari and kijsa said...

OH Karla,

Your home is beautiful...wow...we love all the decorations. Thanks for sharing!

Have a blessed day...

smiles, kari and kijsa

Ele at abitofpinkheaven said...

Thanks for a wonderful visit. I lvoe your greens and the blue of your walls. That yellow is pretty great too and your Christmas decorations are fabulous. Thanks again for sharing!

Southern Lady's Vintage said...

Never too many photos! LOL!! I loved seeing all your beautiful decorations! You have a beautiful home!
Barbara
Southern Lady's Vintage

Amy A said...

Thank you for the tour! We have a santa key too :)

Heather ~ Pretty Petals said...

Hi Karla! I am LOVING your gorgeous home...wow those wreaths are beautiful on the outside!! I love the natural look you have gone for...looks so pretty.

Your chandelier looks so so pretty and I love the peeks at your favorite ornaments. xo

Whimsy Pink said...

Wow! Looks fabulous! Come by my house!

SOINSPIRED said...

Darling. Love your "sugar house" from Holly. I have a similar childhood santa mug.

Jennifer Hayslip said...

Karla,
Your home looks sooo lovely, cozy and festive! Outstanding job making it look sooo beautiful!
Thanks for the hot cocoa! ;) Xo,Jenn

Beth Leintz said...

Your ornaments are great- I love how each one has a story! I've never heard of faux snow balls- you've got me curious, so I'm on my way now to check out the instructions!

Anonymous said...

Oh you can never go overoard with the Christmas pics, yours are lovely.
cd&m
http://catondarlingandmoore.typepad.com

Susie Q said...

It is just all so wonderful! Your home must be a true jewel to see in person because it is amazing in the photos!

I love the mantle...and all the memories attached with your special pieces!

You are so creative and talented! Your home glows and so do you!

Hugs,
Sue

Susan @ Blackberry Creek said...

Everything is so festive. I especially love your table.

Pearl Maple said...

Your decoreations for eh holidays are sweet and full of charm, decorating the chandelier is a great idea.

Pinkie Denise said...

Hello Karla,
I sure enjoyed visiting your Christmas Party, all your decorations
look great, be sure and stop by for
Christmas Tea at our blog Pinkie Denise

Anonymous said...

Hi Karla, your home is absolutely gorgeous, so glad you did not edit any photos out !! Decorated with so much love and it shows! Gorgeous :) Jenn and Jacqui

Anonymous said...

Love all your holiday details. Everything looks so pretty and festive.

Great pictures.

Happy holidays!

Lisa
http://lisatutmanoglesby.typepad.com/my_weblog/

Jenn said...

Boy I could tell you were hard at work! What a gorgeous wonderland you transformed your home into for Christmas. Love it! So many cute ideas!!

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