Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seasonal. Show all posts

Sunday, December 16, 2012

Week 105 Random Pinehurst


Mary Christmas (smile).
One year ago, she joined us.

And now...

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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Week 104 Random Pinehurst


Time to make the trees up.


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Sunday, December 2, 2012

Week 103 Random Pinehurst


The Countdown begins.

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Saturday, December 1, 2012

How to Decorate for Christmas 101 - The Details



Sometimes,
it can be overwhelming.

You want your house to look perfect.
But as you look through the YEARS
of holiday decor packratted away in your
garage/attic/closet
you wonder how to pull it all together.

As contrary as this may seem,
if you start with the details, it really can be tamed.

For me, it starts with three questions:

1. What color(s)?
2. What theme(s)?
3. How much?

My theme:
Last Year, it was Naturally Beautiful.
I wanted to incorporate nature, sparkle and I wanted it to be lovely.

My color(s):
Primarily red to play off all the green.
Also wanted the oppulence of gold.
And then I used different layers of green and brown to enhance the nature theme.
And bits of white here and there to make it all pop.

How Much:
Mid range. 
For me, that means multiple trees (three)
Some banister and tabletop decor.
But every surface doesn't have to ooze Christmas.
Matter of fact, I didn't decorate my mantels.

So let's see what I mean:

In these details, I used a homemade pinecone tree (tutorial here)
and placed it on my windowsill next to a sparkly Dollar Store tree find.

I love to use tall cylinder vases filled with randomness.
In this case, red and white bulbs,
some greenery
silver peace sign vase filler from @PotteryBarn.
I lucked up on all of the holiday colored dice at the Dollar Store.

A wider shot of the window sill
shows the faux kissing balls
and the supersized gold star that I picked up at the Dollar Store.

And of course, I like to sprinkle a bit of us throughout.
The white clay ornament is a paw print by Merry.


In this photo, even farther out from the sill,
you can see the mini trees in the glass hurricanes on the table.
It's okay that they overgrow the top.

I like to leave my tree with nothing but lights on it
when we first get it up.
The simplicity and sparkle is calming.

Keeping with our theme and colors,
the golden apple is geographically significant
(we live in WA state)

And one last unexpected detail on the dining room table
a pair of vintage white ice skates.

To dress up the chandelier
and keep with our theme
I just threaded some live greenery through the pendants.

Though I didn't decorate our mantel,
I did make sure that we had our white candles out
to keep with our color scheme.

On the banisters,
I used faux greenery, burlap garland, red wood bead garland and gold wired ribbon.
I also clustered a bunch of red bulbs midway up the stairs.

At the bottom of the stairs, on the posts,
I hung natural and faux greenery wreaths.
They were decorated pine cones and gold glittered birds.


Like with the first picture in this post and the last one,
if you think in details,
the rest will really start to come easily.

First photo: Domino | Scrabble tray purpetual December calendar
Last photo: Pottery Barn Advent Calendars, pine cones, glitter tree, greenery.

Happy decorating!

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Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Be Still My Heart - Pinterest Weekly #4

Here was the inspiration for this board:

Heart Rock from Everest Base Camp, Tibet

Introducing
Be Still My Heart


Be Still My Heart
February 2012


It is the month of love and loving.
There are so many clever and crafty hearts out there.
Though my first board this month was all about
My Funny Valentine
this board is about hearts and nothing else.

 
Check out and follow my Pinterest Boards here
B3HD Pinterest

  I've curated a 
Hit the original sources
and see an eyeful of heart loving.

What have you been pinning lately?


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Wednesday, February 1, 2012

My Funny Valentine - Pinterest Weekly #3

Here was the inspiration for this board:

Tru Luv scrapbook layout by B. Merikle

Introducing


My Funny Valentine
February 2012

It is the month of love and loving.
There are so many clever and crafty Valentine concepts out there. 
Next week, I've got a board that is nothing but hearts.
But let's start a little broader than that.
 
Of course, if you check out and follow my Pinterest Boards here
you can get a sneak peak at what I'm loving.

  I've curated a 
Hit the original sources
and see an eyeful of Valentine goodness for all your lovely loving.

What have you been pinning lately?

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Wednesday, January 18, 2012

New Traditions - Homemade Stockings 2011

I know the season is over, but I'm just breaking out the holiday pictures.
Thought I'd share some of the awesomeness that transpired.

Perhaps, it was the procastination.
Or the fascination with getting JUST the right stocking.
Or my understanding that my mama can thread a sewing machine,
so this was a convenient excuse to break out my Brother and go to town already.

I mean, I bought it because it is supposedly and easy drop and thread machine.
I guess by "easy" they meant
"you will only want to throw your machine 2 or 3 times instead of the usual 8 when trying to thread it."

So in comes mom (and my 14 year old nephew - say what?!?)
to the rescue!

We did finally get to sewing
some rather nifty stockings
out of all sorts of crazy materials.

but first, mom had to study the quickstart guide
like her citizenship depended on it.

She even enlisted the slightly smaller fingers of a teenaged boy
to try and help her get that red thread through the top loop.
Let's just say that I almost used a drill to open my sewing machine so we could thread it.
Almost.

Meanwhile, my sister snipped stocking out with a pattern that I traced on the fabric...

And mom and nephew continued to try to figure out what went so very wrong.

I don't recall how they finally figured it out.
Even though my mother said "Come here, watch me do this so that you will know how."

I do know that I traced out 6 stockings,

And that it wasn't just my mom that got in on the Brother sewing fun.

We used vintage pillowcases...

and my mother told me that I was out of my mind when she saw half the fabrics I wanted to use.

We used three different red and white striped materials, a green fleece and a durable solid red.
I backed the fleece stocking with drop cloth fabric because it was flimsy.

I probably shouldn't have used a sharpie and should have used some chalk like a civilized lady.

but then this very civilized gentleman was impatient to have his turn at the sewing wheel
(I LOVE this kid and his eagerness to try new, unexpected, things)

The masterpieces.

All to hang the stockings by the tv with care.
Hey.
We had a flaming screen saver up.

Somehow, the gigantic tree and assorted gifts
to a certain Merry Christmas Merikle
got a bit out of control.

So the tv/faux fire it was.


Still don't know how to thread/use my sewing machine.
Still convinced it can't be that hard.
Still not actually trying out that theory.

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Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Week 54 Random Pinehurst


still have not looked across the street to see this view
Will this be a snowless winter?

I can only hope.

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Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Week 53 Random Pinehurst

And the world was "Mary" & Bright.
World, meet Mary Christmas Merikle.


She is a doll.
And that Candy Corn toy is her favorite.
Especially if there is no peanut butter in the Kong.

Happy New Year!
Here's to Puppy Loving Again.
Rest in Peace beautiful Angel Dog Ashley.
Please take a moment to read Ashley's Story.

Promise.

You won't regret it.
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Sunday, December 11, 2011

For all things Christmas



Poor thing. She's in my side yard.

Not her fault that I was away for my $5 lowes wreaths.

In the name of Christmas, she will be "trimmed" this weekend.

Amen.

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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Pinehurst Christmas | 2011 | Christmas Tree 2

 Our handmade and vintage tree.
All of the ornaments are either handmade (by Robert and his family)
OR vintage (as in older than dirt collectibles).

We will have to get closer in to show you what I mean eh?
For now, enjoy that
wonky,
crooked,
non-vintage,
non-handmade,
very felty 
handmade looking
star.

Trust me on the rest of it.
Enjoy!

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Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Pottery Barn Deal of the Day: Wine Stoppers (Bonus Discount Code)

This one was just too good to keep all to myself

I've had my eye on the elephant, mini frame and stag wine stoppers
ever since I got my winter Pottery Barn catalog.


Regularly 16.50
I got it for 8.50 
 48% off

Regularly  19.50
 I got it for 8.50
56% off


Regularly 14.50
I got it for 8.50
41% off


They are the Pottery Barn deal of the day (December 6).
You can get them online or get them at your local store.
Online, they are free shipping.


If you use discount code
QTHV-WQRX-DSGG

today
(code good through December 7)
then you get an additional 15% off.
Yes, even off of other promotions and sale items.

I LOVE when PB has real sales.
And clearance.
Cause they do it right.


While I was going to practice restraint
and just buy the stag at 14.50 regular price,
I ended up getting all three for 27.69 shipped to my door.


There are some lucky hostesses in my life.
Let me tell you.


And yes, thanks for all the birthday wishes!

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Monday, December 5, 2011

Pinehurst Christmas | 2011 | Christmas Tree 1


For some reason,
the decorating bug is just nibbling
around Pinehurst
this year.

Trying to get up the gumption.
The big faux tree was gold, brown and green last year.

This year, it is red, white and silver.
And.
It isn't in my bedroom.

I wish Ashley was still here to nibble at it.





One tree down.
8 more (or so)
to go.

Enjoy!


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Friday, December 2, 2011

Week 49 Random Pinehurst


If you need to get a good shot of
800 calories
down in 10 minutes
try a couple of glasses of this stuff.

Addictive.
Not diabetic friendly I hear.
Perhaps, capable of making a pre-diabetic
diabetic in one sitting.

Just. Saying.
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Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Is it time for Pumpkin Pie yet?
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Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Thanksgiving Table & New Tradition - Pinehurst 2011

While I am not really bummed about not having to cook for Thanksgiving,
I am a little bummed that my IRL folks won't get to hang out at this table.

It has a lot on it, but I wanted to use plenty of nature, lots of thrifty goods and just some unique finds to decorate the table.  Come sit for a spell.


(l) I have had a bowl of potpourri that has moved a few times already.

And by moved, I mean, been packed and shipped across the country.
Anyhow, I ship it because it has these really big pods and chunks in it.
I spread those across the table in between the pinecones.
The "candle holder" was blogged about on my Fall Mantel blog entry.
I picked up the cute bread plates from Goodwill for $1 each.
The white plate, I may have a few cases of.  May.
The gray plate was the first set of dishes I bought when we moved into the Gray Lady
(as I might sometimes refer to my big gray house).
The gold charger is from my wedding
(we had a small 60 person gig and actually brought in a lot of our catering service pieces).
The placemat is a felt leaf from BigLots.
Instead of centering the charger on the placemat, I offset the two.
I'll zoom out in another photo to show you.

(r) Close of up the almost Glassybaby-like not really candle holder.
Nope, those pinecones are not flocked.




(l) View of the table from the kitchen.
Instead of six settings (there are two of us, plus mom, sis and nephew),
I did five settings.  When we actually eat, we can use that end for the 6th as a serving space.
I actually used one of my turkey platters (I have three and yes, I still don't eat meat)
to set an overflowing cornucopia on top of.  I had the large iron pumpkin frame last year ($3, Goodwill).
I picked up the small iron pumpkin frame for $3 this year (Value Village).
The Love is Patient yellow wood sign in the window was $1 from the North Bend thrift store.
The framed and unframed Native American prints are by Edward S. Curtis.
They are both beautiful and help my family to stay grounded in my grandmother's roots.

(r) On top of the bread plates, I used wood salad bowls.
You find these for practically a dime a dozen at the Goodwill.
I never found a full, more rustic set.  So I bought mine in 2s or individually.
I love the mix match and the more rustic nature of the bowls.
Promise, I don't feed my family rocks.
I am a better cook than that.



(l)  From the chandelier. Because I like to hang out up here, evidently.
Here the table is filled out more.  You can see the place mat and charger offset from each other.
You can also see (we'll get closer), what I used to let folks know where to sit.
And you can see the fun chalkboard rocks we used last year.
Love those napkins.  Got them at Macy's because we had a gift card.
We thought we were going to get something else, but ended up with the Martha Stewart Napkins because we only had a couple bucks left and they were on clearance.

(r) I used three glasses for each setting. 
The small amber glass is for water.
We don't drink much water around these parts unless it was squoze from grapes.
Which explains why there are two wine glasses.
One for white (salad, desserts); one for red (meal, football, everything else)




(l) Close up of the chalkboard rocks that the one kids (young and old) got a kick out of last year.
(r) Close up of the Curtis photos.




(l) Close up of "placecards". I actually used Boggle letter cubes to spell out each guest's initials.
I would have gone with Scrabble although it is significantly easier and cheaper (in my experience) to find boggle sets in the thrift store than it is to find non-Jr. versions of Scrabble.
Don't know if I was missing a cube or if it is by design, but I didn't have a B in my set.  Not stressing.
No one else has my middle and last initial (smile).
Only splurge to the whole table was the flatware.
I LOVE it.  So much, I was shopping at one of those places that shall not be named (the likes of Ross, TJMaxx, Marshalls...) and came across a set I loved.  They had a bunch of sets, but didn't have two of any one.  I have a table that actually seats 8. The service came for 6.  I figured I was really only meant to have one set when I stumbled upon (at a different one of those said places that shall not be named) a set that I thought I loved even more a couple of months later.  Having not unpacked the original set, I was totally shocked, awed and pleased as punch to find that I had picked up the EXACT same set.  You'll be impressed to when I tell you that I actually almost got a different set but then walked back and was summoned back to the set that matched the serving for 6 in the trunk of my car.
Just. Saying.
Karma.
(r) One more long shot down the table. 
Here you can see that I added two tall, skinny vases.  They are packed pretty tight and narrow.
They are great for everyday, on the table.
For dinner, I would just pop the vases back in to their really neat wall holders
(they are actually wall sconces for holding flowers or candles or...whatever).




And the food view.
Once we're ready to eat...everyone knows where they are seated,
the tall vases are out of the way, the far end is cleared off for the real turkey.

Still promise I'm not feeding anyone rocks.
But an interesting tradition (if you will)
especially if you are in mixed company (some grace sayers, some not).
See the chalkboard rocks?  
I think it would be cool to break out the chalk, ask each person to write or draw one word that captures what they are thankful for.  Then, before digging in, go around the table and see what everyone said/drew.
I could see a particularly creative interpretation even being framed in a shadow box and displayed until next year.  When someone else could be the grand champion.

So doing that.

Linking up ya'll!
Tutorials & Tips Link Party at The Stories of A to Z
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