Favorite Christmas Inspirations for 2010

As I reviewed the holiday post I have written and ready to go, it dawned on me why not show the  images here  that are my favorite this year. So, that is what I decided to blog about- my personal favorites!!

I did a guest post on this very subject over at Providence LTD.  I used some of the images below, but not all of them. I continue to add to my file as the season progresses.  En-JOY!♪♫♪♫

Country Living Image

This is one of my all-time favorites. I love black and white with a pop of green. The simplicity of this image is so appealing to me. If I see stripes, especially  black and white stripes, I am in heaven!!

Another simple idea, but this time it has a little more elegant flair. I love an understated elegant look.

Simple Elegance at it’s best!

I have already shown this one on my blog and it was a favorite among my reader’s.

I think this is just a really simple and fun idea. Bottomless cylinders  are used here and the lights have white wire to keep it, yet again, simple!!

I love how they spelled out a word with natural greenery. I have a real love for anything with words, letters or numbers.

I love the festive look on the backs of these chairs.

Speaking of backs of chairs- I love a little whimsy and I think these angel wings would do the trick!

If you were having an adult party this would be a great way to light up your stairway.

A fun little touch for your outside stairs leading up to your porch.

 

Speaking of porches, if one wreath is good and two is better, three has to be the best!!!

 

No surprise  here!! Black and white is my favorite!!

Can you imagine how this looks at night?  I want all of these lanterns hanging in my yard!!

Cute to have white churches all decked out for the holidays. The color scheme here is so so pretty. Who needs a mantel if you have an old upright piano?

A snowy Christmas would be nice, but it probably won’t be happening in my California neighborhood.

Clever idea! Cluster your ornaments and hang in the window.

I adore wrought iron gates and I have several older ones in my backyard. I think this idea is so clever!

Leave it to Ms. Stewart!!! So clever and all the elements just work well together!!

Simple elegance! Notice the tie-backs!!

This is just cute!!!

More Simple Elegance!!

Better Homes and Gardens

I think the use of natural elements is always a good idea. I think the little banner-like cloth hanging is adorable.

 I would take it one step further and add words like, Peace, Joy, Love!! What would you add to the banners?

If some of these images look familiar to you all I might have used them in other post.

I hope you have enjoyed just a little glimpse into the images that are inspiring my  decorating this year.

I promise I will have pictures of my home this week. You will be able to see which of the above images I used in my own home this year, with just a bit of my own personal touch.

I have been having some technical difficulties with my camera:

• I am a horrible photographer and can’t seem to get the lighting right!
• I left my camera at my son’s house(now that would put a stop to my picture taking for sure!

Be sure and come back this week to check out what I did in my 2010 Christmas Decor!!!

Merry, Merry Christmas!!

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Everything that you are doing to make your own Christmas Home!

Kathysue

How Could I Lose Something So Precious?!!

A Story of Discovery!

Wow!! Christmas time is such a fun and busy time of the year, isn’t it?!!
I am just like all of you and stay very busy decorating, baking and wrapping.

I truly love it all and  hum Fa-la-la and Deck the Halls as I am happily at work. Yes! I have to admit I am a hummer and a whistler♪♫♪

People that are close to me always use that as a sign of my happiness while I am creating, a barometer of sorts.

I truly love all of the preparations and decorating!! I can get pretty caught up in the whole process. After all my  saying is,"Enjoy the Process!!" Trust me I do enjoy it allot!!!

Let me tell you what happened last week in the midst of all the preparation for Christmas.............


……….I decided to decorate my living room for Christmas. I keep my living room  decorations  very simple and reflective of the true meaning of Christmas- the birth of Christ to come to earth to be our Saviour.

I always start out my decorating with putting Mary and Baby Jesus out. They truly set the tone for this room.

Now where did I put Mary and the Baby Jesus? I always keep them in the house in a safe place so they won’t get broken, now where are they???

I looked and looked and then I began to kind of panic.  I could not find them anywhere.  I looked in my prop closet,  where they are usually kept. Still no luck.

I looked in that closet three different times and did not see them.  Suddenly!!!!

There they were!!

In the shadows hidden behind all the Holiday splendor.

Notice the tag on the glitzy leaf ornament?! Snowball Splendor  Priced at $2.99!!

I almost cried with relief and then it hit me!

What price was my Lord and Saviour willing to pay for me by being born on Christmas day?

She and baby Jesus were in the shadow of all the glitz and ornamentation of Christmas. How could I let this happen?! Not physically, but in my thoughts.

I have been so wrapped up, literally in the wrappings and trappings of Christmas, that I have not spent enough time being thankful to the One that made this all possible in the first place.

With that thought, I really did cry! Tears of remorse, tears asking for forgiveness.

After seeing this, for the first time this year........

How could I forget this…………….

 

So dear readers with all that being said, learn from my experience and try your hardest to keep Jesus at the forefront of this wonderful Christmas Season.

Merry Christmas!



Kathysue

I’ll Have A Blue Christmas With YOU!!

I promise I will not be singing the Elvis rendition of Blue Christmas. I am afraid I would lose all of my readers! I will, however show you some great ideas for using blue in your Christmas decor.

I love this idea. I think when you do things in mass they are always more effective. I love the wreath on the door full of fresh roses.

I am not sure I would personally do a bow quite that large or color. I like the idea of a large double face satin in white in a simple loop bow.  What do you all think?

You can’t get much more simple than this. Curled paper with a name on it and a sprig of holly. It might be simple, but I think it is so festive.

Simple felt cut-out of snow flakes and you can make your bed look all dressed for Christmas.

Blue and silver remind me of the snow. It looks so frosty.

 

Any guest would love to be in this room on Christmas eve.

Below you will see how I added just a touch of blue in my guest room. Keep in mind the walls are a French vanilla with all white moldings. The ceiling is the softest blue, very much like the ornament that is hanging on the picture below.

 

To soften the window that has now window treatment I used a white feather boa and feather wreath held by a translucent ribbon. I loved the ethereal quality it gave the room.

I hope you have enjoyed this little touch of a Blue Christmas!

Aren’t you glad I did not sing?

“Enjoy the Process” Of:

Using blue to make a frosty,snowy Christmas statement!

Kathysue

Holiday Hint:

Vary the textures of your Christmas ornaments to add interest on your tree.

Don't be afraid to use inexpensive glittery ornaments to add sparkle. I always hold them up to the light and then I can see how much they really sparkle before purchasing.