Monday, December 6, 2010

I'm The Happiest Christmas Tree... Ho Ho Ho... Hee Hee Hee!

Hidy-ho my friends! I've been busy as a Christmas elf, decking the halls around here. One of the first things I did was set up the Christmas tree. I have a special place in my heart for real Christmas trees, but last year I broke down and purchased a fake tree. My living room is teensy, and I needed a skinny tree. I must say, my favorite thing about this tree is that I don't have to string the lights on every year. Let's take a peek at what's hanging on my tree...
I've collected sparklie, red, and silver ornaments throughout the years. Although there is a color scheme, there's still a lot of variety going on. I like continuity, but I don't want my tree to look like a "Department Store Tree". This year I added a little green to the collection with my Shiny Bright reproduction ornaments and garlands. I love how the Shiny Brights add some whimsy to the tree.
This little guy is a new addition...

... As is this glittery little cluster of 'shrooms.

And yes, this is one of my favorite ornaments... my little glittery can of Diet Coke! I'm a bit of a Diet Coke junkie. Yeah, yeah... I know it's not healthy stuff. I love me some Diet Coke though.
This is a little peek into my living room. Some of you had expressed interest in seeing photos of my living room. It's a tiny living room, but it's just right for me. You may have noticed the blankets on my sofa. Hagrid is allowed on the sofa, so although it's slipcovered, it still needs that extra protection. The things we do for those fur babies...
This is what the other side of the room looks like. Yes, that's a television smack dab in the middle of my living room. It seems that I never see televisions in bloggers' living rooms. Maybe they hide them, I don't know. Maybe they don't have them. I didn't have one for a long time. I'm glad to have one now though~ I love to snuggle in and watch good movies. I watched "The Holiday" last night. Love. That. Movie. I bought the dvd, just so I could look at Iris' cute little cottage over and over.
This is a close up of my pillows. I just purchased this wonderful patchwork pillow this year and love it! It's made of vintage tablecloth fabric-- by the fabulously talented Amy of the blog Into Vintage.
Sorry about the shadows... natural lighting + unprofessional photographer = shadows. I love this simple little chair. I found it at a consignment shop and sewed slipcovers for the cushions. It was my first and only attempt at creating slipcovers. I think they turned out okay, for a first attempt. Check it out~ I made piping!
This table runner was also created by Amy. I looooove her creations. I purchased this and the bunting over my fireplace last year, but this is the first year I've used it. I love the whimsical, festive spirit they have added to my home.
There's the bunting... love. It. May I just say, Amy's quality of construction on every item is outstanding? Well, I will. That girlie can sew. Like, seriously sew. I really admire her incredible talent. I really love how her creations have warmed up my home this Christmas.
Just a little closer view of my mercury glass sparklie goodness. I just added red mercury glass to the regular mix, along with white lights and a pine garland. I love how the white lights intensify the sparkle. My favorite thing is to come home and turn on the tree lights and these lights on the mantel. I love having my home aglow with little lights.
I hope that you have all had a chance to do some Christmas nesting. It really doesn't take much to add a little Christmas spirit to your home. Heck, I thought about cutting out a bunch of paper snowflakes and stringing them around the house like Will Farrell in the movie "Elf". (I looooved that!) Well, maybe next year...
Hugs,

20 comments:

Elyse said...

hi jill!

i love the peek around your home. it's so organized, lovely and cozy and the blues and reds are so pretty. love your sparkling display!

i think next time you watch the holiday, you should cut out some snowflakes. (that movie makes me worry about the jude law character. c. diaz's character is going to break his heart someday. oh well!)

enjoy the sparklie goodness!

xo
elyse

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Loved a peek into your living room...great colors. I have one of Amy's buntings hanging over my kitchen sink for the holidays - I agree that she can sew! Wow! Great consignment shop chair too.

Tracey Holdyk said...

I love, love, love your little room and love your tree. So christmassy, thanks for sharing.
love me :-)

SusannaT said...

it is oh so pretty!

Kathi said...

You have some lovely Christmas decorations. Love your mantle and tree! I haven't done one bit of decorating yet. You've inspired me!

Claudia said...

Your house looks so pretty! I love Amy's work as well - she is so talented - though I've yet to purchase anything. You did a great job on those slipcovered cushions!

Love your tree and the mercury glass - the house looks perfect.

Oh, and I would take Iris' house in a second!

xo
Claudia

Kim G. said...

Love it! Love the patchwork pillow and the mercury glass display! Merry merry!!!

kimsminiatures said...

So so pretty Jill. Your house is so amazing and happy. Merry Christmas my friend. Hugs~ Kim

Tallulah Belle said...

it is all so pretty...I could have twinkly lights on all year round :-)

Your slipcover is excellent...esp for a first try ...well done. I love the red snowflake pillow.

Into Vintage said...

Oh my! Jill - can I tell you how much it thrills me to see my little handmade things in your home? Thank you SO MUCH for sharing and for the shout out - you have made my day. :-)

It's so interesting to me to learn how much some us have in common -- love of vintage, love! of Shiny Brites, The Holiday and magazines -- I have Matthew Mead's Holiday out in my living room too. Along with a tv. -amy

Karin F. said...

thanks for sharing your living room. I always love to see how other people live.
The glassware in your last photo: are the red glass really mercury glass or simply cranberry glass?
Mercury was blown onto clear glass & comes off very easily. Generally mercury glass was used for closed ornaments.
The red in cranberry glass is in the glass & should not come off.
Bottom line....whatever the name, your collection looks great!!

Debbie said...

Jill, I have to say that after having real Christmas Trees, we have also given in this year to an artificial tree and I couldn't be happier. Your Tree looks beautiful. xxx

Jill said...

Thanks so much for all your sweet comments~ they really make my day.

Karin~ The red glassware looks more like mercury glass. It doesn't look "blown in". It has that "weathered" look, and it looks like it could come off if scratched on the interior. Whatever it is, I love it!

Hugs,
Jill

Lynne said...

Jill, it's all just lovely. Thanks you for the peek! Now for some Christmas tunes and a cup of cocoa- and a treat for Hagrid!

suzitee said...

Oh Jill...your little nest is looking so wonderfully festive! I don't know where to begin...your glass display is quite breathtaking, the tree is so perfect with all your sparkly bits (esp. the diet coke!) and all your fabric bits and pieces tie it all together just beautifully! What a lovely way to celebrate the festive season...you are very talented :)
I, too, love The Holiday...watched it just the other night. How I would love that little cottage!
Thanks so much for sharing pics of your space...they are very inspiring.

julie - eab designs said...

Just love all of your pretty glass ornaments. My daughter would love the Diet Coke ornament! Did you purchase that recently?

sophia said...

Hee hee hee, I just knew you'll go all out with your Christmas decos! I love the diet coke ornament most...made me chuckle! ;-)

Lisa said...

I just love all of these pictures Jill, and I feel really lucky to say that these pictures don't do the real thing justice. I love visiting your little nest! Let's do tea soon. Your place or mine :o)

Kim said...

Jill- your home is so beautiful. We have a tv smack in the middle of our living room too- the hubby would rebel against me if we didn't...so you're not alone :) I love your tree- and your christmas pillows are so darn cute!!! I have to giggle because I have throws on the floor for the big dog and throws on the furniture for the cats and the little dog....I'd rather have my furry babies than perfect furniture anyhow :) Hope your holidays are as sweet and wonderful as you are ♥

Ola said...

Ok, I have to finally decorate my house:)