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A New Arrangement and an Early Christmas Gift

First of all, a Merry Christmas Eve to all of you! This year is the first that I am more excited about seeing Christmas through my kid’s eyes and and less concerned about what tags have my name on them. My oldest son is almost three and he is all about Christmas. Tomorrow is going to be full of noisy toys, batteries, 30 minutes of trying to get each toy free from the packaging, and lots of “that my fresent!” coming from my eldest, but I am looking forward to all of it!

Anyway, I thought I would share a few small things with you. When my mom was here we worked at rearranging some pictures and accessories and this is one of my favorite updates. My living room was on the right track, but a little lacking in the details. My mom grabbed some of my red plates….”Ah, mom, no! No red in my blue & white room! It will look too Americana.” Well, she was right and I was wrong.
The touches of red in the room really sing and break up the blandness of the blue & white only color scheme. We also hung my beautiful bird pictures (an attic find) and some hunt pictures out of my grandparent’s house. These are much more interesting than the framed doily.
I’m not sure what I’ll do when Spring comes and I have to let go of my berry rings. The touch of red on the candles is perfect.

 The hunt prints were a wedding gift to my Grandparents back in the 1940’s. I’ve always liked them and was thrilled when I got the “ok” to take them home with me.

 This arrangement was a good reminder to loosen up with my color scheme. Sometimes being too strict about it can end up looking flat.

 And I received an early Christmas present yesterday from Amanda at Serenity Now. I won her random drawing for two crafting magazines and a book. This giveaway was perfect for me. I am a decorating book/magazine junkie, so I was pouring through them last night and getting loads of inspiration for next year.

 I loved this ornaments and the planter faced with vintage bingo cards. Great ideas!

 I have some great posts coming up over the next week, including a big announcement about a collaboration with a fellow blogger, and my favorites finds, makeovers, projects, and murals from 2009. You won’t want to miss these! For now, step away from the computer and enjoy your family. That’s what I’m about to do!

Miss Mustard Seed

Marian Parsons 

Paint Enthusiast | Writer | Artist | Designer

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17 Responses

  6. Well, Mom may not have been right on the knobs for the coffee table – (check out Furniture Feature Friday Link Party and Giveaway blog on Dec 9th)but the red plates do look great! Even if I say so myself. I love the knobs on that coffee table – but got a thumbs down from Marian's blog followers who all wanted boring glass knobs, oh well – win some lose some. The red plates do look great and the minute we put them in the all blue and white room – was it 11:00PM or midnight?? – it brightened up the room and inspired us to continue our midnight rampage thru the house on the final night of my visit. We needed 2 or 3 more days together – but that is always the case. When the 2 of us are together we can accomplish the work of about 4 – of course if you have not noticed Marian does pretty well on her own :). Love the Blog and Merry Christmas to all Miss Mustards Seed's Followers.

    Mom

  10. Love the touch of red! I know first hand how tough it can be to loosen up a little ~ it doesn't have to be perfect and I've been of that mindset for awhile now. Plus, I have a glass of wine before everyone comes over!

    Have a wonderful Christmas and definitely enjoy it through the eyes of your children!

  11. Um, Mom was right. Sometimes one hates to say that. And hey, when you have to let go of the berry rings around the candles, you can always tie a pretty red velvet bow around it or something in that color. I too am a magazine and decorating book junkie. Also add gardening to that and you've summed me up. I'm about finished decoupaging my child's school desk. When is your next furniture makeover link up? I'm assuming not this week??? I've never been able to participate and would love to if that fits in with the meme. Merry Christmas Eve to you and yours.
    Brenda

  13. Enjoy every minute of your little ones! They grow up fast and Christmas is not the same. My son is 15 yrs. old and he told me yesterday that when you get older, Christmas is not as fun. Made me kinda sad. But such is life. I love this age too. Have a great Christmas.

  16. Good Gawd Gorgeous. Your home must be beautiful! Let me know when you are giving whole house tours.
    smiLes
    LiBBy BuTTons

  17. I'm so glad you liked your magazines and book. 🙂 I was looking everywhere for your email address in my files to be sure you received your package. I'm so sorry I didn't check sooner. I hope you had a wonderful, Merry Christmas!!! 🙂

I’m Marian, a painter, writer, and lover of all things creative. From art and antiques to home projects and everyday life, I share my journey in hopes of inspiring you to embrace your own creativity and make beauty in the spaces you live.

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