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Holiday

Tale of Two Mantels

Well, one of my “mantels” is actually a piano, but I decorate it like a mantel, so we’ll go with it. This first mantel…okay…piano, is in my living room.  This vignette is simple, neutral and all about my taste in decorating.  The Hess trucks, laughing Santa and such are banned to the family room. A German glass glitter “Christmas” banner is hung from an antique bead board door leaned against the piano.   I was only able to find two of these raw chipboard banners, so I sold one and kept one for myself.  Aren’t you proud of me?  And you thought I sold everything…   The wreath is live and was $9.00 at the grocery store.  That beats the $20 I was quoted at the Christmas tree lot.   Ironstone pitchers are lined in front of the wreath and the vignette is rounded out with framed family photos and a

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December 1, 2010 46 Comments

Happy Thanksgiving!

May your table be beautiful, your turkey be tasty and your family be nice to each other… …and may you be thankful even if they’re not. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

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November 25, 2010 20 Comments

Christmas Open House

Today, I crammed another HGTV.com project in when I had the chance and I made the trip down to Wild Rose and Chartreuse.  I enjoy both of those shops every time I walk in the door.  I could just wander around and look at the displays and beautiful decor.  Today was the holiday open house at Wild Rose, so it was all decked out for the holidays. Lynette does an amazing job arranging things to make every one’s stuff look good.  Isn’t this sign by Molly amazing? I popped over to Chartreuse and something big was missing from our space… Yes, it sold.  I was happy and sad at the same time.  I hope whoever bought it really loves it and will give it a good home.  Sniff. I forgot to share one exciting thing from our Swanky Junque Swap last weekend…  I was interviewed by Stephanie from Dial M For Minky,

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November 20, 2010 30 Comments

Halloween, Jewelry, Christmas and Cottages & Bungalows

What do all of these things have in common?  Well, they are all things that have been a part of my life over the past few days.  I’ve been working on Halloween projects for HGTV.com for next year.  I’m trying to get it all done before I leave to visit family on Monday.  I want to be able to come home and enjoy Christmas decor only!  I usually don’t decorate for Halloween, but I’ve had a blast working on these projects.  Here’s a look at the table scape I put together to shoot some place card holders I made.  Can you guess what this wooden centerpiece is? It’s a fresh fruit topiary form.  I bought this piece for $.50 at a yard sale and it was perfect for a slightly spooky table setting.  I bought the glitter birds on clearance, so they were about $1.00/each.  Some branches, tarnished silver, candles,

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November 19, 2010 24 Comments

Seasonal Confusion

I set up a Christmas tree in early October to photograph my “line.”  As I decorated the tree, my almost four year old crept around the corner and his eyes widened.  He gasped and exclaimed with glee, “It’s Christmas!”  “Oh, buddy, it’s not Christmas.  Mommy’s just taking pictures.”  “Oh, okay.” and he shuffled off, head hanging.  Poor little guy.  Now, the tree is at Chartreuse for the barn sale and I am setting up pumpkin topiaries and other fall and Halloween decor to take pictures for HGTV.com tutorials for next year.  It actually works out well.  I was able to buy bargain pumpkins ($10 for a wagon full, the day before the great pumpkin smashing party) and clearance Halloween and fall decor.  My neighbors must scratch their heads at me.  There were tree lights in the window in October and now Halloween decor on my porch in November! I must admit

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November 9, 2010 22 Comments

Is there really an original idea?

I started working on my Christmas line in September.  I had so much fun playing with different themes and ideas in my head.  I finally settled on a sheet music and glitter theme – two materials I’ve really enjoyed working with this year.  I experimented with different techniques, styles, finishes and combinations.  I painted, glued, cut, rolled, and glittered.  I went into full production mode and then I presented my 2010 line to the world.  Well, to the blog world.  🙂  Then… picture source …stinkin’ Pottery Barn has a line of sheet music and glitter ornaments!!  Can you believe it?!  I feel a little like a girl who shows up to the prom, only to discover that another girl is wearing the same dress.  picture source A couple of my readers have mentioned it to me and I finally checked it out myself yesterday.  Now, I know my idea wasn’t revolutionary, but it was

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November 7, 2010 85 Comments

Preserving Fall’s Bounty

My seasonal decorating is all out of order.  I have been working on Christmas stuff since September and now I’m working on my fall decor for next year!  HGTV.com has me writing several holiday decor tutorials for them and I need to work on the ones that require fresh pumpkins and the great outdoors before the season changes to winter.  Our “leaf peak” has passed in Pennsylvania, so I needed to preserve some leaves for my photo shoots before they were dried and gone.  Here’s how to preserve the colorful falls leaves for next year: Collect freshly fallen leaves.  They need to be supple, not dried out, yet.  I love maple leaves and those are in abundance in our church parking lot, so I stole some time at youth group last night to collect some.  Place each individual leaf between the pages of a thick book.  The moisture in the leaves

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November 3, 2010 15 Comments

Chartreuse Christmas Preview

Chartreuse (and our space there) is getting all decked out for the holidays.  Lynette and I spent the afternoon primping our booth and donning it with holiday decor.  In addition to furniture and non-holiday accessories, the place is filling up with greenery, lights, ornaments, and trees. Sniff.  Yes, I even managed to bring my French settee to the booth.  And I left it there…with a tag on it…for someone to buy.  They better really love it, that’s all I’m sayin’.  We staged Christine’s pine farm tables under the rafters at the back of our booth to maximize space.  I hope someone buys that piece last, so all of our stuff doesn’t end up on the floor!  Two of my banners adorn the stacked chests.  I managed to only make one large sheet music wreath for the sale, but I’m hoping to make more next week. I focused on bringing accessories that

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November 1, 2010 49 Comments

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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