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Friday, December 4, 2009

It's Party Time!


Okay... I'm gonna be honest. I had my party pictures all ready to go. And in the eleventh hour what did I decide to do??? Change the whole Christmas theme in my family room!!! It just wasn't working for me this year. Since the room re-do's this summer, the predominately red color scheme just didn't work. So, I changed it. Yes, I know I'm a little nuts. (At least Mr. Desert Cottage thinks so.) So as a result my party post is a little different than I had planned.

So above is the new mantle as it is, as of... well...just now. I've been working on new ornaments for the garland which I will unveil in its entirety at a later date. (Sorry, you'll just have to wait... tee hee) But in the mean time, here are some of the ornaments I've been creating for myself and
for friends.



These ornaments were all made using old music sheets and old book pages.






This one was made with a crepe paper streamer that was sprayed with walnut ink. I takes forever to dry but looks cool when it does.




This one was a rusty tin star from Michael's that I covered with vintage Santas printed from my computer.





I buy garlands of all kinds that are left after Christmas and are deeply discounted. Then I cut them up to use in Christmas craft projects.




I hope you enjoyed looking at these ornaments and maybe gained some inspiration. I know I will be soaking it all up from all of you!!! Please make sure you head over to Denise's blog, Bella Dreams and Kate's blog Centsational Girl (on December 8th) for all the rest of the fabulous blogs who are participating in their parties.



50 comments:

June said...

Karen, your ornaments are so lovely. Just beautiful creations, every one! I know what you mean about changing things around. I'll get something put out and I don't seem to be able to leave it alone. In a few days it looks totally different. Dale probably oftens wonders if he he has walked into the right house or not half the time.
Hugs

Barbara Jean said...

Oh, I absolutely adore them all!!

I LOVE your mantle with the bears and sno guy and everything

love the soft colors!!

thanks for sharing and inspiring us!

blessings
barbara jean

Barbara Jean said...

Love the way you frame all your pictures too. sooo beautiful!

barbara jean

A Fanciful Life said...

These ornaments are so beautiful. Truly eye candy. And your bear mantle is soooooo sweet! THanks so much for sharing these!
Sharon :-)

chicroses said...

Oh your ornaments are so wonderful.I would love to make some.Beautiful! I have some little things maybe to do some of this stuff with but no time. I have xmas balls waiting for painted roses on them..which Im bored with painting them..anyway..I still love looking at your Rocky...sally

Julia @ Vintage with Laces said...

Your ornaments are very pretty, Karen! I also love your mantel decoration! Very sweet!

Karen said...

"some" of your ornaments?
Karen - girl - you crack me up.
they are all fabulous!
I know what it's like to not "feel" it. Believe it or not, I didn't put garland on two of my trees, and it is just bugging the heck out of me. I think tomorrow, the boxes come back down from the rafters and I finish them!!! LOL.
OK, I want to see it all in it's entirety!!!
:) Karen

Stephanie Suzanne Designs said...

Oh my goodness...we both have a love for sheet music! I adore the Peace ornament with the irregular border around it. But all of them are just lovely!!

Do drop by to see my decor for the holidays...or at least what I've got finished at this point. :0)

Scatter Bliss,
Stephanie

Laura @ 52 FLEA said...

Your ornaments are wonderful! LOVE them all! Your teddies and snowman are darling too! Enjoy your decorating and the season!
Take care, Laura

Such a Wondrous Place this Faery Space said...

Hello dear one! These are splendid!!! Great photography, as well. I send you blessings.

Sheila Rumney said...

I love everyone of your lovely ornaments! Especially the music theme ones!

Thanks for sharing.

The French Bear said...

Karen, I love everything!!! I am in the midst of changing mine too, so my post is a peek into my decorating. I have to go to work, a foot of snow!!!
I will see everyone later!
Hugs,
Margaret B

The Studio at Crow Haven Farm, LLC said...

Karen, visting your blog is always a pleasure and full of such beautiful items. I absolutely love how you do your pictures...You should give a class on this! LOL
Enjoy the party and have a wonderful weekend and beautiful and joyful Holiday Season.
Cheers

Unknown said...

OMG!! I love your decorations. They are gorgeous and so original. The colors are just perfect and so relaxing. Just beautiful!

Thank you so much for the wonderful time I had at your party :)

Happy Holidays,
Vania

Tammy@T's Daily Treasures said...

Your mantel redo is beautiful even though I don't know what it looked like before. :) I adore all your lovely ornaments. They are so pretty and special since they are handmade and heartfelt. Blessings to you and yours, Tammy

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

I love all your ornaments! Each one is different and unique. I am particularly drawn to the "K" one. Very lucky gift recipients!

Unknown said...

Wow those paper ornis are fantastic! Especially the ones with old music sheets!

Happy Holidays!

Sandy xox

Linda K. said...

Right up my alley, Karen. Can't wait to see the rest of your 'inspirations'! Sheet music is my love! I always get fresh ideas when I visit. Now I know what to do with all those scrabble tiles and 100's of pages of sheet music! Awsome post!

Merry Christmas,
Linda

The Rustic Victorian said...

Oh Karen,,,amazing talent you have and very inspirational...I am head over heals with the brown heart. Just beautiful. I have alot of catching up to do, and I better visit that ornament party.
Love
Marcie

Anonymous said...

Oh my, these are totally wonderful! I think my favorite is the "PEACE" one with the fringe of vintage paper around it, no maybe the heart ornament with the chocolate crepe paper ruffle, no, perhaps the one...

Such inspiration!

Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star's Fault

Unknown said...

Wow, what delightful ornanments, the colours and designs are so beautiful and Victorian and vintage. And it's snowing on your blog! How Christmas-y! Happy holidays!

Sissie's Shabby Cottage said...

Your ornaments are unbelieveably beautiful. I especially love the angel. It reminds me of the tree topper that has been in my family for more than 50 years. I posted about it awhile back.
You are so talented. I just love your blog.

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen! LOTS AND LOTS OF INSPIRATION!!! Beautiful! - Sincerely, Jeannette

jen said...

can i be a frienda nd get one of those ornaments? you have lucky friends to be recieving those - they are gorgeous! love the look of your blog too!

Lisa said...

Karen,
Love the ornaments! Yes, I can relate to redoing at the last minute. Sometimes men just don't understand. Lisa

Unknown said...

Hi Karen! I love love the ornaments that you made. And your decorations look fabulous, just like I knew they would. Thanks for joining the party and sharing with everyone.

ROSE VINE COTTAGE said...

I love all the ornaments you made they are so pretty!!I know the whole changing issue, I just rearranged all my furniture after having it all put together, I had nowhere for my tree so dining rm and living rm were switched AGAIN, my family thinks I'm nuts LOL!
Hugs~Kelly

Unknown said...

Karen, I love the ornament star with Santa, and the rounds ones as well. Thanks for sharing.
Michele

Lady Pamela said...

Karen,
Your blog, ornaments and home are all so BEAUTIFUL! Your talent is amazing. Do you know of any websites or books that teach how to make ornaments similar to yours? I would love to learn.
-smiles-

Jean said...

Karen, Just looking at your beautiful ornament creations gave me so much pleasure. I love all of them. Have a wonderful day.
Jean in Virginia

Charlene said...

I LOVE all of your ornaments. I know what you mean that the "normal" stuff isn't working. I did something totally different this year & it is pretty but, so not like our Christmas when we do a family Christmas. Also, I kind of cheated because I put up a slim line tree not the big full one. Just didn't want to move furniture.

I love that star with the Santa faces on it. Looking forward to the garland. I know it will be beautiful. Hugs! Charlene

erin's art and gardens said...

wowza!! you have a gorgeous blog and i am so happy to have found you!! you made those ornaments!?!? i am totally inspired! i completely understand you changing your whole design scheme...as i am known for doing that myself!! drives the hubby a little insane! i will be traveling to Sun Lakes and Scottsdale, Az. next weekend to see my folks and if you you know of ANY "must see" (shops, antiques, fleas, sights, etc.) for me to see while I'm there...I'd MOST appreciate it!
take care,
erin

Gypsy Heart said...

Beautiful! I love the ornaments ~ especially the initials. Everything looks festive!

Deirdra Doan said...

Come visit me at my white Christmas Blog party. We are bringing Oregon and the green Victorian Christmas to AZ. It is a wonderful concert. Maybe you could come.
www.johndoan.com We will be in Scottsdale and Cottonwood.
I like your ornaments.

Unknown said...

These are so beautiful. I have some old cards that I have been hanging on to, and I defintiely could use some of your ideas to make them something great!

btw- I got so distracted browsing in a few antique shops, and then I discovered Mystic Paper- where I spent every last dime, that I only could look at Domestic Bliss....but I appreciate the tips that took me to that part of town! It was beautful while I was there!

Caleen said...

I love all your ornaments. They are so beautiful. You have been so busy. I love your mantle. The colors are so pretty. Love the inspiration.

Olive Grove Primitives said...

Hi Karen, I love to read your blog often you inspire me.

I love all your christmas photos, Your ornaments are just beautiful.
Thank you so much for leaving me a comment.

Have a beautiful day Lisa

Unknown said...

Karen, your ornaments are fantastic! I love the vintage cream look of your decor. So, so pretty.
Have a lovely week,
Tammy

Monica said...

Fabulous ornaments Karen, and I just adore those little cuties on the mantle, can't wait to see more! I'm with you about the color combination, which is very important and can make the difference. Never use a color which is 'not that perfect', if you have any doubt, it is NOT the right color! This is what I experiment each and every day being a painter/artist... I also buy the 'perfect' bathfoams and soaps and so on which perfectly match my home color scheme!!LOL I deeply fear people think I'm insane, but I don't care (fortunately my hubby understands :))
Hugs, and happy decorating!
Monicax.

Unknown said...

Hi Karen,
I found you through the party at Bella's Dreams, and boy, am I glad I did! Love your blog AND your decorations! I too enjoy working with recyled books and the ornaments are fabulous!

Oliver's said...

So beautiful...you are a very talented gal indeed! Paula

Faded Plains said...

Wow...did you make all those ornaments...you sure have been busy...they're all just beautiful.

Embellished Bayou said...

Each one is so gorgeous and unique, you did a fabulous job!

SharDon Exclusives said...

Karen, your ornaments are the prettiest ever! Yes, you have inspired me. They are each simply gorgeous!
Merry Christmas!
Sharon

Norma Lee @ Norma Lee Good said...

Oh these ornaments are the most beautiful I've ever seen. They are truly breathtaking. You have an eye for it! Just beautiful...

Kate Riley said...

I am enchanted by your vintage style ! I adore your creations so much. Thanks so much for sharing your creativity and for linking !
Hugs
Kate

Anonymous said...

Oh my what lovely creations!! I love them all! THere is something about the old sheet music that gives me so much pleasure to look at!!

blessings
mary

Jodie (everything vintage) said...

Wow Karen, I love your new ornaments! Maybe it's a good thing that the red didn't work out...you've created some beautiful things!!! Don't keep us waiting too long to see the rest!!!
everything vintage

CeCe said...

Karen,
I have been missing in action when it comes to the computer and I just briefly looked at these oh so lovely ornaments. I will be looking at them LOTS in the future as I can't believe how beautiful they all are!Thank you so much for sharing them with us.

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

Beautiful ornaments!! Your blog is gorgeous!!

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