Keepsake Christmas

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Today I will be linking up with The Nester for the 2013 Christmas Tour of Homes.  After you have visited with me, please pop on over and view some other beautiful Christmas decorations.

Thanks for stopping by to check out my Christmas decor.  This years theme was Old-fashioned Keepsake Simplicity.  I used what I had (with the exception of some minor purchases such as candles and tissue paper) to create a simple, peaceful Christmas.  I used decorations from previous years and found objects from around the house.

We’ll begin on the front porch.

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First view inside the front door.  The little offset wall is our “entry” of sorts. You will notice my silver ornament garland (twine, ornaments, ribbon).

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The next few pictures were before I decided to add the pink tissue poms – I may like it better without, haven’t decided yet.  But it did seem to need a touch of color besides the silver, gold and white.

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Close up of some of the mantle details (hat pins, salt cellar with buttons, antique candle holder)

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100_2624We have now made it full circle around my living room (I didn’t show you the sofa across from the fireplace) the front door is to the right of this dresser. Next we go into my workroom / library which is to the left of the entry.  The colors are more traditional in here.

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This year for the first time in a long time I did a tree. It is small, like four foot.  It has an old-fashioned flair.  Most of the “ornaments” are little family keepsakes – small pillows an aunt made, small crocheted slippers another aunt made, tatting that I believe was from my grandmother, little dolls of my grandmothers.  It is in my workroom and since the decor is not quite completed in here I will only show you the little tree today.

100_2334.2 d.100_2327.2I hope you enjoyed this little peek inside my home.  Please drop by anytime.  The welcome mat is always out!

Enjoying a Keepsake Christmas in grace,

Teresa

Simple Christmas

Hope, Peace, Joy and Love – Wrapped in swaddling clothes – a gift for all who will receive.  This is Christmas.  This is the focus.  No need for gaudy adornment, or lots of ribbons and bows.  Just a few simple reminders that we are in a special season of light.

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front of mantel

My fireplace is cast iron with a slate mantel.  The previous owners had painted it white and we thought it was wood, when we discovered that it was cast iron my brother refinished it to it’s original color.  It is beautiful, but due to the inadequacy of my camera and my photography skills, pictures don’t do it justice.

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my large hurricane candle holder full of silver Christmas balls.
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You will notice that there is a candle missing in this picture, the lighting was much better and it shows the fireplace better, so I included it anyway.

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Wreath I made for my front door a few years ago.  I bought a simple green wreath at Michael's and embellished it with Dollar Store ornaments and bead garland.  Used a hot glue gun and just started gluing.  I thin it turned out ok.
Wreath I made for my front door a few years ago. I bought a simple green wreath at Michael’s and embellished it with Dollar Store ornaments and bead garland. Used a hot glue gun and just started gluing. I think it turned out ok.
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The window above my kitchen sink. i just added a string of colored lights.
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Back entry – found this at Hobby Lobby, one of my, if not the, favorite places to shop.
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A few or our “childlike ornaments” Mr Piano got me the Curious George last year, his mother got him the little red fire engine, because the real one like he used to have is way too expensive to buy these days, and we got the Schroeder and Lucy one this year – it is a vintage Hallmark keepsake ornament from 1996. That’s pretty much who we are – he plays I bask.
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please ignore that the window could use some windex. You can catch a glimpse of my neighbors house in the background. I love looking out this window – it feels like we’re in the country even though we aren’t.

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The little dining room off the kitchen. This room was supposed to me my mostly white little french dining room, but due to cramming two houses of stuff into one temporarily it has some elements that weren't meant to be in this room.  The table cloth hides a multitude of boxes that are still unpacked.  I just threw some ribbons and lights on the bookcase and a few ornaments on the table - and put out a crate of Christmas books.
The little dining room off the kitchen. This room was supposed to me my mostly white little french dining room, but due to cramming two houses of stuff into one, temporarily, it has some elements that weren’t meant to be in this room. The table cloth hides a multitude of boxes that are still unpacked. I just threw some ribbons and lights on the bookcase and a few ornaments on the table – and put out a crate of Christmas books.
I have several Children's Christmas stories - I love to put them out at Christmas.  The usually keep the message of Christmas real and simple.
I have several Children’s Christmas stories – I love to put them out at Christmas. They usually keep the message of Christmas real and simple.

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Did you miss the tree?  Me neither.

Simplifying in Grace,

Sadie

Linking up over at the Nester’s Christmas Tour of Homes 2012.  Lots of beautiful Christmas decorating going on – go take a look.