2.7K
Christmas is fast appraoching and I thought I’d kick the season off with a little home-grown decorating and gift wrapping.
After all, everybody’s doing it;….
it really can’t be that tricky to throw a few things together, click the camera and write in a casual-off-the-cuff manner, “I just threw this little vignette together between walking the dogs and breakfast this morning”.
But that would be a lie ….
My friends, you have no idea how long all this took….
So today I raise my hat to all those talented designers, stylists, and bloggers who single handedly put together decor to turn Martha Stewart green with envy.
Believe me, it is not that easy.
Here are my very humble offerings: I aimed for a natural look and created a ‘Happy Christmas’ for the chalkboard in the kitchen, plus a few silver birch bark gift tags.
So after these superhuman efforts, I would really love it if you wrote and told me how wonderful you think they look, I don’t mind if you lie, I just want to hear the words!….
and if you want to mention what a good idea the bark and the berries were, then I’d like that too because I can assure you that half way through this little project I was losing the will to live …..
And in the coming weeks, although I intend to bring you other christmas mood boards, I think I’ll keep it simple and copy paste from Martha then cross my fingers that you don’t notice ….
And while you are writing the compliments about my handwork, seeing as how my morale has already sunk beneath the plimsoll line, you can also tell me if you have already completely decorated your home and done all your christmas shopping … hmmm, ….. on the other hand I’m not so sure
[blank]let the festive season begin![blank]
114 comments
Heartfelt compliments on your handiwork, Sharon: it's beautifully festive and chic without a touch of garish bling. I aspire to do likewise.
thank you dear Mise, I have to admit that your post about already finishing your christmas shopping has spurred me on no end!
xx
Beautifully done! I too do a natural look combined with more formal touches. No kitsch here. I put on my Wellies and trudge around our 5 acres gathering cedar, sticks, moss etc… and bring them indoors. I love your use of rose hips (at least that's what they look like).
Whoa! Those are cool! Fun, different and festive!
Lovely work, Sharon! Natural and calming. I shall be thinking of you when we put up our tree and I explain for the too-many-teenth time just why Maman cannot, will not, absolutely positively is unable to say yes to blinking, colored snowflake and icicle and Santa shaped lights! Maybe I'll show them how lovely your photos are. I'll be able to get my girl on my side, but my boy…. no, he will be unhappy……
Lovely, Sharon! I need to start my decorating this weekend! I love the simple and natural you have done here!
I like the bulletin board…and simple is always elegant to me…well done (and I'm not lying).
It's all absolutely lovely, festive, amazing, and you made it look picture perfect which goes to show how talented you are! Your blog is my happy spot/time every morning, no fibbing! You would make Martha S green with envy also!
Very nice indeed. I love natural Christmas and the rose-hips remind me to go cut my own. You make me wish I had birch trees. As for shopping, well we don't – we travel instead and plans are all booked. Thanks for a beautiful post.
"Let Heaven and nature sing!" You have me singing!
~Lynne
w/L.
Sharon I do know how much time these simple projects take. Bravo you did not give up and I love the natural garland!
xoxo
Karena
2012 Artists Feature and Giveaway from The House of Edward
wspaniałe, rustykalne dekoracje
pozdrawiam serdecznie
Very beautiful and festive Sharon. Well done! I wish you can wrap my Christmas gifts as you magnificently wrapped yours! 🙂 As for us, we are halfway done in our Christmas Decorating. Our Christmas tree and some wreaths are up… I will let you know once I am able to post them in my blog.
OK, Sharon. First, I must tell you thank you for reminding me that I had better start the decorating process! But, I need to get into the tidying up mood soon!!! Yes, I will start this weekend with the help of my teenage sonns, yeah sure . . .I have promised my daughter her decorating duties will be waiting as soon as she arrives home from college.
As for your decorating . . .absolutely stunning!!!
Oh how you are making me laugh! I don't comment too much anywhere – always just love to look but I just had to say something here. First of all you have got me beaten by a long way. Last weekend I got out two funky leather wreaths which I always put on my back patio doors, however I couldn't find the little suction cup hooks anywhere…so they still remain in my workroom on a table. Every time I think about decorating, I seem to always change my mind. My shopping is started, that's all I can say about that. When I do go to the stores, I seem to find many great deals for ME! I really do love your decorating and I truly mean that. Maybe I will start with a candle. Merry Christmas!
Oh, thank you, for nudging my creative self out of Scrooge-like mood! Lovely decorations…and happy, too!
Sharon, I'm doing a simple, sleek Christmas this year and I am in love with your packaging. I've got 2 little grandchildren now and it's time to put away elegance and go for FUN! Merry Christmas, darling…
I do love this birch garland. I think I'll be eyeing the birch trees on my next walk – very inspiring.
No decorating here yet, but lots of thinking about it. Maybe this weekend. However, most of my shopping is done and that feels good, but I have a zillion projects on the go, also for gifts, so I'd better stop reading blogs and get to work! But I had to check my favourites!
This is my first visit to your blog. I think your decorating is wonderful.
Oh Dear! I can understand the difficulty of making decoration yourself.Last year I saw a wonderful clown figure in a noble shopwindow in the city. As the price was in etheric heights I decided to do myself an "Adventskalender" for my grandson (2 years).Taken some pictures with my mobile phone gone home and grabed in the collection boxes for different cloths to wash, iron,cut and sew… it. Soon I had to admit that the tag in the shopwindow was obviously not exaggerated, I needed about 7 days to sew all the 24 little heartshaped pockets, the robe and the figure itself.Altough it was a hard deal I am really happy to see his hapiness to find a little surprise each morning until Christmas.Dorka from the Plain in Hungary.www.dorottyaudvar.co.hu
Sharon,
I wish my humble beginnings towards decorating for Christmas looked that good! You are much to critical of yourself…I love what you have done! It is very festive and cheery! Great job! I've yet to even start my decorating and when the time comes, I hope I can be as creative as you are! 🙂
HI Sue, yes they are rose hips and also some berries from a creeper in the forest – long live wellies!
x
thank you, thank you … 🙂
x
I remember that so well, 'control of the tree' syndrome my husband called it!
xx
thank you Betsy, I'll be over to see what you have done
xx
even if you were lying that's just fine ! 🙂 so glad you like my chalkboard
xx
thank you for this lovely comment, with no fibbing! although I don't really think I'll ever make Martha jealous, or that she'll ever even hear of me for that matter 🙂
xx
Travelling in lieu of presents sounds very good to me, and actually I don't have any birch trees, I've just been keeping my eyes open for dead trees happy to release their bark
xx
Too funny Sharon!!! But it does look fabulous! You will have to make everyone do hommage to the chalkboard sign before they get any gifts 🙂 I love the clips – where did you find those beauties??
Keep up the great work – we love you for it!
Wendi
thank you Lynne, at least I've achieved something today 🙂
xx
thank you Karena, I'll never be a pro but it was sort of fun despite all my moaning
xx
dziękuję !
gracious, your christmas tree already! I won't be getting ours for another ten days – well done!
xx
thank you Debra, I also intend to enrol lots of helping hands, have fun!
xx
shopping for 'me' sounds like a good place to start Debra. Thank you for taking the time to comment, so glad I made you laugh
xx
thank you!
xx
does that mean that my decorations are not elegant?! oh dear Marsha, no you really have me worried 🙂
xx
Wonderfully made & so beautifully natural! I haven't started decorating for Christmas other than planting Amaryllis & Paperwhites & hanging vintage Christmas balls from the DR chandelier. Our house has been in an uproar the last 2 weeks with painting the kitchen & living room. Now that's the painters have left, I find myself moving around mirrors, sconces, prints & paintings to new places in the house! Hopefully, I'll be ready to think about Christmas soon! I plan on doing much more simple decorating…..giving away a vast majority of Christmas decorations helps make this a reality. 🙂
well Lorrie, it was on a morning walk with the dogs that I found a fallen birch tree that was starting to rot, so the bark came away really easily … then I got out the stencils and the rest, as they say, is history!
xx
thank you angelak, I certainly hope you'll be back!
xx
Goodness me Dorka, you make my bark thing sound like child's play, would love to have seen your clown
xx
I truly love what you've done, it is simple , lovely and charming… I have not begun decorating yet but will start today, I hope…
ciao for now
thank you Kristie, you are most welcome to come back and leave comments like that as often as you wish 🙂
xx
HI Wendi, 'hommage to the chalkboard'? … can't really see the family agreeing to that one!
The clips – so glad yo noticed them – are vintage candle holders used for clipping real candles (yikes!) to the christmas tree!
xx
how lovely to have a freshly painted home for christmas, you'll hav such fun decorating
xx
thank you Mary, I love your comment 🙂
xx
You are such a charming woman. If you quantify the pleasure your project and post have brought your readers, you will soon see that you have given us each a gift impossible to wrap. My ribs ache with laughter.
Beautiful !
You really made me laugh this morning! Thanks. Our grandchildren live with us as their single Dad is in the Navy and away a lot. In fact he's away now, sadly over Christmas. We are always running around like crazy people, trying to get them to school and all their activities etc. We are perpetually tired, as the little one still gets up in the night and crawls into bed with us, wriggling around like a little worm till morning. The nine year old said this morning, "Nana, we really have to get all our Christmas decorations up, we're way behind everyone else in the neighbourhood." NO KIDDING! is what I felt like saying but didn't. I loved your decorations, quite imaginative, and unique, using some of your old finds for the clips. I didn't know you had birch bark in Normandy, such a pretty tree. Your comments were hilarious, it's good to be humble, makes the rest of us feel much better.
LOVING, LOVING , LOVING ALL THIS and I speak the truth and nothing but the truth!! LOVELY!!!! All your efforts have made me very happy and in the Christmas spirit which no one has been able to accomplish until now!! Merci! Merci! Merci! Can't wait for the coming Christmas themed posts!!!!
I had every intention this morning of collecting greenery from the woods to make my advent wreath. But it was pouring with rain so that has been put off until tomorrow. How glad I am, as after seeing your fabulous decorations using the Birch bark, I will be looking with new ideas than my usual collection. You've given me new inspiration, as my last post 'Thinking about Christmas decorating' was at least over a week ago. I'm still thinking. & it's advent starting on Saturday. I must start tomorrow.
thank you for this – I am framing your first sentence and hanging it on the wall above my desk!
xx
🙂
Thank you very much, and bon courage with your christmas decorations, – sounds like you have your hands full there!
xx
thank you, thank you, thank you Delaine – I shall do my best to entertain you during december
xx
greenery for the wreath sounds good to me Barbara, and don't worry you can write 'thinking about' posts for weeks yet, you're allowed to procrastinate when you blog
xx
A woman from Columbia once told me that she regularly would enter a room in which her husband and children were and with arms raised for dramatic effect would demand that they "adore" her…..loved that attitude! Certainly your beautiful garland deserves the same adoration!! Do you have some of those lovely clips in your store??
Oh dear – is is Christmas already?? It always comes too soon for me so I greatly admire those who really 'get into it'…. Your decorations are inspiring!
Ann (from New Zealand)
Your decorations look so warm and inviting, I got my decorations out yesterday ready to work over the weekend, however it is going to be 40degrees Celsius (about 104 F) in Sydney today, so I think I will leave all the red and gold in the box and choose white and silver for a cooling effect. I bought some wonderful fake greenery with Imitation snow. Can't believe how good it looks. Nothing fresh would last a day in this heat. For the first time I am succumbing and having a cold Christmas meal, glazed ham, loads of king prawns, seafood mousse, oysters, glazed ham, and a fabulous ice cream pudding. Think of us by your fireside!
Sharon… Your work is gorgeous… and so pretty… and looks wonderful… that's the truth… I am way behind this year on decorating and planning our Christmas… i am enjoying watching it unfold around me though…:) xv
This is gorgeous Sharon – I am so far behind in preparation – but this has inspired me to start this weekend – thank you ! F x
Lovely!!! Love the birch bark!! What a big project!! So worth it!!! So warm, so cheering, so charming!!! Inspirational!!! Thank you for making the effort, we do appreciate it, indeed we do!!!
🙂 xxoo
You made me giggle with delight this is such a funny post
Love all that you do and ALWAYS so beautifully photographed
Reading your blog is like opening a beautiful book every day
xxoo
Pam
This is why I come here. You are chic but real! Your efforts are not in vain; love your decorating, particularly the plump berries…ah, RED, 'tis Christmas coming…
I for one think your efforts have been tremendous Sharon and am so jealous! Not a hint of red has passed our threshold…I am searching for Christmas..Vietnamese style and wondering what I could find in the garden to create the same effect as what you have done on the bark. Coconut shells?
Keep creating, as you know, whatever you do, we love it all!!
Best wishes for a lovely weekend Sharon….
Jeanne xx
One order of nice comments coming up!!!
Oh please don't copy and paste from Martha. Your efforts are simply beautiful and therefore all the more inspiring because they are your own and your own photography! I love the bark and berry combination with the tiny ribbons. What a clever idea. But, no, it doesn't look simple. If you pealed and cut that bark yourself I can certainly understand your loss of will to live!! Good grief, what a task! But, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the "Happy Christmas" you made for the chalk board! The clips are inspired and the perfect touch!
Have a blessed holiday season and a very Merry Christmas!
I know its not easy is it. I always have such great aspirations but only manage a very small addition to my decorations each year. This year I am super early as we are having house guests for Christmas Dinner tonight!! A work night "taboot". So the laying of the table and food prep and the quick whip round with some pre-prepared decorations had to surfice. Not a bad job if I say so myself but hey nothing like your lovely offerings on the blackboard. I am going to steal this one and make it for my own board when I have time.
Sharon, you make me smile because we won't be fibbing if we tell you how beautiful the decorations, and how talented and creative you are. On my own, never would I have ever thought that tree barks can be made into such lovely Christmas decorations. They go perfectly with the red berries. The clips are wonderful and also love the way your wrapped and decorate the present. Everything is beautiful!
Almost done here. Not quite, but almost. I confess to being a little behind my usual schedule this year.
But I did buy tons of orange and red roses this afternoon!
And I love the birch bark!!
xoxo,
p
I love it! I think the berries just make it, you know?! I am not crafty at all, but that is simply gorgeous. (PS. Christmas shopping not done, tree up, no ornaments, you have plenty of time, not even December yet!)
Oh, my!!! It's beyond adorable! =]
…and…
You give me hope…. you've expressed how I feel about my efforts – not always quite Marthaesque but they're all my very own! and, besides, encouragement and laughter – that's worth diamonds! So! Double score for you!!! =]
xo
LOVE LOVE LOVE your craft projects! So take a bow, cuz all that hard work paid off in droves. And, no I haven't even started decorating my home and usually wait until the last minute to start my shopping. Just love the pressure!
… And I always think I am 'ahead of time' putting everything up on the 1st December! You put me to shame! Our 'real' tree arrives tomorrow morning so I will have lots to share of a warm Australian christmas in the coming week. Love your handicrafts, and yes they do take longer to throw together than you would think! Jen x
Well done and I appreciate your honesty 🙂 It is NEVER easy!! Just a little garland is a challenge.. what kind to use, how to wrap it – or place it, what to combine with it.. Very pretty start to the season!
leslie
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sharon!! I could actually hear your voice as I read this post (since I am lucky enough to have heard that voice in person :)), and I just have to tell you….I love you even more than before after reading it. Your candor is comforting. I love it! Please don't ever lose that honesty and vulnerability in your posts! I have not even thought about Christmas. Not a single decoration, not a singe present. I Adore your projects….they are absolutely beautiful…and I mean it! And I believe that it took a lot longer than it looks like it did. Most projects that seem simple, end up being the most time intensive. I hope at least, that you can see the beauty in the end result, and enjoyed at least part of the process 🙂
Christmas often starts earlier on the blog than in the house Ann!
xx
Hi Susie,
we're facing minus something today, so berries and bark surviving are not such a worry.
White and silver sounds good, a combination I often like to use
xx
Thank you Vicki, of course its no where near as chic as your home at christmas, look forward to seeing what you(ll do this year
xx
thank you Francesca, maybe it is easier to start with little things then pick up steam
xx
thank you for all these lovely comments Sarah, you too are welcome back to leave me compliments whenever you wish 🙂
xx
thank you Pam, making you laugh was part of the challenge! 🙂
xx
oh yes Vicki, it's all real for sure, so pleased that you
like the result
xx
actually Jeanne, an asian style in decorating is very chic here this year – I saw a christmas tree in paris, decorated with little parasols and flowers and it was beautiful
your first Christmas in château mango!
xx
thank you so much Traci, I don't know why I never simply asked for nice comments before – my readers are all so obliging and charming!
xx
Doing as I'm told…your decorations are really beautiful. I love that you have brought nature into your home and the use of the bark is very inspired.
And if it makes you feel any better I am way behind on Christmas things. I haven't bought/done a single thing yet for the Christmas season – so you are way ahead of me!
You are so funny. I love the bark letters. My girls were impressed that I actually handled bringing out all the advent calenders. The kitchen is crazy , we have a village with houses the windows and doors open, an advent book of animals decorating, and also the classic paper window ones, plus on a whim I found the chocolate ones. As Americans living in Italy we can't find advent calenders easily so we save the ones from the years past, it has gotten out of control.! Do you ever feel you overcompensate for lack of your culture. Too much mince pie??
I love the bark idea, : ). I have a few Christmas decorations out and I haven't started shopping. My kids are away at college so Christmas preparation is different now. Much simpler.
I love the berries against that natural color. So very pretty and seasonal.
ah aspirations …. I know about those …. an early business dinner sounds like a good way to kick start the festive season
xx
Thank you Amelia, thank you – how fortunate I am to have such lovely readers 🙂
xx
Wow you are so organised Pamela, almost done! especially when your books has just come out!
xx
Thank you so much Julie, it is so reassuring that someone else is as behind as me
xx
Marthaesque!! never, not in this home anyway!
xx
you love the pressure, that's very interesting, I think I'll be using that one in the future, thank you dawn
xx
thank you Jen, I bet your home will look stunning as ever all dressed up for christmas
xx
thank you leslie
You are a very generous blogger Jeni, thank you!
I've been showing people the pictures of your warehouse here, everyone is amazed!
xx
thank you Glynis, like to think I am ahead of someone at least
xx
Looking great, love the elegant rustic vibe, Sharon!
It IS lovely 🙂
It is lovely…. and I think you are way ahead of me….I just realized all that I need to do…got to run……
Gorgeous & so creative!
I love the little clips holding the bark letters ♥
Have a wonderful weekend.
It is not only brilliant, it's beautiful. If it makes you feel better, I have only gathered pine cones and placed them on my entry table with some antique ornaments. But I was ever so grateful for the houseguest that brought me two ivy topiaries for me to place on my dining table. All that required was placement and water!!
What lovely chic rustic Christmas adornments you have created Sharon. I love the use of the birch. I might have missed it among the text here but I must ask, what are the antique "bent spoon clips" (for lack of a better description) you have used here? I love them!
SO pretty! I love the rustic look. I'm not a pointsettia or Nutcracker sort. Your decorations inspired me! thanks and happy holidays!
Sharon, your beautiful decorations are definitely getting me in the Christmas spirit! Thank you for sharing your gorgeous pictures, Cynthia
Sharon-you are so ahead of me + you have done a wonderful job on those decorations. Stunning I must get the advent calenders sent to the children today.
Merry Christmas everyone. xxpeggybraswelldesign.com
I love it and give you an A+++++! It's every bit wonderful and au natural. I believe you will inspire others to make a garland/banner very similar to yours! P.S. Now I'm on the hunt for a birch tree!!! 🙂
I just love your true confessions of photo styling!! It isn't easy, and as a shop owner, I can tell you a lot of my time is spent in pursuit of the one great photo for each item! And what you've done is lovely, simple, and so cheery!
Hope your weekend is absolutely lovely!
Hugs,
Becky
Red and White! I love it.
Kaki
The Keeper of the Little Red Diary
Sharon, the bark, berries, pineconesandacorn and the candle clips are beautiful and inventive! Olive it and all of the photos.
I am finished decorating, shopping and wrapping, just have to go to do the dreaded shipping.
Have a beautiful week, Elizabeth
I agree with some of the comments above, your blog is a bright spot with my morning coffee! I hope all these comments you are getting help you stay motivated to continue with your beautiful posts. I have to ask, how did you make your blog snow? I live in Florida and really love that little detail.
Blessings to you!
This is such a fascinating blog, it really puts a smile on my face and I love the design aspect of these decorations, they really are unique and beautiful. Keep up the good work and spread the Christmas cheer!