Mosaic Monday

Is it bad that it is December 12th and our tree is still not decorated??  Shame on me! If I could close my eyes and dream up the perfect Christmas decor for my house, it would be similar to this...

I just ADORE the old fashion, colonial Williamsburg holiday traditions.  Actually, according to eHow.com, it is a misconception that fruit was used to decorate holiday doors in the American Colonial period. According to the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, it wasn't until 1939 that della Robbia-style wreaths became popular in the historic town's Christmas decorations.  Luca della Robbia was an Italian sculptor during the 1400s who was well-known for his fruit themes.  The fruits and foliage used on much of the Renaissance Italian sculpture work influenced the stylists at "House Beautiful" magazine in 1926.  Wreaths and swags were filled with fruit for holiday decorations.

The pineapple arrangement above the door proclaims hospitality to all who enter.

Oh maybe a trip to Williamsburg may be in my near future.. if it weren't so dang cold!  After I decorate my naked tree today, I may attempt one of these topiaries instead.  So pretty!!

Enjoy!

*Forgot to mention that I am joining the link up over at Little Red House for Mosaic Mondays.  Check out the other blogs over there for some more wonderful Monday treasures.

2012 Calendar..order yours today.

A retailer friend of mine tipped me off last week to these amazing daily journals made by artist Greg Johnson.  After a quick chat with him yesterday, Gillyweed will now be selling these gorgeous calendars at The Vintage-Flea for $22.  The calendar is filled with 64 uncoated pages ready for your note keeping and daily agenda. Front and back cover is embossed and the inside is designed with an antique journal in mind with ruled pages, weekly inspirational quotes and Greg's seasonal collage art.  Calendars should be in shop by Friday but don't hesitate to order yours today.  Call or Text 770-301-0409 or email me at vdumas@numail.org.

In the meantime, here are some more shots of the journal courtesy of Curious Sofa.

 

 

Enjoy!

Beautiful Birds

The first of 3 Bird Classes that I have scheduled for December has come to pass.  I couldn't be more thrilled at how they all turned out and I do believe everybody had a great time learning a new Encaustic technique... Transferring images onto wax.  Yes, here is my secret...I can't draw very well so sometimes I transfer images onto the wax and then color on top of it.  Some artists use overhead projectors, some use graphite paper.. I use photocopies!  Here are few snapshots from my class of 8.  Look at their amazing detail!  Love it.

We had tropical birds..

Backyard Birds..

 

and even a Flamingo!

 

It was quite a Zoo.

 

My next class with availability is on December 17th from 10am-12.  Class is $25.  You can reserve your spot by calling Jenny Jones at the Corner Arts Gallery in downtown Newnan.  678-633-5705. 

Enjoy!

2012 Color Revealed...

My husband's favorite color is Orange so 2012 will be a great color year for him as the Pantone Institute has chosen their color of the year to be Tangerine Tango.  What do you think?  Orange doesn't look good on everyone but pops of it here and there would be so nice to see.

 If you aren't ready to try head to toe Orange, here are some other colors that Pantone has deemed worthy this Spring. 

Although my friends would say I love a good Margarita, I do not care for that color or Sweet Lilac.  Too light for my taste.  The rest I will wear proudly!!  Thanks Pantone!  Another great pick.

Enjoy!!

Christmas Tree.. Gillyweed Style

One of these days I will scrounge up enough dough to purchase a large driftwood Christmas tree from my friend Michelle at Resurrect Antiques in Opelika, AL.  I absolutely love her gorgeous trees!  However, yesterday I found this cute little DIY from 52 Mantels and knew that a mini tree would hold me over until I get the big daddy.  The original DIY used vintage mini glass ornaments for the tree shape and

thread for the base.  I adapted the design for my Gillyweed store using small driftwood pieces that the kids and I picked up last time we were at the beach.  Mini ornaments were added next and of course no tree would be complete without a star.

 

To see other fabulous Coastal Ideas, follow this link to Sally Lee by the Sea's... Coastal Christmas Holiday Link Party.

Enjoy!

Mosaic Monday

I have a new found love for the chevron pattern.. maybe because it is a series of the letter "V" or maybe because it reminds me of making friendship bracelets when I was younger.  Either way, the chevron has inspired me to create some new jewelry for Gillyweed and has helped me tweak my logo by adding colorful accents... Suncoast Style!  I found this blog helpful for creating the chevron pattern.. maybe it will inspire you too.

working on some new jewelry pieces

new logo.. seen all over my new earring cards.

new scarves with chevron pattern coming in next week to the Gillyweed booth

And for Mosaic Monday.. here are some of my favorite Chevrons found on Pinterest!

For more wonderful Mosaics Monday postings, go to the Little Red House .

Enjoy!!

Who's Your Elf?

Last night my son Brice, age 10, asked me where our Elves were since the school Elf has now officially been seen in his classroom.  Seems Mr. Elf has been taking names on who is naughty and who is nice.. "Our Elves?" I asked, "I think they are still packed away with the ornaments".  After promising to unearth them this weekend I started thinking if this would be the last year he believes.  When my daughter turned 10, she figured the whole thing out from Santa to Tooth Fairy, Easter Bunny to Leprechauns in one fell swoop.  My son, on the other hand, is holding on like a tooth tangling from one stringy root.  He found out about the Tooth Fairy a few months ago after a serious mishap from my husband.  Sweet hubby forgot to check if my angel was in fact sleeping before slipping the money under the pillow.  Twenty minutes later we hear a noise outside our bedroom door and when we went to check it out, we found said money on the ground.  We found him crying in his bedroom and had to explain the Tooth Fairy to him.  I thought that's it, he will figure it all out now.  But then our Elves came up in conversation last night at the dinner table.  Note to self.. You have one more shot to make magical memories!

We don't have the "Elf On The Shelf" book or doll.  However, we do have two vintage elves, like the ones pictured above, that remind me of my childhood Christmas holidays.  I always forget to move them around the house so I tell my children that they are too old.  This year will be different thanks to this blog posting I found... 101 Elf On The Shelf Ideas.

My favorites would have to include:

• Hang child’s unmentionables on the Christmas tree
•  Type /write an amazing letter of all the wonderful qualities your Elf has witnessed of your child!!!!!!!!
•  Elf writes his own X-mas list – Elf clothes, Mrs. Elf, candy, etc.

And I am sure I can come up with a few more to make this, possibly the last year of Believing, more special.

Enjoy!!