Thursday, December 17, 2009

A Happy & Colorful Christmas





Hi everyone! I finished the last of my trees and I'm ready to show you some living room photos. I still have a bit more to do and then that's it. Remind me next year to start earlier!


Above is my lovely faux mercury glass collection which I love and have out somewhere in my home all year round. I love all that shinyness.



It's quite easy to find them these days. Even Target has some (I'd wait for the after Christmas Sales). That's how I got most of mine. After Christmas Sales at various stores and catalogs over the past few years.


I put a real pointsettia in  one of my white pitchers and I love how it looks. Hopefully it won't die because it has no drainage!


O.K. I love this! My thrifted chair, with my thrifted red pillows, on my cushion that I made myself!


Oh I had plans to make a banner! I have cute Christmas fabric that I was going to use. I just ran out of time so I bought this one at TJ Maxx. "Tis The Season"



I was going to add some stuff to it to make it cuter and then realized - that was crazy- I was crazy... and should leave well enough alone. I can't make everything! Again, remind me to start earlier next year.


I love my happy looking mantel with all my trees that I made! I'm not quite done but I wanted to show you the trees.


My rosette tree which I think would be perfect for Valentines day as well.


Some trees I decoupaged with Christmas scrapbook paper.


My red yarn tree with a pom pom on top.


These little trees with the polka dot bows are ornaments from Target. The red mercury glass toppers I got from TJ Maxx last year.


Christmas 2007



So I wanted to make a Christmas ornament wreath instead of putting up this "W" wreath like I do every year. This picture of it is from 2007.  Well......


......only... I ran out of ornaments! Yes I did!  It looks a bit odd in this photo, but it is fine when you look at it head on ( but not so great from other angles).  So pretend the ornaments go all the way around on the outside! Thank you. I'll pick up some ornaments when I go to the Target after Christmas sale and finish it then. It's fine for now - it really doesn't look too bad in person.





 I do have a few more things to show you which I will save for next week. I'm going to take a few days off as I am still trying to get back to the lovely people who stopped by for Rhoda's "Home for the Holidays" tour (which was a few posts back)! So be patient with me as I make my way around to everyone!

Have a wonderful weekend!

93 comments:

Ally's Corner said...

Your house is so pretty and I love how all your tree turned out.

Ally

Mary Ellen said...

Absolutely beautiful! So colorful and festive. You did a great job!

cindy said...

What a happy holiday space Manuela! That mantel of yours is just amazing with all your creative and unique trees...and the banner is cute too, and I never would've known you hadn't made it as it fits right in with your scheme. :)

Thanks for sharing all your lovelies!

Lois Christensen said...

It looks so pretty!! I love the mercury glass collection. Beautiful!! Enjoy your day!

Rhondi said...

Hi Manuela
Everything looks beautiful. I love all the trees you made on your mantle. You are so talented. You should have your own TV show on HGTV. I'd watch it for sure!
Hugs, Rhondi

matty said...

Very pretty! I love the trees! It looks like a Christmas wonderland in your neck of the woods!

Has the rain stopped??

Take care,

Matty

Dawn said...

Wow, it's all so festive and I just love the mix of styles. The colors are so pretty. The trees are fabulous!
Christmas Hugs,
Dawn

Alana Jo said...

Such a beautiful home!

You made those trees? You must do a tutorial!

A Southern Rose said...

Your home looks so festive and so ready for Chrstmas! I love your little trees. Especially the rose tree. You are right it would look beaautiful for Valentine's Day too. (Which is just around the corner) LOL

Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Hearts Turned said...

What beautiful photos of your home and lovely decorations--thanks for sharing these!

I always have such grand ideas through the year about all I'm going to make for Christmas for the house...but time and reality DO get in the way, don't they?! And...that's just okay!

Hope you're having a wonderful Christmas time with your family--stay cozy!

Marla said...

Manuela, I love all the colorful trees on the mantel. Your red toile and red accents look wonderful. I always look forward to seeing what you are up to and follow your blog faithfully. Blessings, marla

Anonymous said...

Your home looks so festive Manuela, and judging by the photos you didn't need to start any earlier...you look ready to me! I love your rosette tree and you're right, it would look lovely to bring out again for St.Valentines Day!
I wanted to ask you if your trees are on a foam base? I made a tree as well, mine is made of felt and is stuffed and weighted down with a rock and a cardboard base.
Enjoy your holidays and thank you for being such a great hostess! I always enjoy my 'visits' to your home :) xx

Linda said...

Manuela your house is so bright and cheerful...just looking at all of the pretty items put me in a jolly good mood! ((smile))

I like the trees on the mantel and can't believe you made all of those pretty things! You're good!

Merry Christmas!

Linda @ Truthful Tidbits

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

Love all your trees, Manuela, and how they look on your mantel. Seeing your white slipcovered sofa has me eager for my slipcover. It should be done and ready for use on the 22nd ~ can't wait. You can't do everything, so if you have to pick something up from TJ Maxx, go for it!

Julie said...

Your house is looking lovely and those tree's are so sweet!

Happy Holidays!

The Good Life in Virginia said...

i so like visiting your blog and taking in all your beautiful decorations. your trees on the mantle are a delight to the eye. and of course the red accents and toile and mercury glass...ahhhh

let's say if i had the time, i would indulge in all of this but until i do, i stop by and enjoy your beautiful, beautiful decorations manuela.

happy holidays to you and yours.
always

Stacey said...

Manuela it's all beautiful! I especially love the silver and mercury glass pieces.

Beth said...

Don't forget...start earlier next year! LOL Your house looks awesome - as always. I like your collection of mercury glass :)

Joy said...

So gorgeous! And so inspiring, too! Thanks for the tips and inspiration.

Adrienne said...

Hi, Manuela - Your home looks so bright and festive. I'm with you - remind me to start earlier next year. And maybe remind me to say no to a lot of things I added extra to help out some very worthy events. Too much at once isn't a good thing! Remind me to slow my pace a bit so I can enjoy the season instead of going at a break-neck pace! ~Adrienne~

Julie Harward said...

OH...EVERYTHING IS SO BEAUTIFUL! I LOVED THE TREES, SO COLORFUL AND FESTIVE AND THE SHINY AND THE RED...IT ALL LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING OUT OF A MAGAZINE! YOU ARE SO CREATIVE...ENJOY IT ALL! Come say hi ;D

Happy@Home said...

It is looking very cheery and festive at your house. I love everything you have done, but I particularly like the photo of the poinsettia in the white jug with the sunlight hitting it. So peaceful looking.

Anita@Theycallmejammi said...

Everything looks so festive and cheerful...love all your trees.

jacki_ste@msn.com said...

You're too funny - and I did pretend the ornaments go all the way around! Looks beautiful; you've outdone yourself again. Thanks for the inspiration.

Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas said...

Beautiful Manuela! Just beautiful! Love the trees! Love the cushion and pillow!

LOVE the mercury glass!!

Lou Cinda :)

Kimberly said...

Your pictures are so beautiful--like they belong in a magazine. I love looking at photos of your home because it always looks so clean, yet warm and inviting. You have a wonderful sense of color and design.

PattieJ said...

So pretty! I LOVE that mirror with the garland over it! Your little trees are so cute too! I bought Styrofoam cones last year to make some and never did. I just can't decide what to make them with, sequins, felt or what??? I seem to have lost my creativity!Everything looks beautiful!

Mary Anne said...

Great idea to put the poinsettia in a pitcher! I have been trying to come up with a cute way to display my yellow ones.

Best Wishes,

Mary Anne

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Beautiful Manuela. Your home is so bright and happy. I love those trees! And that initial made out of ornaments is spectacular!

Have you seen the new January Martha Stewart? It has instructions on how to make your own mercury glass - I think I am going to try it if I ever have any time :)

XOOX
Jen

Simple Home said...

Everything looks so beautiful. The trees are pretty, so whimsical and colorful. The mercury glass is so pretty too. I love the white pitcher, I have 4 or 5 of those, and I love that you can change the look by the season, just by changing the flowers. Have a Merry Christmas.
Blessings,
Marcia

GlorV1 said...

It looks great Manuela. I think the 2007 wreath still looks great, even without all the ornaments. Your home is so comfy. I don't decorate like that, mainly because I know I will hate taking everything down. But you, why you are the best! Good job senorita! Have a great Friday.

Nadine said...

Your living room looks so lovely all done up for Christmas. The sunlight only adds to it's beauty!
I adore all your trees - too cute!

Blessings!
~Nadine

arkie said...

Your home is lovely! I love the trees on the mantle!

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

Everything looks so wonderful! I love your trees on the mantel - all of your mercury glass too! What are they sitting on? Did you make a tray out of a large picture frame? It fits the truck so perfectly!
Hugs,
PEnny

Unknown said...

I love your ADORABLE trees!! So happy to find another yellow and red girl! Best wishes to you and your family this Christmas!

Julie said...

Everything...Every Thing...is beautiful!!! love it all. You do such a great job of spreading the spirit and color and joy of Christmas in your home. And thanks for sharing all the beautiful and creative work with all of us!!!
Now Go rest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas :-) Loved your post.

Brenda Pruitt said...

Manuela, that mantel should be in a magazine! It's absolutely gorgeous. I made a mental note last night that I'm going to make it a point to think up all sorts of ways this year to design trees. For I am in love with yours. Your home looks DIVINE!
Brenda

My Cozy Cubby said...

I love it! Everything came together so well! You're way talented.The white pitcher is so classy. Now, enjoy all the loveliness. Have a wonderful Christmas!

Pamela

Anny said...

I love how pretty and cheerful your decorations are! Your mercury glass is lovely and your mantle o trees is squeeworthy!

gail said...

An inspiration Manuela,so pretty.

Blessings Gail

cindyb said...

I love your house! Where did you get the bookcases on each side of the sofa?

cindyb

Tanya said...

I love it all! You're so creative. I feel your pain about starting earlier. I'm thinking that I must start in January with as ambitious as my plans get around October!

Anonymous said...

I would just like to say Thank You! You give me so much inspiration. I am just starting out on my own and your ideas are so cost effective and cute soooooo Thank You

Melissa Miller said...

Very pretty decor' Manuela!

I just adore the colorful trees and pillows against the cheerful whites and yellows of your home.

Gorgeous job on everything! :)

Miss Janice said...

Manuela,
I love all the decorations! The little trees you made are just precious. I love the mercury glass collection on your table and I think the wreath you made looks soooo cute. Now, I also love that red toile throw on the sofa, which by the way is the sofa I NEED!

Unknown said...

Beautiful as always. Love the mantle, but it is all wonderful. Linda

Anonymous said...

I especially delight in the photo of the chair, with the sunlight playing on it. And yes, next year I so want to start earlier.

CurtissAnn

Rachel @ Life in #3 said...

Your living room is gorgeous. I love the decor and colors (even without the Christmas stuff, which also looks great!).

Donna, The Decorated House said...

I love all the color in your house Manuela. You might be a bit tired of seeing so much white in other places. :) I've had color for years and now need the white in my own house, but I LOVE seeing lots of color in other homes. Otherwise it would be so boring!
Your home is so inviting for the Holidays!
Donna

Unknown said...

LOVE YOUR TREES on your mantel, as much AS I LOVE THAT "W" bulb garland wreath on the mirror... LOVE LOVE IT!

P.S. your B.E. post below got lots of feed back... have a good night!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi Manuela, your post is just what I needed. I have been a bit overwhelmed today, wishing my house were a little newer (instead of an old farmhouse) and decorated differently, needing more time, frustrated with the lack of it...and so on. Then I come to your delightful home with your wonderful trees that I think are just amazing...and I thought...I like how they are all different. Not matching perfectly...but working perfectly together to make a beautiful room and mantel. I just love it. I have yellow walls and decorate too with white and red...so I feel at home here!
Thank you.
Debbie

The Style Sisters said...

I looove your decorations!! The colorful trees, the silver candlesticks..the "W" it is all so wonderful.

Laura said...

Manuela-
Everything looks lovely. I too love mercury glass, and I hope to add to my collection after Christmas this year.

Laura

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Manuela everything looks so great! I love those colorful trees on your mantle. Each tree is so special, and all of them together are a forest of happiness! I think the photo of your ornament wreath looks great. Love all of the mercury glass grouped together too. Wishing you and your family and wonderful Christmas. laurie

Angie said...

I love all the cute and whimsical trees! I need to try to make some too. There is just never enough time, especially at Christmas!

Mimi Sue said...

I just love it all. So colorful and bright. Mimi

Suzanne said...

Hi Manuela....your home looks so fun for the holidays! I love the color....and I love the poinsettia in the white pitcher!
Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family.

Kara Ward said...

I am moving in....beautiful. It reminds me of a layout in Southerliving magazine. Fabulous! I want the "W" wreath for "Ward" it is just perfect and the trees are darling. So colorful and fun!

Amanda said...

You have such wondeful taste. I always look forward to seeing what you have up next. Happy Holidays!

Terri Steffes said...

Beautiful! I love your house! I need to start earlier next year, too!

Richella Parham said...

Your living room looks like a space filled with joy. And that's what Christmas is supposed to be about!

Gypsy Heart said...

I LOVE your house! The mercury glass, the trees you made, that gorgeous chair you refurbished...all the red...it's all beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing!

Imagery by Kimberly said...

Oh everything is just so adorable and beautiful! I love your trees on your mantel! So so cute.

Merry Christmas Dear Manuela!
Thank you so much for all that you have so generously shared with us in Blogland!

Love,
Kim

Anonymous said...

Such a happy Christmas display you have. I like your shiny mercury, too. Thank you for your sweet comment on my post. Rosie

june@craftyniche said...

So colorful and festive! :)

Kim said...

I just love it all! So festive & pretty. And, your red & white decor lends itself so well to Christmas decorating.

Lallee said...

Manuela, how pretty everything looks! I love your trees, especially toe red and white roses. Your mercury glass looks so pretty all together. I've been trying to pick up a piece each year. Thank you for sharing!
Hugs,
Lallee

Phyllis said...

Hi Manuela,

Your decorations are so pretty and happy looking.

I just read your previous post and it sure is a shame that people are stooping so low that some are taking from others even in blog land.

I love looking at lots of blogs, not only to be inspired and get ideas, but just to LOOK. It's like an electronic magazine that you can flip through, page after page.

Also, I thought it was proper blog etiquette to respond to comments by visiting the commentor or sending a note. Some of my regular places I visit aren't even responding in kind to me. Quite discouraging sometimes.

Anyway, thanks for saying what you did and showing us pretty and inspiring pictures!

Richella Parham said...

Manuela!!! I think I may have already left a comment on this post, but I'm back again. . . to say that I love your new blog design! It's so pretty--all that beautiful black and red toile! It looks lovely. Congratulations!

Andrea @ Big Creek Cottage said...

Manuela....I love your Christmas decorations...all of them...and I love the new look of your blog...very pretty.

Kathleen Grace said...

Your decorations are so beautiful! I love the poinsettia in the ironstone pitcher and all the colorful trees you have made:>) Merry Christmas to you and your family. May your week be blessed!

Lynne (lynnesgiftsfromtheheart) said...

Your home is awesome.. love love love the mercury glass. I've had such a weakness for it these past few years. Anything vintage seems to find it's way home.lol
hugs ~lynne~

Rue said...

Oh my Manuela! I love it all!! I love your home all year, but it's particularly darling at Christmas with the yellow, red and white playing off each other. Your little trees are so cute too :)

Merry christmas sweet friend!

xo,
rue

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

It's all gorgeous, Manuela! I saw some of the faux mercury glass at Target last week. I hope I can pick some more pieces up after Christmas. That's how I got some of mine last year.

Merry Christmas!

Glenda/MidSouth said...

You have done a great job decorating! You did a beautiful job on your trees. I had planned to add some bling to the white ones I put in the birdcage, but have not got around to it just yet. I keep looking at the mercury glass out there, but I need to resist - I have run out of room around here!
Thanks for stopping by - I am going to figure this computer thing out yet!!
Glenda

Vee said...

Thank you, Manuela, for stopping by to welcome me back. I so appreciate that knowing how busy you are!

Your decorations are so fresh and cheerful. I don't know how anyone wouldn't feel joyful just seeing them. About starting earlier...I tell myself that every year and it never works (even if I DO start earlier.)

Wendy said...

You have a great eye for decorating! It looks so beautiful! I also love your new blog wallpaper! Reminds me of the Red Toile in your living room!
Wendy

Simply Heart And Home said...

SO lovely! This year, Christmas just snuck up on us, didn't it!

Have a lovely Sunday

Gina

*Ulrike* said...

Everything looks wonderful! I especially like all of your mercury glass too!

Barb said...

Merry Christmas, dear Manuela. All of God's best to you this season.

Barb ♥

Julia said...

Manuela, your home is beautiful! I love all your trees on your mantle.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Merry Christmas, Julia

Unknown said...

Your house is like a magazine shooting just lovely! Blessings to you and what you don't get done just doesn't matter! Fondly Meg

Sue said...

Such lovely, lovely things adorn your house, Manuela! It is truly eye candy. And I know what you mean about starting earlier next year. My head injury set me back 4 weeks, so I was really behind! I rushed like a mad woman with a dizzy head. LOL
Have a Merry Christmas! xo Sue

Betsy Brock said...

Everything looks sooo festive! :)

Melissa Miller said...

LOVE your blog design Manuela! It's sooo pretty and feminine. I'm grabbing your new button to display on my sidebar. You are welcome to mine as well if you would like. *Smiles*

Merry Christmas & Many Blessings!
~Melissa :)

Darlene said...

EVERYTHING looks absolutely GORGEOUS!! Love all your trees on the mantle. The mercury glass collection is gorgeous.

Jennifer said...

You have been busy and your home is just beautiful for it! I love all of the color and textures that you have addeds always Manuela, you are such an inspiration!

Have a fabulous week,
Jennifer

Gingasia said...

Absolutely beautiful!

brokeintrovert said...

I love the trees and your mercury glass. Very, very beautiful!

Unknown said...

lovely, ok where did u get the toile throw????? mishelle

Susan at Charm of the Carolines said...

Your home is lovely. Thanks for sharing the pictures.

Merry Christmas,

Susan at Charm of the Carolines

Anonymous said...

I must keep an eye open for some cane back French chairs...even better if they are already white. They are just what is needed around my white kitchen table. I will use red and beige toile. Thanks for your lovely idea and inspiration.

beth said...

wow! everything looks beautiful!! love that set of trees!!