started my Christmas decorating

14 years ago

Actually I started it days ago. Decorating is taking me a long time of course, but here's some that's done so far.

I hope to do the ornaments on the trees tomorrow. Big job, thanks to the Fibromyalgia,tho my 4 trees are small.

I have a LOT of ornaments. LOL.

But I'm very proud of myself, as the last few days I've been sorting thru all the bins from the store-room and Christmas closet and garage, and I made the decision that I need to let some stuff go. If its not put out this year, it probably won't be next either! So my DD and my DDIL are coming over Thurs to 'shop for free', and what they don't want I'll donate. (and not buy BACK when I

go to GW. LOL)

I didn't get pictures yet, but I moved all my Painted Pony figurines (over 100 of them, three at a time)from their china cabinet to the Christmas closet. After I emptied 3 shelves in there so I could store them. Lot of walking.

Then I used their cabinet for some of my Christmas collections. Cardinals on top shelf, my Mikasa figurines on the second shelf, the Christmas-themed Painted Ponies on 3rd shelf tho I decorated them with a snow blanket and stuff. Bottom two shelves are my reindeer.

I am not able to set up my Village this year, and that makes me sad. But I just can't do it, and it also needs in the big china cabinet, like last year. Only way to keep it safe from the "Orange Tornado". That cat would definitely cause a disaster in the Village. LOL.

Anyway, I'll try to get photos of the cabinet soon.

Since I took 12 pictures, I've put them in the album I started for my Fall and Christmas decor. Here's the link for you to see rather loading this post. I still have to take pix of my other Christmas cookie jars, I have a collection of around 18.. but am letting my girls take some. See, I really AM trying to pare down this year.

LOL....the trouble is, I've got so dang much stuff no one will even notice my efforts!

hugs, Karen

Here is a link that might be useful: my Christmas decorating

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Comments (15)

plainjane425
14 years ago
Karen...everything looks so lovely.
What a beautiful Santa Collection and I love your Fitz & Floyd collection too. I'm eyeing the Cardinal and the plate behind it. I'm starting to get 'Cardinal' fever!
I've been looking for some too.
I like how you displayed your nutcrackers and Christmas bunnies. I didn't put my nutcrackers out this year..just trying to cut back some.. depends on how much energy I have.
You managed to do quite a bit already...and you sound like a dynamo >>> Go Girl!!
I'm looking forward to seeing ALL of what you do...
I'm all finished, but haven't had a chance to take pics..Sat is my Family Party and now I'm CLEANING !! uggg

jane
yachter123
14 years ago
Karen, seems like just the other day you were emptying out that big cabinet & putting up your village, the time is flying by way too fast!

Christmas just comes too fast, maybe we should do it every other year, with our back problems! LOL

Love the big santa & the big nutcracker. I saw another fireplace, think it was on Rate My Space & they had two of the large nutcrackers flanking the fireplace.

I don't blame you for cleaning out, I had things I didn't use in years & finally got rid of them. No sense taking up space with things we are not going to use.

You have a great start, all looks really cute! I'll be over to steal your cardinals, that is what I have on my mantel this year.

You are brave doing all those trees, I may not even do one!
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I'm sorry it's taken me so long to reply, but I've been working like a busy little beaver the last couple of days. Oakleyok, the apothecary bottles sounds interesting. I can't wait to see how you do this. Did you have any luck in your shopping for pink ornaments? Too bad you don't live closer to me...I probably could have just given you some! Nana, thank you! I'm not exactly sure "enjoy" is the right words when it comes to my Aunt's and Mother's decorating. Slinkey, I've been doing their decorating for several years now. My aunt is 79 years old and not physically able to decorate. My mother is 69 years old and will quickly tell you she can't decorate. Not that she physically can't, but she doesn't think she has "the knack". I guess she doesn't remember that she did all the decorating when I was growing up and from what I remember, it was always beautiful to me. Candy, I know what you mean about change. I honestly don't mind decorating for them and my mother's house is really pretty easy. She only has one 7 ft tree in her living room and a small 4 ft tree in a bedroom. That's basically all she does. My aunt, on the other hand, get a full entire house treatment. I'm starting on her house this Tuesday and my back is already protesting. LOL! Jeanne, thank you! Normally at Christmas I have pink roses covered with glittery faux snow in the epergne vases. Depending on what tablesetting I'm using, I might change them out for white or red roses. The cased opening in between my kitchen and dining area is about 9 ft wide. I always hung lighted garland there and filled it with ornaments hanging down. I thought it was really pretty, but I just simply can't handle all the going up and down ladders to hang stuff anymore. Hmmm...I'm trying to think if I have any angels I could use. Not really sure, but I'll look. Karen, thank you so much for the photos! I adore the chest with the finials in it. That is gorgeous! I always wondered how they kept the finials from falling...never thought of using sticks. Punk, I did ask DD what she thought and if she had any ideas for decorating. The only response I got was "doesn't matter to me, I'm only interested in putting up the big tree". She's 15 years old and when I ask for help with ideas and what she (as well as my 11 year old DD) would like as far as decorating or how they would like it to look...all I get in response is "it doesn't matter or I don't care". Very frustrating! I wish I could get them to say "oh, I think you should do this" or "can we do it this way"...I'd probably pass out from shock! LOL! cbm4style, thank you so much! I do agree, there are some very crafty people here. I've learned so much since I started hanging with these ladies (and a few guys!).
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phonegirl
14 years ago
Karen,
I'm in awe after looking at all your decorations. So beautiful and so much. Do you want another DD orDDIL??? I want to come shop.LOL I think it's great if you aren't able to put out all your decorations, to share with the girls. You must have alot of sq footage in your home with all the decorating you do.

I love giving to my children if I know they want something. I've tried to give them some of my outside decorations and they won't take any.

I will have to keep checking back as you add more.

Jane, Isn't it fun to clean with all the decorations to move and dust? I can hardly wait to see your pictures.

Punk
valleymagpie
14 years ago
Karen,
Really pretty decos. I like the nutcrackers, and the Santa and the nutcracker by the fireplace. Good for you, you've done a lot more than I have! Got my fireplace done and that's about it.

I'm looking forward to more pictures.

-Magpie
livvyandbella
14 years ago
Beautiful. I love the dog next to the twig bush!
excessfroufrou
14 years ago
Karen, I know with your health it is hard on you, but you've done a wonderful job. The santas in the entry are great and I have that same dog print in my red guest room, how funny. The new purple nutcracker is a perfect compliment for the giant purple wreath, the whole setting is lovely. I love the Fitz & Floyd things, I saw some s&p shakers at the TS last week, still in the box for $3.00. And ya'll are giving me the cardinal itch, but I am not going there. Because, I didn't even have room for my snowman collection this year.
Syble
calicocat1967
14 years ago
Everything looks so festive. Love the table full of santas. They all are unique. The wreath above the fireplace is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Kim
luvstocraft
14 years ago
"It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas". Oh, that's just me singing offtone! LOL You've got allot done, Gal, and it looks lovely. Your purple wreath is just so pretty, just love it everytime I see it. You've collected some wonderful nutcrackers and santas too, and you F&F plates are great. I really love that big cardinal cookie jar--can't believe you found that at Walmart, it's gorgeous as is the plate. I could easily get that fever too.

You always find the neatest things, lucky DD and DIL to get to "shop" at your house! Hope you won't end up missing any of it and wishing you still had it some other year--that's what I think about when I want to pare down, and then I can't pare down! LOL

Glad you are not pushing yourself to try to do the village while you are not feeling up to it. Your village is lovely and you have all those pretty pics of it from last year that we can look at again too.

Thanks for sharing with us--now I'm waiting to see your stacked plates and your window by the table that I love so much.

Luvs
tammy518
14 years ago
Karen, you have some beautiful collections. I especially love your fireplace decorations, and the cardinal cookie jar.
jaybird
14 years ago
I'm gonna' have to fight everyone for the cardinal cookie jar!! and I love the rabbit in the fall bicycle picture...tooo cute!! You are doing such a good job. Be careful and take special care of yourself!
J
bettyd_z7_va
14 years ago
Oh Girl, You make me tired. LOL

Everything is so pretty. I'm glad to see the purple wreath back this year. And your purple Santa and nutcracker are darling with it.

I've fallen HARD for your bunny angel in the foyer. Not to mention the cardinals that we would all be fighting over!

The F&F are beautiful. I could go on and on....

Looking forward to more, but get some rest.

I haven't even started decorating.

Betty
jeannespines
14 years ago
WOW, woman! You are way ahead of the game! Your Christmas decor is wonderful! Like luvs, it had me singing too! Loved all the turkey plates in the kitchen...afraid those are calling me since I lurked over here on this forum!

Take good care of yourself...I always love your "purples" ...and I've just begun...LR tree is up & I heard DH say today..."oh, the tree is up but she has another 1000 things to do yet." (????)... must be talking about me...both of us fighting the sore throat, cold (flu-like)crap ...after Thanksgvg., at least..so hoping for some more energy soon! It takes me forever also...but well worth the effort...you know that!

TFS your album! I always enjoy looking at ALL of your work! Your home is BEAUTIFUL! Jeanne S.
bonniee818
14 years ago
Very pretty! You have been so busy! I love everything you have done. Your collections are gorgeous. Thanks for sharing.......Bonnie
Purplemoon
Original Author
14 years ago
Punk, I would LOVE to adopt you for another daughter. LOL.
Things would get done around here fast then, plus you said you love to cook.

livvyandbella, I have around a dozen life-size Whippet-Greyhound statues. One near the front door is so realistic, it often stops strangers in their tracks when they come in. LOL. The one by the twig tree was an old concrete piece from eBay that I made look like a bronze.

Jane, I may sound like a 'dynamo' but if you saw me limping around and trying to decorate, you'd laugh. My legs and back make me move like I'm 99 yrs old now.

Luvs, if I regret letting Alissa or Suzie take something, I'll just go get it back. LOL. My daughter came over this evening and took a LOT, Suz will be here tomorrow and hope she does the same. Then I'll STILL have too much stuff!! LOL.

Jeanne, I'm so sorry you and DH are sick. Sending lots of good thoughts for you both feeling better soon. The turkey plates are packed away and Christmas ones on counter now. After the holidays, my rooster plates go back there.

Betty, after making that purple wreath last year, I was NOT going to dismantle all my work, so I just hung it as is in the coat closet! It won't change, ever. LOL. That was my first attempt at making a big wreath, and may be my last the way I'm going. Especially as I've become an outstanding procrastinator. It seems that my "calendar" contains EIGHT days in a week. Cause I'm always planning to do something Someday!

I really appreciate all the wonderful comments. It means a lot to me. My DH never says a word about anything, knowing him he doesn't even see most of it. LOL. Mr Oblivious is alive and well...and usually on the golf course! My dad just loves it tho. And my DD also thought things looked good so far. I got quite a bit more done today, tho a lot of that was still sorting things out. I
just discovered a small box of cardinals in the garage bin, and two more boxes of ornaments. Dang, I think this stuff is out there multiplying!

hugs, Karen
luckygal
14 years ago
You're pretty speedy compared to me! I started weeks ago and got sidetracked with crafts!

I love, love, love your purple wreath, almost makes me want to completely change my colors! Your F&F plates are gorgeous and the cardinal swag is very impressive! You have so many nice collections, I'm sure your DD and DDIL will be very happy and appreciative of your generosity.

TFS - I loved seeing it all!

I'm not sure if I ever mentioned we once had a Greyhound so I love seeing your doggy pics. He was such a gentle boy, I still miss him altho it's been a few years. We now have an 11 lb. wonder furbaby - what a contrast!

started my Christmas decorating

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started my Christmas decorating

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