Thanks to all of you for your kind words. I have so enjoyed looking at everyone's ideas and homes that I was inspired to post my own. I have to say it was such fun taking the pictures and learning about photobucket. I do enjoy the collecting of Christmas stuff but like most of you here on the boards I am budget minded too. When I get some on these gorgeous items on sale after the holidays it makes it that much sweeter. To answer some of your questions: Kathleen li - I love the ironing board Santa in the hall display too. It isn't really an ironing board but a piece of plywood with fabric and paint done to look like Santa. I bought it years ago at a craft fair here in Birmingham, AL for less than $20. The santa portrait is new this year from Kirkland's Home. The have one every year and it is only $59. I got it last week at 25% off. Calicocat1967 - I like the Santa plates. I was fortunate enough to most of them from Fitz and Floyd last year on Christmas day. They put everything on sale and I get their emails telling when. I picked them up for less than $10 each. The covered dish in the kitchen corner cabinet came from Tuesday Morning after Christmas last year. It is a Christopher Radko but I only paid $15 for it on sale. luvstocraft - Thanks for thinking I "belong". I kind of felt like I did and it's nice to point out to hubby "There are others like me. I'm not the only one always picking up dishes or decorations everywhere I go" One of the things I have enjoyed about the board is the comradery. Every when I didn't post I felt apart of the community. I am glad that I came out of lurkdom. I got the angles in the pictures for 25 cents a print years ago and had them framed for less than $10 each. I stole the hanging on a ribbon and dowel idea from a magazine. Very eye catching and costs very little too. phyl345 - I'm glad you enjoyed it. sameboat - Thanks for looking and commenting. melvalena- I hope I didn't create new work for you for next year. I am enjoying changing up things a bit from year to year, so I love the ideas you guys come up with. Hope you have a wonderful holiday with your grandkids. bonniee- Thank you. I enjoyed your post about decorations too. mary ruth - Thanks, I love the Fitz and Floyd too. I got the large santas on top of the refridgerator last year on Christmas day. They are normally $350 each but on their clearance/outlet on their website they were only $89. I know that is still expensive, but I couldn't pass up the chance for something so large and beautiful for that price. I ordered my mom and her sister one for this year's Christmas present. I am so excited to give them to them. They are the chief decorators in the family so I came by it honestly. slinkey - What a nice welcome. Thanks for you praise and I feel like I will be a regular now that I've broken the ice. I do love my home. It is older and I actually came to these boards because we are considering building a new home on a lot we bought so I was researching building and come across this board on a search. But it didn't take me long to go from the Building a House forum to Decorating to Christmas/Holidays. purplemoon - I have loved all of your decorations and posts for the year. I thank you for your comments. The pair of large leaping reindeer are my "pride and joy". This is the first year I have displayed them, getting them last Christmas Day online. They came from Frontgate, which is not a store that I can normally afford. But after Christmas they put all their stuff on sale and mark it down a little more each week. On their website is a section called Outlet. I did not know of it and wanted a large reindeer for my fireplace hearth, so I searched and got a hit on them. The are regularly $199 each and but were on clearance for $59 each. Again a little more than I normally pay for a Christmas decoration, but a great deal on a heavy well made piece. I am pleased with the display. I would be honored to have some of my stuff in the Inspiration Album. Thanks for asking. Does that mean I have "arrived"? Ha-Ha. Feel free to look all you want. prosperity66 - Thanks for your kind words. I am glad others enjoyed it. Thanks again to all of you and I am off to scour the Internet for any clearance deals, but not ever sure where I could possibly put more if I find it. Merry Christmas!

Thank you, cryptandrus. So it seems that the main difference in T-leg and 4 leg is the adjustability and then after that only quality matters? Generally I only iron when necessary and that has been turning out to be about 2 or 3 things a week these days---tablecloths and curtains from time to time, and touch ups of supposedly no-iron shirts or pants for DH. My SIL says she has only used a T-leg and she likes to adjust it very low and sit down to do her ironing but she does a lot of ironing. I can't imagine sitting to iron since for me it involves a lot of activity of reaching and placing the items properly on the ironing board. You have given me a lot to think about and I also want to thank you for bringing back memories of my mother's old wooden ironing board. I learned to iron on it back in the 50's and I haven't thought about it in years. It withstood a lot of ironing for a family of 7 and she still had it back in the 80's. I'll have to ask my sister what became of it.

Welcome Pattico, I'm so glad you decided to check this forum out. I "know" you from reading your posts over on the GJ forum. I know the word Tole scares some people, so I am glad this forum also includes Decorative painting in the title. We are interested in most "anything and everything" someone has painted. That's how we get inspiration and sometimes even "motivation". LOL Your Santa looks wonderful--great that you are able to freehand paint--that's a real talent. I prefer patterns because what is in my head doesn't always translate to what my brush paints! (even with the pattern, it might not!) ;o) Please pull out pics of more things you have done and post them for us to ooh and ahh over. We love to see everyone's creations, and even love to chat about other things over on the conversations side. Luvs

Hi Rosie, I took a look at your link, you are a very talented artist. Both your painting and your quilts are wonderful. I'm sorry to say that this forum doesn't have much activity any more. You might enjoy clicking on the Gallery section and looking at some of the projects that have been posted in the past though. I haven't painted in quite awhile, but am currently working on painting a santa on an old wooden ironing board. I'll post picturs when it's done. Hugs, Luvs