Christmas in the Sitting Room

Wow, thirteen days until Christmas. Time really does fly especially when you’re having fun.  I have been truly blessed this Christmas season to enjoy my own little cottage. This is the first time ever for me and it’s been really fun to dream up just about anything I want to do to it as long as it doesn’t cost much.

I have hosted a couple of Christmas parties this year and it has been fun to share my home with friends and loved one. One of the Christmas trees only got knocked down once so I thought that I was doing pretty good with sharing such a small home with others.

Grab a beverage of choice and maybe a cookie or two and enjoy my tour through my sitting room.

Using blue and red this year gave a lot of color to my home and I really am enjoying the cheery colors. Years before my colors were more muted . . .   See Christmases past.

. . . and a aqua Christmas.    I love deer so you will see many of them throughout.

I always wanted a large picture of St. Nick so I painted one.  Then I made a special frame for it with pinecones, moss and shinny buttons.

My wonderful Mother came over the other day with this darling clock that she always hangs in her home at Christmas time. I was thrilled to be able to add it to my Christmas decor. Thanks Mom!

I painted my white vintage skates with blue acrylic paint and I love how they turned out. The little skating piece was gifted to me by CP from Neat Old Stuff Etsy Shop. Stop by and check out her shop. She sales Jeanne d’arch living magazines!

I’m just crazy about old trucks and cars carrying wonderful things in them and Decor Steals has some really great pillow covers.

Being of Nordic (Danish, Swedish, Netherlands and Norwegain) , Scottish, decent I try to add some of their traditions. Hence the garlands and the plaids.

God Jul means Merry Christmas in the Nordic countries. The robin is big in England for the holidays it stands for rebirth.

The reason for the season. I am the little black lamb that needs him at all times.

My Sis made this for me many years ago and the colors are perfect for this years decor. Thanks Lori!

My mother gave me this milk bucket her parents gave it to her for a birthday gift and she has gifted it to me. She always had yarn in it. I really love the stories behind old pieces.

This beautiful lantern was gifted to me by my Mom a couple of years ago and always knows my style. She is a very thoughtful Mother.

My creative space.

I made these Christmas stockings over thirty five years ago. On the other side are cross stitch old world Santa’s. As each child came I made them a special stocking. I just wanted the plaids and checks to show this year.

A vintage winter wonderland.

My Father passed away about four years ago and he did a very special thing for the ladies in his life, (Wife, Mother and daughters) he always brought me a poinsettia for Christmas and I always cherished his visits. The last four years I have really missed that and one evening my youngest son Nathan showed up at my door with one in hand. Through lots of tears I gave him a huge hug.

I have a special tradition with my grandchildren. Each year I buy a special children’s book regarding Christmas and read it in front of the tree then we talk about the meaning.

My sitting room ready for Christmas!

I know that gnomes are huge in our country the last few years, but they have always been big in the Nordic countries. They call them Tomtens. They watch out for the animals at night.  At a family Christmas party I taught my grands about these little mystical people through reading some great Swedish Christmas books. The Tomten and The Tomten and the Fox. You can find them here.

This is my Christmas picture wall. I am still painting pictures of homes so if you would like one commissioned just let me know. Katherine from The Dedicated House commissioned me to do a Stag for her home. You can see that here.

I love using washi tape. It is colorful and comes right off. I made the sheep they were a really fun project.

I have had this nativity for about 45 years and the children set it up the first of December. This is another great teaching tool for my grandchildren.

 

If you enjoyed this Christmas tour click to see A Christmas Welcome and Oh Christmas Tree.

I will being posting the kitchen and dining area this week and then the bathroom and my bedroom. Have a very merry day!

xoxo Jo

 

I will be at these amazing parties this week, come and join me!

Monday

Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings-the heart of our home

The Creative Gallery @ Making it in the Mountains.

Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House

Tuesday

The Scoop @ Cedarhill Farmhouse

Talk of the Town @ Interior Frugalista (after 7 pm)

Wednesday

Designthusiasm @ Shabbyfufublog.com

Thursday

Share Your Cup Thursday @ Have a Cup with Mrs. Olson

Share your Style @ The Essence of Home

Blog Hop @ Katherine’s Corner

Friday

Home Sweet Home Party @ The Charm of home

Shabbilicious Friday @ Shabby Art Boutique

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

 Saturday

Pretty Pintastic Party @ Seeking Lavender Lane

Upcycled Linky Party @ Funky Junk

Best of the Weekend @ Ms. Toody Goo Shoes

Snickerdoodle Linky Party @ Blue Willow House