Decking My Halls with bird cages

Day 9

"Decking My Halls"

Have you figured out that I have a fondness for birds?

I had a bird cage theme in my Great Room 

 for a couple years "before" 

I saw bird cages on designer trees!

Copper and lime green are two of my favorite colors

and work perfectly in the great room.

I collected a bunch of small bird cages from yard sales, 

craft stores, thrift stores, then spray painted all 

with copper glittery paint and filled them full 

of lime and copper ornaments and beads.

Wired them into the tree for security.

The mantle carried over the theme with a couple 

copper trees (stuffed with white lights) and greenery

The I stuffed a bird cage full of ornaments and

a glittery swag on top of the cage to "top" it off.

Notice the mantle quilt...

The table runner matches the mantle quilt.

Brought the same copper and green

 into the candle centerpiece sitting on 

an old antique mirror used as a tray.

A real bird cage and holder found a place 

between the tree and mantle and carried those

same colors across that corner. 

Sprayed it with copper paint and filled with

ornaments, beads and white lights

Later the bird got out and sat on TOP of the cage.

Fun and unexpected!

Another year, a different mantel vignette but 

same bird cage theme.

Pretty easy to change the theme up a little

and give it a different look and feel. 

I recommend placing fabric

or something on the mantle, before decorating, 

to protect the wood mantle from scratches.

And here is the lap quilt that matches 

the mantle quilt and table runner.

What has been your favorite "theme"

 in my decked out halls so far?     

Decking My Halls with another fun bird!

Day 8

"Decking My Halls"

A "partridge" landed in my Dining room a couple years ago and I found him on fabric that I had to make into a quilt.

Look closely.  The border fabric makes up 

all the kaleidoscope patterns.

My One Block Wonder - A Partridge in a Pear Tree

The quilt becomes the dining room table cover
for the winter season.

I decorate this room in early November 
and leave it up til February.

The centerpiece is made from thrift store finds

and I re purposed flowers my December wedding bouquet. 

Additional candle sticks set it off.

 White lights and greenery on the china cabinet 
serve as a wonderful night light. 
Brown peacock feather soften the look, glittered pears

and silk ribbon provide even more sparkle. 

A side board provides a place for more greenery and birds!

How do you decorate your dining room?

Decking my Halls and seeing RED!

Day 7

"Decking My Halls"

 Cardinals aka Red Birds, are my favorite bird.
They just brighten up a snowy winter day in Ohio.  
They flock to my feeders in the winter and
each holiday season, they find their way into my home. 

Let's take a peek at the beaks that make their way into my kitchen!

This tree is in my home from November - February.

My cake plate collection finds a way to the top

of the kitchen cupboards.  Swags of frosty evergreens

 and red birds helps to bring the eyes up.

 A baker's rack is full of red bird beauties.

And the red bird tree....sit's nicely in the corner with a swag

over the door and wreath on the wall.

Seeing red yet?

Daytime view...it was a snowy day!

and at night...

Use your houseplants when decorating.
A bird cage serves as a holiday home for this one. 

The guest bathroom has red bird themed items.
 A cute tree serves as a nightlight.

Reds and browns for a winter
bathroom is just unexpected yet lovely!
Leave it up all winter...it's a seasonal inspiration.

A large wall hanging I made for this theme...

"Red Bird Holiday"

Are you a bird watcher...and if so, what is your favorite bird!

Decking my Halls with more Vintage

 Day 6
"Decking My Halls"

...and the vintage delights continue.  
I was little girl in the 50s and have wonderful memories
of Christmas on the farm.  We were lucky to 
have one present for each of us under the tree.
BUT I thought I was spoiled!
I am lucky and still have some original
vintage ornaments from days gone by. 

A kitchen corner was a fun spot for this vintage tree with
all of the antique bubble lights, ornaments, 
garlands and really OLD tinsel. 
The window covering is a vintage Christmas tablecloth.

Here are some of my all time FAVORITE ornaments.
Some date back to WW2 where Mom Murphy
served in the Navy. 
These are tucked away in a safe place for my son to place
on his family tree when the time is right.

The Vintage Tree is gone but I still have most of the ornaments.  
I hot glued them to make this wonderful wreath. 
I just squeezed a round wreath into the oblong shape I needed.

And some close ups of the ornaments.
Each year a couple break during as they are very old.
I find replacements at antique stores. 

All the memories remain and displaying them...is quick and easy. 

The following quilt has a unique story.
For 10 years I had a Cookie Exchange Party 
for my girlfriends so we could share the the
"gift of time with each other". 
  Each year there was a "theme" for the party.

I asked each friend to wear a vintage apron and then
give it to me as my hostess gift. 

Pretty bold?  
Read the label below and then you will see 
Pretty special! 


This  "Friendship Star" quilt is a result of
all those vintage aprons 

I will cherish this Kwilty Pleasure forever!

  And here is the label...always label your quilts 
so the history can be passed on.  





Have you ever made a "signature quilt" and
if so, tell me about it.

Deckig my Halls with Vintage Collections

Day 5
"Decking My Halls"

If you love vintage...you are going to love this post.
This vintage "Christmas Tree Topper" collection 
is by far my most precious and beautiful collection!  

Find a mantel, china cupboard, sideboard, dresser or armoire, 

add white lights and greenery.  I use brass candle sticks (picked up at the thrift stores) 
with florist putty to display them.  

Just beautiful!

My next favorite vintage collection is card board houses
and bottle brush trees.

  Today you can find replicas in most of the stores or find instruction on the web to make these. 
I am lucky to have the real thing!
Most of my collection once belonged to Mom Murphy.
Each year, as I put these on display, I remember 
my mother-in-law and the
Happy Christmas times we shared.    

One year the houses found a spot in my kitchen, 
sitting proudly on

my cake stand collection, above the cupboards.
Fun to use the cake stands for more than just cakes!

Another year they found their way in the guest bedroom 
sitting on top of a quilt hanger. White lights twinkle at night. 
The top quilt I made as a mantle quilt but
it is perfect for this display. 
Lap size quilt hangs down past the bed...nice headboard.

A few bottle brush trees and a larger cardboard church sit

on top a treadle sewing machine side table.

One year I tucked the cardboard houses into a 3 foot flocked "feather tree" and sat them all on snow....

I don't have a photo of that.  : (

This post is dedicated to June Murphy, my mother-in-law, 

who will always has a place in my Holiday home. 

Miss you Mom.  

What is your special Holiday vignette or display?