I don’t know what happened to Thursday. I can’t even remember what I did yesterday. Not much apparently.
Today was spent making the rounds of some gifty/deco/knick-knack kind of places. Several were having Fall Open Houses, so I went with several friends to check things out.
Amazingly, nothing coming home with me. Part of the problem is that I’m really terrible about decorating. For one thing, I have a hard time spending money on things that just sit and look pretty. I love going to houses that are beautifully appointed, with vases, and interesting bowls of things, and displays of unique items, but I just don’t seem to have the gene that would enable me to recreate that in my own house.
Our decorations are either every day stuff or it is the Christmas stuff. I don’t seem to be able to manage anything else. We have some Halloween stuff, but I usually don’t think about it until October 30th. By then, it doesn’t seem worth the effort.
The other problem is that I find that I don’t even notice the stuff that’s on my walls.
Case in point:
(I can’t even believe I’m admitting this.)
As I stumble out of my bedroom every morning, I walk straight towards a wall that has a cross-stitched picture on it. About 2 weeks ago I actually paid attention to this picture for the first time in months and this is what I saw:
Yes, that would be a Christmas decoration.
Back before I started quilting, I was an avid cross stitcher. This particular piece was particularly intricate, as it is actually 2 layers — with cutwork on the top layer of the “house,” so that you can see the tree behind the window, as well as a candle in the upstairs window.
What I’ve decided is that I’m EARLY for Christmas 2007.
That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.
Suzanne
ROTFL I’m right there with you…. I don’t have the decorating touch… and well, you know… the stores have the Christmas decorations out so go for it!! 🙂
Now, of course any of you who would walk into Suzanne’s house would not think “ooh, this place could use a decorator’s touch”. I know what she’s talking about, we’ve had this discussion together. I’m not a decorator either, some people simply have the knack of putting things together. But if you were to walk into Suzanne’s house you’d say WOW, because of the quilts hung on the walls, the wall of windows in their living/family room, the warm yellow on the walls, the striking tomato red furniture and you would see a color scheme of reds, blues, yellow, white. Her home is extremely comfortable and inviting.
That is just too funny, Suzanne, and a beautiful piece of stitchery. I tend to decorate on most holidays, but I have noticed that I am getting less out of the closet these days. Now that my grandchildren (3-1/2 and 2 yrs) notice so much, I may have to start bringing more of it out.
I do have the Department 56 Old Little Town of Bethlehem series, which I put out on our piano every year on the weekend after Thanksgiving. It seems a waste to not have it out as long as possible. However, last year it was up until March – my son-in-law shamed me into taking it down!
I think it is a beautiful piece. With the children grown and the granchildren so far away, we don’t do much of the seasonal stuff anymore. Everyone comes to visit in the summer(when school’s out). But I thnk your Mom hit the nail on the head…Your home is warm and comfortable and
best of all; there are your quilts (art) that adorns the walls of a home that is inviting and welcoming. Just sounds wonderful and I’ve never been there!
So sounds to me like you don’t need a decorator! You have a home that comforts your family and welcomes your friends. In my book, that does it all!
Too funny! You benefit in this area from livig with all men. They will never notice or care how anything is decorated. Like you, I ahve a problem buying things just to sit on a table. It just seems like something else to dust!
You know — if I had spent that much time on a piece of stitching (and I do know EXACTLY how much time and effort that piece took — I’ve been cross stitching since I was 5, and I’ve done some pieces that are ALMOST as difficult), I’d keep it out year round. So what if it’s supposed to be “seasonal”? It represents some seriously intense work!
Ya, what Angela said. My thoughts exactly = ) Leave it up, show it off and be ahead of the game!
SISTER!! I knew I’d find you sooner or later in my lifetime! I too am decoratingly impaired. The money thing…I GET IT! If I haven’t made it or it doesn’t have a holiday type theme, I have no idea why I want to spend money on it or worry about cleaning it! For years we had empty walls because I couldn’t find a picture or was unwilling to spend to buy one. I have my “winter” sign still hanging….in fact it hung so long tht it is nearly in season again!
I loved walking into Suzanne’s house! I noticed the colors first thing, because my house is done in similar tones. I also loved the huge windows and quilts on display. I never thought it needed anything else either, Mary Ann, but I also know what she’s talking about. I never really know what to put where or how to display things.
Have I mentioned that Suzanne comes by her decorating dilemma quite naturally? Her husband and the boys have been cleaning up my yard recently which made me notice the house more which made me notice the Home Sweet Home sled complete with snowmen hanging by the front door. Might just as well keep it there now with winter right around the corner, right? I could change it out (and make sure I put it somewhere close enough to the door to remember where it is) for the leafy orange wreath I have.