12/6/11
The Tree Isn't Up, But The Stockings Are Hung. Plus, My Dad Is Crafty
While we haven't put up our tree yet (and aren't sure if we're going to), we did manage to get out some decorations this last weekend. One of my favorite things to do is hang the stockings by the fireplace. It's a gas fireplace, not a wood one, but it'll do. As you can see, Emma is enjoying the fireplace, as usual.
On the mantel are several holiday decorations, including some of my favorite ones that my dad just happened to make. He's a crafty guy and was into carving for a while. Since my parents have far too many holiday decorations, they hand a lot down to me (which is where we got about 99% of our decorations from), including these carvings that my dad made.
He was also into making stained glass things for a while. This wreath was made in the 80's by him and has special meaning to me because he gave it to my grandmother for a present one year. She had it hanging in a window of her sun porch all year round. When she died, my dad took it and gave it to me. The candle you see in the center of it is the best smelling candle ever- the Christmas Tree scent from Candles by Phebes. I think it's our new favorite!
He also made several taller snowmen made from wood. This guy has sat on our front porch every year for over a decade. We've had to repair the brim on his hat several times and now I see that I didn't quite get the decoration around it quite right.....
If we ever get around to putting up our tree, it'll be topped by this angel, who my mom made, and adorned with a bunch of clothespin soldiers, who both of my parents made. All of them were made in the 70's, so they're about as old as I am!
Although they aren't a holiday thing, I have to share these birdhouses that my dad made because I think they're just so awesome. I snatched them from my parents when they were going to sell them at a garage sale. The bookshelf they're sitting on was also made by my dad!
Has everyone else decorated for the holidays yet, or are you planning on doing it?
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Aw, this makes me wish I had decorations! Your dad makes some amazing stuff! I especially love the little dudes on the mantle.
ReplyDeleteI like those clothespin soldiers *a lot*!!!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the carvings that your father made! They're adorable :) your family is so crafty.
ReplyDeleteI haven't decorated this year. I'm being a bit of a grinch. You never know, it might still happen. It's only the first week of dec....
OMG your dad is so talented! Everything that he made is so beautiful! I find homemade decorations be be special to begin with but these are so amazing! Seeing everyone's beautiful art and craftwork makes me so jealous that I don't have the crafting talent to make amazing things like this myself!
ReplyDeleteI love your dad's stuff...he is crafty and very talented! The Santa collection reminded me of all the dwarves from The Hobbit...Thorin Oakenshield et al.
ReplyDeleteAll the decorations are very cute!
I never even think about decorating until after the 15th...but then, I do the 12 days of Christmas and keep them up until Jan. 6. We don't buy a tree, but have a Norfolk Island pine as a house plant that we've used as a tree for the last 5 years...this will be year six, and it's finally getting to the size of a proper (smallish) Christmas tree....it looked like Charlie Brown's tree until this year, which was fine too. :)
I love your dad's Santa carvings! They have so much personality!
ReplyDeleteHello Molly
ReplyDeleteYour Dad is a very talented man..I fell for the hand carved Father Christmas's. Truly lovely.I have some tree decorations from my childhood which are these tubby little Father Christmas's.Always makes me smile..
Thank you for sharing your decorations..
~R~
Both your parents are talented and creative. Please convey my compliments. Lucky you to be able to be a hand-me-down recipient. :-)
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely pass on our compliments! Very cool stuff that will always mean so much to you. Yes, we decorated the weekend of Thanksgiving, but we didn't put too much out this year - baby is coming soon so we didn't want to be left with a lot to clean up if he came early!
ReplyDeleteThose are large stockings--for lots of stocking stuffers! :) Lovely photos.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the lovely comments, everyone! I hope you're all having a wonderful December!
ReplyDeleteyour dad is crafty! those little carvings are very well done.
ReplyDeletegood for you for getting into the spirit. i am being a scrooge this year but i have enjoyed the neighbors decorations from afar.
You do indeed have a crafty dad (and mom, too!) I really adore those little carved fellers. What personality they each have! And having dabbled in a bit of stained glass craft myself many moons ago when I took a class in it, I have nothing but admiration for people who do it well. It's fun, but not easy! That's wonderful that he gave you that wreath he'd made for your grandmother.
ReplyDeleteWe've put up the little 3' tree I've had since I was a little girl. I'm surprised it hasn't disintegrated completely with age. LOL It's sitting on the window seat in the living room window, where all the footpath traffic can admire it. :-) One box of decorations (mostly my snowmen, boo-hoo!) has gone missing since the move, but I've put up pretty much everything else. It's fun but challenging (like stained glass making!) to decorate a different (and much smaller) house after knowing just where everything went for the past 19 years! But I think the cottage looks cute decorated. Hope to get some photos up soon(ish) - lots going on here lately.
Enjoy your festive and cozy house, with or without the tree! :-)
Oh my, I love your fireplace decor and your Dad is super talented. Those are gorgeous! If I had a Dad like that, I would be requesting all kinds of stuff for my home :)
ReplyDeleteOh and , we put our tree up a couple days before Thanksgiving. I think that's all the decorating were going to do this year :)
ReplyDeleteWow! What's it like having parents that were into being fun and creative? Can't even begin to imagine.
ReplyDelete