Those of us who love Christmas are always on the lookout for interesting accessories for Holiday decorating. And we gather ideas year 'round--even in July!
I love hurricane globes. They are wonderful, practical accessories for use indoors and out. When I spied simple glass hurricanes at the Goodwill store corner Bitters & Rte. 218 in San Antonio, I snatched them up for a dollar each. Later, as I was working on DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AT HISTORIC HOUSES, about decorations using fruits and greenery, I was inspired. I loved an an arrangement on a console at Tudor Place in Washington, DC. It was so simple--two glass hurricane globes filled with lemons flanking a Chinese export bowl! I included my "interpretation" in our new book!
See other easy-to-interpret ideas in "Delicious Christmas Decorations At Historic Houses," Schiffer Pub., Sep. 2011. Available directly: http://www.schifferbooks.com/. Happy Holiday Decorating!
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Priceless decorating for Christmas
On Saturday afternoon, I stopped by my local Goodwill, a favorite shopping place for the unexpected. I discovered 4 charming white-plaster place card holders in the shape of miniature trees in tiny tubs. They will add such pizazz to a white-and-gold table setting. I snatched them up--for 30 cents each!
Thursday, June 16, 2011
New coffee-table Christmas books--wonderful gifts that keep on giving!
Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year! But, those of us who love Christmas love it all year 'round! We're always on the lookout for interesting decorations. I look weekly at the local Goodwill and Salvation Army shops. They are great sources of inexpensive ornaments and decorations.
At one time, I thought that since my children were grown and my husband and I were empty-nesters that I wouldn't decorate for the holidays. But after seeing our neighbor's outdoor Christmas lights flick on, signalling the start of the new Season, I went scurrying to unwrap our stored decorations. We even added lenthts of outdoor lights! How welcoming they were as we approached our house in a cul-de-sac in a gated community where only 2 of the 4 houses had lights!
Working with daughter and co-author Dr. Katharine Kaye McMillan on books about Christmas at Historic Houses has increased my appreciation of this very special Holiday Season. As you will see from our three new books, Historic Houses all across the U.S. and in England open their doors each year to throngs of visitors who thrill to beautiful decorations, delightful hours tours conducted by costumed guides who recount the history of the house, concerts, and fun and informative lectures, cooking demonstrations, and more! How festive!
Of course gift-giving is an important part of Christmas and our books are gifts that keep on giving, long after the last ornament has been carefully wrapped and stored away. Look in bookstores worldwide and on-line at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and other sites for CHRISTMAS AT HISTORIC HOUSES (Dec 2010), DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS AT HISTORIC HOUSES (Fall 2011), and DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS At Historic Houses & Your Home (Fall 2011), by Schiffer Publishing.
We hope your Holidays will be Happy.
At one time, I thought that since my children were grown and my husband and I were empty-nesters that I wouldn't decorate for the holidays. But after seeing our neighbor's outdoor Christmas lights flick on, signalling the start of the new Season, I went scurrying to unwrap our stored decorations. We even added lenthts of outdoor lights! How welcoming they were as we approached our house in a cul-de-sac in a gated community where only 2 of the 4 houses had lights!
Working with daughter and co-author Dr. Katharine Kaye McMillan on books about Christmas at Historic Houses has increased my appreciation of this very special Holiday Season. As you will see from our three new books, Historic Houses all across the U.S. and in England open their doors each year to throngs of visitors who thrill to beautiful decorations, delightful hours tours conducted by costumed guides who recount the history of the house, concerts, and fun and informative lectures, cooking demonstrations, and more! How festive!
Of course gift-giving is an important part of Christmas and our books are gifts that keep on giving, long after the last ornament has been carefully wrapped and stored away. Look in bookstores worldwide and on-line at amazon.com, barnesandnoble.com, and other sites for CHRISTMAS AT HISTORIC HOUSES (Dec 2010), DECORATING FOR CHRISTMAS AT HISTORIC HOUSES (Fall 2011), and DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS At Historic Houses & Your Home (Fall 2011), by Schiffer Publishing.
We hope your Holidays will be Happy.
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