christmas decorating...

/

In the grand move of 2008 I pared down my Christmas decorations from 10+ tubs to 3. It is an odd collection of this and that. Quirky or sentimental, as it should be.

I tried to find an aluminum vintage tree but am now happy with the newer lime tinsel tree, pared with a black, gray, cream and lime rug.

These are a new addition this year. Since you can't really put lights on a tinsel tree and we needed some lights we got these IKEA ones for over the deck doors. If you want some make sure you buy the waterfall ones as they also have string ones and I think they are both named the same. So look at the picture. $15 per set and I used 2.

Two trees, the top one my Mom made from old rhinestone jewelry 50+ years ago. The bottom one I did probably 20 years ago.

Some red plastic IKEA ornaments on the Charlie Brown stick tree.

And we decorated the bush outside. First with 4 dozen of the red plastic orangey-red ornaments from IKEA. Then with many strands of mismatch lights. It really is quite delightful.

type tuesday... recipe card stocking stuffer....

/

Frankly I really, really hate to shop for Christmas presents... I do keep a gift drawer and try to buy cute things thorough out the year so when a birthday or Christmas comes I can go there first. And here is a cute set of recipe cards which happens to use my doodles fonts. And this is easy shopping as you can buy online from Jessica's etsy shop. Great stocking stuffer and get a few extra for your gift drawer.

higher fire open house...

/

If you live in Madison check out the open house this weekend at Higher Fire, a delightful gallery owned by our neighbor.

Also there is the Atwood-Winnebago Winter Festival tonight. Art and crafts fair, music, special events at 20+ businesses, 5-9PM. It is along Winnebago St and Atwood Ave.

Sunday there is the Holiday Pageant in the Capitol Rotunda. 4:15 and 5:15. I wish I could make this one but may next year.

And there is the Madison Hours Holiday Trade Fair... locally made products, 10-2 on Saturday at the High Noon Saloon.

Once again so much to see, not enough time.

font friday... yuletide doodles

/

I know it seems really early for Christmas art but it really isn't. This is the 2010 holiday font.

Yuletide Doodles has 31 pieces of picture art for holiday or Winter use. This font has a lot of reverse art. If you want something a little lighter and more sketchy check out Christmas Doodles or Christmas Doodles Too. Those would mix in nicely with this font.

More Winter Weather...

/





I ce, ice and more ice... and now I think maybe rain as it is 32. Hard weather with everyone trying to travel. We are lucky that we are staying here this holiday. Usually we do hours of driving. And due to other people's plans changing we are now hosting Christmas tomorrow. So I must get ready. But first we will help serve dinner at a homeless shelter. I do hope that becomes a yearly tradition... Stay warm, stay safe and Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas @ the Capitol...

/

S aturday we took a break from errands and finishing up all that needed to be done for Christmas to visit the Capitol to see the big tree.

As usual the tree is huge. This photo is taken from the second floor. And to be more energy efficient all the lights on the tree this year are LED. I noticed as soon as I walked in that the lights looked different... brighter. All the decorations on the tree are made by Wisconsin school children.

This is our second Christmas in Madison and I am working on new traditions. We lived 2 blocks from the Capitol for 11 months and I find I miss cutting through the rotunda on my way to the library or the grocery store. A visit to the Capitol will definitely be a yearly event.

Decking the Halls...

/
W e are decorated... the 2 boxes of Christmas stuff that was in storage last year survived.

Old favorites...

And a childhood favorite... this was my Mom's from the 70s...

The lime tinsel tree I had was perfect, light, airy, open and colorful. Unrolled a black and lime and grey rug and we are done.