Thursday, December 5, 2013

Christmas on Clyde

Sometimes all it takes is something small to pull everything together.  My grandmother's glass Christmas beads tell a story all their own.

Christmas in a richly layered home while the cold wind blew on a festive Chicago night.  Colorful bubblers lit the Christmas tree as the gold tinsel sparkled.  The color throughout her home was pure magic for me.  The sounds of clinking teacups as the adults discussed events and happenings.  As we ran from room to room in our winter pajamas trying desperately to sneak more homemade apple pie and chocolate eclair cake without a care in the world.

My grandma was gifted.  Gifted in so many areas....baking, rose gardening, painting and sewing to name a few.  Her passion for design has truly influenced my life.

my grandma and grandpa when they were first married

Our Christmas home is a tribute to the past.
Gram's glass beads were all the inspiration I needed.



We have a small house so we don't own many Christmas decorations.  It's a fun challenge for me to use what we have or find things from the garden to create new vignettes.  I use my art or crafts that the beans have made to add color.  And with our real tree in the living room, I just cut branches from the underside to use throughout our home for extra greenery.  


Fresh greens for the door and sprigs for the winter planters.  



Our mantel is all fresh greens.  Boxwood and arborvitae sprigs from the garden, my repurposed trees and my grandma's glass beads. 








Berry branches add a bit of color to our tiny library nook and a mini wreath made from some Christmas tree branches.





tissue paper ornaments made by the beans









My cardinal art, repurposed tequila box, and a thrifted one dollar gold vase.



I have a thing for bottle brush trees!


I finally refinished the chair that I rescued from the curb! It is now a happy coral color.




pictures of Christmases gone past


Vintage throwbacks on the bookshelf.



Paper circles to decorate sprigs cut from the Christmas tree and my prized cow bells from my mom.




I repurposed this picture frame to make into a chalkboard.  My vintage Shiny Brites and Gram's candlestick holders.










I think the natural desire of us all is to recreate that magic we felt when we were young.  The beauty that I have seen across all of your blogs inspires me to believe that there is an awesome movement taking place.  One of positivity, giving and creativity.

Wishing you the merriest this holiday season friends!


Linking up with...
Fishtail Cottage
Liz Marie Blog
The Shabby Nest

The Patriotic Pam

48 comments:

  1. wow! I haven't even pulled out the boxes of Christmas decorations yet and you're living in a winter wonderland. looks awesome! ;)

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  2. You are blessed with a wonderful grandmother and grandfather. Nice to see your Christmas decorations. Hand art Christmas tree looks awesome. Love all your decorations.

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  3. Your home is looking so very pretty, look like a nice place to spend your time.

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  4. All of your decorations are so lovely Nicole, you have decorated your house beautifully, your trees are especially pretty. I hope that you have a great weekend, and a wonderful Christmas season. xx

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  5. Everything is so beautiful. You really have a talent for decorating. I especially like the beads and berries.

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  6. Ohhhh Nicole.....everything looks so pretty! I love how you opened up your home so we could have a tour! I love all your wonderful space and frankly...your house does not look small! Great idea about all the greenery from the bottom of your tree....you just gave me a wonderful idea!
    Enjoy your weekend! Happy Holidays, Shari

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  7. You've have done a marvelous job of decorating Nicole! I love the simplicity of style that you choose with your whole home and with the Christmas decorations. I too like to snip of branches from my evergreens to decorate portions of my home. Such a freshness they bring indoors, and it reminds me of my former rural home. Your grandmother sounds a lot like mine and my mother. Both talented women in their crafts & artistry. I couldn't have asked for better role models in the way they brought Christmas to their homes & families. All the joys & blessings of this season to you and your family Nicole ... I believe you're going to become someone who will someday be remembered very fondly by her own grandchildren. Wendy xox

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  8. You are coming to Las Vegas to decorate my house, right?? Hahaha! I just do not have the knack for it...I have collected jim shore snowmen statues, but when I put them out it just looks like some one opened a box and put them out...no style sense at all! Maybe next year I will take a class in decorating!

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  9. Your post had me on the verge of tears. The whole way through. I love every single teeny tiny thing you've done. It's all just beautiful. The passed down things and homemade pretties from the kids make it so. I loved getting glimpses of your house, as well. It's amazingly beautiful. All of it. Merry Christmas!

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  10. Hi Nicole, thank you sooo... much for the tour through your home decorated for Christmas. It feels so warm and cozy. You truly created some magic there. I love the mixture between old and new and a lot of self made items. I am sure your children will take beautiful memories of their childhood Christmas home into their lives, just as you did of your grandmother's home. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas season, with lots of joy and fun, as well!
    Christina

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  11. So many wonderful little touches everywhere--love it! Your mantel is beautiful!

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  12. Just wonderful! You have done such a beautiful job of decorating your home. I love all the fresh sprigs and small Christmas touches in all the wee corners of your home. Have a fantastic weekend friend xoxo

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  13. Your decorations are so pretty and having some from your Grandmother has such meaning to it.

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  14. Your house is so beautiful, Nicole. I love everything you've done for Christmas and everything else too! How nice to have your grandmother's Christmas beads, they are beautiful and I know that you cherish them.

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  15. Everything is lovely, Nicole and the story of your Grandmother is so touching. I love how you used her beads as the focal point of your gorgeous mantel. Your Christmas decorating portraits the love and care you have for family, home and tradition, bringing them all together in such a beautiful way. Hugs xo Karen

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  16. Nicole, you have taken my breath away, it all looks so gorgeous. I especially like the beads and the story. Love from Jo x

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  17. Your home looks so lovely Nicole. Everything is precious and has a meaning. I love your home better than all the fancy homes on tour because you did it on a budget and it holds so much meaning. Anyone can decorate from a store with the endless variety of things to buy out there, but you have done it with what you have, and that is truly special. I love it all. Christmas home of the season!!!!
    Cindy

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  18. Love the picture of your grandparents and the decorations! So clean and simply sweet...

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  19. Your home looks lovely, I like the green branches they must make the house smell wonderful.
    Merle.........

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  20. So creative, I love it!

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  21. Hi Nicole,
    Your home is beautiful and so beautifully decorated for Christmas! You have so many great ideas. Hope the Beans are well.
    Sally

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  22. Nicole, Your home is a work of art and I feel your love of family filling it. Thanks for sharing your special beads and treasures. xo Jenny

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  23. I love all the green in your house and I imagine it smells like in the woods. Your decorations are as always wonderful and tasteful. So nice to have beads with sweet memories to your grandmother.
    Janneke

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  24. Very nice holiday decorations. I really like the branch with the red berries. Seeing that makes me wish I had some hollies or more plants with red berries. I have a cranberrybush viburnum and their berries are supposed to last into winter, but this year they were all eaten by the middle of September.

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  25. beautiful! Love your stockings!!

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  26. It's all gorgeous Nicole :-)
    Your decorations are beautiful!!!!

    Sarah xx

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  27. Wow, it all looks stunning. Very beautiful indeed. I've just found your blog and I shall be following along now. I like it!

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  28. Nicole I love everything-everything just so special
    Merry Christmas
    Hugs from the ozarks Kathy

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  29. So beautiful! Love the wreaths on the chairs! Thanks for sharing!

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  30. Your posts are such a joy! So, so beautiful! :)

    Enjoy the new week!

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  31. Your home looks so merry!!! I especially like how you framed photos of Christmases past and have used them as part of your decor! What a great way to share precious memories!

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  32. i love all of the various ways you've decorated across your home!!! Especialy your mantel and all your various trees :) so lovely and you've really got that festive vibrant feel!!!

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  33. Your home is so lovely and bright. It is so welcoming! I love this post and your heirloom beads. Merry Christmas my friend!!!!

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  34. Oh my Nicole, the pictures of your home and Christmas decorations are just gorgeous, and along with the story of childhood Christmases, may be just what i need... I lost my self a little last week, but I could feel the inspiration creeping back whilst pouring over your photos! Thank you! May you and yours have a wonderful yuletide! Cate, xxx

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  35. gorgeous! I love the set up out back (it looks like?) and the greens all throughout.

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  36. Your home looks gorgeous, Nicole! I loved the story of your grandparents, and glad that you have some of their decorations to enjoy today. I also love those cowbells--how cool are they??

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  37. Nicole. Your home is just lovely, lovely, lovely! The decorations your kids made are just precious and I know what I'm going to do with my little doll who spends Tuesday afternoons with me. Back to look at your pics again, you talented girl!

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  38. I love your Christmas home!! It is perfect! And I loved hearing about your grandparents, you have a gift for writing Nicole, just beautiful! Thanks for sharing!

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  39. Your house is SO PRETTY!!! i was screaming "i LOVE this!" so many times.... and your grandparents look so stylish and easygoing - i think the sense of style and flair they had back in that day is just gone never to return which is sad! I mean back then everyone looked put together, now days what's instyle are shapeless big trash bag looking things! yuk

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  40. Your Christmas decor is enchanting (does anyone use that word any more? I just did.) The fresh greens on your mantle and porch are SO pretty! Your house is dreamy. (another antiquated word) AND, you have gorgeous children!

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  41. Love, love, love all your vintage touches. You have a gorgeous Christmas home!

    Angela @ Number Fifty-Three

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  42. I really love your Christmas decor! Your touches are just perfect :) I love all your photos of Christmas past, what a neat idea!

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  43. What a decorative touch you have Nicole! Your house looks so festive!! I am not sure how you get all of the things done that you do, with 3 little ones around. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures of your house all deck out for the Season!
    Liz

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  44. Nicole! Your Christmas decorations are inspired! I love it all so much. THE MANTEL. swoon!! The craft, the snow and twinkling lights outside, that stunning tree and all of your gorgeous little touches. I love those little subtle touches the most. Special treats for those who stop to look closely. Thank you for sharing your home with us lovely. Belinda xx

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  45. Everything looks so beautiful Nicole! I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!

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  46. O Nicole, I've popped over from 'A little bit Country' and i'm in love with your winter wonderland. Over here is Australia It's just as festive but tomorrow will see the temperature creep to 40C so so so hot!
    Wishing you and your little people a beautiful Christmas
    Much Love
    Liv x

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  47. Beautifully done, so many creative ideas, love it all!

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