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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Bringing Christmas to our little cottage . . .



I am almost finished decorating the living room - we just need to get the tree.


The recently created Advent Calendar hangs from the mantel.


My kids are enjoying finding their treat each day and an old Santa Claus from my childhood is guarding each little package as it comes off the calendar.


 I knitted these socks years ago and hung them on the mantel despite the fact that they are not the stockings we use on Christmas.

I wrote here about why these are not KC's favorite stockings.


Glittery snowmen, Santa and metal trees decorate the top of the mantel.


The shelves of my tall skinny cabinet are filled with "Christmas".


Every flat surface in the room is decked out -


a vintage copy of A Christmas Carol sits with my old Santa on a old sewing machine base. - there was a ribbon tied sprig of holly on the book, but Lulu thought I had put it there for her to eat.


reproduction Christmas books fill a wire basket,


glass bulbs from Restoration Hardware are gathered together in a favorite ceramic dish


and another wire basket holds old Christmas books and some glittered letters I made a few years ago.


I started baking tonight, the tree will be decorated tomorrow, I still need to decorate the porch, and I am totally enjoying bringing Christmas to our little cottage.

. . . . . . . . . . .

Join me at these fun parties

Helene's Legacy - Everyday Vintage Link Party

I Should Be Mopping the Floor - Inspiration Monday

Silver Pennies - Sundays Link Party

Organized Clutter - Creating Christmas

Twigg Studios - Sunday Show Off Linky Party

Too Much Time on My Hands - Get Schooled Saturday

at

46 comments:

  1. Betty December 8, 2013 at 12:23 AM

    It looks lovely and I love how you used the wire baskets in your christmas decor.

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  2. The Quintessential MagpieDecember 8, 2013 at 12:45 AM

    Everything looks SO cute, and I adore the new stockings and the old! You are so talented to make them.

    Love the vintage touches, too.

    xo

    Sheila

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  3. PoppyDecember 8, 2013 at 1:52 AM

    Carol, all your little touches of Christmas make one beautiful statement! I love the last picture of the two rooms and the perspective. What a pretty Christmas cottage you have!

    Poppy

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  4. JennyDecember 8, 2013 at 3:14 AM

    I have never seen a more charming Christmas house filled with meaningful and lovely cherished Christmas decorations and memories. It's just beautiful. xo Jenny

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  5. chateau chicDecember 8, 2013 at 3:54 AM

    You have the cutest advent calendar!! Love how it hangs on the mantel. Your cottage looks so festive, Carol. Baking, did you say?? You're ahead of me on that. I need to get started!
    Mary Alice

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  6. Castles Crowns and CottagesDecember 8, 2013 at 4:31 AM

    I am loving being in your home, Carol. From the plastered walls, to the vintage style books, the bright reds and greens, I am loving this. And I know you must be enjoying placing everything just so.
    A cottage is a great thing to decorate; we are very pleased with how our home is sparkling, glowing in the night with lights, and just being safely tucked in as it is so cold outside!

    Have fun my dear. Anita

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  7. Carlene @ Organized ClutterDecember 8, 2013 at 4:33 AM

    Awesome Christmas wire baskets! Love your old Santa! Plastic faced like mine!

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  8. UnknownDecember 8, 2013 at 5:26 AM

    I love your home anyway and now with your Christmas decorations it is just that much more charming!!! You are so talented! And I also love your header! Thanks for sharing....:)

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  9. Manuela@A Cultivated NestDecember 8, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    Everything looks so cute! Love that vintage copy of A Christmas Carol!

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  10. ANNEDecember 8, 2013 at 6:01 AM

    Adore! from the vintage books to the wire baskets to the snowman head! So cute!

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  11. AnonymousDecember 8, 2013 at 6:05 AM

    Looking great, love the vintage book! And the advent calendar! Everything looks fabulous there, great job. We've got ice covering everything this morning in VA so think about us while you walk along the beach :)

    Mary

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  12. Elizabeth EdwardsDecember 8, 2013 at 6:08 AM

    love your decor. so fun. can't wait to see what you will do on the porch. fun times. ( :

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  13. Deb @ Frugal Little BungalowDecember 8, 2013 at 6:19 AM

    It is all so festive and pretty there! ( and as to cookies...hmm...well, I am having a christmas cookie for my breakfast 'dessert' :)

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  14. My Little Home and GardenDecember 8, 2013 at 6:21 AM

    Your home is looking full of wonderful festive colour. I picked up my tree yesterday and am enjoying the lovely scent of balsam fir.

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  15. SusieDecember 8, 2013 at 6:34 AM

    I love all your decorations. The little santa from your childhood is very special. I enjoy seeing your husband art works too. xoxo,Susie

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  16. Betsy@My Salvaged TreasuresDecember 8, 2013 at 7:17 AM

    Your home is looking so festive and cozy. Love all your vintage touches and those stockings are adorable!!

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  17. Linda @ A La CarteDecember 8, 2013 at 7:40 AM

    I'm loving your Christmas touches. Your mantel is so cute! Going to read about those stockings! I'm so eclectic in my decorating this year! It's almost done! Yay!

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  18. Penny from Enjoying The Simple ThingsDecember 8, 2013 at 7:57 AM

    Your home looks warm and cozy decorated for Christmas. I love those stockings you knitted!

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  19. KathyDecember 8, 2013 at 8:22 AM

    It looks wonderful and full of holiday cheer! I loved the story about the stockings. I have tried to switch up certain holiday traditions over the years and met with similar dismay so you are right, there is comfort in familiarity!

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  20. JunkchiccottageDecember 8, 2013 at 8:54 AM

    Carol,
    I am loving all your decor. It just makes me smile. I love your vintage Santa in the basket on the old sewing machine base. He is adorable. I still am in awe and love with that advent calendar you have on the mantel. Toooooooo awesome. So cheerful and festive.
    Kris

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  21. DebbyDecember 8, 2013 at 9:13 AM

    I just love it all. The stocking story is pretty funny. I had started decorating then had to stop. I need to finish up now before the day comes and goes. Your house looks so beautiful and cozy.

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  22. Acorn to OakDecember 8, 2013 at 9:37 AM

    Your home looks so festive and fun! :-D

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  23. Dee ⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️⚜️December 8, 2013 at 9:57 AM

    I enjoyed seeing your Christmas decor. I love the joy in the metal basket.

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  24. StaceyDecember 8, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    Just adorable! Magazine worthy! You live the life in that little cottage that the rest of us dream of, without a doubt. I'll keep saying that. :)

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  25. AnnMarie aka Vintage Junkie aka NaNaDecember 8, 2013 at 11:01 AM

    Love your cottage décor! I wish I had as many flat surfaces to decorate!! Visiting you back from my blog. Following you!

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  26. AnonymousDecember 8, 2013 at 1:32 PM

    Lovely decorations for your cottage! The festive touches are just perfect. I am working on my tree right now and just have the lights up so far!

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  27. Vicky HuntDecember 8, 2013 at 1:40 PM

    Everything looks lovely and I love the stocking story. Sounds like you are having such a good time decorating this year. I'm so enjoying seeing all your beautiful things. Have a blessed Sunday.....Vicky

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  28. Vickie @ Ranger 911December 8, 2013 at 4:43 PM

    Wonderful old treasures to decorate your cottage with, Carol! I have that same little plastic face Santa, too! Enjoy decorating your tree!

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  29. Mary@mydogsmygardenandmaryDecember 8, 2013 at 5:33 PM

    Oh Carol, your cottage looks terrific - so many wonderful decorations. Love the stocking story. So glad that KC is so close to you - its fun when you have company shopping and decorating.
    Have fun decorating the tree. Don't feel bad even my older dogs got into the red fake berries. Hugs to Little Lulu.
    Mary

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  30. Patty AntleDecember 8, 2013 at 5:36 PM

    It looks so nice, Carol! Love how you made your Advent calendar. I am posting mine tonight. Love the stockings you made!

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  31. DewenaDecember 8, 2013 at 6:13 PM

    That is a most creative Advent calendar! And this is the time of year for every flat surface to be decked out, your surfaces are showcasing such cheerful artistic touches!

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  32. My Garden DiariesDecember 8, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    Carol it is gorgeous! I must say that I am in love with that wire basket full of Christmas books! And that cabinet filled with all those treasures is absolutely fantastic! Now I need to pop over to see why those aren't your daughters favorite stockings...I missed that one! I love them! I am blown away that you made them and they are so charming with your collected pieces! Way to go you! A very merry week to you! Nicole

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  33. {oc cottage}December 8, 2013 at 6:17 PM

    you have an awesome collection of vintage Christmas treasures! i just LOVE them!!

    m ^..^

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  34. Brenda PruittDecember 8, 2013 at 6:49 PM

    You're in the groove, girlfriend! Loving all your Christmas pretties!
    Brenda

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  35. MerlesworldDecember 8, 2013 at 6:57 PM

    Well done
    Merle........

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  36. cynthia lee designsDecember 8, 2013 at 8:44 PM

    Loving all the photos of bringing Christmas to your charming cottage!! Everything looks so pretty!!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  37. The Quintessential MagpieDecember 8, 2013 at 9:12 PM

    Grab those cookies you mentioned to me, and come on down! :-)

    XO,

    Sheila

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  38. bobbieDecember 8, 2013 at 9:48 PM

    Looks like a very fun & merry C'mas!!

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  39. greenthumbDecember 8, 2013 at 10:52 PM

    It all looks so pretty still your house you have done a lovely job.

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  40. Magali@TheLittleWhiteHouseDecember 9, 2013 at 12:18 AM

    I love your knitted stockings and that last picture is one of a happy cosy home!

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  41. The Checkered AppleDecember 9, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    Your Christmas cottage is just wonderful! I love all your decorations tucked here and there.
    Have a terrific holiday!

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  42. podsoDecember 9, 2013 at 11:06 AM

    I love the way you have done your mantel! And all those {temporary} stockings

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  43. Down by the seaDecember 9, 2013 at 12:46 PM

    Your home looks so lovely all decorated for Christmas. I love it all and your Christmas header too. I added a link to my blog to make a Christmas book tree.
    Sarah

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  44. SueDecember 9, 2013 at 7:01 PM

    I adore the metal trees and your childhood Santa. You could open a store with all your wonderful things, except don't because then we could not see them. Next year, I hope to have more decorating to show like you do; as you are one of the most inspiring for me. I haven't started baking yet and have orders to make a special coffee cake.

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  45. DanielleDecember 14, 2013 at 4:43 AM

    Love your stockings and sweet little Christmas vignettes. Thanks for sharing at Silver Pennies Sundays! x

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  46. Laurel StephensDecember 16, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    It just occurred to me as I was savoring your vintage Christmas decorations that it's your first Christmas since retirement. I love that you're not rushed and can savor every moment. I can feel your joy!

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