Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Slowly getting ready for the holidays


Slowly, but surely, I am getting back my energy and doing projects around the house.


I don't usually decorate much for Thanksgiving, but this year we invited JP's future in-laws for Thanksgiving dinner so I wanted to make the house festive.


Some dried flowers from Michael's, a chalkboard tag and a burlap bag dress up the front door.


The weather was cool today and our Dutch door was closed  - this view gives a different perspective on the colors in our house.


Finally, I finished decorating the mantel.


I took a lazy approach to the banner by using pages torn from a book, stickers for the letters and just folding the paper over the twine.


Today, I had time to play a little in the garden.


The bench beneath the dining room window was looking a little sad


so I added some ivy that I hope will start twisting and turning around the bench.


For the holidays, I will swap the wooden balls for Christmas ornaments and hang decorations from the ivy.


The one thing I have been doing a lot of lately is embroidery and crocheting.


When I get tired and have to rest, I grab my sewing basket and keep my fingers busy.


I am using up leftover fabric and tracing the designs on with pencil.


This project will be a table runner for Christmas


and this is one of 8 napkins I am embroidering for our Thanksgiving table.

via

I will be working on the napkins in the car on Thursday as we drive the coast of California to Carmel for a stay in this beautiful spot.


I leave you with a collage of my day on Saturday when my sweet daughter treated me to a spa day at the Ojai Valley Inn - mine are the feet on the right.

59 comments:

  1. danke für die bilder und inspirationen!!! iebe grüße von angie aus deutschland und einen schönen dienstag

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  2. I like that bag on the door idea as well as the ivy climbing around the bench.

    Lovely stitching going on there! :) Such pretty projects.

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  3. Precious Carol,

    Since my trip to Paris was cancelled for May, I told my husband that CARMEL IT IS, FINALLY! Visiting you is like a spa treatment, to abide in a little cottage by the sea with creativity flowing everywhere....and I hope you are feeling wonderful these days?YOU LOOK GREAT! Love the embroidery; it reminds me of my mother.

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  4. What a nice post, Carol. I love that you embroider - those are my very favorite kinds of linens to source. Your home looks like a resort cottage itself, but Ojai and Carmel look like little slices of heaven. We traveled through Carmel several yrs ago - so nice. Enjoy your getaway!

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  5. Everything looks just perfect, like always and I love the paper banner.

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  6. Good to hear you are feeling better. I don't do too much decorating for Thanksgiving, just have my fall things still out.

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  7. I don't know how to embroider and your work is so very pretty, Carol. I love visiting your home, via the blog.

    Karen

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  8. Everything looks so pretty. Can't wait to see the table runner and napkins; I love embroidery.

    The little place in Carmel is no prettier than yours.

    I hope you have a great time!

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  9. I am so glad you are getting your energy back, Carol. That has been a long haul for you. Your touches of Fall for Thanksgiving are just enough. I love that banner and though it may have been an easy one it adds a lot of sweet impact.

    Have fun on your trip and with your embroidering. I have not embroidered in years-except for names on the Christening gown. xo Diana

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  10. Your home is looking very festive, but of course, to me it always does. Yours is one of my absolute favorite places to "visit"! It always cheers me up and inspires me. Love the mantel! What a treat from your daughter. Enjoy your time at the lovely place you are going to visit soon. Looking forward to seeing some more photos. Have a blessed day...Vicky

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  11. Your daughter is a cutie. I am so thankful you are feeling better. I like the things you are displaying for thanksgiving. Blessings to you and yours, xoxo,Susie

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  12. Thankful you are on the mend and gaining back strength, don't overdo though, it is easy to do and not worth it.
    Your decorating is always full of beauty and inspiration!
    Jemma

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  13. The book page banner might be simple but I love the look. Embroidery is NOT simple and yours is beautiful.

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  14. Your home looks really pretty. I love the book page thankful banner. I think it's just perfect. I'm a big fan of embroidery and your work is beautiful.

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  15. The cottage is looking very festive and ready for Thanksgiving. I really like the banner! Glad you are feeling better and resting as needed. Needlework is always a good way to pass time. Enjoy your trip!
    hugs,
    Linda

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  16. I never tire of your cottage and I love your fall decor. The be thankful is so cute. Must pin but mostly I am so happy you are doing better.

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  17. I envy your lack of snow & cold!!! I'm glad you're feeling better and your home looks as gorgeous as ever!

    xox

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  18. Your cottage is looking just as festive and cozy as ever. What a fun way to spend the day with your daughter and I'm sure the relaxation was just what you needed. Hope you have a wonderful trip up to Carmel this week.

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  19. Carol, I love the white walls, it makes all the artwork and your colorful decorating pop with prettiness! Carmel is on my bucket list; how lucky you are to be so close to so many charming storybook towns!!

    Poppy

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  20. Your projects look so nice. I am starting a cross stitch ornament project today for a gift for my Secret Santa this year. I've been crocheting granny squares, too.

    The spa looked lovely. Have a great trip to Carmel.

    Hope you are feeling better every day.

    I like the idea for the banner. Easy is good.

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  21. So happy when you post, Carol. I sure hope you are feeling better. I'm super impressed that you are embroidering napkins for Thanksgiving. SUPER!!

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  22. Wave at Los Osos for me on your way up & back! Are you taking 101 or 1?
    I'm so glad to hear you are feeling better, slowly but surely. And that you are listening to your body!!
    Hugs ~

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  23. It's gorgeous! I love the back of the house with the green trim. Have a wonderful trip. xoxo

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  24. Carol, every time I see your beach cottage I think of the word charming to describe it. You have such a warm, festive touch to your decorating and I especially liked seeing the front entry today. Although I want to see it in person! :) How exciting to have the future inlaws for Thanksgiving, they'll love the location. And I'm hoping your phone is functioning now. I could relate to how strange it felt to go 24 hours without glancing at it, but what a interesting experience too. Your spa trip looks SO wonderful, I'm jealous. I need one of those. Actually I need the thoughtful daughter too!
    i'll email you about dates to get together. it looks like you're pretty busy until Thanksgiving.
    Leslie

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  25. A lovely home tour, you live in a charming cottage Carol! Your embroidery is wonderful!
    A hug
    Olympia

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  26. Carol I am so impressed with EVERYTHING you do! You always spark decorating ideas, or make me want to move things around. Glad you had a spa day!

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  27. How I love your embroidery. I think there is something so soothing about handwork....like a form of meditation. Where did you get your designs or did you design them?
    I love your door decor and how awesome that your daughter took you to a spa?!!! And Carmel too? You're bound to get better soon now. A little love and attention never hurt anybody. Enjoy!

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  28. I am so glad to hear you are keeping busy despite not feeling 100%. Your embroidery is so beautiful. Can't wait to see it finished! Have a lovely time in Carmel. We are going there the day after Thanksgiving! It reminds me of my childhood. My parents used to take me there often. xoxoxoxo Jen

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  29. Oh Carol, your daughter is a sweetheart, what a lovely thing to do for you, especially since you have been feeling run-down. If I were there I would give her a big hug! I love your embroidery, sew pretty:) You are always amazing me with a new talent, there is no end to the creative things that you do.
    Wishing you good health and happy days.
    Connie :)

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  30. I love your stitchery and crochet projects. So cute! Sounds like you had a wonderful Saturday! That place in Carmel is really cute! Have fun!

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  31. I love seeing pictures of your cottage and seeing all the little changes you make. Everything you do is so lovely. Your creativity is amazing...I guess I shouldn't be surprised that you do embroidery, too! It's beautiful. What's this little getaway you're going to on Thursday - a "just because we need it" getaway? I'm envious of your spa day...I've never been to a spa!

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  32. I love your dutch door! Our house used to have one and it was so charming, I used to keep it half open all the time, but it had rot. It was an original feature and the wood just didn't hold up well over time. We wanted to replace it with another, but boy they were pricey and I had just left my job to stay home with babies. SO we ended up with a steel and glass model, off the shelf from Home Depot. It's served us well, but it's certainly not half as sweet!

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  33. Your cottage is looking great as you get ready for Thanksgiving. A day at the spa sounds awesome!
    hugs,
    Cindy

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  34. That is such a cute door decoration you made! I never would've thought to use a tote like that. That resort looked nice! That was nice of your daughter to treat you to that. It's too cold to go swimming here.

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  35. Carol,
    Everything looks cheery and fun, I love your cottage.
    Mantel is very festive, love the burlap bag on the door, your home is a happy home where love dwells. Your embroidery is so very pretty. Oh Carol I'm so relieved you're back to good health.
    xoxo,
    Vera

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  36. Wow I love your house and your thankful banner is so nice. So glad you had fun at the spa. I hope you have a good time in Carmel as that is one of my favorite places to visit! I miss CA as I was there in July and we had a great time. Take care.
    Julie

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  37. I just love all the little holiday touches for Thanksgiving.
    You've made things nice and inviting.
    I'm with you on lacking energy and doing a little bit of something when you're tired. Blech! it isn't any fun is it?
    Hope you're feeling top notch soon enough!
    You give me encouragement. :)
    that burlap sack on the door...just might get copied over here!
    take care!

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  38. Carol,
    your home is looking so lovely and welcoming as always! The bag on the door is so sweet. I love your pretty embroidery work. I have never thought to make napkins. How fun! I am working on a Christmas stitching also. Have a fun trip and come home all refreshed and full of renewed energy.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  39. I'm so glad to read that you are beginning to feel better. A little trip to the spa would have been great. And a trip to Carmel - wonderful!

    Your embroidery is lovely. You do know how to get a lot done!

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  40. The house looks lovely to welcome the newest additions to the family.

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  41. Carol, everything looks lovely and just enough. Your embroidery looks good. I used to do a lot and I don;t know why I don;t anymore. Need to get back into the groove.
    So glad that you are getting your strength back. It's so hard when you want to do projects and you have no energy.
    Have a wonderful trip to Carmel. There is a wonderful Italian restaurant in town with a tree growing up through the restaurant. I have eaten there a couple of times and the food was wonderful.
    I can't remember the name, but I;m sure if you asked someone would remember it. It does have an Italian name.
    Enjoy your trip.
    Mary

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  42. Happy to hear you are feeling better. I pray for continued healing. House looks welcoming for Thanksgiving. Love your embroidery. I haven't done embroidery in many, many years. I do pick up vintage embroidery scarfs and runners when I find them at reasonable prices. Enjoy your get away.
    Debbie

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  43. Your napkins will be so pretty, Carol! I'm glad you're feeling well enough to do some preparations for the holidays and your home is looking very welcoming. How wonderful to go on an outing with your daughter. I pray for you every day and hope soon you will be back to enjoying all the things you like to do. Have a beautiful day.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  44. Ah!! Love that your feet were kicked back for some relaxation with you daughter!!! So glad you are taking time to relax and get your strength back!! That banner on your mantle is fantastic!! Love that you used book pages and the bench with ivy is so pretty!! As is your embroidery! Now you take care! Nicole xo

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  45. Hi Carol, so nice to see you and glad you are feeling better. Your home is beautiful and I really love the door hanging and your mantel for Thanksgiving. Beautiful stitch work you are doing. How fun to have a spa day with your gorgeous daughter.
    Enjoy your trip to Carmel and have fun.
    Hugs

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  46. I think your simple banner is very inspiring... I can do that even on a busy week, so thanks for the idea! It's lovely and I'll try makinf my own.

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  47. Love all your sweet Thanksgiving decor. Your guest will feel right at home and cozy for Thanksgiving. Enjoy Carmel. Ahhhh drink in al the beauty. Glad to see you are feeling better.
    Kris

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  48. Charming as always. So glad you are feeling better and being good to yourself. I know it takes time. Happy Thanksgiving.

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  49. Your simple banner is really nice and perfect for the space! I love my fall banner and need to send you a photo of it hanging! You do beautiful needle work, I will love to see your table runner when it is finished, I think it will be beautiful! Have a wonderful little trip :) Blessings, Cindy

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  50. I love your charming home and your style of decorating. What a wonderful time to spend a day at the spa with your daughter. I love your front door wreath. Did you ever get my address? Hope you have a nice time in Carmel.

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  51. Love your home Carol. So warm and welcoming. That climbing Ivy looks nice sitting on the bench and it looks perfect planted in an old oil lamp canister.
    Clever idea. Enjoy your getaway.

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  52. Wouldn't it be nice if our energy came back quicker...a girl can dream...your projects are so pretty...I especially love the embroidery.

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  53. Love your Thanksgiving touches! Glad you're feeling better-a spa day sounds divine :)
    Susan

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  54. Love your Thanksgiving decorations, the mantel looks wonderful. Your embroidery is beautiful and I think it is a lovely idea to embroider napkins for your Thanksgiving table. Wishing you a wonderful trip, Carol, and hope you are feeling much better.
    Helen xox

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  55. I just love your house! The Dutch door welcomes the outside in - such a nice touch.
    You've inspired me to get my embroidery out again - it really adds such a nice touch to linens. Thanks for letting me peek into your life.

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  56. Carol, your cottage just exudes charm. Love all your holiday touches, and the ivy on the bench. Your embroidery is beautiful. I'm just amazed at how much you accomplish, even when not feeling 100%. You inspire me. xxx ~ Nancy

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  57. Glad to see you feeling better. I would never attempt to embroider something for a holiday in the same year. LOL. It takes me forever to create anything. Plus I'm not real good at it.
    I really like that banner. Looks great

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