A Christmas Vignette For Rhoda

Rhoda over at Southern Hospitality is having a link party today so I thought I would share a vignette we did for clients earlier this month. As some of you saw when I posted  the sneak peek I had just had my decorative painter paint a tone on tone forest scene on their walls.

faux finished walls

I decided to stay with that theme for the Christmas decor.

After delivering their new French chest I discovered these happy reindeer who looked like they would love to be nibbling grass under the trees on the wall so they found a home as the centerpiece of the vignette.

Christmas vignette

Don’t you love the organic feel of their driftwood forms?

Their “bed” was made of fresh Frazier Fir branches mixed with pine cones,pine boughs and snow. That stuff is hard to come by in Alabama these days but we forced a White Christmas with a lot of cotton and little spray stuff. 🙂

Next, I took some blocks of foam, cut them into small squares and covered them with pieces of left-over fabrics and ribbons to make small gifts for a pop of color.

Simple but elegant just like I like it.

So how’s all that cooking, shopping and …… coming along? I am reminding myself to “rejoice with great joy” over The Star as the song says and not get overwhelmed by the business.

Have a cup of eggnog and enjoy your night!

Cindy

Sharing The Joy! A Giveaway

The Writer and I had so much fun at the photo shoot with Josh Moates, Layla and Kevin Palmer and Marilyn Heard. What a fabulous team. I love it when you are working your fanny off but it feels like fun.  To read all about the shoot go to The Lettered Cottage.

I can’t even believe I am posting that horrible picture except that it is so cute of Layla. Oh, to be twenty something again….

This one is a little bit better, not much. LOL

Here I am taking a picture of Layla…

who’s taking a picture of Kevin and Josh who are….. taking pictures. haha .. whole lotta clickin goin on!

Now for the good part. As a celebration for getting this far and as a thank you to YOU for being excited for us we are having a give away.

Look at the fabrics shown below, leave a comment telling me which one is your favorite and one lucky person will receive a bolster pillow in the fabric of your choice.

If you were peeking through the front door of my shop this is what you would see today.

The 2013 collection numbered and ready for your reaction.

These two little guys are called 17.angel wings in turquoise and

                                         18.diamonds in pink

On the opposite side of the store is #20 “Springtime Fun in orange.”

So decide which number is your favorite; leave me a comment telling me your choice and be a gem and share this on your Facebook page and we will see what happens!

Winner will be announced December 14, this Friday. Good Luck!

No Thanks.

I understand that it is December 7 and 75 degrees but if this is the alternative… no thanks. 🙂

Have a wonderful SUNNY Christmasy day.

If you would like to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

Beautiful Hostess Gifts

Here are some ideas for that special hostess gift.

They will love it!

If you would like to say,”That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

 

Would You Believe It… I Think We Are Done!

I gave up on a lot of picture taking in order to simply finish on time but I think all trees, bows, garlands, tables etc. are up…… except for mine. Alas. LOL

Note those two giant trees happily soaking in the background. Oh yeah, Baby.

Don’t you love that awesome jeep. There is quite a love story surrounding it.

Cindy Elf had it loaded to the gills with fresh greenery. I am pretty much a purist in that regard.

Color they scream. What color is it? All soft blues, whites, bronze with tiny pops of red, yellow and orange on the birds that make their nests in the tree.

I am leaving you for few days as we spend some Christmas time with family.  See you in a few.

If you would like to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

 

Need Some Appetizer Ideas?

Do you feel like you have a party a night, each requiring a dish to share? Need some ideas? Here are some that I found interesting. I hope they will make your life a little easier.

Recipe here (I liked this one because it can be made in advance)

Recipe here  (quick and super easy)

recipe here (beautiful and healthy)

There was no recipe but it looks to me like they cut circles out of a chocolate sheet cake, topped it with a sugar cookie, topped with a strawberry.

I hope this was helpful.

If you would like to say,”That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

The Loveliest Gingerbread Village On The Plains

As if I needed another reason to love to visit Auburn, the loveliest Village, the Hotel and Conference Center out does itself every year with the creation of a gingerbread village depicting campus buildings. This year they have added The Carey Center which was recently given to the College of Human Sciences to be used as  Cary Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies. Make yourself hungry as you check out a “behind the scenes look”  at how they do it.

Here are a few of the other buildings in progress.

Check out the windows and roof!

This is their version of the Carey Center.

and this is the real deal.

Impressive. Don’t you love people who go above and beyond for the enjoyment of others?

If you would like to follow the progress click on this link for timeline photos.

 https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.427741627292155.103743.129479270451727&type=3

If you would like to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact us at

www.cindybarganier.com.

 

Excitement Is In The Air As We Prepare For My Fabric Photoshoot

We have been scouting locations for a photo shoot for my new fabric line that will hit the market the first of January but in my heart there was really only one place that would do. We paid a visit today with the Governor’s representative and discussed the possibilities. Not only does it thrill me to simply walk the grounds but tears fill my eyes as I remember the kindness of Mr. Red Blount. He made his fortunes the old fashion way- hard, hard work and long hours. Then he spent his latter years giving back. And, oh, how he gave. Without this precious man there would be no Shakespeare Theater in Montgomery. The Montgomery Museum of Art certainly would not be what it is today. There would be no Blount Park and now the state is the guardian of the incredible home, conservatory and chapel that Mr. and Mrs. Blount built and their children donated for the State’s use.

As you drive onto the estate you cross this charming bridge/

Looking to your right you see this lovely bridge.

The trees still had some pretty color.

There were no trees at all on this property when the Blounts bought it. Don’t you love people with vision?

Just being on the property made me happy.

From the motor court you walk down a couple of steps into a formal garden.

And then… the pièce de résistance…. the conservatory

Be still my soul.

Bobby McAlpine, you out did yourself. Josh Moates of Kim Box Photography tells me the light in there is amazing.

Then you walk inside… and lose your breath.

David Braly did some amazing work also in the painting of the walls in the stair hall.

The pool and pool house are beyond the conservatory.

I really hope we can make this work. I can’t quite figure it out in my head yet but I have some talented friends that I am sure will help me.

Thank you Blount family for making my city beautiful. We appreciate you.

If you would like to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

How To Make Your Own Boxwood Wreath

Hi There! I have been making the folks at the curb market really happy the last two weeks with all of my purchases. Some of my favorite things to buy there are the boxwood wreaths, garlands and table runners. Down side…. they are not cheap. I am way too tired to try this for myself but I ran across a great tutorial on how to make your own  so I thought I would pass it along. Good luck and happy greening!

http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/boxwood-wreath-tutorial.html

While you are visiting you might enjoy this post on “the meaning of the Christmas wreath”. I had never heard it before.

http://sweetsomethingdesign.blogspot.com/2011/12/meaning-of-christmas-wreath.html

Have a wonderful day and if you would like to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.

Need Some Tree Ideas?

I’ve been doing a lot of shopping and have seen some fun decorating and gift ideas this year; so if you need some inspiration maybe these will trigger something for you.

Happy decorating.

And if you would like to say, “That was fun!” at the end of your project contact me at

www.cindybarganier.com.