Sharing Christmas With a Jolly Man!

For many years, I have loved the jolly round gentlemen full of cheer and giving. The one who works all year in his work shop to bring joy to boys and girls, young and old. For more info about the history of Santa Claus, click HERE for interesting details.

For me, I like to think of Santa and his helpers working to bring love and comfort to so many. Basically we are all Santa's at Christmastime. In many ways whatever we do for another with God's direction and faithfulness reflects a bit of how Santa has worked for so many years. Oh yes, it has changed through the years to a commercialized time starting earlier each year, but I still hold on to the way it was and remember~~~

As far back as I can remember my father and I would take a trip to visit Santa Claus just before the 25th of December. We would ride on a bob sled through a wintry tunnel as if we were at the north pole. This was constructed in a popular department store in our town called Murheads, which was a clothing department shoppe. It was a special time when wonder and wide eyed imagination drew us to the man dressed in red. I remember he looked so kind with his glasses and long beard. His voice raised loud as he gave out a big HO HO HO! I was fascinated to say the least. You can see from the pic how my dad played along and was so enjoying watching me with my eyes big like two saucers.

When my father passed away, I found this picture in his wallet. He carried it for 40 years. I never knew he carried it with him always. He was a very special man.


Through the years I have collected Santa's in an old world style, traditional, shabby, and yes, painted many a Santa Claus too. My collecting is basically complete as I have no room left for any more Roly Poly guys to sleep in the attic from Christmas to Christmas ~ year to year. Well, maybe a few more~~~~~I can make room!

For about one month every year, these guys wake from their slumber in the attic to visit and bring Christmas cheer and help us greet the new year. They are always ready to give thanks as we remember the reason for the season.

Starting with a couple painted guys, they all wish you a very Merry Christmas~~





















Merry Christmas!

Rooms, Redo's and Summer Staycation Projects!

Staycation 2009 turned out to be a fun time, and along the way, I accomplished a few fun projects in our cottage. You know the ones that you want to attempt, but never have enough time, unless you just make the time. Well, that's what I decided to do this summer and so glad I did. Here are a few pics of just some of the projects I finished on staycation.

First, I started with the kitchen. In the table area, there is a chair rail going around to the opposite side only in the dining area. I thought it would look accented and stand out if I did a faux sculpted finish on the bottom half. So to start with, I added over sculpted papers that I had added earlier, the wall color of the room and finished with a glaze finish added to a soft brown paint for an old world worn look. After this was complete and dry, DH added new curtains rods with rubbed bronze curtain tie back holders to finish. The long sheers are a mix of old world roses on a mixed and muted background of antique linen. I think this look takes me back to a time growing up and observing my grandmother's decor. She was from Naples Italy and her decorating revolved around vintage, old world, lots of handmade treasures and gorgeous floral and roses. She loved to paint and was always painting something. Her name was Celestina.

The first pics are the before wall, preparing the glaze and adding the finish.







See the wall cabinet off to the side of the table? This was a great find purchased from a shop closing in my town. It is an old piece, but made very well, sturdy and even has the original worm holes which I love. It was used to store and showcase designer candles, so the scent is heavenly!!
Here is the before shelves. Kind of dull and boring right?

I painted the entire shelves and bottom doors 2 caots of black. Added pages from a 1904 Ladies Home Journal for the background on the shelves and accented the bottom doors with two rooster prints. Sealed all with several coats of varnish on the painted areas and decoupaged the papers. The 1904 pages are from the year my grandmother was born. I actually made copies of the pages and kept the yellowed background for age. This way, the originals are in tack and can be used again.


Lastly to finish this room, I decided to paint the wood hood over the cooktop a pretty soft black with carved accent. I distressed the surface for age and wear before sealing with a soft satin varnish. Later I am planning, if all goes as I'd like, to faux Tuscan finish all the cabinets in an antiqued raw cotton. It will be a long and laboring project for after the holidays, but for now, these little additions added to the old world charm I love.



The print over the cooktop is one I found browsing through art work in a shop one day several years ago. I painted over the original colors to reflect my rooms colors and then framed and distressed the edges. It is all under glass and easy to clean in this area over the stove.

When I return, I will share the next project of a small under stairs powder room.
Till next time, Have a great Labor Day Weekend and Blessings Always.
Celestina Marie