Shabby Chic Inspiration and Possibilities

Last month we made the 5.5 hour drive to visit my parents for Thanksgiving.  My mom and I managed to sneak away for a few hours and shop a handful of thrift stores she had been telling me about.  One of these stores had recently received a large donation of fabrics leftover from an older upholstery shop that had closed.  My mom and I pulled out the prettiest pastel bolts of fabric, studied each of them in the dim light and made our selections.

My husband was a bit flustered when I came back to the house and asked if we had enough room in the car to bring home a few extra purchases.  With 3 kids and a dog on our journey, the vehicle was already quite packed.  

"What did you buy?" he grumbled.  

"Just some fabric," I responded.

"Oh, well...we probably have room for some fabric."

And then he saw the 7 large bolts of decorator fabric I had just bought.  

No way were they going to fit, at least not without making the already cramped quarters even more uncomfortable for everyone.

And so, all of my beautiful fabric purchases had to stay with mom and dad until this last week when they came to visit us for Christmas!  Unloading all of my pretty fabric from my parent's car was like getting a big bonus Christmas gift!

Now, you ask...what will I do with all of this fabric?  

I honestly don't know.  I haven't gotten that far yet.

But...

My mom and dad brought me another Christmas gift.  This one was wrapped up with a bow and everything.  I shared on Facebook and Instagram today that I was embarrassed to admit that my Rachel Ashwell library was incomplete, up until this week.  These titles have been on my wish list for a very long time.  I fell in love with Shabby Chic 14 years ago when my husband and I were just married and bought our first house.  Rachel Ashwell's style drew me in right away and it was like I had found my own personal style while studying the beautiful photographs in her books.  

I have spent every free moment of the past few days reading my new books and staring at each and every photo.

After having been so consumed and wrapped up in Christmas, I don't have the usual feeling of sadness now that it's over.  I think it might have something to do with the inspiration I have gained from my new books, and the anticipation of future projects as I glance over my stockpile of fabrics!  In that same light, a brand new year begins in just a few short days.  A new year sure to be filled with so many new ideas, inspiration and possibilities!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda

Sharing With:

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours

What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants

A Cozy Christmas at Home...

I love how cozy our home feels at Christmastime!  Twinkly lights and flickering candles certainly set the mood.  My father in law has a Christmas tree farm, so we are lucky enough to have first pick of the trees each year!

I love a tree with a layered look, spindly branches and plenty of space to drape my "crystal" garland!  I made most of our "white" ornaments when my husband and I were first married, 14 years ago!  Our Christmas trees were decorated in purple and white, and then pink and white.  I have been loving a more neutral look in mostly white and gold this year and can't believe my homemade paper flower ornaments from so long ago still look good and that I haven't grown tired of them!

I think my favorite Christmas decor is this vintage white nativity.  It was a wonderful church sale find!  I am sure I've shared it before, but this is the first year I have displayed it here on this sideboard in our front room.  I think it works well here.  

I am still so happy with my fireplace mantle makeover!  If you missed that post and would like to see the before/after and read about the project, you can do so here. 

I ended up decorating the mantle mostly with things I already had, lots of candles, a few greens, pinecones and ornaments.  I am enjoying the look but am still on the hunt for some extra special Christmas decor to put up here...maybe on clearance after Christmas for next year!

You might recognize these cuties?  I featured them here on the blog three years ago!  I had painted them in Paris Grey and Old White Chalk Paint.  I remember debating on whether or not to sell them.  I am pretty happy I decided to hold onto them!

After most of her bling had sold at the shop, I brought my dress form home for the Holidays and bought her an early Christmas gift...this vintage beaded fur collar!  So fun!

I am certain that my family thinks I am cheap and boring with my Christmas gift wrap but I really do love the simplicity of packages wrapped in brown shipping paper.  I bought a huge roll of vintage cream and gold trim at a thrift store not long ago that I have been using to tie up each gift.  The bow is made from glittery tulle ribbon.  

I so rarely show this room where we do most of our "living."  I love this room.  It's cozy and inviting and so very relaxed.  What I don't love about photos of the room is the big glaring black box and the speakers everywhere.  But...I love that I live with a wonderful, patient man who puts up with a lot of pink and feminine decor.  So, when he wants to put speakers in the wall and hang a flat screen over the fireplace, what can I say?

While I was busy making our home festive and ready for the season, my booth at Camas Antiques was being emptied out (yay!) and ended up looking rather pathetic (boo)!  Last week I was able to get a few things around to spruce it up including this vintage dining table and pretty painted stool.  

Now, back to the gift wrapping, card writing, baking and such!

What a wonderful time of year!

Thank you for blessing me with your visit today!  I hope this season finds you filled with hope and peace, in a warm and cozy home, sharing in the joy of Christmastime with people you love!

Best Wishes and Blessings,

Amanda

Sharing With:

Home Sweet Home at The Charm of Home

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Home

Show and Tell Friday at My Romantic Home

Treasure Hunt Thursday at From My Front Porch To Yours

What's it Wednesday at Ivy and Elephants