Downton Abbey Silver Holiday Decorating Tabletop

Simple decorating ideas are my kind

of decorating. I have these silver plated cups

that I call my Downton Abbey Cups..

They are just vintage silver cups

but I am sure they have lots of stories to tell.

(They will look more like Downton Abbey

on white linen!)

Place each cup in a circle like a wreath

and fill each with boxwood cuttings.

If you are a gardener that is the same

as saying each are filled with cheer.

If only boxwood rooted quickly

like say, mint!  

Old silver has such character!

The combination of brown, silver and gray

with some shimmer and some dull areas

has such appeal to me.

These almost blend into the tabletop.

Beautifully burnished is the best description for the cups.

Happiness is a table full of family and friends

good food helps too,

so I guess I should be looking for new dishes to make

the usual dishes are comforting but it's always good to

have a few surprises each year.

I stumbled upon a cookbook by 
Sam Choy

at a Goodwill store and it was $1.30 

Now I have the recipe for Payapa Dressing!

The list of secret ingredients is in my kitchen.

All photographs are my own from Instagram.

Connecting up with:
   Between Naps on the Porch
Coastal Charm
Common Ground

Paper Dolls Winter Whites

Winter Whites

brighten the room

even if they are small

I made this wee paper doll girl today holding hyacinths.

What better "doll stand" than a bird nest!

She is also keeping the new/old white deer company

I got these for 48 cents and think they are sweet for winter.

The silver plate tray might be made into a chalkboard

since it has rust spots but then again that adds a rustic

quality. Maybe I should just fill the tray with candles?

Linking with White Wednesday.

FRIDA KAHLO Primitive Dolls

Frida's birthday celebration continues here which started on July 6th. This delightful and adorable Frida Kahlo doll is the first in the Frida Kahlo Birthday Dolls. She has been sold and is off to her new home, traveling with her cat close. Who needs a cat carrier when you have two loving arms? And cats attract birds or is it the other way around? How could you make Frida dolls and not make her some animals and birds for company?

My dolls are handmade from my original designs and each is handpainted and not on printed fabric. It is like my pantings have come to life in 3-dimensions. Each art doll is a one of a kind doll which makes them extra special and squeezable. Check back for more.

Frida Kahlo Pop Popsicles Outsider Folk Art Paintings

Cool folks. Both Frida and Diego pose as tropical popsicles. I try to add some humor and fun to my folk art paintings. Did I succeed? All artists can relate to these two.