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Garden, Home & Party

~ My love of gardening, making home comfortable and entertaining friends and family.

Garden, Home & Party

Monthly Archives: December 2012

{GHP} Wishing you the happiest of holidays

24 Monday Dec 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas

≈ 15 Comments

Tags

Greetings

PicMonkey Collage christmas

On this Christmas Eve, wherever you are, I hope you and yours are warm and comfortable and that you celebrate the season surrounded by those you love.

Garden, Home and Party 2012The cards and packages have been sent…

Mailbox 2012The tree is trimmed…

Christmas Tree 2012I hung holly, pine cones, fir and bulbs on any non-moving object…

{I saved Redfern, our pheasant, the indignity of a Santa hat that Mr. B wanted to put on him.}

Redfern, 12.2012The fire is laid, the mantle decorated…

Mantle 2012The table is set…

Dining Table 2011 …and I still hear the bell.

Polar Express, silver bellMerry Christmas, Dear Friends!

{GHP} Wrapped and ready…almost

18 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, DIY (do it yourself), Holidays, Uncategorized

≈ 23 Comments

Tags

gift wrap

1-carl larson image{Carl Larsson}

There are so many great options for gift wrap.  Every year I promise myself I’ll keep it simple and use butcher paper and twine with fresh greens and homemade tags.  I have yet to actually put that thought into action.  Some of the ideas provided below have been in my file for a couple of years now.

2-brownpaper2 oh my 9.16.10{Oh, My}

Many of you have undoubtedly already wrapped your presents and have them artfully arranged under the tree, I hate you…not really.  I usually would have mine wrapped as well, but that extra week really threw me off.  I know, it should have been to my advantage but it was the week of our son’s wedding and I think I abused the extra time.

Here are some inspirational images, if you haven’t wrapped already, and a couple of sites that give you some valuable information for this final push to the magic that is Christmas.

I love the idea (below) of wrapping presents in interesting papers other than standard wrap.  Little maps, foreign newsprint, art paper, let your imagination run wild.

3-martha stewart gift wrapping ideas 2012(Martha Stewart}

I’ve got to hand it to Martha, she/her talented team come up with some clever ways to wrap any present.

4-MS Gift wrap ideas 2012{Martha Stewart}

The packages below are from an older MS tutorial [the link will take you the tutorial] where you can print out some of the graphics shown below, print them on paper and wrap.  Very pretty, don’t you think?

5-MS modern gift wrap{Martha Stewart}

If you prefer the lush, large, beautiful bows on your packages visit my friend Victoria over at Victoria Elizabeth Barnes.  She gives you a tutorial on bow making that is not only informational but hilarious.  I guarantee you a laugh at her clever descriptions of each step, and who can’t delight in some comedy relief this time of year?!

6-party resources 1 11.30.12

7-heirloom philosophy 12.1.12

8-holiday_wrap Paper source

9-party resources 11.30.12Heather Bullard has some creative tips for holiday gift tags.  I imagine you would need to make the fresh tag later in the season so that it wouldn’t be dried out by the time you delivered it but for a hostess gift this would be a gift to add to the gift.

10-heather bullard via party resources 11.30.12

{Heather Bullard ~ Lifestyle}

I like the idea of an ornament or some kind of tie-on present on top of the package.  One year Pottery Barn wrapped their gifts with an old fashioned key attached to the ribbon.  Williams Sonoma used a small copper pineapple mold to enhance each package.  There are cute things at Michael’s that will enhance a package and maybe hold inside meaning for the recipient.

11-from the right bank 11.29.12{From the Right Bank}

Then there are boxes that need no wrap.  Not that I’ve ever received a HERMÉS anything, but I have received Jo Malone gifts and they have a similar box.  They are beautiful in their own right and need no paper.

12-tumblr wonderful palmetto life

13-wonderful palmetto life, tumblrOr, if all else fails, go green, give a puppy…no wrap necessary.  How cute is this little guy, although I confess, I’d definitely add a red bow around his neck.

14-The House Finch, tumblrAre you wrapped and ready.  Do you enjoy this part of the season or do you have your gifts wrapped, where possible, at the store?  I have always enjoyed this part of the process and used to be the go-to girl for my family where wrapping is concerned.  Do you use double sided tape?  I confess, I’ve not been using it but maybe I’ll get some this year.

{GHP} The plants of the season

11 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, Flowers, Holidays

≈ 20 Comments

Tags

greens of Christmas

As a former landscape designer (not a landscape architect, but someone who determined what and where to plant in our client’s gardens) I often focus on the natural plant materials we gravitate towards during each of the seasons and holidays.  Not just as living plant material, although some of these do make beautiful landscape plants in the right garden, but the greens that we tend to use in planters (outdoors and in) and table, door and mantle decorations.

It isn’t just about the trees…

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12

although that is the scene stealer in most homes this time of year…

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12There’s some great inspiration out there in blogland right now but the site that got the ball rolling for this post was a visit to one of my favorite sites, Debra at 5th and State.  She posted a tutorial on how to plant outdoor urns and planter boxes.  Debra is a talented landscape designer and I believe she owns 2 or 3 shops.  I first found her site during this time about 2 years ago and her topic inspired me to work on my entry urn and planter box.

I’ve worked on our urn since this early attempt (below) at copying the examples provided via 5th and State.  Even this early, unrefined display was a vast improvement from the boring plant I used to have in this spot. (It’s the old “cobbler’s children have no shoes” around here).  The Ilex berries are fake but they offer a spot of color at the front door.

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{Garden, Home and Party, 2010}

That same year I planted my metal planter box with red ivy geranium, I should have known better, they complete their blooming cycle just before Christmas!

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.112

{5th and State}

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{5th and State}

Here is my urn for this season…

2012, urn, December{The Mother Fern is so happy I didn’t have the heart to change it out for a plant that might be more seasonal.  I added the Ilex berries and pine cones to create a holiday feel to it.}

2012, puti, lantern{I also gave our concrete puti a hat for the season.  The Ikea lantern got a couple of candles, some faux snow and an antique elk}

Close up of lantern, 2012{notice the antique elk is missing most of a leg, I rescued him from an antique store}

Mailbox 2012{Even the mailbox is dressed for the season}

Our entry during the day…

Entry, 2012, daylight…and at night

Entry, 2012, night

Other greens and plants that are popular this time of year are boxwood.  I love them year round, but I was happy to see that Trader Joe’s offered a 22″ boxwood wreath this month for only $9.95 (thanks for the heads up, Glenys).

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{Home Bunch}

Even the use of hydrangea, as we see below when mixed with maiden hair fern takes on a holiday flair.  It’s wonderful to see plants other than the traditional poinsettia being used for the holidays.  I still love poinsettia, especially when I can find the white ones, but there are some fabulous options.

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{The Polohouse}

The use of birch logs in these urns really give it a wintery look that could easily be on display through the winter months, not too Christmasy, but festive.

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{The Polohouse}

Fruit is something that really lends itself to this time of year.  Citrus of any kind, apples and pears…Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{The Enchanted Home}

{Haus Design}

This months cover of Veranda featured greens that I can’t really identify.  They resemble eucalyptus, but the apples, greens mix beautifully with the rustic wood walls and beams juxtaposed against the French mirror, screen and portrait.  This is one of my all time favorite magazine covers.

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{Veranda ~ December 2012}

These ivy topiary and foxglove on the hearth look seasonal due to the roaring fire in the fireplace, but the plants could be representative of spring just as easily.

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{Inspired Design}

This boxwood garland is so pretty, I love the deep green color and if it’s the kind that has been treated, it will last forever.

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{Style at Home.com}

Forced paper whites, white cyclamen and little juniper bushes, surrounded by cedar branches make such a pretty indoor vignette.Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{The Enchanted Home}

Garden, Home and Party 12.11.12{Ralph Lauren, Paris store}

Do you have a favorite where winter greens are concerned? 

I’m over at Savvy Southern Style, linking to her Wow Us Wednesdays, join in the fun if you have time.

{GHP} Holiday preparation around the house

04 Tuesday Dec 2012

Posted by Karen B. in Christmas, Collections & Accessories, Decorating, Entertaining, Holidays, House and Home

≈ 22 Comments

Tags

Christmas

Oh my word, is it December 4th already?  Time has evaporated for me but I’m excited for the upcoming season, just give me a minute, I’ll be ready, I promise.

Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}

I would have thought that by cutting my posting by half I would have hours of free time.  Well, somehow the clocks started decreasing the amount of hours in a day and I got behind…Thanksgiving, wedding…those events will do that to a person, no matter how organized they normally are, right?

Meanwhile, Christmas has been on my mind and these images from various sources prove it…

The nutcrackers are out, work is still in progress on our mantle and fresh greens are ordered.

Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{GHP}

I’ve got some help in the kitchen with my chef nutcracker…I don’t think he’s interested in cracking any nuts but he doesn’t question any of my cooking decisions, so he stays.Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{GHP}

Charles Faudree inspired me to wrap garlands in unexpected places.  I love this porch in his country home, with the garland-wrapped French poster. Garden, Home and Party{Charles Faudree ~ Pinterest}

Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{Southern Accents}

I’ve seen several tiered displays online this year, I like the idea, I wonder where I could put one?

Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{BHG}

Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{BHG}

The simplicity of this dining table is stunning, I might try it for New Year’s Eve.  {would I have to serve white food?}

GHP 12.4.12{Party Resources}

I didn’t manage to get paper whites started, oh well, there’s always next year.  I do love this display from And George.

Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{And George}

So, cue Bambi, let the caroling begin, make a batch of egg nog, Christmas is on the way.

Garden, Home and Party 12.4.12{tumblr ~ That Inspirational Girl}

Am I alone, are all of you already decorated, wrapped and ready?  I need a challenge, let me know, it will help me get my act in gear.

Happy December!

Recent Posts: Garden, Home & Party

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