Thursday, December 15, 2011

The Gift



I've been obsessed lately with Pinterest, and so in awe of all the amazingly creative people out there.  Where else can you find unending inspiration for everything from art, interiors, design, fashion, crafts, and food!  In addition to the addictive pinning and re-pinning, my unrelated blog server crash yesterday, and sitting in traffic while waiting to wait on Christmas lines in the stores,  SWITCHSTUFF has been on semi-hold till now.  I'm in the process of getting my Pinterest button on the blog so you can follow it here if you want,  but I need my tech expert daughter to help me out with the coding changes first. . . 


Anyway, until then, here are a few creative takes on the traditional Christmas Tree (which I LOVE btw). All interesting and easy.


image from Canadian House & Home
Tabletop Tree
We DO have a table similar in size to this one in the shop.

 Maybe you'd like it for a smaller tree somewhere in your home. Love this presentation.




One dimensional, but cute.




image from http://nameisgrace.blogspot.com/
Family Letter Tree


Yarn Ball Tree




image from jones design co
The White Tree. 




Ball Tree




image from Pinmarklet
Book Tree

Not only is my own tree not up yet . . . it's not even picked out.  Maybe this weekend.  I can hope.





For years and years I have been admiring a tree in our little town that I think absolutely rivals the Rock Center Christmas Tree.  
Driving down a quiet road at night in December, around a bend, all of a sudden this gorgeous tree comes into full view.  It's spectacular, although the pic here doesn't quite do it justice.  Situated on a private property, it always made me feel so happy that some family took the time to create such a beautiful display at Christmas. 







I'd been wanting to just say thank you for so many years of enjoying what they had done, but I was always either on my way home or on my way somewhere else, to stop.  My mother always told me to write a thank you note when I received a gift, so, last year I did just that.  And it made me feel good to do it.  Gift given.  Thanks given.






If you've still got some shopping or decorating to do, Mary & I are opening the shop Tuesday & Wednesday (limited hours 11-3) including our regular hours TH/FRI/SA 10-4, till Christmas. 


Some new things in the shop. . . 
Lots of antique frames for art, mirrors or just interesting wall art on their own.


Sparkly mercury glass lamps, ornaments & more.


Tables. . . How about this great red painted one? 






Sconces & Candlesticks . . . 




and much much more one-of-a-kind pieces . .  
like this
Antique Tool Box
Something like what I imagine might be in Santa's WorkShop!




Wishing you all a peaceful week,


Tuesday, December 6, 2011

The Quiet Season



Some of my favorite Christmas thoughts are swirling around these days. Thinking about some of these people and things. . . 


FamilyPeace&GoodWill
PickingOutTheChristmasTree
Old&NewFriends
Thumbprints&Gingerbread
CozyFiresTheHolyFamilyLightedCandles
ThePoorBeautifulMusicColoredLights
LovedOnesWhoHaveGoneBeforeUs
OurTroopsSnowyWalks



It can be so crazy busy these next few weeks, but try and take the time to relish the quiet moments.  We all need them.


Aren't these the cutest little mini desserts?
Found them here: http://daisyt13.wordpress.com/2011/12/04/santa-hat-brownies/  at daisy's world. Nice and easy Christmas(non)baking with the kids...if you buy the brownies.


Oh, and the winner of our 2nd free SWITCH Giveaway is. . .  
of Harrington Park, who will be receiving her red mercury votive holders just in time for the Holidays. Congrats Sandy!





The shop is ready. All decked out.  It feels so good to begin the Christmas Season, finally. 





Hope you all can stop by sometime between 6-9 for our 
SWITCH Wine & Cheese Christmas tomorrow night, Wednesday December7th.  


Zara of Zatara Designs http://www.zataradesigns.com/  will be on hand. . . she and her sister make the most amazing one-of-a-kind jewelry, some of which we have at the shop right now. 
And. . .Rich Millman of ContemporaryFoods http://www.contemporaryfoods.com/ has so kindly offered to bring us us yummy apps and other wonderful things.


The wine. . . Corvo of course, courtesy of my awesome sister-in-law Tricia.


SO. . . It would be great to see some of you and say thank you for your continued support! Stop on by if you can.


Have a peacefully quiet moment or two.