I've A Story To Share. . .

Creating vignettes within my own home decor gives me such joy!
It's the one designing prospect that allows my creativity to shine.

Those who have been privy to observe
state that it is like watching a great conductor direct an orchestra.

Now, 
I don't think I'd go as far as to say I'm a conductor,
but I do get a thrill out of creating vignettes On Crooked Creektt!

This petite table top is always a challenge to design.
I have my Large Print Bible that takes up the largest area,
for this is where I read my devotional, pray and study the Scriptures daily.

* * * * * * * * * * I've A Story To Share. . . * * * * * * * * * * 

I received this porcelain musical Angel the year I began playing Clarinet 
in my Elementary School Band. A dear, dear, lifelong friend of my MoMa's
gifted me with this musical Angel from Macy's in Kansas City, Missouri.

She is e x t r e m e l y delicate and fragile!

The Christmas of 1975, while stationed at Fort Hood, Texas,
she was in a terrible accident and I nearly lost her forever!

You see, dear ones, our toddler son was helping me unpack 
the Christmas decorations in our Government Quarters Duplex on the base.

My musical Angel was gently wrapped in tissue paper.
Our precious little one reached inside the cardboard box,
grabbed the tissue paper at one corner and pulled.

As he pulled the tissue paper, my Angel unwound and in a flurry of a second 
was sent crashing onto the tiled concrete floor below.
He turned to me with a big grin across his face, 
quite proud of his accomplishment as he "helped" me unwrap the decorations.

Blinking back tears, 
I gently walked over to the shattered head 
and recovered all the broken shards so that he wouldn't get cut.
I remained silent, for I knew if I spoke, I might be harsh.
I didn't want our son to associate harsh words to Christmastime.

I put all the broken pieces in a bowl,
knowing in my heart there was no way my Angel could be repaired.

As "Mr. Ed" returned home that evening,
I showed him our disaster of the day and then I broke into sobs.

I never heard him awake that night, never felt him leave our bed,
but when I awoke the next morning there she sat on the dining room table.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

And here she sits today,
nearly 40 years after the near disaster with the tissue paper, 
a concrete floor and the joy of a toddler helping with Christmas decorating!

Her sweet music box plays, "Silent Night".


Until next time. . .

All Nature Sings!

I fell  t o t a l l y  in love with this conservatory
many, many years ago on the other side of the Prairie.

It was  e x t r e m e m l y  expensive. . .n o t  at all within my budget.
But definitely in keeping with my taste!!!

I visited this little Flower Boutique every chance that I could.
. . .and every time I visited, I did the  s a m e  thing.

I would stop  d i r e c t l y  in front of the conservatory 
and *sigh*  h e a v i l y,  look at the price tag,
*sigh* again and then move on 
knowing I couldn't possibly  a f f o r d  it.

Then,
on a cold snowy, wintry day in late January,
I visited the boutique after getting my hair cut.

Dear ones, 
I stopped 'dead in my tracks' when I saw a $ale tag 
attached to the conservatory!!!

This year, 
I brought the conservatory up from Studio One
and have added natural elements to its interior for Christmas.

By removing the lid,
I placed three white crackled terra cotta pots in the base.
Three green moss balls where placed atop each pot.
Then each pot was tied around the middle with a satin wired bow.

"Mr. Ed" and I bleached pine cones before Thanksgiving. . .
I adore how the creamy white 
and natural brown compliments the conservatory.

By adding the Angel Tree Topper and my favorite Charles Dickens saying,
the subtle, simplistic design continues 
atop the vintage sewing machine cabinet.

Autumn On Crooked Creektt!

Christmas On Crooked Creektt!

By using natural elements. . .
all nature sings for Christmas On Crooked Creektt!

Before. . .

After!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On ThePorch forMetamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit these inspiring hostesses

each week for amazing ideas for your own home decor!

Lighting The Display. . .

Most of the time, I'm aided by my amazing assistant "Mr. Ed",
except on the day I chose to decorate atop the Dining Room Hutch!

So~o~o. . .
 perched on my two~step ladder,
with hammer and nails in hand. . .
I began lighting the display!

* * * * * * * * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * * * * * * * * 
First, 
I centered three of my Anduze Pots atop the Hutch.

Next, 
I placed the lights in a curving pattern
beginning at the back edge of the Hutch 
so the plug~in wouldn't show from the front.

The only nails I own are white paneling nails.
As "Mr. Ed" states. . .I can't do much damage with these.

I continued winding the lights and pounding paneling nails 
until I achieved the results I desired.
("Mr. Ed" was using the leaf blower. . . so he never heard a thing!)

Then,
I placed two wrought iron lacy Stars on the left
and one smaller Star on the right. 

I used bed spring Snowflake Tree Toppers 
to fill in the void between the Anduze Pots and the Stars.

Next,
time to soften the hard surfaces with some natural greenery.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * Tip * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I prefer to use sprigs of greenery (anywhere from 8~to~12 inches in length)
as it gives me more flexibility in the placement.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

I adore the crowning trim atop the Hutch!
But, I felt a bit more subtleness was needed over the Golden Oak finish.


So~o~o. . .
I pounded a few more paneling nails into the top edges 
and hung one of my favorite Christmas decor elements,
a string of white metal Stars on a rusty wire!

Totally Prairie Chic!


Purchased many years ago, is a metal star that I adore!
It evokes all the charm of elegance while remaining rustic.

Additional pine cones were inserted randomly within the display
for more rustic charm and to fill in any void spots.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

The dramatic effect of this display at dusk is breathtaking!

With all the battery powered lights available on today's market,
I encourage you to try a touch of lighting in your Christmas displays this year.


Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining 

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit for you'll come away encouraged

and inspired to try creative designs within your own home.

Wing Your Flight. . .

A subtle touch of Christmas decor 
has come to the Antique dresser On Crooked Creektt!

Featuring my cloche,
Wing Your Flight. . . is the theme of this vignette.

Back in July,
I purchased this Poinsettia silver mercury glass ornament
@ 50% off while visiting a Tent $ale 
at a local merchant ~ Memories Of Home.
It is from this one ornament that I chose my subtle color palette
for Christmas On Crooked Creektt!

This gilded sheer winged bird sits sweetly amongst the silver ivy
and crisp white bead sprig tied gently with a grosgrain bow.

Keeping the elements in this vignette subtle, while adding a slight contrast 
was accomplished by showcasing my turquoise jeweled star ornaments.

Turquoise mercury glass ornaments 
with jeweled crystal glass beads are elevated by using gray Spanish Moss 
and finished off with silver grosgrain ribbon.

An Avon Angel Tree Topper tucked neatly within this vignette 
is a commemorative from my years of Christmas Pageantry.

I adore her child~like features. . .
                                                       and posing her movable arms!

These petite Christmas trees 
were purchased shortly after arriving on this side of the Prairie.

I adore their silvery green hue 
and the vintage handled creamy ivory pottery vases at their bases!

Only the light from the double~armed candelabra lamp
and the reflection from the mirror give illumination to this vignette!

May Angels, from the realms of glory,

Wing your flight o'er all the earth;

Ye who sang creation's story

Now proclaim Messiah's birth:

Wing your flight. . .
ever so subtly, in your own home this Christmas.



Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creektt will be joining 

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

And. . .

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit these inspiring hostesses

each week for amazing ideas for your own home decor!