Star Rains Its Fire. . .

. . .and the star rains its fire while the beautiful sing,
for the manager in Bethlehem cradles a King!

As I designed and created Christmas in the Dining Room
On Crooked Creektt, this is the melody that kept ringing in my thoughts!

For Christmas On Crooked Creektt 2013,
I've chosen a subtle color palette of creamy ivory,
 fig, gold, linen, sage and silver.

I keep my Anduze pots atop the Dining Room Hutch year around,
so the only change was the placing them in the center of the cabinet.

Placing wrought iron lacy stars to both sides of the Aduze pots
not only fills the entire width of the Hutch top,
but also fulfills my desire to bring an element 
with special meaning to my decor.

Adding a few sprigs of faux evergreen and pine cones
keeps the natural elements that are evident 
throughout the decor On Crooked Creektt.

These creamy ivory metal stars, sprinkled with chunks of glitter and
strung on a rusty wire, are among my favorite Christmas accessory. 

The pair of snowflake topped bed springs 
add the needed touch of Christmas whimsy!

Throughout On Crooked Creektt, my heart and soul echo the song
when I gaze upon this subtle color palette on the Dining Room Hutch!

I'm extremely pleased with my chosen color palette
for my Traditional decor style within On Crooked Creektt's Dining Room!

Although we aren't hosting Christmas On Crooked Creektt 2013
for our family this year, I was still in hopes 
of having a Tree in the Dining Room.

I was thrilled when this petite wrought iron ornamental tree
fit on the edge of the Dining Room Hutch!!!

Donning a gilded sequined bird in flight. . .

and presents beneath the tree. . .
one for "Mr. Ed" and one for me!
This Christmas Tree is decked out in miniature pearl white ornaments
tied with thin sage green satin ribbons.

A silver compote bowl holding a cluster of circular ornaments
bridges the gap between the Silver Tea Service and the Christmas Tree.

From atop the Dining Room Hutch and all the spaces in between
the Star of this Christmas decor is, 
                                                       has been 
                                                                 and always will be
                                                                                          our Savior and King!

This Christmas, and all year through. . .
may Bethlehem's cradle fill your heart and soul!


Until next time. . .

* * * * * * *  Remember to shop locally this Christmas * * * * * * *

Many of the decor accessories in On Crooked Creektt's Christmas decor

were purchased locally from the following merchants. . . 

Bittersweet

Memories of Home

Roadhouse Antiques

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

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 each of these amazing hostesses

for inspiring ideas for your own home decor!

Welcoming Christmas. . .

While I realize that it's still a bit early. . .
here On Crooked Creektt
. . .the front porch is already donning its gay apparel.

Arriving home from running errands this past week,
I glanced at our front porch in horror!
What to my wondering eyes should appear???
Not one, not two, but three. . .
yes three. . . Seasons of decor stretched across the decking!!!
Summer, Autumn and Winter all horribly meshed together!

So~o~o, while the weather was unseasonably warm
and aided by "Mr. Ed", we did a clean sweep of the front porch!

Formerly my home based business,
Studio One is now my creative space On Crooked Creektt.
Here I can create and design without interruption.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * Tutorial * * * * * * * * * * * * *
As the classical music filled my inner being with inspiration,
I began the task of dismantling the Autumnal wreath. 
With Christmas On Crooked Creektt's color palette in hand, 
I gathered items from my many decor bins and the process began. . .

After removing the dried mushroom and pod,
I applied puffs of metallic silver paint ever so lightly.

Beginning with a plastic ice crystal sprig purchased 
after~Christmas for 75 % off, I layered and wired the sprig in place.

Using wire cutters, I snipped the stems of felted white poinsettias
and tucked them inside the grapevine atop the ice crystal sprigs.

Metallic silver spraying of pine cones 
were needed to continue my Christmas palette.
Then, I inserted another poinsettia from the opposite direction.

Moving to the right, 
I repeated with another ice crystal sprig.

Repeating with poinsettias on the right side,
I also, began to fill in the base of the grapevine wreath 
with the dried pod and mushrooms for more visual appeal.

Bringing a few more metallic silver pine cones to the right side
brought a sense of balance to the wreath.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Tip * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I lightly dusted the bottom of the second poinsettia 
and the top of the third poinsettia on the left side of the wreath. . .
and a dusting was given to the top inside poinsettia on the right side
with the metallic silver spray paint.

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

Wire edged ribbon is always my ribbon of choice.
However, using what was readily available within my color palette,
I used a sheer white, soft sea foam green and a metallic silver lace
trio to wrap the grapevine wreath and make the bow.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
I'm quite pleased with with the change 
from Autumn to Christmas On Crooked Creektt.

While Autumn is my favorite of the four Seasons. . .

Christmas is and always will be my favorite holiday!

Until next time. . .

On Crooked Creek will be joining

Susan @ Between Naps On The Porch for Metamorphosis Monday!

Be sure to visit this amazing hostess

for inspirational decor ideas for your own home.

Shades of Gray. . .

On Crooked Creektt. . .
inspiration may come from a variety of places!
However, most recently inspiration has come from shades of gray.

Over the past twenty~five years, 
our Guest Room has been in restful shades of blue.

At the "Dream Home" it was affectionately called The Blue Room.
Updated here on this side of the Prairie, it has been called The Heirloom Room, 
as it houses various christening gowns, infant dresses, vintage furniture 
and photos from our families past.

Our Guest Room is a multifunctional room, as well.
It not only serves as another bedroom when we have out~of~town guests,

a space for corresponding with my pen~pals,

a place for housing Seasonal clothing 
and additional storage for home decor accessories. . .
it is also the much needed respite when I'm recovering from illness or surgery.

Recently, I've spent a considerable amount of time 
resting within the peaceful confides of our Guest Room.
But as the nights turned to weeks,
and weeks turned to months, 
the Sherwin~Williams Dockside Blue began to encompass me 
and I knew a much needed update was  l o n g  overdue.

The inspiration for this over~due 
make~over came from this garden themed plaque.

For many months, 
while visiting our local Roadhouse Antiques and Gifts Shop,
I would gaze upon this detailed piece of artwork trying to visualize 
where I could place it into my Traditional decor.
Once I received my September 2013 edition of Ballad Designs catalog,
it became crystal clear!

Featured is Grande Bouquet Plaque BD Exclusive Design.
Lightweight urethane with an aged look.
Zinc designed for outdoor use featured in Antique Gray.

Thinking the one I had seen was made of wood, 
I knew it was the inspirational piece for
the updating of our Guest Room On Crooked Creektt.


And so~o~o. . .it began!
I am continually blessed to have my very own Michael Angelo. . .
er, "Mr. Ed" to do the interior painting,
hang new Roman Shades and Brushed Pewter drapery rods,

install new switch plate and outlet covers,
and build a box to properly hang the concrete plaque. . .
then allowing me at my leisure to dress the bed and hang the artwork.

I kept the design streamlined and tranquil 
within the confides of this petite 10' X 9' bedroom.
The full size bed, heirloom antique secretary and night stand
are the only pieces of furniture that remain.

Still seeking respite,
my vintage 1950's turquoise vases provided the single accent hue.

Creamy ivory and touches of silver 
continues the cohesiveness of the serene atmosphere within the petite space.

Grouping artwork and keeping similar hues throughout
 allows the eye to easily drift into much needed sleep at days end.

On Crooked Creektt these peaceful shades of gray
are definitely providing a much needed respite
and giving me daily inspiration to regain my strength.

Until next time. . .

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

An important reminder to shop locally,

as we did during our updating of the Guest Room!

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

On Crooked Creekttwill be joining 

Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday!

And. . .

Debra @ Common Ground for Be Inspired Friday!

Be sure to visit often

for inspiration abounds daily 

at the blogs of Debra and Marty!