Silver Snowflakes

Many of the fine silver companies make an annual sterling silver snowflake ornament. My mother started collecting them in the 1970's and does a tabletop tree in nothing but sterling. Very lavish!

Last week right before Christmas I popped into one of my favorite thrift stores that I hadn't visited for several months. Lo and behold, there was a case full of silver snowflakes! OOOH! They were very reasonably priced, about a half to a third of what they would be new. Do I pick one or two of my favorites? I glanced around and then saw the sign by the front door - starting the next day EVERYTHING  in the store would be half off! Well, I decided to take the risk and wait one day.

The next morning I made sure I was back at the thrift store before they opened. I was about the fourth person in line. As soon as the doors opened I went straight to the case and scooped up all of the snowflakes! 
Just like in nature, they are all unique and so beautifully made.

This snowflake is from the Metropolitan Museum of Art collection.

Waterford does an annual sterling snowflake which is interesting considering they are known for their crystal.( They also do crystal snowflakes.)

This lacey snowflake is by Lunt silvermiths.

 I love the Celtic knots and Claddagh emblems in this snowflake.

 This icy looking snowflake was made by Gorham.

 Here is the Waterford 2002 snowflake.

 Towle is one of America's finest silversmiths. I particularly like this snowflake because it is embossed on both sides.

 What fun to add these lovely collectibles to my silver and white Christmas tree this year!

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Share the Wealth Blog Hop

Christmas Spoons

source

Have you heard of Christmas spoons? These Danish dessert sets were made by the A. Michelsen company starting  in 1910. Each set of  spoon and fork is unique representing an aspect of Christmas, or Jul as it is called in Denmark. The spoons are made of sterling silver with gold plated bowls. The handles are designed by a different artist each year and feature  nativities, Santas, flowers, candles, bells, stars, snowflakes etc. done in silver and enamel.   

 My Grandmother Emily traveled all over the world and had a particular fondness for Denmark.  I have no idea when she started collecting these little works of art but she had many of them.






 Each Christmas season she and my grandfather would host a dinner party for my parents and aunts and uncles at the country club. It's a large family, my father is one of 8 children. For dessert they would get to use the Christmas spoons. Finally one year Grandma announced that whatever spoon and fork was at their place setting they would be allowed to take home and keep. Thus began my parents collection. I love to see them each Christmas when Mom puts them on display in the dining room. 

Quite a few years ago while antiquing I came across several sets in a display case. I knew immediately what they were so I bought 5 sets. One each for me, my husband and 3 children.

 Each piece is stamped with JUL and the year it was made.

The detail on them is amazing!

 My collection stops there, but I'm hoping that Mom will one day start giving them away like Grandma Emily did!

You can find Michelsen Christmas spoons on ebay or other auction sites from $50 each and up.

Good Jul!

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Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

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Be Inspired @ Common Ground

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Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Simply Sweet Home

Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps on the porch

Messy Bows

Are  you a ribbon hoarder? My kids know that when packages get unwrapped the ribbon always gets saved. But do you have a drawer that looks like this?  

That's the problem, what to do with all of those odds and ends of lovely ribbon?

(In my defense, some of my ribbon is organized.)

The answer is messy bows! I learned this technique a couple of years ago and it changed my life. (Well, at least it cleaned out my ribbony mess.) So here is how to make spectacular ribbon creations for all of your gift giving this holiday season.

Start with a couple of pieces of tissue paper (you know you hoard that as well). Cut it about 4" by 12".

Layer on lengths of random width ribbon anywhere from 4- 12 inches long. You can use both wired and unwired. 

Mix and match your ribbon in like color schemes. 

Next, tie the whole thing in the middle with a bow.

Now scrunch away and fluff up all of those ribbon bits! 

Ta Da! Tie it on your wrapped package and you have an impressive presentation. I think this looks especially fun on a small package. 

This is a great idea for getting kids involved in the wrapping process. So easy and fun to do!

Merry Christmas and Happy gift wrapping!

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Amaze Me Monday @ Dwellings

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Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

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Rooted in Time

Transitional Tablescape pt.2

Remember my Thanksgiving tablescape from a few weeks ago? I called it my Transitional Table because I thought it could work for both Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

Well, no sooner had I posted it than someone wanted to buy all of the dishes!

No problem, the idea was that this table would be easy to swap out for Christmas. So presto chango - swap out the Ascot Village plates for red transferware and I've got a new look.

 I've got a mismatched set of red transferware, if you look closely each plate is different. Most English potteries made a red transferware with either country scenes, old castles or some chinoiserie.

 I think they look great on the tartan tablecloth.

 I also traded out my monogramed napkins for some Christmas Tree ones and added a bit of sparkle to the centerpiece.

I have a nice collection of tartan tins so I added them to the mix. 

This has been a super fun and super easy table setting to put together!

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Seasonal Sundays @ The Tablescaper

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Masterpiece Monday @ Boogieboard Cottage

Inspire Me Monday @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life

Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style

What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants

Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps on the Porch

Be Inspired @ Common Ground

Share Your Style @ No Minimalist Here

Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage

Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home

Show and Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home

The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Ranch

Home and Garden Thursday @ Delightsome Life

Simply Sweet Home