A christening!

The term properly refers to the acceptance of the recipient of a christening, or Baptism, into the church of Christ. It means to "bring to Christ."

In this case, our latest grandson is due to be christened this weekend. As a Church of England tradition the actual ‘christening’ will often be added at the end of the normal Sunday service. So, hopefully we won’t have to wait too long as for other little ones it can be tiresome!

This ceremony does give the family the excuse to meet, join with friends and neighbours to enjoy and formally recognise the latest addition to the family. Hopefully, the weather will be kind to allow a barbeque to be held outdoors otherwise it will be a finger buffet style meal indoors. Either way, I am sure our grandson will be totally oblivious (he is only 6 months old) as it will be his nap time anyway!

Whilst strolling through the realms of this talented team of interior designers I came across some beautiful items that might be perceived for the celebration of a christening.

Stained Glass Manger by Creations in Glass.

A handcut beautiful opalescent iridized stained glass, for the base & foiling the pieces using the copper foil technique, and soldering to a music box base that plays away in a manger there are two wise men & baby Jesus. Perfect for that Christmas christening!

Christening gifts can be difficult to source but what about this useful item?

The Owyn Toy Box by Mod Mom Furniture

The Owyn Toy Box is a modern organic-style chest designed for any room in the house! Use it to store everything from toys to gadgets to blankets. It has two easy lift-off lids that fit the top like a puzzle. Easy for little hands to manipulate! The Owyn Toy Box is separated into two convenient compartments under individual leaf lids.

Looking for something to keep as a memento of this auspicious occasion? Why not this item which you will agree is a little diferent?

Decorative Silver Giraffe Flower by Yoola

The artist created it as most of their creations using the smallest crochet needle available in the market and a silver colored copper wire.

For a reminder of how we welcome cherish this new child into God’s midst this delightful image would be prefect!

Gift of a Child by DeborahVoizin

This is one of my most favorite images. It shows how tiny and fragile a newborn baby is, in comparison to adult size hands that will be caring and guiding this sweet child through life.

Perfect for that old fashioned style!

Victorian Style Crochet Christening Cape by Precious Quilts aka me, On a Whimsey!

Can you imagine your little one on their special day wearing this romantic Victorian style christening cape?

And, so I look forward to our family gathering next weekend!

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Earth Day - Garden Inspired Home Decor

Today is Earth Day. So in honor of our Earth, I thought I would find some garden inspired decor for both the outside and inside of your home from Design Style Guide.


Here are your Keys to Gardening by Studio Musings. This cute windchime is made from vintage keys and an upcycled, metal watering can.




Here is a beautiful, handmade, glass birdbath by Glorious Glass Garden for your feathered freinds.




This gorgeous Cirtine Garden Plate by Catnip Studio uses broken, vintage, German china in the center. So pretty!



This pretty little handpaited flowerpot by Rebekah with Love would brighten up a windowsill or entryway.




Why not give your feathered friends a beautiful place to live with this Midnight Sun, Hand-carved Gourd Bird House by Midnight Coiler.



For more home and garden items, check out etsy and search keyword "designstyleguide".


Or visit the Design Style Guide website.

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Kitchen refurbishment!

Recently, our kitchen underwent a total refurbishment.  All the dust and upheaval has been worth it though even though I complained whilst all the work was being done.  Trouble was it seemed to be a constant moving of dust from one end of the house to the other only to have to start again at the beginning once one set of workmen had finished their jobs.

Anyway, I was pleased with the result and even managed to find a good excuse to ditch some of the more decorative items and renew them.  This meant my having to search and where would be the best place to start?  You’ve got it!  Right here in the super Interior Designs Team.

To tell the time I thought this would look cute.

Whisper - Yellow-Barn Red - Earth-friendly contemporary handcrafted pendulum wall clock

by Infinity Arts

Pot Holders Red Toile Kitchen Accessories

by Tish1

 

 

Wire wrapped orange bottle with cork lid

by Xanadu2You

 

Natural Edge Walnut Bench/Coffee Table with Red Cedar Legs

by Truesdell Design

 

Garlic Baker or Brie Baker

by Deb Babcock

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed some of these items that I found from the Interior Design Team on Etsy.  If you are interested there are loads of other brilliant products created by other members.   All you have to do is type ‘interiordesignteam’ into your search for ‘all items; tags titles or simply click on the link and you will be astonished at the selection presented to you!

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Today is so historic!

I had a completely different post ready to place on our blog today but decided to change the subject in view of the historical event due to take place today in America!

The inauguration of the new President of America, Barack Obama. I can't remember the last time there was so much interest, worldwide. Here in the UK we have been avidly watching and following the events leading up to this auspicious day.

In recognition of the importance of this day I know you will forgive me for jumping on the bandwagon by posting pictures from our members to celebrate!

Obama Fabric Art Photo 14 1/4 x 18 1/2 Traveling to Houston's Intl Quilt Market/Fest
by

DianasArtQuilts

COMMEMORATIVE POSTER 2008 ELECTION - BARACK OBABMA DEMOCRATIC FUN - Fine Art Print Signed and Dated

by

CitrusTree

5x7 High Gloss Bordered Print - CHANGE

by

NEWYORKNANCY

The Political Satire Wall Mirror
by

avecdieu

Inauguration cup - handthrown stoneware
by

Dovecotedesign

I am sure I can convey the feelings of many, many folk from across the world.... best wishes for a wonderful day. May it bring new hope at such troubling times.

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SewDanish: Danish Scandinavian Textile Art

Oh my! I am so excited to introduce Birgitte to you! She is an amazing textile artist and shop owner of SewDanish. I was stopped in my tracks when I saw this beautiful coiled woven bowl made of fabric. Of course I immediately checked out the rest of the shop. Among other cool finds was a vintage cloth journal cover made from a vintage hand embroidered tablecloth and a small flower pouch bag made of corduroy and velvet flowers.

You definitely need to jump on over to http://www.sewdanish.etsy.com/ and see what she has. There are so many gift ideas flowing from this shop! And then when you're done there, I suggest going to http://omshantihandcrafts.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/an-interview-with-birgitte-of-sew-danish/ to read all about Birgitte and her work. Amazing work Birgitte!

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5 Holiday Treats (but not for your tummy)

Enjoy!


First up is a beautiful poinsettia mosaic tray from Catnip Studio Too. The tray itself is a vintage piece measuring approximately 12 inches across and turns atop a lazy-susan. I can't imagine covering up the terrific design with anything, but it would make a gorgeous centerpiece.



Decorating with dishes is fun and easy with this line of decorative handmade ceramic plates from Blue Sky Pottery. This one is a playful green and yellow glazed design with pink and white accents, but there's also an subtler ice blue plate with a white Christmas Tree that is just as wonderful!



I spotted this jolly rendition in a treasury several days ago. The Painted Palm Frond Santa from Suzanne Rall-Smith measures 25 inches high and comes with a leather strap for hanging. I've never seen anything quite like this and I think it may just replace the Wreath as my front door decor of choice....


...That is, if it weren't for this shimmering beauty from Dancing Circle. The Golden Ring Preserved Christmas Wreath is made from Oregon copper salal leaves with a golden sheen (and may just unseat the painted palm frond santa on my front door),



Next up, I discovered this sweet scene from Catbird Studio, which I thought would make a perfect gift and would not even need a frame. It is an orginal painting of a wintry scene, measures approximately 4 x 6 inches and is painted on a sturdy slide mailer.



It dawns on me that prints make a perfect holiday decoration. All they need is a space on the wall or on the book shelf and they store easily the rest of the year (not that they wouldn't be just as beautiful all year round)! Winter Solstice by Gentry Art.

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Sun2Create's Fun Pillows

I couldn't help but click right into Mary's shop, Sun2Create, this morning. Mary creates pillows and bags with such fun and colorful fabrics. Of course, one of my personal favorites is Happy Birds, a retro bird cage pillow cover. And we can't leave out Chirp the Day Away 2! I highly recommend you click on over to http://www.sun2create.etsy.com/ and find yourself a few goodies. For more fun reading with Mary you can go to her blog:
http://www.onthemarygoround.blogspot.com/.
Sign up for her newsletter! I did!

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DSG Dressed In Fall Colors

Autumn evokes so many warm feelings of abundance and the rich colors of changing leaves are an obvious choice for decorating home and hearth. Here is a sampling of how Design Style Guide artists catch the fleeting essence of autumn's leaves in their art and designs.


Let's begin our tour with this lovely photographic print from Ara133 Photography. I chose this particular photograph (out of a whole host of beautiful fall photographs) for its simplicity and starkness. The white background gives the illusion of a painting instead of a photograph, but with the depth and detail characteristic of photography!



This gorgeous table runner from Cranberry is a case in point, right down to the maple leave beaded fringe. But it doesn't stop at leaves, as her table decor selection covers every season and holiday.

This delightful original painting by Debra Linker, entitled Yellow Leaf, captures the color change up close and seems to possess the power of illumination.


I absolutely love this pillow cover from Umber Dove. It is aptly named The Tree Hugger and I love the play of tree trunk and tree ring and leaf design and, though the color is a bit more subtle than some of my other choices, I couldn't resist giving it a spotlight!

I must admit I have a thing for coasters of all kinds right now and these lovelies from Teresa's Ceramics struck my fancy. I love how the leaves are in mid-change and how they seem to be "fossilized" in the irregular-shaped ceramic squares.


Finally, I discovered this brilliant pair of etched copper maple leaf wall tiles from Copper Leaf Studios and decided that no parade of autumn leaf decor would be complete without a touch of shimmery, rich, warm copper!

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Room With A View - Switchplates

The ubiquitous switchplate - everywhere, in every room at least once, and often an overlooked opportunity for affordable wall art and self-expression. Whether you're a country mouse or a city mouse, whatever your decorating style, there is a switchplate to match your room and personality. Here are just a few from a wonderful array of handmade and hand embellished switchplates on Etsy:

a la mode














Mosaico Decor













Rathina Decor










Lindsay's Lights













Pieces in Time













Marcia's Passions













Funky Chicken Designs

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Dawn Dalto: A Sgraffito-ist

As I was perusing our new members I was drawn to the bold ceramic boxes of Dawn Dalto. Dawn is an artist that resides in Asheville, North Carolina where she makes beads and ceramics. She has been creating art since her involvement in Brownies and hasn't stopped since. Dawn has published her patterns since 1997 and in 1999, opened up her own bead shop , Blue Bear Beads. Since then she has discovered ceramics while working at a ceramic school which brings us to her beautiful shrine and wall boxes. Dawn uses a technique called Sgraffito which is produced by scratching on the surface of pottery and ceramics. Visit Dawn at http://www.dawndalto.etsy.com/ and then check out her website at http://www.dawndalto.net/ and her blog at www.dawndalto.net/blog

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Art That Touches Emotion

elenamary

To me, art is something more than a pleasing object to the eye. It needs to touch me on a visceral level, make me question reality, make me think below the surface. It needs to spark emotion. We have such incredibly talented artists here who do just that with their work.


f2images


imaginestudio


jessicasimanowski


onawhimsey


art2artcolorado


Whether touching something profoundly surreal and unsettling, something nostalgic and touching, or something whimsical and lighthearted, these and many other artists in the Design Style Guide team can provide your emotions with exactly what they are looking for.

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