Saturday, December 21, 2013

Seeing Red

Good morning.  Here we are,. only a couple of days from Christmas.  How did that happen so fast!!!?????
Are you all ready?  I'm not.  I have been so busy making earwarmers to fill holiday orders.  I have one more to do and then I can wrap the gifts I have purchased for the little ones, and put them under the tree.   We have squeezed in some fun things this past week.  We went to a birthday/holiday party for a good friend of ours one night.  And Thursday night, we went down to Newport Beach to my brother's boat for the Christmas Boat Parade.  It was so pretty!  It had rained all day, but the night was clear and beautiful.  My only photos were taken on my iphone, and posted to Insta Gram. 
The other day I popped into one of my favorite haunts, and found something that I knew would be perfect on my wall in the new family room. 
I love both the color of the barn, and the composition of the painting.  It was matted and framed nicely, and I knew I had the perfect place for it.
 It looks great on the family room wall that I have just recently painted and arranged new things on.  The only thing I did not care for on this painting was the artists signature.  It was done in much too bold a brush, and although I hate to do it, I think I will paint over it in some wispy grass strokes to blend with the rest.
The price for the painting was 5.99.  What a steal! 
When I was walking out, I spotted this "red" purse.  I love red, and I gravitate towards it automatically.  It reminded me of one that I had in the early 70's.  The printed leather, that everyone seemed to have back then.  I reached out to touch this purse, and oh my goodness, the leather was so soft.  I removed it from the rack where it was held, to further inspect it, and fell in love.  It had a Bohemian side sling style, with a long fringe.  I opened the purse to see who made it.  I know it was real leather though, by touch.
I could have lived without the tag beneath, that read, crafted in China.  But I could not live without the purse.  The stitching on it is beautiful, and the softness of the leather is, well, you have to feel it to believe it.
The leather is embossed and stitched with this vine and floral pattern, with butterflies, here and there.  The design goes all the way up and down the long sling strap.
Sorry, that one is blurry.  The zig zag stitching trims the entire bag, adding to the Bohemian look.  I paid 5.00 for this beauty!
I can hardly wait to drop my red leather wallet inside and step out with this bag.
Before leaving, one more little thing caught me eye, that I could not pass up.  It reminded me of Big Bear, or course.
A cozy little cabin in the snow, trivet.  It will grace our table through the holidays.
Our front porch is also seeing red.   These pretty holiday flowers greet our visitors as they come to the door.
 They were gifted to me by my friend and neighbor, who will not be home for the holidays.  She wanted us to enjoy them, since she would be gone.  This is the little half table that sits on my front porch. 
Dolly Mouse, in her Christmas finery with a little wave hello to all who come to visit.
I hope this finds all of you well, and enjoying the Holiday season.  Today I will be going with my Mom to visit some dear friends who are here for the holidays.  I will bring along my camera and take some photos of the beautiful "farm" home we are visiting.
Hoping that later tonight, I will find some time to sit down with my laptop, and pay a visit to all of you.  I am way behind.
XO  Kris

26 comments:

Gloria Baker said...

Dear Kris I love red and Green for Christmas time dear! ALl look lovely!
Have a nice and wonderful Christmas time!!!
xxxxxxx

From the Kitchen said...

Wish I could stop in for a cup of Christmas cheer!!

Have a great Christmas!!

Best,
Bonnie

Dawn said...

What great finds for such little money. The painting is perfect. Loved swing your trip around the lake on Instagram.

Unknown said...

again I will say, You always find the greatest things at such good prices :) Thrifting is so much fun!

Merry Christmas Kris!

Diane said...

I love your new purse! It does remind me of the early 70's. I used to have one that was very similar. I have really enjoyed seeing all of your decorating.

Teresa Kasner said...

Wow, Kris.. that purse is gorgeous and you'll look right up with the times wearing it. I've noticed that our hippie fashions are back in style! I remember wearing a leather vest with fringe while hitchhiking down to San Francisco to see what Haight Ashbury was all about! LOL!

Love your decorations.. wish you could be here for our blog girls lunch!

❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉
*M*E*R*R*Y* *C*H*R*I*S*T*M*A*S*!*
❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉ ❉

((hugs)), Teresa :-)

Home Meadows said...

Hi Kris! You always have such good luck at the thrift store, looks like you found some great finds. Honestly, I didn't even notice the signature on the painting, my eye was drawn to the barn. Enjoy your day with your Mom. Looking forward to your next post. Heather

Susanne Tyree said...

You are so right, where has the time gone, and oh my, Christmas is so close now. I am so behind too. No matter how much I try to speed up, I seem to be losing this race to be done in time. It is fun to find treasures. It is like they are just waiting for us to find them and take them home. I have yet to wrap one gift. I am still busy knitting for others and need to get my mom's blanket done. Only trouble is I will have to lay down a sheet in the living room carpet so I can lay it all out. My queen size bed is too small a space. When I do that the dogs will have a fit cause I will have to close the pet gate to keep them out an off the sheet till I get it all figured out.
(((HUGS))) Susanne :)

podso said...

Perfect barn picture for the space and I can see why you would have loved the purse. Probably even the feel of it threw you back to the past and your old one! Cute holiday ear warmers too. Wishing you a very merry Christmas together!

Holly said...

One of these days I'm going to make the loooong drive to you and shop with you.
You always find the best things.
If I talk to you again before Christmas, know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and yours and hope you have a blessed season. Love always.

Amy at love made my home said...

You are looking so Christmassy at your house, all very beautiful. How nice of your friend to give you her pointsettias to appreciate over Christmas, what a great friend to have.

Happy Christmas to you and yours. xx

Deb~in~Denver said...

Love all of your Thrift shop finds! The wall looks great! Many, many years ago, I went to a Christmas Boat Parade in Newport, it was one of the most beautiful sights I'd ever seen! Your porch is darling, just looking at it you know your home is going to be warm and welcoming! Can't believe we are only four days away from Christmas, we FINALLY did our Christmas pictures, today! Sheesh, where does the time go?
Sending lots of love to you. Merry Christmas!!

Taci simmons said...

Hello my dear friend Kris, yes the red purse is very pretty indeed, such beautiful embroidery , I can only imagine how hard it was to do that. The trivet and picture are also making your house look so good :) hope you are almost ready and that you have a wonderful Christmas !

Patty Marker said...

You did good! I love the barn oil and that purse is perfect. Enjoy your Sunday my friend.

Linda said...

Best Wishes for a very Merry Christmas, Kris♥

Cheers!
Linda :o)

Val said...

Red is my favorite color in the home, it makes everything warm and cozy. I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!!!

Betsy said...

Hi Kris. Such a happy home you have. The picture looks great on the wall. I love your new purse, it looks similar to one I had waaay back in the 70's. Not so long ago! :-)
Blessings,
Betsy

Jeanna said...

Wow, some really nice RED items...love the purse :)

Merry Christmas to you and your family and a very Happy 2014!

Tammy said...

I LOVE the painting!! so pretty!

Poppy said...

Kris,

Love all your reds, especially the ones outside on your lovely porch; such sweet and charming vignettes!!

Merry Christmas to you and looking forward to those farm images!

xo
Poppy

NanaNor's said...

Hi Kris, From my heart to yours, Christmas blessings. I've been behind too in blogging-maybe there will be more time in the new year.
Sending hugs and love to you and yours.
Noreen

Gracie Saylor said...

Hi Kris! I loved seeing your red :) You found some beautiful bargains and are putting them to good use. Teresa, Betsy, Taci and I were saying today at our luncheon at Teresa's that we enjoy our friendship with you so much. Blessings to you and yours, and, MERRY CHRISTMAS XX

Grammy Staffy said...

What fun you had shopping. What special things you found. The front of your pretty home looks so festive. I hope I can come over and visit one day. I think your home is so cozy and beautiful. Have a wonderful Christmas. Hugs, Lura

Sinta Renee said...

You have the best fun! I love your finds... especially the cabin painting!
Merry Christmas to you and your family Kris!!!

Cathy @ My 1929 Charmer said...

You were so lucky to find that painting, love that red barn. Oh and I love that red bag too. Wish out I was this day with you! Hope you and yours had a very nice Christmas!

Unknown said...

SCORE!!! Mega score! Love it all!