A Pictorial Mosaic of 2008...

They say a picture is worth a thousand words...

(click photo to enlarge)

Cindy at My Romantic Home had a wonderful idea. She decided to host a pictorial mosaic of "2008 - A Year in Review." So rather than telling you about all the fun cottage colors I use to decorate our 'enchanted cottage' (split entry), I can show you!

What a great idea, Cindy! I can't wait to see everyone's mosaics! Be sure to visit Cindy's blog for a list of all participating bloggers, or to participate yourself!!

Donna

A Christmas of silliness, cloche hats, and a tinsel angel

I hope you all had the most wonderful Christmas, filled with loved ones and the making of cherished memories... (and I hope Santa brought each and every one of you just what you wanted!)


(Christmas morning, 2008)

Decorating was kept to a minimum this year at our house due to one sick kitty (Spotty, who is now doing much better!) and some major dental work (me, who will be glad when it's all over and done with!)


But I did put a few things up, including this little vintage tinsel angel on a pick (seen here dressing up the mantel button vases)... Sometimes less is more (I need to remember that for next year when I start to go overboard with my Christmas decorating!!)


I was with my girls at Target last week when they spotted these cloche hats... They looked so cute in them! So the next day I ran back to Target and got them! On Christmas eve, Santa sat the hats on the two tall candleholders next to the fireplace... (He stuffed them with a couple of plastic bags so they weren't resting directly on the wax candles... good thinking, Santa!)


Christmas morning silliness... The girls loved their "floating hats" (which is what they called them after trying them on with the plastic bags still stuffed inside)...

My two beautiful, silly girls!

... who eventually took the pastic bags out of their hats for this picture...

.. which I decided would make the perfect "2008" ornaments for this year...

As I mentioned in a previous post, I add a new photo oranment of the girls to the tree every year, and these will definitely bring back fun memories when we get them out to decorate all of our future trees!!! (I might make another set of "floating cloche hat" ornaments as well!)

Donna

Merry Christmas...

... from our family to yours...

(copyright Amanda)

A safe and joyful holiday season to all of you!

See you after the holidays!!

Donna

'Twas the night before Christmas...

I'm totally enchanted by beautifully illustrated copies of Clement Clarke Moore's "The Night Before Christmas"... So much so, that I've built up quite a collection over the years.


(click any photos to enlarge)

Every Christmas Eve our family reads The Night Before Christmas. I love how each artist puts his or her own style into the illustrations... They're all so beautiful, and so widely varied! See for yourself...

Starting with the older copyrights and moving forward... my first book is copyright 1949, illustrations by Leonard Weisgard:



I love this Little Golden Book version, illustrated by Eloise Wilkin, copyright 1955 (look at that 25 cent price on the cover!)



This copyright 1965 version, illustrated by Reisie Lonette, has the dreamiest illustrations. I love how the original owner penciled in "Narrator," "Papa," and "Santa" for the different parts. Clearly several people took part in reading this book at one time! (I love the history of used books! And see the 29 cent sticker? You don't see prices like that on hardcover books anymore!)


I just love Douglas Gorsline's illustrations in this copyright 1975 version... A black kitty is prominent in his version, and many of you know how partial I am to little black kitties!!

I own two Tasha Tudor versions. This is the copyright 1975 version... She is such an original. Her work is immediately recognizable and her style is perfect for The Night Before Christmas... And, of course, her adorable corgis are always featured in her beautiful illustrations...

Here's another Little Golden Book, copyright 1987, with illustrations by Kathy Wilburn...



Okay, I just want to crawl into this book and live with this little bunny family! Jacqueline Rogers has just captured all the loveliness of the Christmas season with her sweet little bunnies in this copyright 1987 version...





Are you a Scotty dog lover? If so, you'll just flip for the vibrant illustrations in this copyright 1993 Jean Hirashima version!!!



This little copyright 1995 Candy Cane Book is different in that the inside illustrations are by Susan Spellman, but the cover illustration is by Linda Graves...



If you're a fan of old Victorian illustrations, you will LOVE this book! The book itself is copyright 1997, but the illustrations are copyright 1888 by William Roger Snow (pseudonym Richard Andre)... Just gorgeous!





I'm just a sucker for versions that feature furry little creatures! The little mouse family in Loretta Krupinski's copyright 1998 version is just adorable!! I love every one of her beautiful illustrations - see for yourself!

We have so many of Jan Brett's books! Back in 1996, the girls got to meet Jan Brett at a local bookstore and watch her draw a hedgehog as well! We love all of her books, and her copyright 1998 version of The Night Before Christmas is no exception - such detailed, beautiful illustrations!!!



Sharon Cartwright did a beautiful job with her copyright 1999 version, published by Junior Jellybean Books...



This is the other Tasha Tudor version I own, copyright 1999... All of her illustrations are so detailed and magical!



If you are a dog lover, you must check out William Wegman's copyright 2000 version, featuring his famous (and adorable!!) Weimaraners!! My girls first saw his beautiful dogs on Sesame Street, and this book's photography and the 'human' characteristics of his canine cast will delight everyone, young or old!!!

"The Visit," a copyright 2001 version by Mark Kimball Moulton is a little bit different in that it tells "the delightful history and origin of "The Night Before Christmas" as recalled by Dinghy Sharp, storyteller and great-great-granddaughter of author, Clement Clarke Moore." Add to that the phenomenal illustrations of well known artist, Susan Winget, and you've got a "must have" copy for anyone who collects "Night Before Christmas" books! (I'm so lucky to have a signed, personalized copy as I purchased it directly from author Mark Kimball Moulton!)




I almost passed by this version because (to be quite honest) I wasn't very attracted to the cover. Luckily I didn't "judge this book by its cover" because the inside illustrations are phenomenal, featuring the nostalgic Santa Claus illustrations of Haddon Sundblom!




I hope you enjoyed a little glimpse into these talented artists' renditions of The Night Before Christmas!!! I treasure my collection and enjoy looking through them ... They instantly get you into the Christmas spirit!


(all artwork is copyright of the individual artists)

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

Donna