Vintage Style Gift Wrap

I'd like to share some of my ideas for last-minute Holiday gift wrap

using everyday items and vintage elements!

Some of these ideas have previously been published in
Creating Vintage Style and FOLK magazines,
as well as here on the homewardFOUNDdecor blog

linen stockings, simple burlap wraps, and sweater sleeves
make fast and stylish work of wrapping hostess gifts!

See more in Wrap It With Style

Paper printed to look like sweaters, REAL sweaters, and vintage embellishments

bring charm to gifts under the tree...

See more in Embellished Gift Wraps

Even the Dollar Tree has items that can elevate a gift wrap from ho-hum to ho-ho-ho!

See more in Last Minute Wrapping

May your Holiday be filled with family and friends, peace and love
and the time to enjoy them fully... 
[because we all know that the BEST gifts can't be wrapped]

I'll be flying to Seattle on Christmas Eve to be with my family for the week -
a Christmas gift that is beyond anything I could have dreamed of! (2013)
_____________________________________________

HOMEWARDfound posts will resume after the New Year
with Winter decorating inspiration and ideas

Gilt Complex?

Metallics are a hot trend this Holiday season,

showing up in magazines, television decorating specials, and ads. 

 From copper and bronze to silver and crystal (which is sort of a metallic finish), they're everywhere. 

But the big deal this year is Gold!
It's the colour du jour in fashion and decor, adding warmth as well as sparkle to the season.

Over the years, I've included gold in the products I have made and sold, 

so I've pulled some images of those to inspire you as you decorate for Thanksgiving
and the coming winter Holidays.

It's simple to add a golden touch to your decor:

* try using metal photo frames and candlesticks [found at the thrift shop] on your mantel,  
as ornaments on the tree, and place setting markers at the table.

* adding a quick spray of glistening paint on a small piece of accent furniture or lamp
can give new life to an old, dated item
[check out some pics of stylish gold accessories from Michael at Inspired by Charm!]

* include your grandmother's costume jewelry on your tree and wreaths, 
as an embellishment on napkin rings and candles (rings slip right over tapers!)

* place a large gold crown on top of topiaries, or your Christmas tree, instead of a star!

 

* use a gold crown-like light fixture as a cloche or dome, over a nest

As I shared in my last post, it's entirely possible to transition between your Fall and Holiday decor
by choosing elements that work with your decor to 'bridge' the seasons.

The hand painted ornaments with autumn leaves on them shown in these images 
are a perfect example...
tucked into tiny nests made from day lily foliage, they add a natural touch
to Thanksgiving AND Christmas!

You can extend the gilt-y pleasures into your gift packaging, as well...
here, a handmade crown with vintage embellishment is tucked into a vintage gold embossed cookie tin,
also embellished with even more vintage trims!

[I think they call that 'Gilding the Lily' ...]

This weekend I am at the Remnants of the Past Antique Show

in San Luis Obispo, California,
helping my friend Adrienne with her booth design, setup, and displays...
I was a vendor at this show for several years, though, [with Retreat, our former business]
and one year, my booth featured a LOT of GOLD!

My booth was photographed by Jenny Malott, official Remnants photographer,

and later, some of her images were published in a story about the show:

Many thanks to photographer Jenny Malot for the gorgeous images
published in Where Women Create Magazine, Spring, 2012.

As you can see, it's not always a BAD thing to have a Gilt Complex!

Who Knows? SHEknows!

I am pleased to share with you an article on the SHEknows.ca website, 

a DIY resource for a largely Canadian readership. 

Writer Jessica Padykula contacted me a few months ago, and asked me to contribute

some of my creative ideas 

for decorating with pumpkins AND decorating pumpkins... 

I was happy to oblige!

Click to read 5 Creative Ways to Decorate with Pumpkins

Thank you, Jessica, for creating a great story with my content,
and for sending your readers here to my blog. Welcome, girls!

I invite you to peruse the tabs up above and the links on my sidebar,
which will take you to the most popular posts and projects that I've shared here,
as well as to creative decorating ideas for every season of the year!

I've shared even MORE content on my Pinterest boards and Facebook Page -
come on over!

Here at HOMEWARDfound Decor, it's ALL about using what you have on hand ;)
[You'll find more about that philosophy, and me, on my 'Start Here' page]

One LAST Sneak Peek!

 I was very surprised to learn that my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins 

have been published in the November issue of Romantic Homes Magazine!

[and no, that red oval announcing my pumpkins' inclusion is NOT on the actual cover!]

I'd like to offer my gratitude to writer Beth Livesay and photographer Susan Frick,
for including my lil' product in this issue.

Now, on to
 that super dooper sneak peek   of my BRAND NEW PRODUCT for the Holiday season
that I promised to share with you today!

 I am thrilled to share these new creations with you...
They were inspired by my pumpkins

and some Christmas decor that my daughter Bethany and I made together [SEVEN years ago]

and a few nudges from my mom... she kept suggesting this idea, and I repeatedly balked at it.
  
"I don't want to be a one-hit wonder and just make things from SWEATERS!"

was my constant argument.
I finally (wisely) got to the point where I realized
"Oh, for Heaven's Sake, Deb... when life hands you sweaters, USE THEM! "

... and I did:

Made with vintage and vintage-inspired components,
 these Original Sweet Sweater Snowmen will warm up any room...
I'll have all of the snowmen, women, and babies shown PLUS a few MORE
[ some are tiny, some are HUGE, and they are all one of a kind! ] 

JOYful Home & Life

I am a woman of faith.

I don't bring much of that onto this blog,
but I am a girl who grew up singing at church, and later worked with youth groups and womens ministries.
And I can say with all honesty that I have come to where I am in life only because
I am absolutely certain that God loves me,
 and that my relationship with Him is my balance point in life.

I have been praying for an opportunity to contribute to a faith-based publication,

and a few months ago, an opportunity came right to my [digital] doorstep!

[ I just love it when that happens...]

Today, the new JOYful Home & Life website launches,

featuring a marvelously gifted group of writers, bloggers, and photographers

each sharing wonderfully inspiring and educational ideas - with a focus on faith. 

With content covering the subjects of home decor, entertaining, DIY, crafts,

recipes, holidays, organizing, family life, and even organic foods,

it's a wonderful new community and resource for families.

I am honored to be a regular contributor to this new site, 

and will be sharing simple seasonal decor and DIY ideas on the first of every month.

[maybe more in the future... but for right now, that's what I can handle!]

I invite you to visit JOYful Home & Life today!
You can also find additional content on Facebook and Twitter

Creating Vintage Charm Autumn!

The Autumn 2013 Issue of Creating Vintage Charm Magazine is here!

I am honored to be a regular contributor to this lovely publication, 

produced by a gracious and creative spirit, Sonia Cardona Crouse.

There is beautiful inspiration in each seasonal issue,
with ideas and projects from many incredibly talented designers, decorators, and photographers
... and autumn is packed FULL!

My contribution this season is a soft, warm, natural-themed tablescape,

perfect for any autumn day - and especially Thanksgiving.

[and yes, that's a peek of one of my Original Sweet Sweater Pumpkins from the issue!]

I'll share more images of my story after the magazine has been out for awhile...
for now, here's a beautiful slideshow preview of this issue that Sonia put together:

 visit the Creating Vintage Charm facebook page!

I'm in the Bloglight!

Welcome to my guests from hometalk and the blogtalk group on facebook -

Thank you, Miriam Illions for featuring me and HOMEWARDfound today!
 hometalk is a FABulous community website where you can share, discuss, learn, and be AWED
by EVERYTHING having to do with creating & keeping houses. It's AMAZING!

I'm Deb and I'd like to welcome you to my blog!
 I'm a retail and home stylist, designer, and published writer.
[more on my 'Start Here' page]

Sweet Miriam Illions had this to say in the Blogtalk post:
"This week, the beautiful & graceful Deb Kennedy of HOMEward Found Decor is in the Bloglight!
Deb's story is inspiring and uplifting. She applies her creativity and fresh perspective 
not only to design & decor, but to all aspects of life. I am honored to feature you in the Bloglight today, Deb!"
[wow! she really makes me sound much better than I am!]

Miriam also asked a few questions to help you get to know me, 
so let's get right to those:

continue reading...