Santa Sideboard 2011

Santa Sideboard Metamorphosis or my Miracle on 34th Street

A new addition to our home this year brings an opportunity to spread out the annual Santa Celebration.  I posted about metamorphosizing the new Sideboard here and the 2010 Santasation here (last year they were spread out around the house.)  So, it was with great delight that as I unpacked each Santa, like greeting an old friend, I was able to put them all together on our Arts & Crafts Sideboard.

"Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist, and you know that they abound and give to your life its highest beauty and joy. Alas! how dreary would be the world if there were no Santa Claus."
- Francis Pharcellus Church, from the most reprinted newspaper editorial

"Oh, Christmas isn't just a day, it's a frame of mind... and that's what's been changing. That's why I'm glad I'm here, maybe I can do something about it."
~Kris Kringle, Miracle on 34th Street

 This is the first Santa, given to me as a gift in 1987.  I kept the original tag for years and now can't find it or remember the maker. Love his kind blue eyes.

"Look Doris, someday you're going to find that your way of facing this realistic world just doesn't work. And when you do, don't overlook those lovely intangibles. You'll discover those are the only things that are worthwhile."
~ Fred Gailey, Miracle on 34th Street

 This Santa found his way into my heart because of his regal, Nordic look.

 This Santa spoke to my "nesting" spirit, and loving all things bird related.

 This little Santa is hand crafted and rustic.

 This is my favorite Santa, who I call Thoreau or Walden Santa.  I imagine him stomping out to Walden Pond to leave gifts in all the cabins.

 This Santa found me at Stats in 2006 at the famous after Christmas sale. Love his flowing beard, a gorgeous green outfit.


"All my life I've wondered something, and now's my chance to find out. I'm going to find the answer to a question that's puzzled the world for centuries. Does Santa Claus sleep with his whiskers outside or in?"
~Fred Gailey, The Miracle on 34th Street

 This fragile Santa with glued on straw was found while antiquing and just spoke to me of hard work and perseverance.  My favorite Christmas book, A Miracle on 34th Street (did you know it was a book before a movie?) found in a used book store (remember book stores?).

 Copyright, 1947.   It just a special book to own that lead to the classic movie humorous story of an old man who thinks he is Santa Claus.

 It's all in the eyes, the eyes of a child.

 "I believe... I believe... It's silly, but I believe."
~Susan Walker, The Miracle on 34th Street

Joining
Metamorphosis Monday
The Tablescaper Seasonal Sundays
Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays
No Minimalist Here
Common Ground Vintage Party

Metamorphosis Living Room

Thus inspired by the Between the Naps on the Porch sponsored videos taking me to Home Goods tips for all things fabulous and doable, I armed myself with resolve to update the living room and indulge my love of all things "birds."

So, as instructed by her BNOTP diva, I watched the Home Goods video on how to use pillows to update your look.  Here's what I happily, happily found. Two beautiful pillows with bird motifs (my husband raises birds and it has become a joyful noise in our life and theme in decorating our home).

The HG video said to pair two dominant patterns and I already had the green, red, and yellow pattern throw pillows from Pier 1. Love them too.

Thus inspired, I meccaed to another one of my favorite stores, Z Gallerie, to purchase - hopefully - some gold martini glasses for a upcoming bash-a-fabulous.  And I found, heart beating excitedly, a copper hand pounded tray with bird embellishments.  Oh my, oh my!

So, who is giddy girl now?  ME!  Love the new additions to the living room that give it a breath of newness and hearten me into the harvest season.  What a great HG/BNOTP inspiration.  Metamorphosis complete!
~CJ