Savannah Banisters

My Decorating is very light this year.

We will not be celebrating Christmas 

at my house this season.
We are celebrating 
with my youngest daughter's family.

When I decorate my banisters, it takes me a full day.

Since the family is not coming here for Christmas

I opted not to decorate the banisters this year.

  I would still like to show you 

how the banisters looked last year.

 The banisters are always decorated in 

my trademark silver, white and often blue.

 The look changes and evolves each year, however

I use some of the same things each year

but I am also adding and subtracting as well.

I am sure you do the same.

Some of the pics are blurry. 

I have since learned to take gazillions of pictures

in order to get enough to publish.

 There were lights in the garland

 but I didn't get pics at night. 

Newbie then, certainly no expert now!

 After the tree in the living room, 
the banisters are my favorite Christmas decor. 

I usually do the banisters first 

and dismantle them last.

 You can see a glimpse of the tree in the living room.

It is the only thing is the public rooms 

that is not silver, white and blue. This tree started out many years ago as entirely gold. Now it is traditional

but it still has an abundance of gold decorations.

 You can't tell it here but the sheer ribbon 

is snow flocked with a blue pine cone design.

One thing that hasn't changed 
are the candles on the newel post.

A straw wreath is backed with heavy cardboard.

It is then attached to the banister with zip ties.

It is very sturdy and the glass cylinder

 fits perfectly inside the wreath.

The cylinder is partially filled with iridescent gems

and the candles are pushed into the gems.

The decor is inserted into the straw wreath.

The candles have held up, safely, through 

many, many visitors.


Please visit My Christmas Mantel!

I hope you have enjoyed the 2010 banisters at

Savannah Granny's

I am joining 
'The Christmas Blogger Block Party"
DIY By Design/Banisters


And these other great parties
Wednesday Bunny Hop Party
Rea Gun Ramblings
What's It
Wow Us Wednesdays

COPYCAT CHRISTMAS MANTEL

When I was doing my Copycat Challenge
I didn't realize that the party over at
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia
was featuring mantels.


I am glad to be joining Kristin
for day two of


"The Christmas Blogger Block Party"
by sharing my Christmas mantel


It also happens to be my first 
Copycat Challenge attempt.

Traditional Homes Nov/Dec 2011

I had recently pinned this photo because 

I thought it was a great inspiration. 

Traditional Homes Nov/Dec 2011

The closeup was really the inspiration

for I knew I already had most of the components.

Here goes!

Because of the colors I use in my home, I have used silver and blues for many years. I always tried to achive a cool wintery look. 

I liked the seashells in the inspiration because of our location by the shore.

 I didn't have framed seashells but I did have some beautiful sparkly sea creatures around the house.

I had lots of mercury glass trees and candlesticks. I gathered the candlesticks from around the house and brought out the box of mercury glass trees. They are usually on the dining table for Christmas.

 Here are more glittery seashells. For the greenery I used a couple of garlands that I have had for years.

I like these because all the stems and the base garland are paper wrapped. If there is any plastic, it is not visible. 

 I added some pearl and silver beaded garland to brighten the pine. 

I love the little tree with fleur de lis top. 

 I am not sure what the creature is leaning against the candlestick on the right. But it is pretty and shiny. 

If it's shiny it qualifies.

 There's that creature again. Can anyone identify that?

 I also added some small silver pine cones.

Savannah Granny 2011

Traditional Homes Nov/Dec 2011

Savannah Granny 2011

Traditional Homes Nov/Dec 2011

OK! What do you think?

Did I come close?

Please join me over at:

Debbie-Debbiedoos Blogging and Blabbing

 For the first Party in the 

"Christmas Blogger Block Party"

I am also joining the following great holiday parties:

Tabletop Tuesday

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
Merry Mantels
Coastal Christmas
FMPTY"s Holiday Mantel Party

Please leave a comment. That way I know you stopped by to visit.

Merry Christmas!

THE GIFT IS GIVEN!!

This is the season in which

we celebrate the greatest Gift

in Christendom!

While we celebrate the birth of 

The Christ Child

This is only the beginning.

The Sacrifice is not complete

 The Promise is not yet fulfilled

 While we celebrate and make merry

 We must remember in the distance

 A shadow looms

It is more than three decades 

In the future.

Til the fulfillment of God's 

Gift To Mankind

When I display this beautiful Boehm Nativity I feel compelled to also display this beautiful crystal Cross.

I never want to get so caught up in the beauty and sweet spirit of the Nativity

that I forget the promise given on that

"First Christmas"

was fulfilled on

"Calvary"

I pray our Lord's richest blessings for you, your loved ones and friends during this Holiest of Seasons.

Savannah Granny, Ginger

Seasonal Sundays

Sunday Favorites

Sunday Showcase

Blue Monday

Metamorphosis Monday

Motivate Me Monday

Masterpiece Monday

Amaze Me Monday
Thursdays Favorite Things/Kathrine's Corner

DUMMY ALERT!

That would mean Me!!

I offer my sincerest apologies and I will summit to a most sincere flogging.

I ended the Shabby Apple Giveaway

prematurely and awarded the dress.

This was NO FAULT of SHABBY APPLE and was strictly my mistake. I had entered the date incorrectly on my computer calendar and had been reminding everyone to hurry and sign up before Dec. 2nd at midnight. 

I even sent out emails and did reminders in my posts HERE and HERE for a Dec. 2nd deadline at midnight.

I only realized my mistake when I was visiting a friend's blog, just now, and saw the giveaway on her sidebar stating the giveaway end date.

Oh, I was hoping she was mistaken. I jumped back over to the link and wanted to "CROAK".

I must sincerely apologize to all my friends and to SHABBY APPLE.

In an attempt make things right, I will draw an additional winner Dec 6th. No dress this time but I will personally offer a   SHABBY APPLE

gift card

for $50.00 to the person selected in that drawing.

Again I am embarrassed and hope that the gift certificate will

 convey my sincere apologies.

Ginger

We Have A Winner!!!

A Big Thank You To

Shabby Apple!

Cross My Heart And Hope To Die,

 Stick A Needle In My Eye

#18 is the winner!

When this number came up, 

I thought hmmm, maybe I should draw again.

Of course that would not have been

fair to Suzy! 

Congratulations to Suzy!

The winner of the "Shabby Apple"

Moon River dress giveaway is

Suzy of Worthing Court.

Congratulations to Suzy!

I will be sending you information 

for claiming your gift shortly!

A HUGE THANK YOU!

 To each and every one who participated

and supported Shabby Apple and me. 
I appreciate each of you. 

Your friendship is special to me.

Ginger

GUEST HOST AND FEATURED BLOG!

THIS HAS BEEN AN EXCITING WEEK!

I AM SO HONORED 

TO HAVE BEEN INVITED

TO GUEST HOST

OVER AT 

"WORTHING COURT"

SUZY IS ONE OF THOSE BLOGGER FRIENDS TO WHICH YOU NATURALLY GRAVITATE. BEING A TRUE SOUTH CAROLINA BELLE,  SUZY IS A CHARMER WHO IS ALWAYS READY WITH A KIND AND SUPPORTIVE COMMENT. 

IN ADDITION TO BEING A HIGHLY TALENTED DESIGNER,  SHE IS ALWAYS SHARING HELPFUL(really helpful) TIPS AND HINTS. SHE HAS SOME GOOD CHRISTMAS DECORATING TIPS  RIGHT "HERE".

PLEASE GO OVER AND VISIT WITH SUZY AND ME. WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING

YOU. BE SURE TO TOUR SUZY'S BLOG WHILE YOU ARE THERE! YOU WILL BE GLAD YOU DID!

SECONDLY, I WAS 

A FEATURED BLOGGER

ON POCKETCHANGE'S

"Best Of The Web #43"

Please go by and check me out there!

While there visit Pocketchange's

TIPS CENTER

You will see tips on everything from baking, makeup, decorating to backpacking!

Yes, backpacking!

So you see, it's been a good week 

here on the island!

OK, See you over at Suzy's

I am linking up here:

Fabulous Friday

Feathered Nest Friday

Feature Yourself Friday

It's A Hodgepodge Friday

Flaunt It Friday

Inspiration Friday

Show and Tell Friday

Fridays Unfolded

Vintage Inspiration Friday

Home Sweet Home

Thrifty Things Friday