Sunday, December 20, 2015

Journal 52, no prompt, and a change had to occur


At Journal 52, I waited for our penultimate prompt which, as of this posting, has still not shown up.  So, instead of concentrating on a non-existent prompt, I decided to show the 50 previous entries.

Because my computer is so slow, I broke them into two groups.  This is Weeks 1 through 25 and

this is Weeks 26 through 50.  Although it took much longer than I anticipated to turn these into a mosaic, I took time to make a change in my living room that had bothered me.

Some of you saw my tree decorations two days ago, where I lamented that I was really dissatisfied with the looks of this arrangement.  From the bent candle I didn't bother replacing, to the various disparate images of trees, I simply did NOT care for the way I had used these pieces.  Better to put them away, than to look at what a mess they posed to me.

Then I remembered something Susi made for Easter (at least I think it was Easter), where she made a wreath for her kitchen table.

I had an old wreath that I was slowly deconstructing anyway, so decided to do something with it.  (As an aside, for those of you into antiques, this is a signed Bradley and Hubbard slag glass table lamp.   Wide bands of creamy colors in real slag glass allow the light to fill a room with a soft glow you see here.  Known for lamps, Bradley and Hubbard lamps have often been called the "poor man's Tiffany."  Mine may not command Tiffany prices, but it is rare and very valuable, none-the-less.  I bought it in 1989 from a couple who were getting a divorce.  Their loss was my gain, since its value now is about eight times what I originally paid for it).

Back to decorating, I admit it may look more cluttered now, but I really much prefer this arrangement than the one above.

Thanks Susi for giving me this idea.

Now all I have to do is get those two huge herb containers out of the house that held dill that died when forced to overwinter inside, and I'll feel a lot better.

Originally I planned to add the "Merry Christmas" to the front of the hanging basket, but the words were too heavy.

That's when I decided to put it on the tree on my front porch desk.  I love how the light plays on the words.

And finally, while I was at Sam's (a members only club owned by WalMart),

I saw these displays and had to take a photo.  What people won't do to decorate their homes!

As for Journal 52, if I ever see this week's prompt, I may have to show the final two entries together next Friday or Saturday, because this has truly become the silly season.

Thanks for visiting today.  I'm always grateful for your visit.

17 thoughtful remarks:

Valerie-Jael said...

Your 50 journal pages look very impressive seen all together, great job. I love the way you decorated the table, with the wreath around the lamp, which is really beautiful - a fantastic piece, it must look wonderful it up in the evening. The outside decorations look great, too, although the things at Sam are a bit too glittery for me - your eclectic mix of treasures grouped together looks much, much nicer. Have a great day, hugs, Valerie

Haddock said...

That is a unique tree :-)
Must hop over to Susi and see what other ideas are there up the sleeve.

froebelsternchen said...

I am really impressed by all your pages Elizabeth! Well done--- you can be proud of yourself! The wreath around this beautiful lamp looks very good - wow. I feel honoured that you mentioned me Sweetie♥♥♥
I don't like colored christmas lights as these big decorations show ... I just love white lights as decoration for christmas.. that's a big problem for me - one of our opposite neighbours have red and blue and light blue lights in his windows - I really don't like it.bäääh!
This kind of things for christmas remind me of Las Vegas not of christmas time.

Have a wonderful Sunday - I will have visitors today and am going to bake something extra now.
oxo
Susi

Nan G said...

I have always had a eye for that fab lamp! I had to sell my Tiffany when I moved...wwaahhhh. Love the rearrangement of the candle holders. The wreath helps to tie them altogether...more cohesive now. Ooo gorgeous sparkly words and they look great on the porch tree. Warm hugs from me and the Girls. p.s. I have a post up!

My name is Erika. said...

Love the wreath idea for your table. Yours came out great although I didn't see Susi's. Fall more clever than hanging it on the wall. Sorry to hear (in comments on my blogt66) that you didn't get a good vibe from Boston. Not sure I'd call people stuck up because us New Englanders tend to be very reserved and maybe even a bit "cold" until you get to know us, especially compared to other parts of the US. Wonder why that is...maybe the Puritan history of the area. Where did you go to grad school? Hope you are having a great weekend, and love the view of all those pages.

Craftymoose Crafts said...

I love what you did with that wreath-inspired by Susi, and I just may borrow that idea at some point!

Divers and Sundry said...

I was struck by your lamp before I read your description. It's wonderful! I like the base as much as I do the shade, and I know it brings you joy whenever you're in that room. Sweet find. :)

Necessity and all that lol. Looks like you made a virtue of that necessity. What a great overview of the previous prompts.

Krisha said...

LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your new arrangement!! And THAT lamp oooooooh it's a beauty on it's own.
Great job of hanging in there with J52, all your pages are fantastic, and I've enjoyed the stories behind each of them.

Anonymous said...

Perfect arrangement, love it. Now it looks so festive. Impressive journaling, bravo. I really like your more abstract leaf piece, it's my favorite. xox

pearshapedcrafting said...

Your journal pages all look so brilliant -I must say that I am so impressed that you have made such a great variety of pages over the 50! I love your new decoration around that fabulous lamp! On our way home this afternoon we have seen some very strange outdoor decorations! Hugs, Chrisx

Meggymay said...

I love the Christmas wreath you added at the base of your beautiful lamp. It looks wonderful. Super collage pieces of all your fantastic Journal 52 pages. Thank you for stopping by to tell me about the 'tip ins'. Have good week
Yvonne xx

Rita said...

I am impressed with your 50 entries!! Wow!
And I do like the wreath around the lamp decoration instead. Beautiful lamp, too.
A little silliness is always good. ;)

Cappuccinoandartjournal.blogspot.com said...

I will add the same comment so many made -- those 50 pages are so prolific and look wonderful. Good work!

Denise Price said...

Completing 50 journal pages is a great accomplishment. They look impressive grouped together in the two collage/mosaic images.

The wreath decoration on your end table looks great. Much nicer than the garish Sam's decorations. :)

~*~Patty S said...

The mosaics you created with your artwork are wonderful E!!!
Exciting to see them all together like that.
Your lamp is a real beauty and the wreath you decorated it with is oh so festive.
It is hard to imagine that this time next week Christmas will be over.
HoHoHo
and
Fa la laaa
oxo

AiyanaKalyna said...

Thank you so much for writing about your stained glass lamp. It is absolutely gorgeous. Bradley & Hubbard had such beautiful lamps. I love your wreath arrangement. The beautiful angel is just perfect. What made me gasp is your typewriter!!!! I love it so much. I also love the mosaic of your journal pages. I am so impressed that you did all fifty. You have inspired me to try something like this next year. I was commenting to my DH tonight that my neighborhood looks like little gingerbread homes with all the pretty decorated lights. I think because my neighborhood many of the residents are on strict budget. They don't over buy. It is so pretty to see all the homes lit up. Most of the home around here do not have the large yard displays.

Linda Kunsman said...

I love the addition of the wreath to your table-and of course as an antique/vintage lover I also adore that lamp! Your mosaics are just fabulous Elizabeth-really super art quilts! I know some homes are like on overload when it comes to lighted displays. I cannot imagine what their January electric bill must look like-yikes!