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Faeries and Fauna Christmas Home Tour

Welcome to our Christmas Home Tour

It is wonderful to be sharing my home for the holidays with you.   This Christmas is going to be different as Hubs and two of my sons have to work on Christmas Day.  I plan on spending my Christmas day enjoying the Christmas decor sparkles with coffee in the morning, wine in the evening and a Christmas movie festival.  Everyone will stop by sometimes during the season and for that I am thankful.

I am thrilled to be part of the Sparkles Home Tour for the holidays.   This terrific group of women also included me in their fall tour and we had so much fun.  I am certain you’re going to love our ideas and get some inspiration.  I cannot wait to see everyone’s posts, every morning first thing I get to read each one of them.  The perfect way to start the day!

I have added all their post links at the bottom of my contribution to the tour.

There is no little drummer boy here….so no drum roll….  but let’s get started.

Our Main Floor
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Christmas, Home Decor, White Christmas, Tartan

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My theme this year is tartan.  I chose to mix in red tartan with the white bling I have had for eons.

Home Tour, Christmas, White Christmas,

I found this all-white nativity scene three years ago.  I leave it as the focus over the fireplace and leave the rest of the mantel very plain.
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Home Tour, Decorations, White Christmas

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You can see the side of my all white Christmas tree.  I have a post about how I decorated this tree here.My most special Christmas Angel is on top of this tree.

I made a little red tartan runner for the living room coffee table, reorganized my china cabinet so only the white dishes are on display and added some red glittery Christmas balls.
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Christmas, Decor, Home Tour, Tartan

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The family dining table is the heart of our home,  I refurbished some items to reuse this year including the simple white wood table centerpiece.  I made the tartan chair covers.
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Christmas, Home Tour, Tartan


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You may notice two little Christmas cookie jars on my counters, both empty.  Unfortunately, the kitchen will not be this pretty for the next week or so while I complete the baking to fill these jars.
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Christmas, Home Tour, Home Decor, decorating

Up the Stairs We Go

This mommy bear is 30 years old this year, her name is Martha.

Home Tour, Decorating, Decor

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The rest of the year the main floor has the most activity, but for Christmas, this upstairs bonus room is the busiest.  It is the largest room in our house with a high ceiling that fits the bigger tree and the man cave sized television for Christmas movies.

Christmas, Home Tour, Holidays, Tartan, Reindeer

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All the little bits of red you see are DIY projects, except for the little red ball ornaments. The cushions are sewn with the exception of the giant reindeer cushion. It was love at first sight and he will stay in the room until spring.

This is the main Christmas tree with the grand children’s gifts.
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Christmas, Christmas Tree, Decorating, Home Tour, Home Decor, Crafts DIY

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I made the garland, the red ribbon is from Costco,  the little red lanterns and four large deer on the tree are new purchases.  The white ornaments are from my collection as is the angel top.

Christmas, Vignette, Home Tour, Home Decor, Crafts, DIY

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My youngest son is working in Toronto and has some things stored here. These deer are his and he leant them to me for this year.  They are so realistic I love them. The little red tray they sit on is a quick refurbishment and  I quickly sewed the little tray liner. a

DIY, Crafts, Christmas, Christmas Tour


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This little reindeer is a DIY project, that was just finished this morning.  I have not perfected my methods yet but I love her.

Up Four Short Stairs to the Bedrooms

Our house has three upstairs bedrooms, our master room, the grandchildren’s guest room and the second guest room.  They will be occupied sometime during the holidays.  The girls are coming for two nights I can’t wait.

The Girl’s Guest Room

This room includes several projects that I have already posted on the blog.  The idea for this room is to encourage the girl’s to Believe in Santa and prolong the joy for them.
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DIY, Tartan, Christmas, Home Tour

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The little Rudolph toy sings songs and his nose lights up.  He is about 20 years old now and still working.

Christmas, DIY, Art, Crafts, Reindeer, Children, Decor

This reindeer picture is another DIY project I created,   Herman made the frame and we painted it red to match this years theme. The sparkles are for the girls of course.  It hangs on the wall at the end of the girl’s bed.

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christmas, Home Tour,

When the time comes for the girls to be sad, I hope this sign will make the change a little easier.  I found it this year and thought it was perfect.

The room also has a Snoopy, some Christmas books from the boys childhood, some elves on the window shelf and a couple of Santa ornaments of course.

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The Adult Guest Room

This room has a sparkly frosty winter theme.  This is the way my entire house looked every Christmas for a very long time.  I brought the red into the room with the single star cushion.
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Christmas, Home Tour, DIY, Crafts, Stars

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Christmas, Home Tour,

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The stars are a refurbishment project, the ladder, the cushions, the wreath and the little joy swag are DIY projects.

This little bear vignette sits on one of the night tables.

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Master Bedroom

Nothing I do separates Hubs from his thoroughbreds.  I moved the horse theme out of the man cave so I decided to put it in the master bedroom. The Sleigh ride, the Sleigh Bells ring picture, the Chalkboard, the Comfy and  Cosy cushion and the afghan are DIY projects.
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Christmas, Home Tour, Holidays, DIY, Home Decor
Christmas, Home Tour, Home Decor, DIY, Crafts
Christmas, Home Tour, DIY, Crafts

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The final Christmas tree of the tour is a little flocked tree I purchased last year.  It usually sits on our front foyer table covered in Victorian white bling.  This year it received a farm makeover, the little barn and Christmas tree signs are purchased.  The garland and the little horse ornaments are DIY projects.
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DIY, Crafts, Home Tour, Christmas Tour

From her home to yours, The Domestic Realist shares her Christmas

My Family Thyme at Christmas!

Open House Begins Dec 10th at

Sledgehammer Queen at Christmas!

Around the Firepit, a Christmas Home Tour

Raggedy Bits at Christmas!

At Home with Zan, come in to the wonderland of Joy!

Open House begins Dec 11th at

Our Homestead Where My Heart is Christmas Tour

Eccentricities by JVG invites you to see her Christmas Home

Fiona Loves Organising and Christmas too!

Crafty Lily Pad has a Christmas Tour

62 Comments

  1. There is a feeling of clean simplicity in your decor that I love. I try to do the same but always end up with too much. Your home is so beautiful and I love your color choices.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Zan: Thank you for the kind comments. Its a personal preference for me to not have too many things on work surfaces. I try to bring the holiday mood in with art, cushions, and trees mostly.

      I loved your home tour Athomewithzan especially the chalkboard wall decor.

      Merry Christmas talented lady. Leanna

  2. This is my first time being on your blog, but it wont be the last time….
    Please tell me about your beautiful wood floors. I am looking to do my floors and am having a hard time on color and product. I would appreciate all the info.
    Loved your home, thanks for sharing.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Rosie: The floors are original with our house and we will be refinishing them ourselves early in the new year. Our home is very “lived in” and the floors are especially loved by our great pyr dog.

      I am currently doing research on the best protective coatings. That will be the most important part of the refinishing.

      Thank you for stopping by, and I will remember to share with you what information and experience I learn.

      Leanna

  3. I will feature your mantel today at Home Sweet Home! I loved it!

  4. Leanna, Your house is beautiful! Thank you so much for letting me tour it! You have worked so hard to make sure every room follows your theme and it shows! I must say my favorite subtle detail is the mini tree in the galvanized bucket on your fireplace! Very cute!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Michelle: So nice that you noticed my little tree. I was originally going to do a large tree display at the bottom of my fireplace but was not able to find the type of trees I wanted. This was my plan B, but I find the little trees cute and they remind me of my home province.

      Thank you for commenting. Leanna

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Helen: Glad you enjoyed the home tour. You know how much I enjoy the NW’s DIY party made up of tutorials and DIY projects.

      Thank you for the kind comments. Leanna

  5. I love your Christmas decor. It’s beautiful and the pop of red is gorgeous. Thank you for sharing at Dishing it and Digging it link party.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hello Vanessa: This is the very first year I ever used red for the holidays. It was a big change but I like how it turned out.

      Thank you for hosting the Dishing and Digging it Link Party. I have met several terrific bloggers and gathered a lot of inspiration by actively participating in the party.

      Merry Christmas.

  6. Can I come over on Christmas Day? Your home is stunning. The white with touches of red and tartan is perfect. The chair covers are super cute. I love the bedrooms, so when I come over, I will make myself at home in both your guest rooms. 🙂 Your projects are awesome. I just can’t pick a favorite. Thank you for allowing me to come and visit.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Melissa: My grand daughters came for their Christmas sleep over and were over the top excited about all the Christmas stuff. They actually chose to play in the room by themselves because they liked it.

      It’s the best feeling when family feels special because of the extra steps we do to make them feel that way. I am glad you enjoyed my efforts.

      Merry Christmas Leanna

  7. I absolutely love all of your hard work!! I have never been a huge fan of all white…until now. The splash of red is perfect. Just to let you know, I am claiming the Adult Guest Room as my own but only because the Master Bedroom is taken! Simply gorgeous Leanna!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      You can have the room for the best friend rate. One bowl of Bonnie’s famous macaroni salad.

      Being me of course we can eat it on pretty red plates!!

      Thanks for the thumbs up hon.

      Leanna

  8. Wow, your house is beautiful from top to bottom!! You should have been doing house tours for a long time!! I love your color choices and all of your DIY projects!!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Thank you very much Melony. Doing the home tour is pretty stressful, not so much the decorating as the photography part. We are down to 8 hours a day of sunlight right now. so I had to stay home hoping to get enough light. I am persistent!!

      In the new year I am going to be checking out the SledgeHammer Queen for some tutorials on crown moulding. What sizes to use, cutting the corners, So happy you stopped by.

      Merry Christmas Leanna

  9. LeannaForsythe says:

    Hi Heidi: I really enjoy participating in your Funtastic Friday link party. I like seeing what other bloggers are creating. It has been especially fun this Christmas so much glitz and bling. I love it.

    Glad you like my tour, their are tutorials on the blog for the afghan and the artwork in the girls room and the chair covers. I hope you feel inspired to try them.

    See you on Friday. Leanna

  10. Great home tour! I especially love the girl’s guest room and those chair covers with tartan big bows! Thanks for sharing on Funtastic Friday!

  11. Your home is gorgeous!! I love everything from the beautiful white nativity to the tartan chair covers and reindeer pillows. You have created such a warm, inviting, and festive home.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Lynne: I am enjoying the new red plaids that I added, the house looks a bit more festive and a little less elegant then previous years. I hope that makes sense.

      I cannot wait for my granddaughters to get here for their sleepover. Even though they are really little they love crafts and all things girlish. I think I am going to give them a string of lights on the headboard, they love the twinklers.

      This blog hop has been wonderful. Thank you for being part of it with me. Leanna

  12. As a Scottish person, I am truly loving the addition of tartan. I especially love the bed throw, that just looks fabulous. I am loving all the festive red, it really is beginning to look at lot like Christmas 🙂

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Yvonne: My first thought was to go with the more rustic Buffalo plaid as I remembered my brothers wearing it eh! However when I went shopping I found this classic red tartan and knew it was a better choice for our home.

      I am much more excited now that the glitz and glam is out.

      Merry Christmas. Leanna

  13. Leanna, your home is gorgeous! I love what you did with the tartan and white theme. It looks cozy and fun but not too busy. Just perfect! I haven’t decorated for Christmas yet. But, hubby and I are going to do so today. Maybe I’ll try to refurbish some of our decor with new ideas. And I love that new reindeer you finished this morning! It is amazing!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Merry Christmas Gina: I hope you have a great time decorating. Refurbishing is the easiest way I know to get my decor coherent without spending a fortune on all new stuff.

      I look forward to seeing what you do with your decorations as well. The bling is the best part to me.

      Do you know what your theme is? Are you going to use plaid?

  14. I LOVE everything! Especially those chair covers and you teddy bear! What a lovely home. I would love to visit you over the Christmas season!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Cathy: I use to have a whole collection of teddy bears I adopted out alot of my bears except for a chosen few that I treasure.

      Martha was a gift from my three sons a long time ago. They chose her because she looked like a Mom, she is a Gund and they must have done alot of tasks to earn her for me. Thank you for commenting on her.

      One of the good things about getting older is you have treasures that are attached to memories, and at Christmas you get to bring them all out.

      Merry Christmas. Leanna

    2. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Cathy: I use to have a whole collection of teddy bears I adopted out alot of my bears except for a chosen few that I treasure.

      Hi Cathy: Martha bear was a gift from my three sons a long time ago. They chose her because she looked like a Mom, she is a Gund and they must have done alot of tasks to earn her for me. Thank you for commenting on her.

      I don’t know what you think, but I find one of the good things about getting older is you have treasures that are attached to memories, and at Christmas you get to bring them all out.

      Merry Christmas. Leanna

  15. I enjoyed the tour of the house, everything is so beautiful, I am not finding words to praise so many things. Red covers for the dining chairs with the bow looks awesome. Mant items in your house are DIY project., you are very creative dear.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Sadhna: Thank you. I love love love doing projects. I don’t like to just sit for very long at all,

      I really enjoy your blog and truly appreciate someone who is willing to cook like you do. I like to bake, but truly if I only enjoy cooking if I myself can look forward to trying something new that appeals to me. I have two of your recipes pinned to try for the holidays.

      Thanks for the compliment talented lady.

  16. I really enjoyed the tour! Your home is wonderfully decorated and as I’m getting right into the plaids this year, I am inspired by all that you have. Great job on those chair covers! It was fun to go through each room with you and take in the different decorations. I like that you are embracing being alone on Christmas Day and have a plan to enjoy it your own way. These days, so many of us have to work and for sure, the Christmas season is not just ONE day so it’s good to plan to celebrate when you can. Wishing you a Merry Little Christmas!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Lori thank you for wishing me a merry little Christmas. My sons are all huge men, the smallest was 6.ft 2 in grade 12. I was absolutely surrounded.

      I was always a decor nut, and loved to bake so you Know all their buds were at our house. I loved those years and miss them, but life goes on.

      I am going to enjoy my quiet Christmas, it now looks like the 19th will be the biggest get together. I am just thankful they are all juggling to try and get together with Mom.

      Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Leanna

  17. Naomi Shelton says:

    Just lovely! You must have really been ahead of the trend toward white in decorating. I see it everywhere now. I have always loved the feel of it–calming, I think. My bathroom has been done in all white for a number of years, but this year I am introducing just a bit of turquoise and really liking how it looks.

    Your home looks very festive and you’ve clearly done a lot, lot, lot of work to make it that way. Thanks for showing us; it’s very inspiring. And I so want a bonus room!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Naomi: You certainly got that right, years ago I didn’t put sparkly garlands on my white tree and wanted iridescent icicles (remember those) I went to about 12 stores before finding ones I liked. Now that I look back I was nuts lol

      Now its so much easier to find and I only buy one or two new white tree ornaments a year. I have enough white ornaments now I don’t need to display them all every year.

      I am no longer on my own so I own a sewing machine and have a garage full of tools I can use. It makes the work part much more fun.

      Merry Christmas. Leanna

  18. Leanna your home is absolutely beautiful. You have put so much detail into everything, it is amazing! I love the little red barn in the tree and the Santa sign for the girls!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Marjan: Thank you for appreciating my little details. It is the way I am wired, I notice little things like that. I match the paper to the gift, to the giver, make the girlish ones more sparkly then the men’s. All those little details matter to me.

      Thank you for appreciating my efforts. Meeting other women who notice these special touches is a big perk of blogging. Someone who “gets it”

      Thanks for your kind comment. Leanna

  19. Leanna, thank you for welcoming us into your beautiful warm home!! Love everything and all of your sprinkles of Christmas cheer 🙂

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Sam: Thank you. This year I think my sons will be surprised to see reds. (they don’t do girlie blogs you know) anyways all white has turned into a tradition I chose to break this year. I hope they like it.

      The blog tour has been alot of fun, thanks for stopping by.

  20. Thank you for being the first to share. It is hard to pick one particular thing that I love about your home as it is all beautiful. Loving all the red and white. The bedrooms are stunning. The hard work is now done and you can enjoy your beautiful home!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Fiona: Doing the decorating, wrapping and baking for the holidays always makes me very happy. Party time for me.

      The cleaning, the cooking (ugh bleck), and the clutter not so much lol

      I am having a quiet Christmas this

    2. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Fiona: Doing the decorating, wrapping and baking for the holidays always makes me very happy. Party time for me.

      The cleaning, the cooking (ugh bleck), and the clutter not so much lol

      I am having a quiet Christmas this year and am really looking forward to studying beside the lit trees.

      I had a bit of a sleepless night thinking about the blog hop launching, but this is such a kind generous group of ladies it was all good.

  21. Your home is so beautiful Leanna! And so big!! I can’t believe you’ve got two trees, how amazing is that! I love love love all the reindeer, the pillows and the little figurines, oh my! All your details are perfect and warm and inviting! I’m sure your kids love coming home for Christmas to such a festive home!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Katrin I try to have alot of festive things out but not alot of clutter, cushions, towels, shower curtains, throws and trees. Artwork on the walls to keep the counters etc more clear.

      My family think I am nuts but told me they look forward to it every year. As long as I make roasted chicken wings, garlic spare ribs, cheese balls, date squares, chocolate chip sandies………… lol

      Thank you for commenting. Leanna

  22. What a beautiful home Leanna, all the touches of love and caring everywhere, I’ve seen some of your DIY projects but it seems I’ve missed a few too. Love the “shush” sign and the afghan throws still look amazing. And don’t get me started on that little reindeer. Is it a sketch? She’s beautiful.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Michelle: The little reindeer is a work in progress, I am figuring out a method for creating some charcoal artwork as a craft, because I have not an artist.

      I have to confirm my methods as I had way too many reworks, but I love this little girl so I included her this year. Mary from the Boondocks says that blogging really stretches our creativity and challenges us, she sure is correct.

      Thank you for commenting. I appreciate it.

  23. Leanna, your home is so beautifully decorated, each and every room! I’m still swooning over your tartan chair covers since you posted about them. The girls are so lucky to have such beautiful room to stay in and the same goes for your adult guests. Enjoy your cookie baking!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Marie: I am definitely at the end of the Christmas preparations now. Figuring out the food and I am done. The preparation part is my favorite time of the season when we are all so excitedly doing stuff to spoil people we care about. Its really nice to witness. It all makes me happy.

      Hugs and talk soon. Leanna

  24. Leanna, what a wonderful tour and how wonderful that you decorated all the rooms. I am very impressed with your deer art work and love the large tree. Have a wonderful Christmas in such a beautiful home.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Thank you Jasmine: That deer is pretty special to me this year, I am trying to figure out how to tweek it into a tutorial. I had to do a few reworks to get it to the stage it is in now.

      I was a single Mom with three boys on a single income for many years, this home is a real blessing Hubs provides me with. I thank him all the time.

      Merry Christmas to you and yours as well. Leanna

  25. Leanna your home is absolutely beautiful!!! It looks like something out of a magazine. Those tartan chair covers are so cute and your tree is beautiful!!! What a wonderful place to spend the Christmas holidays!!!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Thank you Susanne: Its funny because the boys grew up with Christmas decor everywhere and my eldest son is married. His wife says she is thankful to me because he is into it. They currently have a family tree and a kids tree. She said when I mentioned a dining room tree, he never batted an eyelash.

  26. What a lovely tour. You have a beautiful home and the decorations for Christmas are so pretty. I wish I could lounge in the bonus room and watch Christmas movies, it looks so comfy.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      I am looking forward to some quiet time for sure. Turning on little women with a glass of wine and a comforter. I enjoy all the old classics and never tire of them.

      Thank you for taking the time to comment, I appreciate the positive feedback. Leanna

  27. Leanna you have such a gorgeous home and I know you have been saving that white guest bedroom for me! Everything is so perfect and you have styled it in such a way that even adults will start to believe again. Your granddaughters are very lucky to have that room all to themselves with grandma’s special touches and crafts. I honestly cannot choose one special thing, I love everything in your home. And your painting is really pretty. Good for you for daring to try something new!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Mary: Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could get together. You, Marie and I would have such a great time.

      Thank you for commenting on my deer, she is not perfect but I really like her and a home is suppose to reflect our own interests even if imperfect.

      My two little grand daughters will arrive and want to do crafts right away. I have designed a little game for them where we can build snowmen. They are such a joy to me.

      Thanks for commenting and so glad we met. Can’t wait to see what we get up to in 2017. Hugs Leanna

  28. This Home Tour is amazing! I loved every single room! I adore the white theme with the splashes of red, just lovely.

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Hi Pam: As my decor is typically white it was a challenge to add the red and spread the white out. There is alot of contrast between the two colours and I didn’t want it looking too traditional.

      Thank you very much for the thumbs up. I am loving the other posts especially now that the major work part is completed.

      Leanna

  29. Leanna- Gorgeous – Welcoming and comfortable! I love the deer, and all the red plaid; and your trees are beautiful. I am totally with you on the Christmas movies!! Thank you for being the leader of our group – but you did set the bar a little high!!!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Thank you Kristine Your really kind. This is my first Christmas Home Tour and I wasn’t sure how big my post should be. I did some looking on other blogs and some had up to 30 pictures in them.

      My hope for the post is that the readers will see that you can change a Christmas theme with some effort and a few odds and sods of new ornaments.

      I cannot wait for everyone posts to go live. Talk about looking forward to my morning coffee.

  30. Oooh I loved the tour! You did so much. Hard to imagine all of your white is eons old since it is so in style this year. The tartan chair covers are gorgeous and I love every little vignette you have made. It is so peaceful and definitely has the feeling of the true meaning of Christmas. Thank you for being our very first tour! I am going to have to go through a few more times to soak it all up!!!

    1. LeannaForsythe says:

      Thank you very much Debbie. My sons use to roll their eyes at my white decor, now its a tradition at Mom’s house. Lots of these ornaments are 25 years old or so, treasures from their childhood.

      Thank you for organizing our Christmas Sparkle Home Tour. Its so joyous to work on this with everyone, sparkles everywhere there are sparkles!!!

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