Saturday, December 3, 2011

Copy Cat Christmas


Do you keep old magazines?

The Duchess rarely throws away a Christmas issue.  She keeps them from as far back as the '70s in an unused linen closet upstairs in her home. Whenever you want some inspiration, you can just head up there and browse through a pile. It's fun to see how styles have changed.  


I saw this window in this copy of Woman's Day from 1987



And decided  to do that with one of the remaining old church windows
 on my 101 List over there on my sideboard.  


 I smashed out the glass on this one and painted it Heirloom White.
Then sprayed the hardware oil rubbed bronze
I know you' re very shocked that I used those two colors...


The rest was not rocket science, of course. 


I used two different kinds of ornaments because they didn't have six of either kind left at Hobby Lobby. Plus, it's a little more forgiving when the two in the middle are slightly larger.


I used real greenery from the yard because I like it that way. I'll probably have to change it mid season so I might make fake ones then instead.


Add a little bow...



And there ya go.




Ho Ho Ho! 



*****

46 comments:

Ann said...

I LOVE it! Now, where do you have it placed?

BTW, Did your mom get the craft Woman's Day mags? I misplaced a copy of mine I'd been saving for eons. It had a little bean bag reindeer pattern. I'd promised Lorri that I'd make her one and I no longer have the pattern. It was quite simple with felt antlers and funky dangling legs and a peanut (sort of) shaped head. They were not large ... maybe about 4" tall when "sitting."

Oh well. I have parts of the pattern, but not all, nor do I have the directions! Guess maybe it's lost to the ages ... oh well.

Anyway, your mom is no the only one who collects Christmas magazines. : D

Cheers!

Renée said...

What a darling copycat idea. I love to check out old magazines and like your mom save them. I'll have to join your party!

Crickit said...

What a great idea and it turned out beautifully! I hope to try a DIY Christmas project this week.

Denise at Forest Manor said...

Debbie, this turned out just beautifully -- I love it!!! I really like yours better than the one in the magazine because I prefer that all the bows be the same color. I'm just funny that way. :) You did a great job, and I love the choice of red and gold ornaments and gold bows. Gorgeous!

Have a great weekend.

Denise

FABBY'S LIVING said...

Ho ho ho allright! I'm loving this, yours is even prettier, love your choise of ornaments... just in love with it! Have a super weekend pal and thanks for sharing. FABBY

Ruby Jean said...

Oh I LOVE LOVE LOVE it... Especially the part about hanging onto all those wonderful VINTAGE magazines... :) I bet there is SOME great stuff in them... Happy Copycatting to you!!!!

elizabeth said...

I love it! Perfect copy cat project! I kind of want to copy cat the copy cat now.

Barbara F. said...

My back door has 9 small panes like that! I may be copy catting you! xo

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

Oh yes I have some of those old Christmas mags...I hate to part with them.

My son has a garage full of old windows he bought, they were from a school gym...so I could grab one and do this also....love it! It looks great

Oh Happy Birthday early........I have almost survived my first year of being 50!!!!!!!!!!!! You will also!!!!!!!!!!! Life goes on and all the joys with it!!

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I do not keep old magazines but I do keep old tree decorations...sentimental

larkswing said...

I really like this....figuring out which window I want to do this on ... :)

Sue said...

Really, really cute! In fact, I want to find an old window and copy YOU! And, I love that your mom saved all those old magazines. I confess to having a notebook with all of my favorite Christmas houses in it. So fun to browse through.

Tanna said...

Oh, man! Yours came out so much better even than the ones you 'copied'!! Beautiful, Debbie! Really very NICE! blessings ~ tanna

Miss Kathy said...

Nice, Deb! Very festive - a classic idea! I'll have to Pinterest you!!

Joy!
Kathy

Sue said...

Love your copy cat window Debbie, great job I save old Christmas magazines too and have been enjoying them this year.
Enjoy your weekend.
Sue

At The Picket Fence said...

That is just fantastic Debbie! I absolutely love that idea and think I may just have to copycat your copycat! :-)
Vanessa

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

This is cute, cute, cute!! Love it! Wish I had a window to decorate!

Katherine

Debbiedoos said...

You my friend are way too cool for words! How fantastic is this, I just love it!!~ You have really inspired here. I thank you in advance for sharing with the partay, it's going to be a good one!

Sharon said...

You know, my friend, you are just too clever. I loved this newest holiday creation. And, of course, you provided me with a few chuckles along the way. Your comment about the paint colors really cracked me up...

Debbie, is that snow outside your window?

Me - I'm just getting blown away here in California. High, gusty winds. "Oh no, Toto..."

Lynn said...

I love it Debbie, it turned out great! I like using the real greens too-enjoy:@)

Denise said...

Wow! Your window looks wonderful. I think yours is better than the magazine. Are you still planning on hanging it on the wall in your kitchen by the half bath? Great job.

Christine said...

I want to go through the Duchess closet!!!!
This is so simple but elegant.

Dayle ~ A Collection of Days said...

It's fantastic! And is that snow on the ground?

Joan Hall said...

Debbie - I love vintage Christmas items. There is something about them that bring back happy childhood memories.

I have a little award for you over at my blog. (If you are award free, I apologize, but I didn't see any disclaimer here.) I always love your posts!

http://www.reflectionsofhisgrace.com/2011/12/encouragement-thanks/

Blessings,
Joan

Toni said...

Totaly love this idea! I have now filed it away for next years inspiration. I too save old magazines, but not quite that old! I found your blog from the copy cat challenge and am now a new follower.

Francie...The Scented Cottage Studio said...

Nooooo I am shocked because it looks like you broke out textured glass !!! Say it isn't so so I can sleep tonight :))
That said I do love what you created, it is wonderful !
I dooo have some old magazines and some of the old Christmas craft books and love to look through them and try to create updated versions.
We did have a blessed Thanksgiving (())

The Decorative Dreamer said...

Debbie that is a wonderful copy cat! I love that you used real greenery too. I like yours so much better then the magazine and I even like how you have varying sizes. Great job!

Savannah Granny said...

Debbie, this is soooo neat. Don't you love those old magazines? Some of the best ideas are old ones revisited. In that one view, were you holding up to a real window? Your window is beautiful. I too like the real greens better.

My daughter, Kim, has a bunch of old windows. She is always look for ideas. I am emailing this to her.

Audrey said...

Hi Debbie ... that is so cute. You did a fantastic job. I have a large one that I may do that to if I can find a place for it. Thanks for sharing at Debbiedoo's Copy Cat Party. Hope you will visit me. I am a new follower for you.
Christmas blessings ... Audrey Z. at Timeless Treasures.

Donna said...

Hi, Debbie, and thanks for stopping by.

Well, your window is much cuter than the original. Because I love that you used the same colored bows for it all. It was fun seeing a pic from 1987 :) I think I have some mags that old, too.
D

Pat@Back Porch Musings said...

I love it Debbie! It's a wonderful copycat and yes I do keep old magazines!

Kathy said...

Oh my goodness this is so lovely -Simple but yet so festive. I think an afternoon spent with you sipping hot tea and browsing old magazines would be a perfect day :-)

FrouFrouBritches said...

Oh, I love it! So simple and elegant! I love that you used real greenery too. So pretty!

I keep my Christmas issues of Southern Living. I think my oldest is about 16 years old and I STILL get it out almost every year. Great inspiration!

Kathleen said...

Well, how lovely! I like your updated version better than the magazine.

We too save magazines, our copies of "25 Beautiful Homes" go back a few years now. My husband likes to look at them too.

The striking workers were shopping that day. Demonstrations were taking place butmainly in city centres.

Debbiedoos said...

Debbie this is so stinkin charming! I need to copy your copy..I just love how it looks. I am glad you joined in on the fun! Enjoy, there is so much eye candy out there for us to enjoy.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

MUCH better than the inspiration pic! Like, Denise, I prefer one color of bows, too. :-) Do I keep old magazines? OF COURSE -- especially the Christmas ones -- but I hope to get the ideas I want to keep scanned into my computer and organized by subject in 2012. I really need to start a list like your 101 List. I might call it the 2012 list -- there will probably be that many items on it anyway!

Chatty Crone said...

Oh my goodness - why am I surprised here again - if anyone could do it - it would be YOU!

It is gorgeous. Where did you place it?

Sandie

Babs said...

Much, much nicer that the original idea/photo. I like your use of the sheer gold ribbon better. It really showcases the ornaments. Love the fresh greenery.
Very nice!

Unknown said...

That's exactly why we save our magazines..so many idea's..and they dont have to be current either..look at how lovely this is..and it may be from a vintage magazine but the look you made is so NOW! wonderful job...
Kindredly,
Shirley

Anonymous said...

Oh, Debbie, you've done good, girl...you've done good. I think Santa will be stopping at your home for sure. ;) I LOVE this and I like yours better. LOVE that you used the natural greenery. All I could gather from my South Florida yard would be old palm tree branches and maybe some sand if I dig just a little...seriously, sand.
I also love your header. Woman...39 comments...how do you do it? Wait, I know, being perky lovable you. ;)
Much love!

Mid-Atlantic Martha said...

This is so pretty! I have a hard time getting rid of old magazines as well -- if I had more storage, we'd probably live in a fire hazard! Live how pretty and simple this is.

Ricki Treleaven said...

How cute! WHat a nice way to show off an old window. Fantastic copy cat! I am linking from Debbiedoos.

Anonymous said...

Just love that look, and like you, I like the longer ornies in the middle - it looks so festive! Thanks for sharing with us, I found your link at Met Monday.

Mary

Kathy @ Creative Home Expressions said...

What a great copycat project, Debbie! I love yours! I think it looks so much better with the greenery and ornament.

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh Debbie, this is so clever. I love the way that turned out. I'd also love to go visit the linen closet at your Mother's. I could probably spend days looking through magazines. The funny thing is, I have a LOT of old magazines too, but they aren't very accessible, so I'd rather go through your Mother's, which sound like they are easier to reach. laurie

The Charm of Home said...

Debbie,
That is beautiful! I love how that turned out! It was a great idea for the copycat challenge. I am way behind on commenting, just now commenting on this post tonight. You and yours have a very Merry Christmas!
Hugs,
Sherry

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