Saturday, December 1


The *children's tree* in three parts. I posted this one before, but the colors were muddy. In these pics, you get a better sense of the way it looks, although it reality, it is much brighter than this. Many of the ornaments were made by NC schoolchildren.



My employer, Mel Day, told me that he wanted the arrangements to be *artsy-fartsy*, since the focus is on NC art and artists this year. I said....."Fartsy I can do - but I'm not sure about the artsy". In an attempt to project some art into the arrangement I do every year in the silver epergne, I used small silver balls and flexible silver wire to make "squiggles" and hang the balls from them. It was fun......so much so that I didn't want to stop making the squiggles and coils.They don't show up so well in the photos, but people seemed to like them. I'm thinking I should get some more wire and balls and make a hanging mobile!


Below is another of the art/craft pieces on display. Mel told me to accent it without touching the vase or detracting from it. The holly berries help to bring out the red in the vase's coloration. That was a good spot to showcase it, since it looks great against the deep red velvet of the Library sofa.

The two pieces below are companions, and together, they are said to be worth $75K. While I appreciate blown glass and the effort it takes to make it, I don't really understand what makes this so valuable. It was impossible for me to capture the nuances of color in these pieces, which are quite striking when you see it up close. But you know what I see when I look at it? The Loch Ness Monster.....LOL. It is displayed on the mantel in the dining room; a safer site than most when tours come through the mansion.







22 comments:

Anonymous said...

I want my tree to look just like that... WOW!

michele sent me

Kristi said...

These are beautiful, Judy. I just love the children's tree.

Anonymous said...

I just love the children's tree and the squiggles!

Anonymous said...

Hi Judy.

Beautiful tree - nothing less than I would expect from you. If you make mobiles, I want one, ok? tee hee

You know what? I see the loch ness, too... all the same, it's good that you have them up high and protected.

Michele didn't send me... I'm being rebellious and blogging instead of sleeping!

joared said...

That children's tree looks like such fun and is just fascinating to see. All of the decorations, especially yours, are so attractive. My, what artistic creative talent you have.

Pat said...

I like all those. Last night we drove through the town and there were small Christmas trees over each shop in various colours and I thought the bright blue ones looked out of place and garish.
The children's tree is great fun.

November Rain said...

michelle sent me to say hi

Love the tree.. is that a rocking horse for your tree topper that is cool

This year because of the move no xmas tree :( but next year it xmas should be great

Panthergirl said...

I love theme trees!!! We're doing a theme this year, and if it works out I'm going to post pictures.

And I agree about the Loch Ness monster!!

Ginnie said...

What a fun job you have, Judy. I envy you and you do a wonderful job.

Changes in the wind said...

The ball and wire arrangement is fantastic! I love things that are different and unique. Think this tree if my favorite but then I have always felt that Christmas should be for the kids.

tiff said...

I thought the last photo was of a faucet and hot water knob....

The Loch Ness Monster is waaaay more imaginative.

The squggles are awesome. I love them!

Smiler said...

I think I like the children's tree best also. Beautiful job. And I agree with you about the Lock Ness monster. Personally, you couldn't pay me to put that in my home, but to each their own... That was very creative what you did with the twirly wire. Original and pretty (and those two don't always go together!)

Sara said...

Hello, Michele sent me to say that I want that vase! And, I wouldn't mind having the Loch Ness monster - as you call it.

Judy, you did beautiful work - really like the squiggles!!!

rosemary said...

Can you hear me clapping with glee at all of your pictures?

brendalove@gmail.com said...

The children's tree is very colorful. All of it is fantastic.

Anonymous said...

Most definitely - artsy fartsy...in a great way!

Traci Dolan said...

I keep watching this TV show called Platinum Weddings and I haven't seen any flowers or arrangements as beautiful as yours. You definitely have a green thumb and a great eye!

Andi said...

Wow. What a lot of work. I particularly love the children's tree. Michele sent me.

Suzz said...

All that hard work was worth it ... the decorations are fabulous!!!!

Anonymous said...

Judy, Judy.... I LOVE that tree!!I'm going to save a pic of it, if you don't mind, it's beautiful!!

It's artsy, not fartsy!

As for the glass, I too, can appreciate the value of the art, and yet sometimes I wonder just how they come up with such a figure. $75K? what does make it worth that, and not say..$35K or $15K, etc .

Btw, I agree with Ginnie, you really do have a great job!

Laura,
http://vitaminsea.typepad.com

KinnicChick said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Kenju.

Anonymous said...

Judy, I LOVE this tree! Love the colors especially! What a fun tree!
Never seen one quite like it.
~S