Christmas staples: Buds, twigs, branches and berries

There's nothing like the real thing for Christmas decorating.  You get to go for a little adventure in the woods with your trusty snippers, and come away with a red nose and a trunk full of inspiration.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Sometimes you just have to go to your backyard, but there's a limit to happy cutting in a small space. That's where I got the materials for my front porch planters, if you don't count the leftovers from my summer planter and feathers I've recycled several times.   </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApT0V6CVmywDYm5K8-4OaKA2hTI8wwCT1ifVJEnWa8a6o3l3E0FmH3aQZyivs2ZYxjeJigZBNBfBzEOx654O3Q-aGcJAlyAF7bwhyi4MPWQbiy6zx2XYuyMcZtjvPlm6HIXDp463zjBxH/s1600/close+up+planter_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas planter, red dogwood, pine, " border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApT0V6CVmywDYm5K8-4OaKA2hTI8wwCT1ifVJEnWa8a6o3l3E0FmH3aQZyivs2ZYxjeJigZBNBfBzEOx654O3Q-aGcJAlyAF7bwhyi4MPWQbiy6zx2XYuyMcZtjvPlm6HIXDp463zjBxH/s1600/close+up+planter_01.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> Hubby made me a trough box for my trunk/ottoman.  I knew what I wanted to put in it, but I couldn't hack away anything else in my yard. My sister came to the rescue.  Remember last year when I posted about her <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2013/12/a-nature-inspired-christmas.html">nature inspire Christmas</a>?  She  had already made her yearly trip for bough and twig cutting to complete her planters and agreed to take me to her spot. Bonanza.<br /><br />Here's her efforts ...<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi131_8YLCgcsTEUzzrJOumGevo2dCQlQdqOZi5xf8DsSqYQgaV40ve_mwIGQITK-ic5XSq8Rb8csdwyqdn2qKnlajfZeP8ScHR1NElX7Q2LND-KZg3Kc95WS7-f9KgvwsgXY7dQoyZBdnZ/s1600/right+planter+.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="Christmas planter, red flowers" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi131_8YLCgcsTEUzzrJOumGevo2dCQlQdqOZi5xf8DsSqYQgaV40ve_mwIGQITK-ic5XSq8Rb8csdwyqdn2qKnlajfZeP8ScHR1NElX7Q2LND-KZg3Kc95WS7-f9KgvwsgXY7dQoyZBdnZ/s1600/right+planter+.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9RQquJG095OuHoFScCZWIaxDbJALSu9L8Sso2w1XrkR1lJIuCFFiGP26kXfqmVLSyFkaJ6F0HLd9DMsYquJ9aSMyF73aaMNQzbF65xNMVkAxe18VU48k4OVMyLCxth0yaaW4xs7rZ-EU/s1600/back+planter_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="twig vase, red flowers, yellow flowers, Christmas" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9RQquJG095OuHoFScCZWIaxDbJALSu9L8Sso2w1XrkR1lJIuCFFiGP26kXfqmVLSyFkaJ6F0HLd9DMsYquJ9aSMyF73aaMNQzbF65xNMVkAxe18VU48k4OVMyLCxth0yaaW4xs7rZ-EU/s1600/back+planter_01.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="310" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Don't you love that hit of yellow with the red?</div><br /><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />Now on to my family affair project..</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMqaAxLCMNSBRmWNzwAAy_FbshdN0IE6B2r4V7A_Wl9NBtrA36P10-TNBum5Tqk7Nu1bQbzxs9jZpwVs9wmmrWuVF69-3kYTTgQfobJ45EefoSeLN7yvzK0zmsxOpLPg-AsqpsSC2-lmM/s1600/mixed+metals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="gold, silver spray painted box" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYMqaAxLCMNSBRmWNzwAAy_FbshdN0IE6B2r4V7A_Wl9NBtrA36P10-TNBum5Tqk7Nu1bQbzxs9jZpwVs9wmmrWuVF69-3kYTTgQfobJ45EefoSeLN7yvzK0zmsxOpLPg-AsqpsSC2-lmM/s1600/mixed+metals.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="400" /></a></div><br />My son sprayed the box for me with  Krylon Colormaster  in nickel.  Then I taped it off and used gold to create two stripes around the box.  I figured I may as well get with the mixed metal trend. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHarB272zJQkxevdJDBk2pW-mtvuGcnrpggV1WsjeLAwHv-U9K_dBkGf0xc8ABIohnYfbvEBg1YRafztIsFs-onIB2SE5RWEH0ZM85OV2tBFb4cfVEIuFCNmlcZyo-t978aCn9JyGO5kJ4/s1600/twigs-greenery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="alder twigs, fir, candles, trough box,LED candles" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHarB272zJQkxevdJDBk2pW-mtvuGcnrpggV1WsjeLAwHv-U9K_dBkGf0xc8ABIohnYfbvEBg1YRafztIsFs-onIB2SE5RWEH0ZM85OV2tBFb4cfVEIuFCNmlcZyo-t978aCn9JyGO5kJ4/s1600/twigs-greenery.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="400" /></a></div><br />  I had three LED candles (so safe and they actually flicker- daughter tip from Costco) I wanted to use and went to the dollar store and bought seven square glasses  to put oasis in to keep the boughs fresh. The alder twigs looked a little boring so they got the spray treatment too in a mix of nickel and gold. <br />Then I began the arrangement. <br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIBWFBtt5ImwcwlWjhKmcLPeJaLS2mwsAkxUZcpqpz6fAu4zPT01J4TqKweWNYmAJGavcTjZuyk_9RcD-3QrJ1HBrhwli7nC5AKTFhg2iZCA3YHY9YdprNybygPP85_mLdhoRiKD_bdVV/s1600/bench+planter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="trough box, candles, greenery, twig balls" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiIBWFBtt5ImwcwlWjhKmcLPeJaLS2mwsAkxUZcpqpz6fAu4zPT01J4TqKweWNYmAJGavcTjZuyk_9RcD-3QrJ1HBrhwli7nC5AKTFhg2iZCA3YHY9YdprNybygPP85_mLdhoRiKD_bdVV/s1600/bench+planter.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br />Fresh flowers are a must anytime of year.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6KnM0rqUfGdf1zuPuvLmD923nLUK_WP2r_i3hE0H6E9pByfKOA-nG04c8zLbK8NiY7px4YXzMQ9Q8Wz_1vc6ryLjarTih5fE4SqzvpCoDyKLJfHI1Wl4oMvMw2DKUuEkkkPPlunDvNYL/s1600/DSCN0809_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6KnM0rqUfGdf1zuPuvLmD923nLUK_WP2r_i3hE0H6E9pByfKOA-nG04c8zLbK8NiY7px4YXzMQ9Q8Wz_1vc6ryLjarTih5fE4SqzvpCoDyKLJfHI1Wl4oMvMw2DKUuEkkkPPlunDvNYL/s1600/DSCN0809_01.JPG" width="290" /></a></div><br />A favourite vase, fluted and textured makes a stunning centerpiece on my coffee table. Nothing else is needed.<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcTcXKOu0LW_iLoFlRZe661vxLez4R-1idzfLgiENsfi8Wn20FWI8M_URrDiKaG3nxe8KbgOUWpNywhLMTLn1nhCNVFH0ShVenTB6p_TliDuxgtxhikiaJnk7XyCxgszEXdjVPEXfRBp-/s1600/DSCN0814_01.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="red berry wreath, white carnations" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNcTcXKOu0LW_iLoFlRZe661vxLez4R-1idzfLgiENsfi8Wn20FWI8M_URrDiKaG3nxe8KbgOUWpNywhLMTLn1nhCNVFH0ShVenTB6p_TliDuxgtxhikiaJnk7XyCxgszEXdjVPEXfRBp-/s1600/DSCN0814_01.JPG" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="290" /></a></div><br />And my favourite berry wreath that has been in every room in the house over the years surrounds a vase of baby's breath and white carnations.  You can tell I like my flowers simple and usually white because they work anywhere with anything, especially with red.  <br /><br /><br />I was very lazy with the  dining room  additions....<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7a9bI-kWW4sUYl9KdnR9oYywx1gzZQ1lGWUcbtNJWL_r9Ek_wSJcvQgTc47jP5U4XvLnvGsVQKf2rKYF00Kh0z9XiryQS6GoD7UFlt0MRfctXLsX8hB_L-My8I-ieWM-PYL4fgPIP8kX/s1600/dining+room+vignette.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="dining table vignette, white reindeer, LED candles, Norfolk pine, cranberries" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7a9bI-kWW4sUYl9KdnR9oYywx1gzZQ1lGWUcbtNJWL_r9Ek_wSJcvQgTc47jP5U4XvLnvGsVQKf2rKYF00Kh0z9XiryQS6GoD7UFlt0MRfctXLsX8hB_L-My8I-ieWM-PYL4fgPIP8kX/s1600/dining+room+vignette.jpg" title="Christmas staples: Buds, twigs,branches and berries" width="400" /></a></div><br />I'm not a theme driven decorator, but  nature is always a staple in whatever I do.  My new purchase for 2014 was two white carved reindeer.  I always buy a green plant;  this year it is a Norfolk pine in a faux burlap container.  May it live for awhile. <br /><br />For my dining table  centrepiece I simply added some fresh cranberries to my <a href="http://designinghome.blogspot.ca/2012/11/a-must-have-vase.html">Boblen vase</a>, and used it as a candle holder, added a string of red wooden beads  (at least 30 years old) and fake red berries  to the well used  vase of twigs.  In honour of the season I changed my tray to my favourite white one with the silver leaf birds and leaves. <br /><br />And wise silver bird  looks on knowingly because he's seen it all before.<br /><br />

Christmas staples: Buds, twigs, branches and berries

There's nothing like the real thing for Christmas decorating.  You get to go for a little adventure in the woods with your trusty snippe...

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