Merry Christmas!

.... To You and Yours.....



We woke up late this morning after a nice Christmas Eve family gathering the night before. We had our daily cappuccino and sampled some yummy Belgian chocolates sent from JP's mom. Then, I realized that Jack had not fashioned this year's Christmas attire. So, I scurried down to my workroom and pulled a snowman hat from last year's collection, added tinsel and ribbons. "Meow Meow" he kept saying as I added glue and trims. He always knows when it's photo time! For a collar, I recently found a vintage holiday style velvet choker in my grandmother's belongings. I hope she wouldn't mind Jack borrowing it for a holiday shoot! He seemed to like it! Anyway, JP and I snapped some fun photos, and this was our favorite! ENJOY, and have a Merry Christmas Day!

~ Johanna

Home for the Holidays....

Skies are turning gray and the temperature has dropped to a cool brisk chill. Snow is on it's way once again and just in time for Christmas! We are staying home for the holidays and keeping a close eye on our precious Jack who just had 4 teeth pulled. He's recovering nicely and is back to eating food again which is the best present I could ask for. Jack helped me add the finishing touches to our modest Christmas tree, sniffing and nibling on a few of the ornaments before they were hung! Afterward, I snapped a few quick photos for your viewing pleasure :) Enjoy and may your week be cheerful and bright! ~ Johanna


I love this vintage Christmas tree. As the story goes, my mother enjoyed it as a child, and when I was of the age to appreciate this time of year, it was handed down to me. As a child, I started collecting ornaments, and I looked forward to decorating my very own Christmas tree each year. Now, it lives in our home and travels around to my various holiday shows, displaying my ornament wares. A small vintage tree for a small vintage house ~ the perfect pair :) (and if you noticed and were wondering, I draped a simple chartreuse cover over my Halloween, firescreen!... One of these days I want to design another screen for the holidays too..... If only time would permit....sigh....)


* Various ornaments dangle from our tree. I spot a Primitives by Kathy snowman design of mine, and a Santa from my Bethany Lowe line.. How about you! I also love collecting the vintage glass baubles, and for some reason, I can never have enough! I love their rich, jewel-tone hues and simple patterns.


* And now I spot Jack roosting on the top of my most favorite red mohair chair!


* What a surprise it was to receive a special delivery from my fellow artist and collector friend, Robert Brawley! He created an original "Snow-Witch" just for me, and she is standing front and center under the tree amidst two of my reproduced snowbauble designs. Thank you Robert - Love that Halloween/Christmas crossover theme!


* A sweet paper ornament peers through the fluffy boughs of my tree. My dear friend and artist Kitty Forseth and her daughter Madison made a series of these adorable ornaments and sent them to us! They certainly add a sweetness to our tree each year :)


* I had to save the last reproduction "St. Nick's Snowy Ride" candy container for myself! They were going fast, and I wanted one for keeps! This fun duo will be available through my Bethany Lowe line next year. I think they sold out for this season....


* A single vintage tree from a yard sale sits atop an old box. I love the holly graphics, old green hues and mantel illustrations on this container. It belonged to my grandmother, and each year, she would open it and display the ceramic "NOEL" characters that lived inside. I must admit, I love the box even more! :)


* Another fun surprise arrived in today's mail from a sweet artist and collector friend, Theresa Micheau! It's a handmade primitive style Santa cone filled with berries and jingles and smelling divine! Jack thoroughly sniffed its cinnamon spice scent from all sides, and I believe it passed his test :) Looks like we'll be seeing more from Theresa and her "Chicken Scratch Primitives!" Can't wait!.....


* Here hangs an original snowman ornament I made for last year's winter collection. He wears one of my illustrated party hats, and I am glad I saved one for myself as it's fun to see what whimsical goodies my imagination has dreamt up from one year to the next!


* And, lastly is an original snowman candy container from this year's collection! JP and I were smitten with his sweet face, the tiny bird on the tip top of his hat and those yummy hues. So, he's our gift to US, and he proudly stands on our mantel overlooking the festive ornaments below.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to YOU!

Pack & Ship!....

What was I thinking to make such a large collection of goodies for my Annual Holiday Web Sale?! Did I forget that it takes me (and JP) hours upon hours to prepare all of the packages? Luckily, we got started on it right after I sold out, and the majority of the boxes are all ready to ship to my cherished collectors.... We had so many boxes to load into the truck that I thought it would be funny to snap a quick pic. Then, Jack came along and joined in on the fun. It's a tower of boxes all going off to unique homes for the holiday, and I am glad I had more to offer you all this time around. Thanks again, and enjoy the silly photo! ~ Johanna


* I was feeling a bit like Santa, so I put on his hat!...

Going Going Gone!...

Just wanted to express my gratitude to all of my dear collector friends who shopped my Annual Holiday Web Sale on Saturday! Judging from several conversations with you, hearts were racing and fingers were flying to snatch your favorite one of a kind via email! I am just amazed and thrilled that my work creates this frenzy of excitement! Trust me, it didn't used to be this way. I would post a sale, and then just sit there and wait and wait and wait. Wow, how things have changed, and I still have to pinch myself as this reality used to be just a dream. At any rate, I want to offer a big THANKS to all of you who have an affection for my originals, and I hope each creation brings you many smiles to come. For those of you who missed out, I really appreciate your efforts in trying and hope that I will be able to offer more one of a kinds soon. Keep checking my website into the new year, and perhaps you'll snatch a Collector's Catch piece.

Luckily, I still have 1 of each Santa Reproduction Collector Set available below: You can click on their images to see more details. Just email me if you would like to adopt a pair for your holiday home! I've signed each Santa too :)


* The "Santa Sampler Set" ~ Both were featured in Country Sampler's Christmas issue this year! The Santa at left is a candy container & from my Bethany Lowe Designs collection. The red belsnickel is from my Primitives by Kathy line.


* The "Vanilla & Red Belsnickel Set" complement each other and look great as a festive pair for your holiday table's centerpiece! Both join us from my Primitives by Kathy collection.

Ring-a-Ling-Ding!...

Are you looking for a special ornament to add to your holiday tree this year? How about one that jingles too? Well, I have just the collectible ornie for you! Take a gander at this sweet collectible Santa Ornament Bell painted in aged vintage pink and creamy white hues. He's a delicious-looking one of a kind ornament from my 2009 collection of holiday originals and the only one in this unique color palette. You can see more images and descriptions as he is on eBay this week. Click here to visit this Santa's auction page, and please place a bid if he's on your Wish List! Best of luck to you, and many thanks for your interest!

~ Johanna


* Either place him on a shelf of whimsical delights or hang him from your holiday tree!


* This soft pink Santa looks yummy with red and green accents too!


* And surprise!! He's a bell as well :)

* © 2009 Johanna Parker Design *Santa Bell Ornament design & photos are the property of Johanna Parker and may not be used without permission.