A christening!

The term properly refers to the acceptance of the recipient of a christening, or Baptism, into the church of Christ. It means to "bring to Christ."

In this case, our latest grandson is due to be christened this weekend. As a Church of England tradition the actual ‘christening’ will often be added at the end of the normal Sunday service. So, hopefully we won’t have to wait too long as for other little ones it can be tiresome!

This ceremony does give the family the excuse to meet, join with friends and neighbours to enjoy and formally recognise the latest addition to the family. Hopefully, the weather will be kind to allow a barbeque to be held outdoors otherwise it will be a finger buffet style meal indoors. Either way, I am sure our grandson will be totally oblivious (he is only 6 months old) as it will be his nap time anyway!

Whilst strolling through the realms of this talented team of interior designers I came across some beautiful items that might be perceived for the celebration of a christening.

Stained Glass Manger by Creations in Glass.

A handcut beautiful opalescent iridized stained glass, for the base & foiling the pieces using the copper foil technique, and soldering to a music box base that plays away in a manger there are two wise men & baby Jesus. Perfect for that Christmas christening!

Christening gifts can be difficult to source but what about this useful item?

The Owyn Toy Box by Mod Mom Furniture

The Owyn Toy Box is a modern organic-style chest designed for any room in the house! Use it to store everything from toys to gadgets to blankets. It has two easy lift-off lids that fit the top like a puzzle. Easy for little hands to manipulate! The Owyn Toy Box is separated into two convenient compartments under individual leaf lids.

Looking for something to keep as a memento of this auspicious occasion? Why not this item which you will agree is a little diferent?

Decorative Silver Giraffe Flower by Yoola

The artist created it as most of their creations using the smallest crochet needle available in the market and a silver colored copper wire.

For a reminder of how we welcome cherish this new child into God’s midst this delightful image would be prefect!

Gift of a Child by DeborahVoizin

This is one of my most favorite images. It shows how tiny and fragile a newborn baby is, in comparison to adult size hands that will be caring and guiding this sweet child through life.

Perfect for that old fashioned style!

Victorian Style Crochet Christening Cape by Precious Quilts aka me, On a Whimsey!

Can you imagine your little one on their special day wearing this romantic Victorian style christening cape?

And, so I look forward to our family gathering next weekend!

Village in Late Summer by Carl Sandburg

Lips half-willing in a doorway.

Wallflower by ArtSnark.

Lips half-singing at a window.

Cat in a Window by Gary Heller Photography.

Eyes half-dreaming in the walls.

Linger by Robin Maria Pedrero.

Feet half-dancing in the kitchen.

Red by Zombie Penguen.

Even the clocks half-yawn the hours

Framed Photograph on Canvas by The Painted Lily.

And the farmers make half-answers.

Cultivating the Peas by Walt Curlee.

Painted Lady

This week it was reported in the UK that we are being invaded by a beautiful butterfly called Painted Lady.

The Painted Lady is a long-distance migrant, which causes the most spectacular butterfly migrations observed in Britain and Ireland.

Each year, it spreads northwards from the desert fringes of North Africa, the Middle East, and central Asia, across mainland Europe and reaching Britain and Ireland. In some years it is an abundant butterfly, frequenting gardens and other flowery places in late summer. Well, this year, for whatever reason they have decided to come in their droves! We even had one visit us whilst we were sitting in our conservatory reading the Sunday papers. Luckily, we were able to release it back into our garden so that it could fly away to join its mates. Apparently, they thrive on the common Thistle plant which grows in abundance everywhere.

In honour of this beautiful migrant I thought I would search the Design Style Guide team for further examples of butterflies. Here is what I found!

Butterfly Garden Original Oil Painting

by

Luvs2paint

Blue Butterfly on Bevel Suncatcher

by

Sundance Reflections

Colorful Butterfly Window Cling Suncatcher with Stained Glass Effects

by

Clinging Images

Butterfly Pillowcases

by

The Closet and Curio Shop

Embroidered Clock, Floral Garden and Butterflies

by
Satin Stitchery

You can tell I like butterflies, can’t you?

Spring Showers

The thought of spring showers and plants conjures up images of preparing vegetable plots, flower beds etc in our gardens. At this time of year in the UK we have our annual Chelsea Flower Show. This is a spectacular and ultimate gardening show where ‘pretend’ gardens are created with various themes. During the show you can walk around gaining inspiration as well as being able to purchase plants to take home. At the end of the show the gardens are all dismantled with plants and accessories being offered for sale to the general public on the last day. Plants are also donated to local hospices, schools and charities which I think is a super idea to allow those who are not able to enjoy the wonders of this show to relish the plants beyond.

And so, my friends, I turned my attention to search for items to compliment my theme title from this amazing interior design team.

Isn’t this silk scented arrangement with mini cream roses just gorgeous?

Do visit Melrose Fields to find this and many more blooms in the most beautiful and exotic arrangements.

These blooms would not be out of place in the Chelsea Flower show. Note the Hula girl in the corner!

Tropical Splendor is an original oil painting by Elizabeth Graf

Flowers can be displayed in all manner of ways like this Watering Can Bouquet of Hydrangeas by Yankee Girl.

All that’s missing is a little butterfly but then it’s early days!

Friendships are like flowers - need tending to bloom by Wandering Whimsies.

Often a visit to the show is a popular activity for friends with similar interests to share. This sampler testifies to this sentiment!

Red Flower could be an autumnal creature or a flower that appears at any other time of year.

On A Whimsey uses her love of encaustics (wax painting) to create this beauty! ‘Well with tongue in cheek, I had to slip that one in didn’t I?’

…. Talking of butterflies, what about this beautiful Handmade Butterfly Feeder?

Glorious Glass Garden has more lovely feeders made from functional stained glass.

Now that you have a feel for the outdoors don’t you wish you could visit? One day!!!

Paintings! There are so many styles all inspired by nature.

I am sure when man decided to paint on walls like the Egyptians he did not realise the number of different mediums that could be used to portray life!

Each one of us has a painting within us, much the same as a book. There really is creativity within us all - it's knowing how to release it, that is the hard part. How often do you find yourself doodling whilst on the phone, for instance? Or whilst you are waiting etc. Well, that's a form of art, isn't it?

Take a look at some of the following different styles. Each one gives us a glimpse of the artist, their personality and character. Actors bring something of themselves to their parts in much the same way as artists.

Sap Bucket Sunflowers by Yankee Girl

This is an original watercolour painting of beautiful yellow sunflowers in a blue sap bucket hanging from a fence.

Shawnee River by Mystic Silks

"Shawnee River" was inspired by a river that flows through the southern part of Ohio. It is near the old camping grounds of the Native American Shawnee Tribe. The evening the artist was there, the river area was so quiet, and yet filled with the spirits of the Shawnee Indian. The sun's setting rays slipped easily through the naked trees that fall had stripped of their summer leaves, and then touched the river's waters with their orange and golden colours.

Picture Yourself in a Boat on the River by Heronkate

"Picture yourself in a boat on a river, with tangerine trees and marmalade skies..."

The Great Northwest by TheCreatorsPalette

This painting took inspiration from The Columbia River and a Lewis and Clark campsite.

The Lake District in UK by On a Whimsey

The Lake District in UK is a romantic place; it can be awesome, calm,turbulent, mystical,inspiring - whatever mood you wish. The weather changes at a moment's notice and has caught many a novice walker or climber unawares. Here we have one of the calm, serene moments when you can just draw your breath as your eyes gaze on the landscape.

Sunbathing by VanFleetStreetDesign

The subject of this painting was modelled after a painting that Picasso did of a model lounging on a sofa. It was decided by the artist that it was best suited for a desert scene and the sofa was turned into a rock sofa.

And, so you see that from the examples above, which have all been painted by artists belonging to the Interior Design Team, that inspiration can come from nature but the actual influence of personality and character will always shine through. Thus, making art a very personable medium that would be impossible to accurately replicate.

Get your Nursery Ready Handmade Style - BABY GIRL

WELL ROUNDED

Pink Polka Dots Single Light Switch Plate Cover

Do It Yourself Peace Crane Mobile

Quartersawn Oak Mackintosh Crib

Italian Spumoni Ice Cream Vintage Buttons and Beads Bouquet

Pink Polka Dots and Cherries Baby Quilt

K is for koala

Visual Stimulation

For more cute items for your nursery please search this tag on Etsy.com
"interiordesignteam, baby" or "interiordesignteam, nursery"
or visit this thread.