Sunday, December 13, 2015

Christmas Bits and Bobs

The first two decorative pieces are hand painted by a friend of mine and are gifts from her. Can you see in the photo how there are subtle color changes and touches in the Santa? The artist flew to Russia and eastern Europe to take classes in the art of decorative folk painting and taught it here in the United States. See Pinocchio? My friend was an older home bound lady and I met her when I volunteered to visit her in her home and bring her library books. Among many touches of beauty, her home had a piano and a grandfather clock artistically painted in folk art styles. Pinocchio is a nutcracker as is the photo above, of a knight or one of the three Musketeers. He is standing on his book "Knights of the Realm."
I write the year on the bottom of each nutcracker so I know when I got it. My oldest one may be from 1997.
at

21 comments:

  1. Debby@Just BreatheDecember 13, 2015 at 8:34 AM

    They are lovely. Thank you for sharing them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lady JaneDecember 13, 2015 at 9:48 AM

    These are amazing. Such a wonderful keepsake to have of a wonderful friend.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Laura S ReadingDecember 13, 2015 at 10:13 AM

    I am in love with Pinocchios nose!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Stella JonesDecember 13, 2015 at 10:16 AM

    They are all very pretty Terra. What a nice thing to collect! My mum had a crocodile nutcracker but I have no idea what happened to it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. MichelleDecember 13, 2015 at 2:15 PM

    These are lovely. And, Pinocchio is my favorite!

    ReplyDelete
  6. SparkyDecember 13, 2015 at 2:57 PM

    Very pretty. Thanks for sharing. ~:)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Starting Over, Accepting Changes - MaybeDecember 13, 2015 at 4:24 PM

    We bring out our treasures from friends and loved ones at Christmas. Those are lovely and how nice that she gave them to you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. bj December 13, 2015 at 4:41 PM

    I love all these...so pretty.
    It's Santas that I collect. :)

    ReplyDelete
  9. MariDecember 13, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    What a charming collection!

    ReplyDelete
  10. SusanDecember 13, 2015 at 7:21 PM

    Love your nutcrackers, Terra. They are beautifully done. That's a great thing to collect! So darling. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  11. LindaDecember 13, 2015 at 7:45 PM

    It's a wonderful collection!! I have three but they are just from a store. I like special ones best!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jane the BookladyDecember 14, 2015 at 3:13 AM

    I always love the history behind Christmas treasures, they are part of the magic! xx

    ReplyDelete
  13. Margaret DDecember 14, 2015 at 3:20 AM

    They certainly are lovely and precious..

    ReplyDelete
  14. donna bakerDecember 14, 2015 at 7:03 AM

    Love those. I just passed all of mine down to my son and daughter-in-law. They are happy.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Marguerite (Tina) Smith HartDecember 14, 2015 at 7:29 AM

    There is just something so Christmasy about Nutcrackers! I love your collection Terra!
    Have a wonderful day!
    Tina xo

    ReplyDelete
  16. Your Invisible CrownDecember 14, 2015 at 10:47 AM

    Those must be precious keepsakes, I like your Nutcraker, I've always loved the music from the Nutcracker.

    ReplyDelete
  17. DeniseDecember 14, 2015 at 1:26 PM

    very nice

    ReplyDelete
  18. GattinaDecember 15, 2015 at 2:23 AM

    They are very pretty ! I think I have to take out some Christmas decoration too !

    ReplyDelete
  19. Red Rose AlleyDecember 21, 2015 at 5:38 PM

    A Pinocchio Nutcracker, how sweet is that? I've always loved Pinocchio. :)

    ~Sheri

    ReplyDelete
  20. LeeAnn at Mrs Black's December 22, 2015 at 4:07 AM

    What a wonderful collection! Great idea to collect nutcrackers. There is something so magical about them. x

    ReplyDelete
  21. CynthiaDecember 31, 2015 at 3:42 AM

    I love that Pinocchio nutcracker! I'd leave him out year round to remind myself to always be truthful. :-)
    Happy New Year to you and your family.

    ReplyDelete