Written by Not knowing quite what to make for today’s prompt, I opted for this quick little 2-color doodlewash of a tree topper. When we were in Texas this past weekend we went in search of a simple little star to put atop my mom’s tall yet oddly skinny tree. This isn’t actually the one we finally chose, as it’s far to simple. The options were many, but most were too gigantic and gaudy, weighing more than the little tree could possibly withstand and sometimes more than the tree itself. There was even an angel that was the size of one of those startlingly realistic oh so real baby dolls, which would have brought the entire tree sailing to the floor. In the end, Philippe chose the final candidate, an airy gold star with little beads, which he only vaguely endorsed by saying, “this one is the least offensive.” My mother agreed and when we got home it was placed atop the tree, completing the scene in only a mildly garish way. It was, in the end, perfect!
This is the time of year when we get to let our festive side out to play. That means that normal tastes, with any bit of restraint, can be happily thrown out the window in favor of the shiniest bobble we can find. If it sparkles, it’s fair game when it comes to Christmas decorations. I have to admit that while I enjoy sparkle, I do like things in a more miniature form. Much of what was on display this year was often rather huge, something likely meant for more expansive suburban homes with lots of space. Many of the items would have looked perfectly ridiculous in our city row home. Not that I didn’t entertain the thought of bringing something like that home. It would be make giggle to see oversized ornaments and a giant star bent against the ceiling, feeling a bit like Alice in Wonderland felt when she grew too large for that house. But we’ve instead opted only for smaller sized things that are appropriate to our environment.
The neighbors at the top of our hill always put out giant inflatable things for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For some reason, these are things that only look comfortable when surrounded by thousands of lights and relentless outdoor decor. Particularly that As Seen On TV Star Shower or something equally dramatic. Instead, the inflatable sits all alone with just few tiny things surrounding it. What could have been spectacle is reduced to something strangely meek and comical. A shy offering at best. For me, if you want big decorations, then please do so and resist all restraint. That’s the coolest part of the season! Deck those halls with all the boughs of holly you can possibly find and rent a back-up generator to help power those sparkling lights! And thank you for the wonderful show and holiday joy, right down to the star on top.
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About the DoodlewashDa Vinci Paint Co.: =Quinacridone Gold and Payne’s Gray. Lamy Al-Star Safari Fountain Pen with sepia ink in an A5 Hahnemühle Watercolour Book. |
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I recognize that star you painted! It sat on top of our tree for years until Mom decided she wanted an angel there, lol. I’m sure it was in homes all across America. I’m with you on the inflatables. They just don’t look right in the average yard without some kind of grand presentation.
Exactly! hehe… I’m all for them, but please buy a few hundred extra things to add to the show! My brother-in-law used to do a huge display in his front yard. It was amazing!! Loved it! 😃💕
I like your painted star! In the suburbs of L.A., where I live, inflatables as well as mega-light displays are popular. I love them! Some streets are so famous, with every house trying to out-do the others, that long lines of cars descend to drive by for a look. It’s crazy, but wonderful.
Thanks so much, Sharon! 😃💕 I agree!! The less restraint the better! hehe… so fun!
Your star humble star is lovely because it knows how to behave with dignity. We have fun looking at our neighbors’ decor.
Thanks, Sharon! 😃💕 hehe… yeah, we will remark how gaudy a particular house is, while all the time, secretly LOVING it!!
Lovely star, Charlie, made better by the use of just two colors! I am loving that image of a giant baby doll angel taking down a tree. ( :
Thanks, Ellie! 😃💕 hehe… yeah… it was huge!! Would have need a tree three times larger to support it!
This is beautiful ⭐⭐
Thanks so much, Meenakshi! 😃💕
Lol, our house is surrounded by tons of inflatables and lights – Santa’s sleigh taking off from the porch, woodland animal with lights decorating a tree, 9 ft teddy bear inflatables. We have 15 acres and a love of Christmas decorations. 😛 But you have to have a ton of things, or at least enough to make a display – one by itself looks lonely and sad.
I like your star! We have one similar, but frosted glass instead of gold.
Thanks so much, Kati!! 😃💕 And YAY! Your house sounds PERFECT!! I love all of that! More more more, I say!
Yep, I agree with you. Large format stuff looks great in a mall or on one of those huge yards where people spend hundreds of dollars a year just on the electric bill to light it all!! There was a merry go round with penguins dressed for Christmas in the mall my where we lived a few years ago. My best friend so wanted to steal a penguin some night when the mall closed! Hehehe. But then she also wanted to buy a goat so she could keep it as a pet and not have to mow the lawn. You gotta love friends with a sense of humor. God, I hope she was kidding Hehehehehe. ;o)
LOL… a goat to mow the lawn would be awesome!! My grandma had goats and I’ve always loved them. I think she should do it!! 😃💕
Lovely star.love this.
Thanks so much, Snehlata! 😃💕
The spring fitting reminded me of Tigger apt given your urging towards lack of restraint!😀
hehe!! Yay to Tigger! Love that comparison! 😃💕
My brother, sister and I gathered at Mom’s home at Thanksgiving to help sort through things. Mom is in assisted living now and Dad passed away a few years ago. We were in Dad’s study and on a top shelf in the closet our brother found the beautiful angel that sat atop our Christmas tree for years. Life has taken us all in different directions, but for a brief moment, we were all young again as we found comfort in our childhood memories.
Aww that’s such a wonderful moment, Delores! 😃💕 Thanks so much for sharing. That’s what I love most about the holidays!
Resist all restraint! Definitely the key to glitter. (K)
Yes to that, Kerfe! 😃💕 Especially this time of year!