Monday, December 04, 2006


The majority of the ornaments on this tree were made by schoolchildren in North Carolina.

When we opened the boxes they sent, not knowing what to expect, we were very pleasantly surprised to see that most of them were delightful and well made, for the most part.

They were requested to use blues and whites, in keeping with our theme, and they complied. But to be fair, we had both Carolina (UNC) blue and Duke Blue, so the tree is non-partisan (lol).



This tree is about 14' tall, and sits in a fairly small space, so it wasn't easy to decorate (we had too many cooks stirring the soup). Considering that the tree had lots of holes, I think it turned out well.




Don't you just love the snow people under the tree? I love making stuff like this and though my boss had designated other women to make them, I snuck over to their table long enough to put my stamp on a few of them. This year, we had to put new ribbons on them and mend some broken parts, but they turned out well in their new finery. See what cute things you can make with a few supplies and a lot of imagination? Am I giving you any ideas for a scene under your tree?

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22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Owww..how lovely. I particularly like the last photo here. Very cute indeed.

I'm here via Michele today...

Anonymous said...

It's like the eye candy store over here! I love it. So much to catch up on but mostly thse gorgeous pictures of the mansion's holiday dress. What fun- and hard work for you, Judy. I would love to see this in person. The chocolate theme actually works elegantly despite my first thought that I wouldn't like it so much.
And the snow people under the tree with children's ornaments- the whole thing is delightful. Good job.

I thought of you over the week as I came back to the hotel each night and everything was quiet but they had such a beautiful tree in the front room- but no camera.

sonia a. mascaro said...

Wow! Just gorgeous décor!
Beautiful chandelier, too!
Where is The Mansion?

bluemountainmama said...

i just browsed your last several posts and all the decorations are so lovely. i really like the "winter wonderland" theme- it's something you can keep up all winter, not just for Christmas. and i love the penquins in today's post! you are very talented!!

Anonymous said...

So beautiful! I am a snowman freak. A freak, I tell you.

I was at Meymandi Hall last night for a volunteer thing and had the opportunity to see the Festival of Trees. Gorgeous! Were any of them yours?

srp said...

These are adorable. But Judy, can you imagine how they would hold up under my tree, with seven cats all soooo curious and nosy? What is the wispy white stuff on the tree that looks like snow... is it flocking or something you added?

kenju said...

I need to let you all know that my boss, Mel Day is the person who thinks up all the "looks" and styles for the mansion and other work we do together. I am merely the designer who implements his wishes. I appreciate all the nice compliments, but the work is not all mine to claim.

Anonymous said...

ouch. this hurts my eyes.- not your photog, just the "blueness" of it all

OldLady Of The Hills said...

I LOVE the "Snowpeople" and the Penquins and the color scheme of Blue/Blue and White...That tree turned out fantastically! I'm glad you put your 'touches' on some of those little snow people, Judy....!
It must be great fun to ne decorating the Governer's Mansion...It did make me wonder...Are the Tax Payers "paying" for this? And if not, is it the Governer? Just wonering....

millie garfield said...

Love it all, especially the snowpeople.

What a fun jb you have!

sage said...

seeing this work almost makes me want to move back to NC and run for governor! Interesting about the blues--I'm going to have to rub it in to my brother that his governor's tree is blue and white (those NC State graduates like him might get a bit hot, but he probably didn't vote for the governor anyway)

Anonymous said...

What spectacular decorating! And I just love the snow people. It all has such a Christmasy feel to it.

OldLady Of The Hills said...

So does that mean that you and all of Mel's company donate their time? Mel's company must get PAID something...No?

Anonymous said...

I'm thinking you have a fun job!

longspider said...

I love the snowpeople! I love snowmen anyway... you are definitely giving me ideas! Cant't wait for a chance to make some, hehe. What did you use for the bodies?

longspider said...

Sorry... didn't mean to be discriminatory... I love snowladies and snowchildren too! All I meant to say was, I already have a fondness and small collection of snowmen and -women. :)

Miss Cellania said...

You decorated the governor's mansion? I'm impressed! The tree is absolutely gorgeous. I can even overlook the references to Duke.

Helen said...

I LOVE the snowmen. They're fantastic.

Anonymous said...

I stand, by nature, in opposition to all Christmas Glitz. But this is gorgeous! I realize you're a pro, but that doesn't always guarantee results. Beautiful!

I have a new blog, by the way, on which I use my natural name.

Marie said...

Nice! I LOVE the tree!!!

utenzi said...

Wow. I mean WOW! That tree with the snow people under it is amazing. That's got incredible impact factor, Judy.

Shephard said...

OH!I Love it!
Just can't do that with cats around. lol How wintry!
~S