Wednesday, June 10, 2009

{memories displayed...}

Each Wednesday, Barb, at Grits and Glamour, hosts a fun Blog sharing event,
"What's On Your Wall."
I would like to share some very special
Memories,
that are displayed on my walls.
David and Ashley's Baby Dedication outfits.
Both are framed in shadow boxes that I purchased at Micheals.
The gold piece at the top of the black ribbon was a thrifty find, but it has been so long, can't remember exactly where from.
David's precious white linen suit. It has hard to believe they were ever this small!

Ashley's Gown...
My mom made the gown for Ashley from a beautiful bridal fabric and lace. It is about 6" longer than it appears in the box. (pinned up) I tried to incorporate her bonnet, which my MIL smocked, and her little shoes, but it looked jumbled. I settled for a simpler display of the dress alone.
I've read the rules on decorating that shuns using too many personal photos, especially in the main living spaces, such as the living room. I tried that route, but my spaces seemed cold and generic. Photos of my kids make me smile, and have come to be great conversation starters when we have guest. Now I have pictures of the kids everywhere, ...they always brighten my day. Kevin loves them, also.
Each time I go up the stairway, I am greeted by sweet, smiling faces,
and a flood of memories.....
On the first landing, the wall is lined with 6 - 5x7 black and white photos. 8x10 photos make the descent up the stairs, where 9 more 5x7 photos are displayed on the second stairway landing.

The photos range from all ages of the kids.
Memories of summer holidays at the lake...
Sweet, baby personalities...
Past vacations, etc., etc., etc.
{smiles}
And one of my very favorites...
This picture is on the bottom corner of the display on the second set.
Just in the right place to really catch your eye.
I can hear Ashley saying, "ta dah...my bumbles!"
And I want to cry, because it seems like only yesterday, but instead I smile...every time I pass it! :)
So what's on your wall???
~Rhonda

17 comments:

southerninspiration said...

Rhonda, those are gorgeous, and I really do like your framed photos going up the stairs!!! You have fabulous taste, girl!

Suzanne

Beth at Aunties said...

Rhonda,

I enjoyed each eavvery picture of your pictures! The wonderful memories of your family. Their baby outfits are so precious as are their darling faces.
You have a special touch and the pictures are a beautiful tribute to the love you have for your family!

Beth at Aunties said...

LOl OOPS! That word was each and every one of your pictures!!!

imjacobsmom said...

Rhonda, I think your pictures look perfect. My home is full of personal items, afterall I live here. I'm not trying to sell my home and even if I was, I wouldn't take them down. I sold many homes without changing a thing. Your pictures and memories are sweet. ~ Robyn

Peg said...

I love your post and your family photos! I have wedding portraits going up our stairs and in the upstairs hall there is a large grouping of family photos covering five generations. All the frames are different and it looks fine. I do like how you have used matching frames for a unified look... very pretty!

Julie said...

rhonda I love all the photos I feel the same way I love my photos on the wall and I also have one of the d-mans outfits hanging on the wall. Have a wonderful day
julie

Stacey said...

Totally agree with you about family photos! This is where we live and love. Why not have pictures of the people who mean the most to us? I've just never understood that line of thinking or decorating. Anyway, your pictures are perfect. I absolutely love the baby dedication outfits!

Amelia said...

The "Wall of Fame" as my husband calls it...love family pictures in the hall as we have them.

The dedication displays are so touching and memorable.

Heather said...

Some decorating rules are made to be broken! I love the kids photos on the wall up the staircase! Beautiful kids you have......then and now!
I love how you framed the kids dedication outfits. What a great idea that I am going to have to copy!!!
Your house is amazing....I could look around all day.
Hope you are doing well!!

Hugs
Heather:)

Darlene said...

I love those shadowboxes with the baby dedication outfits.....just gorgeous! Also, all your pictures on the stairway are beautiful.♥

Kim @ Starshine Chic said...

I love the shadowboxes. Great way to remember a precious moment in time. And I love family photo walls. Your photos are great. I say you should live with what makes you happy. And if your family is your number one joy, why not have photos of them where you can enjoy them. To heck with decorating rules!

Anonymous said...

Hi Rhonda, What a great idea! I would have never thought to frame the baby clothes like you did. How beautiful. You have such a warm and friendly home.

onlymehere said...

I am so with you about the pictures. I have them in the front room, up my stairs, in the family room, and yes, GASP, even on my bedroom wall which I read was the biggest no, no of them all!! I only have one picture of all the kids together and a picture on the side of the girls and one on the other side of the boys taken the same day. It's in my bedroom bz they were all wearing peach and that's my favorite color as well as the color of my bedroom. I'm like you it makes me smile when I see it. It may not be the most romantic thing to put on my walls there but we both love it! I have always wanted to put my kids blessing outfits in shadow boxes and have never gotten around to it. Maybe some day! I love the way they look up there. My family is everything to me and I like to have their pictures out. In fact, above my monitor is a picture of all four kids on Brianna's wedding day and on my tower is the picture of Savannah in the sunglasses that's on my blog. It makes me smile every dang time I look up!! She's such a character. Can you believe she just turned 1?!!! Life is good and it's even better now that I share it with friends like you! Cindy

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Really like the shadow boxes.I have always put family photos where I wanted them - it is my home after all. :-)

Picket said...

Oh Scooter..I love those family pics going up the stairs like that..I have my study filled with my family pics..I love being surrounded by them in my own little comfort zone..

Those shadow boxes with you sweet 'babies' outfits are just so precious Scooter...they make you wanta cry just looking at them.

Thanks so much for the offer on the Mushroom things sweetie...I have the 4 piece canister with the sugar & creamer and the salt & pepper shakers..I really am content with those pieces...I gotta save room for 'new' stuff lol! But you are such a sweetheart to offer and for that love and kindness I thank you so much...Hope you are having a great week girl...love ya ~♥~

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Oh I loved this post! The dedication outfits are so pretty, and what precious photos of your children. Personally, my home decor is for me and my family. I like for others to be comfortable when they visit, but they'll just have to be comfortable with my photos around. I don't understand why these designers are so against photographs. Apparently, there are a lot of people out there decorating for their visitors rather than themselves. Sorry, it's one of my soap boxes! laurie

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Love all of your wall goodies. The cute clothes are fab as are those precious baby pics. Loved seeing this...

XO,

Sheila :-)