Elements Design

Boy, are you in for a treat today! We are delighted to present talented designer and dear friend, Lucinda Wesson of Chocolate Creative Design, who joyfully agreed to create this stunning holiday moodboard for your visual pleasure today. If this doesn’t put you into the holiday spirit, nothing will! Thank you so much, Lucinda. We absolutely love it!

And now, a few {ahem!} words from Lucinda:

When the fabulous Miss Amy Graver asked me to create and design a holiday board for Elements, I was deeply touched and honored. I mean, how often do artists get creative freedom to do whatever they want?  So with that being said, I set to work.

I have to admit when words like plaid and Tartan were used, I got a little scared (let’s change that to very). All I could conjure up in my mind were early 80’s ginormous taffeta tartan bows, Tartan Taffeta and Velvet dresses with Pilgrim collars and itchy – very itchy – wool tights.

But then, as I examined further, I noticed words like snow, log cabins, flannel, fireplace and rustic. That’s when the fear just seemed to melt away and I was quickly transported. In my opinion, Christmas seems to be the only holiday based on the five senses.You can smell the pine mixed with a wood burning fire, mulled cider warming on the stove, fresh baked cookies in the oven and a hint of orange that is hiding at the bottom of a stocking.You can taste the clear cold snow, gingerbread men and sweet candy canes hanging from the tree.You can hear the crackle of the fire, carolers at the door and the tearing of wrapping paper. You can see the lights…oh, the hundreds of glorious lights… Finally, you can feel the handmade knit woolen stockings, the flannel sheets brushing your cheek and the heat from the fire warming your toes.

Alright, I was transported. But then it hit me. I realized where I had been transported to….

The holidays also remind me of the simplicity of a thoughtful handmade gifts. Inspired as a child by the (then) hit show “Little House on the Prairie”, I remember scenes of the family huddled together by the fire in their wood shack all bundled up underneath passed down handmade quilts to keep them warm.

Inspired by this, my brother and I would spend the week before the holidays creating paintings and ornaments and gift them to our parents. In all honesty, they were always their favorites (certainly not the high tech expensive VCR).

This is the season when we finally slow down and allow ourselves to breathe. The night before is a crazed one, but it is followed the next day by lounging about in PJs, sitting by the fire, laughing, talking and eating. It’s about hope and washing away all the stress and negative energy carried throughout the year. You have the chance to start fresh with a positive outlook and optimism for an exciting and adventurous New Year (maybe Pa will get that pony next year?) Most importantly, you are with the ones you love – and the ones who love you – whether it’s family or friends. In all honestly…it’s about the simplicity of it all.

So thank you Ms. Graver for allowing me the chance to be creative, transport myself to happy memories and realize the simplicity of it all. I think the Monster and I will be taking out some paints and creating some holiday cheer for our friends and family.

Row 1 :: Chestnut Flan with Double Chocolate and Crystalized Ginger Biscotti, Cannelle et Vanille; Wooden Snowshoes, ioffer; Rustic Table Buffet, Country Living

Row 2 :: Plaid Heart Ornaments, Etsy-Feltedwoolwhimseys; Chaise with Plaid Throw, Materialgirlsblog; Red tights and Plaid Suitcase, Weheartit

Row 3 :: Ladder Advent Calendar, Imgfave; Plaid In Snow, Vi.sualize.us; Plaid Ribbon on Wooden Spools, Sundance Catalog; Gingerbread man and woman, WizFix

Row 4 :: Plaid Trapper Hat, CoutureCarrie; Cabin with Snow, Progressive; Tartan place setting, Busybeingfabulous