Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

Christmas Decoration: Michel Biehn

 

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Gather snippets of brocade, velvet, baldachin, kincob, tapestry, arrasene fabric and a handful of sequins and old glass beads.

Find a strofoam ball.

With silver and gold threads sew the old glass beads here and there to the fabric.

Cut out some leaves, add a touch of sequins.

Glue the bits of beauty to the sytrofoam balls.

Put the decorated balls into a large basket lined with dark lace and velvet, or in a rusty urn with holly branches, or simply on a thick old platter.

(Christmas balls from Michel Biehn: an interior designer, collector, and author of several books about lifestyle, cuisine and culture Provence.)

What Christmas project are you working on, or completed?

Comments

24 responses to “Christmas Decoration: Michel Biehn”

  1. Marie-Noëlle

    I’m in a cross stitch mood at the moment: I am embroidering several pieces I will present at Xmas, mostly towels and guest towel, sport towel (cross stitching fencers on it- for Daughter), … and several tiny bits such as place labels, gift labels, Xmas cards, … plus birth presents … etc…
    Very easy things, I should say …
    I have bought empty plastic Xmas balls that I still have to find ideas for !!! More shopping ahead …!!
    The book you’ve linked us to looks great !
    Did you make those decorations on the photo? Or where did you shoot them?

    Reply
  2. Cindy

    Michel Biehn portrays the flavor of Provence so very well. My project, Santas of Provence and the Rocky Mountains in cross stitch dusted with beads.

    Reply
  3. Gina

    I have finished hand painting my clear glass Christmas balls. I will be making pomanders next. Nothing makes the house smell and look more festive than a bowl of seasoned pomanders.

    Reply
  4. Bev

    Just finished a lace shawl for my mom that I will send to her on Monday and I’m busy knitting socks for one of my “adopted” nieces.

    Reply
  5. deb

    ohhh, lovely decorations – just love the look and feel of fine old textiles!
    I’m making calendars for friends and family – mixed media designs for each month. Starting is daunting – how can I ever have 12 ideas that will work? I mark eneryone’s birthdays and this year have added a list of addresses as apparently I am the Keeper of Addresses in our family!

    Reply
  6. pauline

    I have scaled way back this year, partly due to finances, partly to mood. I did make a door decoration from a discarded branch from the bottom of a Christmas tree and some found items – pine cones, berries, a small painted wooden bird. I spread my handmade Christmas quilt across the back of the sofa. I hung a hand-stitched Noel sign from the doorknob of the china cabinet. I will make sweet bread and place the shaped rolls into Christmas tree formations as gifts. I will write love letters to each of my children, their spouses, and my grandchildren. It’s simple – and enough.
    Merry Christmas TICA!

    Reply
  7. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    Corey, Did you make these lovely decorations? Fabulous!!!
    _______
    Hi Cheryl,
    No,I did not make these. Michele Biehn did. Though I hope to make something like it (I wish I had his old fabric!!)
    c

    Reply
  8. Jo

    The beautiful red toile fabric arrived yesterday from your brocante. I adore it! The print is so tiny and charming! Today the toile will be fashioned into herbal sleep pillows to be given as gifts.

    Reply
  9. Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    This year, pots of paperwhites everywhere….shining red clay pots festooned with fast growing (you can see them rise each day) delicately appointed paper white flowers – oh and a handful of blue glass beads on top to cover the earth. Festive and alive!

    Reply
  10. martina

    Wood veneer ornaments made. Cookies and quick bread baked, fancy collars made for the dogs and cat. Will be going through craft supplies today and see what comes to mind to make.

    Reply
  11. Marilyn

    Love this idea. I have some beautiful brocade that would be gorgeous in these balls. The only thing I made were Christmas cards and just put on two fairly elaborate tea parties. Now I am tired. Oh I made soldered charms for each attendee of the tea parties.

    Reply
  12. Jenna

    To finish my xmas shopping. I dislike stores in December, they’re like mosh pits.

    Reply
  13. Laurie SF

    Sprawled on the floor with rolls of paper, tape, a missing pair of scissors and reels of ribbon. Velvet and silk. Big puffy bows. The kind you wore on your birthday or the first day of school…

    Reply
  14. Denise Solsrud

    those decorative balls are gorgeous and unusual. they really make a statement that you would have for years. Bestest,Denis

    Reply
  15. Delphine Payne

    I love the beautiful material balls. I’m cross stitching too. I embroider all year round but this time of year it’s about Christmas ornaments, just little things to give to friends. I also made a button tree this year, a Christmas wreath of silver and pearls and painted some paper mache pots white, decorated them with a bit of greenery, pasted a piece of torn sheet music on the rim and stuck pillar candles in them. Fun.

    Reply
  16. jend’isère

    A red amarylis bursting in successive blooms is sufficient. Simple beauty is for such a busy time.

    Reply
  17. Shelley Noble

    Child. You don’t want to know. Right now I’m in elf hell making 100 hand-sewn mini mittens and 35 cashmere mini stockings for our holiday cards this year. It’s a huge rush because 20 need to go out internationally (ie; 1 to YOU!) and the sand is running fast in the hour glass!
    xoxox Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  18. Sara

    What beautiful decorations! I fear if I tried to make ornaments from “scraps” they would look like something the dog threw up.
    I started making a feather tree (wrapping goose feathers around wire) years ago and had forgotten about it, uncompleted. I doubt that I will be able to complete it before this Christmas, but it would be a great mid-July project for me. Perhaps by next Christmas I’ll have it complete and can post pictures proudly on my blog!

    Reply
  19. AmyKortuem

    Oh, they’re beautiful! I remember when I had time to create holiday things…
    My project lately? Trying to keep two harps in tune during a Minnesota blizzard (city shut down, 3-foot drifts, temperature is now -8 degrees F).

    Reply
  20. Natalie Thiele

    I am getting a late start, but I am going ice skating in Union Square on Wednesday, so while I’m in San Francisco I will go to Britex Fabrics and buy some soft knit fabric for cowl neck scarves.

    Reply
  21. Rhonda P.

    Country French Chicken Quilt Fabric Books, they are turning out so sweet. I’ve made a few Christmas items this year but I want to make your idea now! Thank you, I certainly have all the supplies.

    Reply
  22. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    Working on pillow cases and triming with the French lace I bought when I was with you at the market.
    I love the covered Styrofoam decorations and may have to do a couple for some dear friends.

    Reply
  23. Sherry

    Corey,
    These are beautiful, rich and delicious! Makes my ornaments look tacky. I’d better rethink…. or not! Thanks for the lovely images and ideas.
    Sherry

    Reply
  24. Brenda

    Ornaments…using old crystal prisms unearthed from a Mobile, AL Estate. Using rich chocolate brown ribbon ties. Do I sell them in my shop, or do I keep is the dilemma!
    Brenda @ KindredHeartsAntiques.com

    Reply

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