Originally I had planned to give the house a warm and wintry feeling after taking down all the Christmas decorations. But, when you get smacked in the face with your husband's unexpected unemployment, everything changes. Decorating doesn't seem important any more. Packing for a new destination is first and forefront. Yet, somewhere along the way the sparse sun room, with the bare-branched faux evergreen, beckoned me to do something. Something that did not involve a bunch of time and certainly no pennies either. You may remember the sun room from my Very Merry Christmas House … [Read more...]
Looking for a simple, low-cost, out-of-the-ordinary way to add pizzazz to your Christmas decor? And maybe at the last minute too? Try your hand today at making Folded Paperback Book Christmas Trees. It's super easy! My husband says if you can make a paper airplane, you can make these. In his words, "It's like folding the left wing 200 times!" He even folded the three trees gracing the top of my vintage china cabinet here. This post contains affiliate links. To make it even easier for you, I created the.... Folded Paperback Book Tree Tutorial First...check out the … [Read more...]
Christmas stockings. I've been seeing them everywhere. Maybe you have too? People of all ages are hoping Santa Claus stops by with a few treats. Although my husband and I still have our childhood Christmas stockings, I thought it would be fun to try my hand at repurposing a cable knit sweater from the thrift store... into....yes...a pair of Christmas stockings! Karin was my inspiration. She says her collection is approaching 150 and it seems that she may have made most of them. Yes, I'm impressed. And so it seems that I should be able to make at least one, … [Read more...]
Paperwhites! What can be prettier in the dead of winter than live plants sending up beautiful white flowers? Today I'm sharing with you A Visual Tutorial for growing paperwhites for the holidays. Are those just not the prettiest flowers ever? You can pretty up your home with paperwhites too! Here's what to do.... Paperwhites : Easy DIY Holiday Project 1. Gather the following supplies: Waterproof container (I used … [Read more...]
A sweet dear friend inherited a mahogany sideboard, china cabinet, and table several years ago which really weren't her style. After I moved out-of-state, she asked me if I would like the furniture, saying that the pieces would look great in my "new" house. After a 4-hour trip her heirlooms easily made themselves at home in my house. The sideboard fits perfectly in the dining area of my great room and the table opens out so I can seat 14. Perfect for all my entertaining. Happy me! This furniture, though good quality, was not in perfect condition. And the sideboard, in all its … [Read more...]
