This year, I wanted to be really intentional about observing Advent. I even shared a post with ideas for Advent readings and candles, here. But, when it came to my own advent candle wreath, I had nothing. Nada. It was something I wanted....but it is not necessary. Plus, I don't exactly have money to be spending on something like this, and since I'm living "in between" with my stuff in storage, well...I really could go without. Several weeks ago I was invited to participate in an upcoming blogger event, All Things Dollar Tree for Christmas, where you create something from … [Read more...]
As we approach Christmas, you may or may not feel like decorating based on a whole number of reasons. But, if your reasons have anything to do with the state of your current house...this just might be for you. Especially at the holidays, take time for making your house your home. As I was looking through some past posts, this one popped out at me and I thought that I would share the link with you. It's all about making your house your home....and my experience of doing that last fall. Funny how things change overnight. We were working at making that rental "our" … [Read more...]
Do you feel like you are already on the quickly spinning hamster wheel? For many of us, the holidays are so busy we hardly have time to breathe. I don't think that is how Thanksgiving and Christmas are supposed to be. Do you? Hespe Have you ever thought about observing Advent? I'm not talking about the little calendar where you open the door each day in December as you countdown to Christmas. or even the very fun games and gifts and random acts of kindness that families can do together for Advent. No, I'm thinking about observing Advent in a more quiet … [Read more...]
Today I have some tips on how to dry and debug pine cones. Or...as I prefer to call it...how to make pine cones pop. Okay...some will make popping sounds and some won't. Anyways.... What we're really trying to do is take those recently gathered pine cones, all closed up, damp from the rain and ground, dry them out and help them bloom (pop open) to their full potential. Pine cones are the flowers of the evergreen family. You gotta love any flower that stays beautiful almost indefinitely after it blooms. I have boxes and boxes of pine cones. Many of them are from the … [Read more...]
Happy New Year! Okay...maybe I'm a wee bit early. But only 25 hours early! Remember my Joy Wreath hanging over the sideboard? I thought it would be fun to quickly and easily transform it into a New Year's Wreath. After removing the vintage balls and Joy and other nativity words, I added in some semi-blingy woodland picks I had in my stash. I borrowed a Silhouette machine which I have yet to master and cut out the Happy - New - Year - 2013 in some gold cardstock I also had in my stash. BUT, you can easily create these by using stencils and tracing them on cardstock … [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...]
It's a forest of trees! Okay...maybe I don't have a forest in my home at Christmas. But, seriously, I do love trees....and trimming the house with trees. Especially evergreens....fresh and faux. They don't even have to be decorated. Some have lights, some don't. Though I do love white lights twinkling on trees. Every night before I go to bed, I like to turn off all the lights, except the miniature Christmas lights, and sit in the glow. Do you do that, too? It feels so warm and cozy. This is actually a view of the tree I took while sitting in a chair with my cup of Christmas tea. It's all so … [Read more...]
Welcome! And Merry Christmas!! I'm so pleased that you dropped by for my Christmas house tour. Can you smell the spiced cider simmering? Here, let me take your coat. Please, help yourself to some cider and sweets. Now let's get started. One thing that I always love when I take tours is getting the behind the scenes details. And yes, I have a bit of that for you too. Don't you love those pretty French provincial "screens" I found on the side of the road that grace the front windows so beautifully? Read: Roadside Find: Vintage French … [Read more...]
Now....it's beginning to look like Christmas at my house! For those of you who have been following my slow slide into the season of Christmas, you'll be pleased to finally see something here! I am over-the-top happy to have the mantel done. Oh, that's right, I don't have a mantel. I do have a sideboard thanks to my wonderful friend. And I recently splashed it up with that ever-popular Annie Sloan Chalk Paint which I recently talked about. Do you ever notice that when someone says it's confession time, heads turn from tables clear at … [Read more...]
