I love wreaths! Typically you can find a wreath in almost every room of my home. Especially at Christmas. Last year I had so much fun playing with this white birch for a table setting that I decided to make a natural white birch wreath, too. It's not round like a "normal" wreath... which makes it even more fun for me. If you're still trying to get some Christmas decor up on your walls or doors, there is still time. If you try make a wreath like this... please let me know. I'd love to see yours. It's time for Project Inspire{d}! I am so glad you're here! Before we get … [Read more...]
Quiet. Can you hear it? Right now the house is quiet, except that I can hear the fan of the furnace forcing warmth into the air. Sometimes I crave quiet. There's something peaceful and holy in those quiet moments. My body relaxes. My thoughts become like a child in a meadow... running free, arms in the air, twirling, and finally flopping down on the soft grasses and noticing a single blade, a tiny ant, and the scents of soil and wildflowers. In the quiet my senses come alive. My imagination awakes. My creative cells gather energy. In the quiet, the Holy Spirit speaks life and … [Read more...]
Time. No one has enough. When it comes to creative holiday craft ideas, I like projects I can accomplish quickly. This grapevine banner wreath was a quick and easy project. I know you'll love making one too. It's guaranteed to make a statement wherever you hang it. Speaking of creative holiday craft ideas... You all brought a ton of creativity to Project Inspire{d} this week. Here are just a few cute and crafty ideas... 10 Cute & Creative Holiday Craft Ideas Joy Vintage Doily Christmas Banner by Electric Red Barn Brown Paper Packages by Delineate Your Dwelling Piped Basket … [Read more...]
Have you noticed them? Christmas trees on cars? Or maybe campers even? I can't tell you how many Christmas trees on cars we saw on our drive home at Thanksgiving. We live near several Christmas tree farms, so really it should be no surprise. There's something wonderful about seeing a car (or truck) with a tree tied on. There's something special about bringing home a fresh-cut tree. I like to think that each car I see is filled with joy and anticipation. And I imagine the plans being made to decorate that perfect evergreen treasure for … [Read more...]
Farmhouse Christmas Vignette I bet you are in the process of making your home MERRY AND BRIGHT! Decking the halls and doing Fa-la-la-la-la fun things this Christmas! I am doing that right now too! One great way to give your home a festive holiday look is by creating Christmas vignettes. I'm so thrilled to be a part of Diane's CREATING CHRISTMAS MEMORIES WITH VIGNETTES. And I am soooo happy to be here at AN EXTRAORDINARY DAY today!!!! A big thanks to Diane for letting me visit her beautiful blog and be part of this wonderful series! My favorite vignettes to create any time … [Read more...]
Yesterday I mentioned the value of taking photos of your Christmas decor each year. By looking back at my past photos I made a discovery. In my quest to be frugal, I've become a little shabby. Shabby chic that is. Looking through past years' holiday photos I discovered my first attempts, at shabby Christmas decor. And it's not all bad. The photos... not so great. But the shabby Christmas decor... pretty nice (if I say so myself). You see that year, like most, I just snapped a few photos of my decor for posterity. Mostly so I'd remember what I did. It's always been a … [Read more...]
Ready for a hot holiday tip? Do you take pictures of your past holiday decor or table settings? If you don't, I urge you to do that. Bloggers have a tendency to take lots of photos, and I was "guilty" of that in my pre-blogging years. But, now as I look back, I'm so glad I did. It helps me remember the good ideas and get the creative juices flowing when I'm tired from all the festivities and I might still have some decorating to do, or tables to set for those special dinners and parties. Why not create a special file on your computer, just for holiday decor you want to remember? I think you'll find … [Read more...]
I'm so excited you can join us for the follow-up to our Christmas Sweets & Treats Blog Hop. Yesterday, I joined with 33 super talented bloggers to bring you my Snowman Sundae and a fabulous round-up of Sweets and Treats from each of them. If you missed it... click here for a plethora of delectable delights. Christmas Sweets and Treats Linky Party Brought to you by... My Uncommon Slice Of Suburbia :: Domestically Speaking Cupcakes and Crinoline :: Yellow Bliss Road :: Setting for Four Stone Gable :: A Pumpkin & A Princess :: An Extraordinary Day Twelve O Eight :: A Night Owl :: At … [Read more...]
Do you clean your house for Christmas? I usually do a whole house cleaning in early November. Generally I will have already done some cleaning in early fall, but in November I whip through the whole house, dusting the walls and ceilings, washing the windows, making my house sparkle in anticipation of Christmas. One thing I always did in my old house was to put candles in my windows... and my windows had to be perfectly shined for the lights of Christmas. This week I had a little bit of an "ah ha" moment. You know that I'm all about observing Advent... doing Advent readings, … [Read more...]
Are you looking for a family friendly sweet treat for the grand finale to the big dinner? How about dessert that you can pretty much make ahead, quickly assemble, and then serve with great aplomb? I've got just the thing for you... Snowman Sundaes A snowman sundae is sure to be a hit. I love that there's no baking involved. It's really more like craft project dessert. If there's a children's Christmas party on your calendar, you can even let the kids do everything except scoop the ice cream. They'll have a ton of fun creating their own snowman sundaes, for … [Read more...]
Fun things are happening this week on the blog, including two blog hops that I'm blessed to participate in. I'm super excited about this one that is totally about a whimsical way to enjoy a treasured memory that many of us have... bringing home the Christmas tree. Speaking of Christmas trees... This week you were in the true spirit of Christmas and from all your shared creativity, Malia selected: 12 "Tree"mendous Christmas Tree Ideas Vintage Christmas Tree Delivery Truck by Sadie Seasongoods Pallet Wood Rustic Christmas Coasters by Scrapality Birch Branch Christmas Tree from … [Read more...]
Are you always on the look out for great graphics? Especially at Christmas time? Today I have some Free Printable Graphics for you... and a terrific tutorial! It's been a long time since I've shared any printable graphics with you, so I decided to take some time and create a few graphics in PicMonkey. And then, I thought I'd show you... How to Create Your Own Christmas Graphics in PicMonkey This isn't going to be a full-blown tutorial with screen shots and such. But it will be a very detailed tutorial for the novice or newbie. It was easy for me to create this graphic and the others that follow. … [Read more...]
Coffee Table Vignette I was honored and delighted when Diane asked me to share a Christmas vignette here at An Extraordinary Day. I love her heart and her penchant for creating beautiful vignettes from nature. I must admit, I haven't decorated for Christmas yet as I am getting ready for a craft show next weekend. Once that is over, then I will be decking the halls! However, I did put together a coffee table vignette that holds some very special memories for myself and my family. When the children were little, I purchased a special Christmas story book each year, early … [Read more...]
Have you given much thought to outdoor decorating for Christmas? I'm sure you've seen the homes with all the colorful light displays and entryways beautifully festooned with greens and lights. Today I'm sharing an idea for decorating those areas that are more personal. The ones not seen from the street... such as the back porch. The places where you'll enjoy your favorite things with a holiday or wintry flair. As I was going through some old photos, I discovered I took several pictures of an outdoor wintry garden vignette on my back porch. This was … [Read more...]
It's Cyber Monday! Raise your hand if you've been shopping for deals online. I want to make your Christmas shopping a breeze, so I joined with some of my blogging pals and created the The Ultimate Holiday Gift Guide. Here's my part. I'd love for you to stop here and here and check out all the goodness. And if you choose to purchase through the links there... you will make my day and help support me and An Extraordinary Day. Mwah! And now... It's time for Project Inspire{d}! I am so glad you're here! Mary Beth from Cupcakes and Crinoline ~ Malia from Yesterday on … [Read more...]
Christmas is just 24 days away. Are you feeling a little bit stressed? Today I'm here to help take away some of the shopping stress. Take a deep breath and explore my... Holiday Gift Guide for the Entertainer ~ Part 1 *this post contains affiliate links* I love Christmas time! Decorating my home and hosting open houses and dinner parties make my heart sing. But, I know that it isn't necessarily the easiest thing for everyone. In fact, it can be down right daunting. That's where this Holiday Gift Guide for the Entertainer comes in... One thing I always do for open … [Read more...]
Today is the first day of Advent. It seems impossible for Christmas to be upon us, doesn't it? The year has gone way too fast. Do you observe Advent? I know many with younger children click off the days' march towards Christmas with candies or gifts. Others may light candles each night and read verses. And still others decorate a Jesse Tree. Advent is a time of preparation. A time when we prepare our hearts for our Savior. A time when we await his second coming. And a time when we rejoice in his first coming Typically I don't follow … [Read more...]
