Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Entryway and tree decorations!


Ready for some super easy ways to make Christmas come alive in your home??


First, go outside! I found these branches right in our back yard!
Once I was happy with the arrangement, I tied them first with a rubber band, then added some twine for a real natural look. I first thought of hanging it above my front door outside. But, I like how it looks in the entryway. It brings more of the outdoors...well, indoors!

You could put them in vases and decorate with ornaments, above doorways with lights in them, even above a mantel or shelf.


The "Season's Greetings" sign was found right in the grocery store (Meijer)!
I used command strips to adhere it to the window.


But, how do you know what to put on a table like that Shannon?


Next, pull out all your decorations you already have.
Put them in a pile on the floor.




Sort out what you have by colors.
I wanted to go with white in the entryway, and I LOVE how it turned out!




They don't ALL have to be Christmas items. Take that white clock for example (TJ Maxx), I usually have it on the mantel, but it looks great here with all the other snow white items.


The mirror was left by previous owners, and I ALMOST gave it to the thrift store. But after a good coat of crackle paint, and it fits the room perfectly. The white wreath was a Pottery Barn purchase (gift card)...probably the only other thing I actually own from that store.



See that white frame resting on the ground to the right? It's a work in progress, but I will share the tutorial soon! You will love it.



...on to the tree!




Buy wrapping paper that matches your house, and use it as part of your decorating.
These are REAL gifts that I was ready to wrap. But, don't let that stop you! You can wrap "fake presents" and fill baskets, bins and shelves with them to look festive.



A mixture of homemade and store bought ornaments gives you the best of both without looking too cheap or over the top.
The "button garland" I made here.
The "sheet music bird ornaments" I made here.

A simple tree topper made out of an ornament and leftover ribbon from last year.

And what's a house without mistletoe?


This is the first year I've ever put a "kissing ball" (from Target) in my house, but I'm sure Greg won't mind :)

You may be wondering, what about the "Christmas room"? Why isn't the tree by the fireplace in the Christmas room?? Maybe a story for next time...let's just say the tree was a bit big this year. Nothing a pair of scissors and one marital dispute couldn't handle...so, THIS is where the tree ended up this year. But, honestly I'm so happy how it looks in this room. It really came together. It's good to be flexible right? :)

Friday, November 26, 2010

Back for the holidays--with some decorating ideas!!

So, here's the thing.....

I miss blogging.

Has it really been over two months since my last post???

It's been a good break (as far as writing goes), and I've had much more time to catch up on my favorite blogs. I was also getting some "weirdo comments" that were starting to annoy me. With a few comment-setting moderation's...I think we've fixed that!


But seriously, I NEED the outlet. I am amazed at how much I need to {1} share boring "mom-stories" and other emotions that go along with being a wife and mother {2} have a creative outlet in both decorating and crafting, and {3} feel encouragement and support from the [few] comments left by faithful readers who remind me that "I am not alone".
So, with that...I'm back!

And what a great time to re-enter the blogging world than right during the holidays! So here is some Christmas cheer from our house to yours. I just LOVE decorating for Christmas! But I love to reuse, re-purpose, and recreate whenever possible.

Sweater covered jars filled with Christmas lights: this is one of my favorite decorating ideas I heard from an interior decorator who spoke in our area...she emphasized keeping it cheap, and this is a great bargain buster!

tin bucket with dried hydrangeas: $12 from a local "Not So Shabby" store--I keep them up year-round
Live, Laugh, Love sign: gift from a couple years ago, also left up year-round
Blue tinted mason jars of different sizes: acquired over time at thrift stores/ garage sales--I use these ALL over my house depending on the season.
knock-off sweater look: I simply used an old hat and scarf I never wear anymore. The jar on the far right is the hat slipped on from the bottom up. The other 3 jars are covered by one scarf--I just wrapped them around the jars and hid the connecting part with the sign. No cutting OR sewing!!



I love this built-in. It's the perfect place to showcase my favorite things.
And it is constantly changing!
white plates on the wall: TJ Maxx clearance
white distressed iron decoration (on top): Hobby Lobby
fabric skirt: I sewed with fabric used around the house in order to cover shelves below
electronics organizer: Pottery Barn (had a gift card--otherwise NEVER shop there...just borrow their ideas)


distressed sleigh (behind): Hobby Lobby from last year on sale
ceramic sleigh (front): Christmas gift a couple years ago
Both filled with random greenery and ornaments I already had



3 snowmen: one of the few things I spent too much money on this year (from a downtown boutique) but, aren't these snowmen adorable?? And the perfect color green if I might add.

glass bowl: hand-me-down from my mom
ornaments: bought the first year we were married
vintage books: thrift store for $2
restoration hardware lantern: thrift store $2



topiary: made a few months ago here
frame: hand-me-down from my mom (untouched from the basement!)
nativity set: received as gifts over the past few Christmas's
star ornament: keepsake from Slovenia
twine: have a HUGE spool from Hobby Lobby--used a bunch here to look like hay and add some texture


Stay tuned for more ideas coming soon...including the entryway, mantel, and front porch!