~ Merry Christmas ~

Merry Christmas wishes from our home to yours!

~ * ~

It's a Doggie Jolly Christmas!

Our Jolly Doggie says!...

..."Have a Doggie Jolly Christmas!"

from:

Santa-paws

Christmas Tablescape

One of my favorite occasions to dress-up the dining table is during the Christmas holidays.  Today there's so much to choose from for decorating, so many options and color choices.  Nothing says 'Christmas' to me more than some red and green, add in some sparkle, some gold or silver, and all of that adds to making a beautiful tablescape.

I pulled this look together with what I had on hand already, except for the purchase of some new pretty red cloth napkins.  I purchased the table-runner last year from the after-Christmas sale at Bed Bath and Beyond.  I also purchased the matching tablecloth on sale at the same time, and I use it in the other room on our breakfast table.

I love my cut-glass plates and how they go so well with the crystal sconces that I've had for years.  I like to change-up the sconces by using them in different ways.  The two end pieces usually sit on top of the piece they are next to, making them taller, but, I decided I liked them this way for this setting.

I've used the acrylic napkin holders before, each one has a little bud vase area in it where I added some holiday floral picks of holly leaves, pine, and gold painted pine cones.  My gold tableware always looks beautiful to me and is especially perfect for using at the holidays.  I've had the tableware for years and it's also one of my favorite things.

I think the little gold ornament place-card holders add that little extra touch to each place setting, and they're just adorable!  I found those at Pier 1 Imports a couple years ago.  So cute to use at the holidays too.  I found the gold placemats some years ago at a Homegoods store that had been near by, it was one of my favorite stores and it was disappointing when it closed.  I layered each gold placemat with a white paper placemat, and then added a sparkly green felt sheet, I got the felt sheets from the craft store last year.  Both were low cost additions for just a few cents each.      

My pretty holiday tablescape was easy to put together and it was fun and festive too.  I enjoy decorating using mostly what I already have on hand, and I'll also mix in a few new things for an overall low cost, high satisfaction result.  It's not that I can't go out and buy new things, I just prefer not to.  I love doing low cost decorating with the bargain items I've found, or made.  All of that adds to my decorating pleasure.  And I enjoy sharing the results and idea inspirations for budget decorating, and showing that it is possible to do so!   

It's almost Christmas! {My Holiday Decor}

  

At this point most folks are either rushing among the hustle and bustle, or sitting back and feeling relaxed after having completed all their lists ...and checking them twice!  I'm somewhere in between at the moment.  For now I can relax since we will be delaying our 'family' Christmas celebration until next week, when we can all be here together.  It's what we do to be able to share the holiday, with all of us together.  The anticipation builds as I look forward to having my family close to me and being able to share precious moments and making memories with them.  In the mean time, I'll be anxiously waiting as I prepare.

I've already decked the halls to say the least, the stockings are hung and so are the lights.  I've hung a shining star upon the highest bough, while all is calm and all is bright!

~ * ~

One of my favorite places to decorate for Christmas is the Foyer and entry. I enjoy making it extra special, since it's the first room you see.
We're ready for Christmas and so is the Tree!

The Fireplace and Mantel are an important focal point to a room, and I enjoy creating many different looks for mine.
The Mantel is ready now, don't you know?!
With glitter and gold, and all aglow.

I like to dress-up my kitchen as well, it's fun to achieve a new look with festive items.
Yes, even the Kitchen, it too is now ready!
With cheerful holiday reminders, tasty treats and goodies.

Free Christmas Printable: Christmas Traditions

After seeing a few cute prints at some of the home accent stores, I decided to create a printable for myself.  And after seeing something similar, I created this graphic of a list of favorite Christmas Traditions to print and use in a photo frame to display during the holidays.  I printed it first as an 8 x 10 size to use in an 8 x 10 frame.  I also experimented and printed one in a 5 x 7 size to center in an 8 x 10 frame, or use in a 5 x 7 frame. 

They are an inexpensive and easy way to add to your holiday decorating.  So easy to print off and add to inexpensive frames too, the dollar store comes to mind here folks!  I created mine in just a few minutes, printed it in different sizes and had a couple to enjoy in different rooms.  You can download a copy for personal use.  Click on the image below, then right click on it to choose "save image as..." to save to your computer.  I simply used my printer settings to choose the size to print!  

Happy crafting!...

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

* Merry Christmas Wishes *

From my heart and home to yours!...

Get it together with "Project Life"

On a recent visit to one of my favorite places to shop for my crafting needs and lovely home decor must haves, Hobby Lobby, I noticed something I hadn't seen before. 

Have you ever seen or heard of "Project Life," and all of the goodies available for it?  If you know all about it already, then I'll bet you are enjoying it and all that there is to offer.

Project Life, created by Becky Higgins, if you haven't heard of it, is a simple way to create scrapbooks and document your life, and record moments to remember in an easy no-need-to-be-a-crafter kind of way!  Even if you have never made a scrapbook before, you can do this!  If you are a scrapbooker you'll also find this to be the easiest way to make a scrapbook, ever!  You don't even have to cut or glue anything.  It was a jaw dropping moment for me when I happened across the Project Life display area and learned of it.  I'm telling you it's so simple.  It is totally fantastic!  It's absolutely brilliant!    

All that is needed to start your own Project Life scrapbook is a Project Life Album, Photo Pocket Pages, a Core Kit containing the Project Life Cards, along with your own personal photos.  You simply place your photos in the Project Life Pocket Pages and you add the Project Life Cards, and you can add your mementos and memorabilia too.  You can even fancy them up all the more if you like!  There are ideas and many goodies on the website to entice you.  You'll find lots of helpful information and also some freebies that you can download, and who doesn't like freebies, huh?  Check it out here http://beckyhiggins.com/ there is lots of information and ideas there.  Most everything for Project Life can be found on the Project Life website, and their items can also be found in many craft stores too!

With the holidays approaching this would certainly make a fantastic gift for that special someone on your list!

Here are some of the items that were available at the craft store!  Lots of variety and choices!

- Project Life Core Kit -

Contains lots of fun and colorful cards, you can add notes to them too.  

These cards are easily slipped into the Photo Pocket Pages.

-  Project Life Organizational Tray -

 Helps to organize the cards.

(more of the fun and colorful cards included)

* * * 

 

- Photo Pocket Pages -

There are different sized packs with a variety of assortments.

You simply add the cards and your photos to the pages!  You set the pages up the way you like them!

You can add notes and other memorabilia too!

* * *

- Project Life Albums -

Lots of styles to choose from.

* * *

An example of what you can create with all of the Project Life goodies and your own photos.

* * *

This was above the area where all the Project Life essentials were on display!  

That is a photo of the lovely and talented Becky Higgins, the creator of Project Life!

I like the message there..."cultivate a good life and record it."
Project Life makes recording it so simple and easy to do just that!

What a fun way to record your life!...

Holiday Wreaths

I love the look of a wreath hanging on the front door, welcoming visitors, and dressing up the look of it from the outside, and also on the inside for something pretty to look at there as well!  I also like to hang a wreath from each of several windows outside my home for a beautiful look for Christmas.  

I enjoy making wreaths and I do make most of my own.  The holidays are the perfect time to make wreaths, and I like to have several around the house at that time.   Most supplies to make them are easily found around the holidays, and the after holidays sales are great opportunities for those items too!   

Here are a few of my handmade holiday wreaths that I've featured before.  Each one was easy and didn't require a lot of time, money, or materials to create.  I've heard others say, "I'm not crafty, and I don't have the time or extra money to make something."  I know I've said it before, but I feel that if I can do it, anyone can!

You don't have to spend a lot to make something beautiful.  A simple grapevine or evergreen wreath and pretty bow is all that's needed to make a wreath.  You could add more embellishments to dress it up, such as ribbon, ornaments, or use floral picks that you can tuck into the wreath.   I also like to change-up my wreaths and re-purpose them for different seasons too!  I hope these simple and easy wreaths, and suggestions, give you some ideas and inspire you to make a new wreath, or two, or more...

Evergreen and Gold Wreath

This beautiful wreath was created using only a few items and was simple to put together!

You can view more about this wreath and how I made it here.

Snowman Wreath

Just a few items pulls this cutie together in no time at all, and the items can be found at the dollar store!

You can view a tutorial and more about this wreath here.

Winter White Wreath

This wreath is surprisingly simple and inexpensive to create!  Items you probably already have on hand will have you making it in a short amount of time.  The kiddos can help with this one too!

You can view a tutorial and more about this wreath here.

Glittery-Gold & Gladiola Wreath

This wreath I actually made in the summer, but it works nicely for the holidays as well! 

I tucked in some fall colored leaves and a couple pine cones and displayed it as a pretty fall wreath this year also.

You can view more about this wreath and how I made it here

Happy Holidays and Happy Crafting!

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

source

Believe!...

Over 30 fun and inexpensive Christmas gift ideas!

Happy Holidays everyone!  If you haven't started on your gifts list yet, welcome to my world!  Well I have done a bit in preparation, but I am far from finished.  Need a little help with some ideas?  Here are over 30 fun and inexpensive gift ideas you can create, to wish your neighbors, friends and family a Merry Christmas.  These would work well for Teacher gift ideas too!  

Simply add one of the cute sayings below to a wrapped treat, to make something they will enjoy and also remember!  There's plenty of time for you to choose a project, buy the supplies and get them finished before Christmas!  This list should help you if you are wondering what to give some of those who are on your list.  Give them a little gift that won't break the bank, but will let them know you thought of them! ...and hey, it's the thought that counts, right?!  

I have shared this sweet idea before, it's one of my favorites from the list!

Hershey's Kisses in a whisk: We 'Whisk' you a Merry KISS'mas!

I think most everyone likes to get kisses, especially of the chocolate variety! 

Hershey's Kisses, a whisk, and just a few items is all you need to create this sweet gift!  You can see how to make these with the tutorial here.

Here's the list of gift ideas!

Any sweet treat:  Wishing you a Christmas filled with sweetness! or season/holiday
Cookies: Here's a batch of Christmas cheer, for someone we think is dear! or friends we think are dear!
Cookie sprinkles: May your Christmas be sprinkled with sweetness!
Hershey's Kisses in a whisk: We 'Whisk' you a Merry KISS'mas!
Hershey's Hugs & Kisses: Christmas Hugs and Kisses to you.
Candle: May your days be happy, your heart be light, your Christmas merry and the New Year bright.
Candle: Have a bright and happy holiday.
A pencil/pen and notepad: Merry Christmas to a "noteworthy" friend! or neighbors! From our pad to yours.
Snickers candy bar/bars: Don't "snicker," at least you got something! or be glad you got something!
Snickers bars and Almond Joy bars: It's a "joy" to make you "snicker"!  It brings us "joy" to "snicker" with you!
Dip: To help you dip into the holidays.
Jar of jam: Hoping your Christmas is "jam-packed" with cheer.
Berry Jam: Have a "berry" nice holiday season! or Have a "berry" Merry Christmas!
Cookie dough or Cookie mix: Here's a little extra "dough" for Christmas.
A plate of cookies:  Wishing you a "Merry Christmas," from your "crummy" neighbors!
Cash or gift card:  Here's a little extra "dough" for Christmas.
Measuring cups/spoons: Wishing you joy beyond measure.
Grater: To a "grate" neighbor!
Nuts: We're just nuts about you! or From your "nutty" friends! or use both.
Chex Party Mix: Remember Santa "Chex" his list twice to see who's been naughty or nice, so be good for goodness sake!
Muffins or Muffin mix: There ain't "muffin" like good friends.
Soup or soup mix: Wishing you a "soup-er" holiday.
Salsa: Adding a little "spice" to your Holidays.
Spices: Here's a gift to spice up your holidays.
Divinity: May your Chrismas be "divine" and your holiday so fine.
Rice Krispie treats: Having you as friends is such a treat!
Bread/Banana bread: Bundled up with 'warm' wishes.
Sparkling cider: Wishing you a "sparkling" holiday season!
Oranges or Chocolate Orange: "Orange" you glad we're friends? or "Orange you glad it's Christmas? Hope your Christmas is a sweet one.
Ho Hos and Ding Dongs:  Ho Ho Ho and Merry Christmas, from the Ding Dongs next door!
Cornbread or mix: We're not trying to be "corny," we just want you to have a Merry Christmas.

Now just add a little imagination and...Happy creating!

Monday Message

~ My Monday Message ~

Only 24 days til Christmas!...