Christmas 2018~Our Holiday Home~

~Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas~

We're all decked out and ready for Christmas here.  I love the holidays, and enjoy preparing our home for Christmas and gathering with our family to celebrate the joy and wonder of it all.  It really is the most wonderful time of the year!

Our Christmas tree is in our foyer.  I always enjoy decorating the tree each year, it's the star of the show...if you ask me!  

I added a touch of greenery, gold bows, and golden and glittery snowflakes to our stair rail, and a few other details to the step edges. 

This view in the foyer shows part of the tree and a nice view of our entryway.  A dressing of greenery for the door and a Christmas wreath complete the look.  I added Christmas decor over in the right corner too, a tied tray was a fun addition with some Christmas items and flowers.

A closer look at the tiered tray.  I found the beautiful Santa ornament a few years ago, its a favorite ornament that usually ends up somewhere other than the tree.  The tiered tray is another thing that I enjoy decorating, it's fun to change it up for the seasons and holidays!

Our family room is just beyond the foyer.  I've added some Christmas touches to the fireplace mantel.  It's always fun to come up with ideas for decorating the mantel.  

A wider view of the family room and fireplace.  I added some greenery to dress the windows, and a pillow with a Christmas tree on it was a perfect accessory!


We are ready and will be waiting for Santa.

 Have a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Decking the Halls 2018~ Holiday Decorating ~

I've been decking the halls a little and preparing for the holidays.  A bit of a slow start for me this year as I've been recovering.  

Shortly after our Thanksgiving holiday I became ill and was hospitalized for a few days with pneumonia.  I am taking things pretty slow while I get my strength back, which feels like a long time so far.  One day at a time, as they say.

I've achieved a few little areas with some simple and inexpensive decor and wanted to share some of them, and hopefully give some ideas.

“He’s making a list and checking it twice!”

I received this beautiful Santa ornament as a gift from a dear friend last night!  It’s so perfectly me, gold & glitter, and green too!  I do think Santa looks awesome in gold and green.

~ I love it very much!  I've placed him here with a simple centerpiece I created.  Some winter greenery and pine cones in a pretty iron and glass bowl on a pretty tray.

“There’s no place like home for the holidays!”  That is so true, and I was thinking that when I created this vignette using a couple of items I already had.  The little house/lantern I simply added some holly leaves to the top.  I wrapped the sweet little bird in pine greenery and placed it on a little slice of wood.  I purchased the "Merry Christmas" ornament sign recently and it seemed the perfect addition for this spot!

This tray was a throw together with some items I already had and a couple new items that I picked up at the Target dollar spot.  I love Target, and I always enjoy the dollar spot area on the way in to do my shopping.  They always have something for everyone and every occasion, or holiday.  

And, speaking of the dollar spot, how cute is this little green truck?  I got it there back in the fall and styled it with mini pumpkins for my fall decor.  I recently got the mini wreath in the front and the mini tree in the back, they were the perfect size for this little truck.  The little wooden "Merry Christmas" sign is actually a rubber stamp.  All of those items were from the target dollar spot.  The tray was a thrift store item, the snowman and golden retriever I've had for many years.

This is the area just inside our backdoor.  I got the felt Christmas tree from the dollar store, it was so light weight I simply hung it from a suction cup on the glass.  I kept my chalkboard art simple with a "Merry Christmas" greeting and a pine cone & berry trio with a bow up in the corner.

A closer view of my chalkboard.  This pretty chalkboard is one of my favorite items, it's fun to change it for different seasons, holidays, and any other time I'm feeling creative with a drawing or want to display a fun message.

I'll be sharing more holiday and Christmas decor later.  I hope you are taking some time to enjoy the most wonderful time of the year!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas season!

Our Thanksgiving Table

I'm looking forward to having my loved ones gathered around this table as we give thanks and share our Thanksgiving meal together!

I enjoy bringing what I've envisioned to reality.  I am so pleased with the results of my Thanksgiving tablescape.

I look forward to setting a pretty table for special occasions, and this one is of course very special, one that is all about gathering and enjoying a meal together, and being thankful!

For our Thanksgiving table I used some items I already had and few new items.  In keeping with my desire to decorate on a budget, I try to practice some restraint in not over spending or buying a lot of new items if  I don't need too.

I had the pumpkins, candle holders and floral arrangement on hand, then I picked up some lamb's ear greenery, mesh ribbon, and the curly burlap & sparkle picks.  The sparkly apples were a recent find at the thrift store.

I had two different sets of round mats that were close in color, one set of eight and one set of six so I alternated them to have ample place settings for our family.  We had thirteen of us!

I had already planned on using my glass plates, and then I added paper doilies under each one to add another layer and to dress it up a little.  A simple cloth napkin and my pretty gold tableware finished off the look.  I later added the water glasses and wine glasses to each place setting.

So pleased that what I had envisioned was even more beautiful than I'd imagined!  Gotta love it when that happens.

It's a day of counting our blessings, and we have so much to be thankful for!  Enjoy your special day with family and friends.

I wish you a beautiful and blessed Thanksgiving!...

Fall Decorating~ Ladder decorating for "Fall" ~

It’s a bright and beautiful Fall day today!  I’m still over here enjoying my Fall decor, and pumpkins.  It takes a while for it to actually feel like fall around here too.  

I like to style this little ladder with seasonal decor, it’s fun to get creative with it and so simple too!  This is my fall theme.

I painted this old step ladder last year and have enjoyed using it in my decor.  I have fun changing it up seasonally and finding new ways to decorate it!  

It's easy to use in any room, and easy to store away if I chose not to use it.   I kept it simple with a few pumpkins, some greenery and flowers, and a few brass items to give it a little bling!  It sits in my breakfast area corner for now, and makes me smile when I see it!

~*~

Here’s to all those who are hosting Thanksgiving and are knee deep in planning and preparing, as I am!


I’m seeing some beautiful Christmas inspiration and lots of ideas are swirling around in my head!

-They’ll need to stay there til after Thanksgiving!  I’m a one holiday at at time kind of gal!

~ I hope all of your holiday planning is going well!...

Painted Pumpkin Centerpiece

My pretty painted pumpkin!

An orange pumpkin no more, thanks to some white chalkpaint!

I got my “craft” on with this beautiful makeover.

This large faux pumpkin is a resent thrift store find and it was only a dollar.  It looked new and was the traditional orange color, but I knew I could make it even better, or more my style.

I love what a little paint can do!

- I gave it just enough paint coverage to change the look from the original color and leave a subtle peachy color.  It was so easy!

It’s looking ready for Thanksgiving in my beautiful pedestal bowl and dressed with a vine of velvety lambs ear.


I’m staying focused on Thanksgiving for now, while enjoying lots of Christmas inspiration.

~ I hope you all have a beautiful day!

Our Fall Mantel Decor

Well, November is here and we are in full Fall mode.  I look forward to a few things in November!

The family gathering holiday...aka Thanksgiving is definitely one of them!  I look forward to hosting this year and having our family gathered together in our home, sharing all the special moments and creating memories.  We have so much that we are thankful for.

I changed up my mantel with some Fall elements and will enjoy it until after Thanksgiving!  I sure hope my real pumpkins will last 'til then! *fingers crossed*

I made a few simple changes and added some pumpkins, I love white pumpkins and have fallen for the green ones too!  I'm enjoying this neutral look!

I am getting excited and will be working on all the details for our Thanksgiving with family!

Enjoy November!...

Hello November

So much to be Thankful for as we head to our next holiday!

I’m very much looking forward to Thanksgiving and all that November has to offer our family!

I couldn't resist these sweet little white pumpkins on a recent day trip to North Georgia.  I picked up several of them to use in my decor for Fall and through Thanksgiving.  I'll be thinking about getting all my "ducks in a row" so to speak, or should I say..."all my pumpkins in a row!?" *wink*

::: Tip of the day :::

Since we aren't going to eat these pumpkins I have a tip for helping them last longer.  They may spoil quickly due to any dirt or mold they may be hiding, so I place them in the sink then soak them for about 10-15 minutes in a solution of water, bleach and dish soap.  I use about a gallon of water, 2 tablespoons of bleach and just a squirt of dish soap.  Rinse and dry them well and they should last a good while.  I've had pumpkins last well past Christmas!!!

We are hosting this Thanksgiving and so I'm very excited to be making plans for the holiday with our family.

~ May this November be full of many blessings for us all!

Happy Halloween!

Well here we are at the end of October already and it's Halloween!!!  

~ Be on the lookout for witches, goblins and ghosts tonight!  Maybe even a few super heroes and princesses too!

This cute little bench, “be scary” sign, and boo-tiful little ghost are thrift store finds!

I was so tickled at the thought of a little Halloween display using them, so I had to get ‘em!

A few added Target dollar spot items, fall flowers and mini pumpkins, and this is what I created!

~ Wishing everyone a boo-tiful, fun, and Happy Halloween!

My Fall Tablescape

~ My Fall Tablescape ~

I've said many times before that setting a pretty table is one of my favorite things to do, when it comes to decorating.  And, I enjoy finding inexpensive items to add to my tablescapes, which give me the ability to change up the decor easily and without spending a lot of cash to do so!

I found some cute little green leaf plates at Target dollar spot, then at Hobby Lobby I picked up some 12x12 craft/scrapbook paper sheets with a Fall image of trees & leaves to use as placemats, and to add more fall color.  These were the only new items I purchased, everything else I already had on hand!

I simply layered the craft paper with a white paper doily, then a glass plate, a cream cloth napkin, the green leaf plates, and topped each place setting with a mini white pumpkin.

I’m pleased with the results and think it looks even better than I’d imagined!  

Plus, it was inexpensive to create.  I love thrifty decor!

Happy Decorating!

Crafted Wooden Display Ladder

I created a little display ladder!  I wanted one mostly to use for my cute dish towels.  I am pattin’ myself on the back, since it worked out so well.  I love the results!

And, then of course I had to get at styling it for Fall!

I made the cute little chalkboard banner, too!  I couldn’t find my chalk pen, so I had to write those letters with a big ol’ piece of chalk.  A mini wreath I simply decorated, and a pumpkin finished off my sweet display.

I made another smaller ladder, I wanted to give an example of how I created it since I didn't take photos of the process on the first one.  It was so simple to make!

I purchased the wood pieces at the craft store.  I measured the pieces for each of the sides, and the ladder sections/rungs, then after cutting them I used Scotch clear glue to hold all the pieces together.  I considered painting it, then decided I liked it natural...for now!;) 

My original ladder is 20 ins. long by 7.25 ins. wide.  It fits just under my cabinets on my countertop, where I wanted it for displaying my dish towel.  I am very happy with the results and how it looks with my sweet Fall dish towel displayed on it!  I think it's very cute!

Happy Crafting!

FALL-ing into October ~ Fall Themed Shelf Decor

Fall-ing into October by styling my display shelf with some sweet little items I picked up @target dollar spot!  

It was hard to resist the cuteness of those tiny green pumpkins and some wooden letters, all for a dollar each!  I was saying to myself “show a little restraint Tammy” ‘cause these are NOT the only thing I got!

These items did add a sweet touch of FALL to my shelf!  So I’ve NO regrets!

~ Enjoy your day!

Thrifty Table Makeover

I truly enjoy refurbishing furniture and decor items.

This sweet little table is one I recently completed, I found it at a thrift store for five bucks!

I knew I could make it beautiful by giving it some TLC and chalk paint!

~*~  ~*~  ~*~

It had potential, and I had a vision!  I loved the style, and the iron and wood combo.

First I prettied up the wood top with chalk paint.

And then decided to give the iron a dry brushing of chalk paint too!

I love the new look, and isn’t she so pretty now?!  I mean, I believe she must be a "She" with all those pretty curves!;)

As I so often say..."Don't be afraid to giving painting a try!  It's the easiest way to transform an item!

~ Hope you find some joy today!

Fall has arrived! ~ Chalk Painted Pumpkins

Hello FALL!  It’s officially here.  We're having a beautiful Saturday and first day of Fall.  It's hard to believe that Summer is gone so soon!

Pumpkins are a sure Fall statement!  I love the neutral toned pumpkins and fall decor available over the past few years.  Some can be a bit over priced though!

- I gave some orange pumpkins a makeover using chalk paint.  They're much more to my liking and more my style now.  Such an easy way to change their appearance!  I simply used two light colors of chalk paint, a white and an off-white beige color to give them a little variation in color.
*See my original post here for all the details!

~ Hope you have a wonderful first day of Fall!

Cutting Board/Serving Board ~ Chalk Painted & Stenciled

It’s always nice to love something all the more. And, so gratifying when you’re pleased with your own work!

- I changed the look of my sweet cutting board with some chalk paint, and a stencil!

I just love what a little paint can do. And, I love the new look of my cutting board. It gets used as a serving piece rather than a cutting board, so I chose to paint it!

I really loved the cutting board, I was just wanting a different look for it.  I decided to paint it to lighten it up.

I gave it a coat of white chalk paint, then let it dry completely.  After that I used a stencil.

I did the stencil in the same white paint so it was a subtle embellishment. I gave the board a coat of wax after everything was all dry to seal the paint and add a little sheen.

~ Happy is my crafty heart!

Simple Summer Tablescape

It’s a bright and sunny Saturday!

We’re having beautiful summer weather!

I just finished doing a little prep for our Saturday dinner.  I picked up some sale items at Hobby Lobby and couldn’t resist styling my table with them!  Even if it’s just for the two of us.

A couple of the succulents were used as cute napkin rings, and the green dish cloths work as napkins. I shopped my home for the other items to complete this simple look.  

I used a couple of white cloth napkins under each place setting, used my everyday dishes, and my golden tableware from Target!  It doesn't have to be expensive to look nice!  I set a pretty table using what I had on hand and a few bargain priced items.  Easy low cost decorating at it best!

Setting a pretty table is one of my favorite things to do!  And, I believe it makes a meal taste even better!

~ Happy Saturday and Happy Weekend...

Pillow Covers

Do you love pillows?  Well, I certainly do!

::: Here’s my tip of the day!:::

Pillow covers make it so easy to change your decor.  And, they take up much less space when not in use.  They’re very cost effective too!  All you need is the basic pillow insert(s) and the pillow cover(s).

I couldn’t resist this sweet roses pillow cover.  I purchased it at Hobby Lobby, you know I love me some Hobby Lobby!  I wasn’t quite sure if I’d love it when I got it home, but guess what? ...I do, I do!  I really do LOVE it!  I love the frayed rosettes, they are so cute.  

It works perfectly here where I wanted to use it!  I love it when that happens!  Now I'm thinking I should have at least two of them!?

Happy decorating!...

"Summer" Styling on Our Fireplace & Mantel

Sometimes all that is needed is just a few changes to make things fresh and new!  I found some beautiful corbels at Hobby Lobby and changed them out from the ones I'd had up on the wall above the mantel.  A new wreath I purchased back in the Spring was moved over here, also some newly thrifted planters and plants add some nice greenery to go with my beautiful wreath.  I shopped my home for the other accessories to pull this Summer look all together!

Here's a closer view of my wreath and mantel decor.  I’ve enjoyed displaying this beautiful wreath.  It’s a favorite find from Kirkland’s.  I love it and how it has worked well for both Spring and Summer!  It has become a new favorite on mine!

Speaking of favorites ... Summer you are my favorite!:)   

I dream of summers that last forever...

  

Gold Leaf Project

My first experience using gold leaf, and I’m in love!

This gift from my daughter, a wooden heart with a little heart cut out had silver leaf where I have added gold leaf!  She said as she gave it to me “I know you’ll probably chalk paint this!”  She knows my love for gold, and for changing items to better suit my taste, or for using paint to do so!

Painting it just wasn’t going to do it, and since it already had silver leaf on it, I figured gold leaf was definitely the way to go!  I love this beautiful heart set all the more now!

Materials needed:

leaf metal

metal adhesive

small paintbrushes

I purchased my supplies at the craft store.  The Leaf metal and metal leaf adhesive, they were about fifteen bucks total, and I had some small paintbrushes on hand already.  There are easy to follow instructions on both items.  There was more than enough materials to do this project and I have plenty left over.  This project was super easy, a little messy, but easy!  It took some drying time for the adhesive to become tacky, but the project didn't take long overall.

Basically all that is needed it brushing on the metal adhesive, let it dry until tacky, then use small torn pieces of the metal leaf and place on the tacky areas, then brush or rub over the metal covered areas.

The edge of the large heart here is finished, the small heart is still in the original silver leaf.   I just prefer gold more than silver!

I'm so pleased with the results! 

It was a fun and rewarding project!  Now I’m looking around my house and wondering “hmmm, what else can I gold leaf!”

PS: I did chalk paint the other heart piece here, it once was all gold - I used white chalk paint to paint it and then after dry wet sanded away the paint on the raised design revealing the gold detail.

I am so pleased with the results of these beautiful heart items!

Seasonal Decorating ~One Tray Four Seasons~

I love Summer, and I always go with the calendar for my seasons, so for me ...Summer just began about two weeks ago, on June 21st!

And, I’ll enjoy every minute of it through September 22nd!

I styled this tray when summer arrived.  I’ve also done a similar one for each of the last three seasons, simply changing it up a little for each season.  Shopping my home mostly and using thrifty treasures, while keeping it simple.  I just had fun with it!

- Below are the previous seasons tray styling. One tray four ways!

~ Spring ~

~ Winter ~

~ Fall ~

~ All four seasons ~

 This was a fun display to decorate for each season and use throughout the year!