Christmas

More Christmas decorating...

This might be teh only tree we have this year. We'll be going to Vegas again for Christmas....so these decorations are enough. I have the "chalet" Advent calendar here and the book Advent Calendar too. Good little spot.

Nutcrackers. For lack of a better place this year. Maybe next year I'll line them up above the cabinets in the kitchen.

My old tin bucket re-pursed again.

I probably need to pick one style, but it's hard, I love the country look, vintage look, alpine look, modern look.....hopefully they work together in their little areas.

Christmas

I was tempted to start decorating on Thanksgiving evening but, I was able to hold off and start first thing in the morning on Friday. I am still rearranging and not 100% satisfied. However, I am already enjoying the Christmas lights in the early morning with coffee and in the evening with tea.

The old coal bucket and snowman in the sleigh.

My mini apothecary jars with with snow scenes. I found these little vintage deer in a bag of mixed decorations at Goodwill. I bough the mini trees at Michael's. I am still tempted to bleach them and give them the yellowy-white vintage look...

My hand-crafted tree and ornaments. I had fun making the tree topper. It's great to finally have them "on display"

So much more to do. Enjoy decorating and Merry Christmas!!!!

Garage Sale Christmas Tree

Little sad Christmas tree. I found this at a garage sale in October. Only $1 and I think there is some potential. Besides, I really wanted to try the flocking they sell with the glitter at Michael's. Here is my chance.

What do you think?? Cute up-cycle?

I think it is simple and sweet. Can I decorate yet???

Christmas Projects; Pillsbury Chocolate Peppermint Cookie Mix and Frosting, Nordic Ware Spritz Cookie Press and Icing Set and My Advent House

I am ready for Christmas but, holding off until after Thanksgiving. It's just about killing me. Here are a few of the projects I have waiting.

I have learned the hard way. IF, you see something interesting that you want to try, buy it before they run out. So, I saw these in Target the other day. Pillsbury Chocolate Peppermint Premium Cookie Mix and Peppermint (yum) frosting!!! I hope they will be as good as they look. What calls to me most is....EASY. Now I have them on hand. If I need to make a treat to for an event, school bake sale, or rainy Sunday afternoon with the family....I have it! The box mix comes with the candy cane pieces too.

Just the other day I saw a Pampered Chef version of this on my local "online garage sale" She had only used it once or twice, I think, but wanted $25 for it. So, I was excited to see this at Target for $9.95. It comes with 12 unique shapes. I remember using my mom's as a kid and feeling SO proud that they came out so well. I can't wait to test this out with Lucie. Since I got such a good deal I grabbed the Icing Decorating Set by Nordic Ware as well. My pastry bags bit the dust this year and this should be a great replacement. We'll see....can't wait!!!

I am excited about my "new" Advent Calendar, house. I found this at a garage sale for $5. I thought that was pretty steep, but I am glad I got it. When I got it home I realized that #13 and #24 were missing their door knobs. I went through our collection of beads and was able to find pretty good matches. Thank you, glue gun. On Friday, Veteran's Day, I went shopping with the kids. We got some chocolates for the house at World Market. I love that place. I will have to find some other little goodies as well. Lucas told me that little Harry Potter Lego figures would be a good fit. He's so helpful ;)

Updates on these projects to come!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas Candles. Up-Cycling For Christmas.

I get SO MANY candles at garage sales. People get them as gifts, change their color scheme in their homes or just feel like they have too many and don't know what to do with them. For Christmas, or any other holiday, up-cycle your candles! All you need is ribbon, ball pins, scissors, and of course some candles. These I got at a garage sale, of course. I can't bring myself to pay full price for candles any more. I see them every time I am out at garage sales. They are so cheap. I think I paid 25 cents for the large cream candle and the little white one came in set with five other candles for a couple dollars.

This is all you do:

Cut and pin. I loved this plaid cloth ribbon. It was 50% off at Michaels yesterday. I love plaid. They would look great with velvet ribbon, burlap ribbon, you name it!!

There you have it. A two minute (if that) upgrade! Love it! These will look great with lots and lots of pine at Christmastime!!!!

Thanksgiving

I had almost all my Halloween decorations down on November 1 St. Today I have packed them away. Here is a start to the Thanksgiving decorations. More to come. Keeping it simple. Feels good to have all the Halloween stuff put away!

Red Rooster Up-Cycle

I finally did it and I LOVE it. I spray painted my dull brown rooster. He is amazing now and It literally took a few minutes!!!

Here is the before:

Here he is. He is okay. He just never really fit in. He was $4 at a garage sale and I remember thinking that was so expensive.

Here he is with two coats of red Krylon and a top coat of clear glaze.

And, NO, he is not wet....just deliciously shiny!!!!

Can't wait to find the perfect home for him. Maybe right in the middle of my white pitcher collection? What do you think?


I can't help it now. I am eyeing everything in my house and spray painting it in my mind.