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Sunday, December 9, 2012

Christmas Joy

 I have seen this sweet little angel vine topiary in the market every day. Every day I think, "How cute is that?" Yesterday, seemed like a nice day to offer myself a little something. It's brought me joy.
 



 This summer I crafted these little Christmas boxes. All my little vintage baubles came from one of those big plastic bags at Goodwill. Sometimes you find some nice little vintage pieces to work with.


 I took cheap little bottle brush tree and made them look vintage with a bleach and water solution. Very simple. I liked the light green look.

 I thought about adding mini garland, and more baubles, but I like it simple. I have another set of these sweet peppermint balls in my Etsy shop along with many other vintage Christmas crafting goodies. If they don't sell I might make a few more boxes.


 And...a Santa box


                                         
The unfinished round boxes can be found at Michael's. They also carry this paper with the card stock, however it's a tissue paper and I find it very easy to work with when using Mod-podge.

have you made any Christmas boxes or tried dying your bottle brush trees?

Linking up with: A Delightsome Life
Join the party here!
Karen

36 comments:

  1. I can certainly see why you gave into the tug of the sweet topiary ... oh and love the 'joy' from brass stencils, such a good idea ... as well as the touch of the holly leaves from sheet music. Sweet details!

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    1. Thanks, Polly Anna! I hope I can keep my little topiary thriving! I just added little pine cones to my table garland. It looks fuller now :)
      Karen

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  2. Your little boxes are so cute! Merry Christmas!

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    1. Awww...thanks! I love to craft, but don't have enough time! I can't wait until January when I go back to regular subbing. It's a lot easier than these long-tern jobs!
      Karen

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  3. Karen-Those little boxes are really cute. You did them last summer? While we were thinking beach you were thinking Christmas? I love it! Hope you are having a great Sunday- xo Diana

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    1. I know. What's wrong with me? :) I have the summers off, which is great. I just knew come September, with kids and working it would be tough. I was right too, because since September I have had two long-term sub jogs. Man, teachers work hard. In January, I am back to basic subbing where you even have prep periods and I sneak in some crafts at school!! Can't wait. So much easier. Thanks, Diana!!
      Karen

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  4. I love your tablescape, beautiful centerpiece! I love the "JOY". It's my daughter's meddle name. I am also in love with your table and chairs....Christine

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  5. Oh, thank you so much for your sweet comments. Joy is a beautiful name! Thanks for visiting!!
    Karen

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  6. Karen, thank you so much for dropping by to visit me. I so agree about the new baby in the roayl family. It is just such good news!

    And speaking of good news, what a cute Christmas display at your house. I enjoyed seeing it all, and I love the little letters that say "joy" plus your cute boxes with the vintage ornaments and the topiary on your table. Looks like you are ready to celebrate.

    Here's hoping your Chrismas is both Merry and Bright!

    XO,

    Sheila

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  7. Karen, I'm back to say thank you so much for wanting to follow. I have never put a gadget on my blog, but you can follow me by going to your dashboard and adding me there. I have joined you. I am having some issues with Blogger right now because I was on a break, came back, and they have changed things. So I can't put any more blogs on my sidebar. But I will add you when I am able. Again, I appreciate you wanting to follow, and I will follow you in return.

    XO,

    Sheila

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  8. How pretty, Karen! Your topiary is just wonderful! Your table decor looks great!

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  9. What a beautiful box. You sure have a knack for decorating! Everything looks great.

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  10. Love your Christmas tabletop decorations.Thanks for visiting and commenting on my blog.
    Joy

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  11. Those are just the cutest little boxes I have ever seen!... and I love your angel vine topiary... angel vine is one of my very favorites!... xoxo Julie Marie

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    1. Thank you! That's so nice. Maybe you can give me some tips on keeping it alive!! I love to garden, but not good with house plants :) It's such a sweet little plant. I just couldn't resist.
      Karen

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    2. Hi again... you HAVE to keep angel vines moist at all times.... not soggy, but evenly moist... if they start to dry out, they die... also, every now and then, I shake mine over the sink and all the loose spent leaves drop off, encouraging new ones to grow!... about every other week, I mist it with a fine spray... xoxo Julie Marie

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  12. I love your Christmas boxes!!! The paper and little tree is so pretty! You mentioned you live near Tahoe..we used to live in Sacramento. My hubbie is from California...so we enjoyed seeing the pretty snow covered mountains. I just cant' drive in the stuff. Tahoe is one of our favorite places in the world and we visit there once a year in the summer months! Enjoy the holidays! Merry Christmas,
    Miss Bloomers

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  13. I'm crazy over bottle brush trees. I like the idea of dying them. I wish I would start these things in the summer. Love your boxes.

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  14. Karen, What a cute box decorated for the holidays! I've never used tissue paper to cover these cardboard boxes but I have tried to bleach some trees, without any luck. Someone told me that only certain ones can be changed. Something to do with the plastic vs. an actual bottlebrush. . Apparently I didn't buy the right ones. :-(. Thanks for stopping over for a visit. It's always fun to meet new acquaintances who appreciate many of the same things I do. Merry, Merry! Sue

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  15. You have great furniture pieces! I love your table and chairs and the piece in the back too. I used to make those kinds of boxes. And those bottle trees....I dip them in paint and cover them with glitter. It turns out just as cute as the bleached ones.
    hugs,
    Caroline

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  16. How beautiful! I adore that box you made! I'm going to look for those wooden ornaments at Goodwill!

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  17. So glad you came over to visit my blog, it brought me to yours! It is lovely, I'll be visiting often now that I'm following you.

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  18. I love the bottle brush trees, Karen! Such a creative idea!

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  19. What a beautiful Christmas post Karen, your items are exquisite x

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  20. So so cute!! Love it all. Those boxes are awesome!

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    1. Thank you Emmy! Enjoyed your family Photos. I wish I lived closer...you are a great photographer!
      Karen

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  21. I love your little boxes...what a great way to use all those treasures that can be found at the Goodwill! Very creative!!

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    1. Thanks, Marie. I do love the little goodies that you can find in those bags. I am glad I put some to use :)
      Karen

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  22. Hi!! Thank you for visiting the spoonful blog.... now I have another gorgeous blog to follow!!! I love all of your decor and creations. happy Wednesday.

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  23. Karen,

    I love your JOY stencils! How pretty! And every last detail is perfect! Thank you so much for inspiring me today!

    blessings,
    karianne

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  24. Beautiful Christmas decor! Your table looks so pretty!

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  25. What a pretty table and all your C'mas decor is perfect and I specially love the pretty Joy stencil. Thank you for your sweet and kind visit! Happy holidays.
    FABBY

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  26. Very cute! I need to try to make a bottle brush tree!
    Thanks for linking up to the Christmas Mantel Linky Party at Embracing Change!
    Stacey

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  27. Karen, oh how I love your little boxes. Creating mini scenes with vintage smalls is one of my favorite things to do. I think I need to try a box or two next year. Haven't bleached any trees yet, but sure do like the look. Thanks so much for sharing with 'Creating Christmas'. I will be featuring you dear!
    Hugs,
    Jann

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  28. I just saw this post featured on Share Your Cup. Awesome. I love the little vintage Goodwill ornaments with your bleached trees and little boxes.

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Thanks for your feedback! It makes my day getting comments!