Friday, November 30, 2012

Christmas Peeks

I’m calling the Christmas decorating done for this year.  I went a lot simpler and put out less stuff, but I like it.  I still have a bit of fluffing to do, moving things around a bit, but thought I’d share a little peek of what is going on around here.

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I totally redid the little tree I put in our master bedroom, from whimsical looking with bright colored ornaments, to something neutral and more natural looking.  I bought some ornaments from bloggy friends and there’s burlap involved, too.

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I’m also waiting on a new duvet from Pottery Barn {white} so I can have a nice neutral, Winter look to our bedroom.

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I have one other thing I want to add to our kitchen for the counter, which I hope to pick up tomorrow.

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I’ll share a bit of a Christmas home tour next week, once I’m satisfied with how everything is looking and can get good pictures.  

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Did I say I kept it simple? 

Thursday, November 29, 2012

Christmas Decorating With Your Existing Decor

Lazy? Maybe. I prefer to think of it as being creative using what I’ve got. I have no room in our new place to store everyday things to make room for seasonal decorating.  I try to incorporate seasonal décor into my existing décor whenever I can.  I decided to try this idea for several topiaries I have throughout our home.  This is one of two on our fireplace mantel.

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I picked up some berry picks at Christmas Tree Shops for $.69 each and cut them apart.

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I then placed the smaller berry picks, that I got from cutting, into the topiaries.

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Instant Christmas décor and I didn’t spend a lot of money or have to store them!  Here’s one from our kitchen {that I moved to get better light for the photo}.

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I even added some to my ivy topiary on the hall tree in our very small entry.

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After Christmas, I can just remove the berries and we’re back to normal.

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Linking up with

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Pink & White

I showed you the makeover I did on one of the three wood platters I picked up at the local antique mart here.  This second one also got pink and white, but I did it a little differently.  This time I painted the whole thing in Antoinette chalk paint and then taped off for stripes.

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I used the Pure White chalk paint for the stripes.  It reminded me of an awning over a French bakery, or patisserie, so, of course, I used another graphic on this one, too.  This time I used this one {also from The Graphics Fairy}.

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I used the top portion of the graphic {I previously used the bottom portion on a terracotta pot}.  I used the Mod Podge transfer method again on this project.  Here it is just after applying clear wax.

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I did come back in and add more white on the ends.  This would look great hanging on a backsplash, wall or propped up on a plate stand. 

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Monday, November 26, 2012

Wood Tote Makeover

In case you missed my tote makeover when I guest posted over at The Copper Coconut, I’m posting it here today while I continue my Christmas decorating.

I found this one at our local antique mart for $8.00.  Kind of plain but I liked the shape and size.

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I started out by painting it with my Annie Sloan chalk paint in Old White. 

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I then added a graphic to each side; this one from Debbie at Confessions of a Plate Addict.

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I used the Mod Podge method to transfer the graphic to the tote.  Using a toner printed/copied graphic {I copy mine at the library}, I cut my image as close as possible.  The image must be printed in reverse/mirror image.

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Apply Mod Podge to the image side and apply to your piece.  Gently smooth it out and then, walk away.  I generally leave mine to dry overnight. 

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The next morning, I wet a paper towel and wipe it over the paper.   Just to get it wet enough so that I can rub my finger over it.  It will come up like this.

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Using light pressure, rub your finger over the paper until it starts to come up.   This is what it looked like after my first go over.

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Once it is done, you can wax it or apply a coat of polyurethane for protection.  I applied a coat of clear wax  to the entire piece once I was done.

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A new look for a plain old wood tote!

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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Cyber Monday

This is a great time to be purchasing your holiday gifts!  Lots of sales and that includes my Etsy shop! 

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I’ve joined in on the Cyber Monday deals by offering 30% off in my Etsy shop on in-stock items {does not include custom orders, which most of my towels are, sorry. I do have some towels already made that are available and discountable! Email me to see if I have a towel you might be interested in ready to ship}.  Here is a small sampling of what’s available.

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Use code CYBERMON30 to get your discount.  Sale ends Monday night!

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Friday, November 23, 2012

Holiday Gifts Under $10.00

While I was making some things for the Holiday Market, I thought that some of them might make for great holiday gifts.  Best of all, they cost under $10.00!  It’s early to be posting about Christmas for me, but when you are making gifts it can never be too early.

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Decorate a dollar store prayer candle with scrapbook paper.  Embellish with some crinkled seam binding.  Candle – $1.00; scrapbook paper – 12x12 sheet $.59; crinkled seam binding – approx. $1.00 {I buy mine in various colors in 5 yard increments off Etsy}.

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Using that same sheet of scrapbook paper {you’ll have some left over}, cover a match box.  A two-pack of boxed matches is $1.00 at the dollar store or you can get the six box pack of mini boxes. 

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Finally, you can find the clear, flat back decorative accent gems at the dollar store {by the mesh bag}.  Still using that one piece of scrapbook paper, you can cut out pieces to fit the gems.  Add magnets {a package is usually about $2.50 at the craft store} and you’re done!  You could present these in an Altoid tin also covered up with some scrapbook paper.

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A coordinated gift that costs less than $10.00!

Linking up with

Dollar Tree Christmas at Debbiedoos

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Bringing A Little French To A Candlestick

I’ve had this candlestick in my Etsy shop for a few months now.

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I figured I’d give it a go “as is” and if there was no interest I’d give it a transformation.  Since I took most of my Etsy stuff with me to the holiday market, I figured it was time to give it a makeover.  Using my sample pot of Antoinette chalk paint, I gave it one coat. 

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Then I took some Antique Gold Rub n Buff, and a small brush, and went over the details with it.

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Much more French looking, I think!  The Rub n Buff gives it a gilded look and brings out the details beautifully, where before you couldn’t really appreciate them.

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 Linking up with

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Vintage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

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