Christmas Eve Buffet Menu

This great image above comes from The Graphics Fairy and this post is being linked up to Brag Monday.

As soon as I saw this Santa with his scroll, I knew it would be perfect to display my Christmas Eve buffet menu. The only mistake I made was printing it on regular paper {as the red will run when you Mod Podge over the whole picture}.

As luck would have it, I still had some scrap wood in the garage and found a piece that fit this image to a "T". I added text to the scroll part through Photoshop, printed it out, and cut it out. I painted the scrap wood with black craft paint and then applied the image to the wood with Mod Podge. Once that dried, I put Mod Podge over the whole top {wood and image}.

While the top coat of Mod Podge was still wet, I sprinkled some white glitter on top. I had picked up this box of Christmas chipboard cut-outs at Michaels {$5.99 for a box of 37} and looked for a few that would go with it. Once the whole thing was dry I used hot glue to attach a few of the chipboard pieces.

I had this back to a 5x7 frame that I wasn't going to be using, but I just wanted the easel part of it so that I could prop my menu up on the table. I measured the width out and cut off the excess with a sheetrock knife. I attached the back with Gorilla Glue. How many adhesives is that in this one project alone?

Here it is all complete! This was one of those projects that I was just so pleased with when it was done. When you see what something can be and then are able to see it through it is really very satisfying!

In a practice tablescape:

Also linking up to Metamorphosis Monday at Between Naps on the Porch

Holiday Highlights #4 at The DIY Showoff

Mod Podge Mania at This is the Year.

DIY Day at A Soft Place To Land

All Things Merry & Brite at All Things Heart & Home

My Manila Folder Planner & A Great Gift Idea

I saw this great project over at Pixie Dust and Heather did a great tutorial on how to make this planner. From her blog, I was brought to They Call Me Jammi's blog, who also made a great planner and provided a tutorial. I have not provided a tutorial, because I don't think you need to know how to get Mod Podge in your hair.

Here is my first go at this planner. I decided to do a Christmas one for myself and knew it would come in handy for all the bits and pieces of paper I write things on, stuff in my pocketbook and then find months later.

I used 4 Christmas scrapbook papers and alternated them throughout the project. This is not done yet, but is 75% completed. Here is the front.

I used a lot of these little holiday chipboard pieces that I picked up in a box from Michaels {37 pieces for $5.99 and I had a coupon}.

Here is the inside {or what it looks like opened} with the pockets.

This Christmas one was practice for this one below.

Same concept, but with baby themed scrapbook paper and stickers/embellishments. The scrapbook paper is Mod Podged on to the manila folder and once dried I added the stickers and embellishments. I also took some colored card stock and added titles to each folder section.

Here it is opened but you are looking at what is the back side. The one section with the "Precious" and "Cute as a button" embellishments is what becomes the cover.

This is the other end of that same back side.

Here is more of a close-up of the inside. This paper has so much going on, I probably didn't even need the added embellishments!

I just thought this was so cute!

And here it is closed, with a yellow ribbon added to tie it shut. I glued my two far ends down with a few dots of hot glue {so nothing would slip out the sides}. I loosely tied the ribbon on before deciding on where to add a dab of glue to the back to hold that in place.

And . . . I gave it to my daughter. Yes, I am, apparently, old enough to be a Grandma for the first time!

Joining in on Saturday Night Special over at Funky Junk Interiors.

To be edited for linky parties.

Frugal & Fabulous!

I'm linking this post up over at Finding Fabulous for Frugalicious Friday. Thanks to the delightful Jane for hosting!

Look what I found at Marshall's! Priced at $5.99; but wait ~ there's something missing off this cute little chair. Apparently, it is supposed to be a picture frame. I just like it because it's a chair. It was the only one they had and since it was missing "something", I asked for a discount at the register. I got it for $5.00! Hey, every little bit helps!

Luckily, these came in the mail this week.

And, I just happened to have a piece of black card stock!

As if it was made for it!

Isn't it cute? I love it even more!

5 Things You Didn't Know About . . .

Wow, Wednesday already! Today our 5 Things You Didn't Know About . . . feature takes us to North Carolina for a visit with Lisa from Pickles and Cheese.

So, take it away Lisa!

Favorite music at the moment: Right now I really like Duffy. Something about that 60's Pop/Soul, "Mad Men" sound she's got that I really like.

If you didn't live where you do, where would you live: I would probably be living somewhere on the outer banks of North Carolina. I love it there.

Favorite cocktail: Cosmoplitan and I like them really weak!

Best advice you ever received: I have it posted on the sidebar of my blog: "Never do anything you wouldn't want to explain to the paramedics." ~ Anonymous

Person you most admire: I admire bits and pieces of a lot of people. I admire true kindness and talent but can't name just one person.


Truly words to live by in your "best advice" quote, Lisa! Thanks so much for letting us visit!

Be sure to come back next Wednesday when we will learn 5 Things You Didn't Know About . . . another bloggy friend!



{I'll be sending emails to the next group of people I'd like to line up for this, so, you know, be prepared}. : )

It Just Needs A Little Something ~ Christmas Decorating

Sometimes you have a spot in your home that "just needs a little something" to add that holiday touch. Sometimes you have to add in some decoration where you can, because whatever is in that room on a daily basis needs to stay.

I found these pictures that show how you can add a little something that says "it's the holidays" without having to rearrange everything already existing in certain areas of your home. Like the picture above. All the items are placed on a tray, which is not taking up much room at all, but makes for a lovely holiday vignette.

Or what about these ornaments in a bowl with some beaded garland. Most of us have bowls we could use. With a sleeve or two of ornaments and some garland from the dollar store you've got an instant holiday piece.

Here you just have a green garland and some small trees tucked into a hutch {which happens to work wonderfully with these dishes}.

A small red tote hanging on the house with some fresh greens. All the better if you can collect the greens from your own yard.

How simple is this and yet it looks great!

Presents and a couple of little trees mixed in the china cabinet. I love the way this looks.

Again, so simple with a garland across the top of the hutch and a line of pinecones ~ a very natural looking decor.

Some small wreaths and a couple of ornaments ~ it says that it's the holiday without overwhelming you.

It's okay not to lavishly decorate every area of your home or, for that matter, any area of your home. These very subtle decorations still give you a holiday feel. I've done a few little things like this myself this year {to be shared when the Christmas linky parties start}, and I have to tell you that it's nice to set one or two things in a room and say, "this room's done".

{All images from Country Living}