Holiday Copycat

I pinned this really simple and cute Christmas project from BH&G.

I have tons of scrapbook paper!  I used Christmas scrapbook paper, but you could use any kind.  The sheet music and text papers would look great for this project, too.  I cut two pieces of paper from one pattern of paper ~ a back and a front.  Size is up to you.  A second paper is cut for the front pocket, which is cut a little shorter than the other two.

I put all the pieces together and sewed up as far as the pocket.  I wasn’t sure if I was going to put cardboard for stability, but it seemed okay.  To close off the front/back piece I used double-sided tape.

Of course, I couldn’t just leave it at that and pulled out some ribbon and trim I had.  I got this fun one from Sonya in a swap a couple of years ago.

I used a couple of Christmas ribbons I had on hand, too.  I think it gives them a nice finished look. 

I used a couple of tags that came in the Christmas scrap pad on a couple to write either “Merry Christmas” or the person’s name.

If I make more of these, I think I will cut the tops with the craft scissors I have with different cuts {i.e. scallop, victorian}.  I think that would look pretty, too.

All set to give out to whoever ~ students if you’re a teacher, the postal carrier, UPS or Fedex driver, use them as place settings at your table, gift package toppers.  I’m sure the list could go on and on.

Linking up to

Holiday Copycat Challenge at Debbiedoos

 

Christmas Chair Wreaths

A Goodwill find a little while ago were these grapevine wreaths ~ still with their Walmart tags on them.  They were $.33 each at Walmart; Goodwill sold them for $.29 each.  

I bought all of them {7 in total} and thought they’d make a cute touch to the back of the dining chairs at my daughter’s house for Christmas dinner.  I had to pick up a few things to complete the project.  Some little bits of greenery, letters for everyone’s initials, and red and green craft paint.

I painted the letters first so that they would be dry once I was ready for them. 

I really love their whimsical shapes.

I hot glued the greenery into the wreaths.  I added some different glitters to the letters.

When they were all dry, I hot glued them in place.

Some ribbon to tie them on the chairs and they are done!  I am showing them here on my chairs.

 

There is one for all of us, but you get the idea.   A decoration for the back of the chair and a way to let everyone know where to sit this holiday!

Linking up with

Happy Hour at Craftberry Bush

Feathered Nest Friday at French Country Cottage

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

Quick Seasonal Update

We have a very small entry area here at the condo.  I was able to fit my hall tree here, which gave me a small tabletop, a shelf on the bottom, hooks and a mirror.  Not bad for one piece of furniture!

The lamp and small table just in view to the right have been displaced for the Christmas tree.  Sorry these are so dark, it was cloudy and raining here the morning I took these.

One of the things I purchased this year is this tote bag from Décor Steals.  For Spring and Summer, I filled it with faux lilacs.

For Fall, I filled it with some faux Fall flowers.

Now, for Christmas, I have filled it with some faux Christmas greenery.

I also changed out the “pictures” {old calendar pages} I have hanging across from the hall tree with some pictures I found in my current Cavallini calendar.  This wall is behind the door, so there’s not much I can do in this area. 

The reindeer in these made me think of Christmas and it was an easy enough switch to make.  Note: I’m crooked, not the pictures!

I needed a third one, but they only had two reindeer pictures in this calendar.  So I took this one, which for some reason made me think of the 12 Days of Christmas.

These are small and inexpensive changes I can make that bring the different seasons to my small entryway.

Christmas 2012

This is going to be a picture heavy post, so I’ll try to keep the “talking” to a minimum!  My Christmas decorating got off to a slow start, what with my son visiting for Thanksgiving weekend. I’ve kept it simple this year and am basically calling it done.

I have to decorate with my 2 1/2 year old granddaughter in mind.  Touching is a common thing when she is over, so I try to put out things she can touch, like these knitted dolls that my godmother gave me 25 years ago.

My daughter walked around with them starting when she was 2 1/2 and now my granddaughter is doing the same.   The girl is missing a pigtail and I’m going to see if my daughter’s friend {who knits} can make me up a replacement.

I added a pair of decorative mittens from Christmas Tree Shops to my door swag that I’ve had for several years now.  It’s nice to give it a new look with an inexpensive addition.

The mantel has been decorated simply ~ garland and beads, the bottlebrush trees I bleached last year and the Mark Roberts fairies I got as gifts last Christmas.

I like this area best at night when the tree lights and fireplace are lit.

I added a little Christmas to the guest bathroom with an apothecary jar filled with blue and silver ornaments from the dollar store.

The sunroom is where we spend a lot of time.  I picked up two wreaths at Walmart to add to the French doors leading into this room.

We usually keep these doors open, though.

Along with some decorations on the bookshelves.

And one of two small trees I have.  This one has some of my favorite ornaments from when my kids were little.

I keep these little trees decorated and after Christmas just cover them with those really large and strong contractor’s garbage bags.  They go right back up in the attic just like this.

In the dining room, I added a mini balsam tree {from Walmart ~ $4.98} to a pedestal tray with some small ornaments on our dining table. 

The light fixture got two large candle wreaths {which I cut open} as its decoration.

The sideboard with a few decorations including that plate I found at Good Will.

Since this post seems long enough at the moment, I’ll stop here and continue the rest of the tour in a separate post.

Linking up with

A Homespun Christmas at Savvy Southern Style

Sunday’s Best at My 1929 Charmer

Make It Pretty Monday at The Dedicated House

Open House Party at No Minimalist Here