Simple gift wraps!

Hello there!  I thought I would share a couple of quick wrap ideas with you. If you find yourself in a jam, this is a favorite of mine.  Simply take brown bags, don't unfold or open, sew down three sides leaving the top open.  You have an instant envelope.  Fold the top over and then punch two holes next to each other for a ribbon to be inserted and bow tied. Not my original idea but I certainly have used the heck out of it!

I ripped a page from an old book and found some embellishments that I've had for years in the scrapbook closet.  I could have easily stamped on another piece of paper or fabric and added that instead. Here's a good rule of thumb...layer your projects in odd numbers.  Paper, one white snow flake and one silver snowflake...three layers on any project gives you depth and interest. Even on one this simple!

Thank you Pinterest for the idea to make the craft beer into a reindeer! lol  This is one of Rudolph's lesser known cousins, Leroy. He was also discriminated against years ago for his unusual nose but didn't seem to get the publicity his super high flying cousin did!

And a quick shipping tag. Sometimes it is fun to NOT put "To and From."  Try using a picture of you or something obvious like this basset hound stamp.  Trust me...our friends knew it was us that left this at the door, rang the bell and ran. p.s - try to ignore the missing front feet on the dog.  I never said I was perfect! lol

Hope you are preparing for Him and all the visitors headed your way this joyful holiday.  See you soon!

Red tote Xmas redo!

Thanks to my friends, Jodi and Kelley, I brought this little red wooden tote home. We spotted it during a local Holiday Open House.  It looks so cute sitting on my kitchen bar filled with miscellaneous Christmas goodies. My kind of decorating....simply fill with items you have around the house!

My kitchen has a red back splash so this little red tote isn't just for the holidays.  I'll have fun using her all year round.  I seem to have a thing for wooden totes, tool boxes and crates these days.  I'd love to find some crates and shelves to finish decorating the walls in my studio. They make displaying artwork and treasures so easy. I'll share my dining room centerpiece (an old wooden toolbox) next!  Until then...thank you for your follows and comments. xoxo

Ornaments from trash and scraps

I found an old metal strap (probably from a can of motor oil or oil filter) in the parking lot where we bought our Xmas tree.  My husband and kids are used to me picking up old metal and discarded wood. Please tell me I'm not the only one that does this!

Over the weekend I spent an hour or so with a glass of wine getting messy in the studio and used my new find. I made an Xmas tree from pieces of the strap on this small canvas.  Kara and I both made tree ornaments on canvas. The fun part is preparing the background. We covered the canvas in book pages and then used a brayer to paint on white, gold and blue onto the backgrounds. You could always use a damp towel, your finger or a dry brush to do the same. We also used distress ink and glitter. Would you like to see hers?

Her background came out even better than mine! She used some ribbon scraps to make her tree. I plan to use an eye hook to hang them both.  I displayed mine on a cabinet card project I'm working on right now.  Just looked so pretty together that I had to photograph it that way.

Hope you have a wonderful week!  I'm looking forward to sharing a new find, my bedroom redo and some dried flower projects with you soon.  xoxo Linking to:

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Holiday decor - Oh Deer!

The holiday open houses are starting around town.  This one was right down the street at Hidden Treasures. I LOVE this old wooden box.  I picture it next to the tree filled with presents.

This little wagon would look great by the front door or on the patio with a tree inside.  I've resisted so far.  By the way, pictures tonight via the Iphone...not so bad!

Love this lantern!  I tried to pick her up for a closer look but she was nice and heavy. My hands were already full.  I bet she went home with someone tonight.....I sound catty and jealous don't I?

It is not a holiday open house unless someone breaks a glass ornament, right?! lol  There were some really fun ones here and oh so pretty. Fortunately, nothing broken during our visit.

These were hilarious.  I can't believe I have not seen these before. Pink flamingos all decked out for Xmas.

And finally, contrary to popular blogger belief...not EVERYTHING looks good painted white.  I could see those whiskers a mile away! This guy was a hot mess.  lol  I have seem some really cute ones on Pinterest with glitter and bling.  This one looks like the guy at the office Xmas party you try to avoid.  Sorry, my "deer."

I'll share my purchases with you soon.  Until next time! xoxo

Remember my old tool box centerpiece?

Well, she got a quick makeover for Christmas!  I kept many of the same features including the mason jars and feathers. I added some evergreens, frosted fruits, pine cones and a touch of gold to match my chargers.

I think this shot is a bit closer.  It made for a beautiful table setting with very little work to change it out from Thanksgiving.  If you missed that post, go here.  I was also very happy with the new tablecloths that I found at TJ Maxx for $12 a piece.  I needed four of them so I was doing the happy dance.

Why four table cloths?  Well, we have a large family.  With 16 sitting for dinner, we set up another table in my studio!  Yes, the studio.  During the holidays, the studio displayed our tree and was our second dining area. It worked out great.  Just don't ask me what projects I have going right now...lol

That's my studio table against the wall holding all the presents.  Wondering why those presents aren't under the tree?  Well, maybe Shelby can explain....

Good thing these two are so darn cute.  Wishing you all a Happy New Year.  I'll be getting back into the blogging groove this week. And, once my studio is back in order, you'll see some new projects.  Until then...xoxo.

Merry Christmas to all!

Yes, that is our Christmas tree in the middle of my studio! After all, it was our formal living room.  Zoey tried to stay up all night to wait on Santa.  Poor thing, she didn't make it.  We had to carry her to bed. Maybe next year sweet pea. Hope your Christmas is full of joy my friends!  xoxo

Santa's helpers trimming the tree

Jack and Kara helped put all of our favorite decorations on the tree this year.  Just like you and I, the kids love opening the boxes and finding their favorite ornaments from Christmas past.  Many were made with their own hands.

A few of you may have noticed that the tree is in my studio.  This room was our formal living room and always the home of our tree.  So, we moved a few things and slid over my studio table to create room.  I'll show you a full tree shot in my next post. For now, I need to keep an eye on these two "Santa's helpers" who are very interested in the ornaments and the tree.

Don't be fooled by those eyes.  These two can be trouble! That cute little white one ate a glass ornament a few years back on Christmas Eve.  In case you didn't know, a few cotton balls dipped in heavy cream or melted ice cream taste really good to a basset hound and on the way out, they pick up all the tiny pieces of glass! lol  I hope you don't have to test this method over the holidays!

Christmas party, games and great gifts!

Hello all! My friend Jodi hosted her annual Xmas party and gift swap this past weekend. I want to share some of the fun with you!  Here's a shot of my gifts wrapped and ready to go for Jodi, Kelley and Kim.

I got them each a necklace, which you can spot around their necks in our group shot below.  I had wrapped them in tissue and baker's twine. I stamped their initials on an old bakery receipt as a gift tag and added a cute bird ornament from Michael's to the packaging. I have a bunch of evergreens on hand to add to gift wrap and such. I seem to be reaching for it all the time these days. Love the touch it adds. Ready to see the great gifts they got for me? 

Love this PB pillow from Jodi! It is on my couch right now.  Thank you!

Kim gave us each one of these adorable altered spoons and a prim ornament. I have my spoon sitting in a cheese box with cookie cutters in the kitchen. Looks so cute!

Aren't these candy canes and this church ornament so sweet? Love the graphics from the old greeting card used to make the church. Just Precious! Kelley spoiled me with these and this cute little painted tart tin candle holder too.

Here we all are together. That's Kim, Kelley, me and Jodi.  I love these girls. They enjoy crafting and hunting for vintage junk just as much as I do. We are so lucky to have each other.  It gets better though...our husbands and our kids are also friends! Such a blessing.  Here's a shot of the kids having a wrapping contest - boys vs. girls. This is a hysterical game. We had to judge a winner.  They wrapped a team member!

 That's Jack on the left.  Cooper "got wrapped" and Kyle and Shane rounded out the team. Can you see the pick on top of Cooper's head?

 Here comes the girls entry. That is Sydney all wrapped up and Kara putting on the finishing touches. I didn't get a photo with Riley, there other creative team member. They had so much fun.

 

This is a great party game. I highly recommend it.  We had to call it a draw. We couldn't pick a winner. They were both way too good.  Hope you are having a joyful holiday and find time to spend with your friends and family. 

Santa Paper Wreath for Charity Event

Hello there! I'm a busy little elf this week. I bet you are too!  Here's a quick shot (as in 7:30 in the a.m. while I'm drinking my coffee and packing lunches kinda shot - lol) of the Santa paper wreath I made this week as my donation to the Festival of Wreaths silent auction. 

Thanks to Karen at the The Graphics Fairy for this great Santa image. I just can't stop using it!  See my freebie in my previous post.  I still love making these paper wreaths.  The paper is an old atlas. Appropriate for Santa since he travels the world on Christmas Eve.  The border is ruffled crepe paper and vintage tinsel. I hope she does well at the event! 

How about you?  What project is on your table this week?  Somehow I can just guess it is holiday related.  If you are not making something are you in full swing decorating?  I bet.  Until next time...xoxo