Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas...good news of great JOY...


 


...Do not be afraid.  I bring you good news of great...
 
 
 
 
...that will be for all the people.
Luke 2:10
 
 
 
 
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.  And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Isaiah 9:6
 
Merry Christmas my friends...
Enjoy every minute with those you love.  I know I am...in fact, don't look too closely at those first pictures...you might "spy" some toys and/or discarded packaging in the mirror :)  I figured you would understand...maybe your house looks similar??  My home is a "glorious" Christmas mess right now...and we are all 4 still in our jammies...shhhh!! ;)
 
Blessings,

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Tree Stand for a Wine Chiller...why not?



So what do you think?  Would it work?  I figure it's supposed to hold water for the tree so why not ice right?  I'd fill it with ice for the the photo shoot...but since we have a "vintage"...aka "really old" fridge...I only have ice from a tray and I didn't think that would look right...hahaha!!


I set up this little wine bar mostly for "looks" while I was decorating.  We don't have any big holiday parties planned.  But now I'll be ready...just in case!!


This little planter with greens was put "to work" too.


I've really scaled back on my "strictly" seasonal decor...but this "cutie" made the cut.  Don't you love his hat?


These blue insulators stacked on light fixtures look like trees to me :)


And OF COURSE I needed a few "rusty goodies" here and there.


Hope you have an "XL" Christmas...FULL of everything and everyone you LOVE!!
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Chat soon, 

Monday, December 17, 2012

No Words...


 
Words cannot express the sadness I feel over the tragedy last week at Sandy Hook Elementary School.  So please forgive me if I'm quiet this week...
 
 
 
I'll be busy loving on these 2 little "charmers"...and praying for those in Connecticut who sent their little angels off to school not knowing they would not be coming home.
 
 
And focusing even more on this...
"Immanuel...God with us"
Matthew 1:23
 
Thoughts and Prayers,

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Christmas Details...the mantel...


 
 
Confession,
I am hesitant to show you my mantel this Christmas...
 
 
I am really working at "simplifying" things this time around...and frankly I like some of the things that have been on my mantel for a while now.  So that's that...forgive me ;)
 
 
 
I have been having LOTS of fun with these big ball type lights this year.  I like them "as is" hanging here and there.  I didn't even try to hide them.  To me they are like a garland...so fun draped and twisted around here and there.
 
 
And really fun and bright at night...
 
 
 
...LOVE...
 
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Hope everyone is having a great week!!
 
Blessings,

Monday, December 10, 2012

Rusty the Junky Reindeer...quirky centerpiece...


 
 
Meet "Rusty"...
 
 
I found this treasure the other day at an occasional sale for $2...and I couldn't resist!!  Looked like rusty antlers to me...
 
 
And then we walked into another shop and I spotted this old cow sign.  If I had a reindeer...or a cow or even a dog, RUSTY would definitely be his name-o :)
 
 
So there it is all layered up...and I'm ready to show off my "prize".  I didn't even have to go sit outside in a stand and freeze my "tail" for 2 days to bring this one home.  Sorry Mr. CwC...I'm lucky like that ;) 
 
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Well, I guess I'm "mostly" done decorating...I think I'll show you little bits here and there. For some reason I get a little overwhelmed with the whole "House Tour" thing. Maybe it's because as I'm straightening and taking pictures of one room...my little "charmers" are destroying the other rooms?? Oh well...what can I say? I'm a mom :)
 

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday...we are enjoying a pretty "Snow Day" here in MN.  I LOVE the first snow!!
 
 
Chat soon,

Saturday, December 8, 2012

Cross Ornament...layered door "strike" plates...


Chipping with Charm: Strike Plate Cross...http://www.chippingwithcharm.blogspot.com/
 
Chipping with Charm: Strike Plate Cross...http://www.chippingwithcharm.blogspot.com/
 
I found a bunch of these perfectly crusty "strike plates" in a fellow vendors booth at Antiques Downtown a couple of weeks ago...

Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Vintage Earring Advent Tree...better late than never...


One of my favorite Christmas memories from my childhood was the old felt tree advent calendar that we pulled out each year.  Do you remember the ones with the snap on ornaments??


So when I found these little numbered tags (that went up to 25) at the Junk Bonanza a couple of years ago...to me they were always "meant to be" for advent. 
(Not sure what they were originally??  Maybe cow tags?)


After finishing my "Tree of Gratitude" for Thanksgiving...I finally got around to pulling it all together.  Better late than never??


I ordered these little canvas bags from Save-on Crafts and I printed out the little slips from a link I found on Pinterest.  Then I added treats and a magnet made from a vintage earring for each day.


My kids get excited to open their "package" each day to add it to our "tree".


And on Christmas day there will be a special message...


...and a star to add to the top :)


Hopefully my kiddos will enjoy this for years to come...and remember the real meaning of Christmas...
"Jesus is the Gift"

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We're almost done decorating...but truthfully I'm never really "done" decorating.  Part of the fun for me is switching things up and add things here and there.  I'll show you what I've been up to...as soon as I clean up the trail of glitter and greens...everywhere :)

"Happy December" everyone...
The most "wonderful time of the year"!!

Chat soon,

Saturday, November 24, 2012

Let the Decorating Begin...a look back...





Well I "thought" I might start decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving this year...but it didn't happen.  Time got away, but now I am MORE than ready :)
I decided to peek back at some past ideas for inspiration for this year.  Want to join me??

(Remember those SWEET LITTLE SKIS?)


Or this BIKE RIM WREATH?


This CLIPPY HANGER WREATH even made an "appearance" on my Christmas card last year...


I just clipped on a picture of my little "charmers", took a picture and had photo cards made :)


This was another simple idea...I called it "CHRISTMAS IN A CANISTER".


And this little guy got LOTS of attention...FISH BOWL "FROSTY".


And last but not least...my SPRINGY ANGELS.

Well that's a look back...can't wait to pull some of these ideas out again this year...but the REAL fun is coming up with new ideas using other odd things around my house.  Here we go :)

Hope everyone had a blessed Thanksgiving...think I need to start lugging some bins up and down the stairs to work off all that good food!!

Chat soon,