"Warm" Wishes...

Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!  We had a quiet one...my extended family celebrates over New Year's so it was just the 4 of us for Christmas.  Full of family time, special treats and LOTS of snow! As you can see, all of my outdoor decorations have gone "missing" under all that white "fluffy stuff".

Here's something not completely covered...

And of course the porch got some fresh greens and winter finds...

My "Little Charmers" enjoyed their gifts and goodies.  "Their mom" even baked a few treats...which is a stretch for me...I am NOT a "baker".  They loved it :)

We started a new tradition this year.  We talked about the wisemen and their gifts for baby Jesus.  I asked them what gifts they would bring to Jesus...my youngest answered right away..."Puppies, kitties, Barbie's and princesses".  My oldest thought for a bit and then said "I would give him my heart".  Sniff, sniff...now that made MY Christmas!

ANYTHING Star Wars was at the top of my 7 year olds list!

And my 3 year old asked for a "real" baby sister...needless to say, Santa didn't deliver on that request.  But she seemed pleased with the Barbie Princess she got instead :)

Hope you had a very Merry Christmas and wishing you lots of happiness and many blessings in 2011!  2010 was amazing for me...I was blessed both in my personal and junk business life.  One thing I'm praying for is a little more "balance" this coming year.  God first, Family and friends second and "junk" third.  Think I can do it?  We'll see :)

Hope you have a safe and happy New Year's celebration...CHEERS!

Linking this post to Funky Junk SNS

AND P.S...my Clothes Pin Wreath has been "featured" over at Beyond the Picket Fence.  Stop over and check out the "Under $100" Linky Party.  So many great ideas!  Thanks Becky :)

A Blessed Christmas...

Wishing you a Blessed Christmas...as we celebrate the gift of Jesus...

For God so loved the world that he gave is one and only son.  That whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

John 3:16-18

A FREE and life changing gift for ALL who will receive it...how cool is that?!?  I for one will never be the same...

God bless you this Christmas and all year long!

Linking up at Common Ground for the "The Reason for the Season"



In A Pinch...

I was "in a pinch"...I had taken something off my wall in the kitchen and I needed something "semi-festive" fast. 



Enter one round metal craft "thingy"...

(Sorry, I know I should know what this is, but I don't.  I never intended to use it for what it was really for anyway ;))

...a whole bunch of perfectly weathered clothes pins...

Round and round they go...

And there ya go...a wreath in a pinch (or for a pinch). 

Empty space dilema solved.  And all the parts and pieces can easily be removed after Christmas or should an "emergency laundry situation arise".

I'm linking up to

Beyond the Picket Fence...Under $100 Linky Party

I made it with $98 to spare :)

And here...

Funky Junk's Saturday Nite Special

Maybe I'll see ya there...

Hope everyone is enjoying the final preparations for Christmas.  I'm almost ready...and it feels good to just sit back and enjoy.

Blessings!!!

Sweetest Little Vintage Skis

Time is tick-tick-ticking away isn't it?  It will be the 25th before we know it!!!

I bought these cute little skis a while back at a friends garage sale.  They looke pretty cute propped here and there but I always had intentions of adding clips for pictures and such.  So I pulled out my Gorilla glue...

"Damp it, Glue it, Clamp it"

Ta-Da ;)

I added hooks to the back because I assumed I would hang them...

But then I started "playing" because the lighting wasn't "photo pleasing" where I had them hanging...and now I'm not so sure.  Think I'm gonna need some more greens...

In the meantime, I'm going to link up to Vintage Inspiration Friday...

Since I'm still a "newbie" blogger...anyone wanna share some thoughts on other parties I should trying linking up to???

AND....
I was HONORED to be featured today over at

Cozy Little House for Welcome Wagon Friday

Very fun for sure!

"Handy" Wreath Hooks

I found these chippy old handrail brackets a couple of weeks back. It was "love at first sight". My first thought was to use them as they were intended...just because they would look much cooler than the boring hardware we have holding our handrail now. But then I decided they would be better featured as handy hooks for a couple of wreaths in my living room.

Perfectly chippy...

Also fun year-round to feature artwork or mirrors in place of the wreaths.

I layered these wood pieces, just because. I love the "layered look"...clothes and junk ;)

And of course she needed her "accessories"...

And here you see one of the lovelies in a place of honor next to my Christmas tree. I think I'm almost done decorating...no, I'm done. I need to just stop or I'll be decorating until the big day!

Sharing this at...

Funky Junk Interiors for Sat Nite Special...creative hooks

Chat soon,

Wrapping it up...well, maybe...

So I started decorating 2 weeks ago...and just when I think I'm almost done, I decide to add something.  I'm pretty sure my family is pretty sick and tired of the bins and assorted decorating necessities cluttering up the dining room table.  So I guess I'm gonna "wrap it up" for this year.  Pack away the ribbons and glass balls and sit back and enjoy it for the next couple of weeks.  Here's just a peek at what I've been up to...I'll post more when I get my mess cleaned up ;)

Wreath holders made from perfectly chippy handrail brackets...

If you'd like to see more about these "handy" little wreath hooks look HERE

Funky little angels here and there...and twigs and twine everywhere...

My son and I spent an afternoon folding these book trees.  So much fun...it brought back memories of the Reader's Digest trees I made in Pioneer Girls a "few" years back.

Love this little sleepy angel all comfy in this sugar bowl.

Here's a shot of my "Happy Place" all decked out.

The mantle stayed pretty much the same...with a few little "festive" additions. 

A mixture of handmade and vintage ornaments adorn this tree.

We have fake trees...as per my hubby's "request".  So I sneak in real greens wherever I can.  These are actually little potted trees...and they are still alive, that's a Christmas miracle for sure!

I've been having fun with these big jars...so many fun ways to fill'em up!

Last but not least, I have a small collection of nativity sets scattered around...reminding us of the real reason for the season.

"For to us a child is born, to us a son is given..."

Isaiah 9:6

I plan to post more when I get my "junk" cleaned up...but until then, wishing many Christmas blessings to you and yours.  Enjoy this magical time of year!

I am linking this post to...



and here



And here...

Coastal Charm's Christmas Open House

Maybe I'll "see" you there ;)

Posts of Christmas Past...

Well, I don't know about you...but I can't wait to get my house decorated for Christmas!!!

I started getting "that feeling" even earlier this year.  I'm not sure if it's the blanket of snow we've already received here in Minnesota...or the events/sales I've had the pleasure of being a part of this fall...whatever it is, I'm ready to get going!

I decided to take a peek back at some of my JunkMarket Style posts for last Christmas for a little inspiration for this year and these are the things that got my wheels turning...

Handmade ornaments...

Warm glow of candlelight...and fresh greens...

And special ways to focus on the real "Reason for the Season"...

Past JMS post..."The Halls are Decked"

Gifts for my "junky" friends and family...

Hope Inside

Springing for the Wine

Weloming ideas for the front porch...

A "Light Bulb" Moment

Well, I guess I'd better get busy for this year!

So tell me, what's inspiring you this Christmas???

Laurel