Happy Holidays!

Warmest wishes for a very happy holiday season!! 

See you in the new year!

(I guess this is as good as it gets when you have a 20 month old!!)

Christmas Decor Mini Tour

I thought I'd share some pictures of our Christmas decor with everyone.  I happen to really love everything I put up, especially a certain white ceramic tree passed down to me from my grandma.  Plus, seeing other people's decorations is a great way to get inspired!

The tree!

(This picture is actually from last Christmas, but it's pretty much the same)

I had to sneak in a picture of my little cutie pie!

The old white ceramic tree (that I'm sure everyone's parents or grandparents have) is my favorite.  It reminds me of being a kid.

Our stockings...they look kinda sad without a mantle to hang from.

Since we don't have a mantle to decorate (I wish so badly we did!) I make good use of our entertainment center and the shelves that hang above it.  It's not as pretty as a mantle, but it will have to do for now.

The shelves

I love this too.  I bought the snowman candle from Pottery Barn when I worked there a few years ago and then just added some fake snow.

I have tons more, but will just stick with the living room for now.  I hope you enjoyed the mini tour!

Glittered Pinecones

Last year I collected some pinecones from our backyard to add to our holiday decor.  But I didn't just want plain pinecones, however, I did still want them to look natural.  So, I picked up some silver glitter spray at Walmart for about $3.00 and got to work.  I laid the pinecones out on a piece of cardboard and sprayed them 3 times really well.  The glitter is still very subtle, but pretty.  I was really happy with the way they turned out.  Let me know if you try it or have any other pinecones projects.

It's hard to see just how pretty the glitter looks in pictures, but in person they look like they have frost all over them.

 I use them as vase filler and add a little fake snow.

I'm linking up here:

Polly Want A Crafter

Craft-O-Maniac

Christmas Wordle

We put up our Christmas tree and decorations this past weekend because we won't have time to do it next weekend like usual.  One thing I did was change out my fall Wordle for a new Christmas version.  I really like how it turned out.  I love that it's an easy and free way to decorate!  Here is my original "word cloud" that I plan to use again after the holidays.

 

Personalized Letter From Santa

Last year I found some cute personalized letters from Santa online, but figured why pay for one when I can make one myself?!  Plus I wasn't always crazy about what they said or the graphics.  So, I got to work and whipped one up for the little man.  It turned out okay, but this year I wanted to do something better.  Here is what I came up with for this year's Santa letter design.  Now, I don't have photoshop (hoping to get it soon) and I'm not a graphic designer, so maybe this could be improved upon, but I think it's cute and it will be a great keepsake for little man's scrapbook!

For some reason the graphic isn't showing up as colorful as it is in person, which by the way comes from gettyimages.com.

Do any of you send letters to your kids or have letters sent?  I would love to see some other examples!

This is where I'm linking up today:

Someday Crafts

My Big News!!

I'm finally ready to let you in on the little secret about why I've been so absent from my blog. 

I am thrilled to annouce that we are expecting Baby #2!!!

I have been extremely sick (which is the complete opposite of how I felt last time) and haven't had the energy to do much lately, especially crafts or DIY projects.  My days have been spent resting and trying to keep up with my very busy 18 month old boy.  So, I apologize, but have a good excuse!  I'm starting to feel better and hope to get back to my normal routine this week.  I hope everyone had a great weekend!

Show & Tell: Christmas Came Early

Well not exactly, but it feels like it!  My very sweet mother-in-law bought me my very first sewing machine last week!  I'm so excited to relearn how to sew again...I used to know, but it's been years.  I haven't had much time to play with it yet, but plan to start very soon.  Thanks so much Lynn!!

And not only did I get a sewing machine, but I also got a Silhouette!  My mom bought it for me so that I can start focusing more on starting my business.  Isn't that so exciting?!  I've only used it a couple of times, but already love it!!  Thanks Mom!!  You're the best!

It looks like I'll be very busy this holiday season making homemade gifts and lots of party decor!!

A Very Exciting Day

I am so excited to announce that my dresser redo is being featured on Remodelaholic later today!!  I'm extremely flattered that Cassity thinks my dresser is worthy of featuring!  I'm sure you are all aware of Cassity's awesome blog by now, but if not, you have to go and check it out Here.  She features so many great projects that you can't help but be inspired!   Thanks again Cassity, you're the best!!






    Here is where I'm linking up today: Sassy Sites Fingerprints On The Fridge The Shabby Nest Sawdust and Paper Scraps Chic on a Shoestring Decorating



An Owl Themed Baby Shower

I'm so sorry about being so absent from the blog!  But things seem to be returning to normal around here...I will fill you in about the happenings later in the week...so hopefully I'll be back to blogging on a daily basis!  Here are the pictures from the baby shower I've been promising.  I made all the decorations and the cupcakes.  It wasn't an over the top party, but simple and sweet and the new mommy loved all of it!

The Invitation



Cupcake toppers

Door Sign

Banner

Advice cards for the new mommy

I'm so happy with the way everything turned out!

***As mentioned previously, these cute little owls were designed by Crystal Wilkerson and can be found at creativitybycrystal.blogspot.com

Here is where I'm linking up today:

Craft-O-Maniac

Polly Want A Crafter

MIA

So I realize that I've been extremely absent from the blog lately, but I can promise you that I have a good excuse!  I'll be able to fill you in more next week, so hold tight and don't give up on me.  I'll be back in action soon!!   Thanks for stopping by and hopefully I'll at least post the pictures of the baby shower decor by the end of the week.

A Long, Busy Week

It has been a long week and I'm so glad that it's Friday!!  I've been designing the decorations and invitations for my friend's baby shower that's being held this weekend and will be sure to feature it all on Monday.  It's an owl theme and couldn't be cuter, so stop back on Monday to check it out!!  But here is a little preview for now:

This cute little owl was designed by Crystal Wilkerson and can be found  at creativitybycrystal.blogspot.com

Here is where I'm linking up today:

Sassy Sites

Remodelaholic

Fingerprints on the Fridge

The Shabby Nest

Sawdust and Paper Scraps

Chic on a Shoestring Decorating

DIY Luggage Tag

A few years ago I started making personalized luggage tags as gifts for friends and family.  I basically taught myself how to do it and now I'm going to teach you.  It's simple, but there are a lot of steps.  The cost is minimal if you're anything like me and already have most of the supplies.  Let's get started.

Supplies:
scrapbook paper
white cardstock
photo laminating sheets (these are the sheets that don't need to go through a laminating machine)
scrapbook letter stickers (another options is to print out the letters)
double sided tape
hole punch
eyelets
ribbon

First, you need to cut the scrapbook paper to fit inside the photo laminating sheet.

Next, either print out the first or last initial of the person receiving the tag or cut a small square from white cardstock and attach a scrapbook sticker in the center.  Then, use the double sided tape to attach it to the center of the scrapbook paper.

Once you have it attached, grab the laminating sheet and center the scrapbook paper with the letter side facing away from the sticky side.  When you have it where you want it, remove the backing of the sticky side and carefully smooth it over the scrapbook paper.

Use your hole punch to punch a hole through the top, center of the tag, making sure to go through the scrapbook paper.

Optional: Use an eyelet to seal the hole and make it look more decorative.  Then pull the ribbon through the eyelet and tie.

Aren't they so cute?!!

And the back can be used to write (with permanent marker) the owners information in case they lose their luggage.

These tags are awesome and can be used for anything you want; luggage, diaper bags, purses, gym bags, etc.  Since they are personalized for the recipient, they are extra special.

These would be perfect for small Christmas gifts for friends or co-workers, stocking stuffers, birthday gifts, moving gifts...just about anything!!

Where I'm linking up today:

Someday Crafts

Night Owl Crafting

Seven Thirty Three