So, at first, I wasn’t going to do much decorating this year for Christmas. With a due date around Christmas, it just seemed impractical. But then I was on Pinterest one night and got inspired with Burlap/Natural colors. And well, I just got all excited to decorate. Lil’ A really understands Christmas now too, so no decorations on the tree but tulle and lights, was unacceptable.
After a trip to Superstore which produced the netting on the staircase and the gold tulle bows. Add some white tulle, ivory lacy & scrap ruffled muslin and you have my tree this year.
I had every intention of making this:
Source: missmustardseed.com via Krystle on Pinterest
But then reality set in…
I couldn’t cut and hot glue that much fabric together right now. It seemed like a waste of time….and really it was going to be heavy with all the glue. I should sew it…and then I realized I had better projects to do. (More on those later…)
So that’s the story on the tree. Here are a few other spots around my home that I really like the end result. Most of my inspiration came from Pinterest.
It is really hard to take credit for everything you see in my home, as I am really inspired by the wonder of Pinterest. Before Pinterest we had magazines to inspire us. But I really do think it’s hard to say, “Don’t use any of my ideas here unless you link back to me.” Really? If it’s your picture, from your house, take credit. You did it! You made a craft. You sewed. Whatever. If you are using someone else’s picture, well that’s wrong-Unless you site it like Pinterest allows you to (see above). Anyway. That’s all I am going to say about that.
Here is my fireplace (still not whitewashed, but that’s an after baby project):
I had every intention of getting some cedar branches from the backyard….but I haven’t been back there since we got a foot of snow, and don’t have any intention to. So it may just stay like this.
Ok, I did make the stockings. We have mismatched ones from the past 10 years. Mine was from Jr. High sewing class. Yeah…..
A word about burlap. Sewing with it is messy. Even after you have washed and dried it. (which you can do. Just use delicate and vacuum both machines after.) But if you buy burlap from say, a hard ware store (brown in color and usually in the garden section) it will smell awful. Even after you have washed it. I put the stuff I purchased from the hard ware store outside on my door/front entrance area because I heard you can air it out that way. Burlap can be made of formaldehyde. Tiny amounts, but it’s in there. Not something I decided I wanted in my house. The burlap I bought at fabric.com seems to be fine. It was still hard to serge and sew. But I did those things before I washed and dried it. I actually only dried with dryer sheets. Softened right up! So I will try sewing with it again-sergeing actually, as the white thread against the brown looks really pretty and simple.
The ruffle trees are paper mache cones, with a styrofoam ball at the base where I hot glued in the screw of a table leg I had (from another project that never got done-DIY cake stands) On the brick, they stand up well. As you can see one is quite skinny, so if you aren’t standing it on brick, you’d need a cup filled with epson salt (or something similar) to stick it in, or a piece of wood to glue it to. Finishing the top was the hardest part, so I just went with the bow thing-since we are 3 girls+ in this house. As long as it looks nice, the Mister goes along with it.
He was actually the one who figured out how to hang our stockings. It’s a long wire wrapped around the mantle with hooks hanging off it. I really didn’t want to spend 12.99 on 4 more stocking hangers. It just didn’t seem practical. Along the way, I’ll collect some, but this works wonderfully.
Here are our advent calendars. I made the felt one. The one on the buffet table is from a Stamp company, Close to my heart. Lil’ A and I made it with the cricut a few months back. It was a fun project to do with her.
Half the string of lights burnt out last week…so Lil’ A and I had to
take all the tulle off and put it onto new lights. Yeah! 🙂
And finally, our Christmas Card Wreath.
To make this project, all you need is:
a wire hanger made into a circle
coordinating fabrics cut into strips
wooden clothes pins
mod podge
glitter
Steps for clothes pins:
1. Brush on Mod Podge
2. Shake on glitter (over a baking sheet covered with tin foil)
3. Allow to dry.
4. Shake off excess glitter
5. Spray with spray adhesive. This usually seals the glitter. I did three thin coats in the garage. I have heard that brushing on more mod podge works. But I haven’t tried this method.
So, now we are all decorated for Christmas (well about 3 weeks ago we were!) I actually find that this year less has been more. I didn’t actually do alot. There have been a few projects to keep me (and Lil’ A) occupied while we wait for Baby. We are 6 days away from due date. I have had both girls in my 39th week, so I am 90% sure that will be the same. We’ve already had a trial run….yeah…..but then came home to “walk it out”. That has to be the most annoying advice, eh? We can’t wait to meet our newest addition. But until then, since all my projects on my “Nesting” list are done, I’ll show you what I’ve been doing to keep busy. And yes, I have been resting. Promise.
Happy Christmas Crafting, Sewing, & Baking!
