Holiday Wrap- Up

A few final projects have been finished around here that I wanted to share.

First of all, the tree

I know right about now you are noticing a distinct lack of ribbon-y goodness. Hobby Lobby never restocked the ribbon I initially chose, forcing me to select another ribbon. I bought all they had and was certain it would be enough. Insert loud game show "wrong answer" sound here. 

I just threw in the towel and used what I had purchased, even though it wasn't really enough. Since its pushed into the corner you don't really notice how badly it needs more ribbon. Well, I do, but I have been assured it looks fine by my husband, who doesn't really care about decorating in any way, so I am sure it's true:) 

Here it is all lit up at night

Another project that was left until the last minute was decorating the outside of our house. I know I mentioned using tomato cages to make outdoor decorations, but um, yeah. That didn't happen. Maybe next year. What did happen was one morning I took garden shears to the Leyland Cyprus, pricker bush, and grasses in our yard and stuck the clippings into the plain green wreath and empty planters around the front door. 

It was free decorating at its finest. Its not perfect, but I think I like it. 

I won't mention that less than 24 hours after taking these pictures the wreath was tossed off the door during a huge wind storm and all the clippings I should have wired in but didn't were strewn about the yard. Nope, won't mention it at all. 

Merry Christmas! 

Holiday Mantle

Here is our mantle all decked out and ready for Christmas. 

I know I missed all the fun blog decorating parties, but better late than never right? 

Inspiration Update

Earlier I posted pictures I planned to use as inspiration for decorating this Christmas. Like any good teacher(or former teacher in my case) I like to take any opportunity to gauge progress. Here is my progress report, feel free to grade it as you see fit.

Magnolia Wreath

I was able to give that old magnolia a good pruning and make this wreath. I chose to use only the green sides of the leaves because this magnolia didn't produce any leaves with that gorgeous caramel color on the backside. I made mine into a sort of non-traditional starburst shape instead of the simpler wreath shown in the inspiration photo. I could tell you that was purposefully done, but that would be a lie. It was a total accident, the kind that is likely to happen when you jump into a project with no idea what you are doing. I kinda like it though, so we will call it a happy accident. 

Also in the window I put some twig snowflakes, idea from Kolein, found here

Eclectic Candlesticks

okay, so this isn't the best photo. The flash on my camera isn't functioning properly after it's near death tumble to the ground over the summer. Yea for the Nikon camera itself, Boo for it's tragically terrible camera strap. 

If you can't tell from the photo, and who could blame you really since it appears that it was taken in a cave, I wasn't able to find bases that were all the same. I added in clear glass bases with some silver ones I already had and called it a day. Silver and glass match, right? Right? Can I get a maybe? 

I know I could always spray them out silver, but the other silver ones are real sterling silver and I don't think spray paint comes in a matching tone with that. 

Truth be told, I do have another picture that is slightly, emphasis on slightly, better. Though it may only emphasize the non matching-ness of the whole shebang, I guess I can post it. 

Terrible? Acceptable? Thoughts?

Ribbon decorated Christmas tree

Still working on this one. Hobby Lobby refuses to restock the ribbon I bought, attached to my tree and ran out of before enough was up there. So until they get their act together I cant finish. Don't blame me, blame the 'Lob. I know I do. :)

Holiday Inspiration

This year I lazed(past tense of lazy? no? go with it anyway) out on decoration for Thanksgiving since we weren't celebrating it here. It was nice at first, but after only completing one project in a month I am slightly overexcited to get started on Christmas projects. These are the things I am looking forward to trying in my house this year-

magnolia wreath- this one is from PB and rings in on sale at 79 bills. I have my eye on an over grown magnolia tree at my in  laws house that will hopefully save me some major cash. The question is- do I make one or two of these beauts and how large do I go?

source- potterybarn

Eclectic candlesticks. Those that know me in real life will quickly tell you that I am not one for eclectic design. I am obsessed with symmetry and uniformity, and have been known to rearrange furniture in hotel rooms while staying the night. Something about a lack of symmetry is unsettling to me. However, this year I want to try something different in the middle of the table and this picture with a variety of candlesticks is gorgeous. It is a departure for me in that all the bases aren't the same, but is something I think I can handle since the finish is the same throughout.

I am going to try and recreate it in my house using some handed down candlesticks and a pair I recently found at Goodwill. All I am missing is the pillar holders. Well actually, I have some but the finish isn't the same and I-just-can't-handle-that! Goodwill will hopefully provide.

source- martha stewart

Paper evergreens. Oh Martha- why do you always do this to me? These look simple and inexpensive to make. I can imagine a grouping of them on my mantle amid some (more) candlesticks and greenery. Or would that be too much green? We shall see.

source- country living

Ribbon on my Christmas tree. I have always liked this look, but never remember to try it. I probably won't go with red, I am thinking green, but you never know.

I have a little something up my sleeve for the front porch but I am saving that little tid bit until I see how it works out. All I will say is a tomato cage is involved. Let's hope our local garden center still has 'em.

Anyone tried these before and can lend their expertise?

up next- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas,  or at least I hope so.