Christmas on St. Patrick’s Day – You Bet!

Just dropping in to wish you all a Happy St. Patrick’s day. 

Frankly, I am pretty ticked that the leprechauns didn’t sneak in last night and finish my mountain of laundry.

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Also, some exciting news.

A few months ago I got an email from Better Homes and Gardens asking permission to feature my Christmas Mantel on their website, BHG.com.

As you can imagine, that was an easy YES PLEASE!

Unexpectedly, they have already put them up on the site.  I wasn’t expecting to see them till the fall. 

You can view the feature HERE.

There are a whole bunch of really talented bloggers out there who’s mantels are also featured.  Some of whom I was already very familiar with like,

Beth at The stories of A2Z

Shauna at Perfectly Imperfect

Wendy at the Shabby Nest

Susan at Between Naps on the Porch

And of course, the host of the party that lead BHG to us all, the talented and lovely Layla at The Lettered Cottage.

There are also several other bloggers who I was not already familiar with who did some beautiful work and it is worth checking them out as well.

Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Laura

Waiting for Him to be Born

I finally made it to the living room “zone” last night and was pleased to be able to put together our Nativity.

It is our tradition that when we return from Mass on Christmas Eve, our children put the baby Jesus in the Nativity.  In the meantime, Mary and Joseph wait.  Just like us.  It is so easy to get caught up in all that is to be done for the Holidays.  I am really trying to not loose sight of taking the moments to focus on what it is all really about.

The table I placed it on is actually from Home Goods.  It is normally next to the sofa, but I moved it here for this purpose.  It fits so well, I will probably leave it here.  The mirror was in the garage from one of the auction box lots.  I wanted to able to reflect everything back into the room.

Under the table, I filled an old metal factory bin with some Christmas floral picks and ornaments.

This room is probably my favorite in the whole house.    We have always put our tree in here, but now with the new bookcases, there is no room.  I have neglected it lately and haven’t spent any time in there.  Putting it together last night was actually frustrating as I was rather crabby and tired.  But now, seeing it all together, with just a few dashes of Christmas, I am really looking forward to spending time here.

The next day after I finished this, I sat in the living room for a minute and this is what saw…

I am not sure if it was just the chandelier or if it was the light bouncing off the mirror as well, but it was just beautiful. 

Have a great day!

I will be sharing at some of the parties on my sidebar

Our Family Tree

One of the reasons I did four trees this year (wow, did I really do four?  You can see my other trees here, here and here) was because the other three let me have some fun and be creative, but our main family tree is about tradition and our children.

First, it starts with bringing home the perfect tree…and adding a little snow if it didn’t really exist…

Then you brind out all of your favorite ornaments…

And yes, I did include an ornament of the Vegas sign, I guess you had to be there!

And this is where you end up.  A true traditional tree with an angel on top and a whole load of handmade ornaments from my girls.  A good portion of the ornaments are the ones we buy for them each year that we plan to give to them when they are grown (sniff, sniff) and have their own trees.

Our tree always went here, in the living room.  But now, we have beautiful bookcases (yeah), but no room for the tree (boo).  We knew that was going to happen when we did it but knew it was better to plan our house around how we live in it all year round.

This is the tree where Santa will put all of the presents.  It is still very central, we will just have to bring those presents either into the living room or family room to enjoy them.

I am joining the Tree Party at Thrifty Décor Chick.  Come check out all of the great trees.

I will also be sharing at some of the parties in my sidebar.

Have a fa la la la tree filled night!

A Vintage Tree, Compliments of a Lovely Lady

This tree started out ugly and cheap looking.  I again, used the spray that I talk about here, it softened the bright and tacky green. 

Originally it was just going to be for my some more of the vintage ornaments I have collected.  You can see my vintage ornament wreath here.

But then I remembered about a box of jewelry I had picked up last month at an auction.  It was filled with what they called belt buckles.  I think this snazzy lady actually had a collection of scarf rings, or in this case, they would probably be called kerchiefs.  When I first saw them I thought I would use them to make ornaments.  I may still do that.  In the meantime, I think they sparkle really beautiful on their own.

I wired two like ones together to make a “star” for the tree top.

I linked together several of her chains to make a garland.  I might actually wear a couple of these necklaces when I take the tree down.

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I placed the tree inside this fabric bucket that I believe is from a textile mill.  I struggled with the decision to buy this or not.  In the whole scheme of things it was not a bad deal, but it was more than I would normally drop on one item.  I am so glad I got it now as it works so perfectly for the base of this tree.

I also wrapped some boxes and I already had some printed boxes.  I kept it simple with a very soft gold and twine.  I then looped some more of the scarf clips on the packages, adding just that little touch.

This tree is in the corner of our dining room, the same room where I have my vintage ornament wreath, so it all ties together well.

It is also right near our family tree so they accent each other nicely.

I am linking this post with the Tree Party at Thrifty Décor Chick.  Come on by and see all of the wonderful trees that are shared.

I will also be joining some of the parties in my sidebar and

Have a fa la la la lovely night!

Oh Kitchen Tree, Oh Kitchen Tree, How Lovely are Thy Utensils

If you saw my posting a while back about the Ballard Inspired Tree, I originally was going to use to display all the vintage kitchen utensils I picked up last May at Brimfield.  In the end, my Ballard Tree ended up here, so get check it out.

So, I had to figure out what to do with all of those great vintage utensils turned ornaments.  I had a tree that was on a really ugly stand and a very ugly bright green.  But now it looks like this!

I took it off the stand, filled an enamelware bucket with a bunch of stuff, wired it in place and covered all the “stuff” with burlap and some little presents.

I also sprayed the tree with this stuff (found at Kmart) which took down the bright green and gave it a much softer look.

I especially love the topper as it was given to me by my dear friend Kathy,  Thanks, Kath, it looks perfect!

There are cookie cutters, a bottle opener, a strainer, ladles, forks, spoons and even a butter knife.

I placed on top of an old metal and wood stool I had and place it in the corner between the kitchen and family room.

I will be sharing this tree over at the tree party at Thrifty Décor Chick, so come and check it out.

I will also be sharing at some of the parties on my sidebar and



Have a Fa La La La Fabulous night!

Our White Tree, and Pink, Blue, Orange, Purple and Green!

Last year we finished our basement to use as a family space.  There are adult areas, kid areas and family areas.  It is a fun space, very colorful.  Last year I did some shopping at the January sales looking for colorful ornaments to use this year.  I found quite a bit, but still hadn’t found the right tree. 

Late into January I went through the catalog entrance of JC Penney and found a white tree with lights on clearance for $40.  I knew it would be perfect!  Plus, it helped me justify putting a crazy white tree in the basement!

We hung out down here as a family on Friday night.  My husband said to me, “you know, I didn’t get this when you started, but I get it now”.  That’s him, he humors me and comes along for the ride, but in the end, he enjoys it too.

My ten year old couldn’t be happier that she has pink and orange ornaments on her tree.

Our white tree is not perfect, there a few holes here and there, a few droopy branches, but I we love it just the same.

Fa La La La Fun!

By the way, is anyone else disappointed that Lifetime, although they are running Christmas movies, isn’t playing the Fa La La Lifetime song?

The simple things that entertain me!

Have a great day!

I am sharing this post at the Tree Party at Thrifty Decor Chick

I will  also be sharing at some of the parties on my sidebar.

A Christmas Vignette

I know, I know, I am late to the party.  I finally have a vignette to submit to the Holiday Vignette Party at Southern Hospitality. 

 

This is the table next to our kitchen and between our foyer and dining room.

I had all of the enamelware, just pulled it together.  I got the ice skates at the Christmas Tree Shops – they are actually made of resin.  The ribbon is vintage, found at a yard sale.

A basket for cards when the come in.

The “yo-yo’s” in the bowl are actually a garland from Kmart of all places.

This fun little ornament I found a while ago at a Christmas sale at a home around here.  I can’t wait to go to this year’s on Friday.

I changed up the chalkboard to reflect the drastic change in weather.

Wishing you a Fa la la la Fabulous day!

I will be sharing at some of the other parties in my sidebar and