DIY Stocking Hanger!

I've been searching everywhere for the PERFECT stocking hangers... I just never found them.  So I created my own!

I got a board at the hardware store and stained it to match my fireplace. Then I attached a curtain rod to the board to hang the stockings on.  I did weight it down JUST to be sure it wasn't coming down when the stockings were loaded.

That beautiful garland I saw in a store for $89.  RIGHT?  Guess where I found it for $39?  Rite Aid Online of all places.  Decorating on a budget for the win!

I LOVE the look and I can change the spinals next year to something different if I want!  Maybe dress it up a bit more glamorous... what do you think?

I also found this red lantern in the closet that we had and added a wreath around it for a festive look. We can always light it too!

What creative things are you coming up with?

Furniture Makeover!

When we moved into our new house, I hated the furniture we were bringing in.  It was Mexican pine and just didn't go in our new bedroom.  I bought chalkpaint immediately... and then it sat... and sat... for almost an entire year.  Until last week when I had the nerve to FINALLY do something about it.  I began by staining the top of the dresser with General Finishes Java Gel.  THAT's when my husband walked in.  He paused, then said "So do you like it?".  I knew I was in trouble.  This is what he saw.

But I had a vision in my mind.  And it turned out AWESOME!!!!  I used Annie Sloan in Old Ochre and Top Performance and Arm R Seal so it has an almost water proof finish on the top but with a Satin finish.  Picked up some new hardware and it looks like a completely different piece!  Now I'm working on the night stands!

Step Stool

I needed a step stool for Jessy to get up on the potty. Our toilets are so tall she'll probably not reach for many years....  I found this plan using ONE 2x4. How easy is THAT?

I painted the white with Sherwin Williams Dover White and the stain is General Finishes Java Gel.  

So glad my kids like the hardware store as much as I do!

25 Days of Christmas

Well I tried potty training a 2 year old while holding an 8 week old AND we're all sick.... after I had a good laugh (possibly a few tears and a glass of wine) I decided to put up our Reading Tree instead.

I wrapped 24 books to place under a new tree I purchased specifically for this project. Each night the kids open one book to read for family time. Of course the last book is The Night Before Christmas that is read by grandpa on Christmas Eve.

I wanted a woodland theme tree and I happened to have the ornaments on hand from last year. I love how it turned out.  

Some of our favorite books
The Night Before the Night Before Christmas 
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
Frosty the Snowman 
The Littlest Elf 
Little Blue Truck's Christmas 

Christmas in a Manger

Source: 

Tree - Ballard

Pine Cones - Michael's

IKEA Kids Table and Chairs DIY

I purchased these table and chairs at Ikea for Baby J.  I wanted to get heavy duty chairs that we would be able to sit on with her.  I got the Sundvik table and chairs.

I wanted to have a nicer chair to sit on then just hard wood.  So I purchased some fabric and 1.5 inch foam.  Just put the chairs together except for attaching the seat.  Trace your seat top on the foam and cut it out.

Place the fabric on the floor (good side facing down) the foam and then your seat top (good side facing down) and using a staple gun, staple the fabric around the edges while pulling tight.  Attach the seat to the chair and you're done!!  It was really simple to do, I've never done this kind of thing before and it turned out great!

Thanksgiving and DIY Craft Project

We had a great weekend together.  It makes me a little sad for Monday's when my husband leaves for the week.

We had a great Thanksgiving.  We started out the morning with a breakfast casserole, mimosas and cinnamon rolls.  Then I cooked two turkeys and the trimmings for a group of 21 people. We celebrated our Seahawks victory over the 49ers!!!  Then the next morning made our way to pick out a Christmas tree and start decorating.

I had time to do one craft project and its really easy.  Just download any deer outline that you like, cut it out and trace it on a canvas. (Craft Warehouse has them 75% off and I saw that Hobby Lobby had them on sale as well.)

I outlined with a gold pen to give it sharp edges and filled in with Modge Podge and glitter.  I'm going to spray it with a Lacquer so the glitter doesn't fall off.  I love it.

Christmas Decorating Ideas!

With Christmas decorating coming in full force, I wanted to share a few neat ideas I've found to make your home gorgeous for the holidays!

Pine Cone Garland - Tutorial

I've been saving up to get a REALLY nice advent calendar and I think I've found one!  Now just to choose...

Star Garland Advent Calendar • Pottery Barn

Knitted Stocking Advent Calendar • Pottery Barn

I'm love these canvas deer and with Craft Warehouse having 75% off all canvases... I've got a project over the weekend! - Tutorial

Neuporte Lantern

I also picked up one of these lanterns to go with my "Dashing Through the Snow" Display, I'm so excited to set it up with my chalkboard and other goodies!

Have a great Thanksgiving.  Do a lot of eating, shopping and decorating!

DIY Gift Idea and Dessert!

I can't wait to decorate for the holidays... a new Hobby Lobby store opened in our town and I think it's going to become my new best friend!

This weekend I finally finished a project for my husband.  He wanted coaster's for his new office. We picked out some coordinating paper and got some basic white tiles at the Home Depot store for about 29 cents.  Cut the paper in a 4x4 size and stick them on with Modge Podge, give it two good coats and then finish it with a resin coating so its completely heat and water proof, not to mention a beautiful glass finish.  I just LOVE how they turned out.

I also tried out a new recipe that turned out amazing!  White Chocolate Cranberry and Pear Crostata.  So easy and delicious.

Get a pie crust from the store and lay it out.  Sprinkle 1.5 cups of white chocolate chips in the center.  In a bowl mix 2 cups of dried cranberries, 4 pears peeled and sliced, 1/2 cup of flour, 1/2 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt. Pile the mixture in the middle of the pie dough. Fold up the edges and brush with melted butter.  Pop it in a 400 degree oven for 30-40 minutes, until its nice golden brown.  Let it cool and serve with a dollop of whipped cream.

Hope you all have a fantastic week!

DIY Growth Ruler and Another Giveaway!

So I'm sure a lot of you have seen these giant rulers that you can measure your kids with?  Well I've been wanting one since before Baby J was born.  I finally decided that I wasn't going to spend $100 for one but that I'm pretty sure I'm handy enough to do it myself.

I purchased my vinyl lettering from Etsy Shop Little Acorns by Ro. This is the ruler kit that I purchased (under $10!!) and added on the top details to my order.  She has so many options to make it personalized that you need to go and really check them all out! The vinyl came packaged perfectly with easy to follow instructions.  I had the decal put on in about 10 minutes flat.  I had a board cut at Lowe's Hardware, stained it with my walnut stain I had left over and then finished it with a Lacquer when I was finished putting on the decals. We want to go with dark woods in our next house so this is the direction I went. But there are so many options available!

I am so completely happy with my purchase.  And since we will be moving some time in the future it will easily come with us to our new home.

Ro has generously offered a ruler kit to one of my readers!  What a fantastic birthday, shower or Christmas present to give too!  Enter now and do this little project yourself.  I'm here if you have any questions!

I also want to take this time to say that I have spent 1000s of hours of research on the products and toys that I have in my home.  I do not promote ANYTHING on my site that I haven't tested and love.  I've been offered advertising spots and I refused.  I think its important that I hold myself to a level of integrity for the products that I offer or talk about.  There are a lot of products, DIY or even recipes that I would never share.  If I don't love it, I won't share it with you.

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Smells Like Fall

I've been doing a little Fall Decorating around the house lately.  I picked up this Orange Mercury Glass Pumpkin and Golden Gourds on QVC.  They are on a timed light so they put out a nice soft glow in the evenings.

I also made this digital Fall Chalkboard sign (which I took to Office Depot to print out for under $4 win win).  I put it in my frame that I made this spring. (It took 15 minutes and just a screwdriver).

Added a little fall foliage and here is the finished result!

I can already smell the hot chocolate...  of course as a joke on me, its suppose to be 92 this weekend.  Sigh.... Maybe I'm a little to zealous? 

We decided to make a swear jar to prevent our baby J from repeating anything we may not want her too! We decided that money was not the right option since it would just be used to buy something that we would have purchased anyway.  It had to FEEL like a penalty.  So we did a workout swear jar!  If you swear you have to pull out a slip and do what it says.  And we made them hard!!

So if you come to our house and swear in front of baby J, you WILL be pulling a slip!

Vintage Baby Blocks

I saw an idea for making baby blocks but I wanted to make them look vintage for my nursery.  I think they turned out fantastic!  I made the letters to spell out her name!  It's still a secret!

Here's how I did it:

Baby Wooden Blocks How To

• Sand the wooden block with sandpaper to prepare it for painting.
• Paint the block with the color you've selected. Allow to dry.
• Cut 6 pieces of decorative paper to fit each side of your block.
• Glue the paper to each side of the block using all-purpose Mod Podge. Allow the glue to dry.
• Sand edges and corners of paper with an emery board.
• You can paste letters, numbers, and embellishments to the block using the same technique.
• Sponge the edges of the paper with paint to give it texture and an antique look.
• Paint another coat of Mod Podge or use Finisher spray paint all over the block to seal. Allow to dry.