It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

     Outside the weather is frightful, but inside the Christmas decor is beginning to look delightful.  I'm glad everything is cleaned off the dining room table.  I decided I'm not putting out as much this year as I have in the past.  Mostly, because I'm over the "over the top" decorating.  My goal is to get back to a more simplified and homemade version of Holiday decorating.  

     

Here's what passes as a Christmas village for us.  Each year the gingerbread houses the children make, have a spot of honor on the fireplace mantle.  More like, we could keep it out of reach of small hands and pets.  They have 1 piece per day.  My son loads his up with as much as he can to try and make it last a little bit longer.  Here are a few of my favorite things below.

  
                               Rudolf the red nose reindeer.

               This was a cute craft we made when he was just 3.

My children made these when they were each in preschool.  Someday the littlest member will attend there too.

Here's a corner of my dining room.  I use fake poinsettia around the house.  I found them all on sale at Michael's Craft Store, years ago.  

Remember this post, where I picked up this hurricane glass and pine cones?  I was inspired to create this, minus the ribbon.

She has so many creative and inexpensive decorating tips.  Now, I'm thinking I need to add red ribbon to mine.

I told the kids that Santa, which is our tree topper is leaning over to keep a better eye on them.  So far it's working brilliantly.

Here's our slightly larger "Charlie Brown" tree. Our theme has always been 50% off after Christmas Hallmark ornaments.  That's my pug stand up which is usually in the fireplace.  We love our little "Tallulah" when she isn't trying to steal food.  

  
This is still in my dining room just as you walk in the door.  I got the print "Baby it's cold outside" personalized and all here.  The deal has expired but you can contact the seller here.

She also made this one. I just popped it into a frame, placed a wreath over the top of it and tucked a letter in it.  It's the only "grown-up" piece of Holiday decor on my mantle.  The paper is a thick card stock and I am happy with the quality, and of course the price.

This weekends to do list.

1. Touch up all the paint spots in the girl's room.
2. Finish the chair by adding gimp.  I already got an email that the rugs should arrive tomorrow.
3. Put together B's new bed.  I measured everything out, but it helps me visually when I can see things in place.
4. Get the necessary parts to glam up the dresser with what's in that mystery box.
5. Make some DIY Holiday decor.
6. Take a nap!!!!!

What are your upcoming plans?  Leave me a comment down below.

Time to put your party hats on....

I just linked up to my first ever DIY Link Party over at DIY Showoff.  If you haven't checked out her blog post yet, you should!! I spent an hour over there today and plan to do more.  There are so  many beautiful and interesting entries.  Seriously, these gals are talented.

Here's the link: http://diyshowoff.com/category/other/that-diy-party/

What happens when horses meet deer?

No, the above title isn't a start to a really bad joke.  Remember yesterday when I said I just might spray paint that gold frame?  Well, I did but not in the white I had originally thought, in fact I went all out with Krylon's spray paint color "watermelon".  Now, I am far from an expert on spray painting techniques, but I do love the quickness and convenience it has to offer.  I'm more of a fly by the seat of my pants decorator.  

Here's a re-cap of yesterday's gold frame and horse painting. 

I really needed a large frame for, well wrapping paper.  I found through Pinterest this great site called Elum, you can find the link here http://www.elumdesigns.com/shop/paper-gifts/eco-friendly-gift-wrap/

The paper I fell in love with is this one down below.

This one is called "Winter Wind" and retails for $3.75, with shipping it becomes a little bit pricey but for a unique idea on art work it's really not bad.  

I started by covering the actual painting with newspaper. 

Grabbed one of these, I ended up using almost an entire can of spray paint.  This frame required about 4 coats, and I gave about an hour in between each coat.

The gift wrap comes as a large sheet size 22x34, so I needed to cut it down to fit inside the frame.  Here is a picture of my sophisticated tools.

My tools consisted of a ruler missing a corner, a tape measure, a very shiny pencil, I couldn't find my exacto knife so a paring knife stepped in, and then of course a pizza box to do the actual cutting on.  I simply measured the inside of the frame and then turned over the gift wrap to make my measuring marks.  

Next up I used a spray adhesive as well as a matte finishing spray to tone down the pink and add an extra layer of protection on the gift wrap.

And this is what I ended up with.

The adhesive came through a bit on the bottom, but I am keeping my fingers crossed that it will dry clear, but either way I still love it!!

More to come down the road, as I fully transform my girl's room from top to bottom.