Where have you lived?

I had been working on Christmas gifts and this is one of the projects that I did for my 23 year old daughter, Lisa.




These three framed states represent the three states that she has lived in so far. Lisa was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and raised in Quincy, IL.


She is currently living in Madison, Wisconsin. Using my Silhouette Cutting Machine, I cut out each state shape and had the cutter

Highlights of 2013

This year, instead of listing 10 or so things that I think were the best posts of my 2013, 

I am going to list in categories instead!                   Here we go...


Category - Chairs
2 chairs come to mind. My most popular post on a chair that I painted the upholstery and sewed a cover for the seat and a pillow.




This second chair was transformed with paint and a shabby chair cover made.

This Holiday Season Make Your Home Guest Ready

Christmas and New Year are just round the corner. It's holiday season are you having guests over? Is your home guest ready? If your answer is 'no' then no need to worry at all. Here are some quick ideas to make your home guest ready:

As entrance is the first place that creates first impression that lasts long. So entrance to home should always be welcoming and pleasing. Clear the space and make it organized. Spruce it up by cleaning and decorating. If paint is chipping then give a fresh coat of paint, put some greenery and place a doormat to welcome guests.

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Next comes the living room where guest will spend lot of time and you will entertain them. Make sure that it is clutter free, neat and tidy. Sweep, mop and dust well in advance. Clear off unwanted things from coffee table and keep it simple, open windows and curtains to let natural light in that makes space appear fresh, airy and bright. Decorate it in interesting way that shows up your personality.

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Dining area is where you will going to entertain your guests. Clear off the dining table and make enough space. Decorate it by placing some tea lights and vase filled with fresh flowers or a bowl full of fruits. Set the table for guests for lunch/dinner in advance, it looks inviting.

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Guest bedroom is the most important area in your home where guests will going to stay. Don't over decorate it. Make this room a comfy zone for your guests. Clean windows, clear cobwebs and dust bunnies. Clean the clutter from closet and under the bed. Wash curtains and linens and spray some nice scent on them. Keep extra pillow and draw sheet/blanket. Clear as much space as possible to provide guests enough space to unpack their stuff. Clearing closet will ensure that guests have enough space to hang their cloths. Replace burnt out bulbs. A lamp on night stand will be thoughtful help in case guest wake up in night. Keep some magazines or good books on night stand.

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In guest bath room clear cabinets and counters for guest to keep their toiletries. Clean mirror, basin and toilet. Clean shower, tub and faucet also. Clear your personal stuff from the cabinets. Put some extra towels and toiletries in easy reach.

These are few easy, simple but thoughtful tips that can make your guest's stay a pleasant and memorable one.

More of our Christmas Tour ...

And, now, we're down to only FOUR days away!  Time to start wrapping presents and making my grocery list for our Christmas morning feast!

I thought I'd share just a few more pics of our holiday home before the big day! 

I always try to give our mudroom a little splash of Christmas!

Inexpensive canisters from Wal-Mart become the perfect place to showcase ornaments, Christmas cards and candy ...

This year, I decided to "hang" the Christmas cards from white clothesline and mini clothespins … thought that would be kinda fun since it's our laundry room!

My son's "little" bedroom got a matching "little" tree, filled with all things sports!

I love the tree in my son's playroom … he pretty much did it all by himself, with just a little bit of help from me.

And, while my husband hangs out with his NY Yankees Christmas tree in his "man cave ..."

"I" might just hang out on our back porch, especially since it's in the 70s right now!

Enjoy your weekend and thanks for stopping by,

Our Christmas Dining Room and Breakfast Area

Six days and counting … can you believe it ?!

While I *should* be out shopping, I've been here, snapping and editing pics to share more of our holiday home before it's too late!

I'll keep my *yacking* to a minimum, like I did the other day when sharing our great room and kitchen … just pretend Bing is serenading you while you first take a peek at our dining room, where red, black, white and silver have taken over for the season!

These wintry plates (from HomeGoods) were the inspiration for the colors in here.

Our glittery reindeer, mercury trees and red finials sure were happy that our neighbor was able to fix our broken table leg so that they were able to come out and "be seen!"

Mini lights, tucked into the garland placed on our buffet, help make our room glow at nighttime. 

A Christmas first for me … the addition of black!  And, I gotta say that I'm really liking it mixed in with the red, white and silver!

I spotted these wild sparkly poinsettias at a local Christmas shop and just *knew* that they had to come home with me!

While we never eat in here, I sometimes enjoy just hanging in the doorway and "visiting" this time of year.

And, now come on over to our breakfast room, where traditional Christmas colors have met up with tiny pops of deep purple!

See our new tree?!  It's a fun addition this year, as we've never had one in this spot before … wish I had done it years ago!

I'm a big fan of the box "Y" tree from Wal-Mart (which is a 7 ft, pre-lit Berkley Pine faux tree for only $68)!  We have a few of them around the house ...  they're the perfect tree for little corners and/or small spaces!

Mini wine glasses, grapes, cheese, wine bottles, corks, fruit and coordinating "shatterproof" ornaments cover it from top to bottom!

It's fun for us to be surrounded by lights and trees when "breaking bread" in here!

Thanks so much for taking the time to visit our holiday dining room and breakfast area!  I'll be back to share just a "tad" bit more!

Winter Evenings On 3D

I am enjoying my favorite time of the year....winters!!!  

Mornings are grey and foggy and evenings are gently kissed by Sun.

Nothing can beat the hot cuppa with some freshly baked cake in the winter evening :)

Calling my dear readers and fan of 3D to join me for a cup of tea.

Did you notice that Tea Cup...well it's a gift from FabFurnish and I am totally loving it. It has beautiful intricate design of elephant on both outside and inside wall.

How weather is treating you in your part of the world.  Are you enjoying winters as much as I am.
Gentle reminder to all of you: have you entered the New Year Giveaway exclusively for my Facebook page fans, if not yet then click here to enter :)
Wish you good Luck!!
Linking it to ShowAndTellFriday.

Our Christmas Great Room and Kitchen ...

WOW, is Christmas really next week ?!  I better get on the ball and finish (wait … make that *start!*) my shopping!

In the meantime, I thought I'd share more of our holiday home … I'll keep words to a minimum since I'm overloading you with pictures of our great room and kitchen!

Step on into our great room, decked in traditional Christmas colors!

I love it all lit up at night!

And, noooow, step on over to our whimsical Christmas kitchen!

I love the crisp red and white in here and, admittedly, I'm going to be so sad taking ALL of this down next week!  Booooo ….

I hope you'll stop back by so I can bombard you with more pictures of our holiday home, including our dining room, breafast area and porch!

Thanks for visiting,

Partying with:

Savvy Southern Style/WUW