My Favorite Projects of 2011

I really can't believe how many projects that I completed in 2011, mostly because of this blog. I feel the need to continually show you something new and different that I have made or transformed. Later, you can check out my Before & Afters tab at the top of my blog page.

I decided to look back at what I have done, and pick my 12 favorite ones and tell you why...in no particular order.

Here we

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Have a Holly Jolly Christmas!

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Honorable Mentions ...

Okay ... Christmas is day after tomorrow, which reminds me of ALLL of the things I have yet to cross off my list!  Who's with me?

I almost forgot to share a few other trees in our home ... so, here's a little shout out to them:

This simple one is in our master bedroom, done in soft blues, golds and whites.  I can't show you the rest of our bedroom, because, well, it would make you want to sign me up for the "Hoarders" show:

Crazy topper (everything came from Wal-Mart last year):

Jackson's tree in his playroom, which he decorated mostly by himself ... Mommy and Daddy stepped in to fill in just a bit and add the topper:

It's filled with sports, superheroes ...

and his handmade ornaments:

"Little Bit" sits in Jax's bedroom on his dresser ... done in just sports to go with the theme in his room:

Annnnd, out in the "man cave" (a/k/a, our garage), sits our (I mean, John's) NY Yankee tree:

I filled it with all things "Yankee" ... from candy canes and coasters ...

pops of red and jersey ornaments ...

to these cute, little nutcrackers:

I hope you all have a great day, finishing up your shopping, preparing yummy treats or just enjoying the season quietly at home!  Just be sure and watch out for the crazed lady today ... it's just me, and an I apologize in advance if I happen to knock you over while on my mission of last minute shopping!  LOL

Happy Holidays,

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Christmas Wishes

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Oh my!  

Do I have time to paint my walls raspberry pink and put in white carpeting before my party on Christmas Eve? And then  rip off my silver bows and make big pink ones?!  I guess not.  I will just have to have this entryway virtually, which I think is just fabulous!!  And on that note~ Did you see this most incredible hall console?  It could certainly go in my virtual hallway...

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Everything the sisters at Juniper Hill Antiques in CT make at their workshop is to die for.   That silver console with the caning is so beautiful and the way they finished it is simply AMAZING!  Just wanted to share this before...

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I wish all of my friends, followers and blog readers

 a very Merry Christmas~

I will be spending this time with family and friends~

making merry and reflecting on the true meaning of Christmas.

Wishing for a happier and more peaceful world for us all.

I will also be making my goal list for next year~

do you do that?

I think of what I want to create, achieve, and do

 and make a conscious effort to try to do just that in the new year.

I will also be picking the winner of the 

Shabby Chic Soho samples right after Christmas,

so if you would like to enter visit here.

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A linen slipcover for Christmas

 Just like everybody else, 

I am trying to get things ready for Christmas.

  We add a bench to our table to accommodate the extra guests,

 and it has always been a desire of mine to slipcover

 it in a simple style so it blends in with the dining room better.

 Yesterday I took the time to finally get it done. 

 The color is that blue green color which 

is similar to the chairs around the table.

Here is is before in its dark wood and leather finish. 

 I never wanted to paint this bench and so the slipcover 

was my solution to lighten it up and make it a little bit more romantic.

  Voila~it has been transformed with 2.5 yards of linen fabric!

Just in time for Christmas.

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Off to the Christmas Breakfast Area ...

Eek ... I'm running out of time to share our Christmas home ... so, again, my apologies that I'm bombarding you with more!

Welcome to our Christmas breakfast area, which sits right off of the kitchen ... of course, it was only right to continue the whimsical theme over here, as well.

A little closer look:

I decided to keep the tablescape pretty simple ... both the red chargers and the cream plates are part of the BH&G line from Wal-Mart (purchased last year):  And, the *ca-ute* gingerbread guys and gals are from Cracker Barrel.  They're actually utensil holders; however, I opted to use them as napkin rings, instead:

I snagged the pretty wine glasses last year at Pier One:

For the centerpiece, I *scrunched* up a table cloth and layered a white cake stand (from PB) on top, along with a glass hurricane, which I surrounded with greenery, gingerbread cuties and red ornaments.  I love the little houses I found a few years ago (from Big Lots):

Aren't they fun?  Of course, the batteries went out on this one *right* before I snapped the pic:

I love seeing the glow of the Christmas tree through the glass:

Up above, I added some whimsy to the chandie by adding garland, mesh, ornaments and snowflakes.  I then decided to hang a few ornaments from glittery red ribbon:

 

Here's the temporary home to our mirrored table (which usually sits where the tree is) ... just a simple vignette on top:

 
A little red candle nestled in faux snow glows in a lantern from Home Goods:
 

 
On the other side is our dry bar ...
 

I spy sweet treats!

 
Jax loves "his" new gingerbread house (Cracker Barrel), especially because it lights up:
 

Our Candy Santa stands guard ...

along with our Baker Santa.  The candy trees are from Big Lots!

 
Thank goodness these treats are NOT fo' realz!
 

 

In the background is our chalkboard made out of inexpensive poster board (Dollar Tree) and my heavily relied on chalk markers!

 

 
Annnnd, of course, I had to carry a bit of the red up above to our white pieces:
 

I'll save a seat for you, so come on over!

Before you go, I thought I'd share the face of a boy who is beyond excited that school is OUT, and Santa is on his way!  Wooo Hoooo!

 

I'm off to finish shopping ... wish me luck!  Thanks so much for stopping by!

 

I'm linking up with:

 

Savvy Southern Style/WUW

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Teacups in Chandeliers!

There is something very Alice in Wonderland about teacups dangling from a chandelier.  Everytime I see a chandy decked out in teacups I love how whimsical it looks and think to myself, copy this idea Amy!
Helen is a lovely blog reader I have come to know from her little notes she sends when she reads a post she relates to~she is 72 and lives in Missouri and she told me she hangs teacups from her chandelier! Well, I had to see pictures and Helen sent me these.

I loved the idea that in 20 more years I could still be hanging things like teacups from my chandeliers like Helen!  She said she has loved pretty things as long as she can remember. Me too, Helen! She inspired me to hang my pink lusterware teacups from my dining room chandelier.

 My pink teacups are mixed in with Christmas ornaments of all types and happily dangle above the table.

 Call the Mad Hatter and Santa and lets have a sit down!!

Of course I was inspired by this fantastic wire chandy decorated with dangling teacups too!  It belongs to another blog reader, Betsy. She hung pitchers and creamers from sheer pink ribbons! **Squeal** If you missed her pretty house decorated for Christmas you can check it out by clicking here.

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This is one beautiful version of a teacup chandy made by Janet at Shabby Fufu! Elegant and ladylike in all its delicate patterns and petal pink ribbons.

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This is totally shabby chic and maybe after Christmas I will fine tune my chandy to look like a poor cousin to this one.  Janet sells these chandeliers~just a hint for anyone looking for a nice Christmas present to themselves!

The Christmas countdown continues~I should be wrapping and shopping and baking...but I am still decorating!! With all the inspiration coming my way through blogland and pinterest I can't help it!  How about you?

Partying at:

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