Christmas Blessings

...........and to all a good night.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Cookie Cutter Ornaments

I made some more ornaments today!
Some backstory:
I went shopping with my sister-in-law today, a little girly time. While at Shopko, I saw some adorable cookie cutter ornaments (sorry, they don't have it on their website!). $4 for a ribbon tied to a cookie cutter?! You have GOT to be kidding me!
So of course I made my own.



Cookie Cutter Ornaments
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Supplies: cookie cutters were left over from my wreath.
Directions: Cut a piece of twine off, wrap it around the cookie cutter, and make a bow. Simple, cheap, fast. I like it!


Do you, too?


Here's some more ideas for virtually free ornaments:
- Make my pinecone ornaments
- use natural nests (after they are abondoned of course) A coworker was kind enough to bless me with some of her own collection.

- Spray paint a lot of twigs and stick them in the top for a tree topper (we do this at Younkers)
- Save pet tags. They make great ornaments and remind you of past loved ones.
- string popcorn on fishing line for great-looking cheap garland. Just be careful! It breaks easily!
- Paint acorns and string them up.
-raid your craft storage, I'm sure you'll brew up something!

Squirrel Love

Just when I had given up all hope of a cute furry friend finding my Yummy Pinecone Treat, I caught this guy having a 5 hour meal.

The cutest part was watching him trying to get all the peanut butter off his cute little paws.
If you want a how-to on making this for the squirrels or birds in your area, click the photo above.


And there's tonight's sneak peeks. Sorry for my lack of them, I've been trying hard to finish this project since I have family coming in this weekend.
I also did a couple really REALLY cute projects, but since they tie in with my reveal, I can't show you.
Sorry!
Even if I don't complete this reveal completely by Christmas, I promise you'll see it on/before then. So stick around!

Coming up:
-my dressed table (post on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning)
-twine garland (after Christmas)
-fun herb pots (after Christmas)
-a look at my Christmas tree in it's full glory (post on Christmas Eve)
-pictures of Christmas Day at my house (post the day after)
-more sneak peeks!

Winterized Planter Boxes

Remember that I was talking about that terrible blizzard that came through my area and dropped 14 inches of snow on us?

Well, apparently it took down part of my tree as well.

This picture doesn't do it justice. More than half of the branch was buried in the 14 inches of snow.

I pouted for a bit.

But why not turn something sucky into something beautiful?

The inspiration for this project came from my Grandma's house, where a nice man did this exact same thing to her flower boxes.

I cut off the branches and strategically places them in the flower boxes, draping some over.

Here's the other one.
I still have all this mess left.
I'm thinking about making a real wreath or garland, but we'll see how ambitious I get.

Oh! And I just found out that my brother is coming into town this Sunday! I haven't seen him in a year, since he's in the service and all, so I'm as giddy as can be!

Anyways, here's what to look for in the future:

-sneak peeks of my big project (it's getting there!)

-the 22nd will be my big holiday dinner, so keep an eye out for that dressed table I've been talking about!

-a look at this year's X-mas tree

-maybe some more holiday recipes and decor.

-if I make the living wreath/garland, I'll show you that!

Yummy Pinecone Treats

Squirrels have a bad rap. I don't care, I think they are adorable.

I had this cutie pie hoarding my walnuts for the winter:

I was reminded that I needed to do a homework project with my son that involved helping these little guys get through the winter.

Yummy Pinecone Treats

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Supplies

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-pinecone

-twine

-peanut butter (I used chunky for more nuts!)

-seeds (I had sunflower seeds leftover from the summer. They love them!)

Directions

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-Tie a piece of twine around the top of the pinecone, trying to get under all the little "petals"

2. Spread some peanut butter all over the pinecone.
3. Roll your pinecone in your seeds, trying to coat it as well as possible.

4. Hang it up!

Also, check out this yummy wreath for your furry and feathered friends. Of course, you need to live in a place where it's freezing. (Yup, I definitely do!). For instructions on how to make this for your own yard, click on the picture.