TeaLight Redo

So how was everybody's holiday?
My family was spoiled rotten this year.

My 3 favorite gifts this year:

-A Cricut machine from my mother and father-in-laws.
-A 4 piece Craftsman power tool set with interchangeable batteries (circ saw, power drill, sawzall, and shop light with carrying case) from my parents.
-A Rockwell SoniCrafter (click the link to check it out. It's amazing!) from my husband.
My creating life is going to rock this year with all this stuff!!

Anyways, I did a little "mini-project" today.

Tealight Redo

-------------------

I've had a set of these Oriental-style tealights forever. My room used to be Asian-inspired. I didn't have the heart to toss them after we redecorated our room.

I figured that all they needed was a bit of TLC to make them fit into the room once more. So I disassembled it and took out the glass panes.

Then I dug through my scrapbooking supplies to find a piece of white vellum. I cut it to size, placed it between the panes again, and assembled the tealight holder again.

This is what I got:

I like that it still has Asian flare, but it toned it down a lot.

It fits in perfectly with my modern bedroom.

I love them all over again!

Anyways, switching gears a bit, I know I promised that you would see my latest and greatest project by Christmas, but I lied.
I was way too busy before Christmas to do anything. Now my house is a huge mess, so until it's cleaned up, I physically can't get any work done. But I promise that you will see it in about a week!

So here's things to look for in the future:
-My BIG REVEAL (thinking on Saturday or Sunday)
-sneak peeks
-herb garden pots
-My 2010 Resolutions (yes, I'm so cliche)
-we'll dab on the next BIG REVEAL (yep, it's already picked out and started)

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
-----------------------------------
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!