Christmas and a Few Deals

Hello to all my blog friends, I hope that you all had a wonderful Christmas celebrating with family and friends!! I feel like I have gone non stop since Christmas Eve and I am waiting to catch my breath..whew!
I spent Christmas Eve day with my sis in law who was in from Tennessee. We had a ball shopping in the rain, drinking Starbucks and just catching up. I miss her so much when she is away but rumor has it they are moving closer..wink,wink! They looked at some homes in my area (Lord help us) and are keeping them on the short list.
We visited our favorite store together, Pottery Barn Outlet and found some great deals. Yes it was Christmas Eve and apparently that is a great time to go. I then met the rest of my family at my mom's for some games, snacks and just some time to be together.
We spent Christmas morning at home with my parents and at my in laws in the evening with the gang! I love my family so much and I am so thankful for them! I appreciate their support and their love so much this year and I'm not sure what we would do without them.
So what did we find?? Well let's take a looksy..

 

I bought extra of these..I have 2 for sale! They are the pomegranate vase that is still on the website!

I bought two extra of these if your interested..They are in the Pottery Barn catalog but no longer available

I have admired this for awhile and with those cute little numbers..love!! This pretty thang was only $25.00 (still in catalog for $129)

A linen tack board also still in the catalog..$10.00!

I found this roll of fabric (white linen-heavy) and it said 19.99..when I checked out the girl said "this is only 8.00"..what? I may or may not have jumped up and down! Great for some new curtains! I believe it is just over 4 yards.

Are you thinking that maybe I looove to shop?? Yes I do but I also do this for a living. I found some great things for a client I am working for and can't wait to finish her home!

Here are some random pics from Christmas with our families. I pray that you all have a safe and Happy New Year! I am excited for what God has in store for our family in the New Year! Love you all.

Such a long post...windy I guess??

Felt Flower Pins

Well today I was inspired to do some kind of craft..no not a Christmas craft, more of something for me! I have seen these cute little flower pins in a few stores and just love them! Added to a sweater, jacket or a hat I think they are adorable. I saw an old post on another blog about making them (if you know the blog let me know I want to give them credit) and thought I want to try that. They turned out sooo cute and I can't wait to wear them (not all together) just thought I should clear that up.

Here is what you will need:
A flower template (I made my own) 5 petals
Glue gun
Felt (one piece will do 1 rosette)
Pins

That's it..let's get started!

Cut a template..I just freehanded mine

Cut 7 pieces from your felt square and 1 circle (this will be the base)

Fold in half twice and snip the end off to make it flat

Hot glue onto the base around the edge first and then the middle

After all 7 have been glued turn it over and glue your pin on the back

The finished product! Snip the ends to even it up if you would like

I made all 5 of these in a short amount of time and it cost me about $1.00 a piece

Added to a cute black sweater! Loove it!!

Just adds a little extra to a simple jacket..

I hope you have been inspired to make something pretty!! Have a wonderful Christmas!

Birthdays and a Contest..or Two

Whew...It has been a busy week but I am so glad the kids are out of school for a couple of weeks. I enjoy them being home so much and getting to sleep in!! We celebrated my husband and my daughters birthday's yesterday and had so much fun. It's a tradition that the kids make gingerbread houses the day before the party and everyone gets to vote (anonymously) by number for which one they think was the most creative! This year the birthday girl WON! The winner gets a little moola and a ribbon that is handmade that says 1st place. It is so much fun to count the votes and watch them get excited!! I am so thankful they still think this is fun and plan to continue this for many years as the family grows.

This year my daughter wanted everyone to come dressed in a funny/tacky Christmas sweater. (I hope I don't offend anyone). We had so much fun watching everyone arrive and laughing at the outfits! Everyone participated and that made it even more FUN!! I have such wonderful family and always enjoy spending time with all of them! Do you have any crazy/fun traditions??

Today for her "real" birthday (she turned 20 on the 20th) she, I, her maid of honor and her mom went to Panera Bread (yummy!) for lunch and saw a movie afterwards. We talked a lot of wedding stuff (she is also getting married in a few months) and had a fun visit! I love girl time!! Her birthday usually ends up being a whole weekend celebration...kinda like mine :) Maybe that's a girl thing??

Candy..Candy...Candy!!

The winner!! She added a little cherry pie on the windowsill..it was so creative!

Yummy!!!

Happy 20th sweet girl!!

Loving the Christmas vest and sweatshirts...soo much fun!

I am ready for Christmas! I want to thank you all for visiting my blog and wish you and your family the most blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ!! I love you all!

Family

This weekend my family attended a beautiful Christmas event with my parents at their church. It was so incredibly orchestrated and beautiful to watch. I enjoyed it soooo much and was incredibly blessed!! More than the production itself it was just special to have all my family together. My brother, his wife and my niece, my parents my kids and future son in law were all there. My heart is full when I think of how blessed I am to have them all in my life. I pray that I never take them for granted and cherish every moment I get to spend with all of them!!
We enjoyed a yummy dinner together (thanks Dad) and headed home! What a great night that I will remember always!

I have squinty eyes, they always look closed...ugh!

My parents..I love them!!

My brother, niece and sis in law

My oldest son, son in law and daughter

My youngest and my brother

My niece and my daughter

We are gearing up for being out of school this week and preparing for some birthdays next weekend. The kids have a gingerbread house contest every year and we vote on my daughter and husbands birthday when everyone is here. It is so much fun to see their creativeness. This year we have added a tacky sweater contest to the mix..should be funny! Can't wait to share the funny pics and hope you have a blessed week!! Stay warm!! Love you all!

Christmas Touches

This week I had the opportunity to help a neighbor do a little decorating for Christmas. It sure was fun to do some shopping and spend an afternoon moving things around and adding a few Christmas touches to her home! Next week I will be doing more shopping and purchasing some larger pieces of furniture to place in her home.

Before..a little boring

After..warm and inviting!

I moved this little chair inside, moved a table and got creative with some old crates

Extra clippings from the tree filled inside a crate and add some balls,pinecones and bells

Replaced her plates, added some berries and bows

Brown plate, extra clippings, jingle bells, bows and apples. Light the candles and you have instant warmth!

A table runner, some candles and a little green! Do you see that lazy susan all rustic and worn! Love it!!

She has such a beautiful home and I appreciate the opportunity!! Have a wonderful weekend!! Have you finished your Christmas shopping yet?? I am happy to say that I'm almost there!!

Coffee Filter Wreath

I finally made one and I loooove it!!

What  is it you ask?? A coffee filter wreath!! I first saw this on The Nester (a blog I follow) and thought wow that is sooo pretty. I wonder if its just as pretty as the picture?? It is!! I walked through the steps as best I could (not good at tutorials) if you would like to attempt this. I promise you will love all the ruffly goodness!!

I loooove it!!

What you need:
2 packs of coffee filters (i used cheap ones from Target)
Styrofoam wreath ( Hobby Lobby-white one)
Glue gun and glue sticks

Materials..

This is actually the second step (fold again)

Fold once (careful not to fold the top, that is the fluffy part)

Fold again (third time)

I cut mine off a little at the bottom and put a band of glue on it before applying

Half way through (I know time consuming)

Done! Isn't she a beauty!! Seriously I look at it everytime I walk by it!

I hung with a ribbon and used straight pins stuck into the styrofoam. Loooove...did I already say that? Sorry..

That's it..now go get started!!