White Wednesday - Bottle Brush Trees

I have seen bleached bottle brush trees all over Blogland, so I figured I might as well jump right in and try it myself. It was SOOOOOO easy. A little bleach and water in a bucket and soak the Dollar Store green trees - TA DA! White Trees.
I applied spray adhesive and sprinkled on Martha Stewart Snow Glitter, that didn't work too well. I don't know what might work better. Then hot glued some pearl bobbles in place.
One tree is sitting in a little silver cup that I bought at a White Elephant table for .25. It polished up very nicely. The other tree is sitting in fake snow in a thrift store crystal glass.
What have you been crafting lately?

Gift Card Package - Part 1

This is the first original idea I have had in a long time. (At least I haven't seen it anywhere else yet)
2. Purchase pillow boxes from the Dollar Store (4 for a $1)

3. Open along seam and flatten.

4. Apply a good strong adhesive on the right side of the pillow box, cover with pretty, vintage wallpaper and brayer it smooth.

5. This is what it will look like so far.

Gift Card Package- Part 2

5. Trim with scissors to follow the original pillow box, making a new flap with the wallpaper.

6. Use a paper punch to cut out half circles at the end. That makes it easier to open the package.

7. Fold along the original vertical folds, glue down the flaps.

8. I used bulldog clips to hold it together while the glue dried.

9. Add some paper shred to keep the surprise a mystery.

Tie with a pretty ribbon and add some scrapbooking bling.

I hope you are able to follow my instructions.

-smiles-

Christmas Decor

Frosted ornaments hanging from my dining room chandelier.
My Dad's idea was to put the Snow Owl on the fireplace. My DH bought me the owl last year for Christmas. He is certainly unique. (The owl, that is, not my DH)
The vintage silver coaster idea came from a dear blogging friend, Janis at Junk Dreams. She has the BEST ideas ever. I thought of making the JOY banner after I saw Janis' BOO banner in the fall. Looks like 'Great minds think alike'.


It is easy to make silvery Christmas balls. I bought old glass ones at the local thrift shop, soaked them is dish soap and warm water, then scrubbed off the colour. They are mostly silver underneath.

Our Christmas tree had a red cardinal attached to it. I found the dove at the thrift store for .25 and replaced it. It reminded me that God will not give me more than I can handle. It was a great blessing that day.

Cocoa and Comfort

This week I am sharing some photos from Country Living Magazine. (The cocoa is mine *grin*)

I hope you are savouring something warm and wonderful right now, too.

This is my favorite one. I am on the lookout now for some vintage books, white of course.

This is a very simple, inexpensive idea.

I sure miss some of the decorating magazines that have folded. Canadian Home & Country was one I subscribed to for years. It is gone now. Country Home was another one. They still have an email sign-up as well as a website.

The internet is great, but I still love a good magazine.

A Blog Makeover

I thought I would change the look of my blog for the holiday season. I have spent hours working on it, my the time goes so quickly. Anyway, with the help of Cute n Cool Blog Stuff , Picnik , and Big Huge Labs this is what I came up with. If I get some more time, I think I will play around with it some more. Happy White Wednesday, everyone!

A Prelude to Christmas

One thing that always puts me in the mood to decorate for Christmas is visiting some of the lovely, smaller boutiques and shoppes. This is one I try to get to at least twice a year, Spring and Christmas. Wendy was gracious to allow me to take a few photographs so that you can enjoy some of the beautiful decorations. This shoppe is as beautiful inside as it is out.
I have found that so many shoppes are not allowing photographs to be taken.
I wonder why that is?

Here is the link to their website.

This quote on a pillow is perfect for those of us who love all things vintage and chippy.

This is the treasure that I bought to bring home with me. Something that reminds me of

'The Reason for the Season'