Favorites From 2011

Happy New Year to all and hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas Holiday.  

Here are some of my favorite projects from this past year.....my first year blogging.  And what a learning experience it has been.  I've met many wonderful people, learned how to take better pictures and know what a cloche is.  And of course there is our favorite, Annie Sloan Chalk Paint.  I've learned to decorate  with burlap and white and am now obsessed with both.  I neutralized my home and painted lots of things, much to Mr. Country's dismay.  But I could never have done any of this without the awesome inspiration that comes from all of you talented ladies.  I thank you all for your sweet comments and mounds of encouragement.

Can't wait to see what 2012 will bring!

Have a Very Happy and Healthy New Year....and see you all next year!

Last Minute Touches

I can't believe that Christmas will be here in a few days.  I thought I would just post some pictures of decorations that I placed around my home.  Just a few touches here and there.  

Hope you enjoy the picture show!

Have a holly jolly Christmas

It's the best time of the year

Well I don't know if there'll be snow

But have a cup of cheer

Have a holly jolly Christmas

And when you walk down the street

Say hello to friends you know

And everyone you meet

Ho ho the mistletoe

Hung where you can see

Somebody waits for you

Kiss her once for me

Have a holly jolly Christmas

And in case you didn't hear

Oh bygolly have a holly jolly Christmas

This year!

Wishing you and yours a Very Merry Christmas!




Thanks so much for stopping by.

My Christmas Mantel........Finally!

Today I'm sharing with you my, almost done, Christmas mantel.  Why almost done you might ask,  because I still haven't finished sewing the burlap stockings, I ran out of moss for the middle wreath and honestly, I'm just pooped!   Anyway, in keeping with the rustic decorated tree, I carried the theme over onto the mantel.  Since I loved the frames on the upper mantel I decided to keep them and add some wreaths.  I made them out of styrofoam and moss and tied them onto the frames with some burlap.  

On the hearth, I added my Pier 1 Imports lanterns that I purchased last month.  And I realized after I took the pictures that the lights were not turned on and a Hess truck was being displayed.  

Well, thats life with two little boys!

For the actual mantel I kept it simple and just added some greens, burlap ribbon, snowflakes and lights.  

Thanks so much for stopping by to visit.

I'll be partying with.....

Met Monday at Between Naps on the Porch  

Amaze Me Monday at Dittle Dattle

Our Charlie Brown Christmas Tree

What is a Charlie Brown Christmas Tree anyway?  Every year my husband insists on cutting down a tree to put up in the family room.  Much to my dismay I agree to go along with this venture of his.  I'm not quite sure why he must do this.  I think he has visions of Dickens and sleigh rides going through his head.  One thing he didn't count on, again, is my constant desire for perfection, in a real Christmas Tree, does this even exist.  So off we go to yet another Tree Farm in hopes of finding the perfect one.

The boys just love this yearly event despite my opposition.  We roam around until we stumble upon a somewhat okay tree that I think I can turn into something magical.  They jump around with excitement because they have found the PERFECT tree.   I think to myself, well, if the boys are happy than I will be happy.  I guess when it comes down to it, it really has nothing to do with the perfect looking tree but seeing the smiles on faces of two little boys who just chose the best tree ever!

This tree was originally supposed to be decorated in a candy cane theme with lots of glits and glamour.  When we got it up into the stand I decided that a rustic theme was much more appropriate.  I decorated it with burlap, raffia and lots of natural elements and color, no glitz going on here!  No tree top yet either, we're still thinking about that one.  

Now, I'll let you in on a little secret.  This poor tree has so many bare spots that I didn't think I  could turn this into something half nice.  Even Mr. Country had his doubts.

Sorry about the ladder in the picture but it wouldn't crop out..:(

Thank God for burlap...it does a wonderful job filling in large bare spots on Christmas Trees!

Thanks so much for stopping by....and stay tuned.  I'm almost done with my mantel.  Better late than never, I always say!

I'll be linking up with,

Potpourri Friday at 2805

Inspiration Friday At The Picket Fence

VIntage Inspiration Friday at Common Ground

The Charm of Home

Oh Christmas Tree #2

Yes, this is my second decorated tree of the season....the master bedroom.  I started putting one in here a couple of years ago and honestly, I just love a tree in this room.  This tree coordinates with the rooms colors which are red and yellow....the perfect setting for Christmas!

This tree is filled with red berries, poinsettia's, and apples, 

For some reason the pictures that I've been taking at a distance have been coming 

out a little blurry and I can't seem to figure out the problem.....SORRY!

I added some of my Annalee dolls and a few Santa's.

Isn't he just the cutest!

Thanks so much for stopping by.  Hope you enjoyed looking at the tree in my master bedroom...

I'll be partying with,

Between Naps on the Porch

2805

Dittle Dattle

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Burlap, Grapevine and a Little Bit of Gold

This year I really went all out and changed things around a bit.  I usually decorate with all red and green but thought it would be nice to try and coordinate my Christmas decor with the colors in my home, and you know what, I just love it. I went with a more natural theme which looks gorgeous 

with all of the blues that I have.  Today I'll be showing off the foyer.....

I love how the burlap looks with the gold balls and white snowflakes.  I added the grapevine garland to give it a rustic twist.  Most of the ornaments were purchased in the Dollar Tree. I can't believe what I was able to create with Dollar Tree purchases.

On the table in the foyer, I kept Grandma's lamp and added some greens, burlap  and a painted grapevine Christmas Tree and adorable deer.

Thanks so much for stopping by!

I'm linking up with ,

French Country Cottage

The Charm of Home

Saturday Showoff at Rosegarden in Malevik