Some of my Favorite Christmas Decorations

Happy Friday. I'm taking a break from an outfit post today...I was going to share a sweater dress outfit but on the day I wanted to take pictures, I decided to make some Christmas cookies and it took me longer than I thought it would. I was still partially covered in flour by the time the sun went down. Hopefully I'll get some pictures taken this weekend for next Friday's post....In all honestly, I've been feeling uninspired lately about fashion, my closet and especially taking outfit photos for the blog. The colder weather and shorter daylight doesn't help the matter. Oh well, there's more to life than worrying about it so these Friday posts might not always be about outfits.

Some of the lifestyle bloggers I'm following have shared some of their favorite Christmas decorations and I decided to do the same today. My Christmas décor is definitely not "show-worthy" but I love it all! 

Please note, some of the links included are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always this is at no cost to you! Thanks so much for supporting this blog!

I love these wooden angels! I've had them for over 20 years! Each year during the holidays my former boss' wife gifted each employee one of these angels. This was many years ago when I was still living and working in Germany. The last one I received in December of 1997, then in the fall of 1998 I moved to the US, so I only have 5. These are by Wendt & Kuehn and you might have seen them before if you've ever been to a traditional German Christmas market. I've been thinking of adding a few more to my small collection and found some on eBay a while back but haven't purchased any from there. 

These beautiful Christmas Village houses are all from Dept. 56. I've had the church for a long time and used to decorate around it with village houses from other brands, but this year I found these two beautiful houses at a thrift store for less than $25 for both. They belong to the same set by Dept. 56, the Alpine Village set. Dept. 56 makes a variety of sets, but this one is definitely my favorite! 

They look so much prettier in the evenings when all lit up!

Years ago I used a fluffy "snow blanket" under these types of decorations, but it's not cat friendly and I now use a white table runner instead. My orange tabby got his claws caught in the fluffy stuff once - luckily I was able to get him down before he pulled everything off. 

I think this pretty metal and wooden deer is from Hobby Lobby from years ago, it's a favorite and comes out every year. The turquoise vase was a gift and I keep it on the mantle all year round and  only change out the flower in it. 

The vintage box was a thrift store find some years ago, love love love it and it holds a photo of me and my siblings when we were little. I'm the youngest in the middle. 

This vintage wooden Santa with Sleigh was found at an antique shop. Made in Germany's Erzgebirge probably in the early 70's. (The cutie behind Santa is my now 18 year old.)

I really need to re-think the setup, too many themes in one place!!

The clay nativity came from Hobby Lobby years ago, the small tree was a Target  find  also from a few years back and the wooden Santa is a set of Russian nesting dolls I found at an antique store as well. I wish I had taken a photo with all the sizes taken out, they're so cute!

Many years ago I purchased Lego Christmas houses but only have two sets and a cute Gingerbread house that was free with purchase from Lego.com years ago. I  have the "Toy Shop" set (which includes the Christmas tree and some of the figures) and the "Post Office" set which includes the post office building below, the musician's gazebo  and car (a peek above) along with some figures.  

These are no longer in production and only available on eBay or Amazon at higher than original prices.  Lego used to release one new Winter Village set each winter. Wish I had more of these, but when the Winter Village train was always on backorder I decided we really didn't need it or had room for more and quit purchasing them. Still wish I had this Winter Village cottage, but at $499 (and up) there is no way that's going to happen!! That set was released before I was aware of this lego series therefore it's been retired for a long time and always ridiculously priced.

Isn't this gingerbread house the cutest!! And I had so much fun building it too! I've used some fluffy "snow" here but my cat is rarely in this room so I think it's safe. I'd hate to see all of these Legos on the floor!!! 

This beautiful set is by Depose from Italy. And yes you guessed it, it's another thrift store find. In fact when I found this set many years ago my love for thrifting began! The metal frame came from Hobby Lobby. 

I usually place an advent wreath on this table, but I didn't make one this year so instead used this wreath. It's just a grapevine wreath from Joann's decorated with a few Christmas floral picks also from Joann's. The candle is a pine tree scented candle.

This area holds a cute stuffed Santa Claus and two Christmas themed books - the Nutcracker story  and a book filled with Victorian stories and images.

 

Thanks so much for stopping by today! If you've done a blog post sharing some of your favorite Christmas decorations on your blog do let me know so I can come take a peek! 

I'm linking up here:

Friday: Fancy Friday hosted by Nancy of Nancy’s Fashion Style // Lizzie in Lace //  Friday Favorites at Penny's Passion // A Little Bit of Everything // Friday Favorites // A Fireman’s Wife // Shelbee on the Edge //  Fabulous Friday Link Up with Lucy  // A Morning Cup of Joe

Saturday: Dare to Share

Sunday: Style Splash linkup // Sunday Showcase (first Sunday) //  You're the Star Blog Hop Link Up @ Stonecottage Adventures

Monday: Away From Blue // The Queen In Between (first Monday) // Claire Justine Creative Mondays // Glass of Glam // Mutton Style // Inspire Me Monday // Ageless Style Linkup (1st Monday) // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // You're The Star Blog Hop Link Party @Stonecottage Adventures // Anything Goes with Your Hosts @ My Random Musings // Hello Monday // Random-osity Good, Random, Fun // Little Cottage Linkup // Anything Goes with your Hosts (Mondays) // Love your Creativity Link Party // Hearth and Soul (starts Monday night) 

Tuesday: The Fashion Canvas // Shelbee On the Edge Spread the Kindness // I Do deClaire // Elegantly Dressed and Stylish // Myriad Musings // Jenerally Informed Happy Now Blog Link // Style Splash linkup // Tuesday with a Twist @Stonecottage Adventures // I Will Wear What I Like Linkup  // Randomosity - Good Random - Fun // The Happy Now // Tuesdays With a Twist // Myriad Musings // Tuesday Turn About 

Wednesday: What's Up Wednesday? (last wed. of month) // The Queen in Between Style Six // Straight A Style // Jersey Girl, Texan Heart // Fashion Frenzy at Seeking Sunshine and Rosy Outlook // Is This Mutton? Wow on Wednesday // Effortlessly Sophisticated // Wonderful Wednesday //  Welcome Wednesdays //  Classy Flamingos // Wonderful Wednesday // Classy Flamingos // Welcome Wednesdays // What's Up Wednesday?

Thursday: Fashion Files at Doused in Pink and Curly Crafty Mom // Elegance and Mommyhood // High Latitude Style // A Labour of Life // Mummabstylish // Thirty Minus One // Mutton Style // Thursday Favorite Things //  Little Things Thursday // Traffic Jam Weekend @Being a Wordsmith // Encouraging Hearts and Home // Little Things Thursday // Thursday Favorite Things // Traffic Jam Weekend //@Being a Wordsmith // Slices of Life (Encouraging Hearts and Home) 

Winter Wonderland and Anything But a Card

Happy Saturday and thanks so much for visiting! I have two posts to share today, both using new stamps from Penny Black. 

First up I'm so excited to have been invited as a guest designer this month at the Penny Black Saturday challenge!  Do check them out, there is a great prize to win, but you do have to use Penny Black products (stamps or dies) as the focal point. However the challenge theme is optional, this month it's 

"Winter Wonderland" 

or Anything Goes.

Please note, some of the links included are affiliate links, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links. As always this is at no cost to you! Thanks so much for supporting this blog!

For my card I used a new stamp from their recent Christmas release, Birdhouse Blessings. I fell in love with this beautiful image and had to have it. 

Related Products:

The image  has been stamped on Bristol Vellum paper using Walnut Stain Distress ink and I colored using  Distress markers (Peeled Paint, Mowed Lawn, Festive Berries) and Zig Clean Color Brush Pens (Light Blue, Mid Gray, Mustard and Bright yellow - I mixed these two to color the star).

After coloring I used an old brush and Gesso to splatter some paint over the image panel to create some "snowflakes". An old die set was used to create the hills (similar die set) and I added a large snowflake also a retired set, but there are many snowflake dies available. A sticky back rhinestone placed in the snowflake's center and frosted lace stickles finish off the card.

The large sentiment is from the set Season's Gifts and the small sentiment is from the set Holiday Snippets, both by Penny Black. Stamped with Walnut Stain Distress ink.

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My second project is for the new Allsorts challenge theme where Tracy is hosting. I recently mentioned that I decided to step down from the team as there were issues with my card uploads and it had caused me a lot of frustration. We are trying to find a solution (hopefully), so this is a trial only and my card may still not show up at the challenge blog but here's hoping. 

Tracy chose the theme of:

"Anything But a Card"

 with an "Anything Goes" option.

Several months ago I found a set of ceramic coasters at a local thrift store and purchased them for a "re-do" project in mind. They already had a pretty wine themed image on them and my family liked them that way so I never ended up re doing them and we used them just the way they were. But then when it was time to come up with something for this theme, I decided to venture out of  my usual papercrafts and get out my coasters. (I messed one up and need to re-do it, and I'm keeping the other two as they were so I am only showing you one). 

By the way, plain ceramic coasters are available for purchase on Amazon.

I started out by painting two coats of Gesso over the coaster to cover up the original image. (I let the coats dry in between). My stamp platform (options) was used for stamping. The coaster is heavy enough so it won't move when stamping and I was able to repeat stamp without any issues. (Tip: Be sure to place the coaster away from the middle fold and more towards the right side - I messed up my second tile because it was too close to the middle.)

The beautiful stamp I used is another one from Penny Black's recent Season of Hope release - Season's Tweeting. This is a brushstroke stamp and I think I love it just as much as I love the outline stamp on the card above. 

I colored directly onto the stamp with Distress markers (Mowed Lawn, Wild Honey, Festive Berries, Faded Jeans). I had to repeat stamp a couple of times and then I used a slightly wet paint brush over the stamped image. 

Next I used Stampin Up's retired French  Script background stamp and Old Paper distress ink to stamp some words onto the tile and I also sponged some of the same ink along the edges of the coaster. I repeated the script with with black ink (Versafine Onyx) but only stamped at the very bottom. I wanted to be sure the ink wouldn't smear so I sprinkled clear embossing powder over the finished coaster and  heated it up with my heating tool. I had to place the coaster into an old frying pan so I wouldn't burn my fingers. It did take quite some time to finally melt the embossing powder, much longer than it does when using it on paper, but it did eventually melt. I haven't done this yet, but will also spray it with a sealer. 

Thanks so much for taking the time out of your day to stop by my blog!

You may also like:

 

November Crafty Wednesday               Anything But a Card

Linking up with these wonderful blogs:

Project No. 1 (Greeting Card)

Aud Sentiments Challenge - Add a Sentiment // Crimbo Crackers - Anything Goes // Cute Card Thursday - Anything Goes // Creative Knockouts max10 - Tis the Season // Simon Says Stamp - Dies // A Bit More Time to Craft - Anything Goes // Country View Crafts' Challenge - Christmas //  Creative Craft Cottage Challenges - Christmas or Winter // Crafty Sentiment Designs - Anything Goes // Christmas with the Cuties - Feature a Creature // Double Trouble Challenges - Something new with Snow // 

Project No. 2 (Altered Tile Coaster)

Dare to Share // Krafty Chicks - Stamp Act // Christmas Craft Creations - Anything But a Card // A Perfect Time To Craft - Anything Goes // Artistic Stampers - Christmas // Bleeding Art Challenge Blog  - Anything Altered Goes // Crafter's Cafe - Anything Goes // Through The Craft Room Door - Anything Goes // Inspire me Monday

Botanical Notes and Anything But a Card

Good morning and happy weekend 😀

It's Saturday and the 18th of the month today, that means I actually have two projects to show you today! I know that doesn't happen often! Be prepared for a picture heavy post.

Please note: Some affiliate links are included in this post, meaning I may earn a small commission if you purchase something through the links, this is at no cost to you! Thanks so much for your support!

First up I am sharing my mid-month reminder card for Penny Black and More. Our theme this month is simply anything goes, as long as you follow our simple rules, which you can find on the challenge blog. I decided to use one of my newest stamps, I very recently got this one, just couldn't resist - Botanical Notes. Isn't it just beautiful!! I know I just said recently I wasn't going to buy new things anymore, but there is always going to be that "one thing" I will need :-) Like this stamp!

It's been stamped onto Winsor & Newton watercolor marker paper, and colored using Zig clean color brush pens. I find this paper the best for these pens. Unfortunately Blick art materials quit carrying it, and the only place I found it was Amazon. I tried Fabriano hot press, but these pens do not  work very well on that paper. Luckily bristol vellum is another card stock that works ok with the clean color pens, and that I can get anywhere. It's just not my favorite with these pens.

This is a rather large stamp, and I really didn't want to add too much to the card, because I wanted it to stand out. So I stamped the sentiment onto a strip of vellum paper using black stazon ink, and added a little bit of coordinating designer paper. I thought it needed something where the two designer papers met, so I added a little blue button and jute twine. The top of the watercolor paper has been torn and curled up on the corner, then layered onto matching yellow designer paper. Sorry I have no idea of the brands of the papers, I just grabbed them from my stash. 

A little close up below. I did add wink of stella glitter to the butterfly and flower center, but unfortunately it's so hard to see. 

Next up is my project for the new challenge at Allsorts. It's Susan's week to host and she would like to see anything but a card. I have to admit, those types of challenges always scare me a little bit, because  cards are pretty much all I ever seem to make, on rare occasions I made bookmarks or treat bags. So my first thought again was making a bookmark, but then I remembered that for the longest time I've been wanting to make a pretty tissue box cover to go with my current decorations. 

I found an easy to follow tutorial on splitcoaststampers.

Mine was even easier to make because I didn't use extra layers, instead I just used pretty designer paper for my base. This pretty vintage style paper is from a 12x12 inches double sided paper pack (designer paper options). I think mine is by K& Company. I've had it for a while and I thought it was perfect for this.

 

After I completed creating the box, I simply added some adhesive lace and embellished with paper flowers. I've been hoarding these flowers for a long time, I never use them on cards because I find them too bulky on cards, but they were perfect for this. 

Below is a little peek at the top.

It's hard to tell but I used one of the Nestabilties Label 4 dies to cut out the opening. I was able to fold the edges on the score lines in order to fit it through the die cutting machine. 

I really wanted to stamp a verse on the designer paper, but the thought only came after it was finished. I tried but it didn't stamp evenly, so I left it as is and covered up the partial stamping with another pretty flower. 

I left the other two sides blank, showing just the pretty paper, they will be facing the wall anyway. I thought about using a second ribbon and tying a bow, but my cats would probably  have too much fun with it, and I really like it how it is.  This cover will probably be in my living room up until Fall. I had so much fun making this, I might actually make another one for the Fall season and one for Winter.





This week I'd like to enter my card to the following challenges:
 The Flower Challenge #6 - Anything Goes
 

Stamping Sensations - Close to Nature 
 

Mixed Media Monthly -Buttons (hope one button is ok?)
 

The Artistic Stamper - Springtime
 

And that would be all for today. I hope you'll check out the Allsorts challenge blog and Penny Black and More to see what the rest of the teams made and come join us for a chance to win some fabulous prizes. At Allsorts our own team member Wendy is giving away a fun die, and at Penny Black and More we  have several prizes by Penny Black , Marianne Design ,
 Chalkola and Fantastic Ribbons.
  

Hope to see you there!!

Advents Wreath

Happy Saturday!

Hope you all had a nice and relaxing Thanksgiving, if you celebrated! I spent a nice day with my family, turkey turned out great too :-) 

Did you get any shopping done? I placed a few online orders and only went to Joann's to pick up a few things I still needed for my Advent's wreath. Not a fan of big crowds but by the time I went it wasn't that bad anymore. 

I spent most of the day yesterday finishing my Advent's wreath, and then did a little bit of Christmas decorating around the house.

This was the second wreath I've ever made, if you'd like to see my first one, click here. 

I used a pre-made wreath which I purchased from Lowe's. It came with a large red bow, but I removed that. I'm sure the wreaths they sell are meant to be hung up, but I turned mine into an Advent's wreath. The embellishments and candles were all purchased from Joann's. I wish they had prettier candles to choose from, but the ones that did look nicer were too wide to fit onto my holders (I bought those in Germany years ago.) 

 Side view.

Here is a top view. Love these colors!

This is probably my last wreath for some time, but who knows, maybe I'll make one for Valentine's Day :-)

Hope you enjoy the rest of your day!!

Thanks so much for visiting!!

Something completely different...

Ok, this is my first time ever making a wreath, so please be nice :-)

It's nowhere near perfect, but I am pretty impressed by how it turned out :-) I've been wanting to create a wreath for many years now, but never actually did. I was always overwhelmed by the amount of products you can buy, and never knew where to begin. This year I did a pinterest search for wreaths, and came across so many beautifully designed ones. And so it started.

I actually wanted to create a Fall wreath, but when I went shopping for supplies, all Fall items were on clearance and hardly anything left. So I decided to create a Christmas one instead, Christmas is only a few weeks away anyway.

My supplies came mainly from Joann Craft and Fabric, with a couple sprigs that I picked up from Walmart. The owls I found at Menards, they are actually ornaments, but I cut the hanging loops off.

After the hardest part was done - deciding what to purchase - it was fairly easy to put together. The next challenging part came when it was time to make and attach the bow, but I somehow managed thanks to a youtube bow-making video I watched. Now I just need to glue the owls on, they are still loose right now, and will be using my hot glue gun. 

This wreath will be hanging on my living room wall the day after Thanksgiving :-)

Hope you're having a nice and relaxing Sunday. The weather is beautiful here in my part of the world so I will be doing a little yard work before it gets dark outside. Lots of leaves were blown onto the corners of the house last week in the storm.