Christmas Home Tour

Welcome to our humble abode.  Over the weekend my friend Erin and I went on our town's historic Christmas home tour.  It was so much fun.  We are so lucky to live in an amazing town with awesome historic homes sprinkled all over.  There was so much inspiration to be found in those homes.  We enjoyed it so much.  Last week Jennifer Rizzo hosted her annual Holiday House Walk.  If you haven't checked it out, you totally should...especially if you love christmas decorating.  So many beautiful homes and hours of enjoyment - warning you will get sucked in and it will be difficult to walk away from the computer.  So make sure you take a peek when you have a good chunk of time to kill - like so many of us do.  Ok, so now its time to take a peek at our little house all decorated for Christmas.  Its simple with lots of handmade elements throughout.  You don't have to go crazy and there are so many things you can do yourself to make your home special during christmas.  So come with me and take the tour...

I love lanterns, especially old ones.  This lantern was my great grandfathers, it has gotten a little spray paint touch up (it was pretty rusty) but I love it all prettied up for christmas and on our from stoup.

This year I really wanted a fresh wreath and I'm also really loving plaid at the moment - so this wreath was born.  

Its been a while since I've updated the blog, but I'm getting there.  So, there are probably many things that look different in here besides the christmas touches.

One of my favorite things I made this year was this little reindeer silhouette.  It was so easy, I'll share soon!

My little square boxwood wreath I made last year found a new home this year.  

Another old lantern sits in our living room housing a nutcracker of course.

Our christmas tree is real, its not perfect or immaculately decorated but I love it.  Our tree every year represents us.  Each ornament means something and reminds of us a special moment of our lives.  

The ornaments are often moved around by Silas and that's totally ok with me.  He loves sitting by the tree and asking about the ornaments and hearing the stories.

I also have some handmade elements on the tree, like this simple scrap fabric garland.  Something I made last year - and from leftover fabrics (so it was totally free!).

We don't have a mantle (even though we have two chimneys..the quirks of owning an older home) so this little place always kind of acts like a mantle for me.

I went simple with the advent calendar this year too.  And reused a banner I made a few years ago (from leftover paper and fabric again).

One of my favorite things we have started is collecting little nativity scenes from the different countries we visit.  Represented here is Ecuador, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic and Panama.  Silas loves these and I often find them in little places all over the house.

Ok, this is totally a pinterest thing I had to do this year.  I love these little winter scenes.

I love changing around this chalkboard for each season and I love seeing this reminder each day.  

He is the image of the invisible God,the firstborn of all creation. For by  him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.  Colossians 1:15-20

Merry Christmas!

DIY Gift Ideas

Today I wanted to share with you some awesome DIY gift ideas that I have found floating around the blog world.  Sometimes you just need some inspiration to get your creative side flowing so hopefully these projects will inspire you to create some of your own.  There are so many great projects to find on sites like pinterest as well - so make sure you take a look there too if you are thinking of diy-ing some Christmas gifts this year.  Here are just a few that I am loving right now.

I'm loving the etched glass monogram on this jar (which is actually very simple to do), and how cute is the hot cocoa assortment?  Head over to Oopsey Daisy for this project and lots more!

I've seen lots of personalized coasters but I love the way these are done with resin, they are so glossy and pretty.  (Via Oopsey Daisy)

I totally wish I could sew because I would be making these for my son.  I love how they are perfect for little hands, plus how cute would they be on a kitchen fridge?  These are a win-win.  Go to Make it Modern for a great tutorial!

So for those of us who are not the best at sewing, these are perfect.  A little hand towel, a little stencil and paint and you have a really cute diy gift.  Cottage and Vine has several simple sweet ideas.

Have a friend who loves tea?  How cute is this wreath?  Head over to Kojo Designs for this great tutorial!

I love anything lemon so when I saw this, I was smitten.  Adelyn Stone has a simple and easy tutorial for making this scrub.  

Have some candies or sweets you want to give as gifts and need a cute way to package it?  How cute are these?  Answer - very.  A Beautiful Mess has got you covered, plus a really great peanut butter cup recipe!

I'm all about this next project - these little birdie clay ornaments are so precious.  I think I would use these somewhere in my house even when Christmas is over.  Check out Jessica Jane for this diy ornament tutorial.

This next one couldn't get any easier, but it's so cute.  Full of Great Ideas took a cue from Pottery Barn and created her own monogrammed candles.  Love this.

(Source: pottery barn)

(Source: Full of Great Ideas)

This last one is so clever to me - Spray Painted Pinecone Candle Holders.  Check out Crissy's Crafts for her How-To.

So that's it for today, lot of great inspiration.  I'm off to try some of these and make some salt dough ornaments as well.  I'll share with you how it goes later this week!