Valentine's Mantel

Hello!

I finally have something to post about so I'm back.  We have been battling the flu here first M and then Jacob.  Ugh, I'm sure hoping that I don't get it!  I got cabin fever this weekend and decided to redo the mantel.  I did something after Christmas and I never really loved it.  I haven't decorated for Valentine's Day since I was in elementary school but I thought it would be fun and bonus....I didn't spend a dime.  See, that craft closet does pay off! ;)

I made the burlap bunting and tissue paper tassels, the baby food jar candles were leftovers from M's first birthday, the Love print I won from a blog giveaway and never found a place for, the birdie I had and the large frame I bought for $6 at a thrift store a few weeks ago and the intended project fell through.

The bunting is just burlap with tissue paper hearts modge-podged on.  I made the tassels following these instructions and both only took around 30 minutes.

The heart chain is a pinterest find, which is so basic it's silly.  So there you have it!  My free festive Valentine's Day mantel.

Do you decorate for small holidays?

Grandma's Recipes

Hello!

I hope you all are well because it has been awhile!  We have been busy as usual but are happy to be getting back into our normal routine.  M and I have been hitting the gym in the mornings and I have been trying to squeeze in at least one item from my (never-ending) to do list each afternoon while she naps.  This past weekend Jacob and I purged our closet and master bedroom, which felt great!  

I'm here to share one item that has been on my list for forever and I'm so happy I took 10 minutes to do it and mark it off the list!  I saw the idea on Pinterest originally to frame your Grandma's recipe cards and since both of my Grandmas have passed I definitely knew this is something I wanted to do.  I'm still working on Jacob's Grandmas who are still living but not in the best of health.  I hope to one day have all 4 hanging but for now it is just 2.

Here is where they are located in the kitchen.....near the coffee pot....a gathering place in our kitchen!

Grandma Snyder's recipe for Beef Stroganoff

Grandma Richardson's recipe for French Chocolate Pie

This one is very special, you can see my name on it because I made this pie years and years ago (I found it in a magazine) and I have been dying to make it the last 5 or more years but didn't have the recipe and then I found this while cleaning out her house.  I love it.  I'll make it and share it if it is as delicious as I remember!

I used this website to download canvas images on paper to matte the recipe cards.  There are several to choose from and it's free!

I love looking at their handwriting.....the recipes don't really matter :)

Why hello there plate wall!  Here is another one of my favorite spots in the kitchen

I think I have FINALLY settled on curtains for the master bedroom.  I'll be back soon with pictures!

Quick Mantel Update

Hi all!  

Happy New Year!  I took an unintentional few weeks off when the Holidays arrived but I'm back!  We had a great Christmas with family and friends and a wonderful New Year celebration with friends from out of town.  Like several blogs I read today I feel refreshed in the new year and can't wait to get to work on several home projects.  

Jacob helped me take down all the Christmas decor yesterday and while the house always feels bare after it's all put away I also love the clutter free feel!  I need to work on our mantel and the first step was adding some height.  In typical fashion I shopped the house and back yard and this is what I came up with.  I'm still tweaking it and I need to figure out what I want to do to anchor it a bit.

I needed something to hold the sticks in place and found a toilet paper roll was perfect!  Winning!

Once I add to it and get it the way I want I'll be back with pictures!

Have a great day!

Before and After Feature

After a long sad weekend with the news of Sandy Hook I wanted to feature a great before and after.  Are you like me that you love a great before and after?  I love looking at the before pics and trying to imagine what they do for the afters before I look at them!

Design Indulgence did a great makeover of a master bedroom and when I ran across it on Pinterest I had to share:

Before:

And the amazing After:

If you have been around long you know I'm a sucker for neutrals, especially in bedroom spaces so this is right up my alley.  The things I love are that they painted the nightstands and reused things like the mirror, as well as covering up the holes above the fireplace.

Click here for more photos!


My prayers go out to those in Newtown, CT.  May God comfort you in your time of need.

Our Christmas Tree

Hi all!

We got our tree this last weekend and Jacob and I both agree it is the best tree we have ever had.  It is tall and thin and the perfect shape for the corner we put it in!  Unlike most bloggers we decorate our tree the same each year: white and multi-color lights, beaded garland, and all of our sentimental ornaments.

We put the unbreakable ornaments at the bottom and M has been doing great with it!

Have a great day!

Christmas Decor

Hi all!

I'm just settling in for the evening and I finally got around to taking a few Christmas decor pictures.  I decided it best to take some in the daylight and some at night and post a bit of both.  So far this year I haven't bought anything for inside as far as Christmas decorations go so I'm pretty proud of that!  I do think a wreath on the mirror above the mantel would look pretty!

A lot of our decor this year is easy and not fussy since we have a 1.5 year old running around and because the thought of putting away a lot of decor come January exhausts me. :)

Here are a few snapshots from around the house:

I plan to sew a runner for this table and make a box like I talked about here but this will do for now:

This centerpiece used to be Jacob's grandparents so I enjoy putting it out each year

You may recognize the vase from our usual decor.  I was planning to simply put up our usual small tree but it didn't seem tall enough now that I'm used to the height of the white vase and hydrangeas.  I decided to improvise and take the tree out of the stand and stick it in the white vase.  It's not quite proportionate but I don't hate it so I think it will do!

A few sprigs of greenery and vintage ornaments I found while thrifting years ago add just a touch of Christmas to this small vignette!

Our mantel is the same as last years.  I'm thinking a wreath would look beautiful over the mirror:

Not too bad for not spending a dime!

Toddler Friendly Christmas Tree

Happy Friday!

I wanted to share a quick project I just whipped up while M is napping.  I had a bunch of felt lying around and when I saw a felt tree for toddlers to decorate on Pinterest I had to give it a try.  I'm a bit worried about M and the tree this year so I am hoping I can direct her to this tree as one she can play with.

I took this pile of felt:

And turned it into this in just about an hour:

Oliver had to be in the shot!  The best part is that the ornaments all come off and because felt sticks to felt M can move them around and hopefully have fun decorating her tree.

I glued the tree to the wall with a bit of hot glue and the presents are attached as well!

Not too bad for an hour of time and completely free especially if it keeps M busy and out of the real tree!  Here's hoping!

Have a great weekend!