Thursday, December 3, 2009

Some Christmas decorations

Hello! Welcome into our cozy dining room, where our Christmas tree is this year. I really kept the decorations to a minimum this year. I just felt the need to keep things simple.
The poinsettas aren't real but they hold up really well every year. Those plates are a collection of Norman Rockwells that were given to me after my grandfather passed away. Even though they aren't "Christmasy", for some reason Norman Rockwell always invokes that cozy feeling to me. The centerpiece in the table are just some tall beaded gold trees.
Because of allergies, we have to do an artificial tree. We keep it very kid friendly...it's mostly handmade ornaments and the ones they collect every year. There are a few on there from my childhood as well. One day I will gussy it up beautifully, but for now I like it just like it is. I am a white lights person, what about you?
(I love the way the lights reflect against the window...it's the first thing you see when you walk up to the door!:)
It's hard to get these shots, but I love this glittery turquoise dream ornament. Of course, I love anything red and turquoise for Christmas.
On the other side of the dining room is our piano. This is where I set up our Willow Tree Nativity scene. This is my favorite Christmas decoration and the kids know to just look, not touch. I want to buy them a children's nativity scene to play with this year. Doesn't Little People make one?
On the other end of the house in the hallway I decorated with this cute Santa and Reindeer that my mother-in-law bought me. Those quirky trees are from the Dollar Tree last year, I just think they are so cute!
Every year it is a tradition for our kids to pick out a new ornament and we buy one or two new Christmas books. When we do our Advent activities at night we usually read one of our Christmas books. So what great book are we missing? We haven't bought any Christmas books this year, so tell me your kids favorite!

I have another little tree set up with all of our Charlie Brown ornaments, but it needs some help. When I get it looking better I'll show you. I also forgot about our outside decorations too!

I've got Christmas music playing tonite and we had hot cocoa with snowmen shaped marshmellows. Don't remind me that the high today was almost 80 degrees, I'm pretending it's already Winter!

xo, Chrissie

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Guest Bathroom...Before and After

We started on the kids/guest bathroom, ahem, in May. There is nothing like an impending Thanksgiving holiday where 25 people are coming over to get your hubby to finish it up.
Here are some before shots. We basically gutted the whole thing. Took out and replaced the bathtub, toilet, sink, and all the tile (floor and shower walls.)
We thought we would do most of the work ourselves. We actually did all the demolition, but turns out there is a lot involved when putting in a jacuzzi tub. You need an electrician and a plumber. Well, we did anyway.
I found that really nice waffle cloth liner at a garage sale during the summer, still in the package. I haven't found a shower curtain I love yet. I'm thinking of making my own out of a white fabric and monogramming the center. Anyone know what kind of fabric works best for a shower curtain?
It is very simple. We replaced the 1980's toilet and sink with the newer streamlined Kohl's throne and a Kohl's pedestal sink. Mike had earned reward points from work at Homegoods, where I got the garbage can, matching soap dispenser, and brushed nickel toilet paper holder. We went with the brushed nickel for all of the fixtures.
My husband insisted on the jacuzzi tub for me because he loves me:) I take a bath almost every night for relaxation, and I have to say I do love it! You can see the new tiles on the shower walls here.
I found that mirror on sale at Ross for 12.99 but it was a dark wood. I had been looking everywhere for a white oval mirror, so I finally bought this one, spray painted it white, and distressed it slightly. (The little postcard is a small print from Jen Lemen.) The towel rack is behind the door and I haven't found anything to hang above it yet.
I repurposed that shelf from Goodwill (4.99 I think?) It was painted white and distressed. The shell frame and small basket holding soap were GW finds too. I added some of my favorite shells. The storage unit was from hubby's reward bucks at Homegoods too.

I wish I had better pictures, but there is no natural light in that room. It feels nice to have another updated room in the house. As many of you home-owners know, it's a never-ending process when you buy an older house!

Thanks for looking. How can it be that we're already half-way through the week again?

xo, Chrissie

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Birthday Gift for my Mom

I wanted to show you a birthday gift I made for my mom. It would be a nice Christmas gift for some friends, too.
My mother is an ovarian cancer survivor and I found the fat quarter of the aqua ribbon symbol at my local sewing stuido. I found the checkbook tutorial here. It was a very easy and fun pattern!
Nothing like a big fat sparkly posie on your checkbook cover to make writing checks more fun!:)
Happy Birthday Mom!

Monday, November 30, 2009

Tales of a 4th Grade Nothing

Mother and son. Am I the only one who sees the wierd similarities? (head cocked to the left, same way of smiling, looking in the same direction??:)
Are you done giggling at my 4th grade picture? Yes, I'm the one on the left, circa 1984. The year that I sang Madonna's "Like a Virgin" over and over, even though I had no idea what it meant. The year that I wore florescent yellow and pink, wore slinky bracelets all the way up my elbows, and traded my hightops converse at school with someone so we both had mismatched colors.

And that is my Logan on the right. My first-born. My first-born is in fourth grade now? How is that possible? He loves to play baseball, basketball, football, well, any sport. He likes to wear "skater clothes" and play Club Penguin on the computer with his brother. Some of his best friends right now are girls and I hope it stays that way for a long time because I am not ready for any of that girlfriend business. He reminded me last night when we were talking about Advent that he had hope because Jesus had already given him the gift of everlasting life.

Sigh...growing up happens too fast.
I just love that boy so much.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Monkeys on my back

Is anyone else finding a hard time pulling themselves out of the post-holiday relaxation mode? :)
I have lots of things I want to show you...a tutorial on fabric photo ornaments, some handmade birthday gifts, our Christmas decorations, a revamped Christmas dress for Ava, and the finished and final result of our guest bathroom before and after! But...I have a couple of monkeys on my back to tend to first. I've GOT to finish this custom mosaic~
Did I mention the rough draft to my book is due on Friday? (and why does blogger do that to my pictures sometimes?!?)
and finish up some custom orders~ So I can get to those new ideas that are begging to be born!
It's the first day of advent season too...I need to organize our family activities to celebrate.
Ok, breathe. The monkeys can wait-right?:)
Happy Blessed Sunday
xo,
Chrissie

Friday, November 27, 2009

25% off everything in my Etsy shop

I just wanted y'all to know there's a Black Friday sale in my Etsy shop. 25% off any item in the shop, including any custom orders. Feel free to look through the sold items too, and email me with any questions.The sale will end Sunday night. If you order anything, please wait for a new invoice before paying.
I've never personally done the Black Friday shopping thing, but if you are one of the ones getting up at 3 am good luck!:)

I hope all of you had a great Thanksgiving! We will putting away all of the fall decorations and getting our Christmas tree up and decorations out. I can't wait! Of course I'll be back with some pictures.:)

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

My Cup Runneth Over...

It was a dreary and wet day outside today, but cozy and warm in our home.
We marveled at the new life...
...raced the awesome handmade wooden cars Grandpa scored at a garage sale for $5 (for a whole lot of them!)...
...played with acorns......started prep work for tomorrow's feast...
...taught someone how to peel 5 pounds of taters...
...received gracious gifts from family...
And then Mama snuck out with a friend to see Blind Side. What a great Thanksgiving movie. I highly recommend it.
Ahh...now off to bed with my wonderful husband to count my blessings.
I wish all of you a safe and happy Thanksgiving.
xo,
Chrissie