Rain on a Tin Roof

Category: Holidays and Seasonal

Easy DIY Dollar Tree Skull Candle Holder
This skull candle holder won’t cost more than $5 to make and won’t take but about 10 minutes to put together. I’m willing to bet, it’s going to be one of your favorite Halloween decorations this year!

It finally happened.

It took giving up for it to finally happen, but it happened.

When I finally gave myself permission to not stress out about fall decorating, it was then that my heart reminded me what I really loved most about fall.

Halloween.

I love witches. And ghosts. And haunted houses. And basically anything else that screams creepy and/or haunted.

I’m that girl.

And while walking through the Halloween decor at the Dollar Tree, I slowly felt that vaguely familiar feeling creeping back into me again – the need to go all out for Halloween.

And that made me all giddy inside like Tilly Witch when she finally remembered how to be a witch again.

And so I bought nearly all the skulls the Dollar Tree had in both glitter and non-glitter varieties. And then I headed over to Michael’s and proceed to buy even more Halloween things and then asked the clerk if she could check the back for more.

I was back.

I came home and then turned our living room into Halloween amazingness.

But before we jump into a whole house Halloween tour, let’s first start with this creepy DIY skull candle holder!

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Definitely creepy, right?

It’s so easy to make – you won’t believe it!

DIY Skull Candle Holder

Tools & Supplies Needed:
- 3 Plastic Halloween Skulls, mine came from The Dollar Tree
- Three Black Taper Candles or other color candles of your choice, I got mine from Hobby Lobby.
- X-Acto Knife
- Hot Glue Gun
Steps

Step 1

Using the X-Acto knife, cut out an “X” into the top of each skull.

Step 2

Arrange the skulls in a triangle type formation and hot-glue them together where each one touches. It’s totally ok to go overboard with the glue here as it will just look like wax droppings from candles.

Let the hot glue fully dry, then stick a candle into each X that you made with the X-Acto knife. Apply a good bit of hot glue where the candle and skull meet.

In the photo below, you can see both where I applied the hot glue to connect the skulls and where I secured the candles.

I layered in some creepy cloth from the Dollar Tree under the skulls as well to add a bit more to this cheap and easy Halloween table centerpiece.

If you wanted to add a sparkly touch to your candle holder, you could also glitter the eye sockets of the skulls.

The Circus has insisted on eating dinner by light of the skull candleholder every night since I’ve made it. I’m cool with that. She’s beginning to love all things Halloween and spooky like her mama. 😉

This also makes a great table centerpiece for a spooky Halloween party!

Who else is ready to just skip all this fall leaves and pumpkin decorating and just go straight for the spooky stuff?

Want more great Halloween decorating ideas and projects?

Easy Halloween Decor DIY Projects – loads of great Halloween crafts that won’t cost a fortune and are simple to make!

DIY Skull Drink Stirrers in Five Minutes – so easy and so fun for a party!

Free Printable Double Double Toil and Trouble Halloween Art – instant decor!

Free Printable Spell Book Cover and Potion Labels – one can’t be without their spell book on Halloween!

Dollar Tree Skull Upcycle– see how I upcycled these same skulls a different way!

Looking for some spooky books to read? Be sure to see my list of The Best Ghosts, Witches and Such Books!

Want to come back later? Just pin the image below!

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September 28, 2017
Five Free Fall Mums Watercolor Printables

I am so excited about how this little project turned out, ya’ll! It’s not really a project, I suppose, but either way, I’m excited about it.

If you’re coming over from Robb Restyle, welcome! I just love Kristy’s Cool Nights printable – so perfect for fall!

If you saw my fall home tour, then you know I gave myself a hard time about not being on top of my fall game. Well, I finally said screw it when it came to fall decorating and just threw a few pumpkins out and called it good.

Isn’t it funny though how sometimes when you stop trying so hard you end up getting exactly what you were trying to get?

Or something like that.

Well that’s how these fall mums watercolor printables came to be.

My friend, Laura from The Turquoise Home asked myself and a few of our other blogger friends to join in on a fall printable blog hop. With all my fall woes, I wasn’t sure I could come up with anything.

But after a little ego boosting from some friends, I managed to come up with this…

And I am tickled pink over it, ya’ll! I mean, it’s not a Monet or anything, but for someone who totally wasn’t feeling all the fall decor, I was excited about how it turned out.

In fact, so excited that I came up with four more…

The ADHD just totally kicked in and I was all gung-ho about it.

Wait, is gung-ho even a saying where you live?

Not only did I create five different watercolor scenes, but I also did two different font variations on each of them.

And you can get all of them fo’ free!

What can you do with them?

Well, for starters, print them off. 😉 I suggest printing on card stock, which is what I did. I usually either take or upload all my color printing things like this to Staples print center. With these, I told them to center each image on a piece of 8.5 x 11 card stock paper and then print them off. Then you can frame them, display them on a clipboard or use them to cover up a hole in your wall. Basically, whatever your little heart desires to do with them.

Besides the font variations, I am also giving you the watercolor file itself without any text in case that’s your shot of whiskey.

How to Get the Printables

You can get all five of the fall mums printables by subscribing to the Rain on a Tin Roof email subscription right here.

Once you’re subscribed, you’ll receive an email with instructions on how to access my free printable library and that is where you will find all of these fall printables.

If you’re already a subscriber, then just look at the last email you got from me, which is probably the email that had the link to this post, scroll to the bottom of the email and you’ll find the instructions there for accessing the printable library!

I really hope you guys love these little things as much as I do.

Happy Printing! 😉

Looking for more great printable art? Snag these then!

Free Printable Horse Art – gorgeous horses to grace your walls.

Printable Cow Art – who knew cows could be so pretty?

Find Her Jesus, Keep Her Well Art – for the little girls in your life.

Want to come back later? Just pin the image below!

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September 19, 2017
Fall at the Farmhouse

Affiliate links may be included in this post.

Hey, ya’ll! Today, I’m sharing my fall home tour with five other bloggers in this year’s Fall Home Tours hosted by Marty from A Stroll Thru Life. If you’re popping over from 11 Magnolia Lane or another stop on the tour or from anywhere else, welcome!

I’m going to be brutally honest today.

Rug / Sofa (similar) / Ottoman / Botanical Art Prints / TV Stand / Nailhead Wing Chairs / Red Pillows

While I absolutely love this time of the year – it’s my favorite by far, it can often make me feel a little inadequate.

Everywhere I look, everyone has these beautifully decorated and thoughtful homes for fall and I’m just over here like, “How did you ever find time to do that?” Not to mention, “How in the hell did you even come up with that?”

Rug / Ottoman / TV Stand / Botanical Prints / Wall Sconces (I painted mine gold.)

Don’t get me wrong – I think everyone who has those gorgeous fall homes, folks that are a part of this tour included, are just flat amazing. My hat is off to you. I bow down in your presence. I commend you. I am not worthy to be alongside you on this tour. Please tell me your secrets.

Sofa (similar) / Art Above Sofa / Blue Pillow / Mini Radio Flyer Wagon

I think on Pinterest there are approximately 3,263 gorgeous fall wreaths made of all sorts of things, 6,328 ways to decorate a pumpkin and no less than 2,846 beautiful fall mantels out there. I mean, those aren’t actual statistical numbers, just what my overwhelmed mind tells me.

I love most all of those thousands of fall decorating ideas. They are beautiful and those people who made them should get a damn fall decorating award. But as I browse through all that, I usually end up just wanting to find the closet corner to crawl into and cry. And if we’re being honest, probably drink too.

Wall Sconces (I painted mine gold.)

I feel like I’ve been in a bit of a slump lately, or maybe for the last few Falls, and it’s like my creativity in that department just hit a wall. I walk the seasonal aisles of all the local craft stores just hoping to get some spark of creativity and there’s nothing. Zero. Zip. Nada. The ship has sailed and I don’t know if it’s ever coming back home. I mean, I was never a brilliant fall decorator, but I’ve been coming up shorter a little more every year.

DIY Ribbon Wrapped Pumpkins

So I finally did the one thing that I know exactly how to do best.

I said screw it.

I didn’t come up with one single new fall craft or decorating idea or anything of the sort. I pulled out the painted pumpkins and fall garland from years past and threw ’em around.

And that was it.

It’s good enough.

DIY Glittery Fall Garland

When I start seeing real pumpkins around here to buy, I’ll get some of those too, and the Circus and I will paint them and carve them and glitter their stems. It won’t be anything groundbreaking, but we’ll have fun doing it and we’ll enjoy them.

And isn’t that all that really matters in the end?

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Next stop on the fall home tours today is Hymns and Verses!

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September 14, 2017
A Colorful Christmas Home Tour | Part 2

I completely understand if you are on Christmas home tour overload by this point. I’m sure there has been a slew of holiday decorating coming your way this week and probably last week too.

If you’re fed up with it by now, I totally get it. I’ll be the first to say that I’m pretty glad this is the last Christmas decorating post I’m doing this year. I’m ready to sit back, drink a few cheap beers and just enjoy the holidays.

I’m hoping I can still reel you in though for one last Christmas home tour today – a very colorful one.

So if you’re hopping over from Laura at Duke Manor Farms as part of the Christmas Home Tour that the wonderful Marty from A Stroll Thru Life hosts every year, welcome. I will try my best to live up to the rest of the gorgeous holiday decorating that the other folks on the tour have shared. However, if Laura included her donkey in her Christmas home tour, then I can already tell you I won’t be able to top that. I love that damn donkey and I’ve never even met him.

What I can offer you is a Christmas home tour that isn’t trendy, the tree would never win a prize for the most beautifully decorated and there will also be a Gone with the Wind reference featuring James the Elf.

Intriguing, enough?

The Living Room

Affiliate links included in this post.

Lion Print / Ghost Chairs / Green Velvet Pillows / Red Drapes / Multi-Arm Brass Floor Lamp

I fell a little more in love with our living room when I decorated it for Christmas this year. For those of you who are new here, this is our first Christmas in this house. The way all the colorful decorations just popped off the black walls won me over.

Ghost Chairs / Green Velvet Pillows / Red Drapes / Our Christmas Tree

Leopard Print Pillow / Banana Leaves Print Pillow / Red Drapes / Multi-Arm Brass Floor Lamp

Lion Print

To decorate our house for Christmas, I like to use lots and lots of colorful vintage ball ornaments, preferably in clusters, and drape them anywhere I can. Also, I’m a fan of tinsel, especially gold tinsel, which I realize some may consider tacky. That’s never stopped me before though.

How to Make Ornament Clusters / Red Drapes

I guess our leopard print wrapping paper may be considered trendy, but if you take a deeper dive into my home, then you’ll know that leopard print paper was meant for me. However, my bow making abilities, or lack thereof, don’t necessarily do justice to the wrapping paper.

Brass Unicorn (similar ones) / Vintage Santas (similar ones) / DIY Vintage Ornament Tree

I’ve rarely met a vintage piece of Christmas decor that I didn’t like, especially Santas.

Our Santa rides a unicorn though. He’s hip like that.

The Circus also prefers to wrap her Uncle Nicky’s gifts in the leopard print paper complete with a bright pink bow. We can’t wait for him to see that.

Malachite Paper / Chrome & Black Bench

A new addition to my living room is this malachite wall, brass floor lamp and bench.

The bench, which Harper Blvd. sent me, helped to add some extra seating space for parties and of course, brought in some sexy with the curves of the base and the reptile upholstery.

DIY Vintage Storybook Garland / Our Christmas Tree

My most favorite decoration we have though is our tree.

It’s not filled with matching, color-coordinated ornaments and it will never make its way into an issue of Better Homes and Gardens.

But it always sinks its branches into our hearts with the memories it holds.

Like a dinosaur painted garland made by a two-year-old.

Multiple Barbies and Care Bears.

And J.R. from Dallas of course.

And most importantly with little stuffed animals that once graced my Grannie’s tree.

Our tree is filled with memories – you can see more of it here.

The Kitchen

Our kitchen remodel is not 100% complete just yet, so you’ll have to overlook any little unfinished details.

In here, I brought a little bit more of the leopard touch in with the small wrapped gifts on the cabinet doors.

DIY Vintage Elf Wreath

And of course, another little vintage touch with the Elf wreath.

Oh What Fun Towel

Obviously, I’m a Barefoot Contessa fan.

Ceramic Christmas Trees (similar ones)

While this ceramic Christmas tree isn’t my Grannie’s, it’s one that is similar to the one she put out at her house every year. Every time I look at it, I think of her.

Free Gone with the Wind Printable + DIY Lucite Frame

James, our elf seems to abide by the same motto myself and Rhett Butler do. 😉

Conway, Loretta, Johnny and June oversee the gift wrapping festivities.

Judging from the end of that gold wrapped gift, I should also opt for more clear tape. #failingatChristmas

Did you hear that? I think there’s cheap beer and good country music calling my name somewhere.

I’m off, but you can see the first part of my Christmas Home Tour here if I didn’t scare you away with this one. And If you haven’t made it through all of today’s tours yet, you can also visit Chelsea from Making Home Base. She always creates a cozy home for the holidays.

Disclosure: Harper Blvd provided me with the living room bench. However, all opinions are 100% mine.

*This post contains affiliate links. That means if you click on one of those links and buy something, I may receive a small commission, but you won’t pay a dime more.

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December 9, 2016
A Colorful Christmas Home Tour | Part 1

Merry Christmas!

Welcome to the first part of my Holiday Home Tour! If you’ve been around for a while, flying your freak flag right alongside me, then you know what to expect – holiday decor at it’s most colorful, meaningful and perhaps a touch on the tacky side.

If you are just popping in for the first time from Chelsea at Two Twenty One or from one of the other gals on the All Through the House Christmas tour, I feel I must warn you – my Christmas decor may not be what you would expect.

The most color coordinating we get around here when it comes to our holiday decor is our wrapping paper. There are no rules for holiday decorating with us – we just prefer it to be fun, festive, colorful and we give bonus points for decorations that come with plenty of memories.

If you do enjoy my “freak flag take” on Christmas decorating, then be sure to stop back by on Friday to see the rest of my home tour including our Christmas tree where the decorations include, but are not limited to old shoes, glasses, stuffed animals and other memorable items.

We’ll start today in our entryway….

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Red Rug

We have a split-entry home, so there isn’t too much room for decor here.

I did manage to make it look like we beheaded Santa and hung it from the backside of our front door.

Kidding. Well, kind of.

I do have a thing for vintage holiday decor and am a sucker for just about any vintage Santa paraphernalia that comes my way. I picked up the hanging Santa head at an antiques store for a few bucks. I loved his big ‘ol grin.

Assholes this side of the Nuthouse Printable / National Lampoon’s Christmas Wrapping Paper

In the corner of the entry, I nestled my father-in-law’s sled from when he was a boy, wrapped with the beloved vintage red and green Christmas lights that were my grandparent’s. As you may know from previous Christmas tours, those lights hold a very very special place in my heart. It seemed those and the sled just belonged together there.

Assholes this side of the Nuthouse Printable

Of course, it was necessary to add my own personal holiday touch to the vignette. I did that with this Jolliest Bunch of Assholes printable that my friend Dena made. Dena gave me a download of her Griswold family printables to use in my Christmas decorating and I fell in love with this simple one. I can’t wait for it to greet people at our annual Christmas party this Saturday!

Griswold Wrapping Paper

Dena also made wrapping paper in National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation themes as well. I got the Griswold White Wrapping Paper and also the red Cousin Eddie’s RV paper. The wrapping paper alone should ensure the gift recipients enjoy their gifts.

Now, let’s take a trip to the Jungle Room…

The Jungle Room Makeover / Zebra Rug / Sofa

This is the first year as a family that we’ve had a chimney for Santa to come down and a mantel to hang stockings from.

I am probably way more excited about this than I should be.

Santa Tinsel Wreath / Custom Character Stocking Holders

Since we didn’t have stocking holders for a mantel, I made each of us our own custom ones complete with each of our favorite characters. The Circus and Bill chose horse and Bob the Builder ones.

DIY Ornament Clusters

Grunt Labor and I used the Barbie and G.I. Joe that topped our wedding cake.

We’re cool like that.

The custom stocking holders literally took less than five minutes to make and each cost less than $10 too. You can get the tutorial for the stocking holders here. If you noticed those colorful ornament ball clusters, I’ve got the easy how-to for those here.

Standing Santa Wood Cut-Out (similar)

The big Santa was an after-Christmas sale find last year. He’s new, but I loved his vintage look. There’s a similar one here.

I did opt to go for some leopard print wrapping paper this season because it did lend itself so well to the jungle room decor. 😉 My bows are simple satin ribbon and most don’t even look that great – I’m not skilled at all in the bow making department.

Rug / Sofa / Plaid Throw (similar) / Fur Pillows (similar)

Snakeskin Lamp (similar) / Sofa / Plaid Throw (similar) / Fur Pillows (similar)

I also added some of the ornament clusters on the lamps.

Ocean Avenue Art Print

For the ledge above the sofa, I just accented the decor already there with a gold tinsel tree complete with a leopard print tree skirt, which is really just a half-yard of fabric. 🙂

Vintage Radio turned Bar Cabinet / Hereford Cow Print / Green Lamp / Giraffe Tray

If you haven’t already noticed, I do a good bit of cheating and use holiday gifts as decor in places besides just under the tree. 🙂

Finally, we’ll head back up to the dining room.

Rug / Dining Chairs (similar) / Glass Dining Table / Red Velvet Drapes

While this room isn’t 100% completed just yet, there have been a couple of new additions that have done wonders for the space – those beautiful red velvet drapes being one.

Art

I kept the table really simple. Yes, that actually is a fur blanket I’m using as a table runner.

You see, I saw this fur table runner that I wanted really bad, but I didn’t let myself get it because it is Christmas, which means we had lots of gifts to buy. Instead, I improvised and used my fur blanket as a table runner. So sue me.

I scattered vintage ornaments on the “runner” and placed brass deer in the center.

Art / Brass Deer (similar ones) / Lucite Taper Candle (similar ones)

Another ornament cluster and vintage Santa make an appearance on a small table in the dining room as well.

Bar Cart

The other latest dining room addition is this metallic silver and gold bar car t that the folks at Harper Blvd sent me.

Malachite Accent Table

I love the metallic two-tone goodness it has going on. Right now, I’m using it more for just decorating, but I’m sure this bad boy will get put to use during our holiday parties. I love the contrast of it against the malachite accent table as well. It’s on wheels, so it’s super easy to maneuver.

Bar Cart / Elvis Bust (similar ones) / Vintage Ceramic Christmas Trees

Ceramic Camels (similar ones) / Brass Lion Container (similar ones)

I scored the ceramic camels for $5 at a thrift store. At the time, I had no idea what I would do with them, but loved them too much to pass up. They ended up being great for holiday decor, but I don’t think I would mind keeping them out after the holidays either.

Elvis Bust (similar ones)

Of course, none of our holiday decor would be complete without the king. 😉

Be sure to stop back by on Friday to see the rest of our holiday home tour – if you’re into not-so traditional Christmas decorating, that is.

The next stop on the tour today is Kristi at Making It In the Mountains!

Disclosure: Hearts & Sharts provided me with the Griswold printables and Harper Blvd provided me with the bar cart. However, all opinions and love of putting a twist on holiday decor is 100% mine.

*This post contains affiliate links.

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December 5, 2016
How to make Character Stocking Holders
Ready to add a fun touch to Christmas decor and make your kid’s eyes light up this holiday season? Then make them their very own unique stocking hanger using this DIY stocking holder tutorial!

In our house, we do Christmas while flying our freak flags proudly.

If you’ve seen any of my past Christmas home tours, you know that our Christmas tree is filled with memories, not matching ornaments.

I pull out what some would call the tacky red and green huge Christmas lights from the 60’s and wrap them around something that I will see everyday because those are the same Christmas lights my grandparent’s used at their house. I think they are damn beautiful.

I hoard vintage ball ornaments of every color I can find and throw them around the house like confetti. There is no Christmas color coordination around here.

Moving into the 70’s Landing Pad gained us a fireplace with a mantel. Instead of hanging stockings in the window like before, we will be hanging them on the mantel this year, which I’m probably more excited about than I should be. When I started the holiday decorating this year, I went to go buy stocking holders. Just as I went for some generic snowflake holders, a little voice inside my head yelled at me, “What the hell are you doing, girl?!”

And I said to myself, “What am I doing?! We don’t do plain jane boring stocking holders around here. We don’t necessarily do pretty ones either.”

We do fun ones. Ones that have meaning. Ones that make people question our sanity.

From a distance, those stocking holders may seem basic.

But take a closer look, and you’ll see they are anything but basic.

Our stocking holders sport our favorite characters, or animal in the Circus’ case because horses are everything to her right now.

The best thing about these bad boys – it took less than five minutes to make all four of the stocking holders. Word to ya mother.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

DIY Stocking Hanger

Supplies Needed:
- Stocking Holders with a Flat Base – Like these from Target.
- Small Characters or Animals of Your Choice – look for action figure size or smaller, character ornaments tend to work well for this too. I’ll give you the sources for all our characters below.
- Double Sided Tape
Steps

Step 1.

Attach a strip of double sided-tape to the base of the stocking holder. Place the character or animal on top of it and firmly press it down.

Step 2.

There is no step 2. 😆

That’s it. Told you it was a five minute or less project. 😉

Now, I knew that when I went to store these after the holidays, the characters would most likely pop off because I have to put all my holiday decorations into jam-packed boxes. No big deal, next year, I’ll just reapply some double-sided tape and put them back up. If you want to make the characters more permanent on the stocking holder, then you could use hot glue, super glue or E6000 glue.

Similar G.I. Joe Action Figures on Etsy Here and on Ebay Here / Find out how to make those shiny ornament clusters here

For mine and Grunt Labor’s stocking holders, I topped them with the G.I. Joe and Barbie figures that topped our wedding cake. Yes, we’re cool like that.

Similar Barbie Action Figures on Etsy Here and on Ebay Here

I bought both the G.I. Joe and Barbie figurines on Ebay when we got married. There are still tons of them on there and Etsy. The Barbie figurine was actually a McDonald’s Happy Meal toy from back in the day when I was a kid.

Terra Animals

The Circus of course opted for a horse, her spirit animal. Target has a huge selection of these little plastic animals that are the perfect size for these stocking holders. They are actually really good quality as well. The Circus has a ton of the different animals that she plays with all the time.

Similar Bob the Builder Figurines

And Bill requested Bob the Builder to adorn his stocking holder. Yes, the turns-19-years-old-today-boy wanted Bob the Builder. Happy Birthday Bill! Bob the Builder was his favorite cartoon character growing up. This Bob the Builder is actually a Christmas ornament I found on eBay. There are similar ones here.

While everyone is free to question our sanity when it comes to Christmas decorating, just remember we’re having fun with it and one day my kid will look back and remember just how cool it was that they had horse and Bob the Builder DIY Christmas stocking holders, while their hip parents sported Barbie and G.I. Joe. 😉

What will you top your homemade stocking holders with?

Want more easy DIY Christmas crafts and decorating ideas?

How to Make Ornament Clusters – gorgeous clusters of ball ornaments that are so easy to make and are perfect for tossing all about the house!

15+ Christmas Decoration Ideas – simple and affordable, but still beautiful holiday decorating ideas!

DIY Christmas Ornament Drink Stirrers – the perfect addition to any holiday party!

Want to remember this Christmas idea for later? Just pin the image below!
December 1, 2016
DIY Vinyl Record Tree Skirt
Need a Christmas tree skirt but don’t want to settle for the boring options at the store? Then make your own DIY tree skirt using vinyl records! It’s so easy and unique!

A few years ago I was asked to decorate a tree in the theme of a wish – a wish from Lauren, who has Cystic Fibrosis and wanted to go to the Grammys.

Not only was I honored to do so, but decorating that tree was so much fun. It’s not a secret around here that my love language is music.

I decorated that tree in shades of pink, song notes and touches of gold. One of my favorite things I did on the tree was the tree skirt.

The tree skirt included gold vinyl records. This is literally the easiest tree skirt in the history of ever. If you’re a music lover like me, this might be something you’ll want to do this Christmas as well.

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

DIY Christmas Tree Skirt

Materials Needed:
- Vinyl Records (I found vinyl records by asking around to friends. Many people have lots of these laying around they don’t use anymore. I used about 20 – 30 records for this skirt.)
- Gold Spray Paint if you want gold records – my favorite gold spray paint is Design Masters Gold Medal.
- Pre-made Tree Skirt – either get a cheap one and cover the entire thing with records or get one that works with the rest of your holiday decor and only cover it partially with records
- Hot Glue Gun & Glue (optional)
Steps

Step 1.

If you want to paint the records, go ahead and do that first. Let them fully dry overnight before attaching them to the tree skirt. The only reason I painted these was because it made them more Grammy like. I would love to do one of these around a Christmas tree in our Jungle Room at some point, but I think I’ll leave them as is. I think it would be fun to see all the artists and album titles.

Step 2.

Now you’re ready to attach the records to your tree skirt – if you want to. You’ve got two options here:
1. Lay your tree skirt out on the ground. Using hot glue, attach the records to the skirt, overlapping the records slightly as you go.
2. Wrap the skirt around the base of the tree stand as you normally would. Lay the records out on top of the tree skirt, overlapping as you go.
Think of it as a “Choose Your Own Adventure” type project. 😉

With this one, I just laid the records on top of the tree skirt without attaching them with hot glue. The tree was being auctioned off, so I knew that the records might not be everyone’s pick and I wanted them to be able to just use the tree skirt without the records if they wanted to.

Beautifully wrapped Christmas gifts just pop off this tree skirt as well!

I also think the records would look great layered on top of faux fur as well – there’s another idea! 🙂

You can see more of the Grammy tree here.

Pretty easy, right? Now if I can just find more records for one of these bad boys in the Jungle Room.

Share your DIY Christmas tree skirt ideas in the comments!

Want more easy Christmas decorating ideas that have serious wow factor?

15+ Simple and Affordable Christmas Decoration Ideas – you won’t believe how easy, yet gorgeous these are!

DIY Christmas Ornament Clusters – learn how to easily make gorgeous, shiny ornament clusters to scatter all around your house!

Tinsel Decorating Ideas – no need to get your tinsel in a tangle; just toss it all around using these holiday decorating ideas!

Want to remember this tree skirt tutorial later? Just pin the image below!

Follow on social media for more simple holiday decorating ideas!

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November 29, 2016
Fall Home Tour

I am not an elaborate fall decorator. I tried that once before. It stressed me out and nothing really looked that great, so I said to hell with it. So for the past couple of years, all I’ve really done in terms of fall decorating is toss a few painted pumpkins with glittered stems here and there. It’s worked out really well in my past fall decorating.

This year though, the Circus had other plans.

The painted pumpkins literally graced my living room, dining room and kitchen for no longer than her nap time one afternoon. She then woke up and proceeded to take every last pumpkin and spread them throughout her room. Besides the ones you see on the shelf above, she also lined five of them across the top of her headboard. However, after they continually kept falling on her head when she went to bed, she relinquished possession of those.

Luckily, her nap time was just long enough for me to at least get the pictures of the fall decorating, even though my house looks nothing like this now. In fact, you can see my real life home tour where I air all my dirty laundry here.

If you’re coming over from Debbie at Refresh Restyle, welcome! I just love Debbie to pieces. She has me laughing every time I see her and tells me how good I look. I really want her to be my mom, so I can call her up everyday and she can tell me that over and over again even if I am sporting a paint covered t-shirt. Also, Debbie is like a fall decorating queen, so in no way will my fall decorating live up to hers. Girl can rock a pumpkin like nobody’s business. I mean, did you see her Goodwill pumpkin makeover? Her pumpkin game is on point.

Without further ado, I present to you my fall home tour – before the Circus was awoken from her nap….

*Affiliate links may be included in this post.

More of the Dining Room / Wall Art / Chairs (similar) / Glass Dining Table / Rug

Y’all won’t believe this, but I was actually able to pull off a semi-decent tablescape this year.

Wall Art / DIY Ribbon Wrapped Pumpkins

Tablescapes have never been one of my strengths. This year though, I managed to get somewhat lucky and do a decent job of one.

Napkins / Plates

I used my purple napkins with green monogramming on top of my navy with green rims Kate Spade plates. We call those the Lambda Chi napkins as they are the colors of my husband’s fraternity. I did not realize what I had done when I had them monogrammed, but they made a big hit with Grunt Labor. I totally let him think I did it on purpose. #sneakysneaky

Acrylic Bud Vase Napkin R ings

The acrylic napkin rings were something I picked up in Charleston at the Indigo Market. They actually double as a bud vase. You can also find the same ones here.

DIY Ribbon Wrapped Pumpkins

I made those ribbon wrapped pumpkins from Dollar Tree pumpkins years ago. They are still one of my favorite little fall crafts. The vase is actually a brass pitcher from a thrift store. I tied in the colors of the napkins with the flowers. #watchmework

Wall Art / Elvis Bust (similar ones)

It wouldn’t be one of my fall tours without Elvis surrounded by pumpkins.

This year he opted for the burgundy ones.

Brass Unicorn (similar ones) / DIY Ampersand Pumpkin

The brass unicorn always demands a pumpkin during the fall as well. Therefore, another burgundy pumpkin and my DIY ampersand pumpkin graced her presence.

Free Gone with the Wind Quote Art + DIY Lucite Frame

In the kitchen, I just popped a couple of pumpkins beside my Gone with the Wind quote art.

But the thing I’m most excited about for fall….

More of the Den / Fur Throw / Zebra Rug / Malachite Side Table / Chesterfield Sofa / Red Boots

…is breaking out the red cowboy boots.

Up next in today’s tours is Heather from Setting For Four – she’s always got some goodies up her sleeve!

You can also see the full tour lineup below and catch up on any tours you might have missed!

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September 15, 2016
Simple Bunny Vases for Easter
Disclosure: This post was a collaboration with Astrobrights Papers, however all opinions and love of bright colors for Easter decorating are 100% mine….and the Circus’.

If we’re being honest – and we’re always honest around here – my Valentine’s Day wreath just came off my front door three days ago. The Circus proclaimed that “The Easter Bunny will be at the mall soon, Mama. It’s not Valentine’s anymore.”

Thanks for reminding me how on top of my game I am, kid.

She went on to say it was time to decorate for Easter. So we got out our Easter decor and suddenly something came over me and I found myself in the Easter spirit, plotting out cute little DIY bunny vases…

After making these simple bunny vases and filling them with flowers, I think it’s safe to say the LaFevor household is officially ready for Easter, per the Circus. Here’s how we made these cute little vases – they’re really simple and a great way to dress up your Easter table with hardly any effort.

Simple Bunny Vases

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Materials & Supplies Needed:
- Astrobrights Papers (I used Astrobrights Papers in Fireball Fuchsia, Lunar Blue and Venus Violet)
- Scissors
- Bunny Template
- Mod Podge (We used a satin sheen.)
- Foam Brush
- Vases (We used these mason jars.)
- Small Pom-Poms
*I ended up not using the glitter as shown in the image above in favor of the small pom-poms.

Step 1:

First, you’ll need a bunny template. If you do a quick search on Google, you can easily find loads of different styles of bunnies you can print out and size up or down to your liking. You can print those out, then trace it onto your paper and cut out or you could even print them right onto your Astrobrights paper and then cut them out. I wanted to make these vases a touch more personal though, so I got my Artist-In-Residence to sketch out a bunny drawing for me.

Bill sketched it right onto the Astrobrights paper, then I cut it out, traced it multiple times onto all the different colors of paper we were using, then cut those out.

I let the Circus choose what colors. Of course, blue was the #1 choice (Lunar Blue, specifically) and she was ok with purple and pink to coordinate with it (Venus Violet and Fireball Fuchsia). Astrobrights Paper s are a really vibrant line of colored papers and seeing as how we always do things colorful and vibrant around here, these papers worked perfectly for our project.

Step 2:

After cutting out your bunnies, use the foam brush and apply Mod-Podge to your vase, then carefully place the bunny onto the vase and cover him with another coat of Mod-Podge.

You can do however many bunnies you like or that will fit on your vase, I opted to do three on each of ours.

Place a small pom-pom on the bunny right where the tail would be. If you don’t have pom-poms on hand, you could always use glitter. That’s what I was going to do initially, but decided the pom-pom would be more fun.

Let the vases fully dry, then fill them with flowers.

In the Circus’ words, “Mama these work perfectly for Easter.” Seriously. I couldn’t make that up if I tried.

We are all colorized for Easter! How will you colorize your Easter?

You can find more inspiration and ideas to colorize your life on the Astrobrights Papers Facebook page!

Disclosure: This post was a collaboration with Astrobrights Papers, however all opinions and love of bright colors for Easter decorating are 100% mine….and the Circus’.

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March 14, 2016
Christmas Home Tour: The Finale

Have you seen the Geico commercial where Europe is performing The Final Countdown?

It’s a fantastic commercial.

Well, I kind of feel like I should be doing a parody of Europe’s song with this post.

It’s the final Christmas tour.

This finale is filled with really simple holiday decor ideas, a few memories (because it wouldn’t be one of my Christmas home tours without them) and of course – some quirk.

I’m also teaming up with more bloggers and Home Decorators Collection on this finale tour to give you loads more of holiday inspiration if you didn’t already have enough. Be sure to visit the other tours and enter the giveaway at the end!

Let’s start in the kitchen…

Affiliate links may be contained in this post.

Normally, I do nothing in the kitchen in terms of holiday decorating. This year though, I didn’t have a place to put my little elf wreath so I thought, why not hang him over the stove? So I did.

And that’s when I fell down the rabbit hole.

My next move was to go outside and get some boxwood clippings…

…Which I promptly hot glued into bundles and then hung over the cabinets.

In this girl’s opinion, that classic red and green Christmas combination never gets old.

And then I turned my sights on the open shelving.

I scattered some ornaments around the shelves and threw in the two little deer that were my sweet next-door neighbor’s before she passed.

And right now, as I sit here and write this post, I’m kicking myself for not hanging ornaments from the antlers.

Also, I just found it ironic that I have a vintage plastic deer right beside antlers from an actual used-to-be-alive deer.

Of course, the shelf wouldn’t be complete without the mohawk candy holder topped off with vibrantly colored candy canes.

Below the shelf, I placed a framed magazine page that Mama saved for me. I love this little gal. We are kindred spirits. Both of us are wondering when the heck the madness will end.

The ceramic Christmas tree reminds me of my Grannie. Her ceramic Christmas tree is one of my fondest memories from childhood Christmases. This one isn’t hers, but is similar.

Also, I think she would relate with the woman in the frame as well.

And then there’s the dining room…

Not too much going on it here either – but just enough.

Lighted Tinsel Tree / Vintage Style Bottle Brush Wreath

I did add two new holiday decor additions to my stash this year, which is rare for me. I really have to love something to decorate with it during Christmastime. There are two things that I am usually a sucker for – tinsel and bottle brush decor items.

Needless to say the lighted tinsel tree and bottle-brush vintage style wreath from Home Decorators Collection sucked me right in.

Vintage Style Bottle Brush Wreath

I hung it off-centered on the mirror and used my Silhouette to cut out “jolly” to hang on the other side.

You’ve already seen this shot of the lamp with the small ornament clusters around it, but it’s one of my favorite decorations so I couldn’t resist sharing it again.

My favorite part of the dining room though is…

Crosley Cruiser Turntable

…the sled corner.

Yes, I did move the sled from beside the tree and over here. We actually had to make more room for seating during our holiday party, so I had to bring up a chair and move the sled. I topped the sled off with my record player and some of my favorite holiday albums – Alabama Christmas and Alvin and Chipmunks Christmas. The Circus loves this little spot too – she’s learned how to work the record player by herself and turns on Alvin anytime she pleases.

#thatsmygirl

That’s a wrap for this gal and her Christmas decorating, y’all!

Disclosure: This post was sponsored by Home Decorators Collection and part of the #HDCholidayhomes tour, however all opinions are 100% mine.

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December 10, 2015
The Annual Christmas Party Comeback

Thank you Crate & Barrel for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Crate & Barrel all content and opinions expressed here are my own. Affiliate links may be contained in this post.

When Grunt Labor and I first got together, he always threw an annual Christmas party.

Y’all, I had struck gold.

Not only was he good lookin’, but he hosted a Christmas soiree each year.

#howdidigetsolucky

Now, there was one catch to this Christmas party – one could only attend if they brought a toy for a kid who might not otherwise get a Christmas gift.

I know – and he has a heart!

When you come through the door with that toy though, you are entitled to all the booze and food you can handle – or until we run out.

I was on board with this party faster than a hot knife through butter.

So that year and each year after, we hosted an annual Christmas party.

And then the Circus came.

And a circus + a Christmas party don’t always add up very well.

This year though, I really wanted to have one more Christmas party in the beloved foreclosure before we pack it up and move to the 70’s Landing Pad.

And so we did.

It was all decided less than two weeks before the party date, so it was nothing short of a miracle that more than one person showed up.

We set up a makeshift bar in the living room, just near the liquor cabinet for easy access.

We did some furniture swapping when we set-up and changed the location of the Christmas tree this year. We moved the console table downstairs and brought up the vintage radio cabinet – I’m so mad I didn’t think of doing this sooner. It’s like that piece was made for that spot. The radio made the perfect place to set up a bar area for people to mix up drinks.

The ice bucket is vintage, but the glasses and shaker are new from Crate & Barrel.

Orb Copper Shaker

I was a little worried that the copper and gold tones wouldn’t mesh well together – but I think it works out just fine.

Gala Double Old-Fashioned Glasses

The glasses made quick friends with Jack – If you know what I mean. 😉 They have a great vintage look to them.

I put everything on top of a marble pastry slab to protect the surface of the radio. I’m a sucker for marble and I especially love how it paired perfectly with the blue on the radio.

To the side of the radio, I set up a “sweets” station.

Yes, I’m fully aware that I may be the only one in the world who loves chocolate with her beer and/or Jack.

Two Tier Marble Server / Nutcracker Appetizer Plate

I used a two-tiered marble server over here to pair well with the marble slab on the radio. I also picked up a set of four adorable nutcracker appetizer plates to use as small serving dishes. However, the Circus is trying to eat off the nutcracker plates as she has discovered what they are this holiday season. Go figure.

The best part of the party though?

Everyone came through the door with a toy.

Cheers, friends and happy holiday entertaining!

December 8, 2015
Decorating with Memories and Vintage Finds

If it wasn’t already apparent from round one of my Christmas home tour and my Christmas tree, I’m declaring this year’s Christmas theme as decorating with memories.

And also random items such as an Elvis bust.

Oh, and vintage things too – because vintage Christmas decor makes my heart go pitter patter.

These theme(s) have always been at the heart of my holiday decor, but this year I’m on a mission to get everyone to embrace their own holiday decor rooted in memories and good times – because that’s what Christmas is about.

So here’s part two of my Christmas tour – our living room – in all its (random) glory.

If you are following along on the Christmas Home Tours hosted by Marty from A Stroll Thru Life (isn’t she just a little gem? Love her to pieces!) and just came over from Doreen at Hymns & Verses, hello!! Her vintage holiday decor is always one of my favorites, so hopefully you’ll like my take on holiday decorating as well.

Affiliate links may be contained in this post.

This year, we opted to move the Christmas tree into the corner. Last year, it was right in the middle of the windows, which is pretty to see from the outside at night, but when you sat in the black chair and tried to watch t.v., you had to crane your neck to see.

However, things were tight once we put up the tree and the white console table was still in the middle of the windows, so in a move where we had no idea whether or not it would work, we switched the console table out for the vintage radio cabinet.

Vintage Radio turned Bar / DIY Cowhide Rug / Coral Lamp / Double Old Fashioned Glasses / Green Curtains

And it worked like a charm.

P.S. I’m a little pissed we didn’t do this sooner. It’s like it was made to be in this space.

We don’t have a fireplace here, so our stockings hang in the window. All but one is vintage (of course, Bill had to have a Tennessee Vols stocking) and none of them match, but each of them represents the person it belongs to nicely.

And also they look really pretty from outside at nighttime.

There was even enough room to put my father-in-law’s old sled by the tree and load it down with gifts. I was planning to decorate with it on the front porch, but I’m terrified someone would steal it. I realize being terrified someone will steal a sled and not your television isn’t exactly normal.

#ineverclaimedtobenormal

The Meaningful Decorated Christmas Tree / DIY Vintage Storybook Garland / Unusual but Meaningful Christmas Tree Ornaments

You won’t find any matching ornaments on our tree. Instead, you’ll find things like stuffed animals, old car keys, PEZ dispensers, Barbie and G.I. Joe figurines. There are some “real” ornaments, but they must hold a special meaning to be on our tree.

DIY Vintage Ornament Tree / How to Make Ornaments Clusters

I do have a vintage ball ornament addiction – but instead of putting them on our tree, I make them into clusters that I wrap on lamps and other surfaces.

And just to liven things up, I adorned David with a purple tinsel scarf.

David Bust (similar)

Because why not?

Swing Arm Wall Sconce / Bonkers Print

Or maybe it’s because we’re all bonkers.

Black & White Gallery Wall / Refinished Buffet

And last but not least…

Swing Arm Wall Sconce / Ornament Clusters / Vintage Santa (similar)

I’ve never met a vintage Santa I didn’t like…

Merry Christmas, Y’all! Hope you decorate with lots of memories and randomness this season!

The next stop on the Christmas Tour of Homes is Chelsea from Making Home Base – she NEVER disappoints!

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December 7, 2015
Decorate with Memories…and Random Stuff

If you didn’t already figure it out from the post about my Christmas tree, we don’t do trendy Christmas decor around here.

In fact, some might consider some of our holiday decor tacky.

And I don’t know that I wouldn’t disagree with them – but that doesn’t mean I will part with my multi-colored-plastic-melted-together-christmas-tree. It was my Grannie’s – and I’m a bit of a sentimentalist…and a hoarder too.

So if you are following along on this Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours series and popping over from The White Buffalo Styling Co. or Desert Domicile, welcome – I hope I’m not too much of a disappointment to you. I’m a bit of a different kind of holiday home tour – around here, we decorate with memories during Christmastime.

And also completely random items that aren’t meant to be Christmas decor.

Welcome to the freak show.

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We turn crates into wagons and add in melted together plastic Christmas trees.

We are also proclaiming that wrapping paper – still on its roll – be Christmas decor as well.

Because we all know it doesn’t get moved off the dining room table until December 24th.

We also believe that a vintage santa nestled in a simple tinsel wreath – simple and easy – is the best kind of wreath.

Furthermore, a cowboy blanket your Grannie made can always be worked into your decor.

And so can Pap’s cowboy hat.

Green Pillow / Merry & Bright Pillow (similar) / DIY Raffle Ticket Christmas Card Holder / Confetti Accent Wall

I won’t pretend for a second that I didn’t move that merry & bright pillow from the front porch to the entry. It’s just a multi-tasking pillow, ya’ll.

And if we’re gonna pull out the cowboy hat, we might as well pull out Grannie’s guitar too and put it right beside the rocking chair that once belonged to my great-grandmother and me and now the Circus.

And if it makes it through the Circus, it will be nothing short of a miracle, y’all.

We’ll top the rocking chair off with Grunt Labor’s elf hat.

And then we can’t forget about the king…

Elvis Bust (similar) / DIY Lucite Frame + Gone with the Wind Print

…who is sporting a purple tinsel scarf.

Or the deer…

How to Make Ornament Clusters (The Deer’s Statement Necklace)

…who is sporting a statement necklace and the Christmas lights that I insisted on putting up on my Pap’s front porch every Christmas…much to his dismay.

Although secretly, I think he liked them.

I’m not too sure how the deer feels about it though.

I hope you decorate your home with memories this Christmas…as well as completely random things.

The next tour stop is Michaela Noelle Designs! Enjoy!

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December 3, 2015
The Christmas Tree Trend Everyone Should Embrace…

I’ve never been one to follow trends.

In fact, I think trends are overrated.

There. I said it. So sue me.

Yes, trends may be new and pretty, but after a while, once everyone is following the trend, it tends to loose its luster.

There is one trend though, one that in my personal, somewhat educated opinion, I think should make a comeback.

I’m calling it the Meaningful Decorated Christmas Tree Trend.

I should probably come up with a trendier name though.

You see, this trend is never overused and doesn’t lose its luster.

Never ever.

Because the ornaments you place on your tree with this trend are unique and meaningful to only a few people in the world – you and your family.

Now this does mean you will have to be comfortable with a few things…

1. The decorations on your tree may not all match.

Gasp.

Can you handle that?

2. Your tree may even consist of a few decorations some would consider weird or even ugly.

To each their own, fellow freak.

And the most important thing you’ll have to be ok with…

3. When you look at each ornament on your tree, your heart will smile.

And really, I think that’s all that matters.

Disclosure: Tree Classics provided me with a Christmas tree, however all opinions and trying to create meaningful trends are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

This year, we got a new Christmas tree from Tree Classics.

We went for a Colorado Blue Spruce Snap Tree – and y’all, it’s so cool. It literally does just snap together, but get this…it’s base is on rollers. So after the holidays, you just take your ornaments off, put the cover right over the tree and roll it on into storage.

#mymindwasblown

On top of all that – the branches look and even feel real. I’ve always wanted to have a real Christmas tree, but unless I want to sneeze my head off all through the holiday season, it ain’t happening. This tree is the best of both worlds for us.

But even with a new fancy tree, we didn’t change one thing about our tree decorating habits.

You will still find Barbie and G.I. Joe nestled in the branches…

…they were our wedding cake toppers.

Stuffed animals from the 1980’s are also among the ornaments…

…because my Grannie used to put them on the tree for me.

The caped crusader is found keeping watch in PEZ dispenser form alongside a Care Bear and the Circus’ hand painted Rudolph…

Oh, and there’s Elvis too. Who could forget Elvis?

And since we are southerners and get overly attached to vehicles…

…you’ll also find car keys gracing our Christmas tree.

The Circus’ first pair of Nikes…

…can be found beside the HeeHaw ornament.

God bless HeeHaw.

And the manger is being threatened by a Little Tikes car…

…and dinosaurs.

I think Baby Jesus can take ’em though.

Now, the Meaningful Decorated Christmas Tree Trend doesn’t mean you can’t buy new ornaments or just ornaments you love ever again.

Oh no.

You should always add in ornaments that make you smile…you just shouldn’t worry about whether or not it goes with your color scheme. 🙂

Among other things, these snowmen ornaments are a new addition to our tree this year. You see, the Circus is especially partial to Snowmen this year and she loves these little guys.

Our tree isn’t color coordinated.

And many of the ornaments don’t make much sense at all to most folks.

But it makes all the sense in the world to us.

And that’s all that really matters.

I hope your heart smiles when you look at your Christmas tree this year.

You might also want to see…

How to Make a Vintage Storybook Garland

How to Make Ornament Clusters

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December 1, 2015
How to Make Ornament Clusters
I am a Christmas ornament whore.

Not all ornaments though – only vintage ball ornaments.

And they never go on my tree – the tree is reserved for really meaningful ornaments – instead, these ornaments get scattered throughout the house and in clusters. My favorite is the clusters though.

Now, these clusters could be nothing new to you. It may just be that I was living under a rock for a very long time and when this idea dawned on me awhile back, it just seemed like the best thing ever. So, if you already knew how to do this…then why the hell didn’t you tell me?! If you didn’t, here you go.

Christmas Ornament Ball Clusters

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Materials
- Traditional Round Ornaments – breakable or shatter resistant. I use breakable because they are shinier.
- Ribbon – you can use basic curling ribbon or prettier grosgrain or satin ribbon.
Steps

Step 1

Cut a long piece of ribbon. I cut mine longer than I need because I use the curly ribbon usually and like the long curly spiral on the end. String however many ornaments your little heart desires onto the ribbon.

I suggest random sizes with more smaller ones than larger ones. If you get too many larger ones, then sometimes the ornaments will pop off.

Don’t line all the same size up side-by-side – alternate.

Step 2

Tie the ends of the ribbon together to form a ball.

You don’t want to tie it super tight, but enough to where a larger ball of sorts or cluster is formed.

Step 3

Make it rain ornament clusters everywhere…

Beside busts.

On sconces.

And lamps.

And of course…

The Buck.

Where will you make it rain?

Ornament clusters of course.

Want to rain more easy holiday decorating around your house? I got you….

Christmas Decoration Ideas – simple and affordable, but still gorgeous holiday decorating ideas and tips!

DIY Christmas Ornament Drink Stirrers – so easy and so fun for holiday parties!

DIY Stocking Holder – if you’ve got five minutes, you can make these super fun, nostalgic stocking holders!

Want to remember this Christmas decor tutorial for later? Just pin the image below!

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November 25, 2015
My Favorite Things Gift Guide

This post is one of my most favorite ones to do all year long.

It’s my favorite things gift guide post.

I just wish I was rich like Oprah and could give each and every one of you one of my favorite things, instead of only showing you my favorite things.

But ya know, I do kinda need to send my kids to college, rather than give each and every one of you a sarcastic coffee mug.

But it is a damn good mug.

The Ultimate Gift Guides…

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Gift Ideas for The Fun Lovin’ Gal

1/ Heart Shaped Umbrella • 2/ Jazz Dancer Wine Stopper • 3/ Charm Bracelet • 4/ Flamingo Charm • 5/ Pink David Bust • 6/ Red Cowboy Boots

Who thinks of a heart shaped umbrella? WHO? I might actually parade around in the rain just to flaunt it.

Have I told you I used to take jazz lessons? Yep, that’s right – I’m all jazzy like that. That wine stopper has my name all over it.

Every girl deserves a charm bracelet. I just got mine this year and I love it – I only wish I got it sooner. The pink flamingo charm as well as many others are on my wish list this year.

And a pink David bust. Enough said.

Red cowboy boots? Also on my wish list.

Gift Ideas for The Hard-To-Buy-For Guy

1/ Smartphone Projector Kit • 2/ Crosley Turntable • 3/ iPad Pillow Stand • 4/ State Pillow • 5/ Personalized Leather Travel Bag • 6/ Gun Bookends

Ok. Here’s the deal. While these gifts are perfect for guys – a lot of them are also great for gals. And I may or may not already own a few of them myself.

Project videos from your smartphone onto a wall with this fancy contraption.

As we’ve previously discussed, vinyl is back. And I’ve already bought myself this Crosley turntable – and it hasn’t stopped playing since I got it – except when I’m sleeping.

For all the techies in your life – an iPad pillow stand – it also works for nooks and kindles.

While some might say these embroidered state pillows might be considered too decor-ish for a guy’s gift, I disagree. What guy wouldn’t want a cool reminder of where he’s from?

Every man needs a good travel bag – preferably a pretty leather one with their monogram on it.

And gun bookends. Channeling John Wayne. You can also get him these gun shaped soaps for his stocking. WHO thought of gun shaped soaps?!

Gift Ideas for The Couple

1/ Mixtape Door Mat • 2/ Plaid Throw • 3/ ~~Black & Gold Stemless Wine Glasses~~ • 4/ ~~Monogram Wine Coaster & Stopper Set~~ • 5/ HomeRight Steam Machine • 6/ Casper Arm Chair • 7/ Custom Canvas Art • 8/ Merican Dream Doormat

Update: The black and gold wine glasses and wine coaster and stopper set is no longer available.

A doormat that looks like those mixtapes which defined your life during the 80’s and 90’s – need I say more?

A plaid throw with green accents. #cometomama

And then give them something to clean up all that holiday partying with – a steam machine. I have one of these and swear by it.

The classic ghost chair – the perfect “starter” chair for couples – it works anywhere with any decor.

Give something personal with custom canvas art. The print you see in the lower left hand corner above is a canvas print of my wedding shoes. I found a printable download on Etsy, then uploaded it to Pear Tree Greetings and turned it into canvas art. This is great for doing with wedding photos – both for young and older couples.

The Merican Dream doormat. I could never choose between the mixtape doormat and the Merican dream one. I want both.

Gift Ideas for The DIYer

1/ HomeRight Finish Max Paint Sprayer • 2/ HomeRight Spray Shelter • 3/ Velvet Finishes Paint • 4/ Tool Combo Kit • 5/ FrogTape • 6/ Duck Tape • 7/ Ryobi Battery Powered Staple Gun • 8/ Ryobi Battery Powered Finish Nailer

It wouldn’t be a favorite things post without my favorite DIY tools…

I plan on being buried right alongside my paint sprayer – you can use the spray shelter as cover if it rains at my funeral. Also, I would prefer the sprayer to be filled with Velvet Finishes paint.

I love power tools. We’ve had our Ryobi combo set for about five years now and it still works like it did the first day. I just got the battery powered staple gun and finish nailer in the past year and I can’t figure out where they had been all my life.

My two favorite tapes – FrogTape & Duck Tape. The former allows you to make pretty things with paint. The latter allows you to just make pretty things. These also make fantastic stocking stuffers.

Gift Ideas for The Person Who Already Has Everything

1/ Custom House Drawing • 2/ The NIMBUS Pot • 3/ Fruit • 4/ State Towel • 5/ Personalized Tervis Tumblers • 6/ The Bathroom Guest Book

What better gift could you give someone than a custom hand-drawn portrait of their beloved home?

For the person who has a green thumb or a black thumb – the NIMBUS self-watering pot.

Fruit. I’m not crazy. My grandfather, who had everything he could possibly need, received the best oranges for Christmas as a gift – we both gobbled them up. And I’m not even an orange person.

Pretty state towels to commemorate home.

Know what makes Tervis Tumblers even better? When they are personalized Tervis Tumblers with grandbaby’s photos. They are huge hits – trust me.

A guest book for the bathroom. You know you want one of these for yourself.

and my personal favorite…

Gift Ideas for the Sarcastic Person

1/ Cards Against Humanity • 2/ Everyday I’m Hustlin’ Pouch • 3/ Bad Bitches Pillow • 4/ Inappropriate Coasters • 5/ Say It Sarcastically Mug • 6/ Epic Shit Print

The Cards Against Humanity Game. Have you played it? You should. However, it’s definitely not for the faint of heart.

Everyday I’m hustlin’. Que the music and give me the pouch.

I love bad bitches. They get stuff done. Like this stellar pillow.

Inappropriate coasters for inappropriate people. Needless to say – I have these and love them.

Let’s be sarcastic together, darling. Is there any other way to be? This mug and I say no.

Do epic shit print. Because we should all be reminded that we are capable of changing the world with our epic-ness.

And to top it all off, put all your gifts into adorable little wagons made from crates…

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November 23, 2015
DIY Wagons in 10 Minutes from Crates
Create your own “custom” wagons from crates in just minutes using this tutorial. It’s so simple and perfect for kids, holiday decorating and more! Find out how to make a wagon that can be used for all sorts of things below!

The Circus loves to carry things on herself.

Have you ever seen a kid with a pink turtle zipped up in her jacket with its head popping out like it was a baby in one of those wrap things?

Well, you could have all day yesterday.

She also likes to load up a doll, perhaps a stuffed animal or two, her juice cup, probably a cash register as well and a few other random items in boxes, clothes baskets and other “carrying” devices and drag them across the house.

So if I told you that these wagons were still on the front porch and decorated just like this, I’d be lying.

However, I can say that these wagons – made out of crates – are quite easy to make and really do make pretty holiday decor when loaded up with various holiday items sans a princess cash register.

This post is sponsored by Crates and Pallets, however all opinions are 100% mine. Affiliate links may be contained in this post.

How to Make a Toy Wagon

This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Materials & Tools Needed for the Wagon:
- Crates – I used an Extra Large Crate, a Large Crate, and a Medium Crate.
- Paint or Stain Colors of Your Choice – I used Vivid, Modern, and Baroque.
- Wheel Casters – Four per crate
Step 1:

Paint the crates your desired colors and let them dry.

Step 2:

Attach the caster wheels to the base of the wagon with your drill. Use a small drill bit first to drill a hole to prevent the wood from cracking, then attach the wheels with the 3/4″ wood screws.

The screws may come through the bottom slats just a bit, so don’t put anything that you may not want snagged in these. You could also purchase shorter screws and use them rather than using the screws that come with the caster wheels.

Set aside the wagons and start making the handles.

Related: See how I made a DIY Lemonade Stand using these same crates too!

DIY Wagon Handle

Materials and Tools Needed for the Pull Handle:
- 1/2″ x 2′ PVC Pipe (It comes pre-cut in this size at Home Depot.) – I used four of these in total. It takes about one and 1/4 of another one per wagon.
- 1/2″ PVC Tee (One per wagon.)
- 1/2″ 45° PVC Elbow (One per wagon.)
- 1/2″ 90° PVC Elbox (One per wagon.)
- 1/2″ PVC Caps (Three per wagon.)
- 1/2″ PVC Straps (One per wagon.)
- PVC Cement
- Black Spray Paint
- Drill
- Saw (Circular or Miter Saw – I used my miter saw.)
- 3/4″ Wood Screws
Steps

Step 1:

Take one piece of the 1/2″ x 2′ PVC Pipe and cut four pieces that are approximately 1″ – 2″ in length. The length doesn’t have to be perfect on these. Lay out your pipe as shown in the image below.

If you want to make the handle shorter, cut down the main piece of 1/2″ PVC pipe. I left it full length on one wagon and cut it down a bit on the other two.

The second photo above shows how everything will fit together. Before fitting everything together, apply PVC cement to the joints as shown below and then fit them together.

Don’t try to put the cement on all the joints all at once – do it one joint at a time and fit it together, then move onto another joint. Let the handle dry for a bit and then you can remove the excess cement with a baby wipe.

Step 2:

Spray paint the handles and PVC strap for each wagon black.

Step 3:

After the handles and straps have fully dried, attach a strap to the side of each wagon. I attached mine lower, however if you wanted your handles to be higher up, you can attach them higher.

Attach the strap on one side only first, then gently lift the un-attached side and slide the handle under the strap where the small piece of PVC is between the cap and 90° PVC elbow and screw the other side of the strap into place.

Load ’em up with whatever your little heart desires…

Also, I am proclaiming that wrapping paper rolls be designated as holiday decor even if it isn’t on a present. I mean – those rolls are essentially out all season long (at my house anyway) so why not put them into multiple use?

And yes, those are real, live wrapped presents. Like actual gifts – not just boxes I wrapped up. I’m on top of my gift-giving game. #winning Fantastic and unique gift ideas are HERE!

I think it would be really fun to fill these up with gifts for people who you gift more than one present or for couples. If it’s not for a kid, you could leave the handles off and then the person has a handy little crate to use as part of their gift too.

These could also make fantastic garden carts for gardeners! Load them up with a few gardening essentials and you’ll make their day!

Any other ideas you have to put these wagons to use?

Looking for more creative DIY upcycles?

DIY Faux Jadeite – looks just like the real thing, but uses thrift store finds.

DIY Kitchen Island – using reclaimed barn wood and old porch posts.

Locker Baskets turned Shelving – vintage metal locker baskets turned decorative and functional shelving.

How to Make a Lamp Out of a Bottle – did you know you can pretty easily turn just about any bottle into a lamp? Here’s how.

Want to remember these wagons for later? Just pin the image below!

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November 17, 2015
My Fall Home Tour: Take Two

If you saw my fall home tour a couple weeks ago, you may have noticed there wasn’t a pumpkin in sight.

I like to ease into fall.

Or maybe I hadn’t figured out where I stored the fall stuff last year…

Either way, Lindsay from The White Buffalo Styling Co. is hosting the Fall Edition of the Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours this week and asked me to join in, so I thought sure!

You’re actually forcing me to find those pumpkins, aren’t you?

If you are popping over from Caitlin at Desert Domicile, welcome! No kidding, I drool over everything that woman makes. If you don’t know her, you should. In fact, you should have known her yesterday. She’s that good.

Ok. I’m going to tell you my big secret for fall decorating.

Are you ready?

Seriously. Its top secret.

Affiliate links may be contained in this post.

Confetti Wall / Green Pillow

Pull out all those special treasures you’ve been storing away and decorate with them.

Like the blanket that was your dad and uncle’s when they were kids and your grandfather’s hat and your grannie’s guitar.

And then….

Ribbon Wrapped Pumpkins

…litter Dollar Tree pumpkins all around.

That’s the big secret.

Elvis Bust / Lip Print

Because they look good with anything…even an Elvis bust and lip watercolor print in front of an abstract circle wall.

Really. Could you ask for pumpkins to be anymore versatile?

Plaid Throw (similar)

You see, Dollar Tree pumpkins are only $1.

White Bust (similar) / Brass Unicorn (similar) / Sconce

And they look really cute painted with glittered stems.

So if you can’t find all your fall decorating items from last year, you can just spend $10 on Dollar Tree pumpkins.

DIY Ampersand Pumpkin / Gold Sphere

Not that that happened to me or anything.

I just may or may not be too lazy to haul all that stuff out.

If we’re being honest and all.

Donkey Print

So instead, we are making it rain with mini-painted pumpkins.

That’s how we roll…

Up next on the tour is The Chronicles of Home. You are going to love Jennifer’s home!

*Also, this post is in no way in partnership with the Dollar Tree – I just really like their pumpkins.

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September 22, 2015
Fall Home Tour: Cowboys and Elvis

This fall tour is not at all about pumpkins.

Sorry if you were ready for pumpkins.

Instead its about some of my favorite fall-ish things…cowboy hats and boots…red plaid blankets…and Elvis.

Ok, Elvis isn’t really fall-ish, but its my house and I’ll do what I want to.

If you want pumpkins and leaves and all that jazz, check back in a few weeks when I’ve actually had time to remember where I stored all that decor from last year.

#storyofmylife

A huge thanks to Marty at A Stroll Thru Life for organizing this Fall Tour of Homes. She is so on top of her game – don’t miss her tour. If you are new here from A Thoughtful Place or another blog on the tour, welcome! Fair warning that I’m not near as talented as all those other ladies and also don’t speak as eloquently as they do. I’m also just weird. And random. You’ve been warned.

So, let me tell you something.

I love country music.

You may have already figured that out.

But in the fall, I love it a little bit more.

Which I didn’t even know was possible.

I don’t even know why I love it a little more in the fall besides the fact that I drink a bit more Jack in the fall and what pairs better with Jack than country music?

Nothing I tell you. Nothing.

So in the fall, instead of leaving my grandfather’s cowboy hat tucked safely away with the vintage cowboy blanket, I pull them both out.

And decorate with them.

Because what’s better than a kelly green pillow paired with a modern black and white one and cowboy paraphernalia all against a confetti wall?

Random? Yes. But it makes me smile.

And I might play a little bit of musical lamps.

And put the cowgirl lampshade in the living room.

Just because.

And mix in a little red and gray plaid with another green velvet pillow.

Because you can’t have enough comfy green velvet pillows.

And to top it all off…

We’ll put Elvis against a random abstract circle wall beside red watercolor lips.

Because every home needs a little Elvis in their lives – whether its fall-ish or not.

Am I right or am I right?

P.S. That abstract circle wall is the stairwell! I finally figured out what to do with it – it only took me five months – more on it soon!

What are your favorite fall-ish decorating pieces? Besides pumpkins!

The next tour stop is Style Your Senses – I promise Mallory won’t let you down!

September 10, 2015
Valentine Cards and Decor in an hour
With the exception of Halloween and Christmas, I’m usually not a big holiday decorator. I have a few little things I set out for Valentine’s Day and Easter, but that’s about it.

But…..the circus is now old enough to really enjoy these holidays a little bit more…and since I am mom of the year and all, I felt I should up my Valentine’s game a little.

So, I whipped up an adorable little heart garland and the kid and I even made her very own valentines in an hour.

Because I’m mom of the year like that.

Disclosure: This post was a collaboration with Creative Collection. All opinions and random heart glittering are 100% mine.

Ok, in all fairness, basically everything I needed for both of these crafts were in the paper packages. Its kind of like the lazy girl’s way to craft.

I still get points for doing it though, right?

Materials and Supplies Needed:
- Creative Collection Valentine’s Pack: Hearts & String (available at Wal-Mart)
- Creative Collection Premium Paper and/or Cardstock Valentine’s Packs (available at Wal-Mart)
- Scissors
- Tape
- Mod Podge, Paint Brush, and Glitter (optional – if you want to jazz up the heart garland a bit)
Really, you don’t need steps for these crafts at all. Everything you need is in the package. However, I did decide to jazz up the heart garland a bit with gold glitter.

All I did was paint a little Mod Podge onto the hearts in random spots and then shake the glitter on. Once its dry, simply pull the included string through the pre-cut holes in the top of the hearts and hang it up.

How freakin’ easy was that?

I also opted to mix the larger hearts with the smaller hearts on my garland.

While the glitter is drying on the hearts, make your cards and envelopes.

Once more, everything you need is in the package! These come not only with card and envelope templates, but also with envelope liner templates – and I’m always a sucker for an adorable envelope liner.

Trace and cut out as many as you need.

We opted to use patterned scotch tape to secure our envelopes for a little extra pizzaz.

The hearts on the front of the cards were templates that came in the packages also. I traced and cut them out for the kid and then let her stick them on the cards. On the inside of each card, we used paint to make her handprint.

I had the garland up, the cards made with the handprints drying, and the envelopes addressed in an hour.

Boom.

Valentine’s Day? Check.

Be sure to see this adorable (and super simple!) valentines wreath diy I made using vintage valentines too!

And get ideas for all kinds of holiday decorating here!

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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February 9, 2015
Red, Green and Navy Christmas Home Tour: Part Two

After telling you lies in round one of my Christmas home tour yesterday, I thought today I would tell you a story.

If you are a regular here, you know I love stories and have lots of them. If you are new here and hopping over from Lindsay’s place (she’s the brainchild behind Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours), The White Buffalo Styling Co., or from Just a Girl, welcome. I hope you like stories too. Be sure to visit everyone else in the Christmas home tours at the end of this post!

Every Christmas, when its time to wrap gifts, I go downstairs.

Where its quiet.

And I pull out the wrapping paper, the tape, scissors, gift tags and ribbon.

I don’t want to have to get up for anything.

DIY Lucite Frame + Free Printable

Then I find the stack of dvds.

Blow off the dust.

And search for the one labeled Christmas 1988 from Grannie’s Tape, put it into the dvd player and push play.

Because its my favorite.

And I wrap gifts.

And as I wrap gifts.

I listen.

To me – when I was three years old.

Vintage Storybook Garland / Unusual but Meaningful Christmas Tree Ornaments

And to their voices.

And I try to memorize every word.

And I watch.

Every smile.

Every laugh.

Every present that was given.

I try to remember what the burnt orange carpet felt like.

And how shiny that Power Wheels Jeep was.

But most of all, I just listen and watch.

And think about my Grannie & Pap.

If you want more simple holiday decorating, you can see part one of my Christmas home tour here and holiday crafts from this tour can be found here!

The next stop in the Blogger Stylin’ Home Tours is Eleven Gables – see the complete list below too!

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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December 12, 2014
Red, Green, and Navy Christmas Home Tour Part 1

This is the post when I’m supposed to lie to you.

When I don’t tell you that I went with red, green, and navy Christmas decorations because they worked so well with the decor in the rest of my house.

When I’m supposed to act like I really cozy up in the adirondack chair outside….

When its 30 degrees out.

Of course I do, don’t you? Psssshhhh…

And that I just leave Christmas presents on my porch.

For anyone to just walk by and grab.

And I’m not supposed to tell you about how I utterly failed at a new holiday wreath on multiple tries this year…

And that I finally opted to just put the never-failed-me-yet Santa tinsel wreath on the door.

I’m also supposed to pretend that my entryway table is always that clean.

And that the bowl of Sour Patch Kids actually stays that full for more than a day.

Raffle Ticket Christmas Card Holder

And that all the toys are always put away.

Yes, I’m aware the camel is on top of the manger. Apparently, the kid feels a camel should have proclaimed Baby Jesus’ birth instead of an angel. Who am I to judge?

And I’ll pretend that I didn’t just move all those gifts from the outside to the entry table to the chalkboard wall. I totally just have that many laying around.

I also won’t admit to the fact that I am totally making my gifts double as decor all around the house.

Elf & Poinsettia DIY Christmas Wreath

I totally just draped this wreath over the kitchen window very nonchalantly. Its not like it took me days to figure out a place for it and then 30 minutes to tie the ribbon just right.

And I’ll also not tell you about crawling up on the kitchen island just to get the perfect angle for the photo of the open shelves.

And I also won’t tell you that this deer looks almost exactly the same as it did in last year’s Christmas tour.

That may or may not even be the exact same drawings around it. Surely, I’ve changed it in a year……

But if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, right?

And that is exactly what I learned from this holiday’s decorating – do what works (even if its the same as last year), make it simple, and don’t over analyze yourself.

You know you don’t wanna miss any of this crazy.

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December 11, 2014
A Grammy Themed Christmas Tree for Lauren

I know what you are thinking.

You are wondering why the girl who throws stuffed animals, barbies, G.I. Joes, glasses, and shoes on her Christmas tree is posting about a Grammy Themed Christmas tree – one that is color coordinated with not a stuffed animal in sight.

A few months back, Dana & Nancy from Forest Home Media in Nashville contacted me. They wanted me to decorate a tree in the theme of a child’s wish – a child that is braver than I ever could be, fighting for their life. Afterwards, the tree would be auctioned off and proceeds would go to Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee.

My first thoughts were:

Me? You really want me? Have you seen my Christmas decor? Nothing matches, nothing is themed, its just all a big hot mess that somehow works for us.

But I said yes. Because it was for an amazing cause.

And I started acting like the little engine that could, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can.”

When Dana sent the email with the list of kids and their wishes, I knew I could.

One of the kids was a girl.

An 18 year old named Lauren, who has Cystic Fibrosis and her wish is to go to the Grammys. She loves music and playing the guitar.

And if there is anything I love as much as decorating, its music – and little girls like Lauren who are braver than I’ll ever be.

I am the girl who knew for certain at the age of four that she was going to be the next Reba McEntire. And I still believed that until I finally reached high school and realized that my voice just wasn’t ever going to be pretty enough to sing in public – only in my car and the kitchen.

Dreams crushed. Love of music still strong though.

I was thrilled to be able to share my love of music is such an awesome, awesome way with an extraordinary girl.

There were four of us that were asked to decorate trees (look for the links to everyone at the end) and each was showcased in four different homes in the Kings Chapel Neighborhood in Arrington, Tennessee. My tree was in a home built by Drees Homes – it was stunning and I will be sharing more photos from it soon. The builders provided each of us with funds to decorate the tree and Kirkland’s also gave us a gift card for some of the ornaments – thank you!

Doesn’t that tree look real? Its not!! Balsam Hill donated the trees for this project, so a big thank you to them! My tree was the Calistoga Fir.

Honestly, I had no idea where I was going with this tree, except that I knew there would be lots of gold because the Grammys have gold awards. I knew I wanted musical notes somewhere and thought I may have to make them, but I ended up finding ones.

And they were already gold and sparkly, so that was a huge win.

Then I found pink microphones, pink headphones and pink guitar ornaments.

Those worked perfectly since Lauren loves music and playing the guitar. It also helped to decided my colors of gold, a little black, and pops of pink.

The only thing I actually made myself for this tree was the bunting garland and the record tree skirt.

I found scrapbook paper with musical notes on it and made it exactly how I made the Vintage Storybook Garland on my tree.

I found some gold glitter paint that I put over the top of each “flag.”

For the tree skirt, I put out a plea for old records on Facebook. A big thanks to Rosemary from Not Just Paper and Paint who convinced her husband to give me some of his old records, my friend, Kara, who rounded up a ton for me and my father-in-law who went through his record collection pulling out duplicates.

All I did was spray paint the records gold with this spray paint and laid them around the edges of the tree skirt. I opted not to glue them down because whoever wins this tree may not prefer gold records on their tree skirt.

Nancy, one part of Forest Home Media, saw my plea on Facebook and connected with one of her friends whose husband is a three time Grammy winner, Keb’ Mo’. Although they wouldn’t give me their Grammy to pop on the top of the tree as I so desperately wanted (haha!), they did graciously send me an album of his that won a Grammy. How cool (and super nice) is that?! I was pretty pumped.

I tied it onto one of the gifts under the tree and it is part of my tree’s silent auction.

And as if that wasn’t enough, Keb’ Mo’ and his wife, Robbie, even stopped by to see the tree!

Unfortunately, I wasn’t there to thank them in person for helping out, so here is a big virtual thank you!!

I topped the tree off with a gold glittery star and some fun picks.

The trees (and gorgeous homes) can all be viewed at the Holiday Parade of Homes at Kings’ Chapel from now through December 21st. As I said earlier, all our trees will be auctioned off and the proceeds will go to Make-A-Wish of Middle Tennessee.

Lauren, I hope you get to go to the Grammys, sweetie.

After we all decorated our trees, we had a fun blogger high tea that was sponsored by HomeTalk, StyleBlueprint and Kirkland’s. Big thanks to them for letting us have a little fun!

The other trees were:

Circus Themed Tree from Thistlewood Farms

Super Model Themed Tree from Chaotically Creative

Greece Themed Tree from The Decorologist

And one more thing, while I still have your attention.

Guys, let’s all remember that it is so much more important to give back this time of year than to receive, well I think that’s true throughout the year.

There are so many good causes out there and even just giving a toy for a kid who won’t get anything for Christmas or $10 can help out.

Thank you to everyone who made this event happen – it was truly an honor to be included.

Looking for more holiday decorating ideas that sparkle?

Be sure to see how to make these ornament clusters and don’t miss these simple but gorgeous holiday decorating ideas.

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December 8, 2014
Raffle Ticket Christmas Card Holder
When I was a kid, all the Christmas cards we received would be taped around a door frame, proudly displayed. I loved to look at them – especially the ones with photos (Those were the rich families – back in the 80’s it was much more expensive to put Christmas cards on your photos).

I do still love getting everyone’s Christmas cards – with or without photos.

I really love when we get Christmas cards from older relatives. You know they have that stockpile of Christmas cards that date back to 1954, and those are just the prettiest cards ever with all those vintage Christmas colors and scenes.

Anyway, I wanted a better way to display all our Christmas cards this year.

Basically, so everyone can see just how popular and cool I am – you know everyone wants to be friends with me, right?

I’m kidding.

For my new Christmas card holder, I opted to make it fun. With raffle tickets.

Disclosure: This project was sponsored by Staples. However, all opinions and love of weird things to decorate with are 100% mine. This post contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

That’s right, I used raffle tickets.

I’m sure that’s breaking some decorating or Christmas rule. Whatevs.

Here’s how to make it.

Because you know you want some raffle tickets for Christmas decor now too, don’t you?

Told ya people wanted to be like me.

Psstt… really I had no idea if this was going to work or not – 90% of my ideas never do.

DIY Christmas Card Holder

Materials & Supplies Needed:
- 1 x 4’s or scrap wood for the frame ( I used 2 1/2 – 6 foot long 1×4’s
- Saw
- Wood Stain (if you want the stained look)
- Wood glue
- Clamps or something heavy to sit on top of the wood
- Letter Stencils (These are the ones I used.)
- White School Glue
- Foam Pouncer
- Glitter
- Raffle Tickets
- Tape
- Paperclips
Steps

Step 1:

Make the wood frame.

You can really make this any size you want. I made mine bigger just because I wanted it to also function as Christmas decor. Mine is 28 1/4″ high x 36″ wide. Stain your wood if you want to. I really wanted to use some of the old barn wood I used on the bottom of my kitchen island for this, but sadly I didn’t have enough here. Boo.

After the wood is stained and dry, place glue on the top and bottoms of the vertical pieces, then place the horizontal pieces on top of the glue. Clamp it together or put something heavy on top of the corners.

Step 2:

Let the sparkliness commence!

To make the glittery word goodness, I used these stencils.

The stencils are cardboard and the letters just punch right out. Punch out the letters and lay them out on your frame. There are multiples of some letters, but you may still have to reuse some letters, like the “R” if you do “Merry & Bright.”

Starting from the end of wherever you are putting your sparkly goodness, pounce a small amount of glue onto the stencil, then immediately shake the glitter on. My glitter shakers came from Staples as well (can’t find a link online, but I bought them in the store anyway.)

After you have put the glitter on, remove the stencil, and place the next letter to be stenciled on the frame. I put the edge of the stencil right against the letter I had just stenciled in terms of spacing (last photo). Continue until all your letters are done.

Step 3:

Let your piece sit a while for the glue to dry, then just string raffle tickets (I used these) back and forth along the frame, securing with tape on the back.

Use paperclips to secure the cards to the raffle tickets. I opted for these gold paperclips, just because they were prettier than the silver ones.

I love the stenciled letters – I think that font / style has a vintage feel too it. Its uncomplicated- how Christmas used to be.

Since we haven’t received any Christmas cards yet, you are stuck seeing all of ours from years past.

The cute little elf topped ornament tree tutorial is here.

How do you display your holiday cards?

More simple holiday projects and decorating ideas:

Vintage Storybook Garland – an easy Christmas tree garland to make that your kids will love!

How to Make Ornament Clusters – beautiful holiday decorations that are eye-catching but simple to make.

And here are loads of Christmas decoration ideas that are simple and affordable.

Easily come back to this post later by pinning the image below!

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December 5, 2014