Looking back- Novembers past

Yikes! Tomorrow is Dec. 1! 24 days til Christmas, less if you need to have gift ready ahead of time. Before I freak out too much, let's take this last day of November to look back at projects from Novembers past. Some of you have never seen these, and I tend to forget about them myself so this has become a fun little feature for me.

These were popular (I need to make more for some stockings).

Felt flowers

 

 

I also made a felt yarn wreath.

 

 

 

Embellished pumpkins

 

 

Mini cone trees (I'm using these again this year.)

 

 

Painted rattan balls

 

 

Treat bag toppers

 

It looks like November is full of fall projects and decor with jump start on Christmas. Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend.

Glitter ornaments

Last week I tried out this fun way of making glitter ornaments. I love glitter and its shine at the holidays but not the mess. Coating the inside of a clear glass ornament with glitter is a great way to get the shine without the mess. I made some ornaments in my color theme- aqua and green.  You can buy a specially made product for this project or you can use floor cleaner. Yep, floor cleaner. I started seeing it on several sites and had to give it a try myself.

Below are my supplies:

Pledge floor care
clear glass ornaments
Martha Stewart fine glitter
a cup for the excess cleaner
a tray to catch my glitter (Mine is made so I can funnel the extra back into the bottle.)

Just swirl the cleaner around in the ball and then pour out the excess. Shake in the glitter and coat the inside of the ball. Done! Easy! and so pretty.

I also saw an idea from Michael's for some polka dot ornaments. You'll need Mod Podge and some spouncers for this one. Make dots on your ornament with the Mod Podge and spouncer and coat them with glitter. Once they are dry you can use a soft paint brush to brush away the excess glitter.

I love how these turned out. 

Another quick and easy craft for the busy holiday season.

Sharing here:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays*  Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman*  Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims* Show and Share* Primp Your Stuff* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Catch A Glimpse *Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree* At the Picket Fence* Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven*Feathered Nest

DIY snow globes

I just put up my Must Do Monday post featuring Santa crafts and normally I wouldn't post again, but I'm so excited about this little project that I just had to go ahead and share it. I'm sure you are seeing these all over the web, but if you haven't tried making your own waterless snow globes, you've got to. Especially if you like quick and easy with big returns.

I think these are the most adorable things ever. All you need is some jars, ribbon, washi tape or paint, glue, bottle brush trees and Christmas village minatures or ornaments, and faux snow or epsom salts. I got my trees and figures from the Dollar Tree.

I used a spaghetti jar, pickle jar, and salsa jar. ( I like to repurpose.) Thus the need for paint, ribbon or washi tape. You will need to cover the writing on the lid. I went with ribbon but paint or washi tape would cover the lid color and writing completely. I just glued a piece of ribbon around the lid edge. If you use a mason jar, you can skip this step all together. Once your lid is ready, glue your trees and figures to the lid. Once dry, put a little "snow" in your jar. Don't put too much, you don't want to bury or drown your figures. Screw on the lid and invert. You've got the most adorable decoration. You could even give these as a gift. I had so much fun with them I want to make more.

I'll be sharing these here:

Count down to Winter at Sand and Sisal

Holiday party at Centsational Girl

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays*  Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims* Show and Share* Primp Your Stuff* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Catch A Glimpse *Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree* At the Picket Fence* Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven*Feathered Nest

Here Comes Santa Claus- 7 diy santa projects

He will be here before you know it. Here are seven ways to get your Santa on (and make some cute gifts or decorations.)

 

Santa treat bottles

 

 

Initial ornaments

 

 

Santa-tizer

 

 

Belly band ornaments

 

 

Glitter Santa ornament

 

 

 

Santa cones

 

 

Mrs. Claus apron

 

Black Friday Sales

Are you overwhelmed with Black Friday Sales yet? Me too. That's why I'm home shopping on the net. It gives me a little more time to look and think without fighting the crowds. Here are two sales you should take advantage of this weekend-

Shabby Apple



From now until November 30, 2012, you can Save 20% off EVERYTHING on their site with code JOYFULSEASON.   It would be a great time to get a new dress or outfit for that Holiday Party.

Hair piece

You also need to take a gift wrapped in style to that party so check out SouthernScraps for tags and cards. You could even get the gift too- earrings, a statement necklace or a brooch pin. Now through November 25, 2012, take 20% off everything with code HOLIDAY20.

Happy Shopping!

Pumpkin white chocolate chip muffins

Happy Thanksgiving!! Our pastor spoke last week about what Thanksgiving means- giving thanks- and it's not just naming or counting blessings. It's saying thank you to those who are responsible for those blessings. So, with that in mind, THANK YOU to those of you who follow me, visit me, and comment here to make this little blogging venture fun. I hope you have a happy and Blessed day!

Here's a yummy recipe I tried out a couple of weeks ago. You might want to whip these up this afternoon or sometime over the weekend.

Pumpkin White Chocolate Chip Muffins

I love pumpkin and white chocolate, so what could be better together? I adapted a recipe from Culinary Concoctions. I don't have any vanilla bean paste (what is that stuff anyway? ) so I used vanilla extract. I cut back the sugar a little and didn't use a whole cup- adjust to your liking. I find that the white chocolate chips add sweetness too. I left out the walnuts (the hubby is allergic).

If you've followed my recipe posts before, you know I will make changes and substitutions in a heart beat. You just have to make it work for you.

While you're enjoying a muffin or other treat, go browse my etsy shop for some accessories and stocking stuffers and Christmas cards. You can take 20% off a purchase from now until Mon. Nov. 25, 2012 with coupon code HOLIDAY20. (And the code is active now, so if you're a faithful reader, you can go beat the rush!)

I'll be sharing these here:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays*  Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims* Show and Share* Primp Your Stuff* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Catch A Glimpse *Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree* At the Picket Fence* Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven*Feathered Nest

Deck the Halls - 7 DIY Christmas wreaths

Once Thursday is over, most of us will begin the mad rush of shopping and "decking our halls" for Christmas. One of the most popular decorations is the wreath. Here are some ideas for DIY wreaths to get you started.

20 minute wreath by Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night

 

 

Ornament wreath

 

 

Pom pom snowball wreath by BHG

 

 

Mesh ribbon wreath by Kristen's Creations

 

 

Frame wreath by Buckets of Grace

 

 

Silver and blue wreath by Make the Best of Things

 

 

Moss frame wreath by Blessed Beyond Measure

 

 

Fall mantel and blessings garland

Remember my washi tape clothespins? Remember I said they were part of a bigger project? I'm finally able to reveal my fall mantel and blessings garland.

Some simple things on each side of the mantel.

And the garland. I used fabric scraps from my stash and tied them to a string of twine to make a garland.  I was inspired by this one at Hoosier Homemade. I mentioned it here about a year ago and made it happend this year.

The washi tape clothespins were used to pin doily leaves from the Dollar Tree onto the garland. I wrote "Count Your Blessings" on the center one. I had six more leaves so I asked the hubby to name three things he was thankful for and I added three more. Since we both said each other, I combined it into "You and me" on one leaf.

 

I think the leaves will become a tradition for us each year since I can change them out.


  Just a heads up. I'll be having a Black Friday Sale in my etsy shop November 23, 2012 to November 25, 2012. Take 20% off any purchase those three days with coupon code HOLIDAY20. It will be a great time to get handmade Christmas cards, tags, and gifts.

I'll be sharing my garland and mantel here:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays*  Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims* Show and Share* Primp Your Stuff* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Catch A Glimpse *Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree* At the Picket Fence* Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven*Feathered Nest

Thanksgiving tablescape

I had no idea what I was going to do for a tablescape this year other than the fact that it would involve leaves. I picked up some felt leaf mats at the Dollar Tree when they first came out and knew that the rich deep red would be a good building base for a fall/Thanksgiving table.

I also found some amber tinted votives at the thrift store over the summer and I knew I wanted to use them. I decided to pull out my gold table runner and the glass tray and get started.

Each place setting consists of a leaf mat, white plate from my Greek Key collection, a leaf salad plate by BHG from Wal-mart, thrifted goblets, white napkin tied with raffia and a handmade tag. Each tag has a Bible verse of thanksgiving and was printed in Amienne font. I printed four verses on cardstock, then cut them out with a tag template. I added a cornicopia sticker from my scrapbooking stash to each one. Some faux leaves from Michael's was inserted into each.

I thought I'd share how I built the centerpiece. If you wait until the first weekend of November to get fall craft supplies from Michael's, it is either a curse or a blessing. You see, everything is gone and picked over, but what's left is 80% off. I got the packets of leaves for 19-cents each. I went in looking for some filler for the tray, but they did not have what I wanted. I settled for a couple of bags of green gourds and pumpkins, some 99 cent bags of fall color gems,  and two leaf garlands with berries and pumpkins in the steams.

I started with the tray and votives.

 

Next I added the gems.

Then I added the pumpkins and gourds and pulled leaves, berries, and more pumpkins off the stems of the garland. I arranged them in my tray until I was satisfied.

The remains of the garland were woven into the chandelier (top photo).

Thanks for stopping by. I hope each of you have a Happy Thanksgiving.

I'll be sharing at Tablescape Thursday and some of these great parties:

Think Pink Sundays*Under the Table and Dreaming* Sundae Scoop* Craftomaniac Monday*Make the Scene Monday* Make It Pretty Monday*Masterpiece Monday* Motivate Me Monday*Inspire Me Monday*Market Yourself Mondays at Sumo’s Sweet Stuff* Pink Hippo Party*More The Merrier Monday* Make It Monday*Mop It Up Monday *Take a Look Tuesday* Handmade Tuesdays*  Tell Me Tuesday*Tuesday Talent Show*My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia* Tip Junkie*Get Your Craft On* Terrific Tuesday*From Dream to Reality*Whatever Goes Wednesday*Hooking Up with HOH*Blissful and Domestic* Handy Man, Crafty Woman* Share the Wealth* Dragonfly Designs*My Girlish Whims* Show and Share* Primp Your Stuff* Fireflies and Jellybeans* Someswhat Simple Strut Your Stuff*Catch A Glimpse *Creative Juice*Transformation Thursday* Handmade 52* A Crafty Soiree* At the Picket Fence* Tidy Mom*Simply Sweet Home*Simply Designing*Chic on a Shoestring Flaunt It Friday*Fingerprints on the Fridge*BFF Open House at The Answer is Chocolate* Creation Corner*Tatertots and Jello*Funky Junk’s Saturday Night Special*Be Different Act Normal* Delicately Constructed Fridays*Friday Frolic*UnCommonly Yours*Shine On* Sweet Saturday*Pomp Party*Overflowing with Creativity*Saturday Seven*Feathered Nest

Also linking up to Dare to DIY