Let's Play Catch Up!

Phew! I've been busy. But haven't we all?!

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and now we are enjoying preparing for Christmas and, of course, for Sergei's arrival (he arrives in a little over one week!) It's been slow this year. Normally I decorate the day after Thanksgiving, but we've been so busy running that I haven't gotten much done yet.

Part of the craziness was that we decided to paint our kitchen, dining, and living rooms. That would be why this girl hasn't tackled the Christmas decorations. I just got all of my wall decor and window treatments hung back in place yesterday. And finally, our home is in a semi-neat stage that I can now begin decorating.

Brad and the kids also repainted the bunkbeds that Ian and Sergei will be using while he is here. That was quite a feat, let me say! Lily had paint ALL through her hair. Oh goodness, it took a while to get it cleaned up! But they had so much fun!

I did bring my little tree and poinsettias up into the entryway yesterday. I also managed to take down all the outside fall stuff and put up my Christmas wreaths. We also got out our advent calendar since it was already two days into December, and Ian had been begging me since Tuesday to get it out. He also enjoyed putting out our nativity. Oh, and I hung the mistletoe.

Today after school, I'll be toting all the bins upstairs and putting up the rest! I love decorating for Christmas! Oh, and I've already started baking C-mas cookies. My mom, sister and I got together on Tuesday and baked all day. The cookies are in the freezer waiting to be consumed closer to Christmas time (but don't let me fool you, I've already done my fair-share of digging into the stash!)

Oh, and I just had to share that I won a giveaway from Marie at Marie's Home & Hobbies. She was giving away six of her lovely tatted snowflakes, and I was so excited when there was a message from her in my inbox informing me I had won. Yippee!!! Look how pretty they look hanging on my little tree in the entryway...

She also sent me a sweet little cross-stitched burlap ornament as well, but my camera battery died just as I was going to take a pic of it. Oh, and let me tell you what else Marie included in my package ('cause I think this is so incredibly sweet.) This wonderful woman who has never even met me or even talked to me sent us money to help fund Sergei's hosting! Marie - thank you so very much. You are incredibly sweet, and we feel so blessed by your generosity!!!!

Well, I must get back to my duties so I can have fun decorating this afternoon!

Hum, went the sewing machine...

Ms. Singer and I have been busy lately. Here's what we've been up to...

This pillow. I got this idea to add a crocheted doily from Fine Linen (private blog so I can't link to it). I had this soft burlap-like fabric in my stash and it was just enough to make this pillow.

I stitched on the doily after I had the pillow completed.

Lastly, I added this vintage button...

I think I'd like to make more of these pillows to give as gifts. I'll have to keep my eye out for more crocheted doilies at the thrift stores.

With the scraps, I made these multipurpose C-mas tree ornaments/gift card holders. I can use these to give gift cards in and the receivers can then hang them on their tree. A perfect way to use up fabric scraps!

I also made this longer pillow out of red ticking fabric and some coarse burlap I had. I think I'll stencil a word onto the face of the burlap. I just haven't decided which word I want to use yet.

Ric rac trim...

I frayed the edges of the burlap for a more rustic look...

I've come to the conclusion that I'd sew a lot more often if my sewing machine was sitting out somewhere all the time. It's been gracing my kitchen table for the last couple of days, and I've been so inspired to use it when it's staring me in the face.

The Beginnings of a Handmade Holiday...

First of all, I must get something straight. I am not all about skipping directly from Halloween to Christmas. I'm annoyed that the malls started playing Christmas music three weeks ago. And I don't understand the reasoning for hanging Christmas lights on your house at the beginning of November.

That being said, if you're planning on giving away some well-thought-out handmade gifts for Christmas, you best start planning and creating before you flip the calendar to December. Here's what I've been working on...

One Reason I Love This Man

He brings Lily and me flowers just because...

Gooseberry Patch Giveaway

I love Gooseberry Patch. I just got their newest catalog in the mail, and they have so many cute, country goodies packing each page!

I have four of their hardback books and their Christmas cookbook. The hardback Christmas books have tons of ideas for the holidays. Decor to make, crafts, recipes, gifts to give. And in the back of each book, you will find all the patterns you need to make each of the crafts. The books are so cozy and inviting. The pictures are a delight to the eye and there are lots of whimsical drawings and writings as well.

Here are some of my favorite pages from my books...

Look at these oh so cute little mason jar votive lanterns...

I love this button wreath with the cute gingham bow...

Look at this beautiful white candlescape. This would be an easy project to do. The thrift stores always have candle sticks that you could buy and spray paint white.

I think this vintage village is so cute. And the mantel scarf is just adorable. So very vintage...

Speaking of vintage... How about a serving tray made over and decked out with pics of St. Nick. How cute would this be to serve your cookies and hot cocoa on this Christmas?

Or maybe you'd like to adorn some old canisters with some vintage photos of St. Nicholas...

How cute would this little pine filled watering can look adorning your porch this Christmas?

How about some rustic patchwork coasters? This would make great handmade gifts for friends and they could be used all year round.

And we can't forget about the mail lady or Sunday School teachers. What about a homemade pancake mix, topped off with a sweet little mason jar of homemade syrup?

Well, it just so happens that Gooseberry Patch is having a giveaway for all of us bloggers. Go to their new blog to see how you can enter to win THREE of their wonderful cookbooks!

And for those of you who do not blog but still want to check out all the wonderful GP goodies, head to their website. They're currently having a special of $5 shipping for all orders over $55. You just have to enter the code SHIPPING5 when you check out, but hurry 'cause this offer ends tomorrow at midnight.

Warm, cozy, and yummy...

Perfect for afternoon tea time...

Maximizing the Potential of Your Master Bedroom

And I'm not just talking about decorating potential, although that's important too. I'm talking about taking what you have and making it work. Making it clean, comfortable, uncluttered, and refreshing.

And you don't have to have a big master bedroom to pull this off. Here are some tips on how to be happy with your master bedroom, even if it is small.

1. Keep it clear of clutter - you know, all those baskets of folded laundry that need put away (guilty here!) Also, any empty surface area has the potential to become a junk heap. Chairs, dresser tops, etc. Make an attempt to keep those areas cleaned off. Cluttered surfaces = unenjoyable, stress-inducing space.

2. Add a bedside table to both sides of the bed. If the table has drawers, this would be a great place to store lotions, tissues, a flashlight (in case the electricity goes out in the middle of the night), a pen and journal, and any books you're currently reading. My bedside table is just a cheap chipboard table that I covered with a damask patterned sheet I found at a thrift store for 50 cents. I stuck a big basket underneath to store my magazines, flashlight, and slippers. They're handy when I'll need them, yet they're hidden and out of the way.

3. Add dim lighting to each bedside table. Nothing super bright here - just a low wattage 60 watt bulbed lamp will do. Lamp lighting makes a room cozy and warm, so much better than overhead lighting. If you don't have any spare lamps, keep a lookout at thrift stores. Remember, you can always spray paint the lamp base and cover the lampshade with fabric!

4. Add some long window treatments to enlarge your space. I hung my window treatments way above the actual top of the window. This elongates the wall, making the room feel bigger. It really does work. In fact, I hang all of my window treatments this way now. Oh, and if you don't have window treatments and don't have the spare cash to purchase any (let's face it, window treatments are pricey), you can always buy several yards of your favorite fabric and either make curtains yourself (if you can sew) or you can hang them using the mistreatment method.

5. Wash your bed linens once a week. Pick a day and remain consistent. On the days you don't wash, make sure you pull the sheets nice and tight when making the bed. This will give them a nice clean feel. I also occasionally spray some relaxing lavendar linen spray to freshen the sheets up as well. I buy mine at Bath & Body.

6. If you have a master bathroom, keep the sink area clear of clutter as well. I purchased two small baskets that hold all of our necessities that we use on a daily basis. The items are within arms reach, yet they are all confined into one area - keeps it practical and pretty.

7. Dust and vacuum, keep it clean - simple enough, eh?

Many of the things I have in our master bedroom, are treasures I've found at thrift or antique stores. The secret is to know what you want and then go on the hunt for it. I don't buy new unless it's a necessity. For instance, I wanted a chair in our bedroom. I waited for about a year and finally found what I was looking for at a yard sale for $25.00. Know what you want, but be willing to wait. That's the secret to budget decorating!

I guess the biggest way to achieve a more relaxing master bedroom is to remove all clutter. You could have your room decorated to the "T", but if it's cluttered, it's not going to be a room that you'll be able to relax in and really enjoy. On the other hand, even if your room is lacking in the decor department, having it clean and clear of clutter will make it a much more enjoyable space.