Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

I fell in love with my Christmas tree this year. I finally got around to making some new ornaments and a tree skirt and everything turned out beautiful and added just the right touches to my tree.

The tree skirt

I seen this idea on Shanty2Chic (pretty sure) and I have wanted to make it ever since. It is made from painters drop cloths from Home Depot and was super fun to make. Made it a lot easier since I bought a ruffler foot this year.

Bird

I needed some birds to go with the little birdhouses I also have on the tree. I wanted to make these last year and just didn't have enough time. Luckily with the new job I started this year I got 6 glorious days off for Christmas. They were filled with craft projects and getting the last few things ready for Christmas.

Fabric Ornaments

I love the colors on my tree, so when I came across this idea for an ornament online(Brown Paper Packages) I knew it would look fabulous.

Glitter Ball

I found these balls at Winco and had to buy them. I sprayed a clear coat on them and sprinkled them with glitter. Funny thing, I am not a gold person, but I love the gold on my tree.

Jute Ornament

I had some old plastic ornaments that got a makeover. I love them.

Wicker Wreath

I bought these wreaths last year and hung on my tree. This year before I put them on the tree I added a burlap scrap to it. They hung on the tree for a few weeks until I added some crochet flowers. The flowers added just the right touch.

Rusty Wire Star

I have a stash of craft supplies and love it when I can complete a projects without having to buy a single supply. I thought the rusty wire would look good with the colors and theme I have going on my tree.
I took a block of wood and a star stencil and traced it on the wood. I put a nail on all the points on the star..inner and outer, 10 total nails. I then took the wire and weaved it through the nails. I went around 5 times and then carefully took it off the nail outline. I put a little piece of wire around the top and bottom to keep the five stars together and added raffia to the top.
I like to think that this is an Austin Original too. I haven't seen this one out there.

I am in love with my tree and all the new additions I made this year.

New Christmas Stuff

I have needed a way to hang stockings forever. We have always just laid them on the back of the couch. Wish we had a mantle to hang them on. My original idea to hang stockings was a ladder made from 1x2's...it just didn't look right. On to plan B...I had a bunch of spindles in the garage from an awesome trip to the thrift store (I was saving them for a side table but changed my mind). I also have a stash of finials...making this a free project...didn't have to buy a thing!

I put it together and my husband painted it for me today!! Yes Today! It's Christmas Eve and we made a stocking hanger AND new stockings for Santa's visit tonight. I didn't quite finish though. My husbands is the only finished stocking...the rest still need to be girly-fied...you know with ruffles and bows and flowers. I would say we had a petty productive day!

I made a bunch of ornaments for my tree this year and finally got around to making a fabulous new tree skirt full of lovely ruffles. I am falling in love with my tree...really I am. I love every ornament that I put on that tree. I finally got to the point that I bought my kids their own tree to decorate cause I didn't want them messing with my pretty tree. Sounds selfish, but I like the matching theme trees and the ornaments to stay in the same place. You know how kids rearrange.

(note: I had to post this tonight. I have had so many occasions that I have come up with a craft or idea and don't get around to it and a month or so later I find it on a blog and wish I would have made mine. I have not been on blogs in a long time and I have not seen this project around, so I hope I am the first... An Austin Original. It could exist somewhere, but this one came out of my head.)

One of my many...

weekend projects. I would say we had a very productive weekend. This is where it all started. A new end table for the living room. I found spindles at DI a while back (and recently found some more) and have been saving them for a project. We really need tables...I still need 2 for the family room and 2 for our bedroom
These are not step by step pictures...too busy sawing and nailing to snap photos. Sorry the legs are actually upside down here. I wanted the table to have a lower shelf for a basket or books. Did I mention I just made this up? No plans...no help...just figured out what I wanted and made it.

Frame ready! Have I mentioned how much I love my nail gun!

It makes projects like this sooo nice!
(see the messy garage in the background...we worked on that mess yesterday! it looks so much better. Still have a bit more organizing to do and move my wood stuff around)

And voila! Table finished and wood filler in. Ready to be sanded and painted.
I am thinking RED!

Day of Labor

I should have taken a before picture. The playroom in the basement has probably only been clean 2 times in the two years we have lived here. The girls are terrible about getting things out and not putting them away. I was tired of the mess. The hubs and I had a very productive day...this was just the beginning.

Next task...the garage. AHHH! This is the scrap wood pile. I was told I need a new hobby...I just laughed. Last Fall I cut wood for a bunch of Super Saturdays...these are the scraps. Adios!

Taking a break to have some fun! This is part of a desk we broke down to take to the dump. Weeee!
Contrary to popular belief my husband does know how to use the power tools. Thanks for all your work today babe...I couldn't have done it without you.

I also got a surprise today. I am so excited. I need better lighting in the garage to take a picture though.

My new BFF

I LOVE my new friend! She is amazing!

See Kate Sew had Pleat Week over and her blog and got me insprired to do some rufflin'. So no more baste stitching and hand gathering. This little friend of mine does it all for me now. So much easier.
After all I do have 3 girls...that's a lot of ruffles to make.
I have made two projects with it all ready and just got it Saturday.

I will have to make some of these.

Cinnamon Roll Pancakes

You have to go over to Recipe Girl and get the recipe for these AHH-mazing pancakes. Seriously. I compare them to the gourmet pancakes we had in Hawaii. My 3 year old asked for more...and she NEVER eats pancakes.

Picket Fence

I LOVE this barn door from Brown Paper Packages. I knew I wanted something like that on a blank wall in my kitchen. I have been going a bit country/farm-ish in the kitchen ever since we got chickens.
When I made a trip down to Richfield I came across a gentlemen with a large pile of barn wood in his yard. I didn't hesitate to ask to have some of it and he was more than happy to share. I loaded up as much as I could in my van before I made the trip home. I almost had to leave a couple kids there to make room for more wood.

In my load of wood I brought home 2 sections of picket fence. I spotted them behind a few things in his yard and had to have them! One of them has a home on my front porch and the other is now hanging on my kitchen wall. I think it needs a wreath!

Next on my kitchen list is this. How beautiful would that be in my country/farm-ish kitchen? LOVE it!

New Red Door

BEFORE

AFTER
My New Red Door!! I love it!
I had leftover paint from painting the chicken coop and thought I would put it to use.

A few porch accessories. The chair from DI, painted with leftover family room paint and recovered with fabric in my stash.(i just used what I had, I might change it) The Birdhouse was from DI and so was the spindle. The fence is reclaimed barnwood from a trip down to Richfield with a friend. LOVE it all!