christmas centerpiece tutorial {a few dollars & 10 min}

What you need:

Pinecones {I found mine at a park!}

Candles {I already had these}

Glitter stem from Hobby Lobby floral section {at half price it's $1 something}

Wire cutters

Spray paint {$.97 from Wal-Mart} 

Silver glitter {optional}

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First I spray painted the pinecones- it took NO time at all, it took less than a minute to spray and a few minutes to dry. If you want to add glitter to the pinecones, do it while the paint is still wet.

Then I cut off the little leaves from the glitter stem using wire cutters

Set the candles in the middle of the tray {I had this tray, but you can use anything, even a plate}

The filled it with pinecones then the leaves

DONE

And so pretty!

it's christmas {party} time! {and our silhouettes winner!}

Planning a holiday party this year? I just love get togethers, for any reason, but especially for CHRISTMAS!

Take a look through these beautiful party ideas and be inspired!

Party No. 1 

Vintage Rudolf 

by TomKat Studio

Party No. 2

Traditional Christmas 

by Love the Day

Party No. 3

Red and Aqua Sweet Snoflake

by TomKat Studio

Party No. 4 

Gingerbread Playdate

by Savvy Mom's Guide

Party No. 5

Silver White and Red Dessert Table

by Sweet Little Parties

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Announcing the Silhouettes winner!

Didn't win? I'd still love to make you some silhouettes! Visit my shop and shoot me an email.

my first ever pottery barn purchase

You might already know that I adore my friend Stephanie... well she gave me an amazing idea last year and I love it so much I want to share it with you!

Every year she gets each of her kids a unique ornament to reflect on their year.

So I started this last year, and had to back track a bit with Z. I highly recommend this idea for you and your kiddos- It's so much fun for the kids to have their very own ornaments, and it helps you to remember what your kids were like at different ages.

Although I have to say I refuse to buy anything gaudy as it will be on my tree for 18 years... {ha}

So here's what I have so far:

Christmas No. 1 

Both girls have 'Baby's First Christmas' ornaments

Christmas No. 2

Anah: {a 'sweet' cookie ornament- she loves food and is just the sweetest thing!}

Zuriah: a kitty ornament {she was obsessed}

Christmas No. 3

Zuriah: ballerina slippers ornament {ballerinas were her very favorite}

Christmas No. 4

Zuriah: this too cute little ornament from Pottery Barn. She always pretends she's a baby animal, and pretending to be 'baby squirrel' is her favorite.

I love Pottery Barn. I frequent it often, but I'm one of those people who always just browse and never buy {I always just think, "I can make that for so much cheaper!"}

Well I couldn't pass this up for $5 and didn't have a clue how to make a squirrel head and tail {let alone make it that cute}.

So there you have it, my first ever Pottery Barn purchase!


If you haven't already, don't forget to sign up for the Silhouette Giveaway!


{Last day to enter} 

{handmade} christmas inspiration

It's present making time!

Here are some of my very favorite handmade Christmas presents. I hope to inspire you to have a handmade Christmas too!

Oh, and here's something fun, if you don't have time to make gifts, or just aren't the crafty type, you can still buy handmade gifts off Etsy {most of the images listed below are for sale at Etsy! Just click to see.}

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{Crochet or Knit}

One Christmas I had a friend teach me how to crochet. It took about a half an hour to learn, and maybe an hour or so to perfect, then I was on to making scarves, mittens, and leg warmers. As long as you know the simple starting stitch you're good for making all those things. All I did was crochet the ends together when I was finished.

If you're already talented in crocheting or knitting just think of the possibilities! Boots, hats, slippers, even sweaters if you're ambitious!

{oops, that was a lot of babies... I suppose I'm just a sucker for them! Anyway, you get the idea.}

{Build}

I just love Ana-White.com a website devoted to inspiring you to make your own furniture! Tons and tons of beautiful plans for everything you can think of. Here we thought we'd never be handy- that is until we found this website, now we're making everything and it's much simpler and quicker than you'd think! Here are some of my favorite {gift} plans from her website:

{okay, maybe this one wouldn't wrap well, but who wouldn't LOVE this for Christmas?! You could always wrap a picture!}

{Craft}


Have a glue stick? Or a staple gun? Maybe some pliers for jewelry? Mod Podge? Here are some lovely {simply made} gifts:

{Sew}

Two Christmases ago I got a sewing machine so I taught myself to sew, another thing that's not that complicated to learn! {And I would fully recommend learning, it's quite useful}. If you don't have a machine and have always thought you'd like to learn... ask for one for Christmas- one of the best presents I've ever gotten!

Here are a few ideas: aprons, oven mitts, kitchen towels, bags, stockings, scarves, slippers, throw pillows, throw blankets, baby doll clothes, oh the possibilities are endless!

Oh and speaking of cute fabrics, let me share with you my FAVORITE little in-town boutique craft store that has the most amazing designer fabrics

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I hope you're inspired! Is there anything you are just dying to know how to make? Let me know I'll see if I can do a tutorial for it.

Stay tuned, I'll soon be posting a tutorial on how to sew a bag like this one: