How do you recycle Christmas cards?

Last year I shared how I recycled Christmas cards into gift tags.

 Well, I used them all this year so I had to do it again.  

I start by cropping the cards to save what I can re-use to make tags.  

 

I used "scraps" of scrapbook paper I had on hand to attach them to.

Aren't they fun?  I can't wait to pull them out next year.

I'm linking to the following parties:

Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence

Creativity Party @ It's Overflowing

Have a great weekend!

Petie

Merry Christmas!

And they came with haste, and found Mary and 

Joseph and the babe lying in a manger.

Luke 2:16

Wishing you a blessed holiday with family and friends!

Petie

Do you ever help your spouse select your Christmas gift?

Guilty, guilty, guilty!

I just happen to be looking at Ballards website a couple of weeks ago and 

saw a 48hr free shipping notice. 

 I had to help him!

I've been wanting a mirror over our family room mantel and this one was 

the perfect size, 24" diameter.

We I ordered it in the taupe color.

(and, oh yes, I've already hung it!)

Here's a close-up look.  

It has a great rustic-weathered vibe, but with the gold trim in the center it's not too casual.

I'm loving it!  

Thank, honey :)

Petie

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree ~

 Living in the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to have acres and acres of  beautiful trees

 to choose from.  I've been wanting a noble like this for years...with lots of space in between.

I've gone with gold and cream colored ornaments for the past few years.  

Burlap garland adds great texture.

This year I added these cute birdhouses from Target. 

I like to use stems throughout the branches.

I like to think our tree has an enchanted forest feel with all the critters sprinkled throughout.

A couple of other vignettes throughout the house are in creams as well.

These are peanut butter jars!

Who's ready to toast the holidays?

Cheers!

I'm linking to the following parties:
Holiday Home Link Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Show Off Your Stuff Party @ Fireflies and Jellybeans 

Have a great weekend!

Petie

Our Family Christmas Card Turned Gift Tag ~

This is our Christmas card this year.

Thank you, Shutterfly!

I wish I could remember the name of the blog where I saw gift tags being made from photos.  The post was describing how they use the photo of the actual gift recipient for the tag. Great idea!


I was totally inspired to use our family photo to make gift tags for our out of town family. I printed the photo at wallet size and used Mod Podge to attach it.

I like how they turned out.  I think I'd prefer them to look a little tea-dyed....maybe next year.  

December 25th is creeping up fast on me.  How about you?

Petie

I'm linking to the following parties:

Blog Link Party @ Somewhat Simple

100 ideas under $100 @ Beyond the Picket Fence
Show Off Your Stuff @ Fireflies and Jellybeans
Pin Me Linky Party @ Diana Rambles 

Paint Stick Scrabble Ornaments

Quite the title for a post, huh?

Actually a quick craft made out of paint sticks and scrabble tiles.

The paint stores are very generous with their free paint sticks, so I usually have a few lying around. 

  I needed some filler ornaments for a small tree in our entry, and came up with the idea

 of painting paint sticks and attaching scrabble tiles with various holiday words.

You can use any paint for these, but I happen to have some extra chalk board spray paint so I went with that which gives the "ornaments" a whole other dimension for use.  

You could actually just write words on the paint sticks.

I used a saw to trim the sticks which required a little sanding on the 

edges, giving the stick a more weathered look.

The scrabble tiles are attached with this photo tape. 

 It comes off very easily if you decide to go with the chalk writing idea.

I love a simple craft.  

Have you been crafting some of your holiday decor this season?

 ~ Petie

I'm linking to the following parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays @ Coastal Charm 

Handmade Tuesdays @ Ladybug Blessings 

Three Wreaths Are Better Than One

I decided to try something a little different this year with our front door Christmas decor. 

Three wreaths instead of just one!

 

 These are Dollar Store wreaths that I actually doubled for a little more fullness.   

They're taped together with florist tape.

I cut two small slits in the jute ribbon to run a tie through to attach the wreaths.

And, last but not least, I added greenery attached with a thin wire and popped in some 

red stems for a more festive look.

I was so glad to see the sunshine yesterday, but all the shadows really challenged my picture taking.

I'm linking to the following parties:

Holiday Home Link Party @ Centsational Girl

Link Party @ Somewhat Simple

Under $100 Linky Party @ Beyond the Picket Fence

Christmas Mantel 2012

 This year I was inspired by golds, grapevine and greenery! 

 

 

 

 
This is our 1st year to have an advent calendar.   I used tag cards (some cut from scrapbook paper), and added a verse for each day leading up to December 25th!

 I found this printout of the verses at Happy Home Fairy.

 

Each day one of the kids reads the verse for the day and opens one of these labels that are attached on the back side.  There might be a treat for them, a special prayer, or something planned that we do together as a family.

There's lots more decorating to enjoy.  

Hope everyone's week is off to a good start!

Petie

I'm linking to the following parties:
Make It Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House 

Holiday Home Link Parties @ The Lettered Cottage

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday @ Coastal Charm