Welcome to my home, or at least to parts and pieces of it and 2 the last 2 days of my 12 Days of Christmas.
Yep, I am cheating and combined my last two days into one post because if I drag my feet any longer on these posts, we will be heading backwards.
On the eleventh and twelfth days of Christmas
Beyond The Picket Fence gave to me
A bunch of fun ideas to enjoy and see.
I completely changed my decorating theme this year so that meant I needed a lot of new decor. But, not wanting to spend a lot of money on it, I had to get creative with paint and colorful ribbon. The past few years I have done the whole white Christmas theme, but this I wanted color and fun. I also still wanted some natural elements that are so abundant here in Montana, wood and sticks, antlers and fresh greenery. I have decided to name this look Spunky Lodge--rustic, but lots of bright colors too.
I started with decorating my porch to welcome folks. In case you missed it last week, HERE are all of the pictures of it.
Inside my front door is a fun candy cane box I made. I like to hand out out candy canes to guests that come to our door.
My tree is inside my front entry, easy to see from as you come in and from the couch.
I made some yarn pom-poms for it, the green ones are hard to see, but they are fun, even if they do look like the McDonald's French Fry Guys.
I made other ornaments--ribbon glued to tart tins and jello molds, stars and snowflakes glued to panted wood pieces, silver bells tied to ribbon. I also made a garland from painted wood slices, sticks, and twine.
After adding all of my new ornaments, we added the sentimental ones--the handmade ones, the ornaments from special trips and gifts from Grandma. The tree is loaded and I love it--so festive and colorful.
I needed a new tree skirt, but decided to revamp the cream wool one I made a few years ago. I cut circles from the same flannel shirts, pajamas, and sweaters that I made our new stockings from. I also added some wood slices to the tree skirts. (I have most of my shopping done, but not my wrapping.)
My built in shelf next to the firplace got a painted ice cream bucket full of twigs with ornaments hanging from it. I got the idea for these ornaments from My Altered State. See hers HERE.
A star made from tongue and groove, candlesticks with battery operated lights,
and a child's chair with books and and an elk shedhorn adorned with greens and Christmas balls complete the look.
After living without a mantel for 11 years, hubby put one up this past weekend. It makes me so happy. You can see how I made the stockings HERE.
My nativity, fresh greenery, and a simple chalkboard complete my fireplace. I have been told the clock has to stay, even for Christmas because we all look at it so much.
A locker basket with our favorite Christmas books, including Tasha Tudor's Becky's Christmas sits on the fireplace.
A simple wood box with treats for the holidays sits in the coffee table. We don't usually keep treats around, but it is the holidays!
The treats are secure in jars to keep them away from the dog (too bad I know how to open them!).
Another staple that needs to stay is the mirror near the entry. We rely on it to check for food on our faces and whatnot before we leave the house (Wow, it needs a cleaning!). I added a garland and more wood ornaments.
Next to the mirror sits my latest roadside find, the cutest little door. I sanded some of the white paint that was on it and added favorite framed Christmas photos.
I wrapped the two pillows that sit on the bench under the mirror in sweaters.
On my table sits an easy, peasy centerpiece made with the metal ice cream can that came with the ice cream bucket.
A large ribbon star hangs in the dining room.
My kitchen decor is simple this year, just a few things on my kitchen windowsill and a wood slice garland hanging in the window. Do you see that green grass out the window--we want snow!
My daughter's first Christmas, a ribbon tied to my silver creamer planter,
a bar board from my sis, and a ho-ho-ho from a friend sit on the windowsill.
I have definitely simplified my Christmas decorating over the years. Not only is it less stressful, it also helps me to focus on those things that I really love and enjoy.
Thank you for joining me. I hope you found an idea or two you can use. Now check out all of the other lovely homes on the tour.
An InLinkz Link-up
An InLinkz Link-up
An InLinkz Link-up
An InLinkz Link-up
An InLinkz Link-up
Linking up at Funky Junk Interiors!