DIY Stocking Holders

This year Adam and I were on the hunt for stocking holders!  However, we were striking out left and right every where we looked.  Nothing screamed "us".  Plus, most were in sets and were rather pricey.  Our family is not near complete, so what happens if we buy a set, and next year we have another addition to our family?!  We would just have to cross our fingers the set was still around, or splurge on another set.  Anyway, all these factors led us to the decision to just make quick temporary ones.

We stopped by Hobby Lobby and grabbed 3 little wooden boxes and then browsed their knob section.  We decided on white monogrammed knobs.  Using silver spray paint we had left over from the summer, we sprayed each box.  Then we (and when I say "we" in all of this, I really mean Adam...just thought I should give him the credit he deserves) drilled a small hole in each box and screwed in the knobs.  Ta da!  Simple and extremely inexpensive stocking holders.

They hold the stockings up really well, but for a fun touch and some added weight, I threw in some Hershey Kisses!

And an inside view.

I think they are the perfect solution for this year!  I only wish I had finished up new stockings to hang on them.  Oh well, next year I guess!  

Hope you finish up all your last minute Christmas details so you can enjoy the next week!  Or maybe that's just my own wishful thinking...Happy weekend!

Wrapping Paper Holders

Ever since I saw a similar idea from Martha Stewart, I knew I needed something to hold my wrapping paper.  And I even had the perfect spot!  Next to my desk/craft area is a odd side door that NEVER gets used.  We've toyed with the idea of drywalling it, but it would be a big pain.  So instead, I will put the door to good use.

This project was cheap and probably took less than 10 minutes to complete.  I bought the dowels at Hobby Lobby for $0.99 and the hooks at Home Depot for $0.79!  And now I have a nice place to keep my wrapping paper.  I can't wait to put some of my favorite ones on there, after the holidays are over!

Bloggers Give Back: TODAY!

Don't forget, today is the day to bid on all of the great items for the Bloggers Give Back auction!  Bidding ends at 10 PM MST tonight!  In case you're in the market for a card or invitation, I am listed as item #24.  Happy bidding!

Go here to participate.

Kate Schintzius

I saw this house tour on Design Sponge a few weeks ago and was amazed!  This apartment belongs to Kate Schintzius, a designer for M. Design Interiors.  I just love her use of color!  So bold and bright!  I don't know that I could quite pull off this bold, but I'm using it as great inspiration.

I've really been loving this coral color lately in clothing and design.  And I can't get over it with the blue!

Check out more here.

Katie and Mike

I met up with our friends Katie and Mike to take some family photos.  We are so excited for them...they are expecting a little boy in May!  They also have two really fun dogs, Birdie and Bucky.  Birdie was our dog Sawyer's first love.  Katie was also one of my first practice photography subjects a year and half ago!

We are home safe and sound now!  I'm excited to show you 2 quick, simple projects for the holidays!

Felt Animal Headbands

Wouldn't these make the sweestest gift for those little animal lovers you know?  Stacy from Hart + Sew made these felt animal headbands for her little girl. 

I like to make a few handmade gifts each year.  Adam and I have a fun gift idea up our sleeves, if we can hurry and finish them for our nieces and nephews.  Are you making anything handmade this year?  We also have 2 Christmas related projects we should have finished to share next week!  Have a great weekend!

Oscar De La Renta Love

I love browsing the images from runway shows.  Not because there is any hope of me wearing any of the clothes, but I love feeling inspired by the colors and textures from the lines.  I can't get over the gorgeous colors and feminine styles of these dresses from Oscar de la Renta.  And I love how wearable this collection feels.  These make me want to use that bold teal color somewhere ASAP!

I would wear this dress in a heartbeat.  I love the 50's vibe.

{images via Habitually Chic via Style.com}

Bloggers Give Back

I'm so excited to be a part of Bloggers Give Back Project.  If you haven't heard about it yet, you can read all about it here.  In a brief summary, bloggers are coming together, donating goods and services for a family in need.  You will be able to bid so many great items, just in time for the holidays!  Not only will you have a chance to win something wonderful, but you'll also be helping out someone else during this season.  I'll be offering a custom card/invitation.  Christmas card, baby shower, bridal shower, birthday...you name it, I'll make it!  But go here to check out all the other awesome things up for bid!  Bidding will begin December 15th!

Sheena's Advent Calendar

Sheena whipped up a tutorial for an adorable envelope Advent calendar.  Who needs to buy one when there are so many easy DIY ones around?!  I already made my calendar, but I kind of want to make some envelopes just because they're so darn cute!

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Full tutorial here.

Snow Style Shoot

On the drive to my brother-in-law and sister-in-law's house, we always pass these abandoned structures tucked in the mountains.  I've always wanted to do a shoot down there.  So who better to ask then my tall, attractive, married friends, Lauren and Michael?!  And it doesn't hurt that Lauren works at J.Crew and has the perfect wardrobe!

Ashmae

I love these prints from Ashmae.  She does the perfet watercolors of animals, but I especially love her custom portraits.  I'm in the process of sending her a picture for a certain family member's Christmas present.  I can't wait to see what she does with it!  Here's some of her work:

Here's a custom house painting for someone.  Such a cute idea.

Check out her Etsy here.

Advent Calendar

I have almost finished up making this advent calendar I saw in a Country Living magazine last year.  It cost a whopping $3.  The matchboxes I found are a little on the small side, so I'm going to be on the look out for a bigger size.  I'm also looking for a small numbered stamp set to put numbers on each box.  Has anyone seen a small stamp set that might work? 

I am borrowing Jordan's idea to fill the calendar with slips of paper with activities for the month.  She has activities like drink hot chocolate, go ice skating, drive around see the lights.  To see her full list, click here.

We're spending a day and a half in Vegas.  Nicole and I are hitting up all the Savers in the area for some fun thrift shopping!

Felt Balls

Well, it looks like I need to order a big lot of felted balls because everywhere I look, I'm in love with a new project involving them!

This wreath from Pickles is darling.  I think I'm all wreathed out though...I currently have 5 around the house.  Yikes!

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And here's a felt garland from Jordan of Oh Happy Day.

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I love that these are not necessarily only holiday related too.  The bright colors can work for all year-round!

Oh, Christmas Tree

As I mentioned yesterday, we spent Saturday hunting and chopping down our Christmas tree.  We purchased a special permit to go up a mountain to find the perfect tree.  We LOVED the experience!  It's so fun to hike around in the snow with so many different types of trees to choose from.  Once we finally found "the one", we chopped it down and pulled it back to the car.  I can't wait until Rilo has a say in the perfect tree!

Here it is!  This was our pick.

Okay, so Adam may have cheated a little and used his gas powered pruner.

Don't worry, the sparse spot is hidden in the corner.

And Nicole, Dane and Dash found their perfect tree too!

And a few cute ones of their family.

Thanks to Nicole for taking some pictures of us on my camera!

Are you a real or artificial tree kind of person?  We always had a real tree growing up and I don't know if I can switch to a fake one.  I know it's easier, but I love the whole process of getting a real tree!