Oh Christmas Cards, Oh Christmas Cards

Now that the final turkey casserole has been eaten, time to get the cards out!  I remember my mom writing her holiday cards out night after night, with long notes and sometimes letters written in cursive on steno paper.  So glad that I am able to keep up with my friends and family on Facebook and via email, the handwritten cards that mom did seemed so labor intensive.  Hers were certainly more personal and beautiful, the handwritten card is an art form that is sadly being lost.

CPR for Failing Artificial Christmas Tree

One particular artificial tree usually finds a home in my front room this time of year.  I love this tree because it has branches that continue all the way down to the floor, and since we don't place gifts under said tree, I think the down-swept branches look nicer than a big exposed piece of dark green PVC pipe.  The above image is from 2009, happier times for this tree and I.  When I unpacked this pre-lit bad boy this year, I was bummed to see that eight of the ten light strands were not working.  OYE.

Tragic Little Turkey Day

Last year's Thanksgiving was one of those holidays that entire movies are made to mock.  Clark and Ellen Griswold would have fit right in!  The details still stress me out a year later, so I'm going to completely skip over that memory....saving it for a blockbuster screenplay!  CALAMITY!

Twist on Photo in a Frame

I love the holidays, excuses to make cute and fun gifts for friends and family.  So many times I find myself giving people photos in frames.  I hate picking out frames, my style always seeps in, and everyone has a black and white photo with a white mat.  This project is a great way to give photos, and show the love that comes along with a handmade gift.  I've seen variations on this theme, and thought I'd make a few as gifts for the upcoming holiday.

Behind the Green Doors

After completing my fun Lima Bean Wreath project, I went outside to see what color ribbon might look nice……uhm, not good.  My front doors have not had an ounce of attention in the life of the house, I’m ashamed of myself.  I’m tragic, my doors even more tragic.  Cracked, paint chipped, dirty, a big shameful hot mess.  The brass handles looked brown, and I hadn’t noticed it, EVER!  GROSS!

Lima Bean Wreath

I have always had a strange aversion to wreaths.  I’ve avoided the round lovelies for most of my adult life, normally finding them to be 'a little bit country' for my 'a little bit rock-n-roll' taste. But, late one night while surfing the blogosphere, my wreath ill-will was challenged.  All Things Thrifty was featuring the most amazing and economical wreath made from simple Lima beans and Styrofoam! LOVE.