Dollar Store Christmas Wreath

Day five of the 12 Days of Christmas is the Dollar Store theme project. This one gives you bang for your buck. Insert Chuckles here! This time we will learn how to take your creativity to tweak a Hula Hoop to make a big wreath for Christmas. The bow is ribbon from last years Christmas clearance sales. Lets save money while learning how to make a large wreath from the Dollar Store!

"The Gift Giver" A New Christmas Classic

     Darlins' today I am bringing you a sponsored post. Yes! I know that make you wonder if you are willing to spend your time with me at the moment. Please wait and read my review of the soon to be classic Christmas book in your home. I did receive a copy of the book to review. All opinions and thoughts are my own and are not influenced by compensation.

 The Gift Giver is written by Jacob Haslem and Nick Allen. The illustrations done by Elissa Weaver are to be treasured for years to come. 

 What is this book all about? This book is featured on Christmas night. An evening all of our children take great interest in along with the anticipation of the coming morning. We teach our children about the birth of Christ on Christmas Day but, the hustle and bustle of the holidays may overshadow our lessons to the children and quite frankly adults by the time December 25th is here. 

The Gift Giver illustrations by Elissa Weaver

Craft Lightning Holiday Edition

Darlins' it is time for Craft Lightning Holiday Edition. Are you ready for Fifteen minutes of fun crafting and a free printable too?
Let's add to that the amazing blogs hosting the event:

 Thank you to each one of you for all your hard work. Rounding up a bunch of creative minds into one group is no small feat. Plus Featuring me along with other bloggers on your blogs tomorrow. Kudos for all you do!

My Five Favorite Posts of 2014

     My favorite posts from 2014 are probably different then yours but that is because they are my projects and I know the why,what, when and how of each one. I am learning how to express myself to share those portions of the story with out becoming *boring! Of course I want to write a great tutorial, take awesome pictures, and keep you interested in coming back. Telling all the back stories might become a Blah, ba, ba type of post. +Michele Alger owner of Shelstringblog asked a group of us to round up our favorite post of the year.

 At first I though this is a piece of cake but, then it was like choosing a favorite child. They all are special to me, although it was hard to choose here are my 5 favorite posts no particular order.

Home Depot Do-It-Herself Workshop 2

As promised I am back from my cookie break and ready for a fantastic time at the Do-It-Herself Work Shop at +The Home Depot. I am having a great time learning and meeting new people during the work shop and even made plans to meet up with a new friend for the next one already.

Home Depot Do-It-Herself Workshop 1

   I am so excited to share my Do-It-Herself Workshop experience with +The Home Depot. We did so much work that this will take two posts to complete Joy Lighted Marquee Sign steps. Now don't worry it is not hard but, takes several steps and I want you to be able to build your own.

Here are some of the supplies you will need to complete the sign. I will add a link to the Home Depot Holiday Project directions at the end of the post 2.

Blogger Silhouette Tutorial Ornament

    The Blogger Christmas Series was created to bring you a wealth of ideas to celebrate the season with many bloggers. She has rounded up several different blogs from around the country for the last few weeks. Thank you +Christine Graves for coordinating, as well as orchestrating these beautiful packages wrapped up for all of us to share with our readers

Welcome to Our Christmas House Tour

     Welcome to our home for the Christmas tour. I have been invited by my lovely friend +Michele Alger to participate with a group of others who are also sharing their homes, all dressed up for the holiday season. Thank you Michele for inviting me to the party along with my readers. I hope you all enjoy the hard work each of us has put into to preparing our homes for this magical time of year.

First up this year is my mantel in my family room which includes a new feature I built at the Her-it Yourself Work shop at my local +The Home Depot the Joy Marquee inspired by +Ana White. I will have two posts about this event coming this week.

Magic of Christmas

      May you be Touched with the Magic of Christmas                                                                                                           

The little red stocking tucked in there can you see ?  That came home from First Grade with me. If you look really hard a bit of yellow paper is peeking out of the top. I used a pencil and wrote a note; 

              Dad

           I Love you. Merry Christmas!

                                    Karen

My Mom must have saved that treasure for me. I must say I am puzzled because, where is her note from me? 

              Mom 

            I Love you. Merry Christmas!

                                      Karen

  This is our white tree a tribute to Christ. 

Some of our decorations are on injured reserve because this little lady took a trip over the curb.

 So with broken elbow, one arm, a charming husband our guest will surely give us a break. When in pain you must have a sense of humor.

This tree skirt took only zigzag seams, a round Lace tablecloth, and a remnant of taffeta to make just what my Christmas tree needed.
 I bought the tablecloth on a after Christmas Clearance Sale, and a remnant of blush taffeta. If you haven't noticed yet, I am an estimator, so I do not know how much fabric I needed on this one.  At first I had over thought how to make it but, it turned out to be easy. I used the tablecloth as a pattern to cut the taffeta, making sure they were both right side up. You may want to pin the fabric together so it does not slip. Take a good pair of scissors cutting the taffeta around the tablecloth to the same size. After I cut the shape, I folded the fabric in half, then into quarters to find the center. Holding the fabric I pinned through two layers on the fold and laid out the fabric in a circle again. Be sure to only cut only the two pieces of fabric pinned together to make the slit in the back.  I knew I had plenty of extra fabric to puddle under the tree so I did not need to worry about closures. After everything was pinned I used a tighter zigzag stitch on my sewing machine sewing around the entire outside and the slit. Make sure your thread matches the tablecloth so your finish is best on the top side.
 I was done in less than an hour.

Now I have a Beautiful place to display my nativity under my tree.


Merry Christmas!
Do you have any special traditions?
How do you Celebrate Christmas ?
How many celebrations do you go too?
Please leave your thoughts because I love to see what you think or if you have any suggestions.

You might even have an idea how
I can stay on my feet?