This week I was inspired by a craft club blog called, Crafts in Bloom. The author gave out the project assignment to use old clothing to create something beautiful and new. (click here to see the club’s results)

I chose to make one last Valentine’s project. I used Ryan’s old shirt (he wore in his first school photo) and Molly’s old sweater (no special meaning, just had a hole in it).

What a fun way to keep the memory of Ry’s shirt without having to hold onto it in the attic!

Love,

Jess

I filled a baker’s tin with Scrabble tiles to send a loving message to my family.

Red winter berries bring my sideboard “mantle” just a touch of color.

To add a hint of love to my bedroom, I created a LOVE banner for the old farmhouse window. I made the banner from #4 coffee filters (folded in half) and scrap ribbon. The lettering is made from cut-out pieces of card stock that have been mod-podged with micro-beads then hot glued onto white card stock circles.

Here is a close up of the LOVE banner

Hugs and Kisses. I propped up these Xs and Os on the wall “grate” decor above the sideboard in the dining room. I glittered paper Xs and Os (glitter is a verb right? haha, within the crafter’s mind it is I guess) on the kitchen table. I swear I had glitter between my teeth after dinner that night!

I could totally be done decorating for this season, but, I something tells me I’ll keep fluffing my “love” nest until February 14th.

Love,

Jess

I am okay with any excuse for chocolate and candle light, you? Valentine’s Day is notorious for romance but I want more! Am I coming across as high maintenance or what?

Seriously, what good is ONE day of romance if the rest of your days are filled with sub-par loving conditions? I am blessed beyond words to have a dh (darling husband) that shows me love everyday (does putting away clean dishes and getting quick shoulder rubs speak volumes, to you, as it does to me?)

Anyway, February is coming upon us and thus LOVE is in the air when it comes to decor. Although red hearts and glittery XOXOs can’t actually show us love, they sure can deliver a sweet reminder to show love to one another.

Here are some photos of a few of my Valentine’s Day decor.

Okay, gotta run, my babies are calling for me. And yes, it is impossible to keep Molly out of the conversation hearts. I might be rethinking the placement of that candle holder.

Love,

Jess

This post is linked up to Blue Cricket Designs

I had plenty of empty nooks to mess around with since the Christmas decor is finally in the attic. Does anyone else pack all the red and green bins up right away, then take 2 weeks to get it out of the hallway in front of the attic?

Anyway, here is a quick tour of a few areas that got gussied up for WINTER!

My front door step has a pine arrangement in a cider crock packed full of snow.

A copper snowflake cookie cutter hangs above the kitchen sink from a colorful argyle ribbon.

The living room showcases a trio of mini trees with snowflakes. I reused some snowflakes from my pine cone Christmas wreath. I added some snowflake napkin rings to decorate the trees as well.

I used large paper cutouts and splashes of color to make the dining area festive for winter.

Decorating with fruit adds a lot of color and a fresh feel to the side board.

12 X 12 scrapbook paper served me well to create these extra large cut outs. I tied them on with sisel twine, ribbon and fabric scrap.

I rarely use glass in my decor (too many little hands) but I couldn't resist setting up this trio of containers. I filled them with ribbon scrap, yellow felt and sisel twine.

Even the candles got dressed for the cold weather! Paper, twine, ribbon and a snowflake sticker add a lot of flare to an otherwise ordinary pillar candle. (These candles are flameless - so cool!)

My MIL Kris made an evergreen arrangement for me using wintery accents. So glittery and fun!

Adding a bit of fun decor after Christmas always helps me to keep my spirits up during the long cold months ahead.

Stay happy, cut out a snowflake!

Jess

Come on In!

Snowball Tree

I made a snowball tree from a wrought iron votive holder to dress up my front step.

Ice Skate Frame Wreath

My front door displays a winter friendly decoration. Check out my wreath tutorial.

Inside my front door, Jingle Bell Swag.

Entryway Coat Rack.

Entryway/Living Room "Hall"

Tin Star of Bethlehem

Seasonal pillow with an ever-present pile of blankets

I hung the kids' stockings from the living room side table. The star basket houses our incoming Christmas cards.

Handmade felt stockings from Aunt Carly!

Christmas Tree

Snowmen in the Kitchen

Recipe card holder

Cookie Jar

Christmas art work jazzes up the side of my fridge.

Christmas magnets on the fridge make everything look festive, my grocery list included.

Even my menu plan perks up with a little Frosty.

Dining Room Side Board and Shelf

A vintage Santa gift tag is tucked in the spikes of a pinecone. The metal stove is an antique doll house toy.

A little beaded beauty.

Between the dining area and the living room I hung a hand quilted wreath. (Thanks Aunt Elise!) I look forward to displaying this wreath every year!

Christmas towels, Making Spirits Bright frame and a little wooden tree make my bathroom sing - Santa Clause is Coming to Town.

Ornaments tied with red ribbon, give my bedroom farmhouse window some red & green flair for Christmas.

Well, that’s all for now. I hope you enjoyed your tour. I think I’ll be playing around with Christmas decor and projects well through the actual Holiday. It’s my favorite time of the year!

Love,

Jess

This post is linked up with a few Holiday House Tour parties…
Hooked on Houses

The Nester

Thrifty Decor Chic

Southern Hospitality

Here is a good example…

I also clipped the huge raffia bow and wire hanger off of the sign.

Just as I was feeling proud that I was showing Molly about the alphabet…she stole sips of my pop because I was too busy taking blog tutorial photos. Opps!

Add the sign as a backdrop for a Christmas vignette. It adds a lot of color and a festive message without spending a fortune!

Wishing you Merry Days & Silent Nights!

Love,

Jess

P.S. My nights are a bit more silent as the twins (Claire and Leah, 2 months) are starting to sleep through the night more often! Yeh!

I love having a new alphabet printer in the house (Ryan, 5). He sees signs and phrases all over the place, including our home, and asks what the signs spell, and more importantly what they mean.

Ryan posted a sign under his loft bed that spelled out, “NO MOLLY”. Nice brother, eh? The first phrase he ever prints of his own volition is “NO MOLLY”. It was cute, he didn’t want her to get his scissors in case she cut herself….that, and I’m sure protection over his transformers didn’t hurt either.

I made a point of decorating with words this year for Christmas.

Not sure about those silent nights with the twins!

Chalkboard photo frame with lyrics to 'Oh Holy Night'. The photo in the center was a Christmas card picture of Pete and I from the days before kids.

Here is to a meaningful and Spirit led Christmas!

Love,

Jess

This post is linked up with Julia for the Hooked on Holiday House tours and The Preacher’s Wife for How we Christmas: Decoration Edition

I made a new wreath for my front door using an old picture frame, old ice skates and old garland. Using items from around the house, attic and garage to create new decor has been a necessity for me because I have a tight non-existent budget for projects.  I use my blow money (Dave Ramsey envelope) on craft junk…which I usually spend at the thrift store. I am a bit obsessed with collecting “trash” to play with for homemaking. Someday, I may actually spend my blow money on coffee, c.d.s or makeup but for now I just love, love, love shopping a thrift stores.

I digress, you want to see the wreath now, I’m sure.

Now, just picture this “wreath” on a red door. Delicious. (I have to stick with white due to my association)

Tutorial

Find an ugly, tired frame and tell it to come home with you. Sooth its worries by explaining you will make it into something beautiful.

Do a little surgery to remove all the old hardware.

Give it a facelift with some spray paint. I had Krylon Ivory on hand. I didn't really bother doing primer because most of the frame will be covered with garland (and I didn't have any on hand).

Staple a garland onto the frame with a staple gun. Tug on the garland occasionally to make sure it is on securely. If not stable, add more staples.

Add wintery accents to at least two edges/corners of the frame. You can go "all out" on trimming, faux greens, feathers, berries, pinecones, etc. I kept this wreath's accents pretty basic and simple.

Tie the ice skate's laces to one another. Hang them from the top of the frame. I popped in a red Christmas floral pick ($1) for a little color.

So there you have it…go on…I know you are already thinking about raiding your Mom’s garage or the nearest thrift store for an ugly, tired old frame.

Love,

Jess

Today the kids and I spend most of the morning decorating for the season. It was so fun to see Molly and Ryan discover all the ornaments like it was the first time. There is so much wonder that just glows from my kids. It is really easy to “catch” a sense of wonder too.

Here are some other senses we love during Christmastime:

We hear the jingle bell ring as the door opens and closes.

We smell the cinnamon fragrance from the reed diffuser.

We feel the softness of our winter throw blankets.

We taste Christmas treats from friends and family.

We see symbols of God's love in our ornaments and craft projects.

Take a few moments today and slow down to find your five senses of Christmastime.

Love,

Jess

This post has been added to The Inspired Room. Check it out for my Holiday fun!

I was given this beautiful, handmade pine cone wreath a number of years ago. (Thanks Aunt Mary J0!)

For Christmas, it needed a bit of festivity splashed on her.

1. Start with a plain pine cone wreath. The wreath could stand alone too, it’s so wintery and natural. But, that wouldn’t be as much fun, now would it?

2. Gather a pile of festive items. Thank you Target and The Dollar Store for low, low prices!

3. Add some items to the wreath. Here are the details. I alternated white snowflakes with red ornaments. I used three of each item for a nice decorator balance. (Like I know what I’m talking about!?) I placed a big letter M in the center of the wreath for a personalized touch. The M is made from papier-mache (from a local craft store) and covered in polka-dotted scrapbook paper.

4. Ta-Dah!

I love adding a festive flair to my home. It reminds me about the reason for the season, Jesus is Born!

Love,
Jess

Linked up with Blue Cricket Designs Show and Tell Day