Our gingerbread village was a little too tempting for our little Molly!

Love,
Jess

The news called it Snow-ma-gedon! I called it a Blizzard. Molly called it a “Lizzard”!

We made a gingerbread village.

Peter taught Ryan a new computer game.

Peter made a huge fort with Molly and Ryan. The white glow from the living room windows was from all the blowing snow!

I made a pie.

What do you do when you are home-bound with your family? I hope you find something fun!

Love,

Jess

Proverbs 31:21

²¹ When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Hats, boots, mittens, snowpants….check

This Proverbs 31 “studying” is becoming very fun!

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

How To:

• Arrange citrus slices, cranberries, evergreen sprigs in a brownie pan or muffin tin
• Add warm water (enough to cover the items in the pan)
• Plop some twine in the warm water (creates hanger)
• Freeze pan of water outside or in your freezer
• Place pan in a bit of warm water to loosen the ice block
• Hang outdoors and Enjoy!

Love,

Jess

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

I packed away the tree and cleaned the house. I feels good to get a fresh start on the new year without the beautiful *clutter* of Christmas.

Before I say goodbye to this season’s Christmas, I thought I’d post about a few of my favorite things…

My favorite gift: Shadow Box Frame for my Christmas Tree

My parents had my vintage costume jewelry tree professionally matte and framed. I collected pendants, earrings and bracelets to craft this unique and festive piece of wall art.  I created the tree (a couple years back) to mimic a similar piece that my Grandma Mary hung in her home during the Holidays.

My favorite craft: Christmas Countdown on a Stick

The 2 X 4 Advent Calendar. I took photos of this project as I went along, so, I may post a tutorial in November next year…right now I am pretty sure nobody can think about Christmas projects anymore. I did use scrap wood, Mod Podge, scrapbook paper, recycled Christmas greeting cards and an old advent calendar to put this all together.

Favorite After Christmas Sale Item: Glitter Decoupage Tree

Okay, I don’t have much to say about this ornament other than I bought it from Target for mere pennies! Why do I love to brag about a good deal so much? It just brings me so much joy I guess. It is such a pretty little thing.

Hope you all had some favorites this year too!

Love,

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!