Christmas Greetings

Merry Christmas 

As this year  is drawing to a finish

remember to praise the Lord for

all His blessings.

 

 

~ Amelia ~

LED Lights

On our Christmas tree we have two short sets of lights  - the kind that that uses a flicker type bulb. Replacement bulbs at Wal-Mart are $1.25 each – don’t even price them at Lowe’s  - we did last year and seemed like they were about $2.75 each. We bought these sets of lights about 4 or 5 years ago after Christmas at Hobby Lobby. Each year we have continued to look for more sets – not really deep searching – but just would look when in Wal-Mart or Hobby Lobby – but to no avail.

 

A couple of weeks ago we decided to start looking for something else that would be different for the tree…which by this time was completely decorated. With the flickering lights we have used another set of crystal looking bulb lights (but they died – not just one light – but the WHOLE set.  Anyway, when I decided to decorate the tree I wanted to do it then and there…not wait to get another set of lights we really liked. Yes, sometimes I am short on patience – usually to regret it later.

 

Back to the story at hand…when in Wal-Mart I spotted some LED sn0wflake lights…really liked them – but at $11.00 or $12.00 (can’t remember which) I thought they were too pricey…not my sweet man – he liked them and insisted we get them. There were 60 lights on the 19 feet line…and when I plugged them in  to test them I was immediately smitten. They were going on the tree right then and now….so just a bit of moving things around on the tree we were able to put them on the tree….wonderful- wonderful-wonderful looking. There are two colors of white in the LED family – I have cool white on green line (to hide in the green tree better) I have seen other LED Snowflake that use a white line….I am sure it would not look as great on the tree as the green kind.

 

Then while we were at Hobby Lobby several days later picked up another string of LED lights…these are the C-9 style with crystal type covers over the LED lights. Also picked the cool white on the green line. These are the ones I used on the mantel. The usual kind of lights were on sale – but not the LED. Being that I am a coupon user as much as I can I whipped out the 40% coupon and used it.

 

Some definite “pluses” when getting the LED strings….they save up  to 80% on energy costs…also you can string up to 43 strings together. The old style suggests no more than three (3) strings plugged into each other. Also these LED babies will last (according to the boxes) from 20,000 to 25,000 hours.

 

On the flip side these are certainly more expensive than the ordinary kind sitting on the shelves. You can be assured when the “after Christmas” sales hit with 50% or more off I will pick up several more strings.

 

These LED wonders certainly have my vote in the saving energy department.

 

 

♥Amelia♥

Copying

Ballard Designs has some beautiful Christmas items in their catalog.  Along with the great looks comes the great price. I admired their frosty looking pine cones – but at $15.00 a pop for three – I passed on that to use as part of my annual decorating in the house.

 

So what is the next best thing – try to copy – what is the old saying about “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. So I raise a toast to you Ballard Design.

 

 

 

I think my frosted pine cone looks as great (if not better) than theirs. I first tried the spray on snow from a can…no deal – looked bad.  Then today the idea struck me to try kosher salt…the grains were large like ice crystals would be. To get a bit of sparkle too I added some cheap silver glitter.

The method I used was to spray the pine cone with clear paint and immediately put it in a large plastic bag of the salt/glitter mixture…shake it around until all covered.

 

Here is the wreath using them – I am going to hang it in the picture window – just used this door for picture taking.

 

While I was running thru some blogs this morning I came across some “creations” made from coffee filters. Most were trees or complete wreaths – that did not sound like something I wanted to do…but decided I could make a flower that resembled a carnation. Thinking the bright white against the green of the wreath would be a great color combination…then throw in some red berries and the frosted pine cones…I would have accomplished something different.

Here is a close shot of the “coffee filter carnation”. You can see the ruffle like petals in this picture.

 

As usual decorating was done “my style”.

 

Amelia

and the rest is yet to come….

Most all the decorating is complete – both in and out. Oh, yes, I will be tweaking from time to time.

 

These pictures are just a tease before showing all the pictures. This year I am pleased with 90% of the way everything turned out…Seems like there is always one place that just does not have that “special” look.

Used these fancy tailed cardinals in several locations…they are so colorful and add a bit of whimsy.

Crystal and silver – sounds rich – doesn’t it?  You know I am on the frugal side…I believe this silver/crystal vase (I have two of them) must have come from a yard sale trip. The contents were the glass balls removed from a string of lights that bit the dust. As the lights from the room and tree dance off them just seems to add something special to the display.

Every sleigh needs packages…even if they are one inch in size.  This is sitting on one of the shelves  of the computer table.

 

More pictures of the rest of the house will be coming soon.

 

Amelia

The time is getting closer…

A little of this and a little of that…some things new…some old.

 

  

  

 

 

Some of the items being used for wreaths, small decorated trees  and flower arrangements.

I am looking forward to using them in the decorating madhouse – which will commence next week.

 

Remember it is “My Style”…what is yours?

 

♥Amelia♥

Still creating...

 

 

I am going to try something new this year in the realm of decorating in the Watkins home. After Christmas decorations are removed the house looks so bare.   There are some of my normal decorating items that can be placed in several locations. However, the coffee table, mantel, and dining room table seem to just scream for a seasonal dress. It is too early to put out Spring/Easter items  so this year I am going to use a cold snow like approach to my method madness. Somewhere out in the blog world I read about another wild decorator went this way too. She used snowmen as they are really not just for Christmas. I already have several in my Christmas stash and have now picked up a couple or so at yard sales during the summer.

Remember this from a few days ago?

 

Back to what I am creating – picture in your mind this  candle holder was really a clear plastic vase. I turned it upside down – painted it a silver and then glued it to a small mirror. It needed something to stabilize it.  These items were purchased at my local Dollar Tree .So far so good – going like I had pictured in my mind.

 

From my collection of “stuff” –both new and old – I selected candle, ribbons, faux flowers and leaves, and berry branch thing.  Of course, my trusty glue gun was my choice of an assistant. Could only use it a small amount as hot glue melts candle.

Looks pretty good – don’t you think.  Height is 16 inches…which will work on the mantel – or at least that is where I am thinking at this point for placement.

This silver thing in the middle of the bow was retrieved from a gift years ago…it seemed to look at home right in the center.

 

I made two – one on round mirror – other on octagon mirror.

Using this silver is certainly a change for me – I always have been a “gold” person – but after using all this silver I find that it is really growing on me…will definitely be using it.

 

If you are asking yourself…why am I concerned with decorations for the new year that is two months away. I know I am on the crazy side…but my way of figuring that after the Christmas stuff is down and packed away I can immediately get out the “New Year” items and be ready to play.

 

~Amelia~

Something Christmasy!

 

See what happens to this!

 

Will be showing the transformation in a day or so!

Something new

My fingers were itching to make another arrangement – I really did not have any place that needed something to suggest we are in the fall season. However, this did not stop me.

 

Such pretty colors!

 

This is where it is located this morning ~ who knows if it will stay there.

 

Question: Can one use too many candles in decorating!

Dining Room Table

Because we use the table for practically every meal I try to keep the centerpiece simple.

To me the colors just say “FALL”.

 

You all have a fantastic day – remember to give praise to God for all he does!

 

 

                                                ~ Amelia ~

New and Different

This last weekend found me (and my honey) at many yard sales. This item was one of the things that has a new home.  The original color had some browns and blacks…lots of faded spots.

 

Since my honey paints so much better than I do (yes, I really try) I asked him to paint it white. Not a good choice,  white did not want to stick…turned yellow in places …just a general mess. We then decided to put a coat of black – that looked better, ever better after the second coat…then a touch up of some more black.

My guess it is some sort of pedestal – you can place what ever on top.

 

 

It has metal, wicker like wood, and  bamboo like stuff. The height is  almost 32 inches and the top is nearly 11 inch square.

 

This top does not look square in the picture  - bad picture taking angle…as well as color…it is definitely a deep black.

 

Probably I will use this “odd pedestal thing” here in the computer room. Right now, it is next to the desk with a birdhouse  sitting on it.

 

Oh yes, forget to mention – the cost was $2.00 – being that cheap – I thought at the time I selected it not a lot of money involved so if it does not turn out like I had envisioned not much was lost.

 

What has been your latest yard sale find!

More Fall

The leaves are some I purchased last year...either at Wal-Mart or Dollar Tree - can't remember which. They feel like they are made of crepe paper with bendable wire vines.

Used my Cricut again to cut out the letters.

This banner is placed on the back of the cabinets above the bar...you can see some of the kitchen in the lower part of the picture.

This has been my play time project for the day...needed it after doing laundry, cleaning house, cooking a big lunch...then all the dishes...filled the dishwasher and then had many to do by hand. We had company to enjoy the meal with us...Grandson was here to work on his mower...a handyman worker from church was here to help Leon install a new door on the well house.

Fun day  - all in all  -considered!

A New Creation

Using cut outs from my Cricut machine on standard white plates...used scrapbooking papers - added some chalk for shading and high lights... Very simple!

Mantel as of today

When changing out decorating spots for a new season...it does not happen just at once...well usually, it does not.


It is on going process for several days. Decorating the mantel has been going on for a week. Perhaps now, the process is complete. I am through with the tweaking.


A look at the entire mantel.




Left side

>



Looking at the right hand side.




Mid part ~

Recent Purchase

At a recent outing we picked up two of these...two different sizes.

May change the color to white after we get the shutters installed.

God bless you!


Amelia

The beginning...

Showing a variety of candles on end table...love using these colors for fall decorating.