Christmas Birds

Sorry about the tiny picture but its all i could find

I don't know if everyone has seen these great German Bird Vase Fillers from Pottery Barn but boy do i think they are awesome. So it left me Inspired to create a similar version of my own since these birds are no longer available for purchase. These birds at pottery barn are covered in German glitter that develops a natural rich patina over time. They sound amazing but i don't know where you'd by German glitter here in muskoka. SO I went to Dollarama instead.

I made silver ones

I made Chartreuse ones

I made Gold ones and i could make some of every colour

I bought 2 different types of birds from Dollarama they were $1 for 2 birds, I bought 10 packs so i have 20 birds to do

I like the little red birds the best, they are pretty cute, i could use them for something else. But in this case i completely covered them in normal white craft glue. I went around the eyes and beak though. Then i picked out what colour glitter i wanted and dosed them. I also did this one top of news paper so i could funnel the extra glitter back into the bottle or packet. Be prepared to have glitter everywhere when you do this project i know I'm still cleaning up glitter.

Here's the glue and colours of glitter i choose to do my birds in. I went with more earth gold tones and of coarse chartreuse. I think you can be creative and they would look good in any colour.

 

 

 

Now what am i gonna do with these birds?

A Wreath Replacement

I found this amazing swag picture online while i was looking for Christmas inspiration. I fell in love but i wasn't quiet sure if id ever make a swag because boy do i love wreaths id make a new one for every week if i could, but then i might be a little decor crazy.  Usually my wreath on the front door is the first thing i put up this year, but i just couldn't decide this year so i decided lets try the swag.

 

I love the fresh cedar with the Christmas balls and the great Chartreuse ribbon on this swag. So i tried to re-create this swag in my own way.

First i started out by picking the ornaments i wanted to use on my swag. Then i added this simple green ribbon by hot gluing it on

My next step was to lay out the cedar branches in the desired shape i was looking for. Then i fastened all the branches together with thick twin i had purchased at the Dollarama for $2 a roll. Then i started to hang my ornaments in a alternating order so they hung nice, Then on top of that i added smaller cedar branches. Then i tied them together with twine and continued to wrap the twin to cover all the branch ends for a cleaner look. Then my sister suggested using brown ribbon for my front door as it is already chartreuse. So i found some ribbon that was kicking around and added it to the top completing my swag

I think it turned out to be a nice alternative to a wreath this year.

Mommys at play or is it Cats Play

I think that my cat, Muggins, is having more fun playing with my Christmas decorations than I am decorating. This cat won't leave my tree alone or anything that has ribbon. He is such a pretty cat and he can be lovable to me sometimes. I snapped this photo the other day when we woke up to 2 feet of fresh white snow, a true winter wonderland. As for my decorations I got some more up today so here's what I have been busy doing today.

 Down my stair railing I hung this faux garland I had bought at Canadian Tire for $9.99 that has berries and pine cones mixed into it. I decided to swag my garland down the railing that way the top is still accessible to those who need it for extra support. Then I hung these great white wicker stars I bought at the Dollarama for $2 and tied it off with a green bow. The bows I made from ribbon I bought at Walmart for $1.50 and fastened with a garbage bag twist tie. I also stuck these glitter sprigs of faux sparkly green pine into the garland for a little something extra.

 I also carried the same theme up and along the top of my entrance way opening that looks into the dining room to create balance in my entrance.

I also hung my Green Glittery Happy Holidays sign right beside my mirror in the entrance so everyone sees this welcoming greeting.

 In my Living room I hung these 2 great wooden wreaths beside my artwork above the couch. The wreaths I purchased at Dollarama for $2 and the glittery silver ribbon I bought last year that I used on my tree. I simply folded the ribbon to have a neat edge then hung them by placing a silver thumb tac in the center.

 Above my stove I hung this great shelf I had purchased at Giant Tiger for $10. The little snow men, Santa and tree are salt and pepper shakers I had purchased at Dollarama for $2 a set. The owl I had purchased at the Sally Anne for $1.50 and it was previously silver, black and grey. I used simple folk art paint or Acrylic paint and put 3 coats of leaf green on it. In behind is a sign I bought at Dollarama last year for $1 and it Says Snow and creates a good background. Above the shelf is the mirror I  purchased when my sister was visiting. We went to the Habitat Restore building and found it for $15. It use to be cream and gold but I decided to paint it glossy white to freshen it up. Today I think I have done enough decorating I have been up since 5am this morning and already organized my bookmarks list and my pictures folder on the computer. Kane and I are gonna bake a spice cake together and then possibly have a nap...... or maybe mommy will have a kahlua mocha coffee.

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! Thy leaves are so unchanging

Well i broke down and bought a new christmas tree tonight. The other one we had bought last year for $29.99 and it was wellll Sparce. So i found this beauty at Canadian Tire today on sale Half price. Originally $249.99 and i got it for $124.98. Cant beat that its a 7.5 foot tree that is already pre lit. Which is worth the extra money because youd spend 40-50 dollars for strands of lights to put on a tree this size anyways.

 

The tree looks alot better in person. I decorate my tree in chartreuse, silver, and black. I have snowflake ribbon wrapped from the top of the tree to the bottom as well as silver beaded garland that has little crystals. I also have my Chartreuse butterflies on there and somewhere i have to find them i have beautiful pink and green butterflies my mom bought me for christmas to put on too. I know i packed them away for safe keeping but where. All i have to do now is make or buy and green tree skirt.

Baby The Snow Is Falling

Well it snowed a little bit today. Not enough to cover the ground and stay but first sign of snowflakes were today. The forecast does call for chance of flurries friday and saturday.
To get me in the mood for snow i decided to make some great window decorations

 I bought these bags of precut foam snowflakes at the dollar store last year intending to use them for something. The snow flakes came in darker blue and lighter blue and white. There are 3 different bigger designs and 3 different smaller designs. I choose to use the larger snowflakes.
I even glitterized them. Some of them i left plain white, Some of them i did silver glitter and some have shimmery white glitter on them. I choose to alter them in designs and height but attaching them with basic white sewing thread. I heard that basic white sewing thread doesn't reflect a glare like fishing line would. This was a very simple project but adds that little something to my windows for the holidays.

I only hung snowflakes in the front two windows that are visible from the street. Sorry for the one picture but i was looking up at the snowflakes because the wicker blind covers most of them.
I also wanted to share what i found at the sally anne today. I got some great finds today

 I got these great wine glasses 2 of them were .25 cents each and the taller one was .75 cents

 Here's a closer look at the stems of the glasses, i just love them. I actually think I'm gonna use them for candles

 I got this great piece of pottery for $5.00, i don't like the colour really but i can paint it.

i got this great galvanized bucket for $1.50

These 3 great candle holders that are like light weight cast iron. One was $2.00, another $1.50 and the last was $1. Just happened to turn my head at the last second on my way out and there they were. Beauty calling my name.

 This was the first piece i found a cute little silver candle holder for .75 cents.

Two Great Holiday Decoration Ideas

I broke out the Christmas decorations and started to put things out and about. For today's post I'm going to show you how I've used these two great pieces to decorate for Christmas. Lets start with the silver bowl.

I got this great piece at the Sally Anne a few years ago for a couple dollars. Its tarnished and never looks perfect but that's why i love it. Its rustic and I've never really used it for anything other than holding change. But i had a great idea for it this year.

 As you've heard in my other post i had replanted my amaryllis and had gotten my other plants ready. Then i came across this great pack of Narcissus Bulbs at Canadian Tire for $4.99. How gorgeous, except I've never had them before SO lets give them a try.

 First i started by placing river rocks in the bottom of the silver bowl so it allows some drainage. I also used these because they are what i had around. You can use whatever type of rocks or pebbles you like.

 I used standard Miracle Gro Potting mix because it has all the nutrients in it already.

I started by filling the bowl 3/4 full of potting soil. Then i placed the bulbs in and covered enough soil around them to cover most of the bulbs leaving the tips exposed like you do with an amaryllis. Then i gave them a little water and sat them on my table where they get alot of day time sun light. I do plan on covering the dirty with something more Christmasy just want to wait until the bulbs are up more before i cover the top.

Next is the Apothecary Jar that i have used several times around the house

 For this one i left some rocks in the bottom because its pretty narrow in the bottom and i don't want things to get stuck.

 Then i have take i simple box of smaller tree decorations that i had purchased last year for $4 at Walmart and placed them inside. I love the look. Not sure where I'm gonna place it yet since i only have a little bit of decorations done but they will both find a home.

Getting Your Planters Ready For Christmas

The past couple of days I've gotten all the Halloween and fall decorations down and packed away in a big Rubbermaid tote, Ive raked the front yard, I covered my front flower beds in leaves to protect them and I've been researching great ideas for Christmas. Since i was wide awake at 6 this morning due to the time change I've been doing alot around the house today. Kane helped me replant my amaryllis bulb, put some new dirt in my Christmas cactus and replant my African violet as well as water all my other plants in the house. Then we decided to go outside for awhile and ended up getting all the stuff i needed for my planters. I just love when people fill there planters with fresh clipped cedar bows, natural branches, pine cones and all kinds of assorted things. So that's what i did to mine

I had already taken all my plants out anyways because they were annuals and i left the planters full of dirt, so i can replant in the spring. With my empty planter i first started in the center with my branches and winter berries. The red berries wont last for long as the birds love to eat them. Keep in mind you can use whatever you have available in your region to create these planters and i will share some other pics in the end.

 Then i started working with my fresh cut cedar bows working my way around the planter until i got my desired fullness. Then i went around again and placed in bows of long needle pine. I find the shorter pine needles dry out quicker and don't keep as well as the longer style. I should know the name of the pine tree but I'm sure my dad will tell me later. Then i simply made a chartreuse green ribbon bow and fastened it to one of the branches with the twist i used to make the bow with. You can use other accessories too like dried flowers, artificial flowers, Christmas balls or ornaments.

The final pic didn't turn out so well because of the sun setting. But my house is looking a step closer to Christmas decorations.

As i promised i will share some other great planter ideas i love too