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Christmas Tree Skirt or Container?

The last couple years, I've gradually replaced all of our traditional fabric Christmas tree skirts with various containers and have found several advantages to doing so.


In our home filled with furbabies, pet hair is a constant.  And having a feline with a fondness for curling up under the tree, I was never able to keep our tree skirts fur free.  

Once we had gifts under the tree, removing the skirt to clean it, run a lint roller over it, or straighten it became quite a chore.  And seriously, how do you launder most store bought tree skirts without damaging them?  Some even state that dry cleaning and laundering are not recommended - spot clean only.  

My quest to find low maintenance options was on and that's when I decided to just "contain" our trees.

Containers are not only basically maintenance free, they are super easy to clean around - just vacuum or mop around the container - no fabric to get caught in your vacuum's rollers and no wet fabric from mopping too close to the skirt.

An added fun element is that practically any container can be used - just use your imagination!

The tree in our living room is contained in a large galvanized bucket.  You can buy a brand new, shiny galvanized bucket at home decor stores, but the most cost effective source is a feed store or tractor supply store. 

Ours came from our storage building and we'd used it for years for mixing concrete for setting fence posts.  It's weathered with rust and has holes in the bottom ... there's not a shiny spot on it.  Perfect!


To convert it to a Christmas tree container, we simply placed two pieces of 4"x4" square posts in the bottom of the bucket to elevate the tree stand.  

If you don't have square posts, use anything you have on hand that is sturdy and provides a flat base on which to place the tree stand - such as bricks, pavers or stacked flat boards.  Or, you can place the tree stand directly in the bottom of the bucket if you choose not to elevate it. 


(Yes, I labeled them - so we wouldn't accidentally use them for other projects! LOL)

We found that a round tree stand provided the best base and bought it at Home Depot.  You can find it HERE.



A few yards of burlap fabric tucked in and around the tree base hides the square posts and the tree base.

Other containers we're using include a square planter and a lampshade that I spray painted gold.  Will share those with you soon when I have the trees set up.

If we had heirloom tree skirts or those that had sentimental value, I would probably continue to use them and put up with the fuzzy mess, but as we didn't, these containers are the perfect solution for our home.  

 Do you skirt or contain your Christmas trees?  If you contain them, what type of containers do you use? 




Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

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Our Fun Thanksgiving Table

There's nothing like waiting until the very last minute to plan your holiday tablescape.  I'm not quite sure why I procrastinated, but today I finally got it done.  And I only wish I'd started sooner because creating the personalized place setting decor for our little grandsons was so much fun!


It was quick and easy using a gold charger that I spray painted.  You can find more details HERE.




 I placed the colorful plate and matching napkin (disposable) in the center of the charger and wrapped the silverware in the napkin and tied with natural raffia.

 For the decorative dots, in Microsoft Publisher (you can also use Word), I created orange circles (using "Shapes") with centered white lettering, printed, and cut out using a circle punch.  For the small round turkeys on white background, I simply found a free printable that I liked, resized it and printed multiples on white paper.  Then, cut into circles using my circle punch.  I used a glue stick to attach the decorative circles to the chargers.

For added fun, I placed these cute tote bags on the back of the little ones' chairs - they're filled with puzzles, stickers and books.  I wish they were orange, but my choices were green and pink.  To continue the colorful turkey theme, I cut out the turkey from the paper napkins and decoupaged them to each tote.  We hope the little guys like them.  



 Kiddos really do make the holidays colorful and fun!  




 The adult place settings aren't nearly as fun and whimsical, but they're in keeping with the colors of the season. 



A simple setting with a Fall charger as a base, white dinner plate, amber toned stoneware salad plate, dinner napkin, and raffia tied silverware. Added water and wine stemware glasses and called it done!

Our centerpiece is a clear glass cloche on a weathered round tray, filled with pinecones, encircled in a Fall berry garland and Fall table scatter.  




I've probably broken every formal etiquette table setting rule, but this hodge podge style works well for us.  We're looking so forward to enjoying a bountiful meal with those we love!

If you'd like to see more of our Thanksgiving decor, you can find it HERE.



Wishing you and yours a happy and joyful Thanksgiving!

 




Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

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2016 Fall Decor in Our Abode

This year, we were gifted with pinecones galore for our Fall decor.  


We don't have pine trees in our lawn, but my sweet sis-in-law, who lives in Maryland, has an abundance of beautiful long pinecones and she was so gracious to gather them, pack them in a box and send them to me in Texas.  

I've scattered them throughout our home.  They add the perfect touch for Fall and are a sweet reminder of her across the miles.

For the mantel, I created a glitzy pinecone garland using the pinecones and some awesome gold cascading garland.  I was smitten with this gold garland at Hobby Lobby last year but didn't buy it - so was thrilled when I found it again a few weeks ago.  It adds subtle shimmer and shine, don't you agree?


To make the pinecone garland, I securely tied (the pinecones can be heavy!) a length of jute twine to each corner of the fireplace mantel, meeting in the center.  Then, I looped a small length of the twine thru the top of each pinecone and tied them individually to the jute garland.  Super quick and easy to arrange each pinecone by sliding them along the garland.  

Here's a shot without the gold cascading garland added:


I'm honestly so excited about decorating for Christmas this year that most of the Fall decor I'm using are repeats from last year.  But, we're enjoying them just the same.  :)

 I'll stop (most of) the chatter now and let the pics speak for themselves:

 





The Fall printable above is available for purchase from Ann Drake and can be found at Life ... On Sutton Place.  




The above wreath printable is a free printable from Ann Drake at Life ...On Sutton Place.  I had been searching for a "Welcome Fall" wreath printable and loved Ann's and simply replaced her original "Gather" text in the center using Picmonkey.  Thanks to Ann for providing us with all the lovely printables - be sure to check them out on her site HERE.





Don't these cotton boll stems look realistic?  Well ... that's because they ARE!   When it comes to acquiring decor supplies, I am totally without shame and have no scruples whatsoever.  :)  While traveling a back country road recently, I had the good fortune of following a cotton trailer that was dropping cotton stems from its undercarriage.  Guess you can see where this is headed.  LOL!  One minute they're road kill and the next they're gracing our dining room for Fall.  





That wraps up our Fall decor tour.  Wishing you and yours a nice Thanksgiving Day abundant with good food, family and friends and many blessings!





Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

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Making Your Own Red Vehicle with Tree Decor

Don't you just love all the cute Christmas decor depicting a bright red car or truck with the green tree strapped to the top?  So festive and I like the timeless appeal of them, but they're not always easy to find.  




Fortunately, with the magic of red paint, any little vehicle can be transformed!



http://www.thededicatedhouse.com/2016/11/sunday-showcase-make-pretty-monday-7-8.html


I'm so thrilled that this project was a Fan Favorite at The Dedicated House!  Thank you to Kathryn for featuring!



These little green lighted vehicles are in the Christmas miniatures and villages section at, of all places, Walmart!  The original green vehicle paint was very dull, boring and blended in completely with the green of the tree.  Totally unimpressive!

Couldn't wait to get it home and start the makeover.  :)



Two quick coats of shiny red paint and the dull green vehicle was transformed to a festive red that's ready for the holidays.  And doesn't the contrast of the red against the bright green tree look so much nicer than the before?





Now I'm on the lookout for other items that can be easily converted!
  



Do you also find joy in this simple holiday decor theme? 




Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!


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DIY Corner Block Moulding Caddy

We've had 4 pieces of corner block moulding in our scrap wood stash for quite some time and today I gave them a purpose.  



If you're not familiar with these decorative little blocks of wood, they're available in many styles for framing mirrors or door frames. 

We bought them months ago at Lowe's to frame a mirror for our bathroom, but in the process found a ready-made mirror that we used instead.  These cute carved blocks of wood sat unused and unloved until today.

Materials:



4 corner block moulding (4.5" x 4.5" each)
1 5-gallon paint stir stick
Wood glue
Small tack nails and hammer, or brad nailer
Saw
Paint and paint brush
Clamps
Sanding sponge or fine sandpaper
To begin, I lightly sanded the blocks - they were presanded but a few areas needed to be touched up.

 Next, I arranged the blocks to form a square.



Then applied wood glue where edges met, and clamped in place to dry.



 After the glue dried, I (actually, my gracious assistant) cut 3 equal lengths of the stir stick to form the bottom of the caddy.

 I placed the stir stick lengths side-by-side on the under side of the caddy and attached with a brad nailer.



 Next was the fun part - painting!  I used leftover ceiling paint that we had on hand - a flat creamy white.



 After letting the paint dry, the caddy was ready to be filled.



For now, it's holding silverware on our island.  But, its forever home will be on my craft table, containing a collection of scissors.


I'm repeating myself, but it's so rewarding to make something useful from items you have on hand that aren't being used.

And wouldn't this little caddy also be great as a planter?  Or, crayon caddy?  So many uses!

Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!

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Deep Dish Pecan Pie

Our family members each have a favorite cake or dessert for birthdays and special occasions, but one universal favorite is a rich, gooey pecan pie.



Truth be told, in the past I've tiptoed around the idea of making a homemade pecan pie.  I've bought them at local bakeries, and even avoided pie baking altogether by distracting my family with pecan crisps and pecan cobblers.  

 But, it was time to face my fear of pecan pie baking failure ... and to finally use my springform pan.  To better our odds of a favorable outcome, used store-bought pie crust.  

To get started, preheat oven to 325 degrees.

The ingredients are:

4 cups chopped pecans
1 cup honey (you could use corn syrup)
1 cup brown sugar - I used dark
3 whole eggs
3 egg yolks
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 tablespoons melted unsalted butter
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 refrigerated pie crusts

Roll out one refrigerated pie crust.  Cut into 4 equal pieces.  Place the 4 pie crust pieces along the outside edges of the second full pie crust, pressing the edges to form a large circle.  I did this to create a thicker edged crust that you'll see in a bit.




Carefully place crust in springform pan sprayed with nonstick cooking spray.



Roll the excess crust in and press against the inside sides of the pan.

To prevent the crust from rising in the center as it bakes, prick the bottom of the crust.  I wrapped the pan with aluminum foil as a precaution, but fortunately found the pie did not overflow while baking and the pan did not leak.


Set aside the 4 cups of chopped pecans.  In a bowl, mix all other ingredients.  Stir in the pecans.


Pour mixture into pie crust. 




Place in middle rack in oven and bake for 1 hour.
Let cool and remove side of springform pan.  Slice and serve with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. 

We enjoyed this pie recently when we celebrated our baby boy's birthday - he's 34!  :) 








Your comments are greatly appreciated and I look forward to your thoughts and ideas!  I try to respond to comments via email as soon as I can. If your email address isn't available, I will comment here. Thanks so much for visiting!


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