Favorite Projects of 2011... Before and After

I'm joining Rhoda's party for her Top Projects of 2011.  This is my first year of blogging;
I'm excited to share what we've accomplished in twenty-eleven...

The post with the most hits was my first furniture redo...

#1  Homemade Chalk Paint Dresser

Before

After

I thoroughly enjoyed working on this piece and can't wait for the next one!

#2  Building a Kitchen Banquette

After

#3  How I turned this Goodwill Mirror into a beautiful focal point for our entry way...

Before

After

#4  My thrift store find - Antique Medicine Cabinet

Before

After

#5  Metallic Stacked Pumpkins... I never would of thought this one would be so popular!

#6  Goodwill Clock for the Master Bathroom

Before

After

#7  DIY Ruffled Pillow using cloth napkins...

Before

After

#8  Repurposed Cabinets... moving them from the office to our master closet.

Before

After

I'm linking up to Rhoda's Top Projects of 2011

Our Christmas Card

Hi everyone!  I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas.  We just returned from visiting family in Arkansas.  We had a great time, but I must say it's good to be home.  I didn't get a chance to share our Christmas card before we left town, so here it is, before the new year approaches.

Ever since Ava's first Christmas, we have seen the same Santa, he's the best!

Every year, I get a wallet size frame from Pottery Barn and display their picture with "The Big Guy" on their tree.  

It's interesting to see how much they've changed in just one year.  

I hope you enjoy the rest of your holidays and many blessings to you in 2012!

Our Home at Christmas Time

According to our "Countdown to Christmas" ornament, at this very moment... we have 10 days, 11 hours and 49 minutes until the BIG day!  Are you ready?  The hubs and I are going on a date next week and hope to finish up our shopping.  

I've been linking up to various parties over the last few weeks, sharing our mantel, tree and holiday crafts.
I wanted to give you a brief tour of what our home looks like at Christmas time...

A close-up of my apothecary ornament buffet...

The kids have their own tree downstairs, adorned with plush, paper and yarn wrapped ornaments.

I'm linking up to: 

The Nester: 2011 Christmas Tour of Homes

Jennifer Rizzo's Holiday Housewalk Party

Join me on Thursday, for the last day of the Christmas Cheer Link Party at Michaela Noelle Designs

Also linking here:

The Inspired Room's 2011 Christmas Home Tour

Our Christmas Tree

Happy Holidays!  Hope everyone is enjoying this holiday season!
I'm just about finished with my shopping and getting ready for our annual neighborhood BUNCO Ornament Exchange Party.  I'm hosting this year and looking forward to the fellowship with close friends.
The house is decorated and ready for entertaining!

The inspiration for decorating our tree came from this gift wrap at The Container Store...

Isn't it gorgeous?  I was so excited to see the mix of metallics!  In past years, I have decorated in gold/red and green, silver/blue and bronze.  This paper inspired me to incorporate all of the metals together.

Ava asked to put the star on the tree.  Do you see the elf in this picture?  That's "Merry," our Elf on the Shelf.  

The kids LOVE finding her in a new place every morning after she returns from the North Pole.  

I started collecting Mark Roberts Santa Fairies a few years ago.  I picked up my fourth one today.

The one above is called The Snow Pine Fairy.  Aren't they precious?

Glittery white pine cones from Wal-Mart and German glass glitter snowflakes from Pottery Barn.

I went to Canton for my bronze mesh and glittery bead branches.  

The gold swirly sticks were purchased at Hobby Lobby.    

 I'm linking up to the Christmas Tree link party @ Honey We're Home and
The Holiday Home Link Party @ Thrifty Decor Chick

Our Christmas Mantel

Last year, I took advantage of the Christmas sales and snagged up some awesome deals on mercury glass, candles and ornaments.  Our Christmas tree is a mix of metallics and I wanted to create the same look for our mantel.

Since I got it after the holidays, I couldn't wait to get it all out this year.  I envisioned using apothecaries, faux snow, ornaments and fresh greenery from the front yard.  After a little snipping, filling, "sprucing" and picture taking, here's this years mantel.

Happy Holidays!

You'll find me at these holiday link parties:

Rhoda's Merry Mantels @ Southern Hospitality

Christmas Mantel Link Party 2011 @

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