Christmas Tour 2015

I have taken time off of my blog to enjoy Thanksgiving time with my family. Here are a couple of cute pictures...


My son, who lives in Kansas came to Illinois to meet his niece for the first time.  Both with somber faces! Though, I think they look related.

 Early morning time with grandkids, Isla and Si.

After the dust settled when they all left after four days, I cleaned up the house. And I decided to take a much more simplified version on Christmas decorating.  I actually sold or gave away much of my Christmas decor. I didn't feel that by completely over-decorating my house (Like I used to) was fulfilling any longer, plus it was harder to enjoy the reason for the season.

Let me tell you, there is still plenty decorated and to see...Enjoy!

 A more simple tree with ornaments that I made over the years. This year, I cut the letters, "Merry & Bright" out of white paper stock with my Silhouette machine and added them to the tree.

 Hubby and I have the same initials, so I added a glittered and belled 'T' to the framed 'M' greenery that I purchased years ago at Ballard Designs.

 My son is a hunter and he graciously gave me this elk antler. I used it as a base to some greenery and grapevine stars. The framed deer was made with my Silhouette a few years ago.

I have shared on previous posts, tutorials or simple ways, on how I made a lot of my decor. Including this plastic deer ornament that I purchased at Hobby Lobby and painted it with checks then attached to a framed piece of barnwood.

 I do enjoy getting out and seeing these lovelies that I made, including this music paper tree.

I painted, on canvas, these three ornament pics. Usually they hang on a wall all in a row connected with ribbon. This year, I removed the ribbon and just placed them on this shelving unit.

I make ornaments every year for my family and have done this tradition for 30+ years. During this year, I made this felt hand-sewn deer as a prototype to a possible ornament, but it was just too much work to think of making multiples, so I have this one just use as decor. I purchased the red truck canvas at Gordman's.

 A very simplified version of what I usually do on the buffet.

I painted these vintage jello molds back in 2006 and am still amazed that I made so many. Must have been a long cold winter!

My handyman found this very old and very rusty toy wagon in the attic and brought it to me thinking I would do something with it. I attached a bottle brush tree that has battery operated lights to it with a piece of jute and it just sits there looking cute.

Now how simple is this, added faux greenery and a little red tree in the middle of my pie bird collection.

The trees that I made from old wool sweaters last year came out to grace my table.

Throw in a few large red ornaments and three green poinsettias and I have instant decor.

 The stockings were hung...just not on the mantel, but a shelf made with old door header trim and old black door knobs.

Love these vintage sock stretchers that I painted red.  We don't do stockings anymore now that the kids are grown but it's a fun way to have this tradition stay alive.

I picked up this rocking horse at a garage sale for my granddaughter. Painted it and gave it a new soft mane and tail. My new purchase this year was this homemade rustic "Cut Your Own Christmas Trees" sign. Too cheap to even consider making it from scratch on my own.

 I made this 'greenery dress' a couple of years ago for a table top dress form. Now I see these everywhere.

 This is how the Star Shower Laser lights look on my house!

Stick the laser light in the ground and plug in. Easy Peasy!

These parties I love to link up to or check out my Blog Parties tab
Monday
Make it Pretty Monday @ The Dedicated House
Metamorphosis Monday @ Between Naps On The Porch
Motivate Me Monday @ Keeping It Simple 
Show and Share Party @ Coastal Charm
Tuesday
Create Link Inspire Party @ The Crafty BlogStalker
Show & Tell Party @ Flamingo Toes
Project Inspired Linky Party @ Cupcakes and Crinoline
The Inspiration Board Link Party @ Homework
From Dream to Reality @ The DIY Dreamer
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
The Scoop @ Cedar Hill Farmhouse
Inspire Me Tuesday @ A Stroll Thru Life 
Tuesdays at Our Home @ Our Home Away From Home 
Be Inspired Party @ Elizabeth & Co.
Wednesday
Vintage Inspired Link Party @ Knick of Time
Fall into Fall Wednesday @ DIY by Design 
Wow Us Wednesday @ Savvy Southern Style
Work It Wednesday's @ The Happy Housie
What's It Wednesday @ Ivy and Elephants
Wow Me Wednesday @ Ginger Snap Crafts
Thursday
Link Party Thursday @ Bloom Designs Online
Treasure Hunt Thursday @ From My Front Porch To Yours 
Create It Thursday @ Lamberts Lately 
Wildly Original Wednesday @ I Gotta Create!
Share Your Style @ Common Ground
Friday
Home Matters @ Life with Lorelai
Handmade Hangout @ From Gardners 2 Bergers
What To Do Weekends @ Crafts A La Mode
Show And Tell Friday @ My Romantic Home
Feathered Nest Friday @ French Country Cottage
Home Sweet Home @ The Charm of Home
Flaunt It Friday @ Chic on a Shoestring Decorating
Creativity Unleashed Link Party @ One Project Closer/The Better Half
Freedom Fridays @ My Turn For US 
Shabbilicious Friday Link Party @ Shabby Art Boutique
Junkin Joe @ The Cottage Market
Fabulous Friday Party @ Simple Nature Decor

Saturday
Weekend WrapUp Party @ Tatertots and Jello 
Saturday Nite Special @ Funky Junk InteriorsSunday
Share It One More Time @ One More Time Events
That DIY Party @ DIY Show Off

Sunday's Down Under Linky Party @ Natasha In OZ