Book Pages Christmas Garland...

Recently I visited a little fair trade shop and was inspired 

by all the neat handmade things - many out of 'trash'.  

I came home and went to work on making some

 paper beads to create a Christmas garland...

 I edged some of the beads in gold glitter just for fun.

My tree garland - created from book or dictionary pages - 

...is available in my Etsy shop.

And here's another book pages garland I'd like to try...

compliments of The Shabby Creek Cottage

Sheet Music Star

We all inspire each other don't we? 
Although admittedly - I receive more inspiration than I give.  

You've all seen the rolled sheet music wreaths?  

Well I spotted a take on it at Fleur Cottage and

 decided to try to copy her sheet music star.  

  This was her version...

...the pop of black really adds something!  

I went for 'quick' and popped out a pinwheel for my center...

(I'm not so good at lettering).

 Gotta love vintage sheet music!
Linking to Wow Us Wednesday

'I Don't Have Burlalp' Tree Garland...

I love the look of burlap garland - but am, well,

 minus any burlap. 

  Without said burlap - what's a thrifty girl to do?

  Dig in her fabric stash of course...

 I simply tore some wide strips of tan cotton/poly fabric 

and swagged them among the branches.  A few pine cones later - and it'll pass for this year.

Not as good as the inspiration photo...

  ... but maybe I can tweak it till another year.

For the rest of my 'natural' porch decor - 

see yesterday's post.

Gotta love using what ya have!

Christmas Porch Decor...

While my front porch is nothing to brag about - 

it's still worthy of some Christmas decor. 

 The little tree in the basket is what remains

 of an artificial tree - just the top!   

It's held in place with some logs and filler.

I wanted to use the galvanized tub - but it was too large.  

So I placed it on its side and filled it that way.

A few faux poinsettias and garland help hide the 

bricks which are holding this skinny tree in place.

 This year I'm using a large faux tree on my porch

 (compliments of my generous neighbors).  

It's just too big for us to use inside.

 

 

I'll do a quick post about the big tree tomorrow. 

Linking to Home Sweet Home #96

The Tree...

In my faith - there is much concern over anything that could be 
considered an 'idol' in one's life.  At Christmas time - the tree 
can be seen as that.  Every year I challenge myself with the thought - 
'Could it still be Christmas to me without a tree?"  
I love Christmas decorating - the same as I love all home decor.  
But that is not the Christmas story - only a part of
 homemaking at this time of year.

  We've been doing a tabletop tree - it fits in our already 

crowded living room with no rearrangement necessary.   

Indeed - I could do no tree - but I do love to sit by the twinkle 

lights at night and the ornaments are fun to collect.

  I've used the same color scheme for years - rose and gold. 

And every ornament has been gathered for next to nothing.  
Do you shop yard sales for Christmas?