Ordinary Objects Become Christmas Decor...

If you follow my Etsy shop or Facebook page - this post may be a repeat.   

But wanted to show you some fun I am having taking 

ordinary finds and transforming them into Christmas decor.  

It's a delightful Thrifty Thursday idea as well.  

Sometimes my Thrifty Thursday tips are on my FB page only - so don't miss them!  

Let's begin...

Boxes of all types make great Christmas display pieces.  

Think crates, baskets, old store boxes, etc.  This one is a tackle box...

 in rusty red.  So why not?  Just add greens and other Christmas goodies...

Tackle Box available here

Horns and antlers are fun to use too.  If they're already on your wall - 

hang ornaments or wreaths from them.  

If they're loose - add them to a bowl arrangement...

These spike antlers are available here

Old baby shoes are perfect to fill with sprigs of greenery.  

You could fill adult shoes too - but somehow they don't seem as cute.  (smile)...

These baby blues are available here

Both baby and adult socks can work for Christmas.  It just depends on their 'look'.  

Here - I've used all white toddler socks and created a garland on a ladder...

These very socks & more are available here

 And houseplants aren't necessarily 'Christmas'.  

But add some twinkle lights and garland...

...or put a Christmas decor piece in their midst - and you're good to go!

Stay tuned for more 'ordinary objects' ideas in the days ahead.

What a fun time of year.  So thankful to know the One came 

to earth so long ago - for me and for you...  ~Joyce

Linking to the Home Sweet Home Linky Party

Christmas Vignettes - Winter Scarves, Boots...

It was 'thrift shop day' for me.  So I'm sharing a few of the 

simple dress rack displays I worked on.

This first one had the hat and scarf sell pretty quickly

(I had replacements to fill in)...

And here is the back side

(cause I found those candle holders and wanted to use them somewhere)...

This one had a canister left over from last week - so I added to it...

...and here's the other side of that same display 

(you can see the back of the previous book)...

This display (the tree and sled) just isn't selling.  

I think they are priced too high.  But after 4 weeks they will be 

half price (per colored tags) - so that should get 'em sold.

And here are 2 sides of another display. Side 1...

Side 2...

Thanks for  joining me today friends.  Stay warm!  ~Joyce

Christmas Home Tour 2016...

My goal for Christmas is to focus on Jesus and living for Him fully.  The rest is all superficial 'stuff' meant to bring charm to our home

 as we welcome friends,  family and perhaps even strangers.  

So without much explanation - enjoy the pictures as I give you a

brief tour through some of our home...

 

For more photos - please visit my Quilted Nest page on Facebook .

And if you're nearby - we'd love to have you drop by!  

Merry Christmas friends!  ~Joyce
Sharing on the Talk of the Town link party
and the Home Sweet Home link party

Doing an Outdoor Vendor Show - What To Take...

Tomorrow (Dec. 19th) - I'm doing an outdoor Christmas vendor show.  

I thought I'd share with you what I take along to these events.  

Also - here are the details so that you can come on out and say 

'hi' if you're in the South Central PA area.

In addition to the basics one might think of - I always use tablecloths.  

They set the stage for the 'look' that I am going for.  For this show -

 I hope to do a rustics and country theme - thus the plaids and red

 trimmed beige fabric.  I also plan to do a more neutrals and elegant  table - 

so I threw in some creamy white lace.

The rest of my checklist includes:  Plenty of cash and small bills,

 my Paypal Here device (to take credit cards), bags, clipboard and pens 

(to keep track of sales), extra tags, string, marker and scissors, 

promo cards and a banner with my name...

I'm also taking wooden crates for the back of my tables 

(provided by venue - but I'm taking an extra one).  I'll place a

 wooden shutter on these to create a shelf.  And since it is

 Christmas - I'll add fresh greens here and there - thus the bucket...

Everything is tagged (tagging takes the longest!) and packed in the

 truck and ready to go for tomorrow AM.  I allowed myself this

 whole week to get ready.  Some people do not tag their

 merchandise at a flea market - and that is easiest -

but many shoppers dislike asking a price - so I tag.

Additionally - think about weather gear (coats?) and a canopy

 (I'm going without one this time) and lunch if needed.   

Oh - and if you can get help - do!  My Love is coming along - 

in fact he'll do most of the loading & unloading for me while I 'display'.  

I dare say - I couldn't take do this without him .

  I'll need to buy him lunch for sure.  

Wish me well and would love to meet you!  ~Joyce

Thrifty Thursday - Free Holiday Decor...

Most seasons or holidays have a staple decorating item that 

can be obtained for free from the great outdoors. 

For Christmas?  Greens or pine cones will serve you well.  

(And if you know someone with a holly bush - yay you!) 

Today - I was in search of said greens for an upcoming 

Christmas show that I'm doing.   So I headed to a nearby wooded

 community where there are  plenty of pine trees...

I walked around till I spotted trees such as these and then canvased

 the ground nearby.  But believe it or not - this spot yielded nothing.

We've not had rain or storms (to bring down twigs)  -so was beginning 
to think my efforts would be a bust when suddenly I spied this!

I'll take it...

Walked around some more - sometimes having to look up very high

 to see where the pine trees were.  Still my efforts returned precious little...

So back home I resorted to snipping from my sorry bushes...

And added the snippings to my other gatherings...

...which included a few hydrangeas and some dried weeds.

So while my 'greens' gleanings were slim this go round - 

I think it will be enough to decorate a few tables of wares.  

And I have some faux branches that I can use as well.

And in case you're still in need of ideas for Thanksgiving - 

leaves are free!  Check out this gals lovely post for a simple idea!

Happy gathering!  ~Joyce