Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree...

Well I guess its time to reveal my Christmas tree. We had a few set backs this year...no tree topper...not enough ribbon...no window to put the tree in. But we made do and have a pretty tree right by the fire place for Santa. 

It doesn't look like a Macy's tree...and I think I like it that way. We have a star that refused to sit straight so that equals character!  Megan helped decorate and that makes it our tree.

Someone needs to send me a tutorial on how to take Christmas tree photos properly...sorry this looks so bad.



Megan's first Christmas ornament...she has to put it on every year...its maybe her favorite part of the decoration process.



My favorite...shoes...I miss cute shoes... I need to get some in my new post baby size!



Best Santa ornament on our tree...I think he is way cool and his beard is chenille...sooooffft!!



I love this ornament...its from my Mom's store and a few years old but I get jazzed every year when I put it up.



Obviously I have a thing for candy stripes...here is even more proof...Isn't it cute! I got this one last year...now I am on a quest for this years candy cane ornament.

 There you have it...our less than Macy's but still loved Christmas tree!

Linked to the following...

Custom Photo Cards

Well I have been playing with my new software and have started creating custom cards...Birth Announcements...Thank you notes...Christmas cards...anything really.  Check it out...if you are interested in having me make some for you let me know!

Just send me info with your color requests, theme, picture or pictures, specific wording if needed and any other thoughts you have on your card look. I'll put something together and send you a proof for approval. Once approved I will have them printed and shipped directly to you. 

DIY Christmas Topiary

Sorry I am a little late on my Christmas Craft...I have way too many projects going to pick just one! 

I'll start with my new topiary. I have wanted something like this for ages and was unwilling to pay the price in the store. This year I tackled making them myself and am very happy with how they turned out. 

You need...

Foam balls

greenery

dowel

glue gun and glue

ribbon or burlap

something pretty to fill the pot

pot or container of choice

 Cut dowel to desired length.

Glue dowel into foam balls (each end).

Glue foam ball into pot or container

lots of glue so it doesn't wiggle about

You should have this look at this point...super skinny snowman maybe?

I failed to wrap my dowel before I did the greenery...it was difficult...learn from my mistakes...wrap dowel in ribbon or material of choice. I cut a small strip of burlap and wrapped it around with a bead of hot glue running down the dowel. 

I love how much texture the burlap added to the dowel

Cut sprigs of greenery into similar lengths. I poked a hole in the foam with the greenery, pulled it out and then hot glued it back in. I plan on using these for several years and want them to be sturdy.

Halfway done, I mixed two different greenery types...a old wreath (white tipped) and some new stuff I got with my 20% off coupon)

Here is the finished product...I am not in love with the bow...but I have ribbon on order to fix that issue. I think I'll leave it like this for this year and maybe next year add some more jazz with ornaments.

Looking at these pictures a coat of spray paint on the pot may be in order as well...or some candy stripes...since I am obsessed with candy stripes! 

Overall this was a super inexpensive project. The only things I purchased were the dowel, new greenery and pot. Less than 5 bucks investment and I got two!

Linked to the following

 My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

  Tip Junkie  Blue Cricket Design  

Ribbon!

Some of you may know that I like ribbon. I refuse to use stick on bows on packages and prefer a nice simple bow out of good ribbon for all of my Christmas Gift. I often do not have to include a card for my best friend Amy's gifts because she knows my OCD wrapping style. Welllllll Craftaholics Anonymous just introduced me to my new favorite supplier! Ribbon and Bows Oh My! totally awesome shop...with great prices and great product! I am jazzed to have a new go to place that wont break the bank!

Craftaholics Anonymous is hosting a giveaway this week for a $100 package of the goods! Go check it out...I hope to win...but you can still try! 

Here is what I purchased for my wrapped but not yet adorned packages under the tree this year. 

Pretty right! I think it will look perfect with my candy striped wrapping paper (surprised it's candy striped? ha ha)

They have tons of other cool products to check out. I'm in love!