Christmas Window Treatments

Before I start the daunting task of putting all the Christmas stuff away for 2012, I wanted to snap a couple of pics of how I "Christmafied" my windows this year. I removed my curtains since they competed a little with the theme, then just wrapped the rods in garland and added some red berries from the craft store with hot glue. They were super inexpensive and easy and turned out looking really pretty! They will also force me to clean my curtains before putting them back up, which is definitely needed. It was a great Christmas, but I am already looking forward to January's knack of getting me focussed on organization and decluttering. :)

Tree Stand Cover

I made myself a new tree stand cover this year. It turned out great---so much better than my old tree skirt that was always looking messy and getting tugged, dirty, wet, and pulled out of position. The best part was I made it out of stuff I had in the garage and attic.

FIrst, I found a container that I thought would work: a Halloween candy bucket!

I used a hack saw and cut up one side and then cut out the bottom of the bucket. I used tape around the edges since they were a little rough and wonky.

I sprayed it with some primer.

I brushed on some acrylic paints I had in my stash. Just used some browns and some metallic gold.

It seemed a little short, so I glued some greens to the top edge to give it a little more height.

Once dry, I placed it around the tree stand. Ahhh...success!

Project Porch Tree

Nothing gets me more jazzed up to attempt decorating magic like Christmas does. Pinterest has become my new best friend this year and I love, love, love my Christmas board! One of the first projects I found on there was a picture of a little Christmas tree made out of a tomato cage wrapped with garland and lights. I had priced the little trees while out shopping that week and was determined get some...but not at that price. Problem was, I did not have tomato cages and did not want to shop for any. So, I hunted around in my garage for an alternative. Ah-ha! I spied a number of beach umbrellas in a dusty corner. We had more than enough for any future beach trips. I picked out two the same size and cut the fabric off of them. They looked perfect for the job.



I stuck them in my planters and started to wind garland around them. (In hindsight, I wish I had added a quick coat of dark colored spray paint to them...they would have been easier to cover if not white.)

Next, I added lights and that was it: so pretty and made with stuff I already had on hand. Nothing puts me in the Christmas spirit like a successful and free DYI! (If you plan to try one for yourself and don't have tomato cages or old umbrellas laying around, another option would be chicken wire.)

Into. to Jillavison

I have decided to give blogging a go. I will use my first post to tell you a little bit about me. I am a child of the 80's with plenty of pictures of me in a big ole perm, Forenza sweater, stirrup pants and enormous hair bow to prove it. I grew up in the mid west but have spent most of my life in the southeast. I love: decorating creatively and inexpensively, girl's nights with close friends and cocktails, sucessful DIY projects, t.v. that makes me laugh, cry or cheer, hanging out with my college sweetheart and husband of 20+ years, shopping for the perfect accessory or outfit, being a mom to my two kids, cooking special meals, party planning, and a good book with a cozy throw. Things I do not love at all are: math, conversations about politics, math, cleaning the bathrooms, and math.

I hope to post ideas here that will inspire creativity and a can-do attitude in others. I promise never to post a how-to for a crocheted toilet paper cozy or a pre-printed sew and stuff duck. I will try my best not to put anything on here that will embarrass my children but it is nearly impossible to do that, especially since one of them is fifteen. My very existence embarrasses her.