Wow!! It seems like forever since my last post!! I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. Ours was great! It was very relaxing and we spent a lot of family time together over the long weekend. During the day we put up our outside decorations and then after dinner, we put up the Christmas tree. Later in the evening, we went to the movies and saw “Blind Side”. What a great movie!! If you haven’t seen it yet, I highly recommend it! The previews looked pretty good, but I actually wanted to see “The Christmas Carol” instead. I got outvoted and I’m glad I did! It was really good! . . . . I still want to see the Christmas Carol!!
I’m slowly getting the inside of my house decorated for Christmas. I don’t know why it’s taking me so long, maybe I relaxed “too much” over the weekend, but I’m just having a hard time getting things done. I’m trying to simplify my decor and, so far, I’ve got 2 large rubbermaid tubs filled with things I’m getting rid of. On the other hand, I’ve also made a few things! lol
Here are pictures of our outside decorations:
Here’s my new Christmas tree! I bought this last year from Hobby Lobby after the holidays. It was originally $400-something but was on clearance for 75% off. After much searching in the back for one in a box, they finally “found” one. The box was open and the branches looked like the one I wanted. I was figuring the cost to be about $75.00, but it rang up for $50-something and I’m thinking “sweet”..I must have figured wrong! When we got home, I told my hubby that we ought to take it out and make sure it’s the right one. Well….it wasn’t! So we took it right back. The only one they had like the one I wanted was the one on display, so we took that one. They just did an even exchange and didn’t charge us the extra cost, so I got an even better deal than the 75% off!
I love this tree!! The branches are staggered enough so that I can hang ornaments on the inside just like the real Christmas trees we used to get. We had bought our other tree at Litehouse Pools about 3 years ago and I was never really happy with it because I thought it was too perfectly shaped. The ornaments seem to lay on the outer edges and after the kids had put on all of their ornaments, there wasn’t much room left for many of mine. With this tree, I was able to put on all of my ornaments plus need to buy more to fill in some gaps!
I made this tree skirt many years ago when “hearts” were in! lol I started a new one last year, but I’m still working on quilting it. Hopefully, I’ll have it done before Christmas!! (probably not!) lol
Do you like my newest tree ornament??!! I sure can’t wait until he grows out of this stage. . .he LOVES the dangling ornaments!
Some of you have asked how I made my heart ornaments, so I’m going to do a tutorial on them.
They’re actually pretty simple. Draw a heart pattern on a piece of cardstock or cardboard and cut out. With your fabric right sides together, trace your pattern onto the fabric. Sew on the marked lines. Depending on how you want to finish up your heart, either leave an opening for turning right side out or sew the heart completely shut and cut a slash in the back of the heart.
Cut out the heart and clip the curves. Turn your heart right side out and lightly stuff with polyester fiberfill. Sew the opening close. With 3 strands of embroidery floss, do a blanket stitch around the edges. To learn how to do a blanket stitch, click on the link below.
http://www.futuregirl.com/craft_blog/2007/09/tutorial-hand-sew-felt.aspx
Make a loop with the embroidery floss to hang the ornament. Tea dye, if you wish, and finish with sewing a button in the center of the heart.
Thank you so much for taking the time to visit my blog!! Please stop back here on Friday to see what yummy recipes I’ll have to share for Colleen’s Homemade Holiday Recipe Swap!
PLUS . . . . .I’ll have some pictures of my Christmas decor to share along with pics of my newly painted Living Room and Dining Room walls!!
Until Next Time . . . .Kris
Kris,
ReplyDeleteYour home is just beautiful!!That Hobby Lobby tree looks gorgeous,and the kitty poking out is cute!The outside decorations must look enchanting at night,you have lots of inspiration here!
Your decorations look wonderful, even the furry one, lol.
ReplyDeleteThat is why I do not bother to put up a big tree now, with my two, I can imagine the havoc they would cause.
Debbie
Everything looks great! What a great deal on the tree. We have a kitty this year and he likes the tree, too, but he hasn't been as much trouble as I was afraid of. :) Love those hearts. I think I'll definitely be copying that. Hearts may be "out" but I've always loved them and always will.
ReplyDeleteKris, Your decorations are beautiful! Your new Christmas tree is awesome....love the shape of it! Your "new" ornament is very sweet!! Can't wait to see the rest of your decor....you give such inspiration, thanks for sharing :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tree, love the kitty ornament, he looks so real:)
ReplyDeleteYour decorating on the outside of your house is just breathtaking...love it!
I know how you feel I seem to be having a hard time getting it all together for Christmas decorating too:)
Rondell
Kris, I love the black and white Christmas Tree decoration - or is it an "un"decoration! Ours loved to drink the water from the tree stand, I know - it's not good for them - but he lived to be 15 years old doing it! We always reminded him not to scare Santa when he was under there. Your outdoor decorations are great, they look so nice. I also really like your tree and the deal you got - WOW! I'm all for deals. ~Ann
ReplyDeleteKris, your decorations look great! I love your kitty in the tree! Mine always sleep under it. They are a bit older though. Thanks for posting!
ReplyDeleteJayne
Oh Kris, you never disappoint! Your home looks so inviting all decorated! I love the swags on the 3 side by side windows - actually I love it all. And I love the color of your siding too - it is the perfect back drop!!
ReplyDeleteKris, your home looks so warm and festive inside and out! Love the new tree! I about spewed when I saw the kitty peeking out! LOL
ReplyDeleteJanet
You always impress me with everything you post on your blog and tonight is no different!! I absolutely love the look of your decorations outside. You know how to decorate and everything looks prim perfect!! Your tree looks great as well, but uh yeah I would be hoping little kitty finds a new hobby soon (lol). Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Lisa
Wow, your house is decorated so beautifully. How festive and inviting. BTW....your kitty looks like he's having a great time and enjoying the holiday season.
ReplyDeleteI forgot to say that I love the picture you have as your header! the Revere Lantern, the gingers in the box with the greens and berries, everything, love it! oh and I love hearts too!
ReplyDeleteJanet
Your home is Beautiful!! I went to A Christmas Carol 3D Tuesday afternoon and The Blind side that night. Your family made the right choice!!!! A christmas carol was good but it was hard to see. I loved the prim eye candy in it but Blind side was just such a great movie.
ReplyDeleteI love everything, Kris! It's stunning, festive, and so welcoming for the holidays.
ReplyDeleteCan't wait to see what you have in store for Friday's post...
Enjoy the rest of your week!
Just beautiful! I especially liked the Santa on your porch. Thanks so much for the heart ornament tutorial. I can't wait to make a few of these for myself. I've been blog lurking for several months and finally decided to start my own blog.
ReplyDeleteYour decorations are beautiful! I bet your home looks awesome at night!
ReplyDeleteI'm having trouble getting decorated too. Been going through my Christmas tubs and thinning out also. I think it's time.
Thanks for the heart tut.
Terry
Beautiful! I love your decorations. Your tree looks wonderful! It doesn't look like you've been too much relaxing to me!
ReplyDeleteLuv those hearts. Everything looks awesome. Can't wait to see more :)Sherri
ReplyDeleteI just love how everything looks. And those little hearts are just too cute :) They can be left out right up to Valentines if you would want.
ReplyDeleteThat kitty is also too funny. Hopefully he wont knock everything out or even knock the whole tree down.
I can't wait to see more :)
love all of your christmas decor..love the bows on the window boxes..and love your tree..;)
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely beautiful, Kris!!! I just love that little kitty...funny boy! It is like having a baby again, isn't it?! Anyway, I can't wait to see the inside! I love your tree, and the outside of your house looks fantastic. Love it, love it!
ReplyDeleteHi Kris,
ReplyDeleteI love it all! I have no doubt your home is the neighborhood stunner! You have everything so perfectly draped and lighted. I feel ashamed because I was just going to do some decorating around my front door. You've inspired me to try a few new things. Your little hearts are now on my "to do" list. I already made the clove studded oranges and they look so beautiful. I love your tree and that furry ornie is the best! My parents cat used to climb to the top of their tree and pull it down! Crazy cats! Have a great day! Hugs, Loretta
Breath taking! Everything is so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteThe outside is amazing Kris - very pretty. I'm a big fan of white lights and you've got lots making it look magical. I was looking for a smaller tree for our sunroom - and wouldn't pay the price of the one I liked. Will see if it's still around after Christmas. Love your tree and your new ornament :). I'm with you, really trying to be more simple in my decorations. Which is hard because I still like the ones sitting in the tote, lol.
ReplyDeleteHugs - Karen
Hi Kris, As always your pictures are beautiful. Your home looks AMAZING. Love, love your decor.
ReplyDeleteYour tree is beautiful! It looks real. The outside looks great too!
ReplyDeleteThe outside of your home looks fabulous Kris. The front porch is so inviting. I can only imagine what the inside will look like all decorated. Your tree looks wonderful. I can see why you had to have it.
ReplyDeleteAMY
WOW-Your home is so pretty, Kris! Just beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove the outside...I bet it's a prettiest home on the block ;)
Your tree is just gorgeous! Everything is...
Have a wonderful day♥
Love your new tree and what a bargain. Love when we can get a Great bargain!! Your new Christmas ornament is adorable. I have two myself. lol
ReplyDeleteAll your decorations look great, Janie
I was wondering what you've been up to and now I see you have been busy! I love all the lights on the house and garage. It's so nice to have a daytime look and a nighttime look. Are your pine garlands and window swags real? How do you secure them on the sills? We get a lot of wind across the front of the house so I've given up on wreaths and last year tried the window sill swags but ended up chasing them around the yard as well. :(
ReplyDeleteYour kitty is adorable and looks right at home hanging in your tree.
Have a great day!
Kris...What a beautiful home you have! I love how it looks from the road (I think) and I love where you garage is.....and the side porch. Very nice. I could go on and on. Your decorations are super nice and every thing looks like I want to be there! Great job. (I love the siding color and the "warmth at the front door".)
ReplyDeleteYour tree is so pretty. You always have things looking so nice. Thanks for being such an inspiration. Seriously.
Friends,
Susannah
Kris......Love that big tree, it looks so natural.
ReplyDeleteLOL.....we should all get together and swap all of our Christmas decorations that we are not putting out this year! Seems like we are all thinking the same thing.........Simplify!
Once again, a wonderful post of beautiful pictures from you!
Linda/simplycountryseasons
Kris, everything looks so nice! I LOVE your tree too! And thanks for the tutorial.
ReplyDeleteYou must stay busy all the time! I can't wait to see your newly painted rooms!
Have a great day!
Beautiful !!!! Your house is wonderful....thank you so much for sharing !!!
ReplyDeleteAngie