[kreyv of the day]

image from Martha Stewart

The Christmas Mantel

I came to the same conclusion that I come to every year around this time: I really don't have very many Christmas decorations that I like. (It's almost the same thing as opening the cupboards over and over hoping that there will be new food in there. Unfortunately, no matter how many times I open the cupboards and/or Christmas bins, there's nothing new and exciting in there--such a bummer.) Since I have way too many other things that I want to buy, I'm probably not going to go spend lots on new decorations. Instead, I guess I'll just have to get creative…either that or continue to listen to the Sarah McLachlan Holiday station and live vicariously through these images. I'll most likely do a combination of both.  Hopefully, I'll have some type of progress to share next week.

In other news, I love these Christmas mantels. There is something I love about each one of these mantels, but the wreaths, oh the wreaths are just amaze balls. I think I may have to incorporate a version of this somewhere in my house this year. Which one is your fave?

image source unknown

image from The Globe and Mail

image source unknown

[so cheap, so easy]: Pages Wreath

You see a project on Pinterest. You attempt it. It's super easy. It's super cheap, AND you love it. You know how that hardly ever happens? Well, it happened! I used this tutorial from Boxers, Cleats, and Me. I tweaked it just a bit. I used a magazine with thick, stiff pages. I used about two 80 page magazines. I originally used a wire hanger, but because I used so much paper, the round wreath slowly started to become an oval. I found a thicker metal hoop from Hobby Lobby, broke it so that I could thread the paper through, and used duct tape to close it. I also went back through and hot glued some of the paper together in the 2:00 and 11:00 positions where it is most likely to slide down. Remember to use lots of paper, because it will settle as the folds crease a little more over time. Cute and cheap (the hoop was less than $2.00). DIY doesn't get any better than that. AND, it only took me 42 minutes or two episodes of How I Met Your Mother aka my new favorite show. (NEXT to Friends, of course.) Just think, you could have made this wreath in the time it took you to read this post...and sorry for the rambling. I'm done, now. 

Linking Up at the Following Blogs:

Live Laugh Rowe

The 36th Avenue

House of Hepworths

The Dedicated House

Wreaths on Windows

First of all, 15 days until Christmas. Second of all, I LOVE wreaths on windows--so classic and beautiful. I REALLY wanted to buy wreaths for my windows this year, but I am using restraint and not buying anything. Just kidding. I wasn't done with that sentence. I'm not buying anything that I may not be able to use at our next place (that we don't have yet). I had you going for a while with the whole not buying anything bit, didn't I? I am actually being pretty good about that, but let's not get too crazy.

image from Better Homes & Gardens

image from House & Home

image from HGTV

Christmas is Coming! Christmas is Coming!

Excited? Me? Heck yes I am! Let's just say, all of my Christmas shopping was done in October. My Christmas cards are ready to be mailed. And, we've already had breakfast with Santa! I love Christmas, and I especially love it this year, because Stella is three, and even though the only things she really wants from Santa are candy hooks, she kind of gets it. (That was a really long sentence. Apparently, I "run on" when I get excited.) And, as if that's not fun enough, my mom will be here for a week to join in on the holiday fun! Twenty-one days, people! Twenty-one days! BE EXCITED!

image from Say Yes to Hoboken

image from Jones Design Company

image from Good Housekeeping

[so cheap, so easy]: Hydrangea Wreath

Can I just tell you how much I love this wreath? (Of course I can, it's my blog.) I love it. A lot. I pinned this quite a while ago from V and Co. with ALL the intentions in the world of making it. And, we all know how the end of that story went. Yeah, still on my Pinterest Board and not in my house. I'm such a craft slacker. Anyway, this wreath is amazing, and if your hot glue gun skills are as stellar as mine, you will have no problem creating this beautiful piece of loveliness. Check out the full tutorial here, and start collecting your hydrangeas one 40% off coupon at a time.

image from V and Co.

[so cheap, so easy]: Monogram Wreath

I am a list maker and a list checker off-er. Today, I had two very important things on my list located in my handy, dandy notebook (stolen material, I know). Number one was to work on some adoption paperwork, and number two was to work on a bulletin board for church. Instead, I made this wreath. I then decided that I would write "complete wreath" in my notebook and check it off. I felt good about it. And, for those of you who are worried that we will never complete our adoption paperwork, don't. It will be finished soon, plus, when the case worker sees this wreath on our front door, he will totally give us extra points on our home study. Ok. Not really.

All you need for this wreath is a letter, glue, a sheet of moss, a wreath, and ribbon or fabric of your choice. Then, you just need to attach everything. I attached the "J" to the wreath with a small ribbon, and then just tied the bow directly onto the wreath. I actually think it would be super cute without the wreath, but since our monogram is a "J," I felt like it needed a little something extra to balance it out. Perhaps it's a little bit country (again, stolen material), but I like it for now, and plus, I got to check something off of my list.

I'm linking up at the following linky parties.  Check them out!

Somewhat Simple

The Shabby Chic Cottage
The Shabby Nest
Finding Fabulous
The Girl Creative
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Skip to My Lou
Today's Creative Blog
The Thrifty Home
Savvy Southern Style

[so cheap, so easy]: Halloween Wreaths

You are in for a treat today!  You get not one, but TWO cheap and easy, and super cute might I add, Halloween wreath tutorials! If you're lame like me and need a swift kick in the behind to get going on your Halloween decor, this is a good place to start. If nothing else, people will think the inside of your house is as festive as your door.

I think I'll make one of these. Yes, I'm definitely going to make one.  I can totally handle tying knots. Plus, I need something relaxing to do after my day yesterday. Go to The Long Thread for the ribbon wreath tutorial, and to Something To Do for the tulle wreath tutorial.

image from The Long Thread

image from Something To Do