Slow Start: It's Beginning to Look a *Little* Like Christmas

It sure seems like everywhere I look (online) most people have their Christmas trees and all their decorating up already, like, DAYS ago.  

I really try hard not to get caught up in the whole comparison thing. The older I get, the more I know that certain things about me and the way I operate just "are the way they are". I'm mostly okay with that : )

DIY Mason Jar Chandelier here



Anyway, we're just getting started over here. The tree is up, and as of this evening, decorated. I have a little story about the tree, and I'll share it on another day soon.




You can see we don't have alot of space, but the kids and I think it's pretty cozy.

 

 The wall shelf does sort of look like it's hanging a bit far up in space there, but this is where our stockings will hang, so I'm hoping they will fill in the empty spot.

So many of the things in my home have had multiple lives, and this hanging rack is no exception. Several years back I wanted to make a hanger for our stockings. I scrounged up this rough board (garage? driveway? Ha! I can't remember!) drilled holes in it, painted it black and put plain white porcelain knobs on it. 

 

It has since been used for many different purposes including in my kids' closet for hats, a drying rack for flowers, etc. This year it's back to Christmas stockings and sporting some sweet little white iron birds.
 

There's my wall candle sconce I made from an old light fixture! We used it in the dining room for Thanksgiving, and I just love it.  I think it's gonna get a little evergreen added at some point...
 

 
 
This white wooden crate has had many lives also! I decided to put it on top of the t.v. cabinet to display some of our beloved Christmas books. When you have little square footage, it really pays to use all the vertical space you can get! There are many more books than this, and I'll show you soon how I display those.

I'm still fussing around with this corner, but I like where it's going. I put the table lamp into an old bucket and tucked in some artificial pine branches.

 Snowy owl from Victorian Trading Co.

 

 A few "pretty little things" from the wall shelf above the settee. 

Beginnings of a vignette on top of my bookshelf armoire, using an old wooden tool box and an old rusted white iron bed. It's all coming along, slowly but surely. I'm hoping to feel "done" by December 1st. 

Hey, I have one little creative project to share also! I was so inpired by Tanya at twelveOeight's twiggy book page wreath, I just had to try a similar one!

I knew I had all the stuff: a twiggy wreath, vintage sheet music for making leaves (she used book pages-love!) those little pearly things (technical term) on wired stems, some wide black silk ribbon, a little nest with eggs, and I printed and cut out the birds from The Graphics Fairy . 

 It's hard to believe that any of you wouldn't know about her site, but if you don't-GO THERE NOW! Oh my goodness-such a wealth of creative goodness......


Here's my version. I spent less than 30 minutes putting this together from things I already had. Fast, free, fun, nature inspired cuteness! My kind of project.
 


 
 Thank you so much for the inspiration, Tanya!

Sharing this week over at:
The Graphics Fairy-Brag Monday! 
Debbiedoo's 
Cedar Hill Ranch-Cowgirl Up!  
Vintage On A Dime-Welcome Home Wednesday! 
Embracing Change-Creative Inspirations
Inspiration Friday-At The Picket Fence 
The Charm of Home-Home Sweet Home 

 


Coming up, I have such a sweet vintage Christmas book (with a little family history) to share with you. I can't wait! 

Last thing! (I have blogger A.D.D today) Yesterday I was having a bit of a rough time and I looked out my bedroom window and saw THIS. Instantly, I was reminded that the God who does this knows and cares about what is happening with me. True tidings of comfort and joy. 

Til next time!

Blessings-

Jeanette