a few more decorations...


The tree skirt I made for my charlie brown tinsel tree. This little tree is very old and is missing some branches but I love it.
My mom bought it for me years ago on an antiquing trip and it reminds me of her.
The paper accordian tree skirt was a project from Holiday with Matthew Mead magazine.



It is a simple project that you can make in any size.
These would be cute made tiny and turned into an adornment for gift wrapping.



Some fresh flowers. My colour palette is quiet this year. Lots of natural elements.


Fresh greenery in my urns outside.


A pop of colour in my daughter's room.
Isabella likes to decorate too.

Even her dollhouse gets a festive wreath!

A touch of Christmas in the loo!




a fun contribution...

I was excited to be invited to contribute a holiday decor tip for Style at Home Magazine's website this week.
You can see my post here.



some holiday cheer in my front hall...

What is your best holiday decor tip?

a white christmas...

I have a couple of holiday diy's to share with you. These are from a party I styled and photographed for Babiekins Magazine last year. It was also featured on Ohdeedoh.


winter white acorns....

You need:
white paint
acorns
old jar
tongs

Instructions: Pour some of the paint into the jar. Drop the acorns into the jar and let the paint cover every nook and cranny. Carefully remove from the jar with the tongs and set on parchment paper to dry.


a snowball pom-pom garland....



You need:
white pom-poms
white thread
sewing needle

Instructions: Thread the pom-poms onto the thread leaving enough thread at each end to hang.


These projects are great because they are simple and will look great all winter.







The Brooklyn Flea



Take a tour of The Brooklyn Flea!

I am sharing some photos from a recent trip I made to New York City with my friends over at Oh My Handmade . You can see them right here.

I'll try to post some more right here on the blog during the week.

Prepping for Christmas



A simple linen advent calendar

I covered a pinboard/cork board with linen fabric and pinned on the bags. The bags are available in my shop or you can make your own.

You will need fabric/t-shirt transfers, a computer & a color printer or you can use fabric ink and stamps.

I fill my bags with Yummy Earth lollipops, fair trade chocolate and little toy soldiers and other small items for holiday crafting.

I haven't quite finished decorating yet but here are a few pieces I have out. Some vintage putz houses I found on Etsy, vintage ornaments and glittery bottle brush trees.


Our Christmas tree is a mix of ornaments made by the kids and some unbreakable vintage and newer ornaments that the kids can put on the tree. If they break there is no worry. Next year, post-reno, I plan on having a second tree decked out in my collection of vintage ornaments!

This year Christmas has snuck up on me a little bit and I am so far behind! I'm hoping to finish my decorating this weekend and will try to share that and some holiday craft ideas.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Debra


Holiday Picks '11


Here are some holiday finds that I would love to have in my home. From West Elm, Matthew Mead Home Collection and Anthropologie. All beautiful & useful things...

David Stark Twig Topiary from West Elm


Bottle Brush Trees from West Elm

Tall Tray Butler Stand from West Elm

Grand Tiered Stand from Matthew Mead Home Collection

Gingerbread Bird Silhouette from Matthew Mead Home Collection

Snow Stag Ornament from Anthropologie

Quill Cheese Knife Set from Anthropologie


An interview with Matthew Mead


Pop on over to Oh My! Handmade Goodness today to read an interview I did last week with Matthew Mead from Holiday with Matthew Mead magazine.

I've had a major design crush on Matthew for years. You may remember I had the chance to meet him this past summer in New Hampshire. I've also had the honor of having my designs featured in his beautiful magazines and getting to know him as a friend these past months.

Read the interview, you will be inspired by his words, his beautiful photography and a fun holiday DIY. There is also an amazing Giveaway from his new home decor collection that you can enter to win.

Enjoy!

Debra

I've got weddings on my mind...



Today, you can find me over on the Wedding Bells Magazine blog doing a simple and pretty DIY.

and ... I'm thrilled to share with you that I am now a monthly contributor to their blog.

This months DIY is a pretty paper napkin ring using decorative paper from The Paper Place. I love this shop. Have you been? It is full of gorgeous Japanese papers, stationery supplies, crafting materials and unique gifts.

Although this is a wedding DIY you could easily switch up the papers or color scheme to fit the upcoming holiday season. It would be fun to use vintage wrapping papers, ribbons and notions.


You can see earlier DIY's I've done at Wedding Bells here, here, here and here :)


Old Fashioned Holiday Treats & Packaging!


Babiekins is one of the loveliest online magazines.



I don't just say that because I am a proud contributor. It is full of beautiful images, inspiring ideas, amazing fashion and entertaining ideas.

The latest issue of Babiekins is available now here. You can see my story "Ice Box Cookies" on page 129. It was so much fun to create. I had a great time pulling out some of my much loved Christmas decorations and baking up a storm.

Here are some of the images you can see in the magazine as well as a few more.

Be sure to visit Articipe on Etsy for great holiday gifts! One of my favorite items on the shoot was the custom, hand-lettered recipe prints from Articipe on Etsy. It was specially created for the shoot. I think this is a great gift for someone who loves to bake or cook..maybe one of your Grandma's recipes?



Vintage Christmas ornament boxes make ideal packaging for homemade treats. Line the box with cupcake liners like these festive ones from Sweet Estelle and fill.
Decorate!
Roll your cookie dough in sanding sugars, sprinkles or crushed candies.


Wrap it up!





Other useful packaging supplies include: glassine bags and kraft paper bags. Add a personal touch by adding Japanese washi tape, vintage paper or stamps to embellish. Schoolhouse inspired notepaper bags and cupcake liners are from Sweet Estelle.


Vintage Christmas cards can be re-purposed into festive tags.
Re-use coffee tins, jam jars, and boxes to create pretty packaging.

Stamped cotton muslin bags make great packaging.
These are available in my shop and can be personalized!



Happy baking & eating too!


Witches, broomsticks & lots of bones



Happy Halloween!


a few of our decorations...

I let the kids take the lead on Halloween decor these days and it seems to get creepier every year!

Have a spooktacular night!


Quick & Easy Halloween


Add some Halloween touches to treats with simple glow in the dark creatures! I picked these up at a local party store.

Vintage inspired cupcake picks are too cute! This is from a party I styled for Babiekins Magazine last October


Give them the eye with mini ghost pumpkins. I added spooky eye stickers but you could also use googly eyes!