Rustic and Rusty DIY Christmas Ornaments

I think I have 27 boxes of Christmas ornaments in my attic. I cannot help it...as the holidays approach, making Christmas ornaments is my FAVORITE thing to do by myself and with my kids! I dream of one day having 27 trees in my house (OK, maybe not 27) to accommodate all of these ornamnets...because I cannot bare to part with any of them. Each ornament reminds me of a special time with my kids, what type of crafting I was loving that year, or reflects a decorating style I like.

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Tinsel Garland and Plaid Wreath: 15 Minute Wreath

I really needed some thing to add some sparkle - glitz and flair to our Christmas decor, but obviously there's not a lot of time left before the big day. BUT there is time for a 15 minute wreath!I decide to make this delightfully obnoxious, sparkly wreath. I bought a ton of tinsel garland at a thrift shop and was not quite sure what to do with it and suddenly it hit me - it need to be a wreath and have a big ole plaid bow...because I love mixing things that do not normally go together...and ya know what...I more than LOVE it...and I may use this as next years Christmas theme.

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No-Sew Buffalo Plaid Christmas Tree Skirt

One of the easiest ways to change up the look of a Christmas tree is with a tree skirt. I have used tablecloths, blankets, ruffles, and yards of fabric. This year I wanted a new look...again. When I made my rustic scrap wood ornaments, I was inspired to try a more rough and rustic approach to my Christmas tree skirt and overall look. Well, and I just happen to LOVE buffalo plaid - any plaid actually. I surely wish I still had my double breasted royal blue and black buffalo plaid coat from Contempo Casuals!

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Joyous Handmade Ornament

You know what time it is? (no silly, its not hammer time - did I just give away my age?). It's time to start making Handmade Christmas Ornaments  My absolute most favorite thing to do during the holidays is make ornaments with my kids. Some times they are very cool, clever and gorgeous and we keep them forever...and sometimes we just color or write on card stock - it depends on how the day is going...seriously this happens. Last year I made a ton of  Wood Scrap Ornaments (even some ornaments with my favorite photos!) and this year I have some sweet wood JOY ornaments as part of 31 Days of Handmade Christmas Ornaments series.

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Christmas Cheer and Holiday Fun at Austin's Trail of Lights

My little girl has been nicknamed "Little Miss Christmas Spirit." She LOVES everything about Christmas...and while I am a little bah humbug myself, I have to admit her enthusiasm is contagious. So, I have decided we are doing everything to instill and encourage this sweet Christmas spirit in her and hope it catches fire in the rest of us. We started off by attending The Trail of Lights in Zilker Park (Austin, Texas). My husband really wanted us to go last year, but time ran out...however, this year we had the amazing opportunity to attend the Trail of Lights on a Preview night and it was amazing! There is nothing like a good (and that's an understatement) holiday light display to get you in the Christmas spirit!

The Austin Trail of Lights began in 1965. It was much smaller in scale and was called a "Yule Fest." Last year over 400,000 people attended the Trail of Lights and it has established itself as a beloved Austin holiday tradition. Here are just a few facts I found fascinating about the #TrailofLights:
1. There are over 1 million light bulbs on the Trail of Lights.
2. It takes an estimated 15,000+ man hours to assemble the trail.
3. It takes an estimated 5000 hours to disassemble the trail.
4. There are 3,309 lights on the Zilker Park tree.
5. The Zilker Park tree is 155 feet tall, making it the worlds tallest man made free-standing tree.

Here is some great information about planning your trip to the trail.
(Please eexcuse the clarity of my photos...I need to brush up on my nighttime photography a lot!)

I have seen photos of previous years and thought it looked pretty, but seeing the Trail of Lights in person is an Throughout Zilker Park is an amazing trail full of Christmas and holiday cheer. 

Tunnels of lights...

Homage paid to Austin's bat population...

Displays or cherished childhood favorites sponsored by local businesses....

Trees wrapped in lights making a magical scene...

There are Ferris wheels and carousels...

And a whole lot of family fun!

The Trail of Lights is open from December 8 through December 22. Through December 15, admission is free, and then tickets are reasonably priced.

For all of you local Austinites or those visiting the area, You may want to consider upgrading to a ZIP pass. The Trail of Lights ZIP Fast Pass, presented by HomeAway, gives you front of the line access to enter the trail at 6pm (One hour before it is open to the general public). You also have access to Kringles Kantina and HomeAway ZIP Lounge for cookies and cocoa. Passes are required for ages 6 and up. Please see more information here.

The Trail of Lights is hugely popular and the ZIP pass can enhance your experience. When we attend getting in early and being able to walk around without crowds made the experience so much more memorable.

Because this event is so popular, I highly suggest you go prepared. Check out the Trail of Lights "Plan Your Trip To The Trail" page. Also consider using the FREE app Metropia to navigate your way through the Trail Of Lights. Use their special customization for planning your visit, including how to avoid road closures and crazy parking situations.

Wherever you live, I encourage you to get out and see some lights and catch a little Christmas spirit!
This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre disclosure: my family and I were invited to a Blogger Preview Night. Experiences written about are my personal opinions.

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Teenage Boy Gift In A Jar

Buying Christmas gifts for my teenage boy is hard work! He has aged out of toys...well sort of, now he wants those very expensive electronic toys! LOL! It takes some thought to find smaller, affordable gifts that make him happy and make me happy. Of course, if I was going for "mom happy" there would be a vegetable-of-the-day club membership, a book, deodorant, and new socks, but you can imagine how well that would go over! Well, I think this year, I have collected a few affordable and necessary, "teenager-approved" items all nicely packaged in a Mason Jar!

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Homemade Wood Scrap Photo Ornaments

I am really not obsessed with Christmas ornaments...well, maybe I am. A couple of weeks ago I made those A-dorable Rustic Wood Christmas Ornaments and now I seriously cannot stop thinking of ornament ideas...and what's better than incorporating photos of your kids, pets, family and close friends into homemade Christmas ornaments?!!!

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Rustic Wood Christmas {Ornament} Signs

One of my favorite things to do during the holidays is to make ornaments with my kids, my parents, whoever happens to stop by. Did I lose you with Christmas talk already? No! No!...don't go away, I know its a wee bit early to chat about Christmas, but if you start now, you can create a bevy of beautiful handmade ornaments and make beautiful memories at the same time. The ornaments we have made over the years are my favorite ones to hang on the tree.

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How to Make Home Decor Using Christmas Ornaments

In 1,000,000 years I would have never believed that I would have any deer, or rather stag heads in my home. Now of course this are glittery and fake, but nonetheless, this was not a home decor path I thought I would go down...but heck I live in Texas Hill Country now and there are deer everywhere and it is practically a decorating essential (like the Texas Star). Now if you are like me, you realize Christmas is just around the corner but you are not done decorating and just need a few more things...well, this projects could not be SIMPLER!!!! I promise.

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Holiday Decorating and Creating A Best Dressed Home

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Kmart

After a few years of minimal Christmas decorating, my daughter asked me, "Can we please have Christmas this year?" At first I was a little speechless, but then I realized she had a point. She loves the decorations and over the last couple of years we have been traveling and trying to sell our home, and other than the tree and stockings, I had not really decorated. Well, this year we are settled into our new home, and I am looking to add some sparkle and style to this years decor. With the help of the Kmart Holiday Collection, I have found quite a few things that will make me happy and hopefully fulfill my daughters wishes too!

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DIY! Simple Fabric Angels (No Sew!)

In spite of my ability to complicate everything, I LOVE simple crafts. In fact, these are so simple that the kids can make them too! I also LOVE that you can use what you have - doilies, ribbon, fabric, denim - whatever suits your own personal style (and is in your craft stash) works so well for these cuties! So, let me introduce you to my little angels.

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Reversible Holiday WISH and New Years Banner

Oh yeah...I know it is almost 'THE BIG DAY" but after a trip to Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store, I am squeezing in one more craft - I just had to! This season, I have been a little slow in the holiday decorating department...in fact I planned on having a gingerbread man theme this year (and I usually don't do a theme)...but guess what...no gingerbread men.  So this WISH/NEW YEARS banner is perfectly festive for our minimal decor...

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A New Christmas Tradition: An Unexpected Christmas

I did not grow up with religion in my life. I attended church on and off with some friends. I have celebrated Christmas with presents, Santa, and family, but here was never much religion involved, but my kids are very interested in all aspects of Christmas. Recently my daughter went to a church event with a friend called The Streets of Bethlehem. She was fascinated and has been talking about how she "Saw Baby Jesus in God's Old World." (I love how a six year old describes things) Clearly, she wanted to know more.

Thankfully, I had just received the book An Unexpected Christmas by Simone Graham. I have "known" Simone for awhile and was thrilled to read this story she created. It was exactly what my daughter wanted to hear. She could understand more about Baby Jesus, and the book did a better job explaining it all to a child that I ever could.

Whether you are religious or not, this book is a wonderful read. I do believe it will become one of our Christmas traditions.

You can also head over to You Tube to watch a short video of An Unexpected Christmas.

An Unexpected Christmas is available on Amazon, in print or Kindle edition.

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre   a single copy of the book was provided to me for review. affiliate links are contained in the post.

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Wish List Giveaway (Don't Miss this One! 18 Baskets of AMAZING GOODIES!)

 Happy Holidays!

Now I know the holidays are about family and so much more than gifts...
but admit it we all like a few goodies too!

Well, here is you opportunity for more than a few goodies!
This is a ginormously amazing

WISH LIST GIVEAWAY on 18 blogs!
(you have to visit each blog individually to enter their giveaway.)

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My Two Favorite Christmas Tree Projects (DIY's for the Long Weekend!)

Unbelievably...Christmas is here again - almost!

(yeah, I know...every December 25!)

But first Happy Thanksgiving!

I know I will be getting ready for some Christmas decorating after tomorrow...

it always starts with the tree in my house...

so I thought I'd share 2 of my

FAVORITE CHRISTMAS TREE RELATED PROJECTS!

 

Over the last couple of years I have made many projects I like...

but here are just a couple you might want to tackle

over the long Thanksgiving weekend.

 Both are (pretty) simple.

First, one for the kiddos!

My little girlie likes to decorate the tree...all month long, so I created

an Ornament Advent Calendar!

And, next, one is for those of us who hate ugly tree stands!

(like me!)

A Christmas Tree Crate to hide that stand!

I hope you have an amazing week with your friends or family!

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

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Family...I Mean Dad's Rules (Family Rules Giveaway)

My parents are hard to buy for...

they have what they need...

they know how to spend money

(I inherited that from someone!)...

And well this year, with no one in this house having a real paying job,

holiday gifts are of the more DIY and sentimental sort.

I love Signs by Andrea.

I totally want that baseball scoreboard 
or the other baseball decor for my kids room
 I think her signs are fun and fabulous!

Recently she offered to let me try out her DIY Printables and to host a 
Family Rules DIY Printable Giveaway.
These DIY Printables are great not only for Family Rules, but what about

"Craft Room Rules"

"Kitchen Rules"

the possibilities are endless!

 

I mounted mine on a wood plaque but for a quick gift, just grab a frame and frame the print. It will look great and you  will look thoughtful!

 

I was so excited.

I got to thinking about our family rules

and only came up with a bunch of sarcastic ones...

and then it hit me - I need a present for my Dad!

My Dad loves his garage/driveway/outdoor area...

(you can read more about what he taught me if you want)

so why not create a little something for him

(I already had an idea for my Mom.)

I headed over to Signs By Andrea to work on my 

Customizable Family Rules printable.

I have NEVER done anything like this...but guess what I was amazed at how easy the process is. And in no time at all, I had a fun an personal gift...for a great price!

First you select a title for your rules.

Then, add your rules or use some of the provided ones.

Select a style for you rules.

Choose a text and background color.

(I played with some different styles and colors until I found what I liked)

THAT IS IT!

Once you have that done, you can select a

DIY Printable that you can download and print out at home,

a poster print that is professionally printed in a large format,

or

 A wrapped canvas for a super cool look
 

I selected a DIY Printable

(and that is what the giveaway if for too)

Then my printer stunk it up...

so I saved it to a disk and printed it out at FedEx Kinko's.

(Thank you Kinkos! Still may savior after all these years!)  

I did manage to print out a copy on canvas paper - love that look!

I then painted over a wood plaque I picked up a goodwill, cut and mod podged the printable on, finished the edges with some washers (it is going in a garage!) and hung it with a Dischanger.

 I am sure it will go well next to his Dink's Hot Rod Garage sign

and his license plate collection

GIVEAWAY!  

Runs from 12/12 to 12/17/12
Entries must be done using rafflecopter.
You can use your facebook log in or your email

FOR THE OPTIONAL PINTEREST ENTRY, here is a sample of the pin
There is a pin it button right above the family rules graphic.
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway   

 

 

 

This post is written and created at 504 Main by Holly Lefevre

disclosure: I was provided with a family rules printable for myself and one to giveaway.

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