Weekend Reads {12.6.13}

The holidays are officially upon us. Most of my shopping is done, my tree is up and decorated, and I've started to plan out all the cookies I'm going to make. But the one thing I haven't managed to do yet is hang my Christmas wreath. Like my card, I make my own every year. I'm especially excited about this years and feel that it could be so cute it takes me through the next few years. For that reason, I'm holding off the big reveal until next week. But, until then, I've gathered up my favorite DIY wreaths to take us into the weekend. Hope you all have a relaxing few days and I will see you back here on Monday!

1. Wood Slice & Burlap Christmas Wreath from Finding Home

2. Metallic Star & Greenery Wreath from Raveena Girls

3. Pom Pom and Posies Wreath from Nest of Posies

4. Christmas Ornament Wreath from Live Love DIY

5. Peppermint Monogram Wreath from Two Twenty One

*Image from: A Bubbly Life

A Crafted Holiday {Lighted Ribbon Garland}

With the realization that I'm not a traditional holiday decorations type, I've decided to go with a non traditional garland this year. The Fraiser Fur type is full and beautiful (and smells amazing!) but it's just not my style. After searching for inspiration to decorate my fireplace, I settled on this bright, crafty option. It's simple to make, colorful, and customizable to your taste and holiday colors. I opted for silver, aqua, and a navy lattice print. Tie around a strand of lights and string across the mantle for the perfect piece of custom garland. Here's the how to...

:: Supplies ::

3 Different Ribbon Colors or Patterns (2 Rolls of each) (Choose ribbons the same width)

Scissors

String of Lights

:: Directions ::

1. Cut each roll of ribbon into 8 1/4 in. pieces.

2. Arrange in a pattern and tie around the strand of lights.

3. Hang on the mantle and enjoy!

A Crafted Holiday {Striped Tree Skirt}

The hunt for two things in my house has been a constant for years, the perfect stockings and the perfect tree skirt. While I'm still hunting for lovely and wonderful stockings, the search for the perfect tree skirt is no more! After getting tired of looking at every store year after year, I decided to make my own! Perfectly striped and painted blue, it fits perfectly underneath my tree and matches the rest of the house just splendidly. It is something I can keep for years to come and will surely impress friends and family alike. Here's how I did it...

:: Supplies ::
1.5 Yards Natural Canvas
Ruler
Pen
String
Scissors
Painter's Tape
Acrylic Paint Color of Choice
Sponge Brush
Liquid Stitch

:: Directions ::
1. Using your ruler, mark the center point of the canvas.
2. Cut a piece of string that will reach from the center of the canvas around the edge. Tie one end of the string to the pen and pin the other end in the center.
3. Keeping the string taught, draw and giant circle on the canvas.
4. Find a bowl the size of the opening on your stand and center it in the middle of the large circle.
5. Using your scissors, cut out the larger circle.
6. Draw and straight line from the smaller circle to the edge and cut along it.
7. Cut out the smaller circle.
8. Going around both the large and small circles, measure 1" off the edge and place marks 4" apart. At each mark, cut a .5" notch.
9. Along all edges, run liquid stitch and fold over tabs to finish edge.
10. Flip skirt over and place strips of painter's tape 3" apart. Paint with choice acrylic paint. Remove tape and let dry.
11. Wrap around base of tree and decorate!

A Crafted Holiday {Modern Boxwood Wreath}

Last year I shared with you my DIY wreath featuring trimmings from the underneath of my tree. While I loved how it turned out, the fullness and it's fresh fraiser smell, this year I wanted to opt for something a little cleaner and more modern. This boxwood wreath was just the ticket to fill that requirement. Using a simple wire hanger stretched into a circle, I wrapped it in fresh boxwood and adorned it with a flameless candle. As it hangs on my front door, I love seeing it's clean fresh lines when I drive up. Even though it's only been up for a few days, it already has me in the spirit and I can't wait to decorate the rest of the house. Here's how I made it.

:: Supplies ::
Wire Hanger
Boxwood Plant
Twine
Flameless candle
Hot Glue

:: Directions ::
1. Begin by stretching out your wire hanger forming a circle.
2. Next, take branches of boxwood and tie them to the hanger using your twine. The branches should go about 3/4 of the way around the hanger.
3. Using your hot glue, put two dabs on each side of the flameless candle and attach to the bottom center of the wreath. Make sure the switch is facing out as to be easily accessible.

Color Me {Tartan}

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a relaxing Thanksgiving weekend. Now that I'm done stuffing myself with delicious food, it's time to concentrate on getting ready for the Christmas season. I was ahead of the game this year and most of my holiday shopping is already done, but decorating is still on the list of things to-do. Each year I struggle with a theme for my decorating. Do I go natural and rustic, traditional, modern, or glam? While I've decided to make as many decorations as possible, I still need a theme. I thought I would share one route of inspiration with you today. I love the classic, timeless feel of tartan. In traditional holiday colors, it's a perfect decorating theme.

What's your plan for decorating this year?