Blog Archives

15 Magical Fairy Gardens

12/28/2014

I wonder, are you like me, and can't wait to get back into your garden?
If so, make a
Fairy Garden now!

Yes, today this week, soon.

No need to wait until Spring, Fairy Gardens are perfect for inside your home. Here are Fairy Gardens that have been posted on Hometalk, including my own that I have clipped to my board Fairy Gardens. Check it out here (or click on the graphic below) and let the magic begin!

There are several excellent websites that sell Fairy Garden supplies, but be inspired by your imagination. The above gardens are all unique in their own way .

I will be featuring a Fairy Garden I made with my granddaughter, in an antique wicker planter in a few weeks, (it is so cute) stay tuned. I will be giving step by step instructions.

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Christmas Morning Bread

12/19/2014

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Want an easy, yummy Christmas morning bread?

Yes, it is green, that is why it is perfect for Christmas!
Actually it is perfect anytime. But what makes it great for Christmas is the ease of making it Christmas morning or a few days ahead of time. What makes it green? Pistachio pudding, and if you want it to be a touch greener, add some food coloring. My friend Judy gave me the recipe, I do like to add more nuts and I sprinkle my pan after using Pam with crystal sugar. Gives that extra sparkle, especially for Christmas.

Christmas Morning Bread Recipe
4 eggs well beaten
1/4 cup oil
1/4 cup of water
1 pkg. (3 1/2 oz.) instant pistachio pudding
1 cup sour cream (8 oz.)
1 white cake mix
Beat eggs, oil and water well. Mix in cake mix and then pudding and continue to mix until well blended.
Use 2 loaf pans slightly greased
** Pour 1/2 of mixture in pans
Sprinkle 1/2 of topping mixture over batter
Add remaining batter and sprinkle remaining topping onto bread
Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes
Remove from pan when cool
Topping
4 Tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 or 1 cup chopped nuts

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
Distressed Donna Down Home
Redhead Can Decorate

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Christmas Blocks

12/15/2014

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I absolutely fell in love with Kerryanne's Christmas Blocks at Shabby Art Boutique. Yes, I had to make my own! She has a wonderful tutorial along with a set of free prints to make your own also. I will provide my tutorial also, not that mine is better by any means, but just another explanation.

The images on the front of these blocks are from Fairy Graphics, which has free graphics, which I dearly love. I also do digital scrapbooking and several of my images that I used are part of my stash that was either free or that I have bought over the years. I am not going to show those, as I can't give well deserved credit to these talented professionals, (because I file my stash by items and not by kits with the name of the artists). I did design some of my own graphics though.

First you need blocks. The blocks are 3" x 3" x 3". Some of the craft supply stores do sell the small blocks and I did find a place online that sold the larger blocks, but I am lucky enough to have a hubby with a lot of shop tools! Lowe's has untreated, 8' x 3' x 3' poles. One pole will make 25 blocks. Hubby, used a miter saw and I used an electric hand sander before painting the blocks. I then painted the blocks and sanded the blocks again in spots. I also sanded the edges to make the blocks look a little worn. They do take quite a bit of sanding as any rough spot will show on the finished block.

I used my photo editing program to make my graphics 3" by 3". Some graphics can be stretched and not distorted and some can't. Depending on the size of the graphic, I did clone some of the edges to fill in the sides or continue a wing on an angel or whatever it took to make the graphics look awesome. The graphic on the right, I added a Christmas cross word puzzle too. I also changed several graphics using different wording or other images like packages, snow or whatever came to mind. Each side of the block has a different graphic, so the possibilities are endless!

Now it is time for the fun to begin! Mod Podge the backside of your graphic and also the block. Put the graphic on the block and Mod Podge over the top. Drying is essential, before applying another graphic. If the finished blocks with graphics happen to stick to another block graphic, sometimes light sanding will repair the block and then add another coat of Mod Podge. In case that doesn't work, just sand lightly and place another same graphic on top, going through the above same steps to adhere.

Anywhere I decide to place them, is perfect and beautiful! I placed them on my vintage scale, in my sunroom with the backdrop of beautiful Table Rock Lake, here in southwest Missouri, to enjoy. I have given several sets away for Christmas to friends and family. I plan to make more for Valentine's Day, Easter and whatever comes to mind.

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
The DIY Dreamer
Cedar Hill Farmhouse
A Stroll Through Life
Yesterday on Tuesday
Lou Lou Girls
Princess Pinky Girl
Chic on a Shoestring Budget
By Stephanie Lynn
Redhead Can Decorate
Thoughts From Alice
Ivy and Elephants

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Christmas Front Porch 2014

12/8/2014

4 Comments

All of the beautiful bulb/ornament wreaths this year inspired me to want one too!

I used a foam wreath, lots of bulbs and a glue gun. I took the little metal hangers off all the bulbs and painted the foam wreath with paint matching the bulbs. Start gluing your bigger bulbs onto the wreath, and then fill in the holes with smaller bulbs. It is a challenge to decide when to stop adding more bulbs. But after burning three fingers severely, I was done. I added a bow and made a hanger with medium weight floral wire, strung through the bulbs and back side of wreath. My wreath is very pretty on my front door, sparkling day and night.

Added later- I received a great comment from Sam S on Hometalk with a kit to help with burning your fingers. Check it out here.

I love white roses for Christmas. This is a close-up of my Christmas topiaries that I made several years ago. Here is the tutorial on how I make my topiaries.

My Santa display includes a chalk board and Victorian light pole. Santa is about 4 ft. high and is really heavy. I don't need to worry about him blowing away! The light post has a flickering light bulb, perfect for nighttime. The vinyl lettering works much better for outside than chalk, and it stays nice year after year.

And meet our newest family member, Toby. We have fallen in love with this little puppy. Toby is a Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier. My posts and Christmas decorations are a little behind this year because of Toby! Isn't he cute though!

Joined These Awesome Link Parties
The Style Sisters
The DIY Show Off
Savvy Southern Style
A Stroll Thru Life
A Delightsome Life
Shabby Art Boutique
The Golden Sycamore

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Around the House Christmas Tour

12/5/2014

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I'm happy to be joining some of my blogging friends to share some of our holiday décor on the Around The House Christmas Tour today. Be sure to visit the three other bloggers opening their homes for you to enjoy!