Free Calendar Page for January 2017

January 9, 2017 By Linda 2 Comments

Free Calendar Page – January 2017 Calendar Page Printable.

Click here to download & print this free calendar page.

Here I am …

arriving late to the New Year’s party.

But am I really late? Or maybe the problem is I’ve been in a perpetual party state?

I mean, I didn’t take down the decorations until Monday, January 2. And I didn’t even take them all down …

one tree in the dining room remains. And the wreaths on the pictures in the living room. And the Christmas in the City village in the family room ….

We weren’t ready to give up all the twinkle lights in one fell swoop.

So we have dubbed the tree and wreaths and Christmas in the City village “winter” decor. 🙂

Which means they are still standing. Even today. On Monday, January 9.

Sigh.

But I am easing into the New Year. Mike’s back to work. Molly’s back in school. And we have just one child still on break …

but that all comes crashing down for him this weekend.

So I’m easing into the New Year with a free calendar page printable. Simple. With a touch of sparkle.

A little bit like me. 🙂

You can download and print out your own here …

Oh, and if you’d prefer a calendar page with mason jars, I’ve created this one too …

You can find the download links on my Mason Jar Crafts Love blog. Just click here …

Happy New Year …

nine days late! 🙂

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Sharing: | Between Naps on the Porch |

Merry Christmas Countdown Calendar

December 26, 2016 By Linda 2 Comments

Merry Christmas Countdown Calendar – DIY Christmas Calendar.

Merry Christmas …

a day late.

And a dollar short.

I had the best of intentions to share this post with you yesterday. The 25th of December. On Christmas day.

But then …

well …

there was the annual Christmas Eve day brunch at Butch McGuire’s. It’s a tradition we started with our friends 20 years ago.

And let’s just say a Bloody Mary (or two) were involved.

But then …

well ….

my friend and neighbor marked a milestone 50th birthday on Christmas eve day.

There was an open house party.

And wine.

And when I tried to leave …

well …

they plied me with more wine.

But then …

well …

there was the linguine with shrimp dinner Mike made for us.

And wine.

But then …

well …

there was the annual viewing of It’s A Wonderful Life.

And tears.

So many tears.

And wine.

But then …

well …

it was time for Santa to put the presents under the tree.

And sleep. Much needed sleep after a day filled with friends, family, fun, food …

and Bloody Mary’s and wine.

😉

Merry Christmas Countdown Calendar DIY

Materials*

Natural & White 5/8″ Jute Ribbon

Thumbtacks

Wired Faux Green Pine Garland

Tan & White Baker’s Twine

Small Pine Cones

Assorted Mini Ornaments (I found mine at Michael’s)

Mini Wreaths DIY

For the mini wreaths, I simple cut off a length of the faux pine wired garland and created a circle. I tucked the ends in and added a length of baker’s twine.

I first painted the pine cones (click here) and then tied a length of baker’s twine.

*some affiliate links are included in this post.

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Christmas in the Kitchen with Mini Wreaths

December 23, 2016 By Linda 11 Comments

Christmas in the Kitchen with Mini Wreaths on Cabinet Doors.

In the years B.B. (Before Blogging) I would put up my holiday decor 7-10 days before Christmas day. I’d shoot for the 15th of December (give or take a few days to account for a weekend day) to get the tree.

And if you told me that A.B. (After Blogging) I would have my Christmas decor up the first week of December, I would have laughed …

and laughed and laughed. A long, hard, guttural laugh.

And yet, there I was. Decking the halls on December 1.

Well, the truth is, I only decorated some of the halls on December 1.

Other halls have been a little bit slower in coming together …

… and this past weekend I found myself on my old B.B. blogging schedule.

Which now, A.B., feels like I’m so, so, so very behind. 😉

Which is weird. Because in my B.B. world, it would’ve been normal … natural … expected … for me to spend the 17th of December adding Christmas in the kitchen with mini wreaths hung on the kitchen cabinet doors …

… and putting painted pine cones in my two-tiered wired basket …

… and hanging the Christmas advent-less countdown calendar on the chalkboard door.

Okay, I’ll give. The Christmas advent-less countdown calendar should have been up by December 1st.

My bad. 🙂

Christmas In The Kitchen: How I Hung The Mini Wreaths

You may be asking, Linda, why would I need a tutorial on how to hang mini wreaths in the kitchen? Well, let me tell you. You see, starting in September and extending through December my Christmas in the Kitchen post from last year drew a lot of new visitors to the blog (welcome!). And these new visitors came armed with many, many questions about the mini wreaths on the cabinets. Like where I got them. And what are the dimensions. And what size ribbon. And how did I hang them …

Materials*

Mini Wreaths

(I purchased my mini faux pine wreaths many, many years ago. But here are the details: The inner diameter measures 3″ and the outer diameter is 5″; here’s a link similar ones I found on Amazon*

5″ mini faux pine wreath on Amazon (click here)

Selection of mini pine wreaths ranging from click here

Another idea is to make your own using wired faux greenery. Click here and click here for some options

Jute Ribbon – Natural & White

(the ribbon is 5/8″ and I found mine at Michael’s; last year I used 5/8″ red & white grosgrain, which you can click here for the link)

Painter’s Tape

(You could also use thumbtacks or Command hooks hung upside down)

Stapler

*some affiliate links included.

Cut a length of ribbon and loop it through the mini wreath.

Staple the ends.

Attach to back of cabinet using painter’s tape.

And you’re done!

And regardless if you get these mini wreaths up on my A.B. or B.B. schedule, they still look fabulous! 🙂

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December 22, 2016 By Linda 9 Comments

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Hershey Company for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

Did you ever get an idea in your head that you just can’t shake?

It just keeps popping up again and again and again.

You’re driving to the grocery store and bam it hits you. You’re working out at the gym and bam. There it is again. You’re walking the dog and bam …

you get the idea. 🙂

And you know exactly what you need to do to turn that idea into reality.

You know what it will look like. You know the steps needed to make it look like that. You even sketch it out on a piece of paper …

and then keep putting it off until tomorrow.

That is …

that is until you get the much-needed nudge you need to turn your idea into reality.

My nudge came from The Hershey Company. And their invitation to “Celebrate with Hershey’s” with their new, festive foils (sold exclusively at Walmart) this holiday season.

You see, my can’t-shake-it-idea was to create these cute sweater mason jars.

It’s an idea that swirled around in my head since Halloween.

So when The Hershey Company asked me to share with you their festive and fun “ugly” sweater Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Sweater Chocolates I knew exactly how they should be displayed …

In Christmas sweater mason jar “candy dishes.”

How To Make Christmas Sweater Mason Jars

Materials

Pint Size Mason Jars

Red, Blue, Green, White Acrylic Craft Paint (Matte Finish)

Fine Tipped White Paint Pen

Primer (white)

Paint Brush

80 Grit Sandpaper

Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Sweater Chocolates (available exclusively at Walmart)

Give your mason jars two coats of primer. For best results, I let mine dry overnight between coats.

After the second coat of primer has dried overnight, use Washi tape to create two stripes on the jars.

Paint jars in Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Sweater Chocolates colors. I color matched mine at the craft store. And you only need one coat of paint.

Once dry, remove tape. Touch up as needed.

After drying overnight, distress around the rim and along raised letters.

Use a white paint pen to make snowflakes. Start with a vertical line.

Next you’ll make an “X” shape.

Once you have your “X” add dots to the center and about a third of the way from the center along each branch.

Add … um, not sure what to call them … but add little lines at the ends of the vertical and X shaped lines.

Finish snowflake by adding dots at the ends of the vertical and X shaped lines.

Now it’s time to add dots …

lots and lots of dots …

including dots between the snowflakes …

And you’re done!

All that’s left is to pick up some Hershey’s Kisses Kissmas Sweater Chocolates at Walmart an fill those Christmas mason jar sweater “candy dishes” with “ugly sweater” Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates …

which, by the way, there is absolutely nothing ugly about those festive foils!

Oh, and I need to give a shout out to The Hershey Company for lighting that spark and motivating me to make these fun and festive Christmas sweater mason jars! 🙂

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Celebrate with Hershey’s at Walmart his holiday season where you’ll find a selection of festively packaged holiday treats that will inspire you with new ways to deck the halls. In addition to the limited edition “ugly sweater” foils on the classic Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates, you can also find fun and festive holiday foils on Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups Miniatures, a three-pound Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bar, giant Hershey’s Kisses Milk Chocolates and a one-pound Reese’s Peanut Butter Santa. All available exclusively at Walmart.

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Pine Cone Christmas Tree Place Card Holders

December 21, 2016 By Linda Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gallo Family Vineyards for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I thought I was all that and a bag of chips this holiday season.

Seriously, I was patting myself on the back. Taking a second curtain call as the crowd cheered on.

I had my trees up. I had three whole rooms — three main living spaces — all spruced up for the holidays by the first of December …

which, by the way, sent my next door neighbor into a tailspin since we tend to decorate on the same schedule.

I thought this was my year.

The year I finally conquered Christmas.

So when Gallo came a knocking on my perfectly-decorated-for-Christmas front door asking if I’d like to collaborate on a blog post taking a light-hearted, fun and funny take on the stresses around the holiday season, I was like …

hmmm ...

I’m not sure I can do that. I’m not feeling the stress.

This year, that is.

I mean, I finally conquered Christmas after all.

Then I thought I could talk about year’s past. And pick from one of the many years Christmas conquered me.

Like when I was first married and Mike and I would spend the holidays flying to New Jersey on Christmas Eve. Fighting our way into O’Hare and out of Newark.

And how we were constantly on the road between New Jersey and Rochester and Westchester Counties in New York. Back and forth across the Tappan Zee Bridge. Picking up bottles of Gallo Family Vineyard Wines along the way — specifically the Cabernet Sauvignon — as we visited a revolving door of my New Jersey friends and family. Packing and unpacking as we shuffled between the homes of my two sisters and brother. All taking place in the course of 2-4 days.

Those were stressful times. And flat tires always seemed to be involved. Usually on the most deserted of streets. On the coldest of days …

But then last week happened. Last week …

more like last weak.

Sigh.

Let’s just say things hit the fan. And it wasn’t just any fan …

It was one of the supersized, super fast spinning fans. Spinning at warp speed.

And the things that hit the fan? They were big …

really, really big.

Let’s just say, deadlines converged. And last minute Etsy orders for Christmas presents poured in.

And, to use one of my mother’s most-used phrases, I was ‘running around like a chicken with its head cut off.’

Sigh again.

On the bright side of “the week-that-shall-not-be-named,” I did manage to pull together a simple holiday table setting idea. Featuring the cutest ever pine cone Christmas tree place card holders …

How to Make a Pine Cone Christmas Tree Place Card Holder

Materials

Pine Cones (I painted mine first)

Star Tags

Jewelry or Picture Wire

Pencil

Wrap wire around pencil.

Wrap other end around your finger two times.

This is what it looks like when you’re done.

Attach to pine cone using spirals created by wrapping wire around pencil.

Add star tag by inserting through two loops created by wrapping wire around finger.

Let’s just hope this week calms down. And the fans slow down. But I still have the kitchen to decorate, after all. And the family room …

and all those Etsy customers waiting to get their orders delivered in time for Christmas.

Gulp!

Time to take a deep breath. And count down. 10 … 9 … 8 … 7 …

eek.

Next year. Next year is definitely the year I will conquer Christmas! 😉

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To find out more about Gallo Family Vineyard Wines and where to buy Gallo Cabernet Sauvignon visit the Gallo Family Vineyards Facebook page.

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Homemade Holiday Gift Bags and Tags

December 19, 2016 By Linda Leave a Comment

This is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of The Duck® Brand for IZEA. All opinions are 100% mine.

I’m going to let you in on a little secret …

I like wrapping presents.

And it’s not just a like like. It’s more of a love like.

When I was younger, my love-like of wrapping presents made me the family’s gift wrapper in residence.

I loved it!

Okay, more like loved liked it. 🙂

And after I was clued in to the whole Santa situation, I became the official Christmas gift wrapper. I even wrapped my own gifts (and, no, I never peeked).

In hindsight, wrapping gifts was my creative outlet. We weren’t a crafting family, but at Christmas time I could exercise my creativity with gift wrap and bows and ribbons.

No two gifts looked alike.

As I got older, I started spending a ridiculous amount of money on Christmas wrap and ribbons and bows. I always needed at least 3-4 different types of paper. And there was always, always a complimentary color story and theme …

And then I had kids. And became a stay-at-home mom. And spending ridiculous amounts of money on 3-4 different types of color-and-theme-coordinated papers and ribbons and bows was out of the budget.

That’s when the real creativity kicked in. 🙂

I love the idea of making your own homemade wrapping. And I especially love the simplicity of dressing up dollar store gift bags with some glamorous Duck Tape® . So easy. All you need is Duck Glitter® tape and inexpensive brown bags. That’s it. Two ingredients and you’re done!

How To Make Homemade Holiday Gift Bags and Tags

Materials

Duck Glitter® Tape

Dollar Store Paper Bags

Scissors

Ruler

Dollar Store Tissue Paper

White Embroidery Thread (or String)

For the mini tree bags (1) Start by cutting a 1/2″ length of Duck Glitter tape in white. Then cut that 1/2″ piece in half. (2) & (3) Cut into triangle shapes. (4) Attach to bag.

Repeat.

For the white, silver, and gold Duck Glitter tree bag …

Start with a 3 1/2″ strip of gold Duck Glitter tape. Fold in half to find center point. Using the center point guide, cut out triangle.

Repeat steps above with silver and white Duck Glitter tape, cutting strips 1/2″ smaller each time. That’s 3″ for the silver triangle and 2 1/2″ for the white.

Start with the gold triangle, and stack each one on top of the other. I left about a 1 1/4″ inch or so between each layer.

For the trunk, cut a 1/2″ piece from the Duck Glitter in black.

And that’s it. For the bags.

For the gift tags …

(1) Cut a gift bag in half.

(2) Overlap three strips of Duck Glitter in gold, silver and white.

(3) Cut in half.

(4) & (5) Fold in half to find center point.

(6) & (7) Using center point as guide, cut out triangle shape.

(8) Trim bottom.

All you need now is a hole punch to cut a hole to thread a piece of string through. The back side is perfect for writing your gift tag message.

I made one more design that uses a mix of triangle trees and the black DUCK glitter tape strips.

Easy. Peasy …

and oh so glamorous! 🙂

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You can find even more creative – and glamorous – holiday craft ideas on the Duck Tape holiday Pinterest board

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Snowflake Mason Jars

December 13, 2016 By Linda 7 Comments

Snowflake Mason Jars – Stamped Snowflake Mason Jars.

Snowflake Mason Jars @It All Started With Paint

I’ve been on an American Pickers kick these past few weeks.

I mean, how can you not love Mike and Frank as they criss-cross the country picking through people’s stuff?

There’s always the drama of the deal. The ice breaker. Frank’s love of “smalls” and oil cans. Mike’s obsession with bicycles and folk art …

and speaking of folk art …

I was working on some mason jars orders last week and it hit me: Could my painted jars — especially those with intricate designs — one day be considered folk art?

Or, is it folk art right now?

And then I imagine a day in the future when I’m long gone (but somehow, mysteriously, Mike and Frank have not aged a day) and, accompanied by the American Pickers camera crew, they’re picking through some barn in the Midwest and come across one of my painted mason jars.

Maybe even one of these snowflake mason jars?

snowflake-mason-jar-it-all-started-with-paint-2-of-14

And Mike-the-folk-art-aficionado will tell the story of mason jar folk artist Linda Braden. About how she had a blog and an Etsy shop. How all her jars were hand-painted so no two jars were exactly alike. And how her mason jar crafting helped her send her two children to college.

He could then talk about the whole surge in mason jar crafts in the twenty teens …

and he might even say I was at the forefront of the movement. 🙂

And he would pick up this snowflake mason jar and look at the markings. He would share a story about how Ball Canning introduced smooth sided mason jars in 2016. And how Linda was able to use a stamp on the jar to create the design …

snowflake-mason-jar-it-all-started-with-paint-12-of-14

because of it’s unique smooth sides.

How To Make Snowflake Mason Jars

Materials*

Smooth Sided Mason Jars (Pint & Quarts)

Snowflake Stamp (I found mine at the craft store but here are some similar rubber stamps I found on Amazon at this link)

Paint (I used chalking paint for the surface and white craft paint for the snowflakes)

Paint Brush

*some affiliate links included.

Paint jars. I gave mine two coats. Let dry.

snowflake-mason-jar-how-to-it-all-started-with-paint

Distress lightly around rim and along small Ball words.

snowflake-painted-mason-jar-it-all-started-with-paint-8-of-10

Dip stamp in white paint. I dabbed the stamp one time on a paper plate before stamping on jar. So it’s dip in paint, stamp on paper plate lightly and then stamp on the jar. Straight on (no rolling). You can get maybe two snowflakes from one dip.

snowflake-painted-mason-jar-it-all-started-with-paint-10-of-10

Use a paint brush to add dots. And you’re done.

And who knows, if you follow my tutorial and make your very own snowflake mason jars maybe Mike and Frank will dig your creation out of a barn some day in the future and share your story as a mason jar folk artist …

🙂

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Snowflake Mason Jars - Stamped Snowflake Painted Mason Jars @It All Started With Paint blog

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Today’s post is a sponsored post brought to you by Ball Canning. However, any and all opinions about Ball Canning and smooth sided mason jars are 100% my own.

Oh, and Ball canning is offering a $3 off holiday coupon on the purchase of mason jars. Just click here to print out your coupon.

Hostess Gift Ideas & More

December 9, 2016 By Linda 2 Comments

This post is brought to you by CJ Affiliate’s VIP Content Service. Thank you Pier 1 for sponsoring this post. While this was a sponsored opportunity from Pier 1, all content and opinions expressed here are my own.

I had a Samantha in the SATC movie one moment yesterday.

And no, it had nothing to do with a neighbor. Or sushi. Or a $50,000 diamond ring that was a “little too much.” Or chips and guacamole …

though, now come to think of it, I’d love some chips and guacamole.

No, my Samantha moment was was akin to the scene in the movie where she’s in Beverly Hills — wearing a fabulous yellow dress — and walking out of an expensive store with bags in one hand, a little dog on a leash in the other and expensive store employees following behind with even more bags. All were heading to her car.

You see, I was at Pier 1 Imports pulling together some holiday gift ideas for you all. After hours scouring each and every item in the store … and creating collections on a shelf system specifically set up for guests to save items and collections (love that!) … it was time to ring up. And package up.

Let’s just say, it started to look like I purchased one of each and every item I scoured!

Which means there were a lot of bags. Lots and lots of bags. More than I could carry in a single trip.

Before I knew it, one of the very helpful Pier 1 Imports store employees volunteered to help me with my bags. And there I was — albeit bundled up in winter coat and scarf and gloves — walking out the door with bags in my hands and a store employee following close behind with even more bags. Walking to my car. And I said, “I feel like I need a little dog on a leash …”

He chuckled.

I’m not sure if it was a chuckle of understanding. Or politeness.

But Samantha and I’m going with understanding. 🙂

And now it’s time to show you what I scoured and brought home from Pier 1 Imports (sans the help of a little dog on a leash):

Hostess Gift Ideas

If you hosts are all about the entertaining, you can’t go wrong with serving trays. For cheeses. For meats. For sweets. For … well …whatever.

I immediately fell in love with the stoneware cheese board.

And paired it with the Christmas Tree serving board (to bring in some holiday fun). Top it off with the cheese knife set, chalk not place card holder set and signature Pier 1 Imports chalkboard pen.

And the sparkly hedgehog was thrown in because … well … he was too cute to resist!

Hostess Gift (Entertaining) Sources:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

But if your hosts are more the bar buff type, you can’t go wrong with copper.

It’s all the rage this year.

Trust me, I’ve got a good source on this one.

A bona fide expert: A bartender at a fabulous restaurant in our neighborhood. This past weekend, he told us the Moscow Mule mugs are the most stolen piece of bar-ware from the restaurant. Hands down. Even more than the etched wine glasses.

So (ding ding ding) I thought a fabulous hostess gift could be built around Moscow Mule mugs. Paired with a chalkboard beverage chiller, fun XOXO coasters, and topped off with a copper beaded peacock Christmas ball ornament …

you know, to add a bit of holiday spirit.

Oh, and don’t forget the jingle bell scatter. In copper, of course!

Hostess Gift (Bar Cart) Sources:

Moscow Mule Mugs | Chalk Surface Beverage Chiller | XOXO Cork Coaster Set | Jingle Bell Scatter | Beaded Peacock Ball Ornament

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gifts For Her Idea

My Jersey roots took the lead this one.

Faux Fur. Check.

Feathers. Check.

Sparkling jewels. Check.

All wrapped up with shiny bows and jingle bells. Check and check!

These gifts have been stashed away to be wrapped up and placed under the tree for my teen daughter.

She does have half Jersey blood running through her veins, after all!

Gifts for Her Sources:

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Teacher Gift Idea

The dreaded teacher gift.

And no, it’s not because the teacher is dreaded. Quite the opposite. The teacher is fabulous!

Wonderful. Amazing. Dedicated.

How could a mortal gift live up to your child’s wonderful, amazing, dedicated teacher?

Perhaps with a Hello Gorgeous mug? Perfect for that first wonderful cup of coffee of the day.

It’s also a great place to stash an amazing little gift card … along with a mini reed diffuser and sparkly rattan star ornament. Oh, and wrap it all up in some holiday words tissue paper for some dedicated seasonal cheer!

Teacher Gift Sources:

Hello Gorgeous Porcelain Mug | Sugar Plum Mini Reed Diffuser | Rattan Star Ornament | Holiday Words & Solid Green Tissue Paper

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Stocking Stuffer Gift Ideas

Since my kids have been little, I’ve been splurging on a stocking stuffer ornament gift each year.

I think it may just be my favorite part of the whole gift giving/gift searching process. I love finding the perfect one to suit their personalities at the time.

And Pier 1 Imports has been my go-to source for these unique, personality-suiting splurge ornaments.

This year, I may have found my favorite yet. The Li Bien ornaments are exclusive to Pier 1. They’re also painted on the inside …

um, head explodes …

by inserting an L shaped brush and reverse paint it by hand.

Please excuse me while my head explodes again. 🙂

Stocking Stuffer Gift Sources:

Li Bien Santa Claus & Sleigh Ornament | Li Bien Santa Claus & Gifts Ornament | Single Ornament Stand

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Gift Ideas That Give Back

In this season of family and friends … and yes, sometimes overindulgence … doesn’t it feel nice to give back? Pier 1 Imports sells a series of beautiful boxed card sets that benefit UNICEF. Proceeds from the purchase of each pack of cards will help UNICEF provide shelter, nutrition, education and more for children around the world.

Affordable. Beautiful. Philanthropic.

Need I say more?

Gift Ideas That Give Back Sources:

UNICEF Bright Wreath Boxed Cards | UNICEF 2016 Holiday Card Selection

Happy Holiday Shopping! 🙂

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This blog post contains affiliate links. For more about my affiliate links click here for my disclosure & privacy policies.

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Mini Mason Jar Stocking Stuffer

December 8, 2016 By Linda 3 Comments

Mini Mason Jar Stocking Stuffer: Mason Jar Snowman.

The Christmas stocking.

It may just be my favorite.

Think about it. The Christmas stocking is the equivalent of finding a twenty dollar bill in your coat pocket after being stored away for a long spring, summer, and fall.

Now granted, the opening of the stocking doesn’t require a three season wait.

But discovering the stocking after you’ve burned through the presents under the tree …

and the disappointment that there are no more presents left to open begins to take hold …

is nothing short of magical.

Filling your child-sized heart with hope. Hope that more presents are always around the next corner.

Or stuffed inside the next stocking. 🙂

So here’s hoping these mini mason jars stocking stuffers … dressed up as mini snowman and stuffed with candy (or mints) … will fill those stocking stuffer hopeful kids with hope. And joy. 🙂

How to Make a Snowman Mini Mason Jar Stocking Stuffer

Materials

Mini Mason Jars (4 oz.)

Small Buttons

Red Felt

Black Paint

Paint Brush

Glue

White Candy

Scissors

Start with mini mason jars. These jars hold 4 ounces.

Paint the mini mason jars lids black. Mine took 2 coats. You can also spray paint them.

Add three dots of glue to jars for buttons. I used a multi-surface glue that is quick dry, but also offers time to adjust and re-adjust your button placement.

Attach buttons to the jars. I used mini buttons found at the craft store.

Cut thin strips of red felt for the scarf. My strips measure 1/2″ (width) by 12″ (length).

Tie a scarf knot around mason jar (just under lid). Trim edges out to look scarf-like.

Insert candy of choice into Mini Mason Jar. I chose Tic Tacs. But anything white works.

Insert into stocking on Christmas Eve.

Remind kids on Christmas morning to check their stockings. Wait for their delight.

🙂

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P.S. Ball canning is offering a $3 off holiday coupon on the purchase of mason jars. Just click here to print out your coupon.

Today’s post is a sponsored post brought to you by Ball Canning. However, any and all opinions about Ball Canning and these amazing Mini Mason Jars are 100% my own.

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Christmas Tree with Burlap Ribbon & Pine Cones

December 2, 2016 By Linda 12 Comments

Christmas Tree with Burlap Ribbon & Pine Cones – Natural, Rustic Christmas Tree Idea.

This is not our real Christmas tree.

Our real Christmas tree is exactly that. Real.

But this faux Christmas tree with burlap ribbon & pine cones is a place holder. A stand in.

A Christmas tree body double, if you will.

The real tree will be set up when my son returns home from college. As has been our tradition since the kids were little, dad and the kids pick out the tree. And then mom (me) and the kids decorate it.

We’ve been amassing an eclectic collection of Christmas ornaments for years and years. Gifts from my sister-in-law to the kids. And gifts from me (in the form of a stocking stuffer) from me to the kids. And gifts to themselves when they visit the Christkindlemarket with my other sister-in-law.

A tradition the kids adore.

And as the kids get older, the tree decorating process becomes slower. Mostly because they stop and pause and reminisce about the various ornaments. Digging out their favorites. And conspiratorially laughing at others.

Inside jokes that mom is not a part of. Which is good thing …

But this “impostor” Christmas tree with burlap ribbon and pines cones will still find a place in our home. Just not here. In the living room …

It will graciously make way for the real Christmas tree with a relocation to the family room.

But … for the time being … it’s playing Christmas tree body double for my holiday home tour next week.

I’m up on Tuesday, December 6.

Oh, and I casually suggested to my daughter that we keep this faux Christmas tree decorated with ribbons & pine cones and snowflakes in the living room and put the real tree in the family room.

That idea was shot down immediately.

Tradition rules around here. 🙂

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Thanksgiving Table Setting … And Turkey Talk

November 29, 2016 By Linda 2 Comments

This Thanksgiving Table Setting post is a sponsored post written by me on behalf of Gallo Family Vineyards. All opinions are 100% mine.

Can we talk turkey?

I know, I know. Thanksgiving was so last year. Everyone is focused on decking the halls and hanging the stockings and dressing the tree. But can I share one last hurrah for the day we celebrate the turkey?

You see, Thanksgiving is my favorite. It’s like a dress rehearsal for Christmas, sans the presents. And decorations. With a little less fuss and muss …

… and a lot more food and drink! 🙂

And as for the less fuss and muss, that really goes for the attendee.

If you’re the host, however, the holiday certainly brings with it a certain level of chaos. Especially if you, like me, are not the most dedicated of housekeepers. Which means Thanksgiving prep can start weeks in advance with a crazed spurt of cleaning, where you find yourself hanging from ceiling fans and down on your hands and knees scrubbing baseboards.

On the plus side, it creates the perfect clean palette for those post-Thanksgiving decking the halls decorations. 🙂

But if you’re the attendee, Thanksgiving is smooth sailing. Perhaps you make a pie or side dish and pick up a nice bottle of wine from the Gallo Family Vineyard Wines and show up on the doorstep ready to belly up to the feast.

Or, that’s how it’s suppose to go.

But what if you’re an attendee meeting your new family for the first time on Thanksgiving?

Yes, that’s exactly the situation I found myself in all those years ago when I first moved to Chicago.

Newly engaged, I packed up my earthly belongings and bid adieu to New Jersey in mid-October …

and my first Thanksgiving in Chicago was shortly thereafter.

Unaccustomed to my new family’s Thanksgiving customs, I stuck close to my fiance. It’s probably the quietest I’ve ever been at a family gathering. Now they can’t shut me up! 🙂

Things were going swimmingly. Everyone was so nice and polite. Funny even. And the kids were much more well-behaved than my nieces and nephews who would often disappear under the table after eating for a game that involved crawling along the floor. 😉

I was feeling pretty confident in myself. And any pre-Thanksgiving nerves melted away by the time dessert rolled around.

And just as I was getting comfortable in a squashy armchair succumbing to my turkey and stuffing and mashed potato coma, I heard …

“Whatever happened to that nice Elaine girl?”

Those words came out of my soon-to-be mother-in-law’s mouth. And were directed at my soon-to-be-husband.

Gulp!

Yes, that’s right. Here I was at my first Thanksgiving with my new family — after moving thousands of miles away from my family — and the post-Thanksgiving feast conversation had turned to my fiance’s ex-girlfriend from college.

Hmmm ….

Perhaps I had overestimated myself? Gotten too comfortable too soon? Maybe there would be some loops I would need to jump through?

I don’t even remember Mike’s response. I was too stunned.

It’s something we laugh about now. In fact, I ended up having a lovely relationship with Mike’s mother …

and she never asked about that nice girl Elaine again. 🙂

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Thanksgiving Table Setting

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This little turkey talk story has been brought to you on behalf of the Gallo Family Vineyard Wines. You can learn more about their many varietals at the Gallo Family Vineyards Facebook page and can learn more about where to buy at this link.

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Holiday Mantel Fantel with Trees

November 28, 2016 By Linda 16 Comments

Holiday Mantel Fantel with Trees … and a Painted Pine Cone Garland.

I hereby declare this the year of the painted pine cone.

I don’t know how I’ve lived my life for this long without one in it …

How could I have not noticed them before?

How could I have not crafted one before?

How could I not have strung them together with twine before?

So many unanswered questions!

And to think, this holiday mantel fantel with trees would be just so blah without a painted pine cone garland.

Just some trees and faux snow.

Bo-ring.

But with a garland of painted pine cones? Now this holiday mantel fantel with trees truly comes to life!

Oh, and I’m painting even more pines cones as you read this. Because I need painted pine cones EVERYWHERE in my holiday decor this year! And here’s how you can make your own …

How To Make A Painted Pine Cone Garland

Materials*

Cinnamon Scented Pine Cones

Rust-Oleum Chalked Paint in Linen White (you can also just use white craft paint)

Foam Brush

Jute Twine

*affiliate links included.

Start with your pine cones. I picked up a bag of scented ones at my local grocery store. (You can also buy them online at the link above.)

Using a disposable foam brush, apply paint to the tips.

Cut a length of jute twine (tip: cut a piece at least twice as long as the final length you need). Using your jute twine, tie a knot around center of the first pine cone.

Keep adding more pine cones, tying a knot around the center of each. Mine are spaced about 3 1/2″ to 4″ apart.

I used these Command Light Clip hooks to hang up the garland on my holiday mantel fantel with trees.

Today’s holiday mantel fantel with trees (and a painted pine cone garland) is part of a look at holiday mantel decorating styles across the regions — and the borders — of North America. Enjoy visiting these other fabulous blogs to see how they’ve decorated their Christmas mantels in the region where they live!