Sparkle Winter Wreath

When the Christmas wreath comes down, I'm always sad to have a naked front door.  This year I decided to make a winter wreath that matches my love for the season.

I've seen the tutorials and the supplies online, but I decided to try a less expensive version.

 Mesh roll $12.99 World Market

Wire wreath base $2.99 Michaels

Floral wire .99 Michaels

 The wreath frame had 9 sections so I cut two 8" pieces of floral wire per section (18 pieces total). Working around the wreath (as shown in the video tutorial link above), I twisted the wire around the mesh, bunching about 12 inches of mesh as I went.
To make it fuller, I went around the frame twice, once attaching the mesh to the outermost ring, and then attaching it to the innermost ring on the the metal frame.

 To give it a little winter wonder, I added some blue glitter snowflakes leftover from another craft.  I checked out the competition, and similar wreaths are selling for $69 online.
I'll take the $17 version, thankyouverymuch!  :)

I realized after I took this picture what a mild winter we've had so far since my fern is still alive on the front porch.  Maybe my wreath will entice Jack Frost to make an appearance.

Happy winter !!!
I'm linking up with Home Stories A2Z's Tutorials and Tips Party and At the Picket Fence and Fingerprints on the Fridge and Overflowing and Common Ground and Finding Fabulous

Merry Christmas

Foto Friday (Festive Edition)

With my family, celebrating December in front of Bruton Parish Church (c.1660), Colonial Williamsburg

I bought this ornament at Cracker Barrel with the hopes of using it as a pattern.  Such a fun, easy ornament to duplicate!  Have I actually made one?  Um, no.

Above (left) and below is the church tree I mentioned last week.  We went with a candy/kiddie/Dr. Seuss vibe, with of course JESUS!  It was such fun to put together.  All of the crosses and cupcake ornaments were foam (yay!  kid friendly!!!) and very inexpensive.  Because I know you're going to ask, they came from Hobby Lobby.  What can I say?  I'm addicted!

Earlier in the month, we took a weekend trip to Colonial Williamsburg, Va. where we met Father Christmas.  I wanted to take him home with me.  

 We also visited Christmas Towne at Busch Gardens.  My dad, my brother, and I were the only ones brave crazy enough to do the Mach Tower.  The view from 240 above the park was amazing at night.  I highly recommend the thrill ride.  Oh, did I mention that to get back down, it's free fall?  Love it!!  No, our eyes don't usually look like black sharpie pens.  Thanks, red-eye reduction on my point'n shoot.

Lots of togetherness in the kitchen

Some of my favorite ornaments:

 Love an acorn, anytime of the year.

 Remembering my favorite trip to Germany

 Crying my eyes out because my baby isn't a baby anymore.

Creating fingerprint Christmas lights art together.

It's been a busy December around here! 

Easy Buffalo Chicken Bites

2 c. cooked chicken, finely diced
1/2 c. wing sauce (or more to taste)
4 Tbs. shredded cheddar cheese
1 c. blue cheese crumbles
1/2 stick melted butter, cooled
2 cans refrigerated Crescent Rolls

Mix first 5 ingredients.  Spray mini muffin tins with cooking spray.  Cut dough into 2" squares (or triangles, or whatever) and press into muffin tins.  Scoop 1 Tbs. of mixture into each muffin tin.

Bake @ 400 for 15 min or until dough is cooked and mixture is bubbly.
Makes 48 bites.

All Wrapped Up

 I have 5 days and a few hours to enjoy the beauties beneath my tree.  A wrapped present represents a mystery; a gift of love; a relationship between giver and receiver.
Wrapped gifts make me happy.

I know I'm a little OCD when it comes to details, but I love it when my presents go together.  You know, a theme!  I love a good theme!

This year my theme is "I Love Hobby Lobby."  Ha!  Everything in the picture below came from H.L.  Such good prices and quality!  My personal favorite is the harlequin paper with the polka dot tag.

Remember this year I am going with a colorful/kid/funky theme for my tree. This package fits right in that category!

 That was the girl version, this is the boy version of colorful/kid/funky:

I can't have fun paper without the fun trim:

 The two "Hollywood Ribbons" were found at H.L. for 50% off.  That's 100 yards for $2 Wowsa!  (Walmart also carries the ribbon, but not usually at 50% off.)  Speaking of good deals, in the picture below the two rolls on the left are from Hobby Lobby.  Notice how thick they are!  Four bucks.  Seriously.  And it is quality, thick paper with the lines on the backside for those of us who have a hard time cutting a straight line.

My splurge this year?  The wrist tape dispenser.  Hands off, kids!  That's momma's toy!

I want to know what your favorite wrapping paper looks like.

Angelic Cranberry Bars

These cookie bars are heavenly:  light and fresh because of the cranberries and the cream cheese frosting isn't too sweet.  Hurry up and try them before cranberry season is over!

2 eggs beaten
1 1/2 c. flour
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 tsp. salt
1 stick butter, softened
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. fresh cranberries
1/2 c. chopped almonds (or walnuts)

Beat eggs.  Add next 6 ingredients.  Mix well.
Stir in cranberries and nuts.
Spread (will be sticky!) into a 9x13 pan.
Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes.
Cool completely.  Cut into 2" squares before adding frosting.

In mixer, combine:
1/2 stick butter
8 oz block cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar (adding to taste)

Fill a zip lock bag with icing and snip the corner.  Squeeze icing in a circular motion onto each bar.  If in a hurry, just spread with a knife onto bars.  I think the swirls of icing look more appetizing, though. :)
Refrigerate until ready to eat.

Have a Holly Jolly

Christmas!  

We changed things up this year.  The kids asked for a "fun" mantle, so we went with it.  

We've lived in this house for 11 Christmases and this is the first time I figured out that I could have lights on the mantle.  Sing with me A Whole New World.  Oops, now you have the theme song from Aladdin running through your head.  Sorry!

Let's see, how about we get back to the theme song of the day.  Have a holly jolly Christmas, it's the best time of the year.  Oh by golly have a holly jolly Christmas, this year!

The striped and dotted balls were on an after-Christmas sale at Target last year in a tube.  They make me feel funky-happy.  

Even though I loved our mantle last year, this one sure was fun pulling together!

 Do you change things up each year or keep them the same?
Does stepping beyond the normal red/green theme make you happy or make you break out in hives?  Just curious!  ;)
Enjoy your weekend, friends!