Happy New Year to You!

Just wanted to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year!
I love the New Year...
a time to reorganize...
set new goals...
rethink priorities.

Especially while the kids are out enjoying the snow and I can think for a minute!

Enjoy your celebrations!!!

2010 Projects - A Year in Review

Wow - 2010 flew by!

Sometimes I feel like I'm not getting anything accomplished with our crazy schedules but going through my posts from the year - I see that we have done so much this year!

My favorite and most memorable project began on New Year's Day 2010.  The family helped out create 54 hand painted signs with inspirational quotes for a Domestic Violence Shelter in NYC - a project sponsored by Martha Stewart and Enchanted Makeovers.  See the entire post HERE.

As far as our own home projects. Here is a fun one - transforming an ugly garage entry door and getting in on the whole chalkboard paint trend.

The project post is HERE.

More fun with chalkboard paint.

A reorganization of my creative space also took place this year. Brought it up from the dreary unfinished basement space and into my living room. See more photos HERE.

Paris Dreams...Our oldest daughter desired a Paris themed bedroom - this was a creative project that she was also involved in - we really had fun in here. See the before and after pics HERE.

A true "trash to treasure" kitchen table redo was also on the list this year. I "borrowed" our old one for a new work table in the studio - so we had to replace it. This one was perfect!
See what we did to it HERE.

The final project of the year? The wedding. My husband and I were involved with the decor for my brother's wedding. Here are a sample of pics from the big day. More details HERE.

So, that's about it for the year 2010. We did accomplish a lot this year.

On the agenda for 2011? Lots of home improvement to come - laundry room renovation still in progress.
Then, the kids' homework/study room. Too many books, projects, etc. ending up on the kitchen table. So  we will be redoing the office to create a space just for them to get all of their work done!

How about you? Any projects on the list for the new year?

Stop by Rhoda's at Southern Hospitality for more 2010 project reviews!

And Savvy Southern Style's Best of 2010 Party!

Christmas Wishes

Here is a little "Idea Book of Christmas" - photos taken from around my home.
A little late?
Maybe, but they're just some pretty pics for you to enjoy or maybe to get a last minute idea from.

Fresh cut greens from the yard (my favorite Christmas decorating element). 

A metal basket filled with greens and oversized silver and gold ornaments greets our guests.

A basket filled with greens, berries and crystal stems.

Tied with a burlap ribbon and Joy ornament. 

The easiest front door decor to recreate! No glue needed!

A front entry table is fun to decorate.  

Draped greens over a mirror also creates a place to hang ornaments. Here I used glass glittered pinecones for extra sparkle which also reflects in the mirror.

Fill a tray with greens, candles, berry pics and bottlebrush trees.

Another look - 

rustic box filled with glittered pinecones and preserved greens, accented with bleached baby's breath.

Love the candle glow in mercury glass.

Silver, cream and white - a beautiful combination.

A look at last year's display.

A simple treatment for the stairs.

Simple ornaments piled up in a birdbath or a bowl.

I made one of those ornament wreaths this year - for my son's teacher - he requested one!

Made a smaller version for my Aunt. They're simple to make - I went with the coat hanger version and yes, be sure to glue down the ornament caps before threading them onto the wire.

Speaking of gifts, I love giving and receiving the home made kind. There are so many great decorative tins and boxes for cookies, candy, etc. 

Chocolate dipped peppermint sticks.

Chocolate Oreo truffles with crushed peppermint candy.

Simple wrap for me this year. 

Kraft paper with jute, seam binding and a sprig of green or baby's breath with a glitter snowflake. 

If you like more embellishments I did a post on creative gift wrap HERE.

The family room tree. 

The living room tree.

This year's Swarovski ornament.

A look at last year's mantle.

Candles and greens. 

This year's mantle.

My favorite little Christmas sign.

A simple sprig on the back of the chairs.

Or a simple sprig here, or there...

A festive table centerpiece.

Buffet table ideas.

Click HERE for more detailed photos in a previous tablescape post.

Now, I need to get back to baking, wrapping and shopping. 

Hope you all have a beautiful Christmas!

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