O magazine

O magazine had some great ideas for christmas decor. I think they went a little unrealistic but gorgeous never the less. There were several ideas that they gave a basic idea of how to accomplish but it was really a tease for the most part. Anyhow, the tree the left is put on a board cover in pink silk duponi (You won't find this at Wal-mart!). Christmas cards are added in the shape of a tree (they must have a lot of friends at O who give really elegant Christmas cards). Finally the tree is embellished with garland from jamali garden and ornaments. The idea that I really liked on the mantel was candlesticks. They used Umbre picture wire clips and stuck them a candle holder and added Christmas cards and ornaments! Adorable!

TREE ORNAMENTS

I actually bought the Martha Magazine for the beaded ornament instructions. I think they are striking. I have heard some discussion boards talking about how they are too simple but I've never beaded and would think a tree in these would be beautiful. Try here for some other ideas in beads from Martha Stewart. The only problem is that some of the beads are from KD vintage. You can't buy these off her website so they may be difficult to find and probably very expensive. This is why I probably wont be doing this craft this year.

Last the icicles in the trees are very whimsical. The instructions are in the magazine. They basically are just pieces of wood wrapped with Christmas lights. I would imagine they would add to any outdoor party.

I don't know who really decorates their gifts like this. Unless a store does it I have never seen anyone actually give or receive such a present. I think it is knowing that in 2 days all of it will be ripped to shreds and in the garbage. But these instructions seem really simple. You just cut felt pieces in the template they provide and then thread the ribbon into the jingle bell and tie the felt holly leaf to the bell and WAH LAH! I really do like Martha's magazine for their great ideas, simple instructions, and templates. There have been times reading the website for instructions that I could have used one or two more pictures but overall I've been pleased.

Magazine finds

So the next couple of posts will be related to some ideas that were in the winter edition of Martha and O. I had wished to include some ideas from Blueprint but I can't find my copy. I would suggest that if anyone is interested in these magazines they usually have some Holiday subscription specials in their magazine for Christmas. You should be able to click the pictures and be able to read the instructions. If not, they are probably online or you can leave me a message and I'll get you the instructions. The doily snowflakes would be cute around door frames and these ribbon garland would be great around the mantel. I like the unexpectedness of these two ideas.

Advent Calendar

So this is what is to be my last Christmas craft for the year, an Advent Calendar. There is no chocolate in this one. Rather in each of the box have mini christmas/nativity ornaments I picked up at Micheal's. The inspiration and the lovely Christmas angels and girls came from ArtChix. They are decorated with tinsel/Christmas berries/artificial evergreen/ and mini star garland. The instructions for how given by Art Chix are here. I actually covered all the match boxes with Christmas paper I got from Archivers . They are attached to thick Rick Rack with star nail heads that can be found in the Jewelry section at Micheal's. I had first intended to sew on buttons and stars but the thought of sewing 25 buttons by hand was less than appealing. I imagine all treasure this for many years.

Carpet / Candle Wax tip

The power went out last night so I rushed to gather every candle in the house. This is but a small fraction of the candles we had lit last night. The problem was that I may have had too many on a plate and by the time the lights were back on wax had dripped onto the carpet :-O! Just wanted to spread a tip that worked for me. Scrap off as much off the carpet as you can. Once this is done place a brown paper bag over the spill and then gently iron the spot. You will see the wax begin absorbing into the bag within a minute. Continue until all the wax is absorbed.

Charming Cody Foster

This year I fell in love with these Cody Foster winter villages. Apparently his company really became popular in 2003 when his houses were featured in the Mary Englebreit magazine. I haven't been in the complete woods about this guy though, because I have known about his stuff just didn't know he was the artist I bought these in bulk ! from ken at KNOTTY WOODS. I would definitely direct one to his site, or e-mail him if you're looking for a specific Cody Foster product. I feel like I've been manic in my e-mails to him and he has been nothing but professional and friendly. So these 3 are above my bookshelf. This is not my ideal place but I put the cart before the horse on this one and ordered these without thinking about where they would all go. They are sitting on cotton (aka snow, but if you buy it as cotton it will be cheaper). Over the snow is dried gold netting that I got at Micheal's and hanging from the ceiling is blue beaded garland also from Micheal's.
This is my Renaissance Church that sits on a small table under my window. Outside the church is an adorable little angel and I think this is one of my favorites. The Madonna and child is from Shari's Angels and is a Joseph's Studio figure. I first saw it at Moxie and thought it was so detailed and striking. The Trees are glass from Moxie and the figure is also available at Moxie. This is the last of the Chirstmas houses and I really don't know where to put this one. It turned out to be the most fragile during shipping but all the houses are really very charming. I have only ever seen one of the Cody Foster houses in a store and it was actually after I purchased all these. I am more than happy with them and until you see them in person you probably won't believe how lovely they are.