The Big Christmas Card Reveal

Our Christmas card, this year, started in a traditional fashion.  Little girl, dressed in her best Christmas dress, standing in front of a decorated Christmas tree, with her dog by her side. 

Thanks to Capture the Magic, I was able to add a Santa into our card.

The only thing missing, a clever quote to go along with the scene.  "You saw Mommy kissing no one...got it."  Playing off the well known song, I saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus. 

So...From my family to yours, Happy Holidays!  Enjoy spending time and making memories with your friends and family.

Also wishing you a safe and very happy new years.  

Until next year.  

Many blessings to all of you.

Christmas Cards of the Past

If you hadn't already noticed, I like to interject a bit of humor and levity in my life and my posts.

My Christmas cards are no exception.

The first year we sent out Christmas cards we went with the naughty and nice theme.

Ironically, it was easier to take pictures of naughty, with the bribe of a treat.  Nice was a bit of a challenge.

The next year, the pressure was on to try and top our naughty and nice card. 

We gave naughty the year off and went with some career humor:

 

Grace holding a letter written to Santa with a thought bubble that says:

'And if I don't get everything on my list, my lawyer will be in touch with your lawyer about a little legal issue we call breach of contract.'

Grace even had her lawyer {her daddy} on retainer just in case.

I thought it was funny but people were disappointed Riley didn't make the picture.  

So, back by popular demand, the next year included Grace and Riley.   This time, both models were bribed with treats...Santa's treats.  Grace happily ate Santa's cookies and Riley happily lapped up Santa's milk {a peanut butter filled cup}.

The next year, I couldn't think of anything witty so we went with a simple message about believing...

 
and made sure to include Riley.

Last year, we tried to bring the funny back

and left Riley out...

This year's cards are all mailed out.  They are arriving in mailboxes as you read this.  Is Riley is it?  Did we come up with a good theme?  You'll have to come back tomorrow and see for yourself.  

A Christmas Tour

Our halls and walls are decked with festive touches.

Grace helped me our tree, this year. 

It turned out to be the tallest tree we've ever had. 

The star, perched atop the tree, is scraping the ceiling.

Though the tree is the star of our holiday decorations, we have lots of lovely Christmas decorations throughout our house.

Most of our decorations are simple and understated.

For the first time ever, I changed up our built in shelves to showcase more Christmas decorations.

My two loves...a set of vintage deers, purchased by my parents on their honeymoon, and beautiful bottle brush trees, are the main attraction on the shelves.

Most of my pictures have been changed out to show Christmases of the past.

These pictures remind me of how many memories we create and cherish every year.

And how lucky we are to continue to make those memories this year.

My favorite picture, a picture of my dad, as a little boy, meeting Santa.

My favorite decorations, our front porch.

Bundles of birch, tied with twine decorate my stairs...

And, fill my flower boxes.

Evergreen branches also accent our porch.

And, fill our hanging baskets.

 

Sadly, since our house is over 100 years old, we have no outlets outside to string Christmas lights.  So, when I came across this battery operated Christmas tree, at Goodwill for $8, I quickly grabbed it and added it to our front porch.  Some lights is better than no lights.

Hanging by my front door, another Goodwill find.  A pair of ice skates.

And...each time I walk across our front porch, my heart is filled with JOY.

Now that we are all decorated...the only thing left to do is celebrate.

Star Pillow Tutorial

Decorative pillows are the easiest way to change up decor.  Be it Christmas or the Fourth of July, these easy to make star pillows can be that statement piece you are looking for.

The best thing, these star pillows are SO easy to make.

First, decide on what fabric you want to use.  This will have exposed seams so try and select a fabric that doesn't easily fray.

Cut out 2 stars.  

Line your stars together, right sides facing out.  Sew up and down each star point leaving one side open.

Stuff your star generously with fiber fill.

Sew the remaining side closed either by hand or with a sewing machine.

If you want to add embellishments to your star, you can use buttons, sequin or rhinestones.   

I added 'SHINE' in sequin trim to the front of my pillow.

Display your pillows.

 
And admire.

Embroidery Hoop Reindeer Family

You know Dancer and Prancer and Comet and Cupid...but do you recall the most famous reindeer family of all? 

The most famous reindeer family of all was started by, Vixen, of course.

With rosy cheeks, she waits under the mistletoe batting her eyelashes.

*All reindeer are no-sew.  So, grab some glue, felt, embroidery hoops and material.  Add embroidered embellishments if it suits you.

To make your own Vixen, use the pattern below and customize to suit your own personality. 

 Vixen waits for her Bing Crosby Deer.

Dressed in his festive holiday tie, an ornament hangs from his antler as he smokes his pipe.

To make your own Bing Crosby Deer, use the pattern below. 

Vixen and Bing have a sweet little girl, their baby deer.

Still in her holiday dress, she grows weary waiting for Santa to arrive and deliver presents.

To make your own baby deer, use the pattern below and customize to suit your own personality.

From me and those deer to me...we wish you the happiest of holidays.

If you liked this deer family, be sure to check out how to make a custom felt bunny family.