Hey guys!  Sorry for being away for so long!  We traveled back to see my Dad for an early Christmas.  It was a lot of fun – but I didn’t have near the time I wanted to be able to get online.  Also – I know I owe a ton of you emails and and such.  I just switched over to a new computer and I don’t have everything transitioned – including all my software for email and such.  So I am running a little slow right now!  Don’t worry!  I will get around to everyone soon!! 

I know I had a ton of you ask how I made the little ornament tree that was in front of my NOEL sign on my mantel. 

Well it was really easy!  So I wanted to show you guys how to do it too.  First, I got a bunch of these mini ornaments from Target.  I think they also have them at the dollar store too.  I took off the little silver tops that you would normally put the ornament hangers through – they just twist right off.

Next I used a foam tree from the floral section of a craft store.  All you have to do is then is put a thin ring of hot glue around the pointy end of your lil ornament and then stick it into the foam.  The glue will hold it in pretty good.  I started from the bottom and went around until I got to the top. 

I was going to do it all silver but I ended up having too few lil ornaments to do a full silver tree – it will take between 4-5 packages of ornaments.  So I added in the little touches of red.  In retrospect – this looks WAY better!! 

So what do you think?  Did you pick up any of those little ornaments?  If so – what did you make out of them??  I have another project that I used them in that I will also share with you guys later this week! 

Linking this to

Made it for Monday with Cindy @ Cottage Instincts
Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays with Linda @ Coastal Charm
Boardwalk Bragfest with Jan @ Bobbypins Boardwalk

Creative Christmas Countdown with Rachel @ Rachel Cotterill

Make it Yours Day with Carolyn @ My Backyard Eden
Also linking this up to The CSI Project’s Handmade Holidays Challenge

I know I shared my faux Christmas mantel with you guys the other day – but I want to show you some of the other little vignettes that I have set up around the house. 

Here is a full shot of my entertainment center and “mantel”.  I really like how it came out – the entertainment center is the perfect place for us to hang our stockings! 

Here is a close up!  I think the whole theme is really pulled together! 

I love that I was able to use some of my silver glass ornaments to fill my wire basket!  And my lil Reindeer friend is propped up there too!

I also set up a cute little set of Santa’s and a Merry Christmas sign on my side table.

And finally I have a bunch of glass ornaments and some floral pinecone accents in the bowl on my coffee table.  Again – just a few touches but I really like how they bring a pop of Christmas all over!

So what about you?  Any Christmas touches around your house??  I still have some ideas for what I want to do in the dining room – but this is as far as I have gotten so far!!

Linking this up to

Christmas Vignette Party with Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality
Holiday Home Tour with Julia @ Hooked on Houses
Metamorphosis Monday with Susan @ Between Naps on the Porch
Tabletop Tuesday with Marty @ A Stroll Thru Life

How is it possible that it is December?!?  The days are flying by now and I know you guys are already deep into Holiday Planning for the upcoming season!  I did want to take a few moments to look back over the top posts for November as well as share with you my favorite projects from around the web.

DIY & Crafty Goodness

For starters this month – I helped my MIL make a beautiful gilded centerpiece for our early Thanksgiving!  We used edible cake glitter to give the fruit a little extra sparkle! 

I also got into to a few Holiday Crafts and made my Noel Word Art Sign!  I cannot believe the overwhelming response to this project!!  You guys are amazing!  This is the most popular post I have ever done on the blog and I am so glad you loved it!

Around the House

I also showed you guys the great hanging storage idea that the hubby came up with for the garage.  By mounting it from the ceiling – we saved a lot of valuable floor space while finding a way to utilize some “dead” space!!  I love that man!

Inspiration Ideas

I shared some ideas for decorating with feathers around your house – including some great holiday ideas for using feathers to spruce up your mantel or wreath! 

Photo via BHG

Tips & Tricks

I shared with you guys my tips on creating a Hostess Journal to record both your pre and post planning for your dinners, parties, and get togethers!  This is a great idea and I have a great example of why it is awesome.  I bought some munchies for us to nibble on before we dug into the Turkey on Thanksgiving.  I noticed no one was really getting into my cheese cubes – so I asked.  My mom and bro said they loved the sharp cheddar pieces but weren’t really into the pepper jack or colby jack .  Well – next time – I will get the sharp and maybe one other flavor!  But I don’t need to spend the extra cash on a different type if it is just them!   I made a note of this because honestly – I am not likely to remember a small detail like that a year from now.  This is why the journal is so handy!!

I also shared with you guys a little tutorial on how to use Polyvore.  I love using Polyvore for creating mood board and I think with my tips – you should be able to start using it too!  I then shared with you guys a vintage grey room I created for Mood Board Monday – where I designed a room around this photograph.   I think it came out with a very Restoration Hardware vibe!!   You will have to pop over and see the final project!

From All Around the Web

Holly from 504 Main showed us how to use our printers and rub on tattoo paper to “tattoo” fruit!  I think this is so brilliant because with no kiddos – I would have thought I had zero use for this stuff!  But I love this pumpkin with the vintage logo on it!

Photo via 504 Main

I also loved these graphic Christmas Wall Art Canvases that Jan @ The Simpler Life shared.  She made these out of $1 store felt Christmas Trees!  Brilliant!

Photo via The Simpler Life

And I love these sweater vases that Kristin @ High Heels and a Hammer shared.  Aren’t these just beautiful!  I still haven’t gotten my version done yet – but man I love these! 

So there you go!  Those are my favorite posts from the last month!  What about you?   Have a favorite from above?  Or do you have another favorites you want to share?  Feel free to post them over on my Facebook Page!