One Last Christmas Project

Are you ready? I am now! I had one last project to tackle before Christmas arrived.

The last thing on my list was to make a stocking holder. You see, I got tired of hanging our stockings from the mantel then having to move them when I made a fire.

So I decided to make one from some stuff I had laying around. I had a handful of old faucet handles and pieces of wood. All I had to do was to figure out the how.

All I can say is it involved really big bolts, JB Weld, and drilling holes big enough to put it all together.

I started with an old fence picket on top of a piece of pine and dry brushed it with red paint.

The faucet handles got a nut JB Welded to the back of them:

Then after drilling the holes, I inserted the bolts and screwed the handles on. Next I added some eye screws and wire for a hanger, hung it on the wall, then looped the stockings on the faucets handles:

I'm pleased with the way it turned out!

When the Christmas stuff comes down and gets packed away, I can use this for the dog leashes or who knows? The possibilities are endless!

I'll be taking a short break as I'm in charge of an art show for my painting class. I'll be getting all the artwork submitted and hung in the next couple of weeks. The show opens January 8th -  I'll be back after that.

I hope you have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year.

Much love,
Cecilia

Farmhouse Christmas Decor

Welcome! It's Christmas at the B Farm. This year again I'm using my woodland/rustic theme with my Nutcracker collection thrown in for fun!

On the front porch, the bench got a simple wreath and I put large ornaments nestled among greenery in the urns:

There is always joy to greet you when you walk in the front door:

My metal basket is filled with a wintery, woodsy look complete with burlap, of course:

The entry table also has on its Winter finery:

Place card chickens

And the funky chickens are ready to p-a-r-t-y in their Santa hats:

Here's the tree with its woodland/rustic theme:

The angel Gail from Purple Hues and Me sent me

Sweet ornament I made to remind us of "The Reason For The Season"

My ornament last year from Vicky's Annual Ornament Exchange

One of my tin can lid ornaments

This year we used a bucket as part of the tree skirt then swirled some red burlap around that:

The fireplace has a snowy pine garland, burlap snowflakes, and several nutcrackers flanking my Christmas chalkboard:

And my small round chalkboard sits on the hearth with a bottle brush mouse:

The Uncle Sam Nutcracker is in the dining room:

In the kitchen, my Baker Nutcracker stands in the window:

Along with the egg basket filled with ornaments, and a cheery "ho ho ho":

For the kitchen door going out into the garage, I made a raggy wreath in reds and neutrals. I tied on some of my cookie cutters and a couple of metal mittens I found at Michaels:

The wreath was easy to make - I tore and cut strips from three different red materials and unbleached muslin, then tied them to a metal wreath frame until it was full. Love it!

heh, you can see the trash cans and barbecue pit out the window

The nice thing about this wreath is I can remove the mittens after Winter and it can then

stay up all year.

Even the bathroom has some Christmas cheer:

I really enjoy decorating my sweet little farmhouse. Now if it would just get cold enough for a fire in the fireplace...

The 2nd Annual Ornament Exchange

Hi everyone! This is my 2nd year to participate in Vicky's Annual Ornament Exchange.  It is so much fun...Vicky has us answer a short questionnaire, pairs us up and we send them an ornaments and usually a few other items.  And we make a couple of new blog friends.

Sherry from Thrift My House was the person I got. She's a sweetie and had no preferences for an ornament style. Whee! I got to have fun creating her something. Pop over and visit her here to see what I sent her.

Then I was contacted by Kelly of "Dreaming of Vintage" to let me know she had received my name and was mailing my ornament. Of course it came while we were on vacation. But my daughter was home to receive it so I had her open the box and snap a picture. Here's what she sent me:

Oh my goodness! A bunch of goodies all packed in a beautiful white basket with a red reindeer liner! I couldn't wait to get home and see all the goodies inside! Kelly did such a good job choosing things that fit my style.

There were several rustic, woodland themed ornaments,

A Noel sign

A rusty metal pinecone

A twine star

There was a whole package of these rusty tin stars!

A cute red bird

A red burlap ball

A wood Winter Wonderland sign

a pretty towel,

and more goodies!

I can't wait to use these on some projects!

Plus she included a very sweet note. Thank you, Kelly! I feel absolutely spoiled!

And thank you, Vicky, for hosting the Ornament Exchange again. I can't wait to participate again next year! What a blast!!

Christmas Decor Part 3

Today I am showing off the last of my city decor. Let's start with the living room:

Mantel:

poinsettia garland, mercury glass trees, ornaments and owl; plus deer candle holders

The tree:

All it needs is presents under it. I need to get busy wrapping! The cats will go crazy...um, crazier. LOL.

My tree collection includes several yarn wrapped cone trees, a burlap tree, velvet ribbon tree and a  wooden tree with bells and a star:

 The buffet with Santa tray, cute teapot, and candlescape:

And my Santa Claus vignette:

I've had fun setting everything up. I had to make up for not being able to do anything last year. :o)

I'll be sharing the farmhouse decor next. The chickens are dressed and ready to show you around. We'll see you soon!