Let's end the week with some sweet ideas.

These Christmas candy crafts are easy to make

and fun for little ones who want to help.

Guess what's under this Christmas tree -

an ice cream waffle cone on a cookie!

 Hershey's Kisses, a little pink felt and a pair

of googly eyes - boom! a Christmas mouse!

Sugar cookies with pretzel ears are salty and sweet.

Arrange 5 peppermints on a slightly greased aluminum pan;

bake at 250 degrees until they just barely begin to melt; remove

from oven and add your own candy decorations.

Party Pinching

Who doesn't love Rice Krispy treats?!

Honey Graham bears, mini-Snickers, and tiny candy

canes were used to create these bears in sleds.

Centsational Girl

Naptime Crafting

Nutter Butter cookies, pretzels, red M&Ms and chocolate

chip morsels make delicious no-bake treats.

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How about a candy kabob?!

Stacey Stamps

Construction paper, stove pipe cleaners and a glue stick are all you need

to make these candy bar wrappers for neighbors and co-workers.

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A chocolate covered marshmallow reindeer

with tiny pretzel antlers - precious!

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To make these snowmen, barely dampen the marshmallows,

roll them in super fine sugar, stick them together with toothpicks,

add candy eyes and a Rolo hat.   

No matter which sweet treats you make, the

most important ingredient is laughter!

How many times have you seen clever holiday craft ideas the week before
Christmas and were just too busy to make them?  You probably thought,
"Maybe next year."

Guess what?  It's next year!   

Art Craft Ideas

Love, love, love these simple woodland Santas.  

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Save big buck$ by making your own

Santa hat and candy cane topiary.

Blue Velvet Chair

Not too long ago I found an XXL shirt with green buttons

for $1 at my favorite thrift shop.  SO much cheaper than buying

buttons at the craft store and the shirt makes a great paint smock.

Inspiration For Home

If you don't have an empty frame this big,

use a smaller frame or even a mirror.

Pocketful of Dreams

Make your own charming Mason jar snow globes.

Thrifty Chick Decor

Put those wine corks you've been

saving all year to good craft use:

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Large initials make a thoughtful personal gift.

Even though it's only mid-week, organize the supplies

you'll need for the children to make a few of these darling

Christmas craft ideas this weekend:

The Homeless Finch

Ornaments such as this one remind me

that glue guns make great gifts, too.

Community Baby Center

How cute is this painted Styrofoam cup tree?

If you're not proficient at painting circles,

just use round stickers.

Make Mine Beautiful

Repurpose spools into clever ornaments.

Inspiration For Home

Thinking ahead to teacher gifts?  The children

will enjoy making these easy candy cane mice.

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Keep your little ones' hands busy this season

with popsicle sticks, buttons, felt and glue.

One of the best sources for inexpensive craft supplies is your
local Dollar Tree.  Don't overlook notions at
garage and yard sales, either.  Get busy!

Today's repurposing post involves a trip to the wood shed . . . . . 

My Gypsy Soul

Birch tree limbs are ideal for make
furniture and lamp stands.

Bohemia Design

wish flower

Got a knife?  Whittle your own plant stakes.

Delight By Design

Building supply and hardware stores sell shims for as little as a
quarter each.  They make wonderful supplies for art projects.

Brunch at Saks
Create your own woodlands base for a rustic centerpiece.
Snip dead shrubbery branches, glue to a glass or plastic
container, fill with stones and a candle or moss and a plant.  





One of the most ingenious repurposing (and
awesome Christmas gift) ideas is Sprout:

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Sprout is a pencil with a seed inside!  When it's too short

to use, it can be planted to grow herbs and flowers:

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This particular pencil will grow up to be a radish. Other seed

pencil varieties include basil, cilantro, dill, green pepper,

morning glory, marigold, parsley, rosemary, sage, thyme,

and tomato.  Now, that's a pencil worth chewing on.

Never, ever, ever, ever throw away an
old window or cabinet frame.  Never!

Oh Glory Vintage

Aren't these shadow box end tables amazing?
And look what cute chalk boards they make, too:

Reclaimed wood is one of the most plentiful
and economical materials for repurposing:

Chic Cham
How darling is this primitive bedside table?

79 ideas
This charming rustic bench was built
using reclaimed barn wood.  

The Social Home
Wood scraps can be used to make handy
household product carriers and organizers.

desde my ventana
Left in its natural state, reclaimed wood adds a
charming touch to the most sophisticated kitchen.


The next time you drive by a pile of discarded wood, consider asking
the owner if they mind if you help yourself to a few pieces.
Then get out your hammer and nails and get creative!

Many of you might not know that I have a physical aversion to shopping malls.
Maybe it's the crowds, the noise, the new-ness of it all - I literally cannot spend
more than 10 minutes in a mall department store before my palms start sweating
and I'm glancing around, looking for the nearest exit.

But, put me in an antique shop, a thrift store, or a flea market and I can stroll
and shop all day long.  While I can hardly imagine a lovelier gift than a vintage
broach or an antique hat pin, not everyone appreciates the antiquated and
previously cherished.  

For those unfortunates who want 'normal' holiday gifts (ha!), we have another alternative to the dreaded mall experience - cyber shopping.  Today is Cyber
Monday and, yes, online bargains are waiting to be scooped up.

There are two darling young ladies on my shopping list to whom I give a Best
Seller each year.  This morning I visited Amazon and ordered their gifts.
Not only were the books drastically reduced, the shipping was free.  BAM!

In addition to the conventional name brand sites, consider shopping sources
such as eBay and etsy.  Vendors will negotiate, combine items for one low
shipping cost, and even reduce the price if you make a reasonable offer.

'Tis the season to be jolly and tight-fisted, what do you have to lose?

 

 

 

From my family to yours, have a joyful Thanksgiving.

Why is there a well-recognized and celebrated Christmas Eve but not

a Thanksgiving Eve?  It's never too early to start giving thanks, is it?

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 Nostalgic Winter

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  A Vinage Fairy

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 October Glory

 Savvy Southern Style

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Kaya Oshiba

Villa Lieblich Photography