Christmas Time

Is Here

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Oh yes it is!

I think this is my favorite Christmas song of all time.

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I put Christmas off but now that Thanksgiving is over...I'm all about it.

I just don't like it being forced on me before Thanksgiving.

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the sweetest of snowmen

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love this Christmas tree in a basket.

Hmm...might do this. 

I'm tired of my white tree and want to do something different.

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Then I see a photo like this and think it wouldn't be so bad to drag the white one out, yet again.

Tonight at Walmart I bought these great big beauties.

LED C9's that look just like the old big lights that used to burn down houses.

I was thrilled to find these at Walmart for $6.99.

I bought two strands to use outside. 

But it's tempting to use them inside too. 

See! Just plastic but when lit they look like the real thing.

Happy Thanksgiving

If you haven't seen Charlie Brown's Thanksgiving in awhile, you can watch it here.

I hadn't seen it in years. Watching it now, I found it to be just as good as ever.

I hope you have a day filled with family, good friends and good food even if

that food is popcorn, toast and jelly beans.

Thanks for being a part of my life!

Burlap Table Runner

Dressing the Thanksgiving Table

Here we are just a day before Thanksgiving and I just finished up making a table runner for my 

Thanksgiving table.

All that counts is that it is done right?

I have yet to arrange the table but wanted to show the things I am using.

I made the burlap runner and the napkin rings plus I really wanted turkey salad plates

but could not afford any.

So I found a vintage turkey image online...photoshopped out the background and added a border 

then printed to photo paper and cut it out to set in the center of my white plates.

It gives the appearance of turkey plates...but of course you can't eat on them.

But it's no big deal to remove the paper before putting your salad on the plate.

Is that too much to ask?

The napkin rings are personalized to work as napkin rings and place cards.

As you can see this one is all ready to mark little Franklin's place at the table.

All the supplies I used for this project came from

All part of the Jo-Ann's Celebrate the Season campaign.

Want some great ideas for Christmas crafts?

Check out their current craft catalog.

Jo-Ann Craft Catalog

Just click on the image above to go there now.

But be sure to come back here to follow my instructions on how to make your own 

burlap runner and napkin rings.

The burlap runner is good all year round.

I thought about stenciling something on it but didn't because I want to use it for other holidays as well.

These are the supplies I used for the napkin rings and table runner.

I was inspired to make the napkin rings when I found these little wood frames.

I painted them with white craft paint and sanded the edges to shabby them a little.

Then I set up each of my guests names on the computer to fit within the frame.

I printed them out on cream colored card stock (actually a manilla envelope cut to fit into my printer)

I cut a paper towel roll into 2 inch lengths and covered with burlap.

I just hot glued the burlap by laying around and tucking it into the inside top and bottom of the roll.

I then glued a little brown velvet ribbon around the ring on top of the burlap.

I glued the cardstock name to the backside of the frame and attached the frame 

to the ring by poking those little fasteners through the holes in the frames 

and through the ribbon and burlap and finally cardboard ring.

I did make holes using a nail first on the napkin ring so that they went through easily. 

To be honest...this craft was kind of a lot of trouble.

I doubt anyone will really do these.

After I finished I kind of wished I'd put the word Thankful on all of them instead of personalized names.

Now the burlap runner. 

You'll want to do this.

I bought 3 yards of burlap at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

Three yards was more than enough. 

But I wanted some left over to use on anything else that I might think of in the middle of the night.

It's good to have burlap always on hand.

I have been wanting a burlap table runner for quite awhile.

I was glad that I signed up for this challenge because it made me get busy and make one.

Here is how to make your own....

I was very happy with the results.

I have to say burlap is both easy and hard to work with.

Easy in that the sewing machine just glides along because of the large weave.

Hard because it's cumbersome and sheds.

Just be sure to stabilize your edges by sewing a running stitch along the edges before you work 

and you won't have any problems.

Also using a spray bottle of water to dampen the fabric makes it more pliable and you can finger press

as you go. I love that. Not needing to get up an do at the ironing board all the time.

But making the ruffle is a little difficult because of the open weave and the stiffness of the fabric.

Basting everything by hand ensured that it all stayed in place and sewed up perfect.

I'm a big fan of hand basting. 

It always makes my sewing projects turn out their best.

Let me know if you make one of these.

Use this coupon to get a great deal on your crafting supplies 

at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores.

If this date gets by you be sure to download the Jo-Ann App on your smart phone

and you'll have access to great coupons all the time. 

Happy Crafting!

sharing at

Mod Mix Monday #129

Granny Chic

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This is all old stuff but painted and put together in a fun way.

It's definitely granny chic. 

Last week's Mod Mix Monday was full of good stuff...

I'm going to just let photos speak for themselves cause I've got stuff to do today.

The Weathered Door

Boogie Board Cottage

Simply Suzannes

Made in a Day

Common Ground

White Cottage Boutique

I'll be back later today with my Thanksgiving table complete with accessories made

from supplies provided by Jo-Ann Fabric and Crafts.

But for now....

Share your new mixes below.

Remember anything old made over to be new...anything new changed up to look old.

New and old together...

Please include the Mod Mix Monday logo and back link to me.

Use a permalink to your individual post not to your entire blog.

If you link up...I'd appreciate it, if you'd follow me.

Open House Sunday

Gingerbread House

 Adorable tudor revival cottage in the M Streets of Dallas.

built 1930

 This house has lots of outside charm. The way the rock emphasizes the architecture is unusual. 

I think this house looks like something straight out of "Hansel and Gretel". 

Notice the pretty stained glass windows?

I love how they've stacked pumpkins on either side of the stairs for fall.

 Here in the living room, we see the stained glass windows. 

A nice wood arched door serves as entrance.

I love their sofa and the red toile covered chair.

 Very nice fireplace. I like this sort of fireplace that is a mixture of stucco and tile.

I'm not fond of the coffee table. It's too big for the room.

 But I do like that sofa, lots.

I like the nubby rug too.

 Pretty and simple dining room. 

I really like the dining room chairs.

 Drapes are very nice.

 I can just imagine what this kitchen would look like with a stainless stove.

It would be so much better. I'd want a hood over the stove instead of a microwave too.

The cabinets to the right where the sink is are original.

Unfortunately, whoever renovated didn't go to the trouble to match the cabinets on the other side.

That's unfortunate. 

I do like that the bottom cabinets are dark while the tops are light.

 And here a stainless fridge would take this kitchen to the next level.

 I really like that little sidboard there against the wall.

 Love that little table. Don't like the chairs. I'm not sure what that shelf thing is but I like it.

This would have been an open porch originally, now a play room.

I hate it when porches are filled in and turned into rooms.

I'd much rather have this as a porch.

This room has a pretty street view. Looks just like my neighborhood.

 Oh...my...I love this little girl's room.

Isn't it perfect? 

That bed!

 Sweet Vanity. This is the kind of room that could really grow with a little girl.

I can imagine it as perfect for a 6 year old as it would be for a 16 year old.

That seems the perfect shade of pink.

I'm guessing this is the master. I would say this house is staged cause everything looks so in order.

But there are boxes and suitcases under the bed. So perhaps someone is really living here. 

 Pretty trundle bed. I love those matching armoires.

I wish I had two of those to put on either side of my bed in my own bedroom.

I think they'd be great with a bed between them.

 Love the mirror...although it's hanging a little too high.

No photos of the bathrooms on this house...which is disappointing. 

Patio and swimming pool out back.

 It could use a little love back here.

 Wouldn't take much to make this an outstanding backyard.

See the full listing here.