Christmas Time is Here

I'm loving the season! So much has happened in the last month. It's been a whirlwind!

We SOLD OUR HOUSE!!! Closed on November 21st! So exciting. After several attempts to sell the right family came along and we're so pleased. Our next place will be the final place. We want to settle down!

We're staying with family while we decide just what to do. Buy vs build. Old vs new. We learned so much from our house and know that while we love old structure and character, we'd like for our home to be, well, warm for one. :) Our house was hard to keep warm without constant heat on. And with lengthy To Do's there was never a feeling of being settled. It always seemed there was more and more to fix, paint, redo.... While we love decorating and renovating this house seemed to "own us" at times. 

Don't get me wrong, we loved it there. It was sad to leave once all was said and done. 

It's where Avie first "lived". There's no replacing that!

So, we'll see. 

How is your Holiday season going? Hope you're all well. 

~Amy

One Year, Where did it Go?

Our little Avalyn (Often called Avie) is officially a one year old!

She's my side-kick, my love pie, and my buddy!
It truly is amazing how fast it goes.

Happy 1st baby girl!

~

Plaid Love

I'm not sure anything says coziness like plaid. It accompanies the season so well. Whether worn with leggings and boots, draped over the couch by the fire, or hanging on your doorway, it's welcoming and warm. Here's some plaid love for you!

All above photos found when searching "plaid" on Pinterest

Here

Here

Pera Time ~ Etsy

Here

Sewn Natural ~ Etsy

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

Here

And oh my...

Here

Here

Here

Here

Gotta love it.

~Amy

Holiday Tablescapes

I absolutely love creating a beautiful "tablescape" when having guests. Its fun and festive and makes people feel special. Here's some great ideas and looks to consider...

Loove plaid! It's warm and inviting!

Sweet.

I love how simple this is!!

White china and pumpkins make these flowers and the dark wood pop!

I really like this mix of greens, floral, and stripes. 

So much texture going on and the wooden elements tie it all together!

Busy centerpieces like this work well with buffet style eating. 

The table starts clean and simple like this before all the plates and cups come in.

Otherwise...

While visually perfect....it's not very practical. 

A big part of a tablescape is the centerpiece(s)! 

Floral arrangements can't be beat, and a self-prepared one?

super rewarding. This tutorial is amazing....

Here

Holidays are just around the corner!

Thanks for stopping,

Amy

All photos and sources can be found under my Fall/Autumn and Floral Arrangement Pinterest boards.

Leafy Creatures/ HOUSE UPDATE!

I saw some adorable DIY leaf animals on Pinterest.
So, you guessed it....I had to give it a try!

Though I wished I'd actually pressed and saved them, the "chicken" I pressed as a tester browned with in a couple days. So these I just photographed. Pretty fun. I feel like they'd make a great children's book.

~

Great news! We accepted an offer on our house! 

Please pray all goes through, 

we're ready for our next endeavor.

(This of course means that I'll be putting our living room project on hold. 

It's painted and looks fresh! I was going to find new seating

 but decided to stop looking for the time being.

 If anything falls through I'll continue the process. 

I'll post pics of the new paint soon anyway, just for fun.)

Pressed Fall Ferns (How-To)

 It's amazing how many variations of color you find in Autumn ferns! Depending on sunlight and moisture, the ferns turn color at different times and you're left with a beautiful range of yellows, oranges, and golds. I gathered loads of different colors and pressed some into a set of gold vintage frames I've been hanging on to. I've been wanting to do a frame collage wall in our living room once done. I'll be adding these to the mix. Displayed here with some found "heart" rocks, they'll be a lovely addition.

I love the natural chevron-like shape ferns have. 

When displayed together like this they create a graphic all their own. 

Here's what I did, though pretty self explanatory...

Gathered my goods, then picked out frames and scissors.

The "matte" is a vintage wallpaper I've been storing for such projects. 

Any paper or even fabric would work.

I cut the matte to fit the frame...

Laid it on top of fern and trimmed edges of fern to size.

Extra trimming may be necessary once you turn it to position how you want it.

Lay glass back on top.

Carefully slide ALL of it back into frame at once.

(Trust me, don't try to layer each thing one at a time....Headache! :) )

Slide the back in and you're done :)!

So far the color has remained the same as the day I made them!

Even if they only last this season, so worth it. 

They really look pretty.

I hope your Fall is going well!
Stay warm & cozy,

Amy