Creating Christmas-Crafting & Cooking

I have been counting the days until it was my turn to host

 'Creating Christmas"!

 

 

 

Todays theme is Crafting & Cooking.

I know what you're thinking:  "she never does cooking posts".  Well, you're right, I rarely do.  But I do enjoy cooking. I've even been told by some family and friends that I am quite good at it.  :)

 

However, give me the choice between crafting and cooking; crafting will win out every time. 

 

So today I'll be sharing some of my latest crafts.

 

Last month craft group #2 gathered and had fun Upcyling Santa

(to get instructions, go to site)

 

 

My friend Ann and I added a tree to a thrift find Santa mug.

 

And I upcycled a large tart tin.

 

 

I absolutely adore vintage tins.  This aqua Koolerwave was begging for a skating scene.

 

This was such a quick and easy craft.  I attached the skater figure using snow tex.  Then I applied modge podge to the top and sprinkled glitter.  The icicle trim is from Wal-mart.  A bleached and dyed bottle brush tree was added to a reflecter.  Then I tucked in a sparkly vintage snowflake.

 



 

The day after I made this I found these household candles at a thrift.  Love the graphics, and a perfect addition to the vignette!

 

I am in love with this next one, but I will be giving it away as a gift.  It makes me happy just knowing that one of my dear friends will enjoy it!

 

 

I found another tin and this cute angel recently.  Her wings were broken off and the flowers were chipped.  I added more flowers and some silver beads for wings.  I think she likes them.  She seems to be singing an angelic song.

 

This little snow couple were meant to go in my $5 tartan plaid lunch pail.

 

 

Look at those faces!!!!

 

I have been gathering ornaments for a few years to make a wreath.  I made a heart one a couple years ago, but finally got around to making a Christmas one.

 

 

This craft took all of about 10 minutes.  I hot glued tinsel to a star cookie cutter then using e-6000 I glued it to an old rusty clamp.  The '25' is a bingo number.  Not your traditional tree.

 

The last craft I am sharing today has a bit of 'spice' to it.

 

 

Ha, Ha, I literally dolled up some spice tins for my stitching gal friends.  I saw this idea at a local vintage market and couldn't wait to make some.  Thanks to my friend, Joanne for finding a lot of the tins for me!

 

I brushed them with modge podge and then sprinkled them with deco glitter.  I attached the little figures and trees with more of the snow tex.  I used my entire jar and hope I can find more.  I also added little mini snowballs that I picked up at Hobby Lobby.

 

That little deer and big head angels just make me smile!

Well as you can see, it's been a month full of crafty fun!

 

Now I can't wait to see what you've been craftin and cookin

 

Remember that the party will remain open until December 24th.

 

Please continue to link with the other hosts:

 

Christmas Vignettes:  Art and Sand

Christmas Trees:  Let's Add Sprinkles

Christmas Tablescapes and Kitchens:  My Thrift Store Addiction

 



Creating Christmas-Keep on Trucking Tablescape

Hello and welcome to day 3 of Creating Christmas!

(Just a reminder that Share Your Cup will return next week)

 

 

I don't know about you, but creating Christmas all around the house is one of my favorite things to do!

 

Today Cecilia from My Thrift Store Addiction is our host.  So hop on over and share your Christmas tablescapes and kitchens.

 

Many of you know that I am a big 'theme' girl.  Yup, give me a theme and I am one happy lady!  :)

 

This year the theme for my Christmas kitchen is "Keep on Truckin".  It was not planned,  just sort of fell into place.

 

 

It started with this wool mat that I was making to go on my island.  My sweet friend, Amanda gave me the pattern.  I was hoping to have it finished before I shared this tablescape, but I have not had time to pick it up the last two weeks.

 



 

It will be cut into a scalloped shape and blanket stitched onto a piece of black wool.

 

One day while shopping at T. J. Maxx I heard my sister Jeanne say, "Jann, you're going to want this." 

 

I tried to resist, but boy was she ever right.

 

From there we went to Tuesday Morning.  Then I heard my sister Julie say, "Jann, you're going to want this".

 

A sweet truck runner.

 

 

Turns out that my sisters are very good at helping me spend my money.  lol!

 

From there the tablescape took place.  I started with a red rug that my friend, Joyce gave me for my birthday.  Perfect for July, but it works for Christmas as well.

 

 

To tie in with the stars I added my star cake stand with a stack of plaid plates.

 

 

In the center is a thrift find tree shaker.  Yes, I pick up lone shakers if they are cute.  This one fit the bill!

 

 

More plates and a cute deer couple purchased at Wal-mart a couple of years ago.

All of the plaid dishes were picked up at thrift stores as well.

I bought the little square plates at Target last year.

 

 

A family of deer are tucked under a cloche.  One things for sure, if you go 'truckin' into the woods you're bound to see a deer or two.

 

 

 

Notice the fun silverware?  I found them at our local thrift.  I found a few one week and a few more the next.  LUCKY!!  Still not a complete set, but enough that I can use them for hubby and I.

 

I did just that using the plates that I bought at a damaged goods store two years ago.

 

 

I had to set the teaspoon above because there wasn't enough room on the square charger.

 

 

It's a set of four plates and each scene is different.  Looks like I'll be 'truckin' on a bike.  Hee, hee!

 

 

What's funny is that I set them up on each end of the table.  Which obviously we wouldn't ever sit at opposite ends, all by our little lonesome.  Truth be told, we will fix our plate, head into the family room, and place it on the ottoman.  :)  That's where we eat most nights.  We like to watch the news as we dine.

 

 

 

 

Of course I had to carry the theme over into the chandy.

 

 

I wrapped two different garlands around the chandelier and added a few strips of plaid fabric.  Then I hung three truck and one woody ornament from the greenery.  The trucks came from Target, Wal-mart, and Kohls. I already had the woody.

 

 

We definitely need a cooler when ever we go truckin. It's important to stay hydrated.   My sweet neighbor, Cathy brought this back from Michigan for me last year.  I love it!!

 

 

Christmas is a busy time, but when life starts getting you down, just remember to "keep on truckin"!

 

hugs,

Jann

 

Creating Christmas link party will remain open until the 24th.  Please continue to share!

 

Christmas Vignettes:   Art and Sand

Christmas Trees:  Let's Add Sprinkles

 

Then on Friday hop over to Camp and Cottage Living to share your fabulous porches and outdoor spaces.

 

 

Creating Christmas-My Nesting Tree

Hello and welcome to day 2 of Creating Christmas.

 

 

Today we will be sharing our Christmas trees over at Katies from Let's Add Sprinkles

 

I've given my upstairs family room tree a bird/nesting theme,  mixed in with plaid.

 

This is my morning ritual.  As soon as I get out of bed I walk into the family room, switch on the fireplace, and plug in the tree.

 

 

I think I enjoy it even more in the morning than I do at night.

 

Last year after Christmas I picked up two rolls of a couple of different plaid wired ribbons at our local thrift. 

 They had not even been opened.

 

 

I thought, "why not mix it up and use both plaids?"

 

This tree is a slim tree so it doesn't take up a ton of space in our family room.  Still, I managed to tuck a couple of birdcages in amongst the branches.

 

 

Our grandson that is married came after I had finished decorating this tree.  He said, "grams, you're the only person I know that could manage to put a birdcage in her tree."  He made me laugh.  I thought, "Obviously, you don't know a lot of my friends."  :)

 

I had some plaid fabric, so I cut strips to add to the top.  Each one is filled with a few baubles.

 

You know how you have an image in your head and sometimes it just doesn't quite work out?  Well, that's what happened here.  I had some large mesh cones that are hanging planters for the garden.  I covered the rim with moss and tucked them into the tree then filled the cones with some of my dried hydrangeas.  They stuck out too far and looked funny.  By the time I shoved them in, you really can't see the cone.

 

 

I bought these dangly jingle bells one year after Christmas at a local nursery.  They are one of my favorite things on the tree.

 

Most of my ornaments are mercury glass.  I think they can be dressed up or down, depending on what you put with them.  The plaid brings them down a little.

(right after I typed that the words of a song popped into my head, "Don't bring me down")  Isn't it by John Lennon?  Funny, how the mind works!!

 

I have three real nests in my tree.  I decided to add some plaid eggs.

Now if that wasn't fun.  lol!  They are so small.  I ripped tiny pieces of paper and modge podged them onto some plastic eggs.  My hands were covered in modge podge.

 

 

I mentioned on Instagram that I might add some plaid eggs to my nests and wondered what kind of bird would lay plaid eggs.  Someone replied, "Maybe a Scottish bird".  That made me smile!

 

This garland with velvet leaves and ice crystals runs throughout

the tree.

 

 

Presents are wrapped in brown paper and tied with strips of the plaid fabric.  I still need to add tags.  I've buried it under the presents, but I used a plaid blanket as a tree skirt.

 

 

 

I mentioned in another post about the crazy branch sticking out of the tree.  One of the birds nests was given to me by our daughter, Kylee.  She cut the branch down with the nest lodged in it.  I stuck it in the tree just like it was.  I love the bit of whimsy!!

It's a great conversation piece!

 

 

 

Just something about sitting next to a lit up tree that is magical, don't you agree?

 

Looking forward to seeing your trees!

Be sure and link your Christmas tablescapes and kitchens over at My Thrft Store Addiction tomorrow!

 

Also, continue to link your  Christmas Vignettes at Art and Sand

 

All parties will stay open until Dec. 24th, so you can link right up until Christmas.

 

hugs,

Jann