Saturday, December 12, 2009

Christmas tour of homes entry preview

Christmas Tour of Homes with The Nester
 
And Over at Southern Hospitality
 
And at the Hooked On houses Tour.
 


I am SOO excited about this years decor. Mainly because Ive never done so much decorating for Christmas. With 3 boys in 3 years there was always a toddler/baby to keep me running half ragged and eat anything I wanted to display. NOW not so much! I was also int he middle of a changing of tastes, mine hadn't developed yet fulyl and it was kinda scary...
 I am also proud of how I have done everything so beautifully (at least I think so) for so frugally. I shopped my house, SA, and DT for frugal finds. As we got hrough my home I will do the rude thing and tell ya how much I spent. I know, talking about MONEY! AHH! But seriously- I want you to know how you can have a beautiful Chrsitmas for less!
First we shall start with my
 Roadkill Rescue Dresser.












I have fresh greenery here that my neighbor allowed me to clip from her many pine trees, and some from my 1 lone pine. The ONLY things I bought were the 3 gold frames- the largest one is so old an unique- the mat is actually carved wood! I LOVE it! total for the 3 frames $3.00.-  and the bird in the sticks ($2.75 maybe?)  Everything else you see I shopped the house or yard for! I became creative and made the words myself, the tassel was on a gaudy wine bag, the candlesticks were in my candle basket, they just needed some glitter, etc. Oh- the Peace ornament was a gift from my dear M-I-L.
The cone tree was $1.00 from DT, it was disco -ballish SO I wiped it down with Walnut gel stain to antique it. MUCH BETTER!
Grand total for this display is $6.75

On to the the
Hallway










I purchased 2 frames and a mirror months back, knowing they would be great for Christmas. Maybe $4.00 at the most. I repainted some of my frames, and used clippings from garland I had, and a dollar store pick at 2 for $1.00. The topiary container was $1.00 and got a fresh coat of paint, the moss was $1.00 and so was the star. Everything else I had. I plan on reusing the topiary year round without the gold star, and a coat of heirloom white on the base...
Total $6.50

Tree
I purchase a new ornament every year- this years was $2.00. I also made the garland this year that will last for many years to come. buttons were $8.00, ribbon $2.00. I still have some left over!
 I redressed my angel out of fabric I already had...


My tree skirt is a hodge podge of stash and freebies











It's patches were printed out on my computer. i love it! i know some people think a tree skirt is a waste of money, but we don't put ANYTHING under the tree until our children are fast asleep on Christmas Eve, so we look at that skirt for a month before the big day! To me it is worth it!
Total $12.00

Coffee table top


An antique soup tureen and more fresh greens with picks and pears from the DT already included in costs elsewhere. My table has a small burlp runner that was a cocoa bean sack, given to me.
$0.00


Stockings






LOVE the print on this one, and how quaint the burlap garland looks!


Again- printed on my computer...

I have to have SOMEHING girlie int his house full of men!


Here is a peek of Noodles stocking- he-he! It can't be hung YET!

I used fabrics I already had, for the most part. $2.00 of fabric was purchased for J's stocking, and $1.25 was purchsed for Noodles stocking and some toys for the pup.
Total $3.50

Garland






I found 4 nice garlands at SA this summer with the tags still on them. They were from Michaels and were anywhere from $10-$20- I scored ALL OF THEM for $3.00 TOTAL!
I purchased 5 berry rings from the DT for a total of $5.00
I also purchased some different styles of pine pics from Michaels to mix in for a total of $10.00
I used pinecones from our yard, and wire from hubbys stash.
This FABULOUS garland was  grand total of $18.00
The nice part is that much of  it can be used elsewhere year round, or taken apart and redone in the future.

Okay...
 The top of my mantel!
FIRST- remember the BEFORE of my mantel? Seriously! It overpowered my entire room! And was truly an orange color. Well- I LOVE how simple my new one is. And there is my $4.00 vintage mirror- the date was on the back- it is 69 yrs old! I think it allows my furniture and decor to sing, and serves as a nice backdrop, instead of being the gaudy focus!


Ooop- do I see a Leaning Candle of Pisa?






I used candles I already had, and glitter and candle sticks I already had.
The bowl I had, the greenery I hacked, and some more berries-already accounted for in my garland cost. The glittery pick was $1.00, the pears were $1.00- I used them in my hall, my table, etc. The topiaries were my biggest cost here. I bought cheap plastic ornaments(the biggest ones the DT had) for $1.00 a piece and hot glued old garland chopped up to them. I purchased 2 glass containers for $1.00 a piece and spray painted them black, then wiped Folk Arts Pure Gold acrylic paint over top of the black. More berries already accounted for in my garland price.
 Total $6.00 (of which the topiaries were $4.00 of that)

My armoir
got in on the action with another $1.00 cone, antiqued as well, and some fresh stolen hacked greens.




The glittery pics are a mix from Michaels, also used elsewhere- $2.00 The topiary up top was a plastic ornament from my stash wrapped in fabric from my stash. It was then hotglued with pieces of my thrifty find garlands, and stuck in a $0.50 wood box that I repainted. I LOVE how with a coat of cream on the base I can reuse this year round on my mantel, or right where it is! And the leaves almost remind me of feathers, too...
Total $3.50

Next up
my card display!

An old cabinet door, and some twine, heirloom white paint and staple gun...



On my telephone table





The plate was a gift from my neighbor, the chippy candle holder I had, as well as everythign else you see.
Total $0.00



When you first walk in this wall is what you see-


It really isnt crooked, I promise.

 I painted fabric to say Unto us a Son is given, and put it into the frames that were already there...
my $2.00 nativity sits on the table underneath...



I have been toying with the idea of adding a swag to the top of this display....
Maybe when I am done this post I will!

Am I done?... Let me think... I am sure there are more odds and ends lying around, but if there are I have already had them, so no cost involved.
OH- my Pillows!





I TOTALLY see some cheesecurl and chocolate fingerprints! Into the wash they went after their photo shoot. And yes, the inkjet printing survived the wash just fine!

These were FREE! I used what I had! Really! and my advent envelope garland was also made from my stash.



On the back of my ( needs-to-be-redone-but-are-waiting-for the money in my blow fund) host and hostes chairs I put these wreaths. A $1.00 berry ring, some of my thrifty garlands and some ribbon from my stash.
Total $2.00

My little side table
 got a new cover a while back from leftover fabric and a sack given to me
The birdcage, finial and candle I had in my stash. I just fille dthe birdcage with gold berries, a glass knob and such from my stash.


Isn't this cloth just darling?
I see a lego on the floor! :-)

I think that ABOUT covers my Christmas decor...
So- after adding all of this up I came up with $58.25. not bad! And Definately not bad for someone who has not really decorated for Christmas before.
 GASP!
Yes, I said it... It wasn't for lack of desire, or cheer, just funds, babies, etc... And my $58.25 certainly wasn't spent all at once! I picked things up here and there as early as summer knowing what I wanted to do. As I said, I gleaned from my stash, and reused what I had. My husband was worried that I had too much to store. I laughed- silly man! Most of this is stuff I was already using! He loves what I do, but certainly does not recognize something if its been moved around or repainted. So- how many of you have had a thrifty Christmas? Anyone beat my $58.25? Anyone who hasn't decorated very much before beat my $58.25? Anyone aghast that I talked about money on my blog?? ;-)


19 comments:

Hopeful Housewife said...

Your home looks great! Just wanted to let you know I featured your blog & your shop over at my blog today! Merry Christmas!

Diann said...

Every thing looks lovely! Congrats on adding Christmas beauty at thrifty price tag!!

Have a wonderful day!

The Style Sisters said...

Love the gold and the burlap! The tree skirt is amazing! Thanks for sharing.

I am hosting a chocolate giveaway on my blog. Stop on by..leave a comment to enter.

Karin

Free Samples said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
deb said...

Lovely!! Love the contrast between gold and burlap!

Lana Kim White Austin said...

i LOVE EVERY PART. i ALSO LOVE THAT YOU DID THIS BEAUTIFUL WORK THRIFTILY!
MANY BLESSINGS TO YOU, LANA

Janice (5 Minutes for Mom) said...

Oh my goodness! You are so talented!!! To create all of that so thriftly! WOW!!! GREAT WORK - it is all so beautiful!

Myrna said...

Oh you clever,talented girl!!! You are a gal after my heart as I am always looking for thrifty and low-budget ways to decorate! You did a fabulous job! Love the greens and golds and your stockings and TREE SKIRT is amazing!! Also your pillows!! Where did you get that print "His name will be called..."?
It's the first pillow in the pic, I think. I just love that!!
Okay, I just HAD to leave a comment right now whilst I'm enthralled...now I'm off to check out your older posts!
Merry Christmas!
Blessings!
Myrna

Miss G said...

I REALLY like those first photos with the Joy in the gold frames and that whole set-up! One of my other favorites is the framed "unto us". Kelly

Alphabet Soup Momma said...

The stockings are to die for! Your home is beautiful!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Unknown said...

Everything looks beautiful. Good job girl! Hope you have a great Christmas in your lovely home.
Blessings,
Kay

Marci @All Things Wonderful said...

WOW! It is lovely. Your home is beautiful. Thank you for sharing with us. Merry Christmas.

bj said...

Everything looks just beautiful You did a wonderful job.

Tammy @BeatriceBanks said...

Just found your blog. Hope you don't mind if I tag along. Love your style! I adore the stockings.
Merry Christmas!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

So much pretty to look at!! I love it all, the JOY sign, the white frames, your bargain garland, all of it. Thanks for joining my party!

Kim -today's creative blog said...

everything looks so lovely. Love how it all matches.

Suzanne said...

I found you on the decorating tour, love your decor! I love decorating too! Drop by the blog sometime! :)

Heather said...

Wow! I love your decorating ideas. Have a Merry Christmas!

Anonymous said...

I love your thrifiness! I also love that tree skirt and those stockings! It all looks so festive! I am stopping in from Nester's Tour. If you would like to see my tour posts you can click on the 'Christmas 2009' tag on the left sidebar of my blog. Have a great holiday season!