Quick Christmas Projects

Hubby ran home from work this morning and got down all the Christmas decorations and fall boxes so I could put away the fall stuff and start on my Christmas decorating (such that it is).    I was supposed to meet my sister in Birmingham for shopping today but the weather was horrendous and the roads were slippery and wet so we decided we’d do it another time.

I did two quick projects today.    A couple of years ago I made this burlap lumbar pillow for my black bench on the front porch which you can read about here.  

 

 

I got the bright idea to stencil something Christmas-y on the reverse side of the pillow that I can use now and then after Christmas flip it back around and use the fleur de lis side.    I grabbed my stencils and black paint and stenciled “Ho Ho Ho” on the pillow.   

 

 

I just removed the pillow insert and put a magazine between the layers so no paint would seep through.   

 

 

Now this pillow can serve double duty!

 

Next, I covered some old candles with sheet music scrapbook paper.   I would love to find some real sheet music, either vintage or from an old hymnal, but so far I haven’t run across any.    (Please share any sources you have where I might get some sheet music, I want to make a paper cone wreath).    So a few weeks ago I picked up this scrapbook paper at Hobby Lobby in two sizes.   The one with larger music notes will be saved for a tabletop project I’ll start after the first of the year.

 

I loved the yellowed look of this paper.   I think each sheet was something like 57 cents and I didn’t even use an entire sheet covering 4 candles!    Plus I got them 50% off too!

 

 

Here’s one on the mantel with the scrapbook paper.    Took me all day to get the mantel done cause I started out using my reds and greens and nutcrackers from last year and ended up going all neutral which I absolutely love!    Even hubby said he likes it!    I’ll be back to share my Christmas mantel later on.   

I covered four candles with my sheet music paper.   This is an easy way to update your old candles.   I probably won’t burn them because I’d be afraid the paper would catch on fire but these candles were so old they didn’t have much wick left anyway.

I did a bit of decorating on the foyer table but still haven’t done anything in the dining room.      At this point, I probably won’t.   

And I just wanted to say how much I appreciate all the supporting comments I got from my last post when I shared I wasn’t going to put up a tree this year or do much decorating.     I am surprised at how peaceful I feel about my decision and how stress-less I feel.    

We’re looking forward to going to Calloway Gardens this weekend for the Festival of Lights and spending time with all the family.    We’re staying at The Lodge and Spa which I hear is fabulous.    If any of you have stayed there, please let me know  how you liked it.

Linking to these parties:

Nifty Thrifty Tuesdays here

Savvy Southern Style Wow Us Wednesdays here