Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Baby It's Cold Outside: some winter decorating projects

Pottery Barn Kid's holiday catalog had an adorable picture of framed mittens this year. I was instantly inspired. I wanted to buy them but they weren't for sale. So I created my own version. This is SO super easy! Last year I shared a 5 minute decorating project, my pink feather wreath. This year is another 5 minute decorating project, winter accessory wall hanging.

The how to:
-I bought 3 square frames and wrapped burlap over the glass.
-I found winter gear on clearance
-I created the "baby it's cold outside" sign on my computer and printed it on cardstock.
-Then I simply pinned each item to the burlap
-Ta Da. Ready to hang.



Neutral tones with a splash of bold aqua.
Our little reminder to wrap up for the winter!
Baby it's cold outside...


Christmastime is fabulous.
I don't do my normal chores in December....

like dishes....

or clear away clutter from the countertops...

or laundry...

More time for the good stuff
like shopping, baking, and decorating, right?

The whole "do less, simplify, reflect more" isn't on my radar in this stage of life. I have a house full of happy boys and I so delight in watching them anticipate the magic of Christmas! So, I do all the "stuff" and we make good memories. And we love every second of it. When they're grown up, then maybe I will slow down, reflect, and simplify...maybe. Or maybe I will continue the madness. We will see. Life is brief and such a treasure! Each day our family tries to focus on what will inspire us most and what will energize our days. Each season of life has its purpose. This blissful and crazy time that I'm in right now makes my heart smile. So I push aside the laundry and make room for projects with my boys!
This is a photo from last year's holiday season that I just aDORE.

We spent an afternoon making Pom Pom Snowballs. These are just too cute. We incorporated the classic yarn pom poms into our Christmas decor this year for a handmade holiday look in our home. I remember when I was growing up, my Grandma had a giant sized bright pink yarn pom pom key chain so she wouldn't loose her keys in her purse. I loved it and always wanted to play with it when I was with her. They're timeless.

The boys were all about it. They had to wrap their little fingers almost 100 times with yarn and it looked like their fingers would fall off. A very unsettling holiday project lol. ;)

I read a story to them as they worked. It was a fascinating true story about snowflakes and some history with the snowflake's discovery. Then we did a google image search on Bentley's snow photography. Bentley's photographs are stunning.

After 20 pom poms, the boys lost their enthusiasm and ran off to play hotwheels. I finished by creating a Pom Pom Snowball Garland with our yarn snow.

Here's How:
- make 30-40 of the classic yarn pom poms.
- take a string of yarn and thread each pom pom onto it
- adjust the pom poms on the string of yarn and double knot the ends.
- you've got it done





I added other cream colored and neutral accents in the garland.
A few hanging mercury glass ornaments...

And cream pinecones...

A touch of handmade as we decked the halls. You can see all of our home's Christmas decor for 2010 in my previous post.

In closing, a little bit of random. The only problem with Chris being a real life Spiderman and literally scaling walls with no ladder or chairs is that his boys want to be JUST like him...notice Kotah...


Chris helping with the holiday decor.
Yes, I use a tree skirt for an entryway banner.

Happy Christmastime Lovers!


This post is linked to: Centsational Girl, Somewhat Simple, DIY Showoff, Home for the Holidays, Deck the Halls, Southern Hospitality, DIY Showoff, The Lettered Cottage, Dare To, DIY Living, Seasonal Sundays, , Strut Your Stuff at Saturday Mornings, Making the World Cuter, Motivate Me Mondays, Market Yourself Mondays, It's So Very Creative, Tasty Tuesday, Tempt My Tummy, Tuesdays at the Table, Topsy Turvy Tuesday, Tuesdays Unwrapped, Toot Your Horn Tuesday, Get Your Craft On, We're Organized Wednesday, Outdoor Wednesday, Works for Me Wednesday, Show and Tell, Whatever Goes Wednesday, Tablescape Thursday, Spotlight Yourself, Show off Your Stuff, Strut Your Stuff, Friday Favorites*, Show and Share Day, Foodie Friday*, I'm Lovin It*, Funky Junk Interiors*, Fabulous Friday Finds*, Tickled Pink*, Be Different Act Normal, Weekend Wrap Up

24 comments:

Jane said...

Thanks for sharing your "how to" winter scene. I had thought this would not be appropriate in my FL home, but...baby, it's COLD this morning!!! There was ICE on my windshield!!!

I am chuckling over the photo of Kotah trying to scale the wall...like Dad. I can just picture him jumping from the ledge as you walk in the door...
Hugs,
Jane (AG)

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

Too funny!

That Pottery Barn Kids mitten collage inspired me, TOO! I used Andrew's baby mittens and hats to frame in his room! They were too cute to pack away!!

Love the pom poms! I saw an idea in a Gooseberry Patch Christmas book to make and attach them to a white chenille blanket for a snowball fringe. LOVED the idea! I think this would be a fabulous winter project!!

You always amaze and inspire me, Lisa! I'm so glad to have met you through your blog!

Judy@cutest-little-things

Rachel said...

Wow, I love ALL these ideas!!

Mystica said...

Gorgeous ideas. specially the pom poms!

My first giveaway is now up on my blog. A gift card sponsored by CSN Stores. Please do enter!

Karen said...

Talk about climbing the walls but it looks great! Your house is so beautiful even with a sink full of dirty dishes. It just means you were to busy loving on your family.

anointedtoday said...

These are great decoration ideas. That is great to see the boys reading. I recently had the older grandchildren read to the younger ones. It was amazing to see how they all interacted so well.

Victoria said...

Look at all those poms!!! You must have had helpers:) It looks great, what a wonderful home to celebrate the holidays in.

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

Those pom snowballs are just fabulous!

Jen @ tatertotsandjello.com said...

Those are so adorable!! i love those framed hats and mittens on burlap. Cute!!

And the huge pom poms are awesome!

xox
Jen

Blog Admin said...

I love the wall hanging, I noticed them right away in the Pottery Barn Catalog too!

Amy Meyer said...

Love the snowflake pompom garland! Great idea! I also love the kid scaling the wall in the last picture! Thanks for sharing!

Amy Meyer said...

Love the snowflake pompom garland! Great idea! I also love the kid scaling the wall in the last picture! Thanks for sharing!

Holly Lefevre said...

Pom Pom balls - that takes me back - they are fabulous!

The one and only Lady said...

I love your projects they're so simple but so perfect for the holiday season! Thank you for sharing your projects and your family!

Anonymous said...

That garland is beautiful! I like how you displayed the hat and gloves, too cute! Thanks for sharing, visiting from Tatertots and Jello!

Anonymous said...

love the pom pom garland! Love the quick holiday art! love the white pinecones! LOVE the pics of your adorable boys! Thanks for sharing!!

Unknown said...

These are soo cute! Love the hat and glove pictures and your spider monkey climbing the wall! Hope you will share with my Pink Hippo Party @ http://pinkapotamus.blogspot.com/2010/12/pink-hippo-party-7.html

Kim @ NewlyWoodwards said...

That last photo is priceless. Thanks for linking to Dare to DIY> I really wanna try that pom banner.

Amanda said...

I loved it all....the hat and gloves....the garland (love the garland) and your son climbing up the wall. That's too funny!!!

P.S. Clutter getting on my counters isn't just a December thing. :) It's never ending!!!

Amanda

Jaimee @ Havenwood House of Boys said...

Ok I NEED to make some of those pom-pom snowballs! They look so pretty along your stairway garland! Love it!!

Cute blog : ) I have a house full of boys, too!

Simone @ Doberman's by the Sea said...

How cute, especially in the evening.

Amanda said...

I love all of this! I featured the garland on my site today! Come grab my NEW button - it's so pretty! :) Hope you have a blessed day!

Amanda
todaystoptwenty.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

i already told you but ill tell you again, i loved those pom poms and they look sooo pretty against the greenery with white lights. i may just copy this some sweet day.

Tammy @ A Walk in the Countryside said...

Great projects! I'm loving those pom poms!