And the stockings were hung...

by the chimney with care!

Yup, you guessed it...I have been letting my creative juices flow this weekend! One of my favorite things about Christmas as a kid was hanging up our stockings. So, naturally I was very excited to be able to hang up our stockings...our family of stockings. I debated for awhile about whether or not I would just buy Landry a stocking or if I would make it. There was one at Pottery Barn that I loved but part of me felt that it wouldn't be the same as having one that was homemade. So, I decided to do my own version of the Pottery Barn one I loved...and I must admit...I am pretty proud of myself! Those of you that know me and my type A personality...I made one for Chad and me as well...because there was no way that I was going to have one homemade stocking an two store bought.

Here they are hanging from our mantle and I have to say...it automatically made our living room feel so much more homey and personal. I love them!

Pottery Barn has nothing on me!

So, last weekend I decided to break out the Christmas decor and start working. As I looked around our family room area I was very happy with our tree, mantel, and even the garland on our kitchen cabinets. There was one problem...this: For some reason the big, bare, blank window really bugged me. I had been stalking these wreathes I had seen at Pottery Barn last year. The ones on the gate...love them! I loved the simplicity of the greenery with the sparkle of the ornaments.

Now, I don't want to hate on Pottery Barn because they have so many things that I love...but...the price for these wreathes...take a deep breath...you'll need it...$80 for one 22" wreath. CRAZY...I know. So, knowing that there was no way I could justify spending $80 on a Christmas wreath...which may I add...is decorated with PLASTIC balls...yes, PLASTIC...I decided to make my own version.

I ran down to JoAnns, got a plain wreath...36" on sale for $12...plus I got to use my 15% teacher discount card...LOVE IT! Then I headed to Dollar Tree and bought a whole bunch of red and gold ornaments...shiny ones, matte ones, glittery ones, etc. I will be honest...this project sat in my trunk for oh, about a week...but the important part is...I did it. With the help of my trusty ol' hot glue gun, here is the final result:

And some close up shots of the detail...yes, I like to think I'm some sort of professional! :o)

And...here is what it looks like in my window:

Oh, how I LOVE it!!!! Wondering how it is "magically suspended in the air"...well, with the help of another friend of my...FISHING LINE! Yup when I was finished with my project I shared with my hubby that I was going to hang it in front of the window. His response...he gave me his, suspicious, skeptical, "your aren't going to put a bunch of holes in the wall" look. I said, "Don't worry, Babe. I'm going to use my thick Christmas ribbon, wrap it around the wreath, over the blind valance...and "voila" it will be done." Well, as with many of my "ideas"... that didn't work so well. So, I grabbed the fishing line and it worked...yes, I stood of the back of the couch...4 1/2 months pregnant...to reach the valance...my hubby was gone and you know how patient I am! No worries, I am safe, baby is safe and more importantly...THE WREATH IS HUNG AND BEAUTIFUL!!!!

So, the point of the story...Pottery Barn wreath...$80...Kristin Lofgren wreath...$20...and did I mention that my wreath is 14" bigger!!!