Favorite Posts of 2011

I stepped outside of decorating comfort zone more times than I can count this year.

I painted,

vintage painted dresser with fabric handles

I created,

sheet music Christmas ornaments

I designed,

and loved every single minute of it.

master bedroom makeover

I have big plans for 2012 that include MORE painting, MORE creating and MORE designing.

summer living room 2-minute makeover

I added a few hints in the above photo, but MORE on that later this week...

ladybug birthday party

So you've seen some of my favorite projects from the past year, but I'm more curious about what YOUR favorites were.

 Lasagna Soup - 31 Days of Simply Homemade

Tell me dear readers, what was your favorite SKH project this year? What do you enjoy or what would you like to see more of?

Linking up to some Favorites Parties:
Southern Hospitality
Follow Me on Pinterest

Sheet Music Paper Fan Christmas Ornaments

Every single craft that I did this year (all three) included this vintage sheet music I downloaded from Vintage Feedsacks.

Source: vintagefeedsacks.blogspot.com via Kristin on Pinterest

I love this particular song, but there are several other songs available.

I have always wanted to use vintage sheet music for a project, so this Christmas seemed like the perfect time. I have a feeling my obsession with burlap may transition to an obsession with vintage sheet music...

Anyway, here's the project I just finished tonight.

It was a simple enough project and I think they are just pretty enough. I added some epsom salt to the edges of a few of them, but I'm not a fan of mess, so I left it at just a couple with the salt.

To make the ornaments, I printed the sheet music double sided onto regular white printer paper. there's no need to be concerned with whether or not it's lined up as you won't see both sides at the same time.

I cut the sheets into 4" x 4" squares. I made some a little bigger or small for some variation. Again ,no need for precision cutting, just so they are square, and you have two that are the same size.

They were super easy to put together. I think you can probably figure it out from the pictures...

Fold the squares accordion style, with the same width/number of folds for each and fold in the center, and glue them together as shown in the photo below.

Fan out the accordion and glue the open sides together, forming a full circle.

If you have space in the center of the folds like I did, you can loop twine through it, or you just punch a small hole towards the top.

At this point I was just going to hang them up like they were, but I decided to add some little mirrors I got in a package of 12 at Michaels to help add a little more twinkle to the tere.

I really love how they turned out, I think the mirror adds a nice touch to bounce a little sparkle from the Christmas lights. I hung a few of them from my table centerpiece.

At this point you could add some epsom salt like I did, or even glitter. You won't see me adding glitter. I hate glitter.

I'm also planning on giving some as gifts, tying them onto packages, or anything else I can think of to add these little pretties to! Banners, garlands...I could go on...I'm thinking they will be a nice way to transition from Christmas to winter decor.

This will be the last post until after Christmas, as I'll be taking a break to focus completely on my family. I have big plans of drinking hot chocolate and driving around looking at Christmas lights tomorrow night, watching Christmas movies and drinking hot chocolate the next night, and baking cookies for Santa (and drinking hot chocolate) on Friday night.

I'm also looking forward to Christmas Eve when my children will be participating in the Christmas Eve service as Mary & Joesph. Actually, I'm scared to death that they will start grabbing each others butts again like they did when they went up for the children's message last week. Wish us luck!

From our family to yours, may the blessings of PEACE, HOPE and LOVE be your gifts this Christmas and throughout the coming year.

MerRy ChriStmaS!

Linking up:
Organize and Decorate Everything
DIY Showoff 
At the Picket Fence
Follow Me on Pinterest

Peanut Butter Chocolate Marshmallows and a WINNER!!!

It's no secret that one of my absolute favorite treats to make is chocolate covered marshmallows. (See Exhibit A, B and C). They are easy, cute and so yummy! I made a bunch for our Angel Tree party last weekend, and I decided to try something a little different...

Is there any better combination in the world than chocolate and peanut butter? I thought not, but throw a giant marshmallow in the mix and O.M.G. Heaven on a pretzel stick.

I just spread peanut butter on the marshmallow, then dipped it in the chocolate.
 

I added some white sugar crystals so I didn't mistake these for the regular ones since my son is allergic to nuts.

A few tips for dipping marshmallows:

• when melting the chocolate, Wilton's Candy Melts (available at Michaels, JoAnns, Party City, etc) are best, but good quality (not store brand) chips will also work.
• To melt chocolate in the microwave, use 20-30 second intervals, stirring each time. DO NOT have any water nearby as even a drop could seize the chocolate and make it unusable. When you feel the chocolate is getting close switch to 10-15 seconds.
• Candy Melts are smoother and can be re-melted, chocolate chips cannot.
• Chocolate chips take much longer to harden. 
• To make the sticks stay on better, try dipping just the tips in chocolate first. I don't usually do this, but for the peanut butter ones, it would definitely make it easier to spread peanut butter. 

And now it's time to announce the winner of the Blog Design giveaway!!!

Congratulations to:

#32 - Lisa of Fern Creek Cottage!!!

I was pretty excited when I realized Lisa had won, since I'm a huge fan of her blog!!! Lisa, please email me the design questionnaire. We'll start working on your design in January!

If you didn't win this time, not to worry. I'm going to be holding more giveaways in the future. I'm actually contemplating choosing random followers or facebook fans of Simply Klassic Design to win free stuff, so stay tuned! 

In the meantime, I'm taking orders for January and February of 2012, and Simply Klassic fans can receive a 20% discount off of any design purchase! Be sure to mention this post when you place your order.

I may have one more post before Christmas, but if I don't see you before, have a wonderful Christmas!


Follow Me on Pinterest

Heavy Blessings

My children got on my nerves this morning. They get on my nerves pretty much every morning, but today was especially trying. I was sharing this with my good friend at church and she smiled and joked, "Our children are such a blessing. But sometimes those blessings get kind of heavy to carry, don't they? Almost like burdens!"

Today at my church, was our Angel Tree Christmas party. This is the second year we have worked with this particular ministry group for our angel tree. If you haven't heard of Angel Tree ministry, you can read more about it here.

"Angel Tree is a Prison Fellowship program that connects parents in prison with their children through the delivery of Christmas gifts. In most cases, local church volunteers purchase and deliver gifts and the Gospel to children in the name of their prisoner-parent."

Each year, our church sets up a tree with paper angel ornaments. The angels each hold the name of a child and a gift they would like for Christmas. Each child has two angels on the tree, one requesting a clothing gift, the other, a toy. 

Members of the congregation choose an angel and purchase and wrap the gift. The last Sunday before Christmas, the group puts together a Christmas party for the children and a member or two of their family. I offered to help with treats and snacks for the party, as well as decorating the hall, since these were two areas that lacked at last year's party.

As I watched the children arrive, I began to get emotional. These children and families have very little, and were so grateful for what they were receiving. The hardest part, was knowing that under different circumstances, my own children could have been guests at a party such as this, instead of playing with their friends in the next room.

We had cookie and cupcake decorating, games, and crafts. Our pastor read the Christmas Story and the party was a huge success. The children were each handed their gifts and the smiles were immeasurable. Some were allowed to open one of their gifts, but only one, so they would have something to open Christmas morning.

I thought of my own Christmas tree at home, with numerous gifts for my children beneath it, and in that moment, the weight of those blessings I had been complaining about earlier in the day, felt much lighter.

I'll be back Monday night to announce the winner of the blog design giveaway.


Follow Me on Pinterest

Simplify Christmas Printable

You've got to check out this "Simplify Christmas" free printable from Ladybird Lane! This is what Christmas is all about people!!!

Be sure to take a look around at her blog too, it's amazing!!

There's still plenty of time to link up to the Ultimate Printables Party. Show us your spring, summer, fall or winter printables, or show us how you decorated with a free printable you found on the internet any time of the year! We want to see it all!!
Follow Me on Pinterest

O Tannenbaum (Oh Christmas Tree)

Did it help that I added the English translation to that title?

Well I finally have time to show you a detailed look at our Christmas tree. Yay!! (Say it with gusto; I know you're excited too!)

I put the tree up even before Thanksgiving as we were heading out of town and had a whole bunch of parties starting right after we got back. One of the reasons I do love having an artificial tree. One of the two actually. The other being that my kid can walk by it without sneezing his brains out.

My goal this year - get rid of the ugly blinds and hang pretty curtains.

So here it is in all it's glory. It's a bit mishapen, and almost sad looking, and there are a couple of spots with light out,  and I think it's about time for a new one. But we still like it.

I finally got  a cute star for the top of the tree at Pottery Barn a couple of years ago. The majority of the ornaments are keepsakes - from my childhood, handmade from my kids, and gifts from others. In other words, nothing really matches, and that's ok.

I thought I'd show you a few of my favorites.

 Crocheted ice skate that my grandmother made. 
One of the ways we keep her with us during the holidays.

The first ornament Cooper made for me at preschool last year.

One of the few I've purchased for myself, from PB a few years ago. Love this one.

 Cooper's handprint made by my mom for his first Christmas.

My own Baby's First Christmas, from (gasp) 1977.

I asked for a '69 Mustang the Christmas after my 16th birthday. This is what I got.

 Minnie Mouse; represents Riley's first Christmas with us.

I hope you enjoyed this little insight to the history of our tree. I love that it represents who are are, rather just "just" a decorating style. 

The kids also have a little tree in their playroom, but it's never been clean enough to photograph, since they like to play "Santa" and pile all of their toys in front of it!!

Thanks for stopping by! 

Despite how it appears, they really do love their Elf pajamas. What they do not like, however, is having to stand still while mommy takes 57 photos in front of the tree. Sadly, this was the best one.

Merry Christmas!!

   

Home Decor & Organizing Link Party
Thrifty Decor Chick: Christmas Tree Party

Follow Me on Pinterest

Haul Out the Holly: Upcycled Burlap Christmas Ornaments

I'm so excited to be a part of Gwenny Penny's Annual Haul Out the Holly event again this year! I loved being able to share my Christmas Ornament Swag last year, and this year, I've got another way to use those Dollar Store ornaments!

Upcycled Dollar Store Christmas Ornaments

Last year I bought a whole mess 'o dollar store ornaments, which I used here and here, as well as other places throughout my home. But I had a whole bunch leftover. I came up with an idea to get some use out of the leftovers, and give our tree more of that rustic look I've been craving.

I can practically guarantee you have everything you need for his project at home right now: leftover ball ornaments (preferably shatterproof), twine and/or ribbon, burlap or your favorite fabric, hot glue gun. Optional - rubber bands, embellishments.

For this project, the ornaments I used are about 2 1/2" - they are the ones you can buy in a tube of 12 at the Dollar Tree, or in the Dollar Spot at Target.

First, I cut a piece of burlap about 8" x 8". (A great tip to cutting burlap straight - make a small cut, then pull out the string and cut on the line. A straight cut every time!).

Next, place a dab of hot glue on top of the ornament to secure the top piece, then thread a piece of twine or ribbon through and tie it to your desired length.

Place the knot toward the bottom so it won't show when you wrap the ornament.

Next, bring up the corners of your burlap (or your favorite fabric - I happen to {heart} burlap). Bring in the sides of the burlap as tightly as possible before securing with a rubber band and then a pretty ribbon or more twine.

Confession: I did not actually use a rubber band, but it's a fabulous idea that I came up with AFTER the fact, and would definitely have been a time saver!

Finally, hang your newly upcycled ornaments on your tree and admire your handiwork and thrifty decorating!

You could even embellish them by adding small berries, bells or anything else cute and dangly!

Thanks for stopping by today. Thanks to the fabulous Gwen for hosting Haul Out the Holly! The festivities will continue for the rest of the week, so be sure to stop by and check out the other talented ladies who have been offering up some fantastic Christmas inspiration!

And in case you missed it, my 12 Days of Christmas Printables Party just wrapped up yesterday with a linky party and a blog design giveaway! Go check it out!!

Linking up at:
Savvy Southern Style

Stuff and Nonsense
Feathered Nest Friday
At the Picket Fence
Funky Junk Interiors

Follow Me on Pinterest

Puttin' Out the Welcome Mat...Christmas Style!

Hello, and welcome to my Simply Klassic Home! I hope you'll take some time to look around, and be sure to check out the 12 Days of Printables Party and if you have a printable to add, link up to the Printables Linky Party!! Be sure to enter the Blog Design giveaway too!!

Every year, I decide that I want to decorate every room in my house. "Want" being the operative word. I always get the living room and dining room finished, and maybe toss a couple things in the bathroom and that's it, but this year I made it my mission to add some touches to the kitchen, so let's start there! Now, I certainly didn't go overboard, but I'm totally loving my little kitchen Christmas "tree". 

I had a large manzanita branch that I placed in a silver bucket. I added a few pinecones and some green apples for a pop of color. I really wanted to spray paint it white, but I haven't gotten around to it yet.

I had a bunch of metal cookie cutters that I thought would make really cool ornaments so I added some red and white ribbon. I also added some pretty red balls tied with twine.

I just love how it turned out!! Pretty, subtle, rustic! LOVE.

 A sweet little kitchen vignette. Antique scale found at a flea market. A small mason jar with some leftover Epsom salt and pinecones, and a hurricane filled with Epsom salt and a candle. The "Peace" sign was on clearance at either Kohls or Target several years ago. Oh, and the cute snowflake candle was a gift from my sweet friend, Lesly this year! (Lesly really needs to start a blog of her own!!). My kids made Advent chains at preschool and love tearing a link off each day and shout (yes, shouting) "It's almost Christmas!!!"

I prettied the window sill too.I got my inspiration from French Larkspur. The tags are actually printed on cardstock and then coffee-stained to give it an off color. That little Santa is made by my grandmother with felt, a Styrofoam ball and a little Brandy glass! I found it this year and decided it deserved a prominent place.

The kitchen opens up into the dining room, which I've redone since showing you this.  My favorite thing of all that I've done this year is the Christmas banner you see hanging on the hutch. I found a printable vintage music sheet of Hark the Harold Angels Sing. I used Photoshop to create the letters, cut them out and hot glued them to pieces of burlap. Hot glued a long piece of ribbon to the back and hung 'er up!

I found this beautiful white pitcher at Marshalls and it prompted an entire re-do of my dining room.

Mason jars with Epsom salt and tealights (inspiration courtesy of Melissa at The Inspired Room last year); berry wreath from Target a few years ago; burlap runner purchased at a flea market; dried curly willow and artificial cherry blossom branch in the vase. 

 

Isn't it beautiful all lit up?

Rodney sits on the ceiling fan, out of the way of curious hands. He belonged to my dad, and is very special to me.

Remember I mentioned I redid my dining room thanks to a trip to Marshalls? Well, it prompted a re-do of my mantel as well when I found these beautiful bottle brush trees.

Cute, right?

I love this even more than last year's.

I used the same vintage sheet music print to make a piece of art work for the mantel. I'll show it up close in a later post.

For the final leg of the tour, we'll stop in the living room.

I moved the former dining room centerpiece to the living room, and changed out what was in it.

Pine branches from IKEA - $1.99 a piece!! Mercury glass pinecones from Marshall's at the beginning of this season. I think they still have them tough. Real pinecones from my backyard.

I'll be showing you the tree up close in another post. Updated: Oh look, here it is!

It's warm and cozy all lit up at night. I think this is the best year yet for decorations. What do you think?

Linking up:
Blackberry Vine 
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia 

Checkout some other fabulous home tours:
The Inspired Room
Jennifer Rizzo
Hooked on Houses
Follow Me on Pinterest