December 2013 | Vintage, Paint and more...

Sunday, December 29, 2013

13 Top Posts of 2013

Written by: Cathy Carroll, Vintage, Paint and more...


Good day folks,
hope you are all enjoying your holidays.
We are traveling  - visiting family
and
have a great time.
I have a down day today and so thought I would put together a post
about the
13 top viewed posts this last year.
I didn't really start blogging till about July
when I decided to get serious about this little blog
and
see just what I could do.
So, without further ado let's get on to the countdown.
#13

This little cloche I made from thrift store finds was very popular
and
actually one of my favorite projects also.
I liked it so well I actually
found some more of these parts and made another one.
You just can't have too many little cloches can you.
You can read about it here

Sunday, December 22, 2013

Christmas Traditions

 
Our family - as most families -  has many traditions at this time of year.
There are activities that we have been doing since the oldest were toddlers
and
if I try to skip any of these activities
I am nearly crucified.
They have become the expected and are actually a big part of what
Christmas is to our grand kids.
 
 
Baking is one of our number one traditions
and
they all get into it no matter their age.
These two older girls have been baking with Grandma since
they were toddlers.
 
 
 
The only difference now is that they can actually
do most of it by themselves
and
 have become great cookie and candy bakers.
 
 
However, this is the kitchen while they are working.
(Just keeping it real....)
 
 
The two younger have now joined in the fun
and
help with what they can do
to make all those delicious delectables.
We make a day of it and have a blast together.
Of course, it includes eating a fair amount of the wares
and
a cup or two of hot chocolate
and
if it's too warm we just turn the AC way down.
 
 
Another activity that they have to do each year is
trim Grandma's tree.
This is a big party and when we lived in the Midwest
where all eight of our grand kids were it was a big affair.
We still carry on the tradition here with just the four that are here.
They enjoy picking their special ornaments to put on the tree
and
placing them in just the right spot for all to see.
They each tell little tales of memories they have of their special ornament
and
share lots of laughs and giggles as they reminisce.
 
After it is done we all admire it and tell each other
what a great job we did this year
and
as the youngest says
"This is the best tree ever!"
 
 
Then it's hot cocoa, some of those cookies
and
"The Polar Express".
It just wouldn't be Christmas if we didn't usher it in
with this great movie.
We wrap up in blankets even if it's 80 outside (the AC on, again)
and
cuddle up together.
It's one of the happiest times that I enjoy so much with them.
 
 
We always have a craft day.
I try to find age appropriate crafts that span all the ages.
They love to create
and
part of Christmas is creating together.
This year they made this little snowman
and
some clay tags.
 
Both quite simple for them to do
(the older helping the younger)
and
very cute and useful items when they were done.
They really enjoyed using their own creativity with the tags.
I love what they came up with.
 
 
We always take a couple of evenings with the grands
and
catch the movie of the season.
This is year it was the new
"Hunger Games: Catching Fire"
(the younger two skipped this one)
and
"Frozen".
Then it's home for more hot cocoa and cookies.
 
 
We have a new tradition that we started when we moved here to the beach.
Brookgreen Gardens puts on an annual
"Night of a Thousand Candles" event.
This is a fairy tale walk through the garden at night.
It is lit with fairy lights and candles
and
 is absolutely mesmerizing and beautiful.
The kids love it.
We get hot cocoa (of course) and coffee,
bundle up and go for a long stroll.
 
 
 
 
I am not the greatest night photographer
but,
we enjoy all the lights hanging from tree limbs,
surrounding the tree trunks and rambling through the grasses.
There are little tents scattered throughout the gardens
with small orchestras of music playing
that lends to the ambiance.
The statuary of the gardens are spotlighted in wondrous ways
and
 the whole of it is a fairy land come live.
The girls, especially revel in the imaginative it come alive for them.
I, too can get totally lost in this land of
Christmas wonder.
 
These are a few of our Christmas traditions
what are yours?
Would love to hear about them in the comments.
 
You can follow me through Bloglovin, Google+, Facebook
and
You really don't want to miss any upcoming posts.
You just never know what I will try to do next.....
 
Until next time
have fun creating something you love....
 
I will be linking up to the following parties.
Please go by and visit - check out all the great links - you will
definitely find some awesome projects and inspiration....
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Friday, December 20, 2013

Simple Snowman Craft

Written by: Cathy Carroll, Vintage, Paint and more...



                                                               Good morning friends,
I don't know about where you live but school is out until after the new year here.  That means that we have lots of projects and activities to do with the kids so they don't get bored.  Ours are 8, 13, 16, and 17.  Although the older ones are very well able to entertain themselves they still expect me to come up with cool projects and activities for them to do as I have always done in the past.  The other day I found myself with a very bored 8 year old and her 16 year old sister just hanging out for the day.  So I pulled out one of our "projects" to get them engaged in something.  Even with the huge age difference they work quite well together and enjoy doing things together.

Vintage, Paint and more... snowman made by painting two votive candle holders and adding embellishments

Isn't he cute.  This little snowman is so simple to do and takes very little time except for the drying process.  He is made from two round "fish bowl" like candle cups from the Dollar Tree.

The girls painted the cups with white craft paint using the method I used to paint these vases this summer.   The girls both love playing with paint and this was a method they had never used before so it was mesmerizing for them watching the paint roll around in side the cups.  They then let them dry overnight.  Next day they glued the two cups together with a glass glue and then added the embellishments with hot glue.  I had gotten the little Santa hat and ruffled bells at the Dollar Tree also.  I found them in the pet section and thought they were perfect for this little guy.  So, they proceeded to glue the hat on the top and the ruffled bells became his buttons.  Then two black buttons for eyes.  A bit of ribbon for a scarf and a sharpie smile.  And wallah.... you have "Frosty".
Vintage, Paint and more... budget friendly snowman craft

So, cute and he is perfect standing next to our burlap tree.  The best part is they had a blast making him and boredom was overcome....

What kind of projects do you do with your little ones to keep them engaged during this time of the year?  I would love for you to share them in the comments.


You can follow me through Bloglovin, Google+, Facebook
and
You really don't want to miss any upcoming posts.
You just never know what I will try to do next.....

Until next time
have fun creating something you love....


Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.
Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....






Monday, December 16, 2013

A Handmade Christmas - Home Tour

Written by: Cathy Carroll, Vintage, Paint and more...


Today I am going to wind up my series A Handmade Christmas with our Christmas Home Tour.  You can read about
A Handmade Christmas - Trees here,
A Handmade Christmas - Wreaths here,
and
A Handmade Christmas - Pillows here.
I am going to show you how you can have a simple and festive Christmas décor while keeping within your budget.

Vintage, Paint and more... diy pine cone wreath, Santa boots, brown parcel paper packages from cereal boxes

Friday, December 13, 2013

Our Christmas Tree for 2013

Written by: Cathy Carroll;  Vintage, Paint and more....

 I have been putting off doing this post because
frankly,
it has been a pain trying to photograph this tree.
The only really good place to put our tree is
in front of two windows.
In the morning it is light but, not really light enough because
they are on the shady side of the house.
Then,
in the afternoon the sun glares through them so
no photography at that time.
This is really the best picture I could get with
my little point and shoot camera. 

As with the mantel this year I decided to keep
our color scheme neutral.
I love the tree and it is quite pretty
but,
the fam (again) would rather have the bright
colors of Christmas.
I used all gold, white and brown..



Starting at the top
I used some faux flowers and stems to give it more interest and
lots of texture. 
I also stuck some gypsum throughout the limbs
of the entire tree to give it more fullness.


You can see a little more detail here. 
 Our favorite little gold bird is perched amongst the stems
in the top.
He looks as though he is watching over the rest of the tree
sitting up there.


The garland is burlap ribbon and gold glittered tulle.
Then a string of pearls.


The ornaments are handmade -
some by me some by friends and family.
This one is a clear ball with pot pourri and a gold wire ribbon.



This one is metallic gold paint swirled around
inside a clear ball.



Then there are the purchased glitzy white ones
we all love so much.




And, our primitive ones.
These are but a few.
A large amount are still in the boxes in storage
because
they didn't make the white, gold or clear list.
Next year they will be back in all their glory.


Surrounding the base is the new tree skirt I made.
It is a sewn one made of ....
you guessed it- drop cloth fabric and a sheet.
I just can't tear myself away from these two old favorites.
I added a bit of gold cording at the top of the rows of pleats to give
it a little glitz.
Gotta' have that glitz....

I love this tree - I think all Christmas trees are magical
and
at night it just sparkles with all it's lights and glitter
looking as though it just came from fairy land.



 You can follow me through Bloglovin, Google+, Facebook
and
my Christmas boards on Pinterest
and
where you will find all kinds of inspiration.
You don't want to miss out on the upcoming tutorials either.

Until next time
have a great day and get out there and create
something you love.....

Click here to see the parties I am linking to this week.
Please visit them and see all the great projects and inspiration found there....

Monday, December 9, 2013

DIY Vintage Book Page Snowflake Decoration

There are affiliate links in this post.  This means I may get a few cents to help pay for this blog if you order but it won't cost you a thing.


Making Christmas ornaments is a big part of my preparations for the season each year.  I love crafting and the fun of adding to my tree  with ornaments that cannot be found in the big box stores.  Today, I am going to share my latest ornament with you - a vintage book page snowflake decoration.  I am using it as a Christmas ornament on my tree this year but these could be used in many ways - hanging in your windows, from a light fixture, added to a length of twine for a banner - so many different ways it can be used.  

Vintage, Paint and more... a vintage snowflake ornament diy'd using book pages, glitter and gold snowflakes

I love book page crafts so it's no surprise that this one is a favorite of mine.  It's very simple to do and you can make several while watching a favorite movie or having afternoon coffee with a friend.  And, the fact that it's so versatile makes it one anyone can use in any decor.  It can also be used in your winter decor right through January, February, and March. 

Saturday, December 7, 2013

Christmas Mantel 2013

Written by: Cathy Carroll; Vintage, Paint and more...



This year I wanted to simplify our decor a lot.
Each year I bring out all the storage cartons full of decorations
and
proceed to unwrap everything and put it out.
When it is done I get overwhelmed with the amount of clutter it makes
and
within a few days I am ready to put it all away.
So, I decided the huge Old World Santa collection would stay in the cartons
along with the collection of nutcrackers
and
all the red faux poinsettias
and
the rest of the collection of things we have gathered over the years.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Farmhouse Yarn Wreath Tutorial



There are affiliate links in this post.  This means I may get a few cents to help pay for this blog if you order but it won't cost you a thing.

When cold temperatures set in I like to fill my home with warm, cozy, textural things like pillows, throws, and rugs to make the spaces appear warmer than they may be.  This year I was noticing another element that lent a warm, cozy feel to a room and that is a beautiful pom pom wreath made with yarn.  I love this wreath - so fluffy and full of texture - it's definitely the center of attention in any room you put it.  So, today I am going to share my tutorial with you so you too, can make your own pom pom wreath for your home.

                                              
Vintage, Paint and more... A beautiful yarn wreath that can be used for your holiday through winter decor  adding texture and that cozy feel.

Monday, December 2, 2013

A Handmade Christmas - Pillows

Written by: Cathy Carroll; Vintage, Paint and more...




Not everyone thinks of pillows as their go to
decorating element.
But, pillows can be the one thing that adds that
simple elegant touch of color
that is needed to carry off your decorating theme.