Best of 2011

Sometimes when blogging, you get so wrapped up in all of the other great posts you are reading of mind blowing projects that you get down on yourself.  You think you don't post enough, or when you do post, they are nothing in comparison to blogs with five and seven thousand followers with book deals.  That is why I love this post idea so much.  It gives you a chance to look back at your year (my 1st year in blogging) and see that you really have worked your bottom off!

Here's what kept me busy in 2011!  (All photos link back to the original post)

January

I debuted by 1st major project with my Pottery Barn Hundi Light Knock Off.

February

I got creative and turned an Ikea Ribba Frame into a shadow box for this skeleton key.

March

I jumped head first on the trend train of decorating this spring with my original farm ladder.

April

I won a major contest with my tutorial on how to stencil curtains.

May

I tackled another Pottery Barn Knock Off when I made this faux clock.

June

We got all personal in June when I posted about our extra jobs and our little family!

July

Big month!  We redid our guest room with the hot and trendy faux board and batten look and put up a hallway gallery wall.

August

In one marathon night, one of my students and I crafted up all of her dorm room decor.

September

In September, a new obsession began.  Milk glass!

October

I splurged on live decor with these bold pumpkins used in my tablescape.

November

I wrote my 1st sponsored post for Plaid Craft Paints and Martha Stewart where I made this Christmas Typography rug.

December

This Christmas, I decorated with fresh garland that I beefed up with some free tree trimmings.

When I look back at my Home Goals 2011 post, I know that there are a few things that I didn't get to in 2011, but I think I squeezed in a few more projects than originally projects.  Somehow, in my twisted mind, this balances out to me.  Bring on 2012!

Look back at your year...I know you accomplished great things!

Linked up at Southern Hospitality Blog.

 

How To Tie Duvet Ties

On Christmas Eve, I opened some pretty amazing gifts!  One of the was this beautiful duvet cover and two Euro shams from West Elm.

I just love its pattern and knew it would look killer with my Gray Matters by Sherwin Williams master bedroom.

Now, I have had MANY duvet covers before, and I always fight trying to get them on and fight trying to keep them looking polished.  I decided that the living room would be the best place to spread everything out and tackle it.

 

First, I lay out the comforter insert on the ground.  Next, I turn the duvet inside out and lay it on top of the comforter.  As I go to grab the corners to "flip" the duvet over the comforter, I saw these:

Duvet ties!  I have never had a duvet with ties, but I went to tying them like so:

After I had all four corners tied, I just flipped everything inside out and buttoned her up.  The comforter filled out the duvet perfectly, and it is looking great on the bed.

 

I can't wait to show you the whole master bedroom.

 

What about you?!  Are duvet ties old news to you?  How do you keep yours in place?

Christmas Home Tour 2011

Even though I have had my Christmas decorations up since Thanksgiving, I am just now getting around to hitting post for you.

 

Enjoy some eye candy of what we got to enjoy for the last 4 weeks.

This has been the most relaxing Christmas break ever.  No lie.  I don't know what is has been about this break, but Rusty and I have been both productive and super connected by spending lots of time together on the couch and under the Christmas tree lights. 

 

I couldn't have asked for a better Christmas!

How to Make Christmas Garland

As teachers, we live our lives from break to break.  The last day of Thanksgiving break, I dabbled in outdoor holiday decorations for the 1st time.  In about 2 hours, I transformed our front porch into a scene of tasteful Christmas bliss.

The best part about my project was that it only cost about $10.00!  Here is what I started with:

I bought rolls of 15' Whit Pine garland from Home Depot at $7.00 each.  I grabbed nails and 28 gauge wire (from this project) out of my craft box.  I then took all of our tree trimmings (and a truck bed load's worth since HD gives it away for free!) and got to creating Christmas.

 

I first tacked up some nails and swagged some garland.  I trimmed off the excess to save for my railings.

Then I used my supplies to add on some of my FREE trimmings to beef up the garland.

Here's a snapshot of what it will start to become....

After finishing, I just strung up some lights...

I went on to use the rest of that roll plus about 8' of the second roll to affix to my railings with twine.  I strung some lights around the railings and the corner bush.

I put out my peace rug!

And even UGA got a little Christmas makeover. 

I even slaved for hours to trade out my plants in my window boxes....

Just kidding...I cheated!  But no one can tell.

I used the other 7' or so of the garland to gussy up my mantel which I will post all about tomorrow!

 

Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!