Holiday Home Tour

Today is the big ol’ Christmas tour of homes over at The Nester.  I had planned on posting each room separately and then combining them into one big ol’ post.  Somehow December has slipped away from me.  Something about having a sinus infection for 6+ weeks has put the blog on the backburner.   As my brother always tells me, “Don’t make excuses, Michelle. Make improvements.”  So today…giant house tour post.  I can’t promise the post will be coherent but you all are just here for the pictures anyways, right?

Let’s start with the living room.  The living room is where we spend a good chunk of our time at home.  It’s so cozy right now. The tree lights are turned on as soon as we walk in the door each night.

Our tree is rocking the silver and gold this year.  And brown paper packages tied up with string.  (Ha. Ha.  Now you have that song in your head too.)

The walkway is sporting some lighted garland.  I think the garland on the stairs/walkway is one of my favorite parts of decorating for the holidays.

This is what the ol’ living room looks like when the sun is out. Which isn’t often.

Our mantel is simple yet elegant.  Or at least that’s what I tell myself.  Feel free to vote for it over on Emily Henderson’s facebook.  (The ways I choose to spend my precious free time amaze me.  Mainly I need a few of you to vote for me so I don’t seem like a huge loser.  I’m okay with being a medium loser.  Humor me.)

The console table is celebrating it’s first Christmas.  They grow up so fast.

Our dining room is decked out in silver.  It houses are second tree.  We decorate this tree after the big one. It always seems weird to decorate a tree without a ladder.  Weird and awesome.

The kitchen is currently a disaster cookie zone so we’ll just go with this Instagram photo.  Mkay?  The only holiday decorations in the kitchen are a poinsettia, a Santa cookie jar, and lots of cookies.  Mmm, cookies. I’ll have some stellar cookie recipes for your later this week.

You saw our mudroom yesterday in all of it’s red and painted nutcracker merriness.

The eating area is sporting a little ol’ tree.  If you haven’t caught on to our theme, it’s “less is more.”

Except when it comes to Christmas lights.

We have to go now.  We need to squeeze in one last walk before the first snow of the season hits.

You check out all of our holiday posts on our "Holidays 2012" tab!

Mudroom Merriness

Thanks to everyone for helping us celebrate our 2 year blog birthday on Friday!  I’ll be back after the holidays to answer questions and maybe do a little more blog birthday celebrating.

I have had our house mostly decorated for Christmas since early December but somehow I haven’t shown very much of it on the ol’ blog.  The shame.

Today I’d like to share with you our mudroom.  I took all of these photos myself because Nate was sleepy.  (He did help me frost 1 billion sugar cookies so he’s totally off the hook.)  My photography skills are pretty awful. I do good work.



The chalkboard needed some holiday love. I chose part of a quote from my favorite Christmas movie. I watched it twice on Saturday.  Seriously.  If you don’t love the movie Elf, I want you to leave this blog right now.  Or you can stay if you promise to improve your holiday movie taste.



I made some “garland” out of vintage light bulbs and Baker’s twine.  It makes me smile.  I only broke one bulb in the process.  Nate was proud of me.




The nutcrackers are an oldie but a goodie.  I was painting nutcrackers before painting nutcrackers was cool.  The prints I either had or made in PhotoShop.  Because life is merrier with a Wire Fox Terrier.




That’s it.  A few simple touches to make our mudroom merry.



What’s your favorite holiday movie?  Is your house all decorated?

Happy 2nd Birthday Decor and the Dog

Wake up, Ike!

It’s time to put on your party best.

Why? Because it’s Decor and the Dog’s 2nd birthday.  Well, actually it was Monday but like every December birthday it got shoved to the side because of the holidays.

We generally aren’t a touchy-feely kind of blog but Nate, Ike, and I want to thank you all for reading. Seriously. We’ve had quite a few fun experiences thanks to this little blog and that’s in part because you all take the time to read.

For our birthday gift, we’d like a simple comment below telling us a little about yourself. (I’ll help you out.  How old are you? Where are you from? Babies? Fur babies? What do you want Santa to bring you?)  Feel free to also ask any questions you may have. If I have enough, I’ll answer them in another post!  I’m curious to see who’s out there. Don’t make Ike beg.  Because he will.

But since I know not all of you will comment (I’m a realist), if you could take a few seconds to answer our little survey that would be awesomesauce (I hate that word.). But boy do I love surveys.  (It’s a sickness.)

Dare to DIY “Deck the Halls” Features

Today is the last day of the Dare to DIY.  Tear.

The Dare to Deck the Halls Party was one of the most popular.  There were so many great projects that it really was hard to choose!  Be sure to check all of them out this week-end.

Maybe Matilda, NewlyWoodwards, and Two Twenty One will also be sharing their top three so head on over and check out their favorites as well!

My favorites in reverse order of entry were…

I really like this snowman wreath by Hudson's House.  Okay, Hudson totally stole my heart. I think he and Ike would get along well.

This Christmas art from View Along the Way is a good reminder of the ol’ reason for the season.  I love the color and font choice.

There are so many versions of the advent calendar out in blogland/Pinterest but this one by The Linden Life speaks to me.  I love that it was made from original door molding. 

Thanks again to all of you that participated in the Dare to DIY challenge!  I enjoyed seeing all of the creative ideas and finding some great new blogs along the way!

What was your favorite project?  Who wants to steal Hudson?

Outdoor Christmas Lights

This is a true story of a blogger that posts pictures of her home on the interwebs.

My Chiro:  “Ms. Michelle. I love your Christmas lights.  Now tell me about your secret internet life.”

Me:  “Uhh.”  *stutters*  *embarrassed because a real life person has discovered my blog*

So, my “secret” blog is getting out.  My chiro was talking to another person that lives in town about our lights and that person mentioned my blog (Hi, fellow small town person).  I guess strangers in our little town are reading and the word is getting out.  Weird. So very weird.  And cool.  Unless you are Nate spotted in a Mexican restaurant.  Oh boy, does he love me and this lil’ ol’ blog I’ve created.

Want to see the lights that are the talk of our little town?

We are no where near as cool as the house that is set to music.  We’re pretty jealous of that one.  I can only imagine how much time something like that takes.

Nate is most definitely in charge of the outside lights. I won’t even watch him put them on the peaks.  His dad helps him (thanks, FIL!). I’m just on stand by in the house waiting to call 911.  You only think I’m joking.  The following photo is the short ladder.  I’m still cringing.

Nate tells me that the secret to great outside lights is lighting the vertical areas and corners of your home.

We keep slowly adding lights each year.  This year we added the addition of light balls.  I’ll post more info on them tomorrow.  It was hard to get a good close up of them as it was pretty windy outside last night.  But trust me. They look cool in person.  Ask Kim.

We would like to add more to the entire tree area.  Someday Clark.

Nate’s recommendations for taking photos outdoor Christmas lights are to have your aperture set at f14 and ISO at 100. He recommends a tripod with remote or a self timer.  Each of these photos took about 30 seconds to take.

Do you hang outdoor Christmas lights?  Are your lights set to music?  Any weird blog encounters?

Linking up to: Serenity Now

Insert Clever Christmas Tree Title

Warning:  This post has focus issues. And proper grammar and spelling issues. I thought about re-writing it but I like sleep.  So I decided to warn you instead.  Good luck.

Did you know that decorating the Christmas tree is one of my least favorite holiday activities? The lugging out all of the ornaments, scratchy branches, and twisted lights just don’t do much for me.  I mean, I still like it.  It’s just not my favorite.

The finished product, however, is my favorite.

Our tree skirt is super fancy.  It’s a brown 70” round table cloth from Wal-Mart.  I’ve never really understood tree skirts.  They are so stinking expensive and you just cover them with presents.  So what’s the frilly point?

Our tree is 12 feet tall.  And we partly picked our floor plan because it allowed for a giant Christmas tree.  We kind of like the holidays around here.

We are cheap but wanted a giant tree.  We bought this tree after Christmas 5 years ago. It’s not pre-lit.  We decorate the tree in two parts.  Lights one night.  Ornaments the next.

Most of our ornaments are from Hobby Lobby or the Dollar Tree.  We is fancy. 

Can you tell that Nate took these photos while I wasn’t home?  Lens cap on coffee table.  Smushed couch cushions.  Candles unlit on mantel.  It’s hard being a working blogger with a accountant photographer.  Don’t worry.  I’m going to make him retake more for a full house night tour.  Mwah ha ha.  Wife for the win.  I hope he doesn’t read this before then.  He really is great.  He just needs to work on his décor blog photography.

Let’s stare at our pretty tree some more.

Christmas tree post out.

Dare to DIY (Deck the Halls) Link Party

Today’s the final day of the Dare to DIY.  Sad face.

But let’s go out with a giant gold/glitter/burlap/merry/bright fest.  Shall we?

On Friday I shared with you my burlap stocking tutorial.  Burlap.  Cringe.

Rachel shared her modern woodland Christmas vignette.

Kim whipped up a little NOEL action for her front door.

Chelsea shared her card catalog Christmas vignette.

Now it’s your turn!

Each Monday, the link party goes live for that week's Dare to DIY challenge. You can link up as many projects as you wish, as long as the posts correspond with the theme of the week.

You can link up on any of the co-hosts blogs. The linky below will stay live through Wednesday. This Thursday, each co-host will spotlight at least 3 projects we loved from the week on their blogs. We'll also pin those projects on our shared Pinterest board!

The only rules:

1. Please follow the Dare to DIY theme of the week (this week is “deck the halls”).

2. Please link back to Dare to DIY on one of our blogs (preferably all but we understand that time is precious). (Or copy this: I’m sharing this at the Dare to DIY party hosted by Decor and the Dog, Maybe Matilda, Newly Woodwards, and Two Twenty One!)

3. Please go to at least one other blog and comment. If you don’t comment it’s kind of like bringing dessert to the party and then eating it all yourself.  True story.

Thanks to all of you that have joined in to the Dare to DIY! 

Because You Need MORE Gift Ideas

I’m shoving handmade gift ideas down your throat.  Take that.

Are you done with your holiday gift shopping/making?  Yeah, me neither.  I don’t like to start too early.  Takes the fun out of the season, you know.

Today I have compiled 8 posts from days past.  I have tackled and succeeded at these projects.  You will too.

You could sew your dog a long tie or even a bow tie.  Who wouldn’t love a monogram made from washers?  Infinity scarves are all the rage this year.  I suggest a lingerie bag for that friend that travels a lot?  Want to bang your head against the wall?  You could make a state pillow.  Got 15 minutes before that big gift exchange?  Go with the wood bead necklace.  Got a messy cook or hipster in the family?  Go with the apron in a mason jar.

What’s really funny is that no one on my list will get handmade gifts this year because I’m too busy putting together a post on handmade gifts.  Oh, the irony.

Are you giving handmade?  Are you done shopping?  Who is ready for some stinking snow already?

Dare to Deck the Halls- Burlap Stocking Tutorial

Can you believe that Monday is the last link party for the Dare to DIY?  Where does time go?

Monday’s theme is “Dare to Deck the Halls.”  I’m sure you have been wanting to make something for your home for the holidays.  Hopefully the Dare to DIY is that extra little push that you’ve been needing!

On Tuesday I shared with you our holiday mantel. One of the finishes touches on the mantel was the addition of burlap stockings.

I’ve had my eye on burlap stockings for awhile.  When I found some gold polka dot fabric and burlap with gold flecks in at Joann’s, I knew it was a sign that these stockings were to made in 2012.  Unfortunately I learned that burlap and I don’t get along (major congestions/headache/think I might die/seriously) but I suffered through for these beauties.

Stockings are like the throw pillows of holiday decorating.  There are seriously easy to make.  I will show you how.

You will need:

• 1/2 yard exterior fabric (I used the gold flecked burlap.)
• 3/4 yard interior/cuff fabric (I used the gold polka dot fabric.)
• 6” ribbon or fabric remnant for hanging loop (I used a strip of fabric.)
• Coordinating thread
• Stocking template (I’m not smart enough to do this as 1 download so you will need all 3 pages. Page 1, Page 2, and Page 3.)

Print out the stocking pattern (links above).  Cut out the pattern with a rotary cutter or trace and cut out with scissors. Repeat for the lining.  (You will need 2 exterior pieces and 2 lining pieces.)

To assemble the body of the stocking, put the two exterior body pieces right sides together. Pin in place. Sew the two layers together with a 1/4-1/2"-ish seam allowance.  I’m super precise when I sew.  I’m having trouble coming up for the right words for this but it’s important to sew as along the circular edges as smoothly as possible.  If you sew them too square or at a point, your stocking will look funny when you turn it right side out.

Trim the fabric along the edge of toe and ankle to help make the stocking less bulky when you turn it right side out. Turn right side out.

Do the same with your lining pieces except you will not turn the lining pieces right side out.  (My lining fabric was hard to determine which side is right side so don’t let the photos fool you.)

Place the lining inside the body of the stocking.

Next you will need to make the cuff.  Cut out a 16" x 9" rectangle.  Fold the fabric in half (right sides together) and sew up the short side.

Fold this in half so right sides are showing. 

Place the cuff inside the body of the stocking.  You want the finished/folded edge to go in first.  The raw edges of the cuff should match up with the raw edges of the body.  You also want the seam of the cuff to match up with the back body seam. 

Cut a 6" piece of ribbon (or use a fabric scrap like I did) and fold in half. Place the ribbon between the lining and the cuff along the back body seam of the stocking. The loop of the ribbon should be facing into the body of the stocking.  Align the raw edges of the ribbon and the body of the stocking.

Pin body of stocking, cuff, and ribbon.  Sew cuff onto body of stocking.  Fold the cuff over and enjoy your handmade lined stocking!

Hang by the mantel with care!

In case you missed them, I also whipped up a Glittery Gold Whispy Ornament Wreath.

And some reindeer prints.

Are you ready for Monday’s link up?  We double dog dare you on this last challenge! Seriously.  What are you waiting for? Go forth and craft!

20 Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas (Dare to DIY)

Thank you all for linking up to the Dare to DIY Give Handmade link up!  There were so many great projects that we decided to compile our favorites into one handy post.  Hopefully you can use this compilation to help you out with those last minute handmade gifts.

Click the images or the links below to check out these fantastically awesome gift ideas!

InLinkz.com

 House Drawing by Planting Sequoias * Card Table Playhouse by Anything Pretty

Dog Silhouette by A Peachtree City Life * Wine Gift Bags by Bowl of Cherrys

Wine Cork Trivet by B&B Build a Life * Christmas Joy Felt Pillow by Our Next Great Adventure

Owl Coasters by Boxy Colonial  * Vanilla Brown Sugar Body Scrub by Wills Casa

Sharpie Mugs by Shannaigans * Travel Jewelry Holder by Naptime DIY

Gold Leaf Agate Coasters by Desert Domicile * Lilly Doll by Home in the Country

Festively Red Spread by Little Rays of Sunshine * R2D2 Stocking by Creative Chaos Art

Geometric Necklace by Ceci Bean * Mason Jar Snow Globes by The Sweetest Digs

Woodbead Necklace by Decor and the Dog * Crochet Blanket by Maybe Matilda

Dish Towels by NewlyWoodwards * State Necklace by Two Twenty One

We will be pinning all of these handmade gifts to the Dare to DIY Projects board.  You can also find all of the co-hosts on Pinterest: Decor and the Dog, Maybe Matilda,  NewlyWoodwards, and Two Twenty One.

Are you ready for next week’s Dare to Deck the Halls Challenge?  What’s the most fantastically awesome handmade gift that you have received?