Merry & Bright

December Photo Project: Day 8:

Some ornaments I have gathered as my centerpiece at the moment--such glitter and shine!

♥ Shannon

December Photo Project -- Day 7

Red berry bells!


♥ Shannon

A Very Vintage Christmas

You know, you go out of town for a few days, and before you know it, you're already behind on your December Photo Project posting! Here are some images from my trip to a Southern plantation for a Christmas party!

December 3: In honor of the birth of my sister, Forest, some horns!

December 4: The table setting was elevated with presents (and Southern food....oooohhhh so good).

December 5: Santa's little helper.

December 6: What can I say, I was loving the brass garlands!

♥ Shannon

Tutorial Tuesday

I had so much fun making this lovely wreath! It's simple (I made mine while skying with friends), inexpensive, and looks very charming once finished. Here are the steps!

First, things you'll need: scissors, red and green felt (1 8x11inch sheet of each will do), red or silver bells, a foam wreath, red embroidery thread, and a skein of yarn. Total cost was less than $10.

1. Loop the yarn around the foam and tie a knot in what will be the back.

2. Proceed to wrap the yarn around the foam in sections, tying it off every few inches (this will help keep the yarn from sliding). I overlapped the yarn in two layers before tying it off. Continue until the foam is covered (it doesn't matter if the back looks a little sloppy--you can trim any loose ends, and no one will see!).

3. For each poinsettia, I cut 6 large petals and 5 small ones, plus 3 leaves (bigger than the rest), and a little six-point star. Note how the bottoms of the petals are cut straight instead of into a point--this will help prevent bunching when you make your flowers.

4. Start with your big petals. Tie a knot in one end of your embroidery threat, pinch the bottom of your petal, and sew the pinch in place with two stitches.

5. Keeping the same thread, continue to string the petals together, pinching the bottoms and sewing them to the previous petal. Once you sew all six together, pull the thread tight--this will make the star shape. Tie a knot in the back, clip the thread, and move on to the small petals, until you have made your star--don't clip the thread yet!

6. Using the same thread, place the six-point star on top of the small petals, and bring the needle through from behind. String your first bell on there (I used silver, but the reds were pretty, too!), and then stitch the needle back through the flower to the back. Continue until you have three bells sewn in.

7. Using the same thread, attach the small petals to the larger ones. Stitch and secure in place.

8. You can use the same thread to attach the leaves from behind. Once they are secure, knot your thread and clip off any excess.

9. Now you have a flower! Make as many as desired for your wreath. You can vary the petals in size to make larger and smaller flowers.

10. Decide where you want your flowers on the wreath--have a little fun with this!

11. To secure the flowers, just take a length of yarn, slip it between the flower and the leaves, and tie it in a strong knot in the back. This will keep them in place, but also give you a little flexibility when positioning the petals and leaves.

12. You're done! Display your wreath and enjoy!

♥ Shannon

December 2

I found these succulents in a quaint little street-side market. December Photo Project day 2!

♥ Shannon

December Photo Project

I just discovered the December Photo Project from Rebecca's blog, and I decided to participate. One new photo every day until December 25th. To start off with, here is an image of these lovely leaf ornaments, found at Mother Nature's!

 

I'm excited to have some motivation to do more photography. If you want to join in, check out the December Photo Project badge in the sidebar!

♥ Shannon

Christmas Planner

Oh my goodness! When I saw eighteen25's Christmas Planner Tutorial, I just couldn't help myself.  I ran to the craft store, picked me up some essentials (and some non-essentials, because I can't help myself!), and made my own right away. I ♥ it!!

Image via eighteen25

Check out the tutorial here and make your own for all your holiday organizing needs!!

♥ Shannon