A Natural Christmas

Colorful storebought Christmas decor is amazing. Believe me...I drool over the ornaments section at Garden Ridge! But there is something to be said for a "country" Christmas theme of handmade crafty crafts.

I'm really into the idea of a natural Christmas theme this year. Something about the whites and neutrals,the burlaps, textures, twiggy nature themed found objects strung together with twine and paper and glitter feels so homey and farmhouse to me. It brings the family together...my girls smiling as they stand at the dining table with me helping me glitter our "treasures" and going for walks with me, baskets in hand, as we gather interesting twigs and pinecones.

Knowing that I didn't buy something from China but instead took the time to make it myself. A little messy looking is OK. When I take it out of the attic next year a flood of memories will come back to me. Not memories of standing in line at Micheal's, but of making something imperfectly wonderful with my own two hands ... something magical to my children because we found it on the ground under the trees and turned it into treasure.



Did I mention budget friendly? : )

*For comparison here is the Ballard Designs glittered pinecone ornament. I love Ballard...but 3 for $15 plus tax & shipping???

vs. free...

*Some things are store bought, yet still budget friendly. These little paper churches were $1.97 each at Walmart!

♥Linsey

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Homemade Snow Village!

I worked on these for several hours yesterday. It was a fun project to do, although if you have little girls around it's almost irresistable (sp?) for them as a dollhouse.

The little paper mache houses were $10 total and it took 1 and a half cans of white spray paint (0.97 each), some glitter, and a few plastic pearls. Overall a fun, easy, and inexpensive xmas project.

I may cover each window with parchment paper and put lights inside like this...haven't decided yet...

And how cute are these glittery little church ornaments I found? I don't know if you can see it but I put one in the middle of one of my burlap wreaths...

♥Linsey

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http://shabbyartboutique.blogspot.com