Tuesday, December 2, 2008

Before and Afters and a countdown to Christmas.


WHY IS THIS BIG BLANK SPACE HERE>>>>>>GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!

FILL FREE TO FILL IN THE BLANKS!



















BEFORE




AFTER



BEFORE



(First of all I apologize for the dark pictures....my house is horrible...no natural light.)

I don't know about you but if I don't get the ideas that roll around in my head on to paper...I lose them! So I have had this garage sale journal for awhile and decided to give it a redo. I found this cherry paper...and it was perfect for this. Now when those ideas pop into my head right before drifting off I can write them down here. I leave it next to my bed. The star is a Dollar Tree find...it was cute just the way it was...but I had to give it a redo.
I would be willing to bet some of you ladies have some of these old sewing spools....I have always loved them. They make great places to perch things on. I decided to brighten them up a bit and roll Christmas ribbon around them. Here is how they ended up with some of my favorite little trinkets on them. Next to them I set my POTTERY BARN version of some bottle brush trees in an apothecary jar. I got all my tags done for my Count down tree and hung them today. They are just mailing tags that I decorated very simply with a piece of Making Memories paper...they already had all the numbers on it and I cut them out. I am trying very hard to use what I already have....other than a few small purchases at the Dollar Tree & the dollar section of Target...I am using items from around the house. Our budget (just about non-existent..hohoho) is tight. I know many are in the same plight..... I guess that can make you more creative trying to use things you have in a new way. So off to decorate some more. Sarah over at http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/ Is having a party! Show us some of your favorite things party! So go on over and add your blog to Mr. Linky! By the way "Sound of Music" is one of my fave movies..but I digress....wink, wink, cherry




75 comments:

Half Gaelic, Half Garlic! said...

I love the countdown tree!! You are so darn creative....how do you come up with all these great things!!

Sherri said...

Your house looks wonderful! Thanks for sharing all your Christmas things with us!

tam said...

Your house looks terrific! I love the big spools too! And I also do the idea journal! Looks like you had a good time decorating!
~Tam :D

Natalia said...

Great ideas all around! It all looks beautiful.

Anonymous said...

How sweet! The red ribbons on the old spool bobbins are darling! They compliment each other in colors! And I just love that rustic star (polka dotted) with Vintage Santa label! Darling! Your post made me smile!

Shell in your Pocket said...

I love the spools with the ribbon..so very cute!!! I have some of those..great idea!
-sandy toes

Unknown said...

I love all your ideas. I'm so glad you write them down! Maybe you could write a book!!!

I sold some of those old bobbins at a garage sale...regret it now!


Everything looks wonderful!

Becky said...

I love the countdown tree too!! What a great idea and you make it sound soooo easy! I love the rest of your decorations as well. It looks so festive.

squawmama said...

Hi Cherry, I love all your Christmas ideas... You really come up with some great crafting projects... I have some of those spools that I got while going to estate sales for antiques... I love them... and now I have a new idea for them... Thanks have a great night...

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Trish said...

I love all of your work. I need some serious creativity lessons! You are amazing!

Carrie's Minnesota-nICE said...

You have some really cute decorating ideas. Keep them coming! I enjoy seeing all the neat things you do:)

Unknown said...

I love your countdown tree so fun and festive! Your decorations are AWESOME!

nikkicrumpet said...

I love your clever idea of the ribbon on the spools...then using them as pedestals to display things...brilliant!!! And that notebook is stellar too!

Our Complete Family said...

Seriously girl~ your decs are the cutest ever! They just don't get any better than this! Love them all!!!
Happy Merry Decemember to you~ Les

Laura said...

I love those spool bobbins - so adorable and clever! And I bought that same star from the dollar store - love what you did with it - I may have to copy that idea!

Jessica said...

My first time visiting and I lvoe the blog!!!! You have some great craft ideas!!!

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Cute, cute. Love the trees in the jar.

AndreaLeigh said...

Wow, I'm so envious of your amazing talent. Everything is beautiful!

Thrifty Decor Chick said...

Oh MY, what first?? Uh, I love it all. Most of all, maybe, is the journal. I have a friend who always tells me -- write it down! So I can clear my head. I need one of these by the bed for sure!!

Ribbonwood Cottage said...

Hi Cherry Girl! I can't stand it...that tree is so cute...is it a Cherry tree branch (giggle...ok dumb joke)those tags are adorable. When budgets are tight creativity steps up to the next level and girl you are up several levels of cuteness! Wow! I hope you are sending in some photos to crafting/paper magazines because I think your stuff so to speak is as cute as I have 'EVER' seen! I lay in bed at night too with ideas swirling...good idea to put the booklet by your bed!
Have a blessed week!
Debbie

Leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville said...

Always in awe.......

Jenni said...

I love your wonderful ideas! I love your tree you made with branches. I tried that for Thanksgiving ( a thankful tree) but couldn't get it to look right. You have inspired me to try it again for Christmas! You have a magical touch, girl!

I hope you are having a fantastic week! :)

Joy said...

SO CUTE! SO CUTE! SO CUTE!
I can't believe you have time to decorate AND craft. Do you have all of your gifts bought and wrapped too?!?!?

Cassie said...

Thank you for visiting my blog today! I'm so glad you did. I found your blog once and forgot to add it to my blog list, and couldn't find it again! I'll be sure and add it now, you have a beautiful blog, and make the loveliest things!

Julie said...

Oh, Cherry!

I just love what you did with your spools -- I've been pondering it myself!
And I love your Pottery Barn display, and your notebook, and the star, and they tree, and, and, oh...... my head is just spinning from all the preciousness....

Girl, do you ever rest?!?!?

Blessings,
Julie

Anonymous said...

All I can say is that for a gal on a tight budget, you certainly know how to knock the top off decortating ideas---you are a true artist and inspiration! I LOVE your ideas---thank you for sharing.

On your previous post you showed some ceramic Santas---I was so excited to see the first one as I have that guy, too! I just picked up the neatest ceramic pitcher of Santa and will be sharing that soon.

It was so nice to visit you again! Dana

Suze said...

Your decorations look great!

How did you cover the star from the $ store? I have a few of those I picked up.

Thanks for stopping by my blog.

Sue

TidyMom said...

Oh you are SO creative!! I LOVE the spools!!

for your blank space, go look in the HTML coding of your post - see if there are "break" codes and remove them -
they look like this < br> < /br>

~Tidymom

Darlene said...

Gosh, more FABULOUS creations!!! So, so CUTE! LOVE the little bottle brush trees in the jar with snow.....I'm going to have to do that! LOVE all of your paper crafts...they are SO CUTE!!!! Decorate on Cherry!!!!!!!

Missy said...

I am in love with your house! I think you need to ome play at mine hee hee.

Nicolle said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog. I wish I was as creative as you! I love the bottle brush trees! You have given me some great ideas. I'm a big fan of dollar stuff too!

Happy Holidays!

Sandel said...

Love it all, my fave our the spools. How stinkin creative :)

Anonymous said...

Your countdown tree and display around it are fantastic! Your blog really gets me in the holiday spirit.

Candy

Wendy said...

Love the trees in the the jar. I'm going to steal your idea and make one for my kitchen. The countdown tree is a fabulous idea also.

Thanks for leaving a comment on my blog. I just started blogging a few days ago and you are my first comment. I was so excited!!!!

Stacy said...

So very Christmassy! I love the white tree branches...may have get myself over to Hobby Lobby for a little perusing to see what sort of white branches I can score...lovely! Thank you for the inspiration as always!

Thrifty Cents said...

Girl...you are awesome! I am LOVING the spools and how u used them! Need to get me some of those! Nice work!

Wendy said...

Love your advent tree. Darling!

Shannon said...

Love it all!! I love the trees in the jar!!

sandra/tx said...

Great ideas. Your blog is just full of inspiration.

Valarie Lea said...

I love the star! I almost picked him up at the Dollar Tree and then I left hime there. I am gonna have to run back over there! :)

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Cherry, it all looks so adorable! Great job on the redos.

Pink Owl Paperie said...

Ohhhh what wonderful eye candy! I'm so glad you found my blog so I could find yours! I'm off to visit your super cute etsy shop! :)
Renee

Rachel said...

Your house looks so cute!!! I love the ribbon spools. Facebook is a million times better then My Space. SO easy to find people and stay in touch with fun little note, flair, virtual gifts, and more. TRY IT!!!

FrenchGardenHouse said...

Everything looks so festive! Great star painting...it makes that star a beautiful "new" thing for the holidays.
xo Lidy

Betsy said...

Where did you get those spools? I LOVE THAT. You are way too talented for words.

Lacy said...

Omgosh I love the spools so much!!!!!!The star is precious and I want to copy that tree! I already have a trr and I can just make the tags! Yippee! Thanks Cherry your blog cheers me up!

Robin Beck said...

Everything looks wonderful-Like a winter wonderland! I love everything you make Cherry-I really do!
Robin~♥

jennykate77 said...

Wow! I am just never disappointed. Every time I come to your blog there is something cuter (or just as cute) as the last time I was here!! That countdown tree is adorable! ♥Love it all♥

Inspired Kara said...

The countdown tree is incredible. I love it.

Lindsay-ann said...

Hi Cherry
I loved averything about this post. You always show such unusual and beautiful ideas. Those spools look gorgeous and the tree is amazing.
Lindsay

Anonymous said...

You are SOOO creative! Your decor was such an inspiration to me when I put up my holiday decorations this year. I'll post pics on my blog in the next few days.

Question: What kind of adhesive did you use to attach the paper to the star? It turned out so well, with no bumps or creases!

Kari said...

Hi Cherry!
Thank you so much for stopping by my blog. I love your crafts, especially the ribbon wound around the vintage spools... so creative! I love your blog so I'll be back to visit soon. Matter of fact, I'm going to add you to my blogroll... hope you don't mind.

Steph said...

Wowzer! What great decorations. Love the star! Like you said it was cute before, but now it is cute on a whole new level.

Jenny said...

Love the redone star!! You always see those cheesey stars around at yard sales the next summer but I never know what to do with them...I will have to put this into my idea file!! Thanks for sharing!!!

{darlene} said...

Cherry, you have a gift! I will be adding you to my blogroll for some great ideas!

Oh, and thanks for your sweet comment!

Darlene

Penny from Enjoying The Simple Things said...

I just adore everything you do!
Penny

p.s. about that space. Just go into edit....click you curser so it is blinking right at the TOP of the first picture and hit your back space several times..that will move everything up.

Jill said...

Thanks for visiting my blog & for the compliments about my home! I love what you did with the composition book and the countdown tree!

Rue said...

Hi Cherry :)

I just caught up with you and boy oh boy have you been busy crafting! I love the countdown tree and the notebook is precious :)

I'm so sorry to hear about Lawrence and about your hubby's job. I really hope and pray that things are better now.

hugs,
rue

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

That countdown tree is fabulous! I also loved your before and after photos...as usual, so inspiring!
Carrie

Unknown said...

Really cute craft projects. I LOVE all your re-do's. You're like me and must always need to "tweaka' things! :)

Cindy said...

I am not sure how often you check your comments. When I read that comments came from kindred spirits, I had to remember my best friend that passed away a few years ago. Her birthday was in December. She was truly my kindred spirit and I miss her terribly.
Today is Blog Comment Day
I just found your blog and have enjoyed reading it.
Thanks for sharing
Hope your day is perfect
Cindy

Carrie said...

I wanted to tell you thanks for coming by my blog and leaving a comment!! That was sweet of you.BTW,♥♥♥LOVE♥♥♥ you before and afters!! You have such GREAT taste!!

Cindy said...

Thank you for your comment about the header. I made it myself. I hope to make a new one every month.
I also loved Anne of Green Gables. I have the whole series!
Stop back often.
Cindy

Free Art Printables said...

Love the tree!! You guessed right. those stores are so distinctive... aren't they??? I love how you did the journals.

Tiffany said...

I LOVE IT ALL! Oh, I think you have finally sparked by Christmas spirit. Finally!

Beth said...

Oh. My. Gosh! So many cute ideas! I'm going to be 'dressing up' my candle holders TONIGHT! Thanks for sharing!

beth.cormier@blogspot.com

Rachael Black said...

thanks for visiting my site! Its so great to meet you! I just spent some time wandering around your site. Its beautiful!! Just love you pictures. Come back anytime. :)

Lorie said...

I love your advent tree! I am dying to get my hands on a manzanita bush I can spray paint!

bloggin' Chrystal said...

You are soooo creative! Thanks for your blog.

cherokeefox said...

I love the mini Christmas trees in the jar. A good way to add a little x-mas cheer to any spot.

Ashlie said...

I love those old spools! I've never seen any in person but I'll have to keep my eye out at the thrift shops now! Love your decorations!

Susie said...

Great holiday decorations:-)

Karyn said...

Absolutley LOVE the Christmas trees and snow in the jar.

Sweet Old Vintage said...

Cute Christmas... Has your stamp on it.

Brittany said...

Why can't i be creative like you?!? I love the jolly blocks in a recent post!