I saw this darling idea on Pinterest, to cover a big initial in Christmas garland and use a decorations during the holidays.

I've been wanting something for above my bed for a long time. Here is the "before".

Mom got me these VERY cool pictures for my birthday

we hung them inside this big grapevine wreath and I just love the way it turned out

Here is the "after"

Mom got a sewing machine from Nana and Papa for her birthday and then promptly tore her right rotator cuff and had to have surgery, be immobile for 8 weeks then re-hab. Well she is mending nicely and has knocked the cobwebs off the sewing machine.

She made Landry a cute Halloween skirt & of course one to match for Plampia

I told her, she'd have her own etsy shop before she knew it!

It had definitely been used LOVED by many people before me & needed some TLC

So, I borrowed Adam's hand-held power sander

Got the whole thing sanded + the drawers & it was ready for some paint

then I added a thin coat of bright turquoise

& used a dry brush on top of it to spread out the paint

Then I went back over the turquoise with the dark brown & used the same dry brush technique

Here is the finished product. The turquoise is very subtle & just gives it a nice antiqued look

Monicas Mom & Sister had a little get together for one last hoorah, before she gets hitched to Bobby. It was a Painting with a twist party. The plan was for us to meet at there and have pizza & wine and then all paint the "black dress", with instructions given by the people at the Painting with a twist. I must admit, I was not thrilled about it, I'm not artsy (Angie got all those genes) and I just knew I was going to get frustrated and my "art" was going to look HORRIBLE. Well I was wrong! I had a great time and the painting was really, really fun. I definitely want to go again!

Thanks girls, it was such a great afternoon!

Painting with a Twist has lots of locations, check out website HERE for details

This year I decided to get a 2nd Christmas tree. I wanted to decorate this one with a "theme" in the dining room, so you could see it from the street all glowing & pretty. And have my regular tree in the living room.

I was pleasantly surprised by the huge assortment of snowflakes this year, at a lot of different stores. Ryan was kind enough to come to Rockwall to "help" (although she did it ALL) me decorate.

We drove around the backwoods and found sticks that she spray-painted (please excuse the weeds, I'm a hideous lawn keeper)

Thank you Ryan! Now, you're coming back for new years and "helping" take it down, RIGHT?