A Crafting Christmas

 I always seem to end up making something from scratch for Christmas.  I just can't escape it!

This stocking has always been a favorite of mine for years but I only had one.  After installing the french doors, I needed two to decorate with on each side.  So instead of spending money, I dug through my stash of fabric goodies.  I actually have closets (plural) and drawers full.  I get it honest, my Mammaw had oodles of fabric scraps from all of her sewing escapades.  I tend to save bigger pieces like quilts, though.

So I found some quilted shams that had seen better days.  They had turned more creamy rather than their lustrous white.  I only had two but the fabric on the back was one of the reasons why I saved them.  Tiny blue flowers on a white background...something so simple had captured my heart from the beginning.   

This is what I came up with.  A simple stocking started what became a frenzy through the night.  I became a mad sewing woman making not 1, but 8 stockings from the 2 shams!  

Now I finally had two stockings for the french doors.  The shams were part of a Simply Shabby Chic quilt set.  Don't worry, I bought another of the same set which is white white and tucked away for when I want to change my bedding.  I adore the brand and can't seem to escape the torture it does to my heart and my purse.

Oh how I've wanted to add stockings to our bed for  years but have been too lazy to make them and definitely too tight to buy them. I'm so pleased with the simplicity but festive look they added!

I made the garland at the headboard from some snowflake garland and pine I had.  I usually add pine garland and lights to the foot and the head but I just wanted more of a simple, light and airy look this year.  

Didn't it turn out cute?!

I honestly am in love with this whole look!

Adding one to the armoire with a smidget of frosted greenery added Christmas charm but kept the simplicity my heart craved.

And one last stocking was made to adorn the foot of our stairs.  All of this talk about stockings is making me want to go make some more!

Our master has the best cozy Christmas feeling this year!  

Even when the lights are all off.

I must admit, it feels good to not blend in with everyone else.  I have my own style and it makes me happy even if it isn't what everyone else is doing at the moment.  

Being the downstairs with only one window, I definitely want to keep it nice and bright as possible.  Putting the tree where it is, you can see it from each space and enjoy it. 

One day, when I have grand babies, I can just imagine them sleeping with their Nana-Mamaw-Granny (still not quite sure what I want to be called),  waking up and peering through the spindles at the tree all aglow.  Now that vision makes my heart feel as big as the moon with tears in my eyes.  Oh how I can't wait to be a Grandmother!  Our oldest daughter is getting married in November 2020.  She's actually talking about babies now so I'm excited!  They'll both make wonderful parents!  BTW, I love my soon to be son in law, John.  Sara couldn't have done any better...he's a keeper.

Now ladies, tell me how blessed I am to have a sweet husband who sleeps in this bed with me?!

I count my blessings every day with him!

I love having touches that remind me of what Christmas is all about.  Especially this little church. What an amazing time this is....little Baby Jesus was being prepared for all of us!  I just love Christmas time!!!

 I love reindeer, snowflakes, wreaths, candy canes,  snowmen, stockings, sparkly things, stars, angels and sleighs.  I really don't decorate with Santa, but love the thought of what he's all about.  I think all of the white looks perfect because I adore snow!  And if you look at the last photo of the church, you'll see snow.  Our very first snow of the year just as I was finishing up with all of the Christmas decorating.  Now how neat was that?!

I love our retreat....it's so peaceful and quiet.

I ended up moving the chair I had originally, to the upstairs, thinking I'd have the tree here.  But I changed my mind and didn't feel like lugging that chair back down the stairs.  I had this little parsons chair and added the slipcover I made for it, to give a soft touch. It actually works better because in the colder months, we turn on the fire so we can't have anything too close. 

Forgive me for the quality of my photos.  I used two different lenses trying to capture everything.  My wide angle lens isn't quite as good as my close up lens.  I love my close up lens way better because I can get that soft bokeh in the background when focusing on something.

The gun cabinet at the bottom of the stairs gives us some privacy but fits perfectly in with our bed area. A simple pine wreath adorned with tiny silver ornaments and battery lights just felt right.

I honestly could go crazy with adding lights everywhere...but I'm reminding myself about when it's time to take it all down, lol.  It took me a total of 3 complete days to decorate upstairs and downstairs.  I still have to decorate outside!  But honestly, this is my most favorite time of the year!  Sleep deprived, sore, stiff....it's all worth it!

Besides, the mirrors reflect enough light, so no more lights!

See the difference with the quality of this photo?  Oh it drives me insane with how that lens is!  Sometimes a photo just doesn't capture the essence, ya know?

Now this photo quality is so much better with the other lens.  When I uploaded the photos from my camera, I knew this one was perfect!  

I decorated the office area, but didn't take any photos other than this one.  It doesn't get much natural light like the rest of the space.  So natural lighting photos don't take well and I hate how yellow things look from incandescent lighting.  No matter how hard I try to edit, I never can get the yellow out.

So there you have my pillow shams turned stockings story.  Hope I didn't bore y'all!

Well, it's 1 am  and I need to get to bed.  I pray all of you have a blessed nights rest and a lovely day ahead.  Thanks for visiting,