Christmas Tour of Homes with the Nester!

It’s finally time for The Nester’s Christmas Tour of Homes! I am so excited about this! I got a bunch of good ideas from her Price my Space parties, and I’m sure this party will be no different. Be sure to head over to The Nesting Place and check out all of the tours, you won’t be disappointed!

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For my little tour, I’m going to focus on the two rooms I spend the most time decorating in the roost, the living room and the kitchen.

When you head down the steps to the living room, you’re greeted by this cheerful banner. All it took to put this together was a pretty ribbon and a few sheets of vintage patterned scrapbook paper.

I love our willow creek nativity. My dad built the stable and my family has gifted us a few pieces every year since we’ve been married. The simplicity and sweetness of this nativity really appeals to me.

Our stockings reflect my love of all things red and vintage! I think the iron star hangers blend in nicely with the nautical art. I do have to admit that I’m secretly freaked out that one day the heavy hangers might topple on someone’s head when they’re innocently sitting on the sofa, so I’m still deciding if they are going to stay in this location.

I wanted to keep the coffee table really simple because we’ll be clearing it off every time we play games with guests. I just stacked up a few Christmas colored books and added a vintage nativity set to the top of the pile. I kind of like this set kept in the box, because the many tiny pieces always seem lost when they’re set up on a table or something.

I made this Christmassy throw pillow on Saturday, check back tomorrow for the super easy tutorial.

Here’s our tree. It doesn’t have a specific theme; just ornaments with special meaning that have been collected over the years.

When I look at the tree it brings back memories of all kinds of family events. The sea shells I gathered at Nags Head as a little girl. Golf ornaments to celebrate Brad’s favorite hobby. A bride and groom Mickey and Minnie we purchased on our honeymoon. Etc.

The lights are a compromise. I love white lights but Brad prefers colored lights. When we found a set of white, frosted, and red lights at Target, they were the perfect solution!

A little group of snowmen snuggle under one side of the tree….

…and Santa watches out for naughty or nice behavior from the other side. The tree “skirt” is a wadded up tablecloth. One day I’d love to have a real tree that actually sits on the ground, but with limited space and baseboard heat, our smallish artificial tree works for now!

When the tree and nativity are on display, all of our framed photos get shuffled around the room. They aren't particularly Christmassy, but a little snow bear helps them blend in a bit more.

A few red and green books help dress up the rest of the frames.

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Now, on to the kitchen,

I had to go retro in the kitchen because I wanted a silver tree so much! To learn how I made the ribbon card holders, go here.

Matching tinsel ornaments add a little vintage glam to the windows, since candles weren’t a practical option. It was snowing the day I took this picture!

I threw together a few things I already had on hand to make the centerpiece: two plates, a fishbowl, a red febreeze candle, some good smelling vase filler and a Christmas candle ring.

I made the little snow scene right after Thanksgiving.

It only took me a few minutes to throw together the tea light holders and the merry pinecone wreath.

Here's one more shot of the kitchen.

I hope you enjoyed spending a few Christmassy minutes in the roost! I really enjoyed decorating this year because I kept things simple and I only spent a few dollars for some new ribbon. Have a merry Christmas and thanks for stopping by!

<3
Hattie

Girl Talk

Can I have an honest little chat with you? Today I received a hurtful comment on my fashion post. Although I don’t agree with most of what the comment stated, I do agree that my last fashion post was not my best. Note: This post has been removed as I really don’t have positive feelings about it anymore. I wasn’t crazy about the outfit when I posted it, but I didn’t post on Friday last week, and I didn’t want to go two weeks without a fashion post. When I started Fresh Fashion Friday, it was a challenge to myself. I wanted to see how creative I could get with the clothing already in my closet. It was a challenge about having fresh eyes, saving money, and bringing a little excitement to getting dressed in the morning. Lately, the challenge has felt more like a chore. For almost a month the weather has alternated between rainy, muddy, and freezing – Not exactly inspiring or conducive to good picture taking. Add to this the fact that it is almost dark by the time I get home from work every day, and you can see why fashion has not been the first thing on my mind.
Based on all of this, I’ve decided that Fresh Fashion Friday is not necessarily going to be a recurring feature on this blog. If I happen to wear an outfit I really like on a day that is wonderful for taking pictures, then I will try to post about it, but I’m not going to rack my brain for a cute outfit when I really just want to wear sweats, and I’m not going to take pictures when the weather and the light are stacked against them turning out well – I’m just not that good at Photoshop!

If I do post about fashion again, I just want to let you know that I’m not claiming to have any professional style knowledge. I wear clothes I like that make me feel comfortable. During the school year I’m likely to post mainly work outfits, which means that the school dress code, not the Paris runway, dictates things such as the length of my skirts. I certainly never meant to suggest that I know anymore about fashion than any other plain Jane. My fashion posts were merely meant as another way for me to express my creativity (as lacking as it can be!) and hopefully encourage you to take a more creative look at your closet as well, before running to the mall.

I’m sorry I had to write this post, but I didn’t want to remove a comment and my post from Friday without any explanation. Since starting Little Red Roost nearly a year ago, I’ve found the blog world to be incredibly encouraging, inspiring, and therapeutic. I have loved every second of the experience until today. One comment is certainly not going to keep me from blogging in the future, but it has made me a little wary. I started this blog for fun, as a way to encourage myself to write and create regularly. I sincerely hope that it never stops being fun! Thanks so much to all of you who read my ramblings and encourage me. I still find it amazing that people would take the time to see what I’m up to and I really do love reading you comments!

Whew! Now that I got that off my chest, I hope you all have a lovely weekend!

<3
Hattie

Colorful Blessings: Green

Welcome to week four of the Colorful Blessings Party! This week we’re celebrating our green blessings.

I’m super thankful for the two stained glass windows we have in the roost. I’m so glad my parents added these when they built the house, because they add so much character.

My mom found an entire mini fiestaware tea set for me at a yard sale. I keep the tiny green pitcher on the kitchen windowsill. It’s so cheerful and sweet and always makes me smile.

Finally, I’m thankful for the boxwood tree in our front yard that provides a little free and natural fa la la la la for the holiday season.
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Your turn! What are the green blessings in your home? Add a direct link to your post below and be sure your post links to this one so everyone can join the fun. I can’t wait to see what you have to share!

<3
Hattie

A little birdie joy

It’s DIY Day ornament time! I know you didn’t think I could make it through Christmas without creating at least one birdy decoration to fuel my obsession hobby! I'm also joining the fun at Centsational Girl!

I used a map to create this peace on earth/joy to the world dove. I love that it adds a little holiday glitz while still reminding me of what this season is all about.

If you’d like to make your own dove you will need: a map or atlas you don’t mind cutting up, cardboard (I used a cereal box), mod podge, glitter, brown craft paint, ribbon, and scraps of white cardstock.

If, like me, drawing is not your thing, search for a simple dove clip art image to use as a template. I found mine in Microsoft Word’s clip art.

Trace the dove onto the cardboard and cut out. Next, trace the dove onto the map and cut out two, one to cover the front of the cardboard dove and one to cover the back.
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Dip a foam brush into the mod podge and apply a thin coat to both the cardboard dove and the map dove. Stick together and smooth out any bubbles and allow to dry thoroughly. I repeat – allow to dry thoroughly – even if you are as impatient as I am! Repeat on the reverse side of the cardboard dove.

Once dry, apply a thin layer of mod podge over the map covered dove and sprinkle lightly with glitter. Allow to dry and repeat on reverse side.

Once dry, you can create an antique look by adding a small drop of brown craft paint to a dollop of mod podge.

Mix together and spread lightly over glittered dove.

While this dries, create your peace and joy tags by cutting small shapes from scrap cardstock.

I used letter stamps to spell out peace and joy, but you could easily do this by hand. I set mini scrapbook rivets into the tops of the dove and tags for a more finished look, but you could simply use a hole punch as well. Once everything is dry, tie it all together with some simple ribbon or twine.

Snazzy and meaningful, I like it!

Don’t forget my colorful blessings party this Tuesday night. We’re celebrating our green blessings, and this time of year everyone is bound to have some of those! Stop by and join the fun!

<3
Hattie

Christmas Card Ribbon

On Saturday I whipped up a little Christmas card ribbon, based on an idea I saw in Better Homes and Gardens. I’ve only finished one so far, but I plan to make three of these.

All you need to make one of these is two kinds of ribbon, one fat and one thinner, and some staples.

Cut the wide ribbon to the desire length.

Staple the thinner ribbon to the wide ribbon. Make a loop with the thin ribbon and staple the top of the loop to the wide ribbon. Make a second loop with the thin ribbon and staple underneath the first loop like this:

The first loop should conceal the staple.

Continue making and stapling loops until you are near the end of the wide ribbon. Now you are ready to hang the card ribbon. Tuck your cards under the loops and secure with tape, or pretty clips. I used tiny clothes  pins. I also safety pinned a bow to the top of the ribbon to hide the first staple.

Easy Peasy!
How do you display your Christmas cards?

<3
Hattie

Christmas Conundrum – Does Santa Gift Wrap?

I have to start out by confessing that Brad and I both believed in Santa for much longer than normal. Brad’s parents actually had to tell him the truth about Santa when he started middle school, so the big kids on the bus wouldn’t tease him. I think I believed in Santa for so long (and a tiny bit still!) because in Richmond we have the Legendary Santa, who know each child’s name. There is something very thrilling about hearing Santa say, “Hattie, Hannah, Caleb, and Jacob, come on over!”

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Anyway, each year Brad and talk about our Christmas traditions growing up and get stuck on one little issue that we can’t seem to agree on – Does Santa gift wrap?

Hattie says: No Way! Santa and the elves make the toys at the North Pole! Santa brings them in his magic sack, and lays the presents for each child in a special place under the tree or around the living room. Most of the presents aren’t even in their original packaging (The North Pole is NOT a subsidiary of Mattel!) but are all set up and ready to play with. On Christmas morning the children all wait together to go downstairs, where everyone gets to see their Santa presents at one time. Santa brings a few big special Christmas presents every year. The other presents come from mom and dad and grandparents and siblings and are all wrapped under the tree with silly to: from: tags full of inside jokes. These presents are opened slowly and are often really meaningful gifts.

Brad says: Of course Santa gift wraps! Santa picks out special paper each year to wrap all of his gifts. He brings them in his sled and spreads them all out under the tree. Each child takes turns opening gifts, one at a time. Almost all the presents are from Santa, but one or two presents might be from mom and dad.
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The fact that Brad and I don’t agree on this detail isn’t a big deal right now because we don’t have any children yet. When we do have kids, I can tell we are going to have to duke this one out because neither of us plans to budge. Thankfully, we both agree that the most important Christmas tradition to pass onto our children is celebrating the birth of Jesus and holding in our hearts the truth that He is the best gift,
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So, in the spirit of a little holiday debate, what do you guys think? Does Santa gift wrap? Is there a compromise for this conundrum? What are your favorite Christmas traditions? Any Christmas conundrums at your house? Spill the holly jolly beans!


<3
Hattie

Colorful Blessings: Yellow

Hey y’all! This week the Colorful Blessings Blog Party is about celebrating and being thankful for our yellow blessings.

I love that all the trim and doors in the roost are painted a cheerful shade of yellow. When it gets dark so early, it’s nice to have something a little sunny in the house. My dad built the doors, and they always make me think of him.

So much to be thankful for in this picture! 1. I’m thankful that we have a Trader Joe’s in Richmond. Brad and I used to take a cooler with us every time we went to the beach or to Nova so we could stock up, but now we can buy almost all of our groceries there. 2. I’m thankful for how deliciously lemony and chocolaty these cookies are. They are perfect with a cup of tea. 3. I’m thankful that a serving size is 5 whole lovely cookies!

I cut this lobster print out of an old calendar, so it made for some very cheap art. It always makes me think of Brad because lobster is his favorite food and we do the whole, “you’re my lobster” thing from Friends. Plus, it does a great job of tying my red kitchen accessories in with the yellow trim.
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Now it’s your turn, I can’t wait to see all the lovely yellow blessings in your homes! To join the party, just copy/paste a link to your yellow post into good old Mr. McLinky. Be sure to include a link to this post in your own post so your readers can join in the fun.

<3
Hattie