Christmas at Apartment 12

Christmas decorating this year is centered around greens and pinecones. They are more wintry than Christmas so they will stay up through January and possibly part of February. As I mentioned before, I get good quality greens the day after Christmas for a large percentage off...so fun to see what is left!

Welcome!



I love my entrance in the winter just as much as I do in the summer!

The greens are tucked in around what is already there. I found the large pinecones in the bottom of the bag; I forgot they were in my collection. Painting the bookcases are a project for this winter.

I love my wide window sills!

 

I don't do much red; however, these were the hunting socks my honey had ever since he started hunting at a young age. They were a seamless wool until I cut them into smaller socks. I wish I would have left them like they were. The red jacket is mine and is hanging there solely for decoration. The bench was made by his mother and my shoes are stored in a basket under it.

 My tarnished silver tree, a perfect size for a small space.

Pinecones and burlap! I used an embroidery hoop to wind the burlap swag around it. Simple perfection!

 My collection of putz houses. The two below were taken when we had our first snow.

Dining room buffet dressed in simple greens and cloches.

 

A favorite with greens and berries tucked in.

 Bedroom window.

This was taken during the first snow as well.

 

Wishing you a joyous Christmas and a wonderful 2015!

 

 

~ Esther

 

Christmas Wreath {thrifted}

Christmas decorating doesn't need to be expensive. I found two plain wreaths at the local thrift store for $2.00 each and put my own signature on them. I used pinecones from many years of collecting them off the ground to decorate and after-Christmas sales burlap ribbon and glittered words.

 

The scrunched-up wreath on top right. Bottom right, it's fluffed up and given a light spray of white paint. Wreath on left is the finished product. It was a simple, several hours project. 

I'm delighted with the finished product. The swag above the door I've had for many years but it's the first time it's outdoors. It's sheltered by being close to the house and protected by the floor of the deck above. And a close-up of the wreaths below.

 

It's not too late to shop the thrift stores for Christmas goodies!

 

~ Esther 

Glass Baubles

Did you know you can turn aged, outdated, painted-on-the-outside glass Christmas balls into a beautiful thing? Glass ornaments are very fragile and need to be handled very gently. These balls were discarded and being the re-cycler I am, after experimenting I discovered the paint can be scrubbed off.

The top can be taken off easily by gently tugging on it. I used a Stanley pan scrubber that is guaranteed to not scratch the surface. After wetting the ornament and the scrubber, I gently scrubbed, scrubbed, scrubbed until the paint came off. I rinsed both inside and outside with warm water and left them sit overnight to dry. Then comes the fun of filling them!

I filled this one while it was still damp and the Diamond Dust Twinklets I bought at a craft store several years ago, stuck to the moisture, leaving a snow-like look.

I filled others with strips of sheet music, curled ribbon, Epson salt and beads. It's best to use light articles to fill the ornaments. I intertwined silver-mirrored balls with the glass ornaments and love the silver/clear contrast.

The silver tree was bought after 2013 Christmas 40% off at a local store which is the best time to buy next year's decorations. Last year I left mine up for Valentine's Day which I decorated in hearts and roses, though by it was over I was ready to put it in storage.

 

~ Esther