Twinkle Twinkle Little Stars

A little belated Merry Christmas, everyone.  I hope this finds you happy and very blessed with a wonderful holiday.  Our family had a very nice Christmas with a few coughs and sniffles along the way, but we still got together and shared a lot of laughs and special moments together.  Our family is getting larger with the birth of  our twin grandbabies, they are such a miracle and a wonderful present for Grandpa and Grandma.  Well, I have a little post to share with you.  I have been making these ribbon stars for quite a few years.  I am a School Bus Driver and I make these stars every year for my elementary children that I drive everyday.  Here are the stars or at least some of them:

I make them out of ribbon that I find at Michael's or Joann's or even left over ribbon from the Christmas before.  I was taught by one of my fellow bus drivers that was so talented and creative. 

 This year I had 2 elementary runs so I had to make 144 ribbon stars.  When I am done folding and twisting and tucking the ribbon I poke a small hole in one of the ends and string them with fishing line and make a loop(so the children can hang them on their tree) and I hang them from the ceiling of the bus.

 I try to make a variety of colors because they all want different colors and then I don't get bored.

 I have been doing this every year and I get a request from my older elementary children asking me if I am going to make them their stars this year.  They have told me that every year they hang their older stars on the tree.

 Here is what it looks like hanging from the front of the bus to the rear of the bus.  It does really like pretty and very holiday looking.  It does occupy the children's attention because they sit there at times and try to decide which star they want because they do usually get the one they want.

So, that was what I was doing before Christmas for the little ones on my bus.  So, what do you think?
Until next time, Dianne.................


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Simple Organizer

Hello!! I am sure as you read this a ton of thoughts are running through your head as to what needs to be prepared before the big day. I know that as I write this I am bouncing my legs as I think of all that needs to be accomplished before Monday. Yeah I said Monday...we are heading to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan to spend Christmas with my husbands family. That means EVERYTHING needs to be bought, wrapped, baked, packed, etc. before Monday morning comes around. Talk about crunch time. I think I work best under pressure though. :) I think my hubby is always amazed at what can get accomplished within a few hours when I have had weeks to do it. It always gets done somehow though.

Anyhow enough about how I procrastinate and on to the fabulous new organizer. That's another thing I have to work at is organizing so I thought that this little piece would fit perfectly in our office to help me keep my mail and bills organized. I will let you know how it goes. :) I found this piece at a garage sale for a buck. I think it was at one point in an office building or something. At least that's what it looks like it is from...not too sure the story behind it. I simply sprayed it with paint and stamped the days of the week on it with acrylic paint. I can't wait to hang it up and see if it helps me get organized.

I probably won't post again before Christmas so I hope you all have a great one and enjoy your time with family and friends. Merry Christmas!!

Linked to these Parties:  http://www.ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
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http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/
http://linda-coastalcharm.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/feathered-nest-friday-merry-christmas.html

Music Paper Ornaments

Good afternoon!! I am a day late on my blog post but it's nice and quiet around this house with my baby napping and I wanted to share with you these adorable little ornaments. I am not sure if you remember but a few posts back I had shared with you some garland that my mom and I made out of vintage cookie cutters, well these are what we did with the leftover tin ones. We simply traced each one onto old music paper and then glued them onto the back...or front, not sure which to tell you the truth. I then found some twine because I felt that these are more rustic looking and twine would suit them well to hang from the branches. I am so excited with how simple yet so sweet these turned out. Wouldn't it be so cute to have a bunch of them adorning your tree? Now to find a few more cookie cutters for next year. :) Thanks for reading and have a great day!!

Linked to these Parties:   http://www.iheartnaptime.net/link-party-palooza-19/
http://lambaround.blogspot.com/
http://diyshowoff.com/2013/12/15/diy-party-time-holiday-diy-home/
http://www.thegirlcreative.com/2013/12/12/weekly-creative-2.html
 http://iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/
 http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/12/12-days-of-christmas-junk-link-party-and-giveaway.html
 http://tatertotsandjello.com/2013/12/link-party-palooza-clorox-giveaway.html
 http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/12/show-tell-saturday-121413.html
 http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/12/frugal-friday_12.html
 http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/
 http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/christmas-extravaganza-link-blog-hop.html
 http://lovelycraftyhome.com/
 http://tidymom.net/
 http://tidymom.net/2013/red-velvet-cookies/

Stockings hung with love

Good Morning  and Merry Christmas!  This is such a magical time.  Everyone is bustling around and having parties and trying to get projects done for Christmas.  We have some wonderful news to share with our fellow bloggers.  Jackie (one of the Shabby Gals) and our oldest daughter,  just had her babies, Max Thomas and Elsa Irene and all is well.  Jackie came thru with flying colors and so did the twins.  We are so blessed that everyone is healthy and doing well.  What a Christmas present!!!!!
I have been making the stockings for my grandchildren so I will be busy making 2 new ones for next year, they will just have to be patient with grandma.  So on to my project that are really a little old but every time I hang them, they are hung with love.  I spent a lot of time on them but they were fun to do.  It originally started with a kit that was a printed cross stitch pattern that made into a stocking, that was for Jackie when she was very little.  I enjoyed that so much that I made a cross stitch  stocking for both me and her dad, that was also a pattern out of one of the Cross Stitch magazines.  Each of our children had a cross stitch stocking (which we had 5 children) that I hung every Christmas, but now I am down to hanging 4.  I had a total of 7.  Here they are:

 One for me:

 One for my hubby:

 We have 2 children that I still hang their stockings.  When they find their better half I will give their stockings to them.  Tedd's stocking I created from various patterns.

 

 Matthew's stocking I also created from various patterns.  These were so much fun to do but they took some time.

And here they are, hung with love.

Merry Christmas everyone!  Until next time, Dianne......

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http://foxhollowcottage.com/2013/12/second-annual-dollar-tree-christmas-party.html
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/12/frugal-friday.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/2013/12/grace-at-home-no-85.html
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/
http://pursuitoffunctionalhome.com/2013/12/pin-it-monday-hop38.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/2013/12/amaze-me-monday-36.html
http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/
http://www.craftsalamode.com/search?updated-max=2013-12-10T22:44:00-08:00&max-results=2
http://www.sewmuchado.com/
http://www.seven-alive.com/2013/12/the-project-stash-28.html
http://nominimalisthere.blogspot.com/
http://www.adelightsomelife.com/2013/12/home-and-garden-thursday-59.html
http://boogieboardcottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/welcome-to-153rd-masterpiece-monday.html
http://thededicatedhouse.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-12-10T08:00:00-06:00&max-results=1&start=1&by-date=false
http://www.notjustahousewife.net/
http://www.733blog.com/2013/12/sugar-spice-193.html
http://www.maisondepax.com/2013/12/give-me-the-goods-no-38.html
http://hopestudios.blogspot.com/
http://sundayview.blogspot.com/
http://www.posedperfection.com/
http://sandimyyellowdoor.blogspot.com/
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/
http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/
http://www.greenwillowpond.com/
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/
http://ourdelightfulhome.blogspot.com/
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/12/194th-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.averielane.com/2013/12/give-me-goods-38.html#more
http://www.huckleberrylove.com/
http://jannolson.blogspot.com.au/
http://www.52mantels.com/
http://www.familyhomeandlife.com/2013/12/wow-us-wednesday-and-giveaway_11.html
http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/
http://afewmineradjustments.blogspot.com/2013/12/twirl-and-take-bow-tuesday-deer-friends.html#more

Milk Paint Cabinet

Hello!! I hope you all are having a fabulous day. I feel like this time of year is so busy and it seems difficult to get projects completed. This particular project sat in my garage for a good month or two before I finally got around to completing it and then once I did it sat in there for another month before my husband got around to helping me get it in to the house!! The good news is that it is in and where I want it. Hopefully it will be around for awhile....but with how things go around here we never know much to my husbands dismay. :)

Anyhow...this is the second piece that I have tried out the good ol' milk paint on. While the process of chipping away was going on I was getting nervous because on the front doors not much wanted to stay put. All in all though I am pleased with the final product and I feel it fits right in with my house. I put about three coats of paint on it and then to protect it gave it a couple coats of the hemp oil. I love how it doesn't give a sheen to it as some waxes do. That is all for today, I hope you are enjoying the holiday season.

Here is the before picture...it wasn't terrible looking but I wanted to add some paint to brighten it up a little bit.

Here is a picture with my cute little Mr. and Mrs. Claus! I got them from my mother-in-law and I just think they are the cutest little things.

Linked to these Parties:   http://www.ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-12-03T21:45:00-05:00&max-results=1
http://katherinescorner.com/2013/12/04/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-117/
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/
http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?post=2003231405&group=0&frame_type=a&blog=3881375&link=aHR0cDovL2ZlZWRwcm94eS5nb29nbGUuY29tL35yLzUyTWFudGVscy9-My9FUWNyQzZQMGlBby90aHVyc2RheXMtYXJlLXlvdXItZGF5cy5odG1s&frame=1&click=0&user=0
http://www.frommyfrontporchtoyours.com/2013/12/treasure-hunt-thursday-135-highlights.html
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/feathered-nest-friday.html
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/12/frugal-friday.html
http://www.impartinggrace.com/
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http://www.adornedfromabove.com/search?updated-max=2013-12-04T00:00:00-07:00
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/12/salvaged-junk-christmas-candles.html
http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/
http://thestylesisters.blogspot.com/
http://diy-vintage-chic.blogspot.com/2013/12/fridays-five-features-no-19.html
http://www.craftsalamode.com/
http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/
http://www.504main.com/2013/12/tickled-pink-times-two-no-16.html
http://www.findingfabulousblog.com/
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/
http://judyh-jsthoughts.blogspot.com/
http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/12/193rd-inspire-me-tuesday.html
 http://jannolson.blogspot.com.au/
 http://piecedpastimes.blogspot.com/
 http://diyshowoff.com/2013/12/08/diy-party-holiday-home-decor/
 http://www.linesacross.com/2013/12/monday-funday-47-creative-link-party.html
 http://iamonly1woman.blogspot.com/
 http://www.bedifferentactnormal.com/2013/12/show-tell-saturday-12.html

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Baubles and Beads

Good Morning everyone.  It's the Christmas season and I for one feel a little busy.  The days go by so fast and there are so many things that I want to do and not enough hours in the day.  It is a fun time with all the parties and our little grandkids are so excited.  We are also anxiously awaiting the birth of our twin grandbabies that Jackie(one of the Shabby Gals) is expecting.  We will really have a busy December!!!!!   Well on to the project.  I had so much fun with these fancy little xmas trees.  Not  hard, just time consuming.  What you need is a styrofoam cone, beads and baubles, ribbons, straight pins, buttons and anything you want to put on the cone.  Also you will need elmers glue. 

 First you spread some glue on the cone where you will pin your baubles.  I started on the bottom of the cone and went up, applying the beads and pushing straight pins thru the holes into the cones where the glue was and applying garland and ribbons where I wanted to.  This is how they turned out.  I used an assortment of baubles.

 When the cones were all done I used E6000 glue to the top of the candlestick and attached the cone to it.

Here is one of the trees done by first attaching the ribbon and than applying all the gems.

 I finished off the top of the tree by adding any buttons or jewelry on top.

 I really liked how they came out and I use them in my Christmas mantle display.

So, what do you think?  Fun? Pretty?  Until next time, Dianne........


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http://www.commonground-do.com/
http://romantichome.blogspot.com/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/12/frugal-friday.html
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/12/feathered-nest-friday.html
http://www.ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2013-12-03T21:45:00-05:00&max-results=1
http://katherinescorner.com/2013/12/04/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-117/
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/
http://www.impartinggrace.com/
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/search?updated-max=2013-12-04T00:00:00-07:00
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/12/salvaged-junk-christmas-candles.html
http://www.sunnysimplelife.com/
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Almost Done.........

Good evening!!!  I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend!  I sure have a lot to be thankful for and it's always important to take some time and reflect on your blessings.

We have been working on our kitchen for quite some time......and just recently my husband started working on the back splash.  I am absolutely loving the subway tile and can't wait to show you the finished result......Here's a sneak peek:)  I hope to show you soon!!!  Stay tuned!!!

Have a great evening!!
Thanks for reading!!!

Happy Thanksgiving.......

Happy Thanksgiving all my fellow bloggers.  It's Thanksgiving and we all have so much to be thankful for.  My family is getting together here at my house, all the kids and the grandbabies. So much fun and so much to be thankful for.  We are anxiously awaiting the birth of our twin grandbabies that should be here some time in December.  No project to share with you, just a warm message to you that your Thanksgiving is a great one.  Be safe and happy....Until next time, Dianne and the Shabby Gals........

Song Lyrics Project

Hey guys:)  Hope you are well!  Time is just moving along and soon I will be able to meet my twin babies.....I can hardly believe it's almost here and I will be able to hold and snuggle them!  I have been sloooowly getting their room ready.....these last few weeks I have been lacking creative energy.  One of my good buddies saw a fun and meaningful project at one of her friend's houses and thought it would be fun to recreate it.  So, we got together after our boys got out of school one day and spent the afternoon crafting and chatting....doesn't get much better than that right?

So, here's the supplies we used.....mod podge, canvas, large print of your song lyrics, glitter, and some paint.

We enlarged our song lyrics to 11X14 at Staples and then mod podged them onto the canvas.  After the back dried...we mod podged the front and added some glitter.  I decided to antique mine a bit around the edges of the canvas with some black acrylic paint.  Here it is in finished form....

This song comes from my church's song book.....and one of the first songs I learned as a child.  "Jesus Loves Me"  is a classic and means so much to me and thought it would be a fitting song to adorn my children's wall:)

Have a great day!
If you're reading....ThAnKs!!!

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http://www.sugarbeecrafts.com
http://ladybug-blessings.com/
http://www.myuncommonsliceofsuburbia.com/
http://katherinescorner.com/2013/11/27/thursday-favorite-things-blog-hop-116/
http://thecharmofhome.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/11/feathered-nest-friday_27.html
http://www.ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/
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http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/11/party-junk-215-christmas-junk-ornaments.html
http://www.dwellings-theheartofyourhome.com/
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http://www.astrollthrulife.net/2013/11/192nd-inspire-me-tuesday.html
http://www.greenwillowpond.com/
http://www.hopeineveryseason.com/

Cookie Cutter Garland

It's that time of year again!! I just love it!! Christmas music starts playing and everyone seems to be in a pleasant mood everywhere you go. My Mom and I got into the spirit the other day and decided to try making some garland out of a few supplies and cookie cutters. The cookie cutters came from the flea market this Fall in Springfield. We were both looking for them but for different reasons. I wanted to find some for my preschool class to play with and she came up with this fabulous idea to make garland with them. I of course jumped on the band wagon and we found many different kinds. We found brass, red plastic and tin ones. They were all so cute and we couldn't pass any of them by.

Since we had so many cookie cutters we decided to create a few different stands of garland with some of the different supplies we accumulated between the two of us. We had the table stacked with different items such as vintage garland, twine, tulle, beads, glass pendants, bells, etc. Here are some of the pictures of the items that we had before we started. The supplies we had collected were enough to get our creative juices flowing!!

Here some of the bags of cookie cutters we had purchased. There were a lot more but these are just to show you the different kinds we had to work with.

Here are the four different chains we made. I LOVE how they turned out and wanted to keep some for myself, but then again I always do. Sometimes these things have to make it into our booth. :)

This one pictured below is made with the tin cookie cutters and we put them on one of the vintage red and white garland.

This one is made with the brass cookie cutters and strung with two different colored twine. Then we put glass pendants on it and tied tulle bows on it.

This one is with the red plastic ones and gold ribbon. I took closer up pictures because the beautiful vintage tree it was hanging on kind of hid it.

Last but not least this is another garland that held the silver tin cookie cutters. They were fun to make and a great excuse to get together.

Linked at these Parties:  http://ivyandelephants.blogspot.com/
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http://elizabethandco.blogspot.com/
http://frenchcountrycottage.blogspot.com/2013/11/feathered-nest-friday_21.html
http://shabbynest.blogspot.com/2013/11/frugal-friday_21.html
http://chiconashoestringdecorating.blogspot.com/
http://www.adornedfromabove.com/search?updated-max=2013-11-20T04:00:00-07:00
http://www.funkyjunkinteriors.net/2013/11/salvaged-junk-christmas-trees.html
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