Tag Archives: christmas

{Inspiration Workshop ~ Holiday Decor}

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Today is my first time linking up with a fave blogger of mine. Today’s ‘Inspiration Workshop’ prompt is ‘Holiday Decor’ :) I’m excited although there isn’t much to show around here this year, there are still a few Christmas-y things up! I honestly didn’t think that I’d find time/energy to do decor this year due to having a new baby, but I was wrong! I found little windows of time because it was important to me to create a Christmas-y feel for Chase and honestly, just to {create} – it helps me remember to be myself as well as a momma! Although it did take longer than it normally would have, it was fun and now adds a cozy touch to our little home.

Chase decorating our little white tree.

Our colours for this year (and quite possibly the next few years, it’s so cheery!); blue, teal, pink, purple and green.

 ”E” for our Eisley-girl

One of those ‘You know you’re a momma to a boy when…’ moments. :) I was going to make a little felt tree skirt, but I see no need now. He’s has a new audience under the tree first thing every morning.

Chase’s great-grandmother “GGgma” gave him this little vintage nightlight.

Our advent calendar for this year. I really didn’t think I would do one this year but found this simple idea on pinterest to buy envelopes and hang them so. I made our envelopes from paper I already had. It took me {forever} to find the mini clothespins I had in my mess of a craftroom but I finally found them just two days ago! Yay :)

It’s kind of hard to tell in this photo but I numbered each envelope.

As I was deciding what we’d do each day leading up to Christmas morning, I had to plan it around our schedule too which was interesting to say the least. I also had to keep myself from going overboard with excitement and being too ambitious. Especially as I’m still in the mix of learning to maneuver with 2 kiddos at home or outside the house  (which is still a major YIKES to me!) ;) I kind of miss being a child again, anticipating the days fun event but not knowing what to expect. I love surprises, so maybe that’s why :)

For those curious or wanting ideas for next year (or this year, not too late to start!!), here are a few of the activities I chose for our advent this year (some we repeat weekly);

Decorate the tree as a family, Decorate the home, Make a Christmas playlist and sit under the tree lights, Make and decorate Christmas cookies, Make Christmas cards, Make gifts for grandparents, Put together cookie gift jars and decide who to take them to, Go out as a family and pick out this years Christmas book (we get a new one each year that the kids help pick out), Christmas family photoshoot, Have a nice Christmas-y family dinner, Open this years ornament from momma and daddy, Make a gingerbread house, Christmas movie night with hot cocoa, Read the Christmas story/Christmas-y books, do a Christmas craft, Take Christmas cookies to our neighbors, Open one gift (jammies from mommy) then bundle up and drive around to see Christmas lights (Christmas eve), After opening stocking gifts – put goals/wished for 2012 in stockings to read next year (for Ted and I this year – “read our goals we had this year, where we are now and then talk about next years goals/wishes/dreams” )… I think that’s it :)

A Pinterest inspired banner that I {love}! I stratigically placed it on my least favourite wall and it adds so much! (I want to hide our TV in an armoire but have yet to find one that I’d have to seriously re-purpose)

I hung pretty colourful jingle bells under the paper lanterns to add a cheery Christmas touch (50% off at Hobby Lobby for $3!)

I loved making the “Joy to the world” banner so much that I decided to make this one as well. Today I finally hung it :)

Chase keeps saying, “It’s so pretty!” :)  Yes, he can reach it but he knows it’s something he’s not to touch.

Well that is it for Christmas decor in the Davis’ Home this year! Hope you’ve enjoyed the little mini tour.

Merry Christmas!!

Jami

Gussy

a few Shailo ‘firsts’

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First bath at a little over two weeks old (took that long for his umbilical cord to fall off)

I had to do some major cropping of these pics because I forgot to strategically place a washcloth below ;)

First Thanksgiving where he was held and cuddled by many of my relatives the entire day long.

{love}

First time under the tree, watching the lights.

First smile- the real non-gas related kind -11.22.11

note: this photo was taken today and besides my memory of it, I did not document that smile :)

A Christmas Photoshoot.

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Hey friends, I hope your Christmas was truly blessed in whatever way you most hoped it would be. I know this is {super} late but here is our family’s greeting to you this holiday season.

I wasn’t up to doing family Christmas photos this year. I think it makes sense why, but that’s not really why I’m blogging. Well we ended up having a spur-of-the-moment photoshoot today which turned out pretty cute. My “baby” brother (15 years old) took most of the photos. Enjoy a few photos from the today.

Little Christmas Stud.

My boys; a combination of many things, mostly that which is both cute and crazy.

Love him so.

This was seriously our best family photo and honestly, it fits our family {perfectly}. At first I was bummed but its so fitting! We’re pretty different ;)

Handsome boy. Sportin’ a thrifted outfit.

Trying to calm the craziness :)

{adore}

Rosy red from being outside :)

At some point, when we feel ready and up to it, we’re planning on doing a family photo shoot for Eisley. Hopefully by this spring we will have done one. It’s been on my mind and my heart for the last few months but I want it to be perfect, if that makes sense.

But for now, here is a photo we took and thought of our Eisley girl as we did.

Our family’s feet. <3

Okay, well, Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

{love} Jami

Paper Trees (the easiest DIY ever)

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As I pulled out all of my craft stuff yesterday I noticed I actually had a lot of paper in teals and blues. I decided to make some paper trees. It took me a few shots but this is the best way I found. And it is easy!

All you need is paper, scissors and tape!

Cut paper into a big circle and cute out a piece like above photo.

So simple, so pretty! I love em’. Someone else loved them too ;)

And you can layer them if you want.

I put them “high” so Chase couldn’t get them or so I thought.

(yep, that’s my son standing on his rocking chair, he’s a daredevil and loves to test his momma!)

We don’t have a mantle at my Grandma’s (where we currently live, just in case you didn’t already know) so this was the best place for them. If you have a mantle, I’m sure they’d look pretty there! They add a pretty “Christmasy” flare. Remember you don’t have to do teals or blues. You can do actual Christmas colours!

Stay tuned next week for more crafts, decor, homemade gift ideas and maybe a Christmasy dessert! This weekend I may be posting more of how we’re doing as Eisley’s due date nears.

{Much love friends}

 

“Falling” Felt Snowflakes DIY

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Hi friends! Can you believe it’s already December?! Hope you’re enjoying this new season.

As I made the “falling” felt leaves, I immediately thought of how pretty felt snowflakes and a snowflake garland would be. Hence this pretty DIY project. Our decor is a little bit of Christmas but mostly winter season. Our colour scheme is white, silver and teal so my projects will be in those colours, but remember you can do whatever colours or patterns you want!

You should make these while all cozied up to Christmas music or movie.

Supplies needed:

Felt – I bought half all white and half sparkle white. The sparkled ones are my favourite but they are 10 cents more at a hobby store.

Scissors, marker for tracing, fishing line to hang.

I used a x-acto knife for the more entraquite parts but you don’t have to.

After some time my finger was really hurting. You really only need a few to spruce up the windows, if that’s what you want. I kind of went over board.

My finger is actually bruised, haha. 

SIDE NOTE; I googled snowflake patterns and I found this site and they not only had the cutest snowflake patterns, they also had a pretty snowflake garland so if you want to make that instead… there ya go! (I am making a snowflake garland with a different type of string then what they chose. Will post photos when finished, because I still need to add some teal felt to it as well.)

Wanna Do It Yourself?

Print off this pattern.

Cut out and trace onto felt.

Cut out.

Use x-acto if needed.

String with needle and fishing line and then hang them.

Stand back and admire :)

Side note: You may be wondering how we close the curtains? These all just slide smoothly to the center and I fix them in the morning when the curtains are opened. Takes a sec.

I will be posting a few more handmade Christmas gift ideas this week. Next week stay tuned for a simple and cheap DIY winter display, as well as other DIYs. Maybe a yummy Christmasy dessert too! 

 {Happy December}

Handmade Christmas Gift Ideas (1-3); gifts with frames.

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Here are some fairly simple, resonably priced and most importantly, heartfelt handmade gift ideas.

This group of gift ideas are different gifts based around a picture frame :)

 Supplies needed for gift # 1:

frame (check your closets, we had a few just lying around)

paint (maybe pick colours that would match their home or a favourite colour of theirs)

scrapbook paper or fabric

paintbrush

needles (or a marker if you want to just write instead of hand stitch)

thread

quote or verse or words describing the person you’re creating for

Use a pencil to lightly draw/write what you want. Make sure you double and triple check your spelling, dates, etc. I made this and my stomach dropped as I realized, I had written the wrong date! 

(mine wasn’t actually a gift, as you can see, but you can make it a gift)

Gift idea #2 (below):

This framed gift uses most of the same supplies as the above gift minus the paint and needle and thread.

I used a quote, a fram e the $1 frame section (at either walmart or target), scrapbook paper, scissors, maker & tape.

Gift Idea 3:

Supplies needed:

frame (I bought the ugliest frame for super cheap at the thrift store click here to see frame before)

paint and paintbrush

scrapbook paper

tissue paper (optional)

quote, verse or words

photo

buttons and ribbon

More gift ideas coming soon. Along with DIY Christmas decor but mostly winter season decor which is able to stay up longer :) AND I’ve recently realized I enjoy {baking} and am planning on making ONE holiday/seasonal dessert a week, not a night, we’re trying to be healthy so that would be kinda silly :)

Stay tuned friends! A {REALLY} cute, fun, fairly simple and cheap DIY coming December 1st!!!

Tis the season to be… {coping}.

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When I used to hear or read “coping” I would often think of it as a bad thing. Now I realize it’s not… or at least it doesn’t have to be. It all depends on how you cope.

This holiday season has already proven to be incredibly difficult. Where typically I would be enthusiastic and excited to the Christmas season, I find myself dreading the “season to be jolly”. It’s another reminder that my girl is gone and we will be celebrating this season without her. That is so hard for me to wrap my mind around. It’s an incredible confusing time and emotionally draining to be in a season of “cheer” while everything in you is grieving. It’s actually kind of traumatic.

I’m going to be spending this holiday season not only pouring my heart into Ted and Chase and family but also in creating. I began “A Handmade Thanksgiving” with the hope of getting myself up and inspired to continue moving forward and found creating to be {very} theraputic. I guess right now it’s one way that I have found to help me cope.

{creating}

So I’ve decided I am going to do the same for the Christmas holiday and winter season as well. It might sound bad, but I want to keep myself busy so I don’t sit and wallow in an unhealthy way. I will grieve every day and especially as Eisley’s due date nears, and Christmas comes and I’m wishing she was celebrating with us, but as I want to create as I grieve. I need a healthy outlet and I’ve found this to be one.

Good news is that YOU will benefit from my outlet ;) as I will be sharing handmade gift ideas, DIY projects for Christmas and winter home decor, some yummy dessert recipes (I’m not a cook, but I’ve recently learned, I love baking!) Stay tuned tomorrow, I will be posting 3 gift ideas!

Vintage Ornaments & Journal.

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Our pre-lite 3′ faux Christmas tree for $3 at Goodwill. Below are pictures of the ornaments I found at the ARC for under $2! I love the vintage look!
I also found a bag of mirror ornaments for $1 brand new. They add so much!
This reminds me of the Nutcracker Ballet.
I love these mirrors.
This is one of my faves.
Our cozy little basement home.
One of mys gift from Ted was this very old journal which was made in Japan.
I am in love with it… and him of course :)

Still Merry!

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Chase loves the tree so much (okay, me too), we’ve decided to keep it up for another few weeks or a month! Here are more pics to enjoy.
Now that we let him sit up on his own, he doesn’t like the bumbo so much and I don’t like that he wants to be independent at 5 months :)
This is the ornament he yanked off the tree, causing it to fall right over.
“But mommy… that ornament was yummy!”

Chase’s First Christmas.

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Here are some photos of Chase’s first Christmas. I personally love Christmas time but this year was my fave to date and Ted would say the same. It’s amazing how much a little one of your own can brighten everything, even your favourite holiday! It was fun to spend this year deciding what traditions we want to accommodate as a little family. Ted and I are {truly thankful} for our son. It’s amazing how much a little being can make your heart soar with so much pride and joy!
Christmas Eve at the Great Grandparent’s house. Love his face when curious.
And of course loved the paper when in his mouth.
Happy lil man. See the white gums but no teeth yet and I am personally kind of grateful for that :)
Book… for eating ;)
Of course we couldn’t go throughout the day without chewing on the toesies.
I am hoping he holds off on crawling for another few months, for selfish reasons. I think he is growing too fast and the crawling stage is a hard one for me! It’s TOO fast.
He has other plans, I believe.
Happy First Christmas my little love.
{You are such a blessing}
The years to come will probably be even more fun, as Chase is able to do things. Like help mommy make gifts, make and decorate sugar cookies and a ginger bread house, decorate the tree, actually understand the Christmas books I read him, sing happy birthday to Jesus and watch and enjoy the old version of Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer, etc. I can’t wait!