Two Easy Handmade Gifts

Hi everybody.

I have two very easy handmade gift ideas for you. 

I made these myself.

If I can do it, you can do it. 

A few years ago I made this wooden tray out of some reclaimed wood scraps.

 

I drilled four boards into two boards. 

I gave it a coat of chalk paint and added handles. 

 

This tray has been used in our decor over and over again.

The only expense was the handles. 

Everything else we had on hand but you could easily make one out of new lumber for under $10.00. 

Use it as a bed tray as well.

If you don't like the tray idea, how about a wooden trough.

Again, this was made out of scrap lumber from the garage.

I just drilled the two sides into a bottom that was the same length. Then I drilled the ends into the bottom and the sides. 

This is very rustic but I've seen these used quite often as centerpieces filled with greens and pine cones. 

I got the idea from the event we went to down in 

Waco, An Evening With Joanna Gaines. 

These were gorgeous. 

This little trough gets decorated for every season and holiday. 

Ours is painted but it could easily be stained.

Do you know someone that is a Fixer Upper fan?

They would love it. 

I've added pins to my Magnolia Homes/Fixer Upper board. 

Check it out on Pinterest and become a follower. 

Have a wonderful evening!

Katie  

Linking with,

A Stroll Thru Life

Between Naps on the Porch

Savvy Southern Style  

 

Cheap or Free Christmas Decorating

Christmas decorating doesn't have to break the bank account. 

Some of my favorite decorating ideas are cheap or free. 

  

Candy from the dollar store looks adorable in old jars.

Shopping the candy aisle at the grocery works too.

The lollipops? 

So cute. 

 Logs, branches and pinecones are fabulously free. 

 

I've become a huge fan of using the decor provided by the ultimate designer.

 Can you get over the beauty of pine cones?

Even though it is a little messy, I love using greenery from the yard.

It is simple and beautiful.

 Our Yaupon Holly is a plentiful benefactor of greens and berries.

The birds eat these berries so I've no worries about our pets eating them. 

Our animals are way too picky for that.

I hope you are enjoying this day.

Blessings to you,

Katie  
Linking with,
Best of the Weekend  
A Stroll Thru Life 
Savvy Southern Style

Disney Winter Vacation

Disney Winter Vacation by katieny featuring a baguette ring

Vince t shirt
barneys.com

George geometric print cardigan
$27 - direct.asda.com

Frame Denim destroyed skinny jeans
$310 - shopmrsh.com

POP flat pumps
jcpenney.com

LUMO baguette ring
onekingslane.com

Silver pendant necklace
amorium.com

Betsey Johnson stud earring set
macys.com

Disney mickey mouse bracelet
amazon.com

Fretting and Forgetting

Do you fret when company is coming over?

I fret, fuss, fix and futz with the house only to forget something important. 

There was the time that we were having our first gathering to meet our new sister in law. 

Reportedly, I left a tampon on the entry buffet. 

She swears that she thought someone put it there as a joke but I'm not so sure. 

There is that possibility because we love practical jokes but I could have been so busy rushing around that I just didn't see it.

I've left the buckets from the newly planted flowers in the front yard. 

I noticed them as the company was leaving.

I've left the vacuum cleaner in the middle of the living room. 

There has been Windex left on the bathroom counter. 

I don't know where my family was when I did those things. 

Probably in hiding because "company mom" was on the loose.

Here is a link to a funny YouTube video. 

It is so me. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBwELzvnrQg 
I hope you enjoy this last day of hustling and bustling before Thanksgiving. 
Katie   
Linking with,
Best of the Weekend  

Custom Christmas Stockings

I change our color scheme for Christmas almost every year. 

 I started making custom Christmas stockings from year one.

This year I made one for the living room and one for our room.

Our accent color in the living room is a blush pink inspired by some ornaments that I found during the great garage and attic clean out.

The great clean up took place in August.

Do not ask me why.

It was 110 degrees in August.

That is just how we roll around here.

The local big box craft stores didn't have much pink Christmas decor.

Hobby Lobby didn't have any fabric in the subtle blush color I was looking for. 

Joann's never has enough help at the cutting table.

The thrift store had this pink cashmere sweater for five dollars. 

 This stocking from the 1940s had a cute shape for the template. 

I cut around the antique stocking leaving about a half an inch for a seam. 

I stitched it up in no time.

The waist band became the top of the stocking.

Clip the curve in the toe and the heel so that the stocking will be smooth when it is turned inside out. 

I always stick a sprig of holly or pine in the top of the stocking. 

One of the inspiration ornaments dangles from the side. 

                               

                                            

Just a touch of pink. 

I know that I've not gone too far with it because Bill hasn't said, "Pink!"

The other stocking is made out of some of the leftover sheeting from the quilt I made last winter. 

 Here is a sneak peek at that one.
 

That's what I've been up to. 

What's going on in your neck of the woods?

Speaking of our neck of the woods.

 Laura from Decor to Adore is hosting a luncheon and cookie exchange for Texas bloggers in our area.

I'm so excited to meet fellow Texas bloggers.

I'm off to meet my step brother and his new wife for dinner.

So fun.

Katie 
Linking with,
A Stroll Thru Life  
Savvy Southern Style 
Best of the Weekend

 

Modern Lamp From Parrot Uncle

 I was contacted by Parrot Uncle a few weeks ago. 

I told them that I'd be thrilled to review a wooden handmade table lamp. 

I picked out a couple of cute lamps that were not in stock.

They suggested this one. 

 

I'll be honest with you, I really wasn't sure but this lamp was ready to ship. 

It's their busy season and my busy season so I decided to make this one work. 

Bill studied architecture for a while in college and he likes things that are just a tad modern. 

 When I opened the box, I still wasn't sure but Bill loved it.

I tried it in a few places and then it dawned on me that the color of the wood was the exact color of Bill's Paong chair from IKEA.

 The red cord is perfect with the red plaid already in place for Christmas.

You're getting a sneak peek at the Christmas decor in this room. 

I thought that this lamp would look so cute in a boys room.

That's what inspired the little antique car on the lamp base.

 Now, it's totally me.

This lamp is a simple, classic design that is timeless.

I love how classic design transcends different decorating styles. 
The lamps from Parrot Uncle are beautiful enough to be the antique wooden lamps of the future. 

  

The Parrot Uncle website has hundreds of chandeliers, light fixtures and lamps in a variety of current trends.

I was drawn to some of the industrial looking pendant lights. 

This one is only $45.57. 

Parrot Uncle offers discounts all the time with free shipping and returns.

I had fun shopping for fixtures that were farmhouse, modern, industrial, French and Tiffany inspired.

If you're looking for lighting, go check it out.

Even if you are not looking for lighting there may be something that you can't live without. 

Thanks for stopping by. 

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.

Katie 

 This is a sponsored post from Parrot Uncle but all opinions are my own.