Christmas Dinner Pictures.

Better late then never! I finally have all of the pictures from this years Christmas party which went off without a hitch. Since Mr. Major and I are making a strong effort to become more green, I thought it was appropriate that this years Christmas party theme reflect that a bit. Our meal was entirely organic this year, as were the place settings and decorations!

This years Menu was compromised of:

Apple Stuffed Turkey

Bourbon Baked Ham

Sage Sweet Potato Casserole

Roasted Acorn Squash with Cinnamon

Cheddar Biscuits with Honey Butter

Maple Glazed Carrots

Cranberry Sauce with Cognac

Green Bean Casserole

Cornbread & Sausage Stuffing

Needless to say it was a entirely Delicious meal- and If you are interested in an of the recipes just click on each name and you should be directed to the correct recipe page.

This year I created a burlap table runner, and accompanied it with fresh garden herbs in galvanized pails. The napkin rings are made from paper towel tubes that were cut into one inch rounds and wrapped with cotton fabric and glued with a button for added flare. Centered between each pot is a simple white candle with cranberries and Epsom snow salt. These were very easy to make and really helped to add a glow to the table.

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas filled with lots of friends, family and good food. Best wishes for the coming new year.

Simple Homemade Gifts

Every year I try to put together a little something nice for all of my friends and neighbors and this year was no exception. Last year I went a more traditional route with cookie tins and about a dozen various cookies. This year I decided to keep to chocolate bark and homemade cocoa mix. After doing some research online I found a recipe that I liked for Peppermint Hot Cocoa.

 Click { HERE } for my Cocoa Recipe

Click { HERE } for my Espresso Bark Recipe

Click { HERE } for my Chocolate Brittle Surprise Recipe

Once everything is made, just bag it and tag it! & Viola! You have a beautiful Handmade / Homemade Gift!



Easy Peasy Christmas Stair Decorations

Just a quick detour in regards to this years Christmas Party Theme...

Yesterday I spent all day searching through all of the wonderful Christmas decor ideas that are just floating out there for the taking. After racking my brain all day for a theme that I liked I finally realized it has been in front of me the entire time! Of course as these things go, everything else naturally fell into place; color scheme, napkins, centerpieces, - you name it.

What is this years theme you ask?

Lets just say its going to be a 'Green' Christmas. ;)

I will be showing more details as I get them finished- but on to todays project!

This is a project I squeezed out last night in about 20 minutes- and while it didn't take long to make- it's probably one of the pieces I will be most proud of this year. Special thanks to Martha for this one! This is such a sweet way to dress up those bannisters as well as display some of those beautiful Christmas cards you recieved this year!

For the greenery I just went to the store and picked up a 10 foot length of faux evergreen garland. Now personally I am not too crazy about the really fake looking stuff, but If you use it as a base and mix in some of the real stuff it doesn't look half bad.

Next you will need either a 10 foot strand of poinsetta garland or holly berry- mistletoe, what ever red splash you prefer to add in. Or you can keep it green like Martha.

Just a few remaining items to grab are a length of ribbon you like, scissors, scrap book paper you like, and glue!

How To:

First wrap your green garland around your bannister and mix in the green you would like.

Next wrap in your red garlands or mix in your holly berry strands.

Tie your ribbon at one end of the post, and then at the other.

Next using your scissors cut 1/4 inch pieces of the scrapbook paper and glue them to the front and back of your clothes pin. Allow to dry and trim excess.

Last Pin your cards to your ribbon.

Optional: I added silver jingle bells to my garland every few feet or so to give it a little extra ... oomph.

When your done you should have something like this!

Enjoy!

Etsy Sale & Store Sale.

I just wanted to let my readers know I listed a few new items on my Etsy and will continue adding through out the next few days. For a limited time I will be offering 20% off of my entire Etsy store for the holidays with the Coupon code HOLIDAY20. 

Be sure to check it out in the coming days! 

http://www.etsy.com/shop/VictoriasWhimsy

This weekend at the store front in down town Plant City we will be offering 25% all Holiday decor as well as putting out new Sale merchandise- so for all of my local readers be sure to check in this weekend. For directions and store information check out ... 

www.UsedtoBees.com 

Happy Holidays. 

Double Feature: Christmas Ornaments

I have been majorly falling behind so today I am going to do a double feature on Ornament Making!

Mini Picture Frames: 

I stumbled across these tiny light weight frames in the dollar store and thought they would work perfect for an idea I saw in a shop downtown. These make wonderful gifts too! 

Materials: 

Mini picture frames

ribbon

old book pages

printer

paint

brush

newspaper

Step One: Create a workspace for yourself, by laying down scrap paper / newspaper. Remove the insides of each mini picture, so you are left with only the frame. 

Step Two: Paint each frame your color of choice and let dry.

Step Three: Using your old book pages print vintage sketches from online, use stamps or just prepare your family pictures. Once dry put the frames back together. 

Step Four: Tie a colorful ribbon on the back of the picture hanger and hang on the tree.

Optional: Feel free to embellish these with glitter, jewels or writing. Have fun with it! 

Repurposed Crystal Ornaments

Materials: 

Chandelier crystal

glue

old book pages or scrapbook pages

printer

scissors

Step One: 

Trace your chandelier piece on your background piece of paper and cut out. Dont worry about excess just yet. 

Step Two: 

Using clear glue, adhere your traced shape to you glass chandelier piece. 

Step Three: 

Once dry, trim excess off.

Step Four: 

Thread colorful ribbons through and hang on your tree!

Handmade Holiday: Simple Victorian Music Ornament

I figured since it was Monday we should kick off the week with an easy ornament craft that can be the perfect touch to your Christmas tree or used as a gift tag for all of those presents you will be wrapping this season! 

Supplies Needed: 

Scissors

Glue 

Printer & Paper

Gold or Black Paint

Ribbon

Paint Brush or Sponge

Glitter

Bowl

Step One:

Click on these two pictures to enlarge them and print. 

Step Two:

Cut the Page One (Sheet Music) into 4 - 6 squares depending on how large you would like each ornament to be. Next fold each square in half. 

Step Three: 

Cut the sheet music paper on the fold in the style of ornament you would like. 

Step Four:

Next cut a thin strip of white paper for the top of your ornament and glue it on. 

Step Five: 

Using your paint color of choice dry brush along the edges of your ornament and allow to dry for a few minuets. 

Step Six:

Using a circle template ( I used bottle caps) cut around the Victorian pictures you wish to use. Its okay if the photo doesn't reach the edge of the circle. 

Step Seven: 

Glue your Victorian photo on your ornament, next place a ring of glue around the edges of the picture.

Step Eight: 

Placing your ornament in a bowl or dish to catch extra, glitter your ornament and tap off excess. Once dry, use a hole punch at the top and thread a ribbon through securing with a knot- and your finished!