Thursday, November 29, 2012

Frosty Pinecones

I am knee deep in Christmas decorations at the moment and it pretty much looks like a total disaster around here! I'm hoping to turn the corner today, you know that moment when it all starts coming together. I like to incorporate lots of natural elements into my holiday decor - fresh greens, berries and pinecones.


And this year, the pinecones went a little frosty!


We have several large pines in our yard. They actually started out as our Christmas trees many years ago. We all still marvel at how large those tress are now. If you've never bought a live tree and planted it, I highly recommend it! And we always have lots of pinecones. But with the help of Sandy's wind, this year we have more pinecones on the ground than ever! A few weeks ago, the entire yard was covered and we had to gather them just to mow the lawn. I never even got around to collecting the ones under the trees.
 
 
They were still damp from the rain, so I brought them in the house and spread them out on a sheet to dry. The best part was that the heat of the house made them open even more - a nice surprise!
 
 
 Last year I gave a batch of pinecones a quick shot of spray adhesive and glittered them. They were really pretty. But I love snow, so this year I decided they needed to be a little more frosty. So first I started with paint.
 
 
I used some leftover latex paint and brushed it on with a nice wide brush - quick and easy. If you are just painting a few pinecones, a little bottle of craft paint would work just fine.
 
 
The beauty of the big bucket was that it contained the splatters (yes I'm messy) and I could tap the pinecone on the inside of the bucket to remove the excess paint and catch the drips.
 
 
Then while the paint was wet, I just sprinked the pinecone with glitter. I used a plastic bowl underneath so I could recyle the glitter that didn't stick.
 
 
This is not a project for expensive fancy glitter. This is my favorite glitter for snowy projects. It looks like little white snow crystals, plus it comes in a nifty shaker jar and is very inexpensive. I buy it at Michaels in the kid's craft section. I love this stuff!
 
 
Now doesn't that look like it just came in from a snowstorm!
Have I mentioned that I love snow?
 
 
I called this the pinecone frenzy because this is only half of them.
 
 
I had so much fun, I repeated the whole process the next day!
 
 
I've used frosty pinecones on wreaths.
 
 
 
 
And we decorated for our Elizabeth & Co. holiday open house with frosty pinecones.
 
 
  
 And woudn't this make a nice little gift idea?
Add a cute little tag and you'd be good to go!
 
 
 And of course I'm using frosty pinecones all over my house!
 
 
 
 
 
 
So what do you think? Do you want to make some frosty pinecones too? It was fun, easy and you probably already have all the supplies on hand. And if you need some pinecones, come on over!
 
Okay, it's back to decorating for me. Unless of course I get sidetracked by another frenzy of some sort! Have a great day!!!
 
I'm linking to...
Holiday Mod Vintage Life
Saturday Seven
It's Overflowing Funky Junk's Sat Nite Special Photobucket 504 Main

Jennifer Rizzo

Six Sister's Stuff

The Gingerbread Blog

Hyphen Interiors

 

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Be Inspired Features and Link Party #47

Happy Tuesday! Welcome back for features and party day!
 

We're still a few days away from the first of December, but the excitement and anticipation of Christmas is definitely in the air! I'm breaking out the tubs of holiday decorations today. I can hardly wait to get started. And you can tell that I spent time with Megan over the weekend, I just love my festive holiday header!
 
And let me just say once again, picking just a few features is really hard! You are all so talented and I'm honored that you take the time to share here!  These are just a few of the awesome links that caught my eye this week...
 
Sue from Uniquely Chic shared this curvy blue dresser with a gorgeous wood stained top! I have the perfect spot for this one!
 
  
I love this beautiful antique desk transformation in turquoise from Shanna at Restoration Redoux!
 
 
And seriously, can be believe that this stunning vanity from Dear Emmeline started out as a bulk trash rescue?
 
 
It's A Wonderful Life was the inspiration for this beautiful old window project from A Few Pennies!
 
 
And Santa provided the inspiration for a couple of chair painting girls! This whimsical Santa came from Deb at Lake Girl Paints.
 
 
While A Vintage Fairy was inspired by a more traditional Santa!
 
  
Then Angela at Number Fifty-Three took a heavily distressed classic chair and added a modern twist with a chandelier stencil!
 
 
( I think I need to go paint some chairs!)
 
And how beautiful is this Tart Cranberry Cheesecake with Macadamia Nut Crust from Stephanie at Sweet Boutique? I bet it just melts in your mouth too!
 

Thanks so much to everyone who linked up and linked back! Seriously, I know how busy you are right now! If you've been featured, feel free to grab a cute little button from the sidebar!
 
 
 
Now on to this week's party...

* Link up your furniture makeovers, DIY projects, home decor, crafts, recipes, thrifty finds, etc... We want to see whatever is inspiring you at the moment!

* Grab a party button and add it to your post or link back in some way. You must have a visible link back to be considered for a feature!
 
* And be sure to follow along with us!

We'll be back next week with features and a brand new party.
Now let's share some inspiration!

 

 

Friday, November 23, 2012

Our Vintage Inspired Wreath 2012

You know that the holiday season has officially arrived in our community when the Festival of Wreaths begins. The wreath auction is a fundraising event for our local arts council. Over 220 wreaths are decorated, donated and auctioned off to the highest bidder. Here's our entry for 2012!


It's very sparkly!
 
 
This is our third year participating. Our goal  is always to create a vintage inspired wreath that we feel represents what we do at Elizabeth & Co.  Our  2010 wreath featured vintage ornaments and was attached to a window frame. Old toys spilled out of the window box. 
 
 
 
     Our 2011 wreath hung on an old window and featured a stocking made from a ticking fabric, along with vintage ornaments, burlap ribbon and glitter letters that spelled Joy.
 
 
 
We really like the idea of attaching our wreath to something to make it a little more interesting, so this year we decided to use a chalkboard with a beautifully detailed frame.
 
 
 
 
So did you notice what we used to decorate our wreath this year? Something that we usually have in abundance at our tag sales - lovely vintage jewelry!
 

 








   Along with the chalkboard, I think my favorite elements are the pearls and the crystal compote!



The whole wreath got a light dusting of snow and glitter.


And of course every wreath needs a little ribbon and a pretty bow!


 
So there you have it, our vintage inspired wreath for 2012!
 
 
If you are a local reader, the Festival of Wreaths is open daily from 10 AM to 7 PM beginning Saturday, November 24th and runs through Sunday, December 1st at the Carroll County Arts Council in Westminster, Maryland. This is a free event and fun for the entire family! And if you can make it on the 24th, be sure to check out the free showing of Miracle on 34th Street in the beautifully restored theatre at the Arts Council at 3 PM. Then walk right outside and watch the Miracle on Main Street electrical light parade roll down Main Street at 5 PM - sooo much fun and what a festive way to kick off your holiday season!
 

The girls at Elizabeth & Co. wish you a bright and sparkly holiday!

I'm linking to...

Mod Vintage Life UndertheTableandDreaming DIY Show Off Saturday Seven
Songbird Photobucket