Etsy Loves Doorstops

I've never in my life owned a doorstop. In my experiences, most doors have stayed open on their own, that is, until we moved into our current house. 

Built in 1940, with a slightly crooked foundation, our doors could benefit from a nice little doorstop. And what's not to love about these adorable additions?

1. Antique Iron Railroad Signal Finials from Pixiepicks

2. Nautical Doorstop from KarensRopeWork

3. Hand Painted Iron Badger from Portuguesevintage

4. Bird with Crown-Burlap Feed Sack Doorstop from nextdoortoheaven

1. 1920s Hubley Cast Iron Fox Terrier Doorstop from UrbanTreasuresTO

2. Dutch Design Felt Rabbit Doorstop from jackrabbitspring

3. Shabby/Country Chic Doorstop from homemadegems2010

4. Antique 1920s Vintage Cast Iron Model T Doorstop from kelleystreetvintage

1. Anchor Doorstop from FourRDesigns

2. Vintage Cast Iron Irish Setter Doorstop from VintageVinnys

3. Antique Cast Iron Ladies Boot Doorstop from VintageStarrBeads

4. Fleur De Lis Doorstop from Swede13

Thrift Store Finds

After stopping at thrift stores up and down Highway 11E here's what I managed to find!

Lots of projects here we come!

Two shelves for about $7 with lots of detailed edging that will hopefully have twice as much character once there's some paint and distressing going on...

A really pretty bowl that I think will be stunning in a bright white for $3.94!

This rustic wooden shelf for $3.99

A cute little mirror for a buck! Just needs some love.

And the best item purchased?! 

Found this retro metal porch chair for $15!

And it'll look brand new after I give it a good new coat of paint like this one from 

Urban Studies:

Thrifting was so fun, mainly because you spend so much less than you would buying something new and it gives you the opportunity to add your own creativity and personality in so many ways!

Good n' Homemade Christmas Pennant Banner

Pennant Banners are adorable are they not?

Once Wed

I once upon a time I made 200 ft. of pennant banners for our wedding in April using this great tutorial from OnceWed. So I guess it's safe to say that I'm a fan!

Don't Judge, this is what happens when your Bridal portraits are taken by your best friend! Anyways, there's the banner in the background!

I take LOTS of pride in that thing! It took hours of sewing machine slavery to complete!

Well, no reason not to spread that pennant cheer to this Christmas season!
I got this precious idea from my great friend Jamie Montgomery, and one viewing of the movie Troy later, here's the result:

Sorry these pictures are so dark! You couldn't see the shiny triangles with a flash & I'm never home during sunlight anymore!

It's a quick, easy, and adorable project that won't take more than one evening.

Just head out and grab some cute patterned scrapbook paper, or use fabric if you're feeling really productive! 

Cut the paper into triangles in your size choice. Use pinking shears to add a little something extra!

Use acrylic paint and free hand the lettering for a more crafty look. You can use stencils, trace lettering from computer font, or if you're lucky, vinyl lettering,  for a more put together classy feel.

Add lace or ribbon trim on top with Tacky Glue adhesive spray.

Use yarn or hemp and a hole punch to string up your festive message!

Also, check out Allie Pyles' adorable Christmas banner!

The ideas are endless with this one... Happy bannering everyone! 

"Quilted" Christmas Trees

This is the very first Christmas season that I've been compelled to do more than the usual evening spent trimming the Christmas tree. And even though I haven't shared this project with you yet, I created it (believe it or not) before the month of December! That is definitely out of character for me....

maybe it's all part of being a new home-owner.

Anyways, I got this idea from the craft fair at Viking Hall. I saw a Christmas tree similar to these, but done with more grace & less no hot glue.

I thought to myself "I can do that!!"

What you'll need:

-Styrofoam cones

-Fabric

-Hot glue gun

-Scissors

-Card stock or thick scrapbook paper

-Wooden spool or napkin ring for tree trunks (on wood aisle @ a craft store)

-Paint & small brush for painting your tree trunk (optional, of course)

- A cheesy Christmas movie

- REAL kettle corn (no microwaves included)

- Dr. Pepper (woops!)

This fabric was leftover from my wedding a few months back

More expensive than I thought!

Step 1: Cut your fabric into about 1"strips

(but notice that I had trouble cutting straight & it didn't matter in the slightest.)

Step 2: Glue one end of a strip of fabric to secure it on the bottom of the cone.

Step 3: After the end of the fabric strip is good and stuck on there, begin twisting the fabric, but not too much or it'll be harder to glue down. 

Step 4: Continue twisting fabric strips and gluing them down as your wrap your way up the cone. Try to use as little hot glue as you can to keep it hidden under the fabric.

Step 5: If you can't find a styrofoam cone with a pointed tip,  you can make your own! 

Cut a circle out of card stock or scrapbook paper. Then cut a slit to the center of the circle in order to fold the circle into a cone tip and glue it in place.

Step 6: Continue wrapping fabric up to the tippy top, but if you want something different on top for a star, cut some bright colored yellow fabric and glue it underneath the twisted fabric layers.

Step 7: Just for a little something extra and to cover the foam and fabric ends on the bottom, measure and cut a circle in cute scrapbook paper for the bottom.

Step 8: Paint and glue your wooden tree trunk on the bottom...

And you're done!

Merry Christmas crafting!!!