Christmas Window Box Idea

December 12, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

I have an easy Christmas window box idea you are going to love! I was behind on my outdoor Christmas decorating, and my window boxes usually take a ton of time to create. NOT this year!!

I have four window boxes on the front of my house. My husband and daughter are in charge of the outdoor lights, and they will put lights all around the windows. I should have purchased white chord Christmas lights, so that the green chord didn’t stand out against the white window frames in the daytime. Oh well, I’ll fix that next year!

How to Create this Christmas Window Box Idea

I used artificial pine and pine cone swags to decorate the window boxes.

I found these small metal floral hooks at the craft store. You want to push the hooks pretty far down into the dirt.

Most, artificial swags have a round metal hook at the top where they can be hung on a door hanger or command hook. Simply slide the round hook onto the silver hook.

Next, grab your second swag and attach it and push it down towards the bottom of the metal hook.

Time to Make a Bow

Since I already have a wreath with a red ribbon hanging on my window, I decided to use a burlap color ribbon, and a brown ribbon to make my bow. Attach your bow with floral wire directly to the hook. If you don’t know how to make a bow, here is my easy video:

Adding the Ornaments

Next, I attached two large, and one medium shatter proof ornaments with floral wire.

Lastly, attach your ornaments to the metal hook, straighten your ornaments, bow, and bow tails, and you are done! How easy is that? Love it!

Night Time View

I hope you have a wonderful holiday!

How to Wrap a Present

December 4, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

I have some great ideas on how to wrap a present, and give them a designer look. If you would rather watch a video on how to wrap presents, you can scroll down to the bottom of this post.

How to Make a Bow with Yarn

I’m sure you knitters out there recognize this yarn! This yarn made a beautiful bow! And talk about a bargain! I purchased this yarn at half off, and it could make a hundred bows. Maybe not quite a hundred.

Here is a special present for my dad. I wrapped it in plaid paper, and topped it with a satin bow. I love using satin ribbon, because the ribbon looks the same on both sides. It makes a beautiful bow. You can hot glue greenery under the bow. A matching gift tag finishes the look.

For the bow, I pulled the ribbon around the package and tied it into a bow. Next, I turned the present and ran the ribbon under the first bow, and tied another bow. I chose shatter-proof ornaments, different colored greenery, and a pretty silver gift tag. The Christmas tree lights bounce off this gift.

You can find little grapevine leaves in a package of six. Wrap your present in brown paper, wrap red burlap around the package, then hot glue the grapevine wreath onto the burlap ribbon. Next, hot glue greenery, and a few berries, and you have an adorably wrapped gift.

One easy way to make a bow is with mesh ribbon. I repeat the same process as the present above. Pull the mesh around the present, tie in a bow. Turn the present and repeat. Trim your tails, fluff the loops, and you are finished!

How to Wrap a Present That is Beyond Elegant

Here, I used a light gray tulle ribbon, and a light gray satin ribbon. Pearl and silver berries were hot glued under the bow, along with a two silver leaves. I’m going to get major brownie points for this present.

Pretty Presents Under a Pretty Tree

Here is the video with more details on how to wrap a present your friends and family will drool over!

https://youtu.be/jaiAFaA1TjM

Country Christmas Decorating Ideas

November 7, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

I have a client that owns a vacation cabin out in the country. I have been decorating it for the holidays for several years. This year, I updated the ribbon on all the trees, and added a few extra sparkly decorations. There is a video at the bottom of this post, if you would like to see even more of the cabin. I hope you enjoy.

I have lived in several states, and Tennessee is by far, my favorite. This cabin sits on top of a hill overlooking several acres of beautiful land. I always enjoy coming out here to decorate. It is so peaceful and quiet.

Living Room Christmas Tree

This is the main living room tree. It stands 9 ft. tall. There are two exterior doors flanking the fireplace, so placing the tree in front of a door worked out great.

I used a muted blue and chocolate brown as my main colors for this tree. I found ornaments in the same color blue and brown, added poinsettias, small pine cone ornaments, and all kinds of sprigs.

I found this really cool paper rolled ribbon that looks like birch bark. It is so beautiful.

A large bow tops the tree. I added a few extra glitter twigs to the top of the bow for added drama.

I found these glittery white deer at Wal-Mart. This tray sits out on their living room coffee table all year long. I added faux snow, ornaments, greenery, and a pretty pine cone. This decoration is simple but elegant.

Decorating a Fireplace I used the same ribbon from the main tree on the fireplace decorations. Check out the red and brown Christmas ornaments. They are a garland I found at Wal-Mart! They were so easy to add to the greenery!

Not only are theses ornaments beautiful paired with the muted blue ribbon, but they are shatterproof!

One Colorful Christmas Tree

I have never used teal blue in my own Christmas decorating, but I love how this Christmas tree turned out! The main colors are teal, green, and gold.

A Cool and Inexpensive Tree Skirt

This fuzzy white tree skirt is actually a throw! I found the throw at T.J. Maxx!

Dining Room Christmas Tree

The dining room tree is decorated with a dark maroon red and gold theme. It is simple but yet elegant.These two deer are the centerpiece on the dining room table.

A Pretty Whimsical Tree

I nicknamed this tree the “Grinch”. All of the colors remind me of Dr. Seuss. This is one happy tree!

This ribbon is decorated with red pom-poms. I love it.

A Romantic Master Bedroom

I decorated the master bedroom in white and silver. I wanted this room to be very romantic.

The ribbon is white velvet with silver swirls. I cut sprigs of faux white branches and stuck them throughout the tree. Shiny large silver pine cone ornaments are hanging all around the tree.

I put a Christmas pillow in almost every room.

Guest Room Christmas Tree

I had to choose a narrow Christmas tree to fit into the guest room.

This tree is a very “woodsy” themed tree. Can you see the cotton sprigs? I found those and filled the tree with them.

This galvanized tray with candles stays out all year round. I added faux snow, ornaments, greenery, and cotton sprigs to give it a festive look.

Thank you for stopping by my blog. Below is my video on the cabin with a lot more details. Have a wonderful holiday!

Country Christmas Decorating Ideas Video

Have a Happy Happy Holiday!

Outdoor Fall Decorating Ideas

September 15, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

I am “twitterpated” with outdoor fall decorating ideas. You remember that word from the Disney movie “Bambi” right? (When spring comes and the forest animals find mates, and become “twitterpated” with each other.) Fall just makes me so happy! The wonderful cool breezes, the bright blue sky, the leaves displaying the most wonderful show. Sigh….

Let’s take a look at some beautiful photos!

Outdoor Fall Decorating Ideas

I think one of the reasons I love fall decorating is because it can be very inexpensive! This is a photo I took of a home in Franklin. The black doors are beautiful. The contrast between the black doors and the orange pumpkins stands out from the street.

Setting an Outdoor Fall Table

I took this photo in Nashville at a parade of homes. I love the lantern centerpiece with burlap, grapevine, pumpkins, and gourds.

I love the burlap napkins paired with the green napkins. The bamboo round woven place mats really say “fall”.

I really like this unique pumpkin display. The grapevine dangling down the large ceramic urn visually link the two pumpkins together.

Really Cool Fall Table Centerpiece Ideas

Find a large bowl, and fill it with Spanish moss and different size pumpkins. White and orange pumpkins look so pretty together.

Create a small fall floral arrangement for an outdoor table. This one is made with roses, berries, and leaves. Simply place a piece of styrofoam block inside your container, and cut your fall floral pieces into different sizes, and place into the styrofoam.

Another fall table centerpiece idea is to find a glass dome and plate, and arrange moss and pumpkins inside.

While this is a photo I took of a fall display inside of a model home, you could easily create another outdoor fall table centerpiece using acorns inside of a unique bowl or container, and place it on a patio table. Love it!

Place potting soil inside a large bow, plant a cabbage, then place moss on top of the soil and nestle some pumpkins into the moss. Easy, affordable, gorgeous!

Pumpkins and Mums – The Perfect Marriage

For just under $20, you can create this beautiful fall display by your front door. The clean crisp colors of this fall vignette just says a “happy hello” to all who walk by.

Place white pumpkins inside of wood boxes. The contrast between the wood and soft white pumpkins is beautiful, and an extremely easy outdoor fall decorating idea.

Mums, old boxes, different size pumpkins, and a lantern; the perfect balance.

Well, I hope just one of these ideas floats your boat. I know you are busy, but take an hour to go purchase some mums and pumpkins, and create a special outdoor fall vignette. Even if you and your pet, are the only one who may see it, your deserve to make yourself smile.

Cheap Halloween Decorations

September 8, 2015 Jennifer Davenport Leave a Comment

Looking for cheap Halloween decorations? I have got a fabulous one for you! How many of us own an old broken down dollhouse? How many have we seen at garage sales and thrift stores? Well, I am going to show you how to go from dollhouse to spooktacular Haunted House! ( If you would rather watch a video of how I made this Haunted House, just scroll down to the bottom of the post.)

Cheap Halloween Decorations

My first dollhouse was beyond cheap. Why? Well, I saw one in the back of a guy’s truck as he was headed to the dump. Yes, I trailed him until he stopped, and asked if I could have his old dollhouse. Hey, I have no pride.

This dollhouse I purchased from two special little girls from church.

Break Out the Spray Paint

I used Krylon spray paint in a flat black. Depending on the size of your playhouse, you may need two cans. Put some gloves on, and a face mask. Believe me, spray paint goes everywhere.

Now, for the fun part; highlighting your haunted house with acrylic paints.

I highlighted around three of the windows with orange. It took several coats. I painted the bushes in front of the house green, and added purple to window boxes and the top of the house trim. Now, the really fun part….

Glitter, a Girl’s Best Friend

I chose purple, orange, and black for my glitter highlights. What turned out so cool, was the black glitter once applied looked like a really dark purple!

I love the way the black glitter turned out. You can also see the orange glitter on the top of the window frame.

What is really cool about adding the glitter, is how great this Haunted House will look in the evening with low lighting!

Get the Kids Involved!

Time to add all of the fun little miniatures. We found these in the dollhouse section, Halloween section, and the scrap-booking section at the craft store. My last haunted house I used white gauze for the curtains in each window. Have fun with this part, and let the munchkins get involved!

A little ghost found in the scrap-booking aisle, peeks out of the top window. I used Spanish moss inside the window boxes, and another scrap-booking sticker that says “Spooky” on the railing of the top steps. A creepy coffin is glued to the back wall, inviting no one to come visit.

I hot glued a pumpkin and broom to the left of the porch. A perfect name was hand-painted on the mailbox, and ghostly portraits hang in the window.

I love my Haunted House! It will be the centerpiece at my Halloween buffet table! For more Halloween decorating ideas come visit my Halloween website – Hip Hip Halloween.

Video of Dollhouse to Haunted House

Cool Halloween Table Decorating Ideas

https://youtu.be/utKxWmtQsXY