Best Holiday Decorations. Ever.

Two questions for you. One: Have you ever been to the Opryland Hotel in Nashville? And, Two: Have you ever been there at Christmas time?? Holy decorations!! Their decorations are so spectacular, they must make Martha Stewart look like a Scrooge!

The hubster had some business to do there right after Christmas, so I *had* to go with him (and by "had" I mean "jumped at the chance"). Nashville is so fun and I couldn't wait to get junkin/antiquing.

Now, look at the next picture and answer me this... Can you imagine how long it takes to put up over 2 million lights and decorations?? And I thought decorating my house was bad...

That's a lot of lights!

Everyone appears to be out looking at the light show...

...and listening to the charming Christmas music.

Watch out for the little lambs, I hear they bite!

But really, no disrespect intended. The GINORMOUS nativity scene truly is awe-inspiring.

And that's only the outside! Don't even get me started on the inside. If you are lucky enough to find your way around, you will find 3 atriums full of indoor decorated gardens.

Giant Christmas tress and wreaths hang overhead.

One of the lobbies even had a giant poinsettia tree... meow!

Cascading lights.

Magical hot air balloons.

Toys taking flight.

After my experience here, I thought I might like to live in such a grand place! On second thought, who am I kidding? Something about having to clean 2,881 rooms does not appeal to me. I'll settle for a vacation there anytime though.

Let Freedom Ring! (Another Burlap Sign)

Sick of burlap yet? Me neither. I think we all know the drill by now.

How to make a burlap sign:

1. Cut burlap to fit in picture frame.

2. Make stencil with Cricut/Silhouette (I used Cricut's Doodletype).

3. Stencil word on burlap.

4. Put burlap in frame.

5. Display proudly.

6. Thank a Serviceman or woman for your freedom!

I will be linking to these parties this week.

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from my family to yours!


(Grandma and the Red Headed Easter Bunny circa 2010)

Enjoy your day!

Mini Valentine's Wreath

I made a cute little Valentine's Day wreath for my mantel this year. The best part is that it only cost about $1 to make.

I started with a tiny grapevine wreath from Michael's.

I lightly spray painted it white.

I found a scrap of burlap and painted "XOXO" on it.

Then I found a piece of red burlap and wound it around to make a burlap rose. I glued both pieces to my wreath.

And it turns into a cute, adorable mini wreath.

Cupid likes!

I will be linking to these parties this week.

LOVE Sign

Quick! Rush over to Target and hit up the dollar bins! You're looking for the white frames that look like this:

Trace the insert onto some cute scrapbook paper and cut it out.

Fit the paper into the frame.

Cut out some letters that spell LOVE and glue them down.

Assemble it back together in the frame with the glass. Now, it is just missing a little something... yup, right there in the middle! It's blank!

Use a glass tile and cut a piece of old book paper to fit. Also add a heart cutout. Place it in the center of the frame (it fits perfectly), and there you have it!

I think I will link to these parties this week.

Be Mine Burlap Sign

Cupid is on the lookout for love and Valentine's decor! Here is my latest and greatest. A burlap sign that says "be mine". It's simple and sweet and is adorned with a heart that is cut out of a page of Gone With the Wind. The heart has the words "devoted heart" and "her beloved" - Cupid would be proud!

Like the Conversation Heart Picture? Go here to see how I made it. You could do this one with your kids!

I just *love* these parties and will link to them this week.

My Heart Has a Key

With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to start decorating!

I started with a round plaque, some paint, scrapbook paper and an old antique key.

I painted the edges of the plaque.

Cut the scrapbook paper to fit the front and mod podge it on.

When the mod podge dries, sand the edges of the scrapbook paper.

Cut out the letters, mod podge them on and add a cuphook.

Finish it with the key hanging from a cute ribbon.

I used a little easel to prop mine up on the mantel.

Hold onto your key or give it to your true love. How romantic!

I will be linking to these parties this week.

Bird Ornament

This past Thanksgiving, my Aunt had a great idea for a craft that the family could do to remember my Grandma. She gave each of us a bird ornament (the kind that clips on to the tree).

We removed the old tail feathers of the bird by gently pulling them out. Then we replaced them with feathers from an old hat my Grandma used to wear. We used glue to make them stick where the old feathers had been. I love how it turned out and it is an extra special way to remember Grandma at Christmas time this year.