Paper Christmas, My Tree and Birthday Begins

Well it is the first of December. Boy the time sure has flown. Today my birthday celebration begins! I plan on it lasting a month. Why not? My kids do! You know all the parties, lunches, dinners and free desserts!! lol

This is the weekend I usually get my tree up but I already did it.Trying to get things done! In a word, simple!

I'm dreaming of a paper Christmas. That is what it seems like. I have made so many paper items this year. Paper ornaments, paper wreaths paper flowers and paper trees. It just seemed fitting to carry that into the tree decor. In the past, I literally had so many Christmas decorations up it looked like Macy's threw up in my house! OK TMI I know! Not this year!

Since I will be leaving soon I just didn't want to take everything out of the attic and, most of all, put everything back!! So not to be too much of a Scrooge, I put up the tree and added a little something to make it fill up the space, as seen HERE!

I started gathering things I had laying around. Most of the bird ornaments that I am selling in my ETSY and to clients so that when they are ordered I just grab them off the tree and while I am gone my hubby can help fill the orders. Keeps me on top of things. The rest is paper roses, branches, vintage lace and numbers. Yes numbers, I told you I picked up what was laying around. I made these from an old vintage game I bought to use for tags.

My favorite thing happens to be an antique chair leg I bought. It looks like a cross so I used it for my tree topper with added branches. I unfortunately only bought two and sold one that I incorporated in some art for the garden. So this is the one I had left. Didn't want the norm and this is something I know I won't see anywhere.

I added some nests I had too. I had to have something on there that was sentimental. Something that reminded me of my kids. So I added my clay eggs I made as a Mother's Day project! Love the touch.

The sun was shining in right on it giving it a glow!

It was the easiest tree ever! The garland is vintage lace I had out for a project. That finished the look. It didn't cost a dime and didn't take long to do. That is the best thing about doing a tree. You can put anything on it!

Funny thing is...I don't miss the other stuff. I guess I will see how it goes next year and maybe I will start getting rid of things!

What about you? Did you change it up or keep the same things in your decor?

Did you see I difference in how people are doing things this year? I would love to know!

Spring Fireplace Screen and Mantle

Time to add a little spring to another room! I started with the fireplace.

Over the weekend I wanted to change up the fireplace. It is a traditional fireplace but the tile on it is very dark. I would love to change it one day. In the meantime, I want to lighten it up for spring.

After the bridal show I brought in the two windows I used for the tablescape and placed them in the living room to store away. After looking at them for a few days I decided I wanted to incorporate them in my spring fireplace display.

I cleaned them and placed them in front of the opening to make a faux screen. I wanted to add something springy to the windows. I thought about painting them but then I remembered the paper I used for my Red Bird Hutch.

I applied squares to some of the windows

I loved the birds peeping through and looking at all the chippiness!

I added some spring green knobs to the center to look like little french doors.

It automatically brightened the space.

I grabbed one of these floor metal candle holders to make a nest and birdhouse.

I added my nest I bought when I was doing the HGTV pilot shoot and one of the Paper Bird Clips from my Etsy shop. I love that they can be clipped anywhere!

The best thing is that this can be up all spring without having to change too much.

Then I added my Egg Topiaries (click to see how to make) to the mantle with a little spring banner.

Whoops! That is a puppy on the chair!

Now I felt it needed some color so I went outside and cut some blooming branches.

I love the blooming red buds. I also added some to a vase for the coffee table.

As a last minute thought I covered the rest of the empty windows with some Graphics Fairy Morris-Eggs!

It was just what it needed to complete the look!!! I have terrible lighting in my living room but this Fireplace screen adds a pop to an otherwise dark boring front. I love the eggs. It took it to an artsy piece just by cutting them out and applying them to the windows.

BEFORE

AFTER

Happy Spring!!!