Teacher Gifts = Wrapped Chocolate Bars

This year the middle school teachers will receive wrapped chocolate bars dressed like Santa.  I purchased the super sized Hershey bars at the grocery store yesterday and used what I had on hand to decorate them.  They turned out cute. (I also think if I altered the colors this design could be repurposed for Thanksgiving next year.)

You want to see the dining room?

There is so much in here that I've created myself. I hope you like it. Upholstered zebra chair, Thomas Paul look alike pillow, ferns on the frame to coordinate with  my Kelly Westler Fern fabric (not shown). YET!

Chevron Frame Pics

In case you wanted to see the whole grouping, here is another view of the hallway.  I'm loving the scale of these painted chevron frames and how it relates to the dining room. 

Chevron Wreath Frames

I painted some wood in a chevron pattern and hung wreaths over them to decorate a narrow hallway. There are three of them. They are purposefully rustic and aged looking. This little hallway combines a little of everything that I'm enjoying this year: high contrast, chevron, aged wood, grey wash, geometric, lime green, copper, natural elements, upcycled, and DIY for Christmas. Whew.  That's a lot to describe. Simply said, I know my hallway looks unique and non-emergency traditional this season. Yea! Task accomplished.

Where are the fun ornaments?

A valuable lesson learned...Meet Tree #2: My little one will wake up tomorrow morning to find "his tree" ready for him to decorate with "the fun ornaments." He can hang them with his brother  after school or before school, or hang them on Tree #1 if they feel like it.  It will be their project. This decorator is stepping aside for the season. I almost made a huge mistake by thinking the decorating was my show, my thing, you know...my seasonal showpiece. A week ago,  I chose to leave all the fun (read gross) ornaments in the box and BOTH KIDS  NOTICED.  AGAIN.  For the third year in a row.  Seriously. I thought they would value a beautifully decorated designer tree.  In my defense those "fun ornaments" are the Bart Simpson, Hans Solo and Yoda ornaments. (Feel my pain?) I admit my mistake in editing their "fun ornaments" and potentially affecting  their Christmas memories.  Sooooooo tomorrow, I am stepping aside and from now on am letting my kids have their say in the holiday decor. Right after I reassemble and redecorate the beautiful wreath that hubby accidentally crashed tonight. (Sigh)

DIY coordinating gift tags

1. Cut out several wrapping papet motifs and glue to CARD STOCK. (It thick and stiff paper.)
2.  When glue is dry. Trim edges tightly around the motif using scissors.
3. Add a hole punch and ribbon.
It will be cute and coordinated.

Meet my new chandelier!

Its been a long time since I had a chandelier in the dining room. (Or a table for that matter after I SOLD IT to my neighbor about 2.5 years ago.) This fixture became my early Christmas present and we hung it today. I still need a real table...but for now...for my 10 guests arriving in 14 days ...this table will "do" for now.  Welcome new chandelier!