Edited: Wheeeeeeee this project got picked to be featured among the top 3 over at Two Twenty One.



Thank you so much Chelsea and thanks so much to the whole crew of fabulous co-hosts Kim, Michelle and Rachel.

This project has me totally excited for Christmas.

I finished decorating my tree (come back on the 13th for that) and except for the fact that I would love to come up with something fabulous for my two big windows in the living room, I have now "decked the halls".

I sewed a pom pom runner and made little garland, candy cane, lit trees for our Christmas table. Here they are.



Let me start at the beginning.

First, I made a table runner out of oatmeal colored linen and strands of white pom-poms. I got everything at JoAnns.

Here is how I did that.

Click image to view larger.


Click image to view larger.

Here is a detail shot of the finished runner

 
Next, I gave the IKEA pots a crackle finish with copper leafing. If you want a more solid look, you could paint the pot in a copper tone first, before adding the leafing.


Click image to view larger.

Then I made the beaded garland for the trees.

Click image to view larger.

You can find the crimpers in the Jewelry section of your craft store. I also used transparent fish line to string the garland.

Here is a detail shot of how the crimper works (website only)
A detail shot of how the crimper works:


Then I added some LED mini stings of light (Martha Stewart brand - got at Target a couple of years ago) and a few miniature candy canes to my IKEA pine trees and set them into the pot. I hid the battery pack inside the pots, under the trees. I talked about all my IKEA Christmas finds in this post.

Then I set the table with all my new goodies.


I just got these charming stem-less wine glasses with chalk board from a very dear friend of mine, so they had to go onto the table of course. They are from Pier1.



I also really liked how the table looked at night with the glow from the lit trees.



The gilded pears are vase fillers that I found at Target a couple of years ago.



I like how the pom poms give a subtle reference to my handmade pom-pom garland on my mantle.

Linking up to the last of 4 parties at
Decor & the dog, Maybe Mathilda, Newly Woodwards & Two Twenty-One



Want to see what else I made for these challenges?:

Dare to give thanks: Acorn door hanger - This was chosen to be among top 3 by Maybe Mathilda - Thank you!
Dare to entertain: Felt flower napkin ring - This was also my dining room reveal.
Dare to give hand made: Felt sleeve votives

Also linking up to A humble creation

How are you getting ready for Christmas? Leave a comment with your blog link and I will swing by your place I can't wait to see what you did!

I needed a little gift this Saturday and thought I would make a "cup of hot cocoa" kit.

I used a "prezel bag", the same type that I used for my one-eyed mummies for Halloween.

First, I added some cocoa to the bottom, then some chopped dark chocolate, and for the top, some mini marshmallows. I used some ribbon and a small glitter branch and tied the bag to some peppermint chocolate cookies and a candy cane.



I used this one for our "Almond gift" at our Christmas party this weekend. I served "Ris A la Mande" or "Cherry cloud" as I have dubbed it in English. This is a Danish Christmas tradition. - a rice pudding type of dessert, where you hide a whole almond. The guest who finds the almond gets the gift.

You could of course also use this idea as a hostess gift, a party favor or a teacher gift.