I am always sad to see the Christmas decor go, but it is amazing at how fresh and clean the house feels...and BIGGER! Suddenly, I have empty shelves, counters, and floor space. Much more than I remembered in November. This year we spent New Year's organizing our Christmas boxes and getting rid of things that we never used. It was nice to get it all in order. As nice as it was to have it all clean and put away, the house was so lifeless without any seasonal decor compared to last month. So I made a few things to brighten up the place without cluttering it...well at least I don't think it looks cluttered...
These sad candles were from a craft project gone WRONG. Instead of having my stamps heat adhere properly, I just melted craters into the candles, lol. Oh well. I'm glad I didn't throw them out though, the other sides were still smooth and I was able to turn them into these:
Epsom salt. I'd never thought of using it as fake snow until I saw this. I brushed mod podge all over the candles, then rolled them in the salt.
Perfect!
More Epsom salt, and kosher salt (I ran out of Epsom) in these glass vases and some items out of the Christmas box that could double for winter decor.
The snowflake in this vase is just cut with my cricut out of scrapbooking paper and stuck into the salt.
I cut out more snowflakes with my cricut out of white contact paper and stuck them on the wall in the entry way.
Along with this blue plate (more white contact paper) and these frames that my sister, Stacy, made us for Christmas. She included silhouette inserts for every season! I LOVE them.
The only thing I bought for my decorations were these bulb lights that were 50% off at Target. It's hard to get a good picture of them, but they brighten up the kitchen and I love them! I may leave them up year around under the cupboards. The slowflakes on the microwave are actually a reflection of some on the wall across the house, lol.
Aaron's January Ornaments from last year were the perfect touch for the kitchen.
.10 plates from the JC Penney outlet store and a little black vinyl for the shelf in the living room and more contact paper snowflakes.
Our very simple mantel decorations.
Super cute art made by the kids. This will be over flowing by the end of the month. Aaron has already started making his coffee filter snowflakes.
An 8x10 frame that I only put 5x7 pictures in. I like taping them to scrapbooking paper and changing it out seasonally. A photo from my brother's wedding with all of us siblings.
Last, but not least, my new FAVORITE candle. A gift from Dallin's school teacher. I volunteer in his class weekly, and she was so sweet to think of me. It's hard to describe the scent, but it is cinnamon-y. I love anything with cinnamon in it.
If you've made it this far, thanks for looking! Enjoy the new year!
Linking this project up on Today's Creative Blog!
I just wanted to let you know that I want your kitchen- and your kitchen aid.... that is all :)
ReplyDeletegreat ideas! im in the middle of snowflaking my home and im gonna take out the cricket too! im so glad you are here for me when im challenged!
ReplyDeleteI love your ideas! It 70 something degrees here in South Texas, maybe snow decorations will make it feel cooler ?
ReplyDeleteEverything looks absolutely fantastic! I love the way you salvaged the pillar candles - so smart! Haven't we all had some of those crafting fails?!
ReplyDeleteTake care!
I love your winter home decor!!
ReplyDeleteYour salted candles look so pretty! You are so creative, Brandy!
ReplyDeleteWe are planning a snow party to cheer up this long, dull month. I like your soap snowballs that you made with your boys. I'll link back to you, okay?!!! Wahoo!
ReplyDeleteLove, Bree
PS: festive-y house! Love it!
Super sweet! I love the epsom salt vases and all the snowflakes. It inspires me to get going on my decorations!
ReplyDeleteLove all the winter. Am in the process of putting away Christmas and getting out winter. Joni
ReplyDeleteWhite contact paper!!! Hello? Why did I not think of this? I love it - everything looks great! Thanks for the inspiration :)
ReplyDeleteWow, so creative! Love how you used contact paper...I would never have thought to! I really need to get one of those cricut or silhouette machines! Would love to see you at my weekend party! http://www.lovelycraftyhome.com
ReplyDeleteEverything looks beautiful. I love the epsom salt idea, too. I saw it on the same blog. I can't wait to try it.
ReplyDeleteRuth
Looks great Brandy!
ReplyDeleteBrandy, I love the idea to use Epsom salts! I never would have thought to do that. So glad I came across your blog. I'm a new follower.
ReplyDeleteI love all your winter decor!! Kind of a hard season to decorate for. You've done a great job!
ReplyDeleteAw thanks for sharing. I really want to do more of this sort of thing. We are not really into changing our decor with the seasons here in Scotland but it looks such fun!
ReplyDeleteSo many pretty things! I appreciate the ideas. I'm working on some new stuff for our home, too.
ReplyDeleteVery nice winter decorations!
ReplyDeleteI too saw the idea about epsom salt to create fake snow and I can't wait to try it. Your candles look great!!
Hugs,
Debbie
Love your winter ideas! The wall color in your foyer is really gorgeous. Do you know the name of it? I'd like it for my foyer too!
ReplyDeleteLove your winter decor! The snowflakes sprinkled everywhere are just the perfect touch! And your sisters gift w/ the silhouettes for every season is sheer brilliance!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Robin
(A reader told me to be careful w/ the epsom salt on the candle because it flammable! I added that to my post and have brushed off the salt on the top of the candles! And I'm watching them when I burn them!!!)
Absolutely beautiful winter decor! I love the idea of using Epsom salts! I hope you'll come link this up at the craft catwalk!
ReplyDeletehttp://embellishinglifeeveryday.blogspot.com/
I know I am a year late, but seeing that January is approaching maybe I am early? I LOVE the simplicity of your winter decorating. I cannot wait until we build our house so I can have more room to decorate. I am pinning this so I can definitely remember!
ReplyDeleteI love to keep snowflakes and snowmen out through the winter too!
ReplyDeleteThese are wonderful ideas! I think my favorite is the snowflakes going up the wall...I can't wait to get my silhouette so I can do stuff like that. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm hosting a winter theme link up party and would love it if you came by and linked this up!
www.serendipityandspice.blogspot.com
-Melissa
How pretty!! I featured it at my blog here: http://passionateandcreativehomemaking.blogspot.com/2012/01/seasonal-wednesdays.html
ReplyDeleteWonderful ideas to show your points :)
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