white christmas mantel, bleaching bottle brush trees, and a quick Christmas home tour

It's looking a little more like Christmas around here. 

   

I updated my mantel with a favorite framed chalkboard, some mercury glass, and some bleached bottle brush trees.

 

We traded in our boy elf on the shelf for Chrissy, who watches and reports to Santa each night.

I found a package of 21 green bottle brush trees at Michael's, threw some in the sink with a bleach and water mixture, and had these white ones in just a couple of minutes.

Last year I completely re-did the ornaments for my tree.   This year I only made one, using my favorite item of the season--bottle brush trees.

To get a glimpse of our tree, check out last year's post.  This year, our tree looks a little pathetic.  It's been knocked over 3 times by our 'sweet' kittens who like to climb up the trunk.  Several ornaments were broken and my sheet music and bookpage ornaments look a little bent up.

 

The tree itself, looks like its seen better days.  Next year, I think we're buying a real life one, maybe we'll even cut down our own.

In the piano room, I added a real life wreath and more bottle brush trees, some were slightly bleached for just seconds to get a variety of green coloring.

I made this simple bunting with ribbon on hand, and inspired by this. 

Our new advent cupboard was updated with some paint and a sharpie, and filled with favorite candy.   It's much simple than last year's.

 

More bottle brush trees, and various sized letters that sing "fa la la".

I added a simple Christmas vignette in the girls' room.

 

Yep, you guessed it, pink bottle brush trees, and teeny tiny deer.

Another simple Christmas vignette, using an old metal ornament, sits in a cakestand.

Instead of the usual wreath on the front door, I added this wooden tree shape found at the thrift store.

It was already backed with chicken coop wire, perfect for hanging my vintage ornament collection.

Thanks for letting me take you on a tour of Christmas around here.  I think we are officially in the mood and ready for it!

keep primping,

linking to these fab parties:

Jennifer Rizzo, Tatertots and Jello, Funky Junk, Inspired Room, Sassy Sites

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday Linky Party #26

Happy Wednesday! It's time to link up all your fabulously primped projects, including anything you have made, or made to look better, or anything you have found to {primp} your space.

Here are my favorites from last week's party:

Little Blue Prints made the cutest chalkboard and magnet Christmas countdown.

Our Wonderfilled Life showed off her super cool, famous landmark snow globes.

Fishtail Cottage made a Christmas scene snow globe, but in a salt shaker!

Ugly Duckling made some cute and simple ornaments using vintage graphics.

Thanks for all your inspiration every week!

Now it's time to be inspired again:

Please become a follower if you are not already, and grab my button to post somewhere on your blog so others can join in on the fun!

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keep primping and link up!

a sweet pink vignette {pink trees and tiny deer}

Here's a sweet pink Christmas vignette I added to my girls' room.

I usually decorate small trees in my kids' rooms but haven't had the desire to get them out this year. 

A little winter vignette adds a little Christmas charm in a sweet and simple way.

I absolutely love these bright pink bottle brush trees and tiny deer.

I just grouped them all together on a platter from the cupboard.

 

I hope my girls will enjoy this sweet addition to their room, and not miss their tree too much.

keep primping,

Primp Your Stuff Wednesday Linky Party #25

Happy Wednesday! It's time to link up all your fabulously primped projects, including anything you have made, or made to look better, or anything you have found to {primp} your space.

Here are my favorites from last week's party:

First we have 3 equally beautiful and unique advent calendars.

Holy Craft showed off this really simple and neutral one.

Cecilia Rosslee made these beautiful advent bags using different vintage graphics.

The Old White House made an advent using some of my favorite elements--chalkboard and burlap.

It's Over Flowing showed off some cute and easy waterless snow globes.

Thrifty Decorating made some simply beautiful sheet music ornaments.

and last but not least,

The Painted Hive shared this old library catalog--what a find!

Thanks for all your inspiration every week!

Now it's time to be inspired again:

Please become a follower if you are not already, and grab my button to post somewhere on your blog so others can join in on the fun!

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href="http://micheleravendesigns.blogspot.com/" title="{Primp}" 
target="_blank"><img 
src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y103/amycarver3/primpbutton2.jpg" 
alt="{Primp}" style="border:none;" 
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keep primping and link up!

fa la la and some bottle brush trees

I've been getting out some Christmas stuff and decorating here and there. 

The "fa la la" is made from letters collected over the last year from various places. I'm so in love with these bottle brush trees, you'll find them all over the house.

I found this old reproduction map of Paris at a consignment store while vacationing over Thanksgiving break.  I love the muted colors, and think it makes a great, although unconventional, backdrop for this Christmas display.

 

I'll be back soon to show you more Christmas primping.

keep primping,

linking to:
Uncommon Slice of Suburbia, Homestories A-Z, Southern Hospitality,
Jennifer Rizzo's Holiday Housewalk