Corey-ism: (In case you didn’t know my name is Corey) : Whenever I take a tour I most generally get annoyed with the tour guide.  With that being said, I am going to let you just peruse through, and I will only interject for really pertinent facts.

Front Entry

Psst… If you want to build a “North Pole”,  (also can be used as a stocking post) you can find the tutorial here.

And on the left…  ok, ok, so I might had a few fun factoids for   you.  This entry closet used to be a HORIZONTAL beat up dresser.  You can see the transformation here.

Family Room

Stay tuned, I will have some more details (and possibly tutorials) on the gallery wall coming soon!  

  If  you love the tree, and want some tips on how to create the look you can check out my “Rustic Tree” post  Here.    This little guy has been a fun new addition to the family room decor. It is a nice easy  way to incorporate pops of color and seasonal decor. If you are interested in making your own, I have got you covered. You can find a tutorial for the “Crate Wheelbarrow” here.    This “Crated Carboy Jug” is also a favorite of mine when it comes to adding festive decor! If you want to build your own you can find the tutorial here.  

Kitchen

Honestly, if you think this is a pretty kitchen you should seriously consider checking out what it looked like BEFORE!

I am still working on pulling together a table-scape for the dining room, but in all honesty I kind of love it just the way it is.

If you are eyeing any of the pieces of furniture in this picture, then you might be shocked at what they looked like before I got my hands on them!

Antique Ice Box (BEFORE)

Antique Apothecary (BEFORE)

Ok, ok, sorry one last thing,  if you love that exposed brick wall, I should tell you something… It is Faux Brick Paneling and I have a full tutorial for you,  should you decide your home absolutely NEEDS one too.  OR if you are interested in the Modular Wall Units , I have full build plans for this Pottery Barn inspired beauties right here.  Well there you have it,  a brief tour of my downstairs living area!

 Take Luck,

Corey

P.S. I have plenty of seasonal inspiration and tutorials in the works, so make sure you check back often!

The post Holiday Home Tour 2016 appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

You can add garland one of two ways; you can either leave it in long sections and press into the tree and work around it while add the remainder of your ornaments. Or you can try this!   I cut my grapevine into small manageable sections.

Then I do this!

Look at how much character and dimension it adds to the tree!

One other trick I have decided I love, is layering my ribbon!  It adds just a little more pizzaz to a traditional ribbon. After which, I add red berries.  Lots and lots of red berries!

Shhh… I am giving you just a small sneak peak  for tomorrows post, my Holiday Home Tour 2016!  Tune in tomorrow!

Take Luck,

Corey

The post Rustic Christmas Tree appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

1.)  Lights

I think this is fairly  standard  tree 101,  but if we have some newbies out there…  always put your lights on first!  I start at the top of my tree and work my way down.  My tree always sits in the corner of the room, and it has no window behind it… So I  cheat, and don’t decorate the backside of the tree

(I am going to assume that Christmas lights are apart of your Christmas Tree Trimming essentials, so I will not be including them in the total cost. )

-1.) Enlist Help.

If you do not have little munchkins trying to eagerly “help” then proceed to “step 2”. Haha.  However,  I do  have little helpers,  so I  always let my kids go crazy on the tree, and let them decorate to their hearts content. I then ask if it be alright if  I finish it up  later that night. They are always o.k. with this plan. Voila!  they get to decorate and I still get a pretty tree.  Granted my kids are still young, and a little forgetful, but it seems to do the trick.

2.) Ribbon

Ribbon I think is the most under utilized decoration when it comes to trimming a tree.  It is also the best  bang for your buck!  I always get my ribbon from Sams Club.  They sell a 50 yard roll for $7.00!   You just can’t beat that!

 NOW, before you start mummifying your tree…STOP! Don’t  just lay it on the branches like a dead fish!  When I use ribbon I actually  use the wired tree branches to cinch and hold the ribbon in place. ( If you have a real tree, then you can always use pipe cleaners, or wire.)

3.) Even MORE Ribbon

Like I said, I love ribbon!  Another reason being,  it comes in countless colors and styles!  I try to use two different ribbons.  It REALLY  fills  a lot of space for minimal cost!

4.) XL Decor = $9.00

Next  I add extra large decor.   Keep in mind, it doesn’t always need to be “ornaments”…

For example,  I purchased these large plastic snowflakes from Dollar Tree, and they were originally intended to be used as window decor. I also snagged these large bells  from Dollar Tree.  They are fairly big, which is exactly what I was going for!  Ultimately we are looking for a variation of sizes!  

 5.)  Large Ornaments = $10.00

I know that it might be hard when shopping and holding a large ornament in your hand, and it is the same price as a 8 pack of small ornaments, but BELIEVE me  just a few larger ornaments can really  make an impact!

I also got my large bulbs from the Dollar Tree!  They  do have a fairly  limited size collection when it comes to their ornaments, but you don’t need to let that stop you!  Remember spray paint is your friend!

6.) Spray Snow =$1.50

Can I just say, this stuff is AWESOME!  For $1.50, you can add a lot of dimension to your tree!  Just try it,  you will love it!
 

7.) Standard Size Ornaments =$2.00

Next  add your standard size ornaments. NOTICE,   most of the tree is already filled, so it will not require very many of these!  These are just filler, and add another size variation. Again, I purchased these at the Dollar Tree.  They usually  carry a 7 pack for $1.00! Booyah.

8.) “Pop” Color =$13.50

If you prefer the traditional colors, then by all mean feel free to skip this step.  However if you want to add a little pizzazz to your tree, try adding “pop color” or “accent color”.  On this particular year I was really digging seafoam green. The GREAT thing about pop color is, is that you are spending a minimal amount of money on the accent color, SO if you feel like changing it up the following year it is only the cost of a can of spray paint.:)

Here are a couple of ideas that I would suggest.  I spray painted a handful of my “large bulbs” from Dollar Tree  using a seafoam spray paint.  I then purchased a string of tinsel and cut it up into sections and stuffed it into clear bulbs. 

9.) The Star

As is tradition, the star goes on last. I picked up a star from, none other than the Dollar Tree and bulked it up by hot gluing  on of my $.50 snowflakes to the back of it.  It worked perfectly.

And there you have it folks.  That is how I decorated our 10′ tree for less than $50! I feel like that is pretty freaking awesome!

Extra Credit:

See those whimsical who-ville-ish things sticking  out of the top of my tree? Aren’t they rad?  Want your own ? You can make them for just a few bucks! 

The post Designer Christmas Tree from the Dollar Tree! appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Front Entry 

      If you want to see how you can make your own  “Believe”  Chalkboard sign,  you can  check out this tutorial here! 

Sitting Room

        I have an awesome video showing how I made this chalkboard,  available here. Want to learn how to make your own “Who-Ville”  tree?  You should check out this tutorial here .

Family Room

   You can learn more about how I decorated this tree for CHEAP  here.

Dining Room

Entertaining guests  this Holiday season ?  I can help with that. COMING SOON a tutorial on how you  can create this Tablescape for CHEAP!  Stay tuned!

Kitchen

      You can get more info on this  chalkboard sign here.

 Hopefully these may  have sparked some ideas of your own, and best of luck for for all those getting ready for the Holidays!

Happy Holidays,

Corey

The post My Holiday Home Tour appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Do you love the look of a whimsical tree ?  I can show you how to take it to the next level!

Do you need help decorating ?  I can help with that.  Learn how to decorate a tree here.

 You can even  learn how to make some of these fun and funky ornaments here: Gift Box Ornaments  Tinsel Ornaments  Accent Color Ornaments  

Happy Holidays!

Corey

The post How to make a Who-ville Tree ! appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I know many families wait until the day after Thanksgiving to decorate for Christmas. (Obviously  I am not patient enough to share that notion)  In the event you have not decorated  yet, here is a VERY easy and cheap project…

 

The post Trim-a-Tree Series: Easy Tinsel Ornaments appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

 Ok, here is another EASY one, and potentially free.

Supplies Needed:    
Wrapping paper
Tape
Scissors
Boxes of various sizes
Ribbon

Step 1: Wrap boxes
Step 2: Stick them in the tree

Yup,  that’s it,  your done.

How easy?   You can choose any wrapping paper to match your colors.  They take up a large amount of space, and they are super cheap!  You are welcome.

Have fun!

Corey Decker

The post Trim-a-Tree Series: Cheap, Large Ornaments appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.

Awesome LARGE ornaments, for less than a dollar, and in any color  your need !?  It’s a Christmas miracle.

Corey

The post Trim a Tree Series: Spray Paint is Your Friend! appeared first on Sawdust 2 Stitches.