Wednesday, January 14, 2015

A Quick Furniture Reshuffle

We have lived in this house for almost 5 years now, and the living room furniture
has been in pretty much the same place, even when the furniture was different.

1st couple of years.

2nd couple of years.

I decided to move the wing chairs in front of the window
and the table across the room.
This simple difference really opened up the room
and made it feel larger.

It also allowed me to bring in a couple more chairs
and set up a little desk area, something I was really needing.


I also really like have the two chairs close together like this.

It makes for a nice conversation spot.

They coordinate nicely, don't you think?

For detailed instructions on making these slipcovers,
see here

and here

I thought there wasn't any other way to arrange the furniture in this room,

but I am so happy I finally tried something different!












Saturday, January 10, 2015

Post Christmas Mantel

Okay, all the holiday rush is finally over and I am starting to breathe again!

 I left a lot of things on the mantle from Christmas, like the window and churches,
even the snowflakes, but they look a lot different now.


 Just added some finials, 

 dried hydrangeas,

 and birds under glass!


Friday, January 2, 2015

Angel Wings

You saw these paper angel wings on my Christmas House Tour
and I said I would show you how I made them.


First, I have to admit I didn't come up with this idea,
a friend made some last year and I stole her idea!


They could not have been more simple!

First step: cut 2 wing shapes out of heavy cardboard.
Step two: cut out feather shapes from paper.
I used just plain white paper for these, but I think
I will make some with old sheet music.

Next, I laid out the feathers in different ways
to decide how I wanted them to look.

Once I made that decision, I just glued them in place,
overlapping to give a fuller effect.


I attached some snowflakes down the center when I
put them out for Christmas.



Saturday, December 20, 2014

Christmas Snippets

Five days until Christmas and I am ahead of schedule!
(Trust me, this does not usually happen!)


 So, now I have some extra time to do some baking,

 

 or some reading,



 watch 2 of my grands in their first Christmas program,


 or help my youngest son paint his new house,



 see a movie with Husband,


 help my daughter-in-law set up for Christmas Eve at church,

 or all of the above!

 It also gives me time to reflect


 on the true meaning of this holiday season,

 the great mercy and love of God as He sent His Son
into the world to be our savior!

Merry Christmas!


 A Joyful Cottage

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Christmas House Tour: Bedrooms

I had so much fun this year decorating the kids' room!

It always looks festive in here anyway, because of all the color!

The Santa and Angel were always on our doors 
when my brothers and I were children!
(That's a while ago!)

This little bear is wearing reindeer antlers and reading a Christmas book!

The small tree has toys hanging from it and sitting under it!

Snowflakes fall in front of the window!




The guest room is a bit more sedate!

I just changed out the bedding for something red!

And added a small wreath.