Friday's Favorites: Christmas 2012 {Pinterest}

It's time for another round up of my favorite Pinterest pins! This post is obviously going to be Christmas inspired and there is so much to pick from!! It's hard to select just a few things and not make this post super long. But, I've narrowed it down as much as I could, and my favorites of Christmas 2012 are below.

I think the best way to begin and welcome everyone is to start with a beautiful entryway. I don't know the source of the photograph, so if anyone does, please let me know so I can give credit where credit is due.

I love this, it's so inviting. It has the perfect amount of greenery and lights. I'm always drawn to symmetry, too, it just gets me. The puppy dog is so cute, too, with his little Santa hat.

Staying with doors for a minute, my favorite wreath is made by Amanda; she sells beautiful wreaths over in her Etsy shop, An Extraordinary Gift.

 

It's so elegant and yet, simple, in a way. Red is the perfect color for the season and the blending of materials is very fluid.

I'm jealous of anyone with a mantel; my house was built in the 1890's, but surprisingly, it doesn't have a fireplace. There really isn't room for one, anyway, so for those that do have one, don't take it for granted and decorate it up! I can't choose between two of my favorites, so I've included them both.

First up is Heather's Merry and Bright vignette from The Lovely Cupboard.

I love this instance of minimal color and the use of metallics. Of course, I adore the lighted canvas art, too.

Next is this exquisite mantel from It's the Little Things that Make a House a Home. I love, love, LOVE everything about it!

From the fresh greenery to the lanterns and the ornaments, to the grape vine swag, this is absolutely stunning; it just screams "Christmas!"

Speaking of ornaments, you had to know I wouldn't forget to include one...or some. I have a tendency to pin clear globes which people fill up with all kinds of different things. These two are my top picks.

Better Homes and Garden shared this little beauty under it's "Easy Christmas Ornaments Kids Can Make" article.

So beautiful, simple, and easy! All you need is faux greenery, a glass ball, and ribbon.

The other sphere ornament I chose is from Vanessa over at The Sew*er, the Caker, the CopyCat Maker.

She used overhead projector plastic sheets and Silhouette cut outs that she rolled up and popped in! So clever! (You could use any paper image if you don't have a Silhouette.)

The last ornament feature is not shameless self-promotion, I swear! I included my Personalized Christmas Ornaments because I haven't seen anything out there similar and they are fairly easy to make.

I think personalizing things for your kids creates meaningful memories for them that they can cherish their whole lives.

When the family sits down for Christmas dinner, wouldn't it feel so cozy to have this beautiful table and décor to look at?

Everything here is gorgeous! I love that there is even a tree in the dining room! Between the candles and the lights on the tree, there is such a nice warm glow. This photo is courtesy of Sharps Farm.

I included this next beautiful décor project because I love it and everyone else loves it, too. I get so many notifications that a different person has repinned it, there is no way I couldn't show it off.

I Don't Know How She Does It! shows you how to put this beauty together with different types of pine cones. I will make this some day!

Lastly, it wouldn't be Christmas without delicious treats, so I'm sharing with you my absolute favorite recipe, Reindeer Feed, aka Peppermint Chex Mix.

This awesome candy is from the wonderful ladies over at Butter, with a Side of Bread. I made this last year and it's so easy and delicious! I can't stress it enough. I want to make it this year but I'm hesitant because I'm supposed to be on a diet and I don't think I'll be able to resist!

There you have it, my favorite Christmas pins from Pinterest for 2012. Do you agree or do you know of some more fantastic ideas? Also, if you want to see what else I think is pin-worthy, feel free to click on the Pinterest button at the top of the left sidebar.

**If you see something you like, please do not pin from my page; go to the author's blog and pin from there. The links should take you directly to the correct post.**

 If you were featured here, please feel free to take a button.

<a border="0" href="http://fixingforfriday.blogspot.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i212.photobucket.com/albums/cc110/shanlyn1879/Blog%20Icons/image1_zps2af0fb64.png"/></a>

Book Pendant & Charm

Books have been a big part of my life since I taught myself to read at two. As a kid, I used to climb up into apple trees and spend hours reading and snacking on apples when I got hungry. One of my all-time favorites is Anne of Green Gables. Currently, I am reading off the "1001 Books to Read Before You Die" list.

So, when I saw this on Pinterest, I was smitten.

 

I've wanted to make one ever since, and I also wanted a book for my charm bracelet. I've looked all over for a charm and I haven't found anything I've liked. I thought this adorable project could solve my problem. I made one as a pendant and a tiny one for my bracelet.



I enjoy projects that are do-able in a single evening. Making these were simple and didn't cost me anything since I already had the supplies. If you want to see the tutorial and make one (or more!) yourself, check out The Perfect Pear's easy-to-follow instructions.

Also, if you are an avid reader, I encourage you to join Goodreads, if you haven't already. It's a great site to track what you and your friends have read, rate and discuss books, and find new material. My user name is 'ShanLyn1879' is you want to follow me. Also, if you want to check out the "1001 Books to Read Before You Die" list, you can find it here.

P.S. I've linked up with Craftionary, One Project Closer, French Country Cottage, Tatertots & Jello, Sweet Boutique, Funky Junk Interiors, Be Different Act Normal, I Heart Naptime, Twigg Studios, Petite Hermine, Under the Table & Dreaming, Mad in Crafts, The Chicken Chick, Sarahndipities, Skip to my Lou, Coastal Charm, Sugar Bee Crafts, Today's Creative Blog, Trendy Treehouse, We are THAT Family, Someday Crafts, Sew Much Ado, DIY Crafty Projects, Southern Lovely, Beyond the Picket Fence, 733, Bloom, House of Hepworths, Made in a Day, Imparting Grace, The Shabby Creek Cottage, The Charm of Home, Redoux

Follow Friday!

Fixing for Friday has added Twitter, Google+, and Tumblr accounts to make it even easier for you to get the latest blog posts! Just click on the icons over in the left-hand sidebar and you will be directed to the respective sites.

Do any of you utilize these sites? Or have I gone overboard?

Winter Village

Awhile ago I found these adorable wooden buildings for sale at Goodwill. I think I paid $1.88 for them.

Immediately, I knew I was going to make a little village with them. At first I planned on painting them, but I didn't want to spend a bunch of money on supplies, so I decided to decoupage them instead. I already had plenty of scrapbook papers and a bottle of Mod Podge (from my Personalized Ornaments). I figured I should have a church and a school house for sure; I wanted a general store, too, but a couple of the buildings turned out to be glued together and were inseparable, so the remaining three had to be houses.

I cut the "siding" by first tracing the building or measuring, if there was a doorway. I used a bone folder to make the folds crisp. The roof was done the same way. I decoupaged the siding and roof on then added windows and doors. I wrapped and glued the chimneys, too.



 

For the church steeple and the school's belfry, I used the templates from Martha Stewart's village. Once all the buildings were done, I sprinkled and glued fake snow onto the rooftops and made some paper trees, also from Martha Stewart.

 

I decided to display the village on a white platter and use it as a centerpiece on the kitchen table.

 

It took awhile to make, but it was entertaining, and the low cost makes it even better. I also like how I could leave this display out past Christmas, since it's not strictly a holiday piece.

Helping Sandy Hook

I am at a loss for words when I think about what happened last week in Connecticut. I can only imagine what everyone there is going through. Instead of a project post, I am passing the word about the Sandy Hook Snowflake Drive.

The Connecticut PTSA wants to decorate the Sandy Hook kids' school as a winter wonderland for when they return to school. You can make some and send them to

Connecticut PTSA

60 Connolly Parkway, Building 12, Suite 103

Hamden, CT  06514

They ask that you please send them by January 12, 2013. This is something your whole family could gather together to do, and it creates an opportunity to start a discussion with your kids about what happened, if you are looking for a way to approach the topic with them.

There are other ways to help the Sandy Hook community, please visit the Connecticut PTSA webpage for more information.