Sheet Music Tree Filler Ornaments

I found this neat sheet music tree ornament idea at a home decor store done slightly different & thought I could easily tweak it a bit to fit into my Christmas decor. Happily, I was right! It was really easy to make these cute tree fillers! 

For those of you who don't know what I mean by "tree fillers", here's my definition: Christmas decorations that don't hang on the branches but sit on the branches. I use twiggy things & sprigs of silver leaves, & now these little goodies on my Christmas tree.

Here's the how to:

Start with:

• Sheet Music
• Birds (or other decoration) on a wire stick
• Decorating twigs (I used glittery blue & silver ones)
• Hot glue gun
• Tape
• Wire cutters or pliers with wire cutters

Roll the sheet music & tape.

Take the wired birds & bend the wire into a "J" shape to start if off before you wrap it around the sheet music. If you don't, you'll crush the music.

Now wrap the wire around the rolled sheet music.

Cut some twigs off of the bunches you have, using wire cutters or pliers, arrange & glue the around the bird.

They were so fast to make too. I made 6 & it took me maybe half an hour - I'm happy about that!

What do you think? I'm slowly, but surely giving my Christmas tree decor a little makeover. And I'm doing it DIY style too! Next week, I'll have another sheet music ornament to show you as well as a tree topper. (Can you see a theme developing here? I can, and I love it!)

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

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Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Decking The Halls

December is here & so is the winter weather here in Saskatchewan! 

We had yet another dump of snow last night & it certainly looks like Christmas outside. There's no shortage of snow this year! :)

It's also looking very Christmasy everywhere you go - including our house! 

Our halls are decked & Christmas preparations are in full force.

This year, I decorated in keeping with my silver theme, but added some turquoise into the mix. Just touches here & there, but it a little goes a long way. It's so pretty!

Most of our gifts are purchased & wrapped already, but we have a few left to buy.

I kept my sheet music wreath up from my fall decor & just changed out the seasonal touches. The clothes pins make it perfect for displaying Christmas cards!

A trifle bowl filled with shiny baubles & candles add a bit more sparkle to the living room.

My silver side table in the entryway is in its glory during the Christmas season.

I also found some beautiful printables to use in my decor this year. The one below is available here. 

I printed it off & backed it with wrapping paper. Into the frame it went & it adds so much to the decor as well as reminding us what the Christmas season is all about... the biggest birthday party ever!

Isn't that owl the cutest?

My lanterns also got a touch of Christmas added to them. One is filled with glittered pinecones, the large one has a battery operated candle on a timer so it comes on every evening. My sequinned reindeer finishes off this little grouping.

On the bar top between the living room & kitchen, I added another printable (available here) in a frame & more shiny baubles with a sweet little birdie.

And can you see my snowy owls in the background??

Here's panoramic shot (taken with my phone so not super high quality) of the living room & bar top.

One last little touch... My mom came & helped me decorate this year (btw, she's a professional interior decorator - I know, I'm blessed!) & between her & I we created this white, turquoise, & silver vignette on top of the cupboards in my kitchen. 

Lots of milk glass, some vintage pyrex, & more shiny baubles help bring Christmas into the kitchen as well.

There you go! I hope you enjoyed the tour of my main floor Christmas decor. I'll be sharing lots of Christmasy goodness over the month of December, so be sure to follow along!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

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And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Wreath featured on:

November Wrap-Up

Can you believe November is over already? What has happened to this year?

At the beginning of the month I came up with a photo-a-day challenge for November.

 I used my phone camera & I edited with instagram (You're welcome to follow me if you'd like) to make things easy. If you've been following me on Facebook, you've likely already seen some of them.

  Here's this month's photo-a-day recap:

I would love for you to join me for December's challenge! It's full of Christmasy goodness. :) 

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Here's to a great December!

December Photo Challenge

Monthly photo challenges are a lot of fun & they sure make me think about ideas & objects in a creative way.

This month since Christmas is coming, I made my list centred around all things Christmasy. Enjoy!

Follow me on Instagram to see my daily photo. Let me know if you're taking the challenge - I'd love to see your photos too! I'll be using the hashtag #SBphotochallenge. Please join me & we can share our photos with one another!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Here's to a great December!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Christmas Crafts & Recipes Of The Past...

Now that American Thanksgiving is over, I know a lot of you are looking for Christmas ideas & recipes to get started on. I know I'm always keeping my eyes peeled for new ideas! 

Since many of you have followed along since last December (Thank you!), today I'm doing a run-down of my favourite crafts, recipes, & projects from last Christmas.

Let's start with some fun crafts...

Christmas Banner

I still need to make one of these babies for myself! I made a few last year & sold them all. Must. Keep. One. :)

Spool Christmas Trees

These little trees were so fun to discover as I pulled them out again this year. They're a fun part of our decor.

Spool Tree Ornaments

Possibly my favourite Christmas craft ever! I have these arranged on a wreath this year with some twinkle lights.

Let Heaven & nature sing...

Light Bulb Snowmen (with photo tutorial!)

Our kids get such a kick out of these snowmen every year. 

They love that they have one that is personalized & belongs to each one of us.

Glittered Pinecones

These sparkly cones are filling a metal lantern in my front entryway this year.

Now on to recipes...

Classic Sugar Cookies (No rolling or cutting needed!)

Merry Berry Cheese Bars (Cranberry Cheesecake Bars)

Chocolate Marshmallow Fudge (Fast!)

Almost Instant Buckeyes (Another fast one!)

Egg Nog Tarts

Cards, tags, & gift card holders...

Gift Tags

Use your Cricut or Silhouette to cut out some cute shapes, attach string & create your own gift tags!

Gift Card Holders

Make your own simple gift card holder for those hard to buy for people.

Christmas Cards

Create a few custom made Christmas cards for your friends & family with these ideas.

Those are just my favourites! I hope you found some inspiration here.

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Fast & Easy Stamped Snowflake Card

Do you make your own Christmas cards? Some years I do, & others I don't. I haven't for the past few years, but this year I made some for the craft fairs I've been doing.

Here's a super fast & easy card that is also beautiful!

I picked up these snowflake stamps in the dollar bins at Michaels a few weeks ago. A couple of inks, some bling, & a sentiment & wham bam - done! Just be sure to give time for the white ink, the liquid pearls, & the stickles to dry. :)

Products used: 

Cardstock: Bazill Basics

Snowflake Stamps: Michaels

Ink: Stampin' Up! (Not Quite Navy) & Color Box (White)

Sentiment Stamp: My Mind's Eye

Liquid Pearls

Silver Stickles

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Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

Cinnamon Mocha Mix

Raise your hand if you like to make homemade Christmas gifts for friends, neighbours, teachers, & co-workers.

Now, raise your hand if you don't have a ton of time to spend on said gifts.

I hear ya.

This Cinnamon Mocha Mix is so easy to put together, you'll have your gifts done in a flash! Oh, and it's delicious too! Try some before you package it up. And try to remember to share. :)

It's really cute packaged in small jars or in a ziplock bag inside a decorated paper bag. Just be sure to include the serving instructions. Two cups of mix is a good gift-giving size.

Cinnamon Mocha Mix

makes about 14 cups

2 cups dry coffee creamer

2 cups dry chocolate mix - the kind used to make chocolate milk. I used was Nesquik.

2 cups confectioner's sugar

6 cups non fat dry milk powder

1/2 cup cocoa

1/4 cup instant coffee granules

2 tsp. ground cinnamon

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients. Store in airtight container or divide into smaller portions for gifts. Be sure to include the serving instructions if you're giving it away. :)

To Serve: Pour 6 ounces hot water over 2 1/2 heaping tablespoons mocha mix; stir & serve. 

If you're looking for more food gift ideas, also check out the recipe for Cajun-Spiced Snack Mix that I've made for years!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

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Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!

50 Stocking Stuffers For Teenage Girls

Happy Monday, friends!

Thank you all for the overwhelming response to my 50 Stocking Stuffers For Teenage Boys post last week!
I'm so  happy to be able to help you out in your Christmas shopping!

I'm going to start off this week with another stocking stuffer list - this time it's for teen girls.

I find girls so much easier to shop for - perhaps it's because I am one? ;)
Even if you have some ideas for the teen girls in your life, maybe this list will give you a few you hadn't thought of.

1. Magazine
2. Journal
3. Pen
4. Makeup
5. Makeup brushes
6. Nail polish
7. Nail files or other manicure supplies
8. Bubble bath
9. Shower gel
10. Lotion
11. Book
12. Jewelry – earrings, bracelet, necklace, etc.
13. Earbuds
14. iTunes card
15. Sunglasses
16. Wallet
17. Compact mirror
18. Headband or other hair accessories
19. Tights or socks
20. Phone case
21. Locker mirror or other locker accessories
22. Knit hat
23. Mittens or gloves
24. Scarf
25. DVD
26. CD
27. Perfume or body spray
28. USB flash drive
29. Watch
30. Card game
31. Picture frame
32. Hobby/craft supplies
33. Coin purse
34. Key chain
35. Belt
36. Cosmetics bag
37. Chocolate, candy, or gum
38. Christmas tree ornament
39. T-shirt
40. Lip balm
41. Scented candle
42. Concert tickets
43. Movie tickets
44. Coffee card (Starbucks, anyone?)
45. Deep conditioner for hair
46. Calendar
47. Hot chocolate packets
48. Mug
49. Moisturizing hand sanitizer
50. Stationary
    
     If you have any more ideas, please feel free to leave comments so we can all help one another out!
    
    

    Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

    or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

    And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

    
    

    
    

    Enjoy your day!

    
    

    

    
    

    Check out the great parties I link up to!

An UNtraditional Christmas Card

In decorating & getting ready for Christmas, do you gravitate more towards the traditional red & green colour scheme or do you like to shake it up a bit & try something new every year or every few years? 

This year, in my Christmas card making, I decided to "shake it up a little" & try something completely UNtraditional! 

Bright, summery colours used in a Christmasy way was my starting point. And I love how these cards turned out!

Products used:

Cardstock - Michaels, Stampin' Up!, & American Crafts
Stamps - Stampin' Up! (ornament hanger) & My Mind's Eye (sentiment)
Circle Punch - Stampin' Up!
Glitter - Stickles

So, go ahead - I dare you! :) 

Try some untraditional colours this year & see if you don't just love the result!

Thanks for reading. If you like what you see here on Silver Boxes, I'd love it if you would become a follower on Google Friend Connect, subscribe by email (sign up on the right sidebar), 

or follow along on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, or Twitter. 

And please leave a comment when you do so I know who my new friends are! :)

Enjoy your day!

Check out the great parties I link up to!