Home of The French Marketplace

La joie c'est le partage
{ the joy is in the sharing }

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

A Ballard Designs Stocking Knock-off and...Christmas all Through the House

The windows
are
all adorned...
...the chandeliers too...

the coffee pot is on,
ready to welcome you!

Our hearts are set on home,
no place we'd rather be...

gathered all together to trim the Christmas tree!

*****

We have been busy decorating and fluffing, enjoying this Christmas season.  I've been working on a few projects ~ super simple and inexpensive that I will share.


First up are these stocking I made - inspired by Ballard Designs.  I saw them on the current cover of Country Living magazine...LOVE them but not for $39.00 each!

So, I made my own. 
Very simple really.
  Take an inexpensive stocking that you can buy at Walmart and lay it out on a piece of burlap that has been folded in half {or freehand it}.   Cut around the stocking so that when you're finished you have two matching pieces.  Sew them up, wrong sides together.  Now turn it right side out and sew a piece of upholstery webbing onto the top edge of your stocking.  Lastly, sew on a loop of ribbon, jute, or whatever you have on hand so that you can hang it.  I used seam binding.  That's it!  For less than a dollar each, you have a pretty Ballard inspired stocking to hang on your mantle.    
***
Another fun project I did were these faux mercury glass ornaments. They're actually plastic and from the dollar store (shhh...don't tell anyone)
They were an unattractive gold color when I bought them.  I simply spray painted them with metallic silver spray paint.  Now here's the cool part about this project.  The plastic and paint that these ornaments are made of don't completely agree with  spray paint.  The silver paint covers it well enough, but it bubbles up here and there creating a look that resembles mercury glass.  I loved the finish that this created.

the ornaments needed a little something paired with them so I also made this chalkboard.  The tray is another dollar store find that I taped off and sprayed with chalkboard paint. 

throw in a pretty glass bowl of citrus

and you have an instant vignette for the kitchen island!
***

Underneath the coffee station in the kitchen, I added this basket of old percolators and tucked in a bit of white pine greenery.


I put a Christmas tree laden with candles up on the mantle.  See the champagne bucket it sits in?  A great French bucket look-alike until I can actually find an old authentic one{I found these for $6.99 at the Christmas Tree Shops}! 

I hope you are having a blessed advent season.
From our home to yours, Merry Christmas!

xo and God Bless,
Kathleen

14 comments:

Sunflowers With Smiles said...

Your holiday decorating throughout your home is lovely! Love the vintage coffee percolaters! The handmade stockings are wonderful that you made also.....

Maureen Wyatt said...

I agree with Coastal Cottage Dreams. It's all simply lovely! I'm using an old electric perc like yours. Instant charm in the kitchen! ~ Maureen

Maureen Wyatt said...

ps - hope it's okay I pinned your stockings.

Seawashed said...

It is all so pretty...from the Christmas blog banner down to the bottom of the post!

Linda @ Itsy Bits And Pieces said...

I love the simplicity of your design, Kathleen! SO beautiful...I love eveything about it!

Heart Vintage Design said...

It's much better to make your own stockings! Love the webbing trim at the top : )

June said...

Kathleen your holiday decor is just magical! I love your lovely stockings too.

Amy Kinser said...

Your home looks beautiful. Those doors look like I could walk right through them and sit down at your dining room table.

Merry Christmas to you!

reta said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Unknown said...

I just love your blog! Makes my day! so fabulous!! Merry Christmas!

Nostalgie Flair said...

Your blog is so lovely and inspiring..! I love the idea with doves on the christmas tree and I think I am going to use some next year. : )

Josephine's Girl said...

What is the color on the walls in the last picture -- it's beautiful!

rusty hinge said...

Hello Kathleen! I just found your blog and love it! Your Christmas decorations are gorgeous. I love your stockings and your tree. I am your newest follower!
I hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmas!!!
Maria
www.rustyhinge.blogspot.com

Cyndi ✪ Blue Star said...

Love it all! Every time! 'nuf said! I hope my new blog inspires like yours!