a Christmas card for you

I wish that I could send all of you lovely readers a Christmas card. But alas, I cannot. 

So in lieu of a tangible card, I offer you our virtual Christmas card.

Baxter's face makes me laugh every time, so I hope you enjoy it as well.

p.s. If your Christmas card is still on its way to you, act surprised.

*****

In other Christmas news, the last day for making purchases from the Honeysuckle Finds etsy shop will be Monday, December 19. The shop will then be closed for Christmas holiday until Wednesday, December 28. So, if you're thinking about making a purchase, please plan accordingly.

diy advent calendar

I started thinking about making this advent calendar after last Christmas. I knew I wanted to do one with different size boxes and I knew I wanted to find something to display them in.

I succeed on both accounts.

Anytime I got a box on the smaller size this year, I saved it for this project. But when it came time to decorate the boxes, I was still short. So I found a pack of six kraft boxes at AC Moore for $1.50 (with coup) and I got the white square boxes in a pack of eight at my local dollar store. 

If you're a Lynchburg local the Dollar Tree on Waterlick has these boxes on clearance for 25 cents for the 8-pack!

The shadowbox frame was a thrift store find for $5. Let's be honest, I lucked out on that one.
Gold and white and perfectly chippy. I didn't do a thing to it.

As far as decorating the boxes, I just used crafting supplies I had on hand.
Yes I had all those numbers. Yes, I have a lot of crafting supplies.






The boxes are perfect for filling with candy, ornaments or ideas for fun holiday activities. I love how it came out and I plan to use it for years to come.


The calendar takes up prime space in my kitchen, replacing the thankful branch, and serves as an anchor for posting my Christmas cards.


Happy counting down to Christmas!


Shared at: Somewhat Simple, House of Hepworths

the lost art

This holiday season I decided to participate in The Lovely Package Exchange. I had so much fun participating in The Collection Swap that I couldn't wait to do it again. My swap partner also owns a vintage etsy shop, which makes me oh-so-excited.

One of the requirements, besides the obvious purchasing a gift for your swap partner, is to send it in a beautifully wrapped package. Both elements are right up my alley. I believe a beautiful wrap job is just as much a part of the gift; it takes thought and care. Sadly, I think it's becoming a lost art in the world of gift bags.

So now I'm collecting (p)inspiration for what I want my lovely package to look like:

source

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Just try and tell me you don't want to go wrap a package...or fifteen.

i used everything

This is truly my hope. I want to use my talents as an offering to my Creator. 

But lately I've been feeling stretched thin. Like I don't want to do things to the best of my ability. Like I just want to get things done and move on to the next thing I need to accomplish.

But then I saw this quote from Erma Bombeck and was reminded of why I do the things I do.

...do it all for the glory of God.

God has equipped me with special gifts and talents to be used and shared. Even when I don't feel like it.

To ignore these talents is a huge disservice. One thing that is reassuring is that the more we use our talents, the more they develop. When we share our talents and abilities, there is more potential for our talents to multiply. There is a chance that others will explore their own God-given talents.

That's the beauty of using our gifts. 

Using every last bit.

from bad to good: diy candles

Lesson Learned: Christmas candles stored in the attic will melt.

Motto to Live By: "Waste not, want not."

What to do: Melt down candles and create new candles in vintage tins.

When I found myself with wonky, melted candles on my hands that I didn't want to throw away, I went online and searched for candle making tips.

Here's what I learned:

1. Candles melt best in a double boiler. Don't have one? Make one by putting a pot/metal bowl on top of a pot of boiling water.

2. Don't use a pot/bowl you intend to use again for food. Candles can have chemical-y stuff in them.

3. Watch your candle melt, each candle has different melting points. Each of mine melted in about 10-15 minutes.

4. Vintage tins make great containers for candles. Pour water in them first to make sure they don't have any leaks.

5. Make sure you have wick tabs. Hot glue them to the bottom of your tin.

6. If your wick isn't pre-waxed, dip it in the wax first.

7. Tie the wick to a kitchen skewer so it stays put while the wax hardens.

8. Be careful when pouring hot wax.

9. Let wax harden for 24 hours.

Then, enjoy your finished product.

Main resource: Ashley Ann via Design Sponge.

Looking to do this yourself? I have a few cute vintage tins for sale in the shop.

psst - today is the last day for the giveaway!


Shared at: The Romantic Home, Fingerprints on the Fridge, The Shabby Nest, 

last Christmas...

...I gave you my heart. In the form of a blog. I still can't believe that last year at this time I was just starting to blog. I feel like it's been so much longer than that.

One of the great things about having a blog is being able to look back at what you were thinking/feeling/doing a year ago.

So here's what I was doing last year at Christmastime:

making sweater pillows

doing my first ever chalkboard project

decorating my home

making a tree topper


trying out bangs


spending time with my crazy family

learning to use my new camera

and eating lots of clementines.

Excited to see what this year will hold!

thinking ahead & a giveaway

Every year, I have to fight the urge to buy cute Christmas pillows from Target.

But this year, I'm prepared.

I spent $7.75 this summer on three pillows so that I'm not tempted to spend $24.99 on one pillow right now.

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw last years reindeer sweater pillows from Target while thrifting.

For $2 a pop, I got two brand new Christmas pillows.

I had almost purchased these last year, but the $24.99 price tag had deterred me.

The pillow with the big bow reminded me of a present. I picked it up on a clearance end cap at Target in late summer/early fall and thought it would be a perfect addition for Christmas.

 I never used to be a 'buy-it-now-to-save-money-later' kind of girl, but I'm slowly becoming one. I was also excited when I pulled out my winter clothes to find several pairs of new tights that I had gotten for $1 at the j.crew sale.

I always thank myself later when I think ahead.

So in keeping with the trend, I wanted to giveway a quintessential fall decor item from my shop that you could win and save for next year to be excited about.



Vintage Owl Candle

:: GIVEAWAY ENTRY ::

1. You must be a public follower of this blog to enter this giveaway.

2. Then, leave a comment.

3. That's it.

:: GIVEAWAY DETAILS ::

a) Only one entry per person please.

c) The giveaway is open from monday, november 28 @ 8 p.m. EST until friday, december 2 @ 8 p.m. EST.

  d) Using random.org, 1 lucky winner will be chosen on friday, december 2 @ 8 p.m. EST and subsequently announced.

e) Open to contestants worldwide. 
f) Please be sure to leave me an email where i can reach you if your account doesn't link to one. Thanks.


UPDATE: The winner is Dawn! Congratulations!

Here's to thinking ahead for next year!