Antique Home Decor

Our home at Christmas

Hello all! Can you believe it? It’s almost here! We had snow last night, a school delay this morning and then the Bub’s party this afternoon so I’m just now getting this post up! I wanted to share our home, decorated for Christmas with you. Some of the decor you’ve seen, some you haven’t. I toned down it BIG time this year. You may not think so after you see all these pics, but believe me, it’s toned. ;) I just added touches here and there, a bit simpler, but just as festive. I’m learning that you really don’t need a whole lot to decorate your house for the holidays. Greenery is a staple, lights and ornaments – that’s what I stuck to for the most part. I won’t comment on all of them, (because GEESH, there are a lot of pics), but if you have questions on anything please let me know! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicH-lvHEEnuhOzxWMKf3CKMWTMd8hMPqaWSlNzl5SiBbd8fki8vtQavwzRHOV7LuI9X_tj-dgNSZCxq_DoRcHaFTm-bhR-qSiHN_3721yGFWetypmrjLLnNeg5mSoMadQtO2SC8gFYEx0/s1600-h/IMG_4171%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="santa stop here sign" border="0" height="468" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZx9MLvtLubYYBGIZRN49qWNIekLDpDERliI7jb8oslntpjFu3n0YrOVuMsZNlLAcpFcJLuj6EMgM_rNx14lbHHtEVH5DHDj1q9itteafbTE9wGhlTa1eamSs59Gr8r-rcIz5b9MCufoA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="santa stop here sign" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwgNSnv6-HZoPbLwU-vweeStHtiQHpaVDFJOPUu4xggnTFiDAP0VmxRRyYEgE6LXOe0isyJuALIkAWI6MPd5x58Nbeh7wtR3eynNhfbix5-Xvd-H-Tdkhwt526r3bOm1BsG4-MKRKcFc/s1600-h/IMG_4163%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging pinecones christmas" border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih2mvzPDnnwiG82O0CknN8KzCXa2O9QEw4Kzp7KdvXc1XSLF01NjKCcybVGFa9KG3g2XRHGv6kHK7Fx6Tf1V28nVpRZWxbdaT6UMpSnHlmdWRPHZd92f99Y87vF07-NEVElrPhKHEStEI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hanging pinecones christmas" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIWFo0HE6LEYOZhsJtBat_vCTcsqKSvQkLOSGDJkxYjvl1ok_NZPpd8qwup6d8fFXY3kGJLFnl2webkZmTgyzmOhI-0_vO2TIg61uFUilqWKDer9uuqNMBXDMD_1sI_qJcFVhCf0MO87c/s1600-h/IMG_4174%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="burlap bag christmas tree" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBnbSrWhu5nWW59tQtY0D9ErmHvV_r3yHc1ZKkflpogRkvH0vdFG4ZZEapmavxVxoltIrOK3uoRZ7_YaDwLUzXWyJQBYsGNlUUcBELxMXN5ENR4GJsptu-SbEhtLkCys8zbEQsfZZZBfA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="burlap bag christmas tree" width="320" /></a> I layered three dollar ornaments from Target for art on the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/chalkboard-gallery-wall.html" target="_blank">new chalkboard wall</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpOUBl2c8g41vweZqDei0hGr2PhlHOQlrth3A-aFr6-hl5pmBxYpILAX4tcTv0NheIyGVN_Q9occJ90qV5nn7KJT8S2xPnoZy33hPgei0dw5ooprLFlSvyYr_Rw2a_cxhCexJGAh18DTM/s1600-h/IMG_4176%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ornament art" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyEPk-wnxVPhMhCKxEPqVsej_4T_-9d-BJVx-gsoT6nJoMZ48bPwfq7S4N7WHmpY2CLF0WNDA_LkvuXOZfDz3aYwry3FtWaqEH79nHsP2crzs3mIlCZYIrbIpRtdF4IQxJ_IveiYkWnKU/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="ornament art" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSpjBtup2SjSBnNzrULPSajLWqchVJ80R4nQ6nzU50ghUEZlZ8NinYn9JgRv_blv0rcchgwGVbwNoyISq6PNlCNidATHrV4Ivmu9B9pHs0y_vzpcwTLeKalU5baYS1hqFQvp6aKmiXURg/s1600-h/IMG_4179%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWKuj9q7Jv5q_ubfWw6sOQXkxzvNNn1Qg04NVG9qbUrJ82f59abID2QjnIY5jp9LrhcS0w1PZmVCzMXlXXZef57lFj67cP6M_PscjAtFtLp9PU9PXeu4hxWLT8S1TnSJByVC9v9VVcSFc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> It is not lost on me how so many of our Christmas books center around MICE. And yes, I can kind of laugh about it now. :) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeVA-rLjXgq0RF3jSkTu0AvU2Q5awdT4YG1VU0g5P5xYvAmd7oo74LVrVe6jb_xF_D80Zld-0U_nAN8EFwN2pj_2hL2hxrAybP1niDWf4ppOY37gKUI3_w6nVjAU-UfQfrYArATshDaW0/s1600-h/IMG_4181%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6sTaQ8yK3h6GdFSaAQitqCludbhsvYFcTkSNRwl9dgzdRRI5IoFo6b0J-ZqE-D9XGjgxEHg8npbYa_-aYSZZwl0ic2Xmhi8_wjhAa_yUKTwbCHKs9vzUq15DSr1OADvlmM4gWViFJ8Zs/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> As of today the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/easy-quick-holiday-card-display.html" target="_blank">Christmas card holder</a> is filled up – here it is last week: <img alt="easy door holiday card display" border="0" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirSq5q0D0M8711eiMMGtTpRmF815n-gZ90y0feGqbNaZ0nXD8VTtX6m8WtRYIXzqp1FCgomHu147HvDk0EK6XeqnG0zVTBvMQbESxSOxYRqWpRdZDDrAfCf48rDnLLi9ap_dw-WmJfXN8/?imgmax=800" title="easy door holiday card display" width="320" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7qtRaVxL-yP-_svH3g28SgAMaaTIclFe1QBwhtcEizG-erRAzn7FkgRhCJmL6_ttM8B0khl0LxH6FT0zGE3VQmBFEky7Hosn6c78hqwEL1GSlUGssU8Og2otPiaKhuiIQCiXq-NQAf0Y/s1600-h/IMG_4189%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhutbUYilLmc_4vtj7nd8wHRYpk68wF2aUfDW2GGtqC57Q1trTLf12FAA6ZwP7UXRoeZtFiYYfL61fADFlkOflJH6_49Blug-4vchbF1C9ozZjhByTHc_lLkYVUkdYbsC1TBqAy3sLI2Mo/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> I love using cuttings off our arborvitae in the decor – I especially love it paired with the white hydrangea: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrC9CsZ6fmt4MkW5tRdLErj-5TxOB0wyQqZwkr0eF4FlwwzLsttO7NKyh_SxlzBgZVq4EyNmDP1a_6qabiiBZYWBLVOZlnhk5ux3VzNstxUXja7QKhKC-EalcDAgBKZN5AbgGrrDg1iT4/s1600-h/IMG_4196%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hydrangeas with greenery" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDIfTO3YM0mUkPpQeEYSZ8wfCZokkME6RAO61qkxBrKnMoBduP-sPdnDkzSff7aHjbQ4zPKkA85138GurxY3YtsQFd7gXWaDeZV29Aw7d_FLibuPslZCaFt7kPXyGRw65vqHpoBTQ3saE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hydrangeas with greenery" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOg0amINHWMcOKYfRbOOa5oiMWwJAZNaTDOls-20dGekCVWwB3A_jRAy6-TEN8CVg54sUKJxHueZXzmf1d7lPwcecN4W3WsyKSrxn6sHZ2PxVE5-IxaoYaPtxcZdsW0_UTqsdMjxa_tzY/s1600-h/IMG_4190%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="kitchen christmas" border="0" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjByM7p0gnfDn4TTVS_8N7Bjoqz0y9dGYwsocktWPM1uOdSrCS5cDPWHB0jTE4Oos4m-IVxBFQTJZsLiHXo-748NI1nyLlt0qbtHvjE6pOMSIjNKW5gJg-VJFN2x5MFJgJhmkA4p4tshzc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="kitchen christmas" width="500" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSizqF4ty5nu3EDFf-9DbrnL_fl1Hz4gXsaE-Clu-Q5jIKfkf_KXHWlBtXXZ-r2MxMIVYzOp7QhBw98j2_ewrVjFKmx__siltU9S8oSebw8jr8NL-whI3ULw2jLMIhVDseSOQaciUaUPw/s1600-h/IMG_4205%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hallmark radio ornament" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlb7CHueGoB09aNZ3_ZqGzWBXMcNF9wDGfkgbOYKNzC8IwTEEJN3Qc17i3F3VRv92lgmkc4CTHPyATdVuSdNgAKVqfrkBA6d8PjO9NfA602DxSM7qw3se4ZOz7oppxdnQU0pQPLRq1vns/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="hallmark radio ornament" width="320" /></a> The coffee table is staying clutter-free thanks to my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/10/diy-wood-tray-overcoming-tool-fears.html" target="_blank">DIY wood tray</a>. I love having this little spot to decorate in the family room: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQYveqRFVc1yz-1pPDM2wpNsSNvYwTSQPugl8VraR_EUCjgUEUH9Vu8DSSIQ6NxvdyC2bAlUGZLasfPKd0G-Npl48T-rLKxEfypOQyZBK2m7nV1mco_FZ5QAbFs_42RCB51yeYX8TP7aY/s1600-h/IMG_4206%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3KDVyXF07DD13hATRUMlm4BlpvOUeXJ7KrFBLsty500JmZI74X-3V0CzvKqbTMiaBbYZl97tdu6NFGY3u1E-1Jy8Ipe4c6Jxi2-GHPRjhGqsGqIZH-gQwNPMgSqpLWAF69_b21K2OfmA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="500" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibO8JbI3pmxZ9y45_GRn8kUWfWdSBP3keOcwS7uZzzLBRoOzDV_mynvtFaJfy0-gkhKDDb1BvAZ1k0GEW7A3rnPH4YHlfGEiCRx03pNy-BEiNUkKCSW0Igk3vfKsHClOeEctINeCePOM4/s1600-h/IMG_4211%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="IMG_4211" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidYm8k9TO1ykdQdRFOCF5EUwC7aS5j8BeYix0eK_qInhdTzLQNAEyiTcyrLtTT-DFbPFgrcDKyOYdfF4zDxvTe3RHnUmai5yYM7UrexGI41Yl9cv_5lg_ZL0Uz0Ynhyn6OH55Jqv5qFTg/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_4211" width="320" /></a> The <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/magnolia-christmas-mantel.html" target="_blank">magnolia mantel</a> is holding up beautifully – I may try to salvage some of the leaves for next year: <img alt="natural magnolia Christmas mantel " border="0" height="478" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXLrNn-mlG8a9HzKRgI7uLVSwNugmGMFuMW5vkGlg3wgpwliFkwBuwWOnfy0K2u9lKFIfztyDaj8yEXuoMd0DJVmFbwsSh5tfaWNAKmXWXDAgjsFi2sBDHQ5G7avCMt4ymb1qAFpkbTpQ/?imgmax=800" title="natural magnolia Christmas mantel " width="320" /> I didn’t buy much new decor this year, but I did have a slight obsession with holiday pillows for some reason. I got a few – this one:  <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2fQNIrYrUilPjeaTnJVGTGXEvi3czlmA3q3ed4Vbt8_jx8ck-tmlqdN3AFPLijqAXEUSXo8jlhDG8YOSsLPh7b0zO_fTiL3fsNhuBYE6qZEdtB-RvwilokETR0oMiHR85ZTNSQ45UEpM/s1600-h/IMG_4215%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas pillows santa" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgShG0A8hvMdQtrFQcrtm0POsKeN6jp1Fes4anMPZ5VFq2NF84EYX9zuRcK5gO5_DA7ecoJk2b50Al7jZ4CQO-kNgk3jl9eOj36UQ526_EzEY6qesBO9Ia423xjWC2diFdtlMwnR56oOg0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="christmas pillows santa" width="320" /></a> And I loved this one at <a href="http://www.potterybarn.com/products/sleigh-bell-lumbar-pillow/" target="_blank">Pottery Barn</a> for $50: <img alt="Sleigh Bell Crewel Embroidered Lumbar Pillow" height="360" src="http://ab.pbimgs.com/pbimgs/ab/images/dp/wcm/201234/0016/img54o.jpg" width="400" /> But that so wasn't happening for something I’d have out a month out of the year. So I grabbed one of their crewel placemats and made my own for  a fifth of the price: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlAvqm2Y-sjrrCZ2jB5osyzyoXK7la3H5XXYjabSSaq95jqdtzjN-7AcVw4075SwLrXuF9eP6Lye-PeKIO-M9t63oklJ6__Bfn1b6E47cUrkJY7pr8RGxTCrwrUv3C1rzVkEg0m5JF8E/s1600-h/IMG_4224%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="DIY pottery barn crewell pillow" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKeRFV-jXdb70bsrGvwQbr79mt-JnJ6wHZqYFP04o385bMZ-lWCi2uC98nhi-S0PuimjLsQpTQfOBOz8eAOgH4YWYx4jRuXt-miMMpq4tbr87cCFMo4AumKxEmB6wu2qOYRscnqboGhc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="DIY pottery barn crewell pillow" width="500" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyIK4E2SyJOv-MHQ43ArT7GCMpR28ATgQvzrB4OMBUOC9o1wArf_GGOJ2kj8tDOi0mTk4gPYKcqqT6jXEhuUqnxYK6FZWd-42lTFNGg6Ej9NtqwM4YWsKkwEZmuGO_0xyjQyP4LM_Ndp8/s1600-h/IMG_4234%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas decor tray" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGst7FnMrwfOMsOIapugofAotpfUZSlmP-MzP0SfCbnhwcR48Wqp7Rs9e_OTcmWBwrH5FmHdy1CUeFbcrPPnx6HsCSHJxHqi9Sqbg4sc9uR62Byl5RkCJsLQj9lfEzU6oM_JFmTJy3e44/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="christmas decor tray" width="500" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqF_trO6SFruEjXNcuEf_05965iVRDF9OT-ac_Nf5_-OI6Sx1aI7zBKWUvupk-m1vwwoRApMidFqRV4FTd1XUlW_dFOXfn1i7BVOk5D2fB8Pf_cfL5Vp-HMtKc3zmavk0tE9m-9tHaFH0/s1600-h/IMG_4235%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="wine corks candle" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJtKy6omxGPG0TxnzY8S5INSQvNB-0GcqN2ZcZv81Vni21S4oxDCrHpqS7s6Nm0MV98rMLtPVU-gJU4Fo8hdRwGjWwOXUMvVfO-wQu0o-HxVkn8QYFaT_irq9-3AT6bumn2Sz66P0BdQ/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="wine corks candle" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGopexCv5SPcBsME7PrsqwjgYlB0bHwdw_I9AW8_Cs1AF21e1Qu7yopYhRR2zvnTpb8h-LbM2JzlrvM__QvjUx-21QFaeaZrvoLKXujDzUWKCTrFuCmKzwlj8eXWNsFZC_wJQwJRvzxH0/s1600-h/IMG_4239%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img alt="decorating under flatscreen" border="0" height="443" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-g9Rcz0ajOrsxbKlsbhnUXavfbX22xVdxtxYHN9V-n5HjQYpZ-o0eYLZ_7-TWZYxX-rWrfn3r4RieXUWbTictZjah2mtpeJLuOK6R3uQeeGLeqdynF6MB6A1M_XT5kFBg-V9qbjcYBPI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="decorating under flatscreen" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs8j9WMZ08O0u7G8Wyp3Z8-coZhJfDCD1NSscDQDMC9FSPRs-1huXaE7mW1Du1C7tDub2qm9K4osiQIfpSmjYA4bOiUf83ViVWB8jhjy53wTFkP0_OSSVlc1wK8X_iXrfaQYMKeyzSbj4/s1600-h/IMG_4241%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="Christmas wood trough" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm6izB4Xc-3bukamMWNZK1UG_K_feGgfrBNZCnA4rSfYtngIkaTWNPUduJnqZlBsd8lY-xmFWSzRHf_mRIGa-XEfY19GnmSuXYupL6-6M929Ov3cs6DsQAO0PGQjnb5svwSFQLJX0-kls/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="Christmas wood trough" width="500" /></a> I LOVE these <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/11/home-decor-giveaway.html" target="_blank">preserved boxwood wreaths</a> – I was so happy with them when they arrived: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcsFmGwTaQgmun4tmatC17-mifjiZk_Q06ZtFBVzQFEXfufCKJqLbJyePlHfbEiDjP13xm5EWwOIpsZVwBaBbUBCFVdabicBceyK7RAXagtp9l-GRExi02YZVMWbyakea-eICrIVZlXdY/s1600-h/IMG_4242%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="boxwood wreath christmas" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizXwj53KLoyGH0ZnaLYVQGCsd8ImMDuxzyrYWZ2L3rI0EmxOu0CzTZ3pQtbjCeif60hclco1HnqdPY6Q241hWEoNeZ3FQp1MA9gEak5VyptuN7nJ0UYzMcIefHojOKs9kQ3C9zpSzv1pA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="boxwood wreath christmas" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-Wr6lbq80-02KPUaIy44McyOdgsSyIpie7xNg10ozVo2CX8xEwEEz40URiSvHDndfmggINOu63APrahH8Nv9L-vAQGbFHKnhFQh8OR47xK_5Z0yDNJS5599bYDXwjvAC9jOeZfNnqYVE/s1600-h/IMG_4245%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="board and batten walls " border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNhcmEBNXq0SdFiVl3SdLRrjdv6K0bu_87YO5rBBb5tTGxlCKi-zn9wBpPzho3alR84NZdM6eNwLrThEo-vQsLCo0NvNwrVHnjANkV1wmj7AwX5hlEkEj1Fa1zsbhk-jCGfEvCekwZKm0/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="board and batten walls " width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWgRGBn4gjl-Id46RM3a2oFg-aGWgdmnbgczX1j0HH0gf3f6GulubBu2Ovzna-njoOVQoPEPnBvSj3Ex651mLG1fhq7BjiYqgQTB3XlpKHAAqsGz-aJl_NFlf2gPqwlglGeF_sAjgMao/s1600-h/IMG_4249%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="boxwood wreath" border="0" height="483" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifct1JsHr2v0aQjNg8gxRw7xGdEL4FmF7kzHK46QI4ShDGtP6b_gG7zhGdimNtriGmOMqbSPceS1bxXE4h2rBruGzQIApEDejsozJHcyJKrrMCL61lP8kXtokfxhEn_IvwQEGK2vRvYOA/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="boxwood wreath" width="320" /></a> I showed you a couple of my additions to the bookcases <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/crafty-christmas-knock-offs.html" target="_blank">here</a>: <img alt="DIY snow ornament" border="0" height="325" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu1R8kVd5YvLz29cYPO0_l1Ugb3MDwnY9X4CHBEvhgBgKYEX0QAiBU12b6YFDPnS0p8vjo93r9-qrcqTy1c0eNnJKvUwBOgxKLA0juBr9CBw6I4nicc3G51T9APaJH6YaYXj_CGtWTsBE/?imgmax=800" title="DIY snow ornament" width="500" /> <img alt="painted nutcracker Christmas decor" border="0" height="317" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDVOethjBIEL256lFdtYruyvokjFfRqkk7yCd4mNSw3n_uuxHgCUs-ZFg7uVWAl_RQQdzndy2D6AAWJXWBJduQV3ymBFnda0jsaOkx4uSoojn15e2A5cwpRn0na2rXrSTGBLX5DftbFqo/?imgmax=800" title="painted nutcracker Christmas decor" width="500" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvJym3qX6Swes8YXfUowEd3ThfZUUKu32e8OVogpCaPF7AYLpHuCDeYoTB96UfDaDLGLbB15AXOXi4sjIO4f2Y-X4_7EDQ4Gkn-BirAKYnHBBYl2_DR0J0EeYWksW6PUv2zWPesQQq7Uk/s1600-h/IMG_4253%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas decorating bookshelves" border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6fWRjQJGpu-JPe0s0YjsKRukf2l74NL0niXE1q3x1VwUffW7xerVA4BA9JSQwr5BfU1fiu9CuMKIlxahBhdsrd2qaPrjZL8xetfe5pg8gtLCmAMp0HZ7az8mvfvpGciXmuqamiCHbgM/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="christmas decorating bookshelves" width="500" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjZ6Ey5YYP0ToXx6ptcEjfG5pnBvcWTQG64NthLEgdfILDNVoxOJskVozTWIV314o0cX5crx-qZcbQymZ8tp9i6lDTgSh5P_TP0RXCkTFnOsty6Rlt5j63QjZn-Lrgd8yFwWI6fpxN18E/s1600-h/IMG_4254%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="elf on the shelf" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHwyh8O7zvc61GfDxxr1SfaeQjQRxjYrbcVNX_8N9ecb1hOSI0PDGSxF-2sNotMUdUE97RMKhQgL7_dg4QCws9-wqfhEIX91PvS361r8ppB4gjKu7mnE9bGWs11zBONfPdvcqS2eSlGE/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="elf on the shelf" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKpEiSzE1Ieoq8NBF5rEME2JvcmJOM1bCOv0oHlC_PgJlgXdkWiR9HNckzpGAHOGHLWADCfgBhbURethXXv_l5uaDpaYJyoLI3v36xcOqERm0AERdL620ReLztmJKfPkf6f_NAXMLXhqw/s1600-h/IMG_4259%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="felt reindeer" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS3_w3e1X05aEObPyZSA218Fjp5PUUdvOGmvGSCkrr8UncsyFNtqWcj-vaNxFYmuBi8iTgZhzHIwcM9mKyMcDGTgGS6uomo-GF34roeLp_mkBS1G56hPZEQw2XfStbBsbQF5-QWBMQ66w/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="felt reindeer" width="320" /></a> I shared our trees at the <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-tree-party-2012.html" target="_blank">annual party here</a>: <img alt="tall christmas tree " border="0" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIIyeoJ8SXAH95gzN1psnCLzX-XLCvtEJ5fGMRNlR8rNJ-z7judxOx_ox6c8IbuSr1aYdC9P1nRGUyeM7PwhR_OjEi3_cl-qPt6LELk9FFLpRPlzpFcPdBp2ibiGHCIdNbQERTIaQr3OU/?imgmax=800" title="tall christmas tree " width="320" /> <img alt="flocked christmas tree" border="0" height="501" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVQkEwn4UPHaQiRGmftxUPOVxqKgbVJkZYlrNS-qJPrR0kbpSvMKlfqc5HKDYC9Bu2edlzuj7xBekiokRARugcuV02xROITQLfN6Qpd9106qXtcUmX4l39aoSw9pz5pb2pfmCj3A19PlY/?imgmax=800" title="flocked christmas tree" width="320" /> Another placemat pillow, from Target ($4!): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqRRHUtWmP0ZzZ9BQ32I9wwEqxLHk9i9wxFTJLkuVYrLuEeLcs6qoNDNO7E-mBBQwam6lRzwrR5nW02DaI7ZSTjeTxNWI-LNRku9E-Gc-pXEbTxm1c6Tv_VoaziY5W0G-p5OAsbVya_II/s1600-h/IMG_4266%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="placemat pillow christmas" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcA1yF3aYpUzmOrKWz2a4aufWYLZVjYcr-PgTJdNMDKjjF-BC9FZgyMV1fE-amz-CWvukVLJytdmQL39vEVz6eb5x3wlKcm8S9vdeFJrZXQZDqf1G20IWJu6PzvJ4xzp77Rs29zW6o80g/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="placemat pillow christmas" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWMJ_fO_T3fqFPNFKBi1lr-C8xdaIm5PZ2GfIVyK0CKTK1IvtHrJwDm3AV41y9_x-wlO51LhAZpHPwjJ3vjFCw6ktBWtEkDB4U0WXWEC9TtuaqYA5WYMxdC7i0S8f8pk2wkA18f7RAJI4/s1600-h/IMG_4149%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas stairs" border="0" height="492" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF4OoOe8iulC8w_1FUkQt3K3yqp3BzeoxrQAmtzaToIZFPBMxuYjW1uWcEkgwAgkSJT30jNWW9sXe9W0Afe1M-zZ5ifA0_vPyJ6VsGAoMkRJgteF7dlTpEbEJPeCjCEne-1J6CDeFdpIY/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="christmas stairs" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil9iz6oAtwLwB9cXfxLsaz07vT6Ptk-MAoCMqHOaPsugh6Fk-lWq8Jl65lHCsXTBGVi6ZAdDCQxny5vpQlzOdXMU7W0DLaBw9V1QmTxTWz9TXNaxfGJI6DLYMAsSGnjJoVELd7Na9DZ5Y/s1600-h/IMG_4269%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="pottery barn NOEL art" border="0" height="448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwBQNazhAKwOdYjHA3xg1BEbPscwlM5jDuv1eFcqlHaELEiJIjyBIQkrwPqeT7J3xdjSRyGx43BBKYe14N6jAVtk5rBG4n7wLuHTrOpve6ORSsCsxZtFxVBCNPjjfKVQnDzMXVP6Bzjlc/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="pottery barn NOEL art" width="320" /></a> The train art is just the front of a gift bag I found at Joann’s a few weeks ago on sale: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlXSZsBh4xL330Ml0lJQLJQVVFrqLWLp7-ENayqogY44e-DYcpOEcULgBg6sBbQMFlOOp_xkzRhNsrPcJ3Y390q5qWM_p5e9R079ks1cart4u8NDpwpf4k9aJzJQyZr30qFRIJYZ8yPQg/s1600-h/IMG_4270%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bag art" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCpn4NjvUpCa4kELwfc23oB2NxuckelQsFbGmR31Gfg_0rY_DBCUTZNNaw9FupPD1B8KNAK345kXfpXUqbyBLyAncqWUdoC4rpRQefcjF-V2yqhi5nPMquYW8eFOB2zu2LzVDDzJ1o75Q/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bag art" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtBMK7zegUsUrPLzpTP7L-sJnd63yACQ5tm2s3nNJVYO9a3uwDH74TGFr972QkREUv905J5sbcU5L2n4C9adxCXsTh-XE7sMGJDJvLU-_7_VKLh7uIo5QCy6s_nVtvxNiDjb1gBDVWud0/s1600-h/IMG_4159%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzZ52JSjBz260FR_njuXjEP2w1rN6SebvR3wBRqpel-wHTK8xvCTSuSGKWWFjMjTeZTyoAqkD9wj8tBFKkvOjaRaCP7biCdPeBiluUvV9Ds3y9DbJzMhFizC_ThWR6EZS2nL3EUYJLT8/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="" width="320" /></a> My cute <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2009/12/ho-ho-ho-santa-craft.html" target="_blank">Santa hats</a>: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe0w0yPSvaNGQrnrwNQlaGoxHdb8s1Q82gUIeRoOjC5bTpzeHPrwTrzCaAwfleR58Kvq7HViTGwr_CsN1a6vu1e3wXnsoK85I0LuVT3FgENva6kh5gqD0jgXMW-Y4D6RVY5uwRdvEn00U/s1600-h/IMG_4271%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="santa hat craft" border="0" height="334" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp_lIJK2QjDGWnjyJ0V7b4ohA6dFzLAGoQghxcQS5YpMOCYhEyrv7x1RdfrKcKTdnhfGEp0UDJk4WGUb4Dtwz4lHOlZ7FeL_w53ejtusL7aTBj0kqm1XxFV5ZwC7hQMo1kebAysV72ssw/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="santa hat craft" width="498" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9eAvNkJRzSbkB-u5XFIBl0ZoSGy1IP47JDhQwZWGO0Ru4p9igo1maixELMZO86Rki6RA2mIugy0YyfPuoqA-1jRlbiZk4fEj_NVue_4VM2vUgp9nArqVYR7POPcXmds0gTPyQiZ9Wd4/s1600-h/IMG_4272%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="christmas village" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbmOlPDlCfVplTNoWL5AEq_ziYaKuu-6YIWw8Nl1QZV5Q_JnLtn9jSEaRvJC73mT8lwTheEZUpFxQSlAPvBvE6L7n7yBqxcAKMbfhZWuKmIifpLMKEmeRiWTB875a45uWE89DgfD7hyphenhyphenf4/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="christmas village" width="320" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5IjpRcL2ucD2TfAXDCk9vC2FgNt2OpM9oTdtHW8Qtasb8-M0BbafNVygFsnka7VzasEqHs3OzaKj8569BY-ixXRrqY18qRtjboW7lGBro-3yC4ceJ-ZV8Bm4ZxLRVsFhOHkmcr104NM/s1600-h/IMG_4275%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="greenery over bed" border="0" height="499" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxYh4Ux61TSlLFuttVKvbSSGur-oRR9Pf0Xvb8uJ1nlbKzJpQsnkQfvCghOOsNAVpIZpZr6aS9XgLwjYaTpM5zfkHHrp5c4RK3c0k3B7yEXDHF87vfcWA5Mp_0CMsicqYWLbUQM16xOk/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="greenery over bed" width="313" /></a> I had big plans for this tree in our bedroom, but time ran out. I think it’s still lovely with some burlap ribbon and lights: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdpaTfTv54xry2u_Up85vncQ4GchEiPUEU580xyuHWbiB2J-qkfcqFu6SeXGd9wLI-nQXwXBygVARgU5_oVfJ5HKH3JHQbm30sZ5BmCGU4G77n2m9nh_G24-Vy0JV9TgI5RsELfzDnwq0/s1600-h/IMG_4281%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img alt="bedroom christmas tree" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLL6nyS3jTwBp5MeO71fs0w5-I8M32VpAqYbE5MEU8SI1RcMAwBCWyWJL8P8ErzHvB1HVjZ9TA2Oh87piZntGMXXq6wEGyYH9-D60MPNdR_jY-mK4Re945ynfRdnSNaZsTpV8yccpq-KI/?imgmax=800" style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="bedroom christmas tree" width="320" /></a> And finally, I shared my <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2012/11/festive-outdoor-decor.html" target="_blank">outdoor decor</a> in this post: <img alt="traditional outdoor holiday decor" border="0" height="477" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Gle-d5NZGyTuFHtHcf23EuK25TBzkB5oQ21EUpOnKvDrjBodIb1Moi6fQ9o5LhsiHIBR3Tw4bNE-pMkN89nD8lgunqfKeX4p4JdbmUTq5-ex0oI27WdtkJbdbhnQ4m7uPbDwzw9HWJo/?imgmax=800" title="traditional outdoor holiday decor" width="320" /> Whew! Told you, lots of pics!! I’m signing off till after Christmas, I hope you and yours have an absolutely lovely holiday. Revel in, enjoy, HUG and love on everyone as much as you can. I am so thankful to have you in our lives, thank you for another amazing year. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you all, every one. ;)

Our home at Christmas

Hello all! Can you believe it? It’s almost here! We had snow last night, a school delay this morning and then the Bub’s party this afternoon...

1:57 PM

Outside mount bamboo shades

Hello hello! I’m back today to share a quick DIY project and a couple new tools I’ve started using lately. It’s been Christmas decor 24/7 around here and I gotta be honest, it was great to get something off the DIY list and use a tool for a change. (Insert tool man (woman?) grunt here.) If you’ve read for a while you know I’m a lover of bamboo shades. Over the years I’ve switched over from our blinds to the bamboo and I just love them. I think they offer more privacy and light filtering (depending on the kind you get), they let more light in (when you want it) and they are just pretty. :) I told you more about our bamboo shades <a href="http://thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com/2010/08/bamboo-or-blinds.html" target="_blank">here</a>. I mentioned the privacy/light thing, and there are some that are a lot more tightly weaved than others. I recently replaced a couple on our main level that weren’t as tightly woven (less privacy) so I had one of the old ones available to install in our guest room upstairs: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ1vYSmq2U7cYYTP0N46h5x4uCdNfeM1ya87eimsk1iB0abNeMftuu0wNcJRzMiLgWoAlqiUsUZMM8_lXqxER4iVWwxc7vxh82dwcdwxzgLRn1vj-FtJUExpv_5WBArcbUP4CnbPDfEqk/s1600-h/IMG_4099%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7SrtS1RGQjuTmV8MZWXtRUcJrNpX0ZWClBSDqvSr55BTrNYu_hBnaSTE_hcaFpbd5JaoLC8wUDAcICGi-v5LIz3C1ZJgkNNEjmOdgUmGeWv43U01j5aCeXEVseha6zFvORV-8abehswY/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a> This window has been nekked forever and I always feel bad for our guests who sleep in here. This is easily the brightest room in our house – which I’m sure is just lovely first thing in the morning for those who sleep in here. :) And yes, the walls are still blue, pink and purple. At least there’s a bed in here, OK? Because this shade is 72 inches long, for our longer, main level windows, it’s way too long for the upstairs window, which is shorter. This allowed me to do one of my new favorite fixes – hang the shade outside the window instead of inside the window frame. I gathered my tools: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNw1zuZyDiStvCWiEzSkpiwVmY8qcOZL44sJFYJanwpMn89JIZdJUGOLmiBMHBwda7c-pTtzxMqFIeNjJSqb3gSmynXwmt13PE-I9-f0-zetr98TkPArBRxEInVVu27CWKW2UpAPvh_Wo/s1600-h/IMG_4097%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="290" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuyPcVvCMBdyjRH0k7wB7tiu53ERaverh6MN-Z5VfHlaZ5mjca5vcS052bzut5MlAPS1QRWPVUaCE56CVTdxPIQ1t90sEMCyVPbXLoN5MVfsEo6H8x9QBVTDWbMaWeCTA0f2reQ8Tcu3k/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="400" /></a> I did end up needing a drill too, more on that in a bit. If you install a shade inside your window frame, you probably won’t need any anchors – just screws. The framing around the window is enough for the screws to bite into. And if you decide to do an outside mount, like this one, if you go right above the window you’ll probably catch something. Because my shade is so long, I went way up, and luckily caught a stud up near the ceiling: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2DJ47TLZOXbtm78gBN6ix5pqsu5zo5tznNmT7CTq4H1L6-iteHKsaGcZLqenmI18p1XPpJaevl3SammVztn0IaP0pA7KeaQm5YLaxarQxGqCmg2y_GpY0-gAqttHxEOx605_NZt2HGNM/s1600-h/IMG_4101%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZc7zu-NGhasQ31b1-t6qgf1VxZv0S7P4Pg89xD24vqeSeyFlqUJB1V5O1FQLphMdk9CW6G9msEJadKlX0sF0in4eHelu6poW0KYLmIt2VDdJMq9mCO1q94Tcp3JlqQxWcDvazCzZSdPU/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="320" /></a> I used my stud finder to find out where my studs were. Just for fun, stick one on your husband and let it beep. Hilarious. ;) Once I knew where I could safely hang the brackets (without them eventually crashing down), I marked where the holes needed to go: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2zMUoVLy5wy5R4sQq_LEMLOpJHQo9Fj65dh5VNMVFyVWs9MS-ynie5mjWkoxRaGABniCRh5OONlCJOZGvmt1yUyJNHgt9QkwQKzJJYEeFEWlmRPMrz0ILUWFbBD_Ta1b_EXRFchPGCY/s1600-h/IMG_4110%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVi1mvfZioUgfAexFXIe8RcWJMA0n7tlwZfcu0DrCyPPIAGywP9y3ap3WTSCKoIB9nyTkuVjzLfX8oFTM41L9d6WTQavngc9NGdrRcRO-GK0k6Fm1RNu2dbgexEIswKsIqAgoi14rWmdI/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="400" /></a> If you like to have extra peace of mind, you can put all four screws in. Anymore I only do two or three and they hold up fine. You’ll want to drill in with a bit to give yourself a good start for your screw: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJQZaCcaWgS2qZgp4YCV0XzXtPXDumr2FnboiRuBFALCdoRHYHOj0Kg-b7rJZxsWzdCSo_4KF0ciqPtNkZH1EYfmxnyGMVnZCEL2Momczd4EpVzwSNk26A12-CIq5VI2JhllHmlmoqZ1E/s1600-h/IMG_4111%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgY8S3Gx5jlD7_Hgc6wmaseeyCK9etTCu2oYohiR67NXAX-qlqvBoh5MLYj_5aceiBuSg5bJUiiDcbcHaW-4iHQYjBUWooFR6JA2niIViip1rjRv9GDubloyYontNLKgavX7V4hc6Zfs/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="306" /></a> This also helps to determine if you’ve hit a stud or not. If the bit goes right through the drywall, you’ve missed the stud and will need an anchor. If not you’ll feel the resistance of the wood as you drill. Here’s where my first new “tool” comes in – I found this at my True Value months ago and I LOVE IT: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnaazdLb9bgMoyrB9IVEYPzLFi4KG6nkNy2ILUtm05YiAzYNPD6FsUw1HUypUsA3dHCvrcLRbGXnY3ANEghkuDNrqR6YauxxdB8qcthFkatQ8dmbxpDMwCR5Btx-PWt8aYYbF12jqxSAU/s1600-h/IMG_4104%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdXG2hJilaT0t3Sx6zlvvgCYQDBVErnM_Y_JWVLOO625hTtea313ll1-TUFXDJ0kn1b8mktcPiuFIeIdItzR_cNLgA2mTvjE2o9_iSdw90okV5BqwM4WMQ7DF9PgBNPygw93iqFid6EjM/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="320" /></a> It’s this magnetic arm band thing and you wrap it around your arm with the Velcro. This True Value has an end cap with all this “as seen on TV” stuff on it and this was there. I think it was $20? Twenty bucks of awesome, I tell you what. Especially on jobs like this, I am ALWAYS dropping screws or wing nuts or whatever. This keeps them right where I can reach them and they don’t go anywhere. And it’s soooo fashionable too, be sure to let all the cool people see you in it: <a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-vdS15wvoFdc/UNM7BBge40I/AAAAAAAAZYY/Xj53ldnQvDg/s1600-h/IMG_4140%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" height="480" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nb2A6TnUuW0/UNM7BpE87cI/AAAAAAAAZYg/UExWBVXvqJg/IMG_4140_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="" width="320" /></a> That’s my attempt at a tough face. Failing. I have a thing with as seen on TV stuff by the way. I have an odd fascination with all of it. No snuggie here yet. You? :) Next up, you’ll need to drill your brackets into the wall. For this I used my next new tool, the Master Mechanic Swift Driver Ratcheting Screwdriver (say that three times fast): <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiejdzOpbV3x4BVKiMXPm_pZh8zpTdTuicGvUeBFt1Mh3jTw435qjz7e3Sys_YLvU3E8IZifeb76zyeEkfpz6Kx01OhUCzogOBqGnN75iFP5z0VP_G90YqQur52PY3bnMFmfyFrJjpi9Tw/s1600-h/IMG_4121%25255B8%25255D.jpg"><img alt="ratcheting screwdriver" border="0" height="540" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRbqI6YnVwS_0tga5cw4hKCZ0QTeW4t4mzUNBPoraHDYleEGT3suVkr3_XbbFzjUshr8WjkpqK-rx5NAxz4KSI_ApglWzEu4DYxf9ZPAuOBHznvUbQi1nlcZBm0Mi7ZhlNYptKb1OCM-c/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="ratcheting screwdriver" width="360" /></a> The True Value folks sent me one to try out earlier this year and I have thoroughly enjoyed using it. It is SO much easer than a screwdriver people! I actually find it easier to use than a power drill sometimes – it’s hard to get control of a drill at times -- even I still have it skip out and I dent the wall with the bit. Once or ten times. This one is a great in between the power drill and a screwdriver – you use your hand to just ratchet it so it turns the screw for you. It’s hard to explain so I took a quick video: <iframe height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/n45w5S3izJs" frameborder="0" width="420" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe>   Master Mechanic is the brand name for True Value and I have at least three tools from this line and love them all. Really pleased. The only thing is I wish this screwdriver was magnetic so the screws stuck on it on like my drill. It made quick work of putting those brackets up: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgM7YtenPIhTB1pn_GLZHSX2OODZ49My3BD-MJBL2eswUVVZlEpESbjW8V4PyVLjI2MjfAwu0r4Qq15FtYlQJm1uPxVUZQ_VRL5db9IccK1-R9YF3NXQhgBb3ugi6QaCzXyJHTKzJPSok/s1600-h/IMG_4115%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinR4XIdAG6QBzuBymV9pXXoAktF7P5PYCfe5b1gnQCgaC_NPWYRX3PbJNgsTNV707VoHbRMh8IjltKC7cAU1261BtbGk3OHfcgMmzSKw3nKQj3NysHKVVbciQ5r9sAjxAsXdFhhhgwqNc/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="440" /></a> I hope you can see from this picture how the brackets are on the wall for an outside mount installation – you want the the metal part that the nut screws on to to be pointing down. Much like an inside mount, but facing out. (For an inside mount I put them sideways.) Once the brackets are up it’s easy! Just slide your shade on them and use the wing nuts to secure them: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGHKZd-i0VQXwEGAWnfRfCSoPxtgn7YJ0RHVEqb9hUqgUsJcI25QMnJBmpvcnsWDQhWyvvael0re1-dOApfL70oAj_Ny7ZluXzhP3TkZBEJhcprUfZ_GoV4AW65yvSRs1eIjnAhZsv4WM/s1600-h/IMG_4119%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds" border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpsqbhFVp6GpE3lbVW1aIdRkht0kxiBMG9kGBUHEQl_jaqWFCPaOEotuvHQsNeLM6tovYfVwsAXeXOOAmByEcmMvYwpxYsU4esnuvwQXXRJc2gslYZ334WQGch_BYgN83VmddFpjsPzHA/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds" width="400" /></a> And there you have it – a shade on the window, finally!: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGct1yvzaKnZh9KO1HKCfe7qW8y5HBftsBwTZ7hPBVnod542q4jkK2he8exowoOm9s2PZivRyUdpXg1JHjP8mskd3IZao3smclF47dcB3KtRm0Sf8ZpkEcK7QHXZYwAxCkdZ7fjJ2W1IM/s1600-h/IMG_4123%25255B12%25255D.jpg"><img alt="hanging bamboo blinds outside mount" border="0" height="563" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0erKfkbaLdPclVxEm2uR9-EfxP1R2JCCXNXVVIw1hKX7TKeJrHnNEt0CrVGOdS9icwfkULNsDe5S0ACmUQ5dMujEFWSATw6vz0hVMX8rzLOaZtla5FXd7syHYup7DP9EfHP1U2CKc4g8/?imgmax=800" style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="hanging bamboo blinds outside mount" width="360" /></a> Here’s the thing about hanging window treatments and shades really high – I love doing it because it gives the illusion the window is taller than it is. And I wanted this one high because this particular shade is still pretty thick at the top, even when pulled all the way up. So if it’s hung inside the window frame, it blocks a fair amount of sunlight. This way it doesn’t block any. But I find that when just drapes are hung SUPER high, like to the ceiling, and the shades (if there are any) are hung lower, it can look kind of off. Like you’re trying to make the window look bigger and you can tell. You shouldn’t be able to tell. ;) Once I get drapes up here it will really make that window look much taller than it is and will block out even more light for my lovely guests. :) One more thing off the HUGE to do list, it feels good! The list for just this room is a page long…2013 is the year of the guest room, I can FEEL it. Are you a bamboo shades person like me? Inside or outside mount? Or are you loving your blinds?   I was one of the bloggers selected by True Value to work on the DIY Squad. I have been compensated for my time commitment to the program as well as my writing about my experience. I have also been compensated for the materials needed for my DIY project. However, my opinions are entirely my own and I have not been paid to publish positive comments.

Outside mount bamboo shades

Hello hello! I’m back today to share a quick DIY project and a couple new tools I’ve started using lately. It’s been Christmas decor 24/7 ar...

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Outside mount bamboo shades

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