12 Days of Christmas Day 8 Simple Advent Centerpiece

I have always loved the idea of recognizing and practicing Advent. Advent is a time to slow down, prepare, and wait. It is a time to remember peace and to reflect and it is often marked by the lighting of four candles on the four Sundays before Christmas. I wanted to make an advent candle centerpiece. I wanted something simple, elegant, natural. Some thrift store finds helped me create a unique, topiary style advent centerpiece. I have lots of ideas how you could change this to fit your decor and style.

12 Days of Christmas Day 7 Felt Forest

Decorating for Christmas is happening slowly around here. I like adding bits and pieces, new items and treasured favorites. Adding a bit of Christmas cheer to the windowsills in my sunroom was on the agenda today.

These felt trees have been around for a few years. I decide to try to make some and give them my own twist by cutting different shaped trees and grouping them together in a felt forest.

12 Days of Christmas Ideas Day 6 Boho Basket Art

I always check out the basket selection at my local thrift stores. I like finding flat, round basket "trays" because I love their natural look and that they add texture and warmth to a wall or propped on a shelf. You can use them as frames or wreath bases or for centerpieces. 

I decided to use a few for cross stitch or embroidery "fabric".

12 Days of Christmas Day 5 Little Wood Houses

I have been loving the little wood (and ceramic) houses I have been seeing a lot of. Of course I said, "I can make those!" so I did!

They are cute grouped together or spread out on a window sill or shelf. It finally dawned on me that I have a great little decorating spot above our front entry doors. 

12 Days of Christmas Ideas Day 4 Ornament Box

Today's project was not on my list of 12 Days of Christmas Ideas, but when Funky Junk's Old Sign Stencils put out NEW stencils for the holidays, I had to play with them. 

12 Days of Christmas Ideas Day 3 Rustic Farmhouse Funnel

It is always fun to dig around in my junk bins--those containers where I collect and save rusty bits and pieces that I can't seem to let go of. I recently found (or re-found) four. old, rusty funnels that I have picked up from garage sales or thrift stores. I think I was collecting them for a funnel tree--stacked, upside down funnels. 

But, then I had another idea...

12 Days of Christmas Ideas Day 2 DIY Wood Cone Trees on a Budget

I am loving the wood cone trees I am seeing everywhere. They are simple and boho and will look great in a variety of Christmas vignettes. BUT, at $10-$50 a tree, creating a cute display with them could easily cost $100+. I decided I could make something that looked very similar and the best part, I could do it for about $5. 

12 Days of Christmas Ideas, Day One, Yardstick Tree

Welcome to my annual 12 Days of Christmas Ideas! This is my 12th year of sharing easy, DIY Christmas ideas with my readers, WOW!!

This year I feel ON TOP OF IT (famous last words?). I am starting on November 1st, I know what all of the projects are going to be, and I have some of them made already. What? Shocked? No, I do not usually have much of a plan and usually make it up as I go. Some years I have created all of the projects with similar items or really stick to a theme, but this year I am creating simple items that I love and will use in my own Christmas decor (I may sell a few of them).

This year's first project starts with some vintage yardsticks. I always buy these at thrift stores IF they are $2 or less. I made a Christmas wall hanging that is a little different from the graduating horizontal stick or wood trees we have seen over the past five years. I love those still, but wanted to create a little something different.

Upcycled Old Hand Tools

I always like to check out the tool section at our local thrift stores. Sometimes I find tools that I need and can use, often times I find old hand tools that have been discarded for new, better functioning tools. I love the old hand tools with wood handles. They have such a lovely patina. I upcycled two recent finds into picture holders.

Black and White Boho Toolbox

Wood boxes, can one have too many? No, the answer is no in case you were unsure. They are sturdy and can be used in so many ways in every room of the home, and can be painted to fit any kind of decor.

I while they are easy to make, this toolbox came from the thrift store. I always look for them and if they are a decent price, I buy them (this one was $4.99).

I decided to paint it black. I then wanted something painted in white on it. I thought about stenciling the word tools or a number on it, but I really wanted something a little more funky and boho in style so I decided to paint a freehand rainbow design.