Book paper, paper chains

We made these book paper, paper chains just today. This is just the beginning I hope to fill the room to over flowing in true Buddy the elf style. Below is a little story to explain the "Christmas'y" posts that will likely continue for the next week.

I was raised in a very christian family where my parents would try hard to create a magical but reverent Christmas. In fact, my mom announced one year when I was young, that Santa was coming on New Years Eve from then on. We all went along with it and even embraced it. For example on Christmas Eve we acted out the nativity story, and on New Years Eve we would put out milk and cookies. We exchanged home made gifts from each other on Christmas. Then on New Years we received presents from Santa, usually store bought from after Christmas sales. Now were grown up and we're still continuing the tradition in one way or another. Now as we're getting ready for New Years we pull out all the stops and go overboard! I love it! Thanks for letting me share one of my unique traditions with you.

I HEART my living room

Just stopping by sharing my Valentines Day decorations I put up in the living room. I just love after christmas sales. I got that 6 1/2 ft white tree for 17$ at Wal-mart. :) The glittered 3d heart ornaments were 1/2 off at the 1$ store. How cool is that!! Notice the re-purposed paper chains, from here? All the rest are hand made. The heart cookies were made from salt dough. I'll have to give a tutorial on those sometime! They're great! Don't you love the pink red and white candy corns in the jar on the mantle? :) Hope you have a great weekend! We are spending our weekend fixing up a bunch of unfinished home improvement projects. Yippee!

Paper chains galore

We did it! It took lots of taping and cutting, and cutting and stapling, and cutting, but we did it! Buddy the elf would be proud. We feel quite festive when we go in this room.