The Paper Dahlia: 25 Days of Christmas

Showing posts with label 25 Days of Christmas. Show all posts

Friday, December 23, 2011

Holy Cow is it Really Friday?!

How have I missed this entire week?! Well, catch up for the 25 days of gift giving then:

Day 20: An adorable little friend. Everyone loves pets- well, almost everyone. If that special person in your life does consider finding a forever home for a lucky little guy. I'll take him any day.

Day 21: So this past week has been completely filled with making homemade gifts- this laptop cover from Design Sponge specifically. Isn't it just gorgeous? Hope the fam enjoys finding these under their tree!

Day 22: I have been wrapping, wrapping, wrapping up a storm and love the homemade stamped wrapping paper. Since I don't have time to make my own I wouldn't mind purchasing some too... I need to plan farther out next year.

Day 23: Hooray for catching up with the Christmas gift list! With the left over fabric from making electronic sleeves for the family, I plan on making a few of these beautiful infinity scarves, tutorial from the wonderful blog Sweet Verbena. So many simple and beautiful sewing project LITERALLY so little time!

This year's Christmas theme was homemade (if you couldn't tell) because that is what my budget could afford for all of the wonderful people I wanted to shower with gifts! I hope your holidays are filled with love and joy!

XOXO

Monday, December 19, 2011

Eastern Accents

I can't believe I only just found this beautiful site. It's filled with wonderful home goods and they even have a holiday section! So, for the 19th day of 25 Days of Christmas gift ideas here are a few that I'm thinking about gifting to friends:

Too many pretty things!

XOXO

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Sunday Style [Christmas Colors]

This weeks Sunday Style and Day 18 of 25 days of Christmas gift ideas is centered around traditional Christmas Colors. Which is your favorite: Red or Green?

Red or Green by lapetitemaison featuring peacock feather jewelry

Dorothy Perkins belted top
$55 - dorothyperkins.com

Hollister Co. embroidered jeans
$50 - hollisterco.com

Mid heel shoes
$100 - topshop.com

Qupid velvet shoes
$37 - lulus.com

Zara bowler bag
$50 - zara.com

Oasis zip bag
£38 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Alexis Bittar glitter jewelry
$245 - intermixonline.com

Antik Batik red jewelry
€64 - antikbatik.fr

Les Nereides peach jewelry
£32 - debenhams.com

Shared Earth peacock feather jewelry
£13 - fashion-conscience.com

GAP feather hair accessory
$25 - gap.com

ReLuxe wrap scarve
£15 - fashion-conscience.com

Opi Nail Polish Collection .5 Oz
$9.99 - rickysnyc.com

XOXO

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Green With Envy

The 17th day of Christmas gift ideas is a little color therapy. It's amazing how color can affect our moods and one of my favorites that is also very versatile is green. Here are a few of my own inspiration rooms to hopefully inspire you to make a gift to your home by updating a room in this wonderfully rejuvenating color.

Green can make a dramatic statement in a small space, like a bathroom.

It also comes in so many shades and looks lovely next to a crisp cottage white. If you notice, the wood floor is also painted a lovely shade of green.

Green is a fresh accent color and can act as a pseudo neutral when paired with earth tones.

Make a statement with your entry that vivacious people live here!

For a little color splash try painting the ceiling and leaving the walls a beautiful buff. This only works for high ceilings, as color tends to close in and bring down the ceiling of the room, but makes for a very cozy space.

Add a splash of the outdoors to an industrial kitchen with some beautiful green glass tile back splash.

Get creative!

XOXO

Friday, December 16, 2011

Vintage

Day 16 of 25 days of gifts is something old, beautiful vintage opal rings. Opal is a beautiful stone that has a little glitter and glam to it that is understated. I love the milky color and antique settings are simply divine. If you have a lady in your life that you're shopping for this season, consider going to some estate sales, looking in pawn shops or doing an internet search for a vintage ring.

found here.

Happy hunting.

XOXO

Thursday, December 15, 2011

Gift your Guests

Day 15 on the gift giving list is beautiful table-scapes. Some place settings are a labor and gift of love, but if you provide a beautiful place card that can be a take-away from a party sometimes that can be the best gift of all. Below are a few I'm considering making:

Simple pine cone and a little jingle bell add just enough holiday cheer to this table.

So simple but pretty.

I never know what to do with these, but I think this is a smashing idea.

And of course, Martha says get beautiful silver ornaments your guests can take back and put on their tree. I like this little reindeer.

Happy table decorating!

XOXO

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Wish I Was

On another special addition of Wish I Was Here Wednesday, I wish you were here with me in Costa Rica! I have been so blessed this year with great family and amazing opportunities to travel. Currently I'm in Costa Rica hiking, soaking in some sun, and relaxing before the Christmas Holiday. So Day 14 of Christmas Gift ideas would be to schedule a vacation for you and your loved ones- get away and spend some time together outside of your every day routine.

Wish you were here!

XOXO

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Crafty Tuesday [Home Made]

Time for another crafty Tuesday with a home made give for the holidays! For the 13th day of gift ideas here is a little more advanced sewing craft: a hand tied quilt. I made one for my new nephew and it took a couple weekends of watching T.V. and sewing, tying, cutting, measuring & re-measuring, but all in all it was a quick project. I went through the tutorial at Diary of a Quilter which is a GREAT blog and now I'm hooked.

Here is some of the pictures I took during the process:

Fabric collection

I love the animal print! It was the first fabric I found and built the rest of the collection around.

The top piece of the quilt laid out.

The boarder, batting, and back hand tied together.

This is the back piece with the binding strip, so fun!

Close up of the tufted back and attaching the binding.

Since I had no original materials and had to buy everything new, the quilt cost: $60

but I bought WAY too much fabric and have enough to make a second crib quilt, so really around $30.

If you're a first time quilter, I say take the plunge. I'm excited to get working on my next one! This quilt was crib size: 40" x 44" with thick polyester blend batting to be extra warm and snuggly.

Happy quilting.

XOXO

Monday, December 12, 2011

Title Monday

Day 12 for Christmas gift ideas is the book: How the Grinch Stole Christmas.

I love going through my old childhood books including Dr. Seuss books and other holiday favorites. Gift someone you know this season with a classic that you can share together.

What are your favorite books from your childhood?

XOXO

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Sunday Style [Christmas]

I've been thinking about Christmas Eve and Morning activities. Normally we go out to eat Christmas Eve with my immediate family and then go over to Grandma's for Christmas morning church and brunch. So for Day 11 of Christmas gifts, grab a gift for yourself! I think a great, comfortable dress is a staple in a wardrobe, in fact I have one for at least every day of the week, and these two are both versatile and fit the occasion.