Monday (P)inspiration: Christmas Storage Ideas

Yes... Christmas was yesterday. No, I'm not taking my decorations down just yet.  Nonetheless, I want to do a better job of organizing them this year... and I need to figure out my ideas before I'm ready to actually tear everything down [and dream of springtime, haha]. Therefore, I went of into the land of Pinterest in search of great storage ideas. As always, each photo is linked to its source!

I will be doing this. Egg cartons for small fragile ornaments, and plasic cups for larger ones. But how do you keep all those cups from moving around, and what if you want an ornament from the bottom... 

No worries, the cups are glued to the cardboard! Over at Design a la Mode there's a great tutorial on how to make this awesome DIY ornament organizer.

Here's another super, super simple storage solution. Just wrap lights around cardboard and tape your end down. Much easier than detangling them each year, right?!

Left over Christmas ribbon left to unravel in your bins? Not anymore thanks to this genious idea. Check out Spunky Junky to see the details of this super easy and super fabulous storage solution!!

Here's a great and simple idea for saving Christmas cards too! Check out The Creative Place to see how to make it.

I hope you are received some excellent inspiration, I know I did!!

Wishing you a Merry Christmas

The Manger by Gertrude Kasebier

"For to us a child is born,

to us a son is given,

and the government will be on his shoulders.

And he will be called

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,

Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Of the increase of his government and peace

there will be no end.

He will reign on David's throne

and over his kingdom,

establishing and upholding it

with justice and righteousness

from that time on and forever.

The zeal of the Lord Almighty

will accomplish this."

Isaiah 9 : 6 & 7 

Salvage Savvy's Early Christmas Gift!

Well, I have received an early Christmas gift from blogland... tons of features this week!! Thank you SO MUCH to every single blog. I am truly honored and completely blessed by all of you.

 

And I couldn't find the button, but I'm also featured today at The Shabby Art Boutique

Thanks so much ladies!!!

What are your Christmas Traditions?

We have quite a few Christmas traditions in our home, and here are a few:

First, at some point in December we must watch each of these movies at least once:

A Christmas Story

 White Christmas

 It's a Wonderful Life

Rudolph

 How the Grinch Stole Christmas [original animated version only... sorry Jim Carrey].

And then... each Christmas Eve we watch Fiddler on the Roof.

Not sure why or how this one became our Christmas Eve tradition, but it's a great story!

And before bed each child gets to open one present [which is always pajamas and an ornament for their tree]. Then there is a family gift to open, which is usually a movie and/or a new board game.

[this photo is actually about 4 years old... but I just had to include it because it's so stinkn' cute!]

Finally, the kids set out their treats for Santa and his reindeer. [Yes, I've convinced them that Santa gets tired of too much milk... what he needs for a long night is a little caffeine and a nice, cold Coke!]

Finally, on Christmas morning before opening any presents, we begin our day by reading the story of Christ's birth from the Bible. It's a good reminder of why we are celebrating in the first place :) 

To make it more interactive for the kids, as we read the scriptures they "act it out" with their manger people!

And those are a few of our Holiday Traditions!

What Christmas traditions do you have? [I love getting great ideas for creating new ones... so I might steal one or two!].

Monday (P)inspiration: Gift Wrapping Ideas

If you're like me, then you've finished decorating your home... and now it's time to start wrapping. I'll just tell you that I have a love/hate relationship with gift wrap because I love to make things look beautiful; however, I'm super practical [how much time do I want to spend wrapping when it's all going to be torn off] and thrifty [how much $ do I want to spend on wrapping paper & supplies when it's all going to be thrown away?]. Therefore, I've searched high & low on Pinterest for affordable, simple and beautiful gift wrap ideas. As always, each photo is linked to its source, so please click away for more information!

Adorable? [yes] Affordable? [yes] Simple? [yes] Love it? [YES!]

Another really simple gift idea, but the stamped names are just too cute & fun!

Brown paper bags [boring]. These brown paper bags [adorable!]. I love the idea of transforming something so very plain into something so very cute... this is one of my favorites!

So. many. ideas. Check out each package and you'll find so much inspiration!!

Of course I had to throw-in some gift wrapping organization ideas! My gift wrapping area looks... well, let's just say... not like this. These are such simple ideas, I really [really] need to do this and get my area organized.

One more idea. I love that all of the "stuff" is contained in a basket, and I really love those hooks to hang storage on the side. Hmmmm... how will I get organized?!

Happy wrapping this week [and if you've already wrapped everything... don't even tell me... I don't want to know!!!].

My Christmas [Room] Tour...

...but what about an entire home tour like the rest of the bloggers? You ask. My reply: Sorry, but I'm just not that ambitious right now. Maybe next year you'll get the whole thing [ but I've gotta leave something to the imagination, right?!]. However, until then... I did straighten-up [parts of] one room for a few photos to share!

I keep my colors pretty simple: silver, white and green with little blue accents. I love filling bowls with ornaments. It's a great trick if you want to showcase a special ornament [the blue ornament is my favorite, but it's really old so I don't trust hanging it on the tree...]

And here's the television [which is also a bit of a focal point in the room]. We are honest with ourselves and with others and accept the fact that we enjoy watching tv. Therefore, rather than hide it... we choose to dress it up instead!

Here is a little trick that makes me really happy: use stocking hangers to display ornaments [they're never strong enough to hold the weight of stocking anyway!]. I love this JOY moment... see the ornament with the tag? It was made by my super sweet nieces and I'll never take that tag off because everytime I see it I think of how much I love them. In my opinion it's those little things that make the holidays even more special!

And here's our tree. Yes, the angel is bowing her head in prayer [not slouching over because I need to prop her up again!]. I don't go crazy about making my tree perfect. Maybe that's because I have a one year old who likes to pull-off ornaments [probably not... ]. 

I have a metal tree on the wall and I decided to make it festive this year. First I added ornaments. Then a couple strands of silver garland. That's when my super hero hubby said, "You do realize that isn't a real Christmas tree, right?" I think he was worried that I would add lights as well!

More Christmas cheer on the China Cabinet. [Here's an I Spy Moment: find the tiny yellow soccer ball. My son had stuck it in the silver bowl of ornaments pictured above, so I moved it to get it out of the photo. It managed to sneek into this one instead!] 

Yes, you've seen the hanging ornaments already. Here they are again!

And finally... another simple decorating idea: fill vases with silver ornaments, then add one bright ornament for a pop of color. This little vintage pink-striped ornament is just perfect [to me at least]!

Hope you enjoyed my one-room Christmas tour!!

Create a Tree Branch Candle Chandelier

Last month I created this guest tutorial for Craft Gossip and I'm so excited to share it here on Salvage Savvy today!! I just love this chandelier in my office, it's so pretty and festive... and is made from items that you probably have around your house already [tree branch, spray paint, yarn, glue, ribbon, ornaments & flameless candles]... not very fancy stuff, but it all combines to make a spectacular piece!

Here's how I made it...

First, begin by selecting a branch [this sounds simple enough… but I walked around waaaay too long searching for the perfect one!]. I liked this one because it had bark falling off which added great texture and interest.

I dusted it off and spray painted it using a Brushed Nickel color. Doesn't the bark look amazing in silver?!

 

Next I made the white yarn “candle holders.” For this you’ll need:

-100% Cotton yarn

-Plain-old School glue with a little water mixed in [about a 5:1 ratio]

-Balloons blown-up to the size of a large grapefruit and then covered in Vaseline

-A plastic table cloth [or just use a trash bag like me if you’re fancy!] because it gets messy.

Begin by dipping about 24” sections of your yarn into the glue and then squeeze off the excess back into the bowl.  Now immediately begin wrapping your balloon. You can’t mess this up, wrap away in any and every direction making sure to keep each layer tight on the balloon.  Just make sure to leave an opening big enough to squeeze your candles into it [I didn’t really do that, soooo yea… that’s important.].

Once you’re done, tuck the last piece underneath another so it’s not hangin’ out all loosey-goosey. Then roll the wrapped balloon around in glitter until it is nice and sparkly.

 Now set it aside and wait for it to dry completely [which is the hardest part for me because I’m impatient].

Once your balloons are dry, deflate the balloon inside and pull it out…so easy!

 

Next, I screwed 2 Mug hooks into the ceiling based upon my branch measurements. *Note: I chose a light branch… if you choose a heavy branch then you’ll want to use ceiling toggle bolts instead to make sure it’s safe.

Then I decided how low I wanted the branch and tied ribbon “loops” onto each hook at that length, which allowed me to simply slip my branch into the hanging loops.

Now you’re ready to assemble everything! Just thread ribbon into each yarn candle holder and ornament and tie them at the top of the branch.  Be sure to arrange it all at varying lengths for interest.

And I added a little birdy to my branch… I secured it onto the branch with hot glue, but I also attached it to the Mug hook using clear fishing wire for extra safety.

Finally, insert your flameless candles, turn them on and enjoy your beautiful new creation!! *Another safety note: ONLY use flamesless candles for this project!!*

I love this project because it can be used in so many different ways and for all seasons, but for now... it's all about Christmas :)  

Monday (P)inspiration: Simple yet Stunning Christmas Decor

Today's eye candy is all about beautiful and simple Christmas Decorations. Each photo showcases the power of selecting simple colors and/or natural elements to create truly amazing spaces. And as always, each photo is linked to its source [assuming I could find it] so please click on it to learn more! Enjoy...

This is just a great idea for spreading a timeless message to a modern world! It's so simple and yet powerful. Love it.

I love the use of natural elements and neutral colors for a simple, classic, country Christmas.

No need for words here.... let's just have a moment of silence to soak-in this gorgeous room... L.O.V.E [everything]

Who wouldn't want this bedroom? Such a simple design... but it's been executed so beautifully that it would just be wrong to add anything else!

Fresh greenery creates a natural and completely show-stopping entry for Christmas. Gorgeous.

And last [but sooo not least!] is a truly amazing space. This room is just stunning [with or without the Christmas decor!]. It's the perfect blend of simplicity and opulence.