THE OUTDOOR CHRISTMAS DECORATING

I have stepped outdoors to start the Christmas decorating!

I love looking in the neighbourhood and seeing all the lights, and all the great decorating during this time of year.  Looks so beautiful.

I thought I would put the focus this year on the front door and entrance.  I have two columns on my front entrance and wanted to do something other than wrapping greenery around them.

During heavy winds from Hurricane Sandy this year, my whole forsythia bush was knocked down behind the garage.  Not happy about that, but as  they say when given lemons make lemonade.....lol
I turned these branches into Christmas decor.

Take a look:


I gathered some branches that measured about 12 feet tall.  Secured  them together near the bottom with plastic ties.  You can use anything to secure them.   You can even spray paint them if you like.  I chose to keep them as they were.

I added some lights around them, and positioned them in front of my pillars.

Got my urns ready.  The ivy was there during the summer, and it keeps rather well during the winter, so I thought I would leave it in this year.  I love when something can do double duty....lol
Added some pine branches, which by the way, were free, as a neighbour at my moms place had just cut a tree down,  added a  huge white mesh bow, which also were used for decorating for a wedding,  and some silk poinsettias, and voila,  done.

Night view

MY SQUARE CHRISTMAS WREATH AND MY OUTDOOR DECOR

Who said a wreath has to be round.......

I really need to start decorating the outside of my front door and the entrance of my home, before time flies   and I have nothing done.  The Christmas season goes by so fast that before you know it, it is over.

I have had these old picture frames for some time now, just sitting in the garage collecting dust.  I never wanted to throw them out (and I love to get rid of stuff) as they were very good quality and there is something nostalgic about them.

I wanted something a little different to decorate my front door, and thought maybe these frames can come in handy.

I absolutely LOVE spray paint.  So fast and so easy to do.
Purchased a nice gold colour and went at it.  Hate the smell, so I always spray paint outside.

HERE ARE THE INSTRUCTIONS:

First get yourself some old picture frames.  You can find a wide range of frames from your local thrift store, in any size you like, and some of them are very ornate and great quality too.


Here are my frames ready for some spray paint.   Remember to dust them off.  Don't be like me, and get really excited about spray painting that you forget to clean them up.  Yup, I spray painted some dust.....lol

I too the frames behind the garage where there were many branches that were down from Hurricane Sandy.
I lay the frames on top and spray painted.  Actually, those branches are going to come in really handy when I do my outdoor Christmas decorating.

Stay tuned for that.

Gather up some greenery.   I used real cedar branches from my huge cedar trees in the back of my house, that are over 30 feet tall.

I put together 4 or 5 branches, and secured them with some wire.

Using some wire wrap them over the frame.

Continue in the same manner all the way around the frame.  I did the lower half only, as I wanted the frame to show through.

....and here it is hanging on my front door.

I added two little white feathered birds.

Found these very pretty green leaves, and I thought that I would do another picture frame wreath for indoors.

I hot glued them half way around the frame.

I am almost done.....keep watching for the final product and where I decide to hang it.  I still don't know yet where I am going to hang it but I will find a place.

Thanks for looking.
Have y'all started decorating?
Let me know if anyone tries this type of wreath; would love to see.


This post has been linked to:


http://www.savvysouthernstyle.net/



http://www.homemadeginger.com/2012/11/ginger-jamboree-link-party-4.html



http://www.shecookscraftsruns.net/

THINKING CHRISTMAS IN JULY?

Christmas in July?  Yes, I saw Michael's has some stuff out already.

Start planning, so that when you see some things that are on sale that would fit your Christmas decor, just buy them.

My wreath last year.

Will be doing a tutorial on it, closer to Christmas.  I love the Christmas season.  Do you?

This post is part of Get Your Craft On at Todays Creative Blog

http://todayscreativeblog.net/

This post is part of a link party at House of Hepworths

http://www.houseofhepworths.com/2012/08/08/hookin-up-with-hoh-111/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+HouseOfHepworths+%28House+of+Hepworths%29

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