So how about simply swapping out something round...
...for something else round during the holidays...
Or how about simply hot gluing some cinnamon sticks...
...and wrapping a little bit of jute twine...
...around plain, inexpensive Dollar Store candles...
They look great and smell good too!
(Note: These candles are for decorative use only and shouldn't be lit)
And speaking of jute twine, my friend Kimba at A Soft Place to Land inspired my next decorating project. Have you read her Christmas craft e-book? If not, click on the button to find out how to get one today- it's excellent!
I used to have two, giant pine cones in the small urns on our mantel. But now that they have a new home (on the floor around my mop-bucket-turned-planter), I decided to top them with two, twine topiaries instead...
I bought the brown cardboard cones and jute twine at Hobby Lobby. The color of the cones and the color of the twine match perfectly, so it's okay if parts of the cone peek through parts of the twine. I paid $5.99 for each cone and around three dollars for the spool of twine.
I used a mini tree topper (also from Hobby Lobby) on top of each of them...
I love the way they resemble the shape of the big sunburst mirror we've got hanging above our fireplace. I also love the relationship of contrasting textures- the mirror is smooth and silver, and the toppers are glittery and gold. What a great Christmas combo!
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So there ya have it. Holiday "decking" on a dime!
Now if you'll excuse me, I've got a very important date with my sofa, a fancy glass of milk and a carton of reduced fat chocolate chip cookies.
:-)
Hope you're having a wonderful, cookie-filled weekend too!
Layla
PS...If you're interested in seeing what Mr. LC has been working on lately, check back this week for another exciting Guest Bathroom update!
Layla, Thank you so much for coming by girl...needless to say I was shocked...I mean you with a zillion followers found little ole me ha ha!! Love the cone Christmas trees you made...your always doing something wonderful here....I have been coming here for over a year just looking at all the wonderful things you and your DH do together...Many Christmas Blessings to you my friend...You just made my day....Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria
ReplyDeleteThey are all great ideas. I love that they are simple and thrifty, too.
ReplyDeleteI love what you did with the jute trees for your mantle. I loved you pinecones so much I did the same thing. :) So thanks for the inspiration.
ReplyDeleteI have jute trees sitting in old milk glass containers on a side table in my living room, so simple and so pretty and cheap. I used scrapbook paper to make my cones. No hobby lobby near me, how I miss that store!
Awwwww.. those are all so cute. Thanks for the ideas.
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of gluing the cinnamon sticks around the pillar candles! I am definitely going to have to try that. I also made some topiary "trees" using garland and vase filler beads. I really like yours though, for a non-sparkly version. Thanks for sharing these easy, great ideas!
ReplyDeleteVery pretty! Love the sunburst idea for a topper. I didn't know they made "mini" ones.
ReplyDeleteYummy cookies! :)
Layla, I LOVE the jute trees!! I'll be featuring tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your ideas!
ReplyDeleteSimpel and beauiful!
xx
Greet
Love the simplicity but since I am all decorated out I will put this on my "to-do in 2010 list". Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI love the simple idea with the cinnamon sticks and the candle -- but I DO have an idea, for the candle, if you DO want to light it. I saw this on a decorating show a long time ago: They were showing a way to extend the life of candles, especially those super-duper pretty, but expensive ones (this applies to pillar-style candles), by lighting the candle and letting it burn just enough to get a hole the size of a tea light. Then insert the tea light to burn, and you don't have to worry about the candle burning down, because you're just replacing tea lights.
ReplyDeleteI've tried this once (because most of my candles are cheap, but it would work great with this type, that even if you do buy an inexpensive candle, but apply a fun treatment, like the cinnamon).
Just wanted to share. ^_^
(A lurker)
nonchalantgirl.blogspot.com
Your blog is really beautiful! I'm glad I've found you :)
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Italy!
Federica
xoxo
Layla, it's the sweetest thing to share with all of us how to decorate on a dime. Seriously... everything looks fabulous as it always does. I have a few of those things laying around and have a ten dollar bill ready to help me find the rest! Hehehe. Thanks dear!
ReplyDeleteBtw, the idea Gabby share sure is a cool one... glad she shared!
Hey Lady! I did that same topiary project only I used chenille yarn instead of twine. It turned out lovely too...they look snowy instead of rustic. But similar! Your decor is always fabulous!
ReplyDeletewow, I truly adore what you did with the twine tree! I have seen them gussied up in tons of different forms, from paper, feathers, candy and moss. but never twine. So fun, esp with the star on top!
ReplyDeleteWhat great ideas! Simple yet beautiful.
ReplyDeleteLOVE the topiaries, think I would have liked one of your starfish? as a topper instead, but LOVE them.....
ReplyDeleteLOVE your trees!! I love the jute. Awesome!
ReplyDeleteGood Morning ~
ReplyDeleteYou are one of the best "Fa~La~La~La~ers" in town! These are wonderful ideas...I swear that I can smell the cinnamon wrapped candles way up here in the Northwest...thanks for sharing!
Merry, Merry Christmas!
Smiles ~ Ramona
love your ideas! Keep up the excellent work!
ReplyDeleteHappy Holidays!