Sunna's ideas

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It's Christmas time! I have to admit something, I had Christmas decorations up in my house a week before Halloween :) Yep. I took them down for the day of Halloween because I didn't want to seem like a crazy lady with the trick or treaters, but it was put right back up afterwards. Every year, I sneak my Christmas decorations earlier and earlier into our house. My husband hates it, but luckily I have a blog I need to do it for :) But, up until Thanksgiving, my front room is the only room in the house that's allowed to have Christmas glitter and fake snow all over it. Everything else is reserved for after Thanksgiving....according to my husband :) Along with the music, movies, etc. Ba-humbug. haha. I did talk him into letting me put up our main tree the day before Thanksgiving this year, so I consider that a win. Now you know, that only opens the gates to put that up and everything else earlier and earlier? Don't tell him I said that. :)

Well, today I am sharing our front room...that has been decorated since Halloween...with you all! I've joined 30 other bloggers for the Merry Christmas Home Tours hosted by the lovely Carrie from Lovely, Etc. Be sure to check out the awesome $300 giveaway at the bottom of the post along with all the other lovely home tours this week!

Let's get started! This is the entrance into our front room from our entry way. You'll notice that throughout this tour and the other room tours to follow next week, I kept with a very neutral theme. I usually try to add in red, but I wasn't feeling it this year. I kept my pallet as neutral as my home usually is...and of course, I love how it turned out :)

Farmhouse Christmas home tour. Neutral Christmas decor and decorating ideas. Fixer upper Christmas ideas.

(Barn Doors: Tutorial Barn Doors Hardware: Amazon)

This room is multi-functional. Not only does it function as a living room/sitting room, it's also a guest room. Just fold out that couch, shut the barn doors, and it's a cute and cozy guest retreat. This room is also a play room. That bench houses an enormous amount of kitchen and play toys. And in the other corner of this room that isn't in this tour is a cute little white play kitchen and hutch. Oh yes, another function of this room is my coat closet. I don't have any other closets in our house besides our clothing closets, so I had to make room in here to put a large hutch to fit all my coats :)

(Side Table: Target White Slipcover Couch/Bed: Ikea Rug: Rugs USA Storage Bench: Target Jute Pillows: Target Farmhouse ladder: Tutorial)

(Cotton Wreath: Tutorial)

(Candle Sticks: Hobby Lobby)

(Faux Fireplace: Tutorial Stockings (similar):Target Flocked Trees: Target Galvanized Buckets: Hobby Lobby Blanket: BHG Walmart Wood Clock Advent Calendar: Tutorial )

This advent calendar that I made last year was a big hit! I love it, and so do my kids. Can't wait to start counting down!

(Sweater and Wood Trees: Tutorial)

I wasn't planning on doing this whole book thing until the last minute. I have a ton of books stashed in the corner under the ladder and wanted to bring them out. I had them by the chairs and they slowly made their way under the tree. I'm digging the look. A little quirky, but just my style!

If you all only knew how long it took me to find a tree that I envisioned for this space. I knew I wanted at least 7 footer. Last year's tree was just too small. I searched online and in stores everywhere last year after Christmas for a deal on a tree. Didn't find one. Then time came to decorate in here for this year, and I started the search again. I couldn't find any at a decent price. I wanted it to be under $200. I didn't care if it was lit, only flocked. I had 5 trees in the line up. Three online and two in store. I grabbed a $200 one from a store and it was beautiful. But...completely messy. Like, the whole thing just dripped it's faux icicles or crystals or whatever all of the floor. Cleaning it all up was a beast. I still step on some after vacuuming five times and steam cleaning. I returned that quickly. Enter my $109 tree that was on sale. Yep. Flocked, pre-lit, 7.5, check. Love how it fits this space!

(Christmas Tree: Walmart)

(Bench: Target)

Here's a good view of most of the room and what you see when you walk in. It's just super cozy this time of year!

And of course, I have to sneak in this cute little pic of my pup. It'll be his first Christmas. So far, he has yet to pee on any of the trees, and has only managed to chew up one faux snow stem branch. I'm pretty impressed...although now that I said it, I'm sure things will change :) #knockonwood

Be sure to enter this giveaway! I wish I could, so you better do it! :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And be sure to check out all these other amazing tours for some great inspiration!

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Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

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I can't believe Thanksgiving is already done with and Christmas is less than a month away! For today's post, I joined up with some other amazing bloggers to show the best of the best DIY Christmas crafts/decor for this year. If you are coming from Uniquely Taylor Made, welcome! Also, be sure to check out the other projects at the bottom of this post along with a $150 giveaway!

DIY wood and sweater Christmas tree decor. DIY farmhouse Christmas decor and decorating ideas. Easy Christmas crafts

This year for Christmas, I'm all about cut out trees. I am loving them. First, they are super easy to make. Second, super cheap. Third, simple. All my requirements for a great project :) I cranked these out in under an hour.

Supplies:
Christmas Tree Cut Outs (I used the Cricut Explore Air 2 to cut mine)
Scrap wood (at least 3/4" wide to stand freely)
Jigsaw
Sweater
Paint/stain

Step 1: Cut out the trees into three different sizes. My largest one is about 10" wide, the second one is 7" and the third 5".

DIY wood and sweater Christmas tree decor. DIY farmhouse christmas decor and decorating ideas.

Step 2: Trace out the trees on the wood.

Step 3: Start to cut out the wood with the jigsaw. I usually cut from the right side first, getting all the cuts done on the right.

Step 4: Then I flip the wood over, and using the cut part as a template, I line up the tree on the wood again. I then trace it on this side, and finish up the cutting going from the right once again.

Step 5: Sand down the trees if needed.

Step 6: On the larger tree, stain the edges. I used DecoArt's Walnut Gel Stain. On the smaller trees, I stained the face of the trees, and then painted the edges white.

Step 7: Use the tree template again and trace it onto the sweater. I used a marker to trace it on the back side.

Step 8: Cut it out carefully. To secure the sweater onto the wood, place a good layer of decoupage onto the wood, and then line up the sweater and move it into place. You may have to go back through when everything is dry to trim the sweater a bit since it may stretch out.

Here's the final of the sweater tree.

And a look at all three of them.

These have been floating around my house. I can't decide where they look better! I think they may have found a home on my front room mantel. We'll see if they stay or find another home :)

And now for the giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Next up in the blog hop is Cuter Tudor!

Thrifty and Chic | Cuter Tudor | Mint Candy Designs | The Homemaking Momma

Noting Grace | A Blue Nest | The Tattered Pew | Joy In Our Home

Junque Cottage | Little By Little Farmhouse | My 100 Year Old Home | Repurpose and Upcycle

Pennies From Heaven Home | Uniquely Taylor Made

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This is an installment of my Thrifty and Chic Deals. I'll be sharing with you some awesome great deals intermittently from now until Christmas! Today's deal is the best. When Target did this deal last year, I got all my Christmas shopping done for my kids. Today only, they are offering 25% off all toys (exclusions apply). This means, that even if something is on sale already, you still get 25% off of that! Amazing. It's not only in store, but online also. So, shop in our pajamas like I did :)

Here are some good deals I found:

Zoomer Pony: Regular 79.99 sale plus 25% off = $44.99
Get an extra 5% off with your Target Red Card :)

Hatchimals Surprise: Regular 69.99 plus 25% off =$52.49

Our Generation Ice Cream Truck: Regular $109.99 sale plus 25% off = $74.99

Meccano Erector - M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy with Artificial Intelligence: Regular $149.99 sale plus 25% = $84.74

There are lots more, like thousands of more deals. Go check them out for yourself!

Plus, get 5% off when you use your Red Card ;)

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It's no secret that I love Amazon. For Christmas and my birthday, I ask for Amazon gift cards. So, that being said, I stalk Amazon daily for great deals and cute items. Today, I have my list of my favorite farmhouse Christmas decor from Amazon. Enjoy! (links below)