Its Starting to Look a bit like Christmas...

Since I posted my kitchen tour this morning and you got a glimpse of some decorations going up - I thought I would go ahead and post about the wonderful arrangement I made for my kitchen "mantel"!

I started with an oblong metal planter that I already had.  It has an aqua tint to it which I love! Next I added faux pine boughs that I purchased 50% off at Hobby Lobby a few weeks ago...We don't have Hobby Lobby stores here in Canada so I went cross-border shopping - actually McG and I do that quite often.

They were very realistic and came with small pine cones attached.  I also purchased some boughs from Garden Ridge - these types of things are much more affordable in the US.  I didn't even use oasis to complete the arrangement.  I just laid them into the planter, making sure to leave them hanging over the sides a bit.  I layered in large pine cones that I had here already.

I added silver sinemay ribbon around the edges of the container, tucking it in gently, to add some sparkle to the arrangement.  I also added some glittery brown ornaments and some silver glittered wicker balls that I purchased at Dollar Tree.  

I also purchased the silver berry branches and the silver reindeer at the Dollar Tree store.  I have been there about 5 times since they opened here in our city a few weeks ago - they are a great resource for budget decorating!

It makes a lovely holiday display on the ledge between my kitchen and dining room.  Here's a view from the dining room...

It's just the first of my decorations to go up.  I am hoping to get my Christmas tree up this weekend, as well as, finish up the last few projects in the entryway.

Are you decorating for the holidays too?  I'd love to hear from you!

Cheryl

Linking up @:  Debbiedoos, Beyond The Picket Fence,
                            Songbird, The Cottage Magpie,
                            Sand and Sisal, Southern Savvy Style,
                            The Tablescaper, Cupcakes and Crinoline, 
                            It's so very Cheri, Setting for Four,
                            Three Mango Seeds, 
                            Uncommon Slice of Suburbia   
                            The Frugal Homemaker       

What I'm Working on Today...

While many of the bloggers I follow are readying their homes for Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I was hesitant to take out Christmas decorations this early...McG's birthday is at the beginning of December and he really hates having Christmas stuff out before his birthday (he is a Scrooge sometimes)...

I was out today running some errands and stopped by the Dollarama and look what I found!

I was actually only looking for one...our daughter has been dating a young man now for the better part of the year and he will be joining us during the upcoming holiday season.  I wanted him to feel part of the family, and wanted him to have his own stocking.   We've had our stockings for a long time, and I knew I wouldn't be able to find one to match.  While in the local dollar store I found these lovely ones for just $2 each...so it wouldn't break the bank to get everyone a new stocking!!! ( Like how I rationalized that spending..LOL)

I brought them home and used my Tulip Glitter Fabric paint to personalize each one with our names.  I must confess that I've had this paint since the early '90's - but it worked like a charm!

I bought my daughter and her beau stockings with matching plaid trim.  The others all have snowmen on them.  They were quite nicely made considering they were from the dollar store...

Are you buying or making new stockings this year? Check out your local dollar store..it's amazing sometimes the great things you can find there!

Cheryl